Canada Immigration News 2025: Student & Worker Numbers Plunge

Sharp Drop in New International Students and Workers: What the 2025 Numbers Reveal About Canada’s Immigration Trends

• Canada saw a 70% drop in new international student arrivals in early 2025
• New foreign worker arrivals declined by 50% during the same period
• IRCC policy changes are having a noticeable impact on temporary resident flows
• Despite fewer newcomers, the overall number of temporary residents in Canada has grown
• Study permit holders dropped by over 133,000 since early 2024
• Work permit-only holders rose by more than 262,000, despite tighter regulations

Canada’s immigration landscape is shifting — and fast. According to newly released data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the first half of 2025 saw a dramatic decline in the number of new international students and workers arriving in the country. These changes are tied to recent policy decisions aimed at managing the growing number of temporary residents.

Let’s unpack what the numbers mean, why this is happening, and what it could signal for the future of immigration in Canada.

Fewer Newcomers in 2025: A Look at the Numbers

Between January and June 2025, Canada welcomed 215,520 fewer international students and 125,903 fewer foreign workers compared to the same period in 2024. That’s a staggering 70% drop in student arrivals and a 50% reduction in new worker entries.

This significant shift isn’t by accident — it’s the result of government measures introduced in late 2023 and 2024, including the highly publicized study permit cap and adjustments to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).

IRCC’s goal? To better manage the country’s temporary resident population, ensure housing and labour market stability, and improve the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

Study Permit Holders See Big Decline

Following the introduction of Canada’s first-ever study permit cap in January 2024, the number of foreign nationals in Canada holding only a study permit has dropped noticeably. In January 2024, there were 679,887 individuals in this category. By June 2025, that number had fallen to 546,562 — a decrease of 133,325 students.

Here’s a quick glance at the numbers:

While fewer students are arriving, it appears many existing international students are also wrapping up their programs or choosing not to renew their permits — possibly due to changing eligibility for post-graduation work permits or other policy shifts.

Work Permit Holders on the Rise

Interestingly, even with the decline in new worker arrivals, the total number of people in Canada holding only a work permit has actually increased — by a whopping 262,262 individuals.

This may reflect a few key trends:

• Graduating students transitioning into the workforce through post-grad work permits
• Employers continuing to rely on temporary foreign workers to fill labour shortages
• Policy exceptions or transitions within programs like the International Mobility Program (IMP)

It’s worth noting that these increases occurred even as the government tightened rules around LMIA processing, increased wage thresholds, and introduced new requirements for some education fields under the IMP. So, while fewer workers are entering, more are staying longer or transitioning from other permit types.

Dual Permit Holders: A Slight Dip

As for those who hold both a study permit and a work permit — commonly international students working part-time or graduates transitioning into the workforce — their numbers have dipped slightly. IRCC reports a decrease of 32,014 individuals in this category between January 2024 and June 2025.

While not a massive drop, it’s part of a larger shift in how foreign nationals are residing and working in Canada.

Overall Temporary Resident Numbers Still Climbing

Here’s the kicker: even with all these declines in new arrivals, the total number of temporary residents in Canada has increased. Between January 2024 and June 2025, there was a net increase of 137,851 foreign nationals across the three permit categories (study, work, and dual).

This suggests that while Canada is reducing the flow of new entrants, many temporary residents already in the country are choosing to stay longer, extend their permits, or transition between different statuses.

Why This Matters for Canada’s Immigration Future

This shift in temporary resident trends could have ripple effects across several sectors:

• Education: Fewer international students may impact university and college funding and enrolment strategies
• Labour market: Employers might face new challenges in sectors that rely heavily on TFWP or IMP workers
• Immigration pathways: Programs like the Manitoba PNP may see changes in applicant profiles as more workers stay longer and seek permanent residency

For prospective newcomers, it’s becoming increasingly important to stay informed about evolving immigration policies and how they might impact future applications or work and study plans.

Final Thoughts: Planning Ahead

Canada is clearly in a period of transition when it comes to managing temporary residents. While fewer international students and workers are arriving, many who are already here are remaining longer — which speaks to the continued appeal of living and working in Canada.

Whether you’re an aspiring international student, a temporary worker looking to transition to PR, or just trying to make sense of the shifting immigration landscape, staying informed is key. Be sure to follow updates from IRCC and keep a close eye on the eligibility criteria for study and work permits.

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