TORONTO — For the second consecutive year, Canada will limit the number of international students allowed into the country in an effort to alleviate pressures on housing, healthcare, and other essential services.

In 2025, the government plans to issue 437,000 study permits—a 10% reduction from 2024—according to a statement released by the immigration ministry on Friday (Jan 24).

The cap on study permits was first introduced in 2024 as the government faced criticism over rapid population growth exacerbating a housing shortage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has announced his resignation effective March, had promised to lower immigration levels in recent months amid declining public support for newcomers.

In 2023, Canada issued over 650,000 study permits, bringing the total number of international students to a record-high of over one million—nearly three times the number recorded a decade ago.

While immigration-driven population growth has strained services like healthcare and education and driven up housing costs, international students remain a vital source of revenue due to their significantly higher tuition fees compared to domestic students.

Following last year's introduction of the student cap, most applicants are now required to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter as part of their application. Starting this year, master's and post-doctoral students will also need to submit these letters, which confirm their inclusion under the federal student cap.

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