By Jakir Hossain
On January 22, 2024, Canada marked a turning point, shaking its history of welcoming international students. The international education sector of Canada faced some massive changes in 2024 as the government introduced some new policies to address their domestic challenges, taking effect in 2025.
- By 2025, Canada plans to reduce the number of international students by 10% to overcome difficulties in housing and infrastructure.
- The IRCC introduced Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) as part of the study permit process.
- Canada aims to cap on study permits that may have an impact on institutions dependent on tuition fees, particularly business and hospitality-focused programmes.
- The federal elections scheduled for 2025 will impact immigration and education policies that will affect the sector’s long-term future.
To address the immigration pressure and housing shortages, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set a limit of 437,000 study permits for 2025, which is a 10% reduction from the 485,000 permits issued in 2024.
This new policy has sparked some responses. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), limiting international student intake can risk reducing opportunities for both Canadian and international students.
Stakeholders have felt that these actions could create uncertainty among prospective students and impact Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global talent.
These concerns of CBIE and stakeholders are quite significant, as international students play a huge part in Canada’s economy, contributing over $22 billion annually through tuition fees, living expenses, and other expenditures, and setting limits can remarkably impact the country’s overall economy.
A new change has been made in the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility criteria that may influence the colleges offering business, hospitality, and related courses. Many institutions are preparing for enrolment declines, with some predicting a reduction of up to 40% in specific programmes compared to 2023.
The federal election of Canada is scheduled to happen before October 20, 2025, and it will have an immense impact on shaping the future of international education. The direction of this sector will depend on how political parties approach housing, education, and immigration policies.
While some parties may support more strict immigration controls, others may prioritise policies that value the socio-economic impact of international education.
In 2025, Canada’s international higher education sector stands in a vulnerable position due to the policies changed in 2024. They have to address domestic difficulties while promoting the undeniable benefits of international education through innovative and collaborative approaches.