Canada tightens student intake, prioritises master’s, PhD candidates
Canada has announced plans to further reduce the number of international students entering the country at lower levels of study, while increasing its focus on attracting highly skilled students pursuing master’s and PhD programmes.
The Canadian government said the shift is part of a broader effort to align immigration levels with the capacity of communities while continuing to attract highly skilled talent from around the world.
According to the latest figures released by the government, Canada’s international student population has fallen by one-third since 2024.
The decline has accelerated in 2026, with 82 per cent fewer new international student arrivals recorded between January and June 2026 compared with the same period in 2024.
Despite the overall reduction in international student admissions, the share of new students entering universities has increased relative to those enrolling in colleges.
“We are taking steps to welcome fewer international students at higher levels of study. Get the facts: • The international student population has dropped one third since 2024. • Between January and June 2026, there were 82% fewer new international student arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. • As overall international student admissions decrease, the proportion of university students relative to college students is increasing. New arrivals of study permit holders at the university level increased from 30% in 2024 to 40% in 2025,” the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC tweeted
Canada expects the proportion of university-level international students to continue increasing as additional measures targeting graduate students take effect.
The government said it would maintain its focus on attracting international talent at the master’s and doctoral levels, which are considered more closely aligned with the country’s skills and labour-market needs.
The latest approach represents a shift in Canada’s international education and immigration policies after years of rapid growth in the number of foreign students entering the country.
Canadian authorities said the country is now “charting a new course for immigration” by ensuring that the number of newcomers better reflects the capacity of communities while maintaining Canada’s position as a destination for highly skilled international talent.
The government said the measures are intended to create a more sustainable international student system while prioritising students whose education and skills can contribute to Canada’s long-term economic needs.
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