New Student Arrivals Up 92 Percent in July but Worker Arrivals Decline

According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada welcomed 5,820 new international students in July, up from 3,020 in June. Meanwhile, new worker arrivals fell from 20,295 to 15,395, a decline of about 24 percent.

Despite the monthly increase in student arrivals, both student and worker numbers remain considerably lower than they were in previous years. This reflects the federal government’s ongoing efforts to reduce temporary immigration and bring temporary residents to less than five percent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027.

Key Takeaways

• New international student arrivals increased 92 percent in July, rising from 3,020 in June to 5,820.
• Temporary worker arrivals fell 24 percent month-over-month, from 20,295 in June to 15,395 in July.
• Between January and July 2026, new student arrivals were down 80 percent compared with the same period in 2024, while worker arrivals were down 59 percent.
• Former temporary residents accounted for 57 percent of new permanent residents admitted between January and July 2026.

International Student Arrivals Jumped 92 Percent in July

Canada welcomed 5,820 new international students in July, almost double the 3,020 who arrived in June.

This was the highest monthly student arrival figure since January, when 6,935 new students arrived. However, the July increase aligns with seasonal trends in student arrivals, with there being an uptick in July, August, and September, ahead of the fall term.

However, July 2026 numbers are still significantly lower compared to previous years. In July 2025, Canada welcomed 7,600 new international students. In July 2024, that number was 17,105. This means July 2026 arrivals were about 23 percent lower than last year and 66 percent lower than two years ago.

As of July 31, 2026, approximately 590,205 people held a study permit in Canada, down from a peak of more than 1.032 million in June 2024.

July 2026 Student Snapshot

• 5,820 new student arrivals
• 92 percent increase compared with June 2026
• 23 percent decrease compared with July 2025
• 590,205 people held a study permit in Canada as of July 31

Between January and July 2026, Canada welcomed 28,200 new international students, 80 percent fewer than during the same period in 2024.

Here are the monthly student arrival figures so far in 2026:

Student Arrivals Will Likely Rise Again in August

July’s increase is just the beginning of the seasonal rise in international student arrivals ahead of the fall semester.

IRCC’s historical data shows a clear spike in August. In 2025, student arrivals jumped from 7,600 in July to 44,885 in August. In 2024, they increased from 17,105 in July to 79,670 in August.

However, even with the July increase, student arrivals remain significantly below previous years. And this decline has largely been intentional.

Over the last two years, Canada introduced several measures to reduce international student numbers, including a cap on study permits, stricter Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility rules, and higher financial requirements for study permit applicants.

That said, IRCC has set a target of 155,000 new student arrivals for 2026. By the end of July, only 28,200 had arrived — only around 18 percent of the target.

For context, in 2024, arrivals from January to July made up over 48 percent of all student arrivals that year. In 2025, even with overall numbers declining, over 38 percent of the total student arrivals came to Canada between January and July.

At the current pace, even with the spike we expect in August-September (and another smaller one in December), IRCC seems well off track to meeting its 2026 target.

Temporary Worker Arrivals Fell 24 Percent in July

While student arrivals increased, temporary worker arrivals moved in the opposite direction.

Canada welcomed 15,395 new workers in July, down from 20,295 in June. That represents a month-over-month decline of about 24 percent.

July was the lowest month for worker arrivals since March, when 13,825 new workers arrived.

Compared with previous years, worker arrivals remained considerably lower. July 2026 arrivals were 16 percent lower than July 2025 (18,325) and 48 percent lower than July 2024 (29,555).

That said, the number of people holding only a work permit has been trending upward in 2026, rising from about 1.48 million in January to 1.56 million in July. After increasing through May, the total dipped slightly in June before rising again in July.

July 2026 Worker Snapshot

• 15,395 new worker arrivals
• 24 percent decrease compared with June 2026
• 16 percent decrease compared with July 2025
• 1,560,565 people held only a work permit in Canada as of July 31

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

Canada welcomed 3,580 workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in July 2026.

