The path to studying in Canada has become more difficult, with a 50% drop in study permits for Indian students.

Indian students wishing to study in Canada have suffered a major setback, as study permits after 2024 have declined by nearly 50 percent.

This news is worrying for Indian students dreaming of studying in Canada. According to government data, study permits granted to Indian students after 2024 have declined by nearly 50 percent. This decline is not limited to India; the overall number of international students has also seen a significant decline. The Canadian government is now taking swift steps to limit the number of foreign students.

According to IRCC data, a total of 514,915 study permits were issued in 2024. In 2025, this number dropped to 383,905, representing a decline of nearly 25 percent in a single year. Previously, in 2023, this number had reached a record high of 680,795.

For Indian students, the decline is even more severe. While 188,715 Indian students received study permits in 2024, this number dropped to only 94,605 ​​in 2025. This means only about half of Indian students received permits. Previously, in 2023, this figure was 277,965, which has now fallen significantly.

Lowest Enrollments Since 2018

This decline is considered the lowest since 2018. In 2020, due to the disruption of international travel during COVID-19, the number of study permits issued had fallen to 255,530. This is the first time such a significant decrease has been recorded since that period.

Why is the government reducing the number?

IRCC says that the number of international students is now being balanced. According to the department, the number of new students arriving in 2025 decreased by 61 percent, representing 177,595 fewer new students. Study permit data includes both new students and permit extensions for students already residing in Canada. The Canadian government aims to reduce the country's temporary population to below 5 percent of the total population by the end of 2027.

Strict Government Policies

The Canadian government began implementing stricter policies in the last quarter of 2023. These included a cap on the number of international students, mandatory verification of offer letters issued by colleges to prevent fraud, and tightening financial requirements for students.

Limits Set for 2026

IRCC has clarified that the total number of study permits issued in 2026 will not exceed 408,000. This includes permits for 155,000 new international students, while 253,000 permits will be for existing students. This is significantly lower than the 2025 target of 437,000 and 2024 target of 485,000.