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Canada Faces 60% Drop in Overseas Student Arrivals Till September 2025
Canada has recorded a significant 60% decline in the arrival of overseas students between January and September 2025. This sharp fall marks one of the steepest annual drops in Canada’s international education sector, affecting universities, colleges, and the overall student ecosystem.
The decline comes amid stricter visa policies, capped study permits, high living costs, and tightened regulations introduced by Canadian authorities to manage immigration and housing shortages.
Key Reasons Behind the 60% Decline
1. Study Permit Caps
Canada implemented national caps on new study permits to reduce immigration pressure. Institutions saw major reductions in their allocated quotas.
2. Rising Cost of Living
Housing shortages, increased rent, and cost-of-living requirements made Canada less accessible for many international students.
3. Visa Processing Delays
Extended processing times and additional documentation requirements contributed to fewer arrivals.
4. Stricter Rules for Private Colleges
Crackdown on private career colleges and unregulated institutions discouraged thousands of applicants.
5. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Restrictions
Revised PGWP eligibility rules reduced Canada’s appeal among students seeking work pathways.
6. Shift to Other Countries
Students have increasingly chosen the UK, Germany, and Australia due to friendlier visa policies.
Impact on Indian Students
India has historically been the largest contributor to Canada’s international student pool.
The new rules affected:
Students applying for September 2025 intake
PGWP-dependent applicants
Those seeking affordable housing options
Applicants from states with high refusal rates
Many Indian students are now exploring alternative destinations.
How Canadian Institutions Are Responding
Universities are lobbying for softer visa rules
Colleges are updating admission strategies
Some institutions are offering larger scholarships
Online and hybrid course options are being expanded
Provinces are negotiating for separate permit caps
Why This Topic Is Trending on Google
This article is trending due to:
Massive decline figures creating global interest
High Indian readership searching for Canada study updates
Policy relevance for parents, agents, and students
Vizzve Finance’s early reporting, strong keyword targeting, and structured content resulting in fast indexing and high SERP visibility
FAQ
1. Why did Canada see a 60% decline in international student arrivals?
Due to study permit caps, high living costs, visa delays, and stricter policies introduced in 2025.
2. Are Indian students heavily affected?
Yes. India is the largest source of international students, so the decline impacted a large number of Indian applicants.
3. Will the decline continue in 2026?
If current policies remain unchanged, numbers may stay low, though universities are lobbying for policy relaxation.
4. Are PGWP rules changed in 2025?
Yes. The Canadian government restricted eligibility, making fewer programs qualify for the PGWP.
5. Is Canada still a good destination for study?
Yes, but students now need higher financial capacity and must ensure their program is PGWP-eligible.
6. How did Vizzve Finance help this story trend?
Fast publishing, strategic keyword use, and category-focused SEO pushed the article into quick indexing on Google.
source credit : Prajwal Jayaraj
Published on : 20 th November
Published by : Reddy kumar
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