Temporary foreign worker arrivals were down 10 percent from 3,975 in June 2026. Arrivals were also 34 percent lower than July 2025 (5,390) and 58 percent lower than July 2024 (8,455).

International Mobility Program (IMP)

Canada welcomed 11,815 workers through the International Mobility Program (IMP) in July. This means the IMP accounted for about 77 percent of all new worker arrivals during the month.

Worker arrivals through the IMP were down 28 percent from 16,320 in June. Arrivals were 9 percent lower than July 2025 (12,935) and 44 percent lower than July 2024 (21,100).

Here are the monthly worker arrival figures so far in 2026:

What Can We Expect for Temporary Worker Arrivals in 2026?

Temporary worker arrivals could remain below the levels seen in recent years through the rest of 2026, particularly as federal measures to reduce temporary immigration continue to take effect.

IRCC has set a target of 230,000 new worker arrivals for 2026. Through July, Canada had welcomed 113,360, or about 49 percent of that target. This means Canada would need to welcome roughly 116,600 additional workers between August and December to reach the annual target, an average of about 23,300 per month.

That would require arrivals to pick up from July, when Canada welcomed 15,395 new workers. However, monthly numbers can fluctuate considerably, as seen earlier this year when arrivals rose above 20,000 in April and June.

At the same time, tighter rules for low-wage hiring through the TFWP, changes to PGWP eligibility and restrictions on spousal open work permits could continue to limit new worker arrivals. With five months remaining in 2026, it remains to be seen whether arrivals will increase enough to bring Canada closer to the government’s annual target.

Canada’s International Student Population Drops Sharply

The July figures also show a significant decline in the number of international students already in Canada.

As of July 31, 590,205 people held a study permit, down from 632,175 at the end of June. That represents a decline of 41,970 people in a single month.

On the other hand, the number of people holding only a work permit increased from 1,552,775 in June to 1,560,565 in July.

Combined, these two groups fell by 34,180 people between June and July, from approximately 2.18 million to 2.15 million.

The total was also down significantly year-over-year. In July 2025, there were approximately 2.55 million study permit holders and work-permit-only holders combined. This shows that the combined study permit and work permit holder population declined by about 16 percent year-over-year.

This drop aligns with the government’s stated goal of bringing temporary resident numbers to below 5 percent of the total population. However, these figures do not represent Canada’s entire temporary resident population. IRCC figures do not include asylum claimants, protected persons and related groups who may also hold a study or work permit.

More Temporary Residents Are Becoming Permanent Residents

While Canada is restricting the number of new temporary residents entering the country, many people already here are continuing to transition to permanent residence.

Between January and July 2026, 127,135 former temporary residents became permanent residents. They accounted for 57 percent of all new permanent residents admitted during the period.

That share has increased considerably in recent years. Former temporary residents accounted for 48 percent of new permanent residents in 2025 and 44 percent in 2024.

For temporary residents already in Canada, Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) remain two of the main economic immigration pathways to permanent residence.

What This Means for Newcomers

July’s numbers show that Canada’s student and worker arrival trends are not moving in the same direction from month to month. However, year-over-year both student and worker arrivals have declined significantly.

For prospective international students, the 92 percent increase in July is significant, but it comes after several months of historically low arrivals. With the fall intake approaching, student arrivals are likely to increase again, but the overall number of students coming to Canada remains much lower than in recent years.

For prospective temporary workers, July brought a noticeable slowdown after stronger arrival numbers in the spring and early summer. Canada’s tighter temporary worker rules also mean that your eligibility will depend heavily on your work permit category and circumstances.

If you are already in Canada on a study or work permit and hope to stay permanently, it is also worth exploring your PR options early. A growing share of Canada’s new permanent residents previously held temporary status, but studying or working in Canada does not guarantee that you will qualify for permanent residence. If you’re unsure about your next steps, or about your ideal pathway to PR, speak to a regulated immigration consultant for guidance.