Canada reduces the quota for international students to one step further (up to 10%) for the next year. As per the announcement by the immigration minister, the new cap for 2025 will be 437,000 instead of 485,000 set this year. The cap on the study permits is a part of the overall new temporary resident visa policy of the Canadian government.
The current changes are part of reducing the number of temporary residents from 6.5% of the total population to 5% in 2026 in the country
| New changes | Details |
| 2025 Study Permit Cap | 437,000 (10% reduction from 2024 target) |
| 2026 Study Permit Cap | Stabilized at 2025 level (437,000 study permits) |
| Post-Graduation Work Permit Program Update | Updating in fall 2024 to align with immigration goals and labor market needs |
| Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses (Students) | Limited to spouses of master’s degree students in programs 16+ months long |
| New language requirements for PGWP | New language requirements under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program |
The IRCC minister “Marc Miller” said on this occasion:
“The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to. We are taking action to strengthen our temporary residence programs and roll out a more comprehensive immigration plan to meet the demands of today’s changing landscape. Our immigration system must preserve its integrity, and be well-managed and sustainable. And as we look forward, we will do everything it takes to achieve that goal and set newcomers up for success.”
Main changes announced by IRCC
The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program will be updated this fall to better match Canada’s immigration goals and job market needs. Furthermore, later this year, only the spouses of master’s degree students whose programs last at least 16 months will be eligible for work permits.
Graduates from public college programs can still get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years if their field of study is related to jobs with long-term shortages.
As part of changes to the PGWP Program, all applicants will now have to show a certain level of English or French language skills. This is to help them move toward permanent residence and adjust to economic changes. Starting from November 1, 2024, university graduates will need to meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7, and college graduates will need a CLB level 5 to apply for a PGWP.
For the 2025–2026 study permit intake, master’s and PhD students will need to submit a letter from their province or territory. About 12% of the available spots will be set aside for these students, acknowledging their positive impact on the Canadian job market.