New Study Permit Approvals Fall to Decade Lows, but Active Student Numbers Fall Just 24%

This big drop means that in 2024, only about half as many new international students came to Canada compared to the year before. For colleges and universities, this represents a major hit to their student recruitment efforts. For policymakers, it shows the cap had a stronger effect than expected — possibly changing who’s in the classroom now and who might be able to stay and work in Canada in the future. 

Background

In a major change, Canada’s international student landscape in 2024 was reshaped by the federal government’s cap on new study permits. On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced a cap expected to result in about 360,000 approved study permits for the year — a 35% drop from 2023. The goal was to ease housing pressures, protect education quality, and stop some institutions from taking advantage of students. 

By September 2024, then–Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirmed the cap would remain in place until 2026, with targets for 2025 and 2026 10% below 2024’s level. 

Active Permit Data Completes the Picture Beyond New Approvals 

While ICEF’s data covers the newly issued study permits, IRCC’s official data on Open Government Portal tells a complementary story by reflecting the number of study permit holders by year in which permit became effective (This data includes renewals).  

This gives us an insight into the overall size of Canada’s international student community. Even if new arrivals dropped, a large number of students keeps the active population relatively high, reducing the wanted impact on housing, labour markets, and campus life. 

With both perspectives in mind we can now look at how the overall study permit population has shifted year-over-year. 

Year-over-Year Comparison of Study Permits Effective 

The drop of 164,880 permits from 2023 to 2024 represents the largest year-on-year decline in decades.

Provincial Impact: Top 5 Provinces with Declines 

Ontario alone accounted for 69% of the total national decline, reflecting its heavy concentration of private colleges and historically high volumes of international enrolments. But public colleges also were affected; 23 of the 24 public colleges had reported staff reduction. 

 Smaller provinces like Prince Edward Island (–29.1%) and Nova Scotia (–32.1%) also saw steep proportional drops. The hardest hit was Newfoundland and Labrador, where the province’s only university, Memorial University, reported a drop in enrolment of 747 students. 

Study Permits by Country of Citizenship 

In 2024, Canada’s largest international student population still came from a familiar group of countries — even after steep cuts. The top five countries by total active study permits were: 

1. India – 188,465 permits  
2. China – 56,355 permits  
3. Nigeria – 26,520 permits  
4. Philippines – 24,730 permits  
5. France – 13,750 permits 

These countries are still Canada’s top sources of international students, with India alone making up over one-third of all active study permits in 2024. But large numbers don’t mean they escaped the effects of the cap—many of these nations saw some of the biggest losses. The largest drops in total permits came from: 

1. India: –89,580 (–32.2%) 
2. Nigeria: –10,980 (–29.3%) 
3. Philippines: –9,030 (–26.7%) 
4. Nepal: –6,450 (–40.6%) 
5. Iran: –3,790 (–25.7%) 

India and Nigeria, two of the top five source countries by total student numbers, saw major drops—making them key contributors to Canada’s overall decline. The Philippines, Nepal, and Iran also had large losses, showing that the cap affected both major and growing markets. 

Largest Percentage Declines by Country

The story looks different when we focus on percentage drops. The sharpest declines happened in smaller markets, where even modest losses had a big impact: 

None of these countries ranks in the top five for total permit holders, showing a key trend: the cap hits smaller, newer source markets hardest. Larger markets stayed on top, even with major cuts in numbers

Looking Ahead: Navigating Canada’s Tighter Study Permit Landscape 

The 2024 cap triggered a sharp change in Canada’s international student numbers. IRCC data shows a –24.2% drop in active permit holders, with Ontario and India hit the hardest in absolute numbers. But ICEF Monitor’s report on newly issued permits reveals an even steeper fall — only 267,890 new approvals, down 48% from 2023 and far below the expected drop of only 35%. 

Together, these numbers show that the cap is slowing both new enrolments and overall student growth. The government says the policy is meant to ease housing pressure and protect the quality of education. And there are early signs it may be working—according to Rentals.ca, rent prices in Canada have dropped 3.6% compared to last year. Still, it’s clear the policy is also reshaping Canada’s position in the global education market. For future students, the message is simple: apply early, stay flexible, and watch IRCC’s next moves—because the rules are changing.  

Implications for Immigration Aspirants 

For anyone planning to study in Canada, the competition just got tougher. With fewer permits available, students will need stronger applications, better preparation, and to apply earlier than ever, especially in those countries that saw a bigger drop in approvals.  

And if you are considering studying in Canada as an immigration path, this pressure leads more people to explore new options, such as the. Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot, Express Entry for French-speaking skilled workers, IEC work permits and also PNPs. 

The drop in new students and the increase in requirements after graduation to stay in Canada also mean fewer graduates will be eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and the Canadian Experience Class, tightening the path to permanent residency. Schools are already shifting their strategies, focusing on countries where approval rates remain strong and on programs that match Canada’s job market and immigration priorities.