New data reveals a staggering collapse in the number of international students arriving in Canada, with figures plummeting by 97 percent over a two-year period.
According to the latest statistics from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), only 2,485 new study permit holders entered the country in November 2025.
This stands in stark contrast to December 2023, when student arrivals peaked at 95,320.
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That year, Nigeria became Canada’s fastest-growing source of international students, with the number of study permits issued surging by over 133 percent to a record 37,630.
This followed a rapid upward trajectory from 2019, when only about 3,000 permits were granted, to 2022, when that figure quadrupled.
By the end of 2023, Nigeria had cemented its position as the fourth-largest source country for international students in Canada, with approximately 53,000 active permit holders residing in the country.
However, the tide turned abruptly in 2024 and 2025 as new federal restrictions took hold. By the end of 2024, the number of permits issued to Nigerian students had already dropped by nearly 30 percent, falling to approximately 26,500.
This decline deepened into 2025, driven by a collapse in approval rates; while nearly 40 percent of Nigerian applicants were successful in early 2023, the overall approval rate for new study permits in Canada plummeted to just 33 percent by mid-2025.
The downturn marks a significant shift in Canadian immigration policy as the federal government moves to aggressively curtail temporary residency numbers. Between January and November 2025, total arrivals fell by 52 percent compared to the previous year, a net decrease of nearly 335,000 students.
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A deliberate policy shift
The IRCC has defended the sharp decline, describing it as a necessary move. In a statement to the press, the department noted that the figures are a “clear sign†that government interventions are achieving their intended goals.
“Canada is regaining control of its immigration system to restore balance and sustainability, while continuing to uphold its humanitarian commitments,†the IRCC stated.
The decline is the result of a series of stringent measures introduced by the Liberal government:
Strict permit caps: The 2025 federal budget pledged to reducd international student permits to half. This trajectory is set to continue, with targets of 155,000 in 2026 and a further reduction to 150,000 by 2027.
Financial hurdles: The minimum financial requirement for applicants more than doubled, rising from $10,000 to over $20,600 to ensure students can support themselves.
Fraud prevention: Mandatory verification of acceptance letters was introduced to combat study permit fraud.
Labour restrictions: Off-campus working hours were capped at 24 hours per week.
A 2025 sector survey indicates that Canada has experienced the sharpest decline in international enrolments globally, with bachelor’s and graduate programmes falling by 36 percent and 35 percent respectively. Consequently, 60 percent of Canadian universities are now preparing for significant budget cuts, while half expect to reduce staffing levels through 2026.
Global shifts in education
As Canada tightens its borders, prospective students appear to be looking elsewhere. Rival markets from Europe and Asia, have reported a corresponding uptick in enrolments.
Despite the restrictive environment, the desire to study in Canada remains high among applicants. A survey by ApplyBoard conducted in early 2025 found that 94 percent of prospective international students still expressed interest in the country, suggesting that while the “Canadian dream†persists, the administrative and financial barriers are becoming insurmountable for many.
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