Canada Records Highest-Ever International Student Intake

Record-breaking enrollment figures from the 2025 spring survey by the Canadian Bureau for International Education show international student numbers in Canada hit the one million mark, reaching 1,023,785 in January 2024. This number marks the highest-ever intake in Canadian history, but recent government policy changes led to a 23.23% drop, bringing the total to 785,830 as of July 2025. The latest August 2025 data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada shows the country now hosts 802,425 international students - 514,540 with study-only permits and 287,885 with both study and work permits.

The impressive student figures persist despite recent policy changes aimed at making Canada's international education sector more sustainable. The Canadian government set an annual cap on international student permits in 2024 and cut it by another 10% for 2025. The number of new students coming to Canada between January and July 2025 dropped by 68.97% compared to last year. Only 44,105 new international students entered the country during this time. The overall student population stays at historic highs, making Canada more popular than ever for international students.

Indian students lead the surge in enrolments

The tremendous growth in Canada's international student population comes mainly from Indian students, who make up 39% of all international students in the country, well ahead of China at 10%. Right now, 215,720 Indian students have Canadian study permits - 1.8% more than the 211,930 in the United States. These numbers tell an amazing story. Indian enrollment at Canadian universities grew by more than 5,800% over the last two decades, from just 2,181 in 2000 to 128,928 in 2021.

Several factors explain why more Indian students choose Canada over other countries. Canada's immigration policies are much better than those in the United States. Getting H-1B status and permanent residence in the US has become harder, while Canada offers easier ways to work temporarily and become a permanent resident. Students also find the requirements to study in Canada simpler, with affordable education compared to American schools. About 70% of international students plan to apply for a post-graduate work permit in Canada, and 57% want to become permanent residents after finishing their studies.

Canada surpasses US and UK in global student preference

The latest ApplyBoard survey shows Canada has now become more popular than the United States as the top choice for international students in 2025. A huge 94% of people showed some interest in studying in Canada - 55% were "very interested," 24% "extremely interested," and 12% "moderately interested". Just 6% had no interest, making Canada the most preferred study destination by weighted average.

This preference shift happened despite recent challenges, like diplomatic tensions between India and Canada affecting visa processing and a two-year cap on international student permits. Canada stays attractive because it offers quality education with globally ranked universities, affordable tuition and living costs, helpful immigration policies, and a safe, inclusive, multicultural environment. Students see Canada as the most open, safe, and welcoming among ApplyBoard's study destinations. About 84% of recruiters describe it this way - up five points since spring.

Economic considerations play a big role in Canada's popularity. Affordability topped the list of concerns for 91% of recruiters, followed by post-study work opportunities (88%) and cost of living (77%). Canada ranked third most affordable after Germany and Ireland. This mix of good value and clear paths to work and immigration has made Canada a global leader in international education, even with recent policy changes to ensure sustainability.

What Makes Canada the Top Choice for Global Students

Academic excellence is the life-blood of Canada's global education appeal. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 lists 34 Canadian universities among the world's finest institutions. The University of Toronto leads the pack at 21st place globally. McGill University and the University of British Columbia follow at 41st and 45th positions. These schools offer more than 8,000 college and 16,000 university programmes in any discipline. Canada ranks fourth among the world's best countries for education according to recent global assessments. Graduates find their academic credentials recognised worldwide, opening doors to global career opportunities. Apply Now and learn from world experts in science, technology, and ground-breaking research.

Financial accessibility makes Canada an attractive choice for students. Students pay less here compared to other English-speaking countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. College programme costs range from INR 590,663 to INR 1,856,370 yearly. International undergraduates pay around INR 3,046,134 per year for university tuition. Graduate students pay INR 1,780,428. Living expenses add about INR 1,265,707 yearly for all students. Many Canadian schools include public transportation passes in their tuition fees, which helps cut travel costs. Students looking for budget-friendly options should check out Memorial University of Newfoundland and the University of Manitoba.

Immigration pathways give international students a big advantage in Canada. The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) lets qualified graduates stay and work after finishing their studies. Master's graduates can get a three-year PGWP if their programme runs at least eight months, even if it's shorter than two years. Other programmes offer PGWP validity based on study length—up to three years for programmes lasting two years or more. About 70% of international students plan to apply for post-graduate work permits. Another 57% want permanent residence after graduation. These paths help students gain valuable Canadian work experience that boosts their careers and supports permanent immigration.

Cultural diversity makes the Canadian student experience unique. Canada ranks third out of 85 countries for quality of life and remains one of the safest places globally. This multicultural environment welcomes everyone, with foreign-born residents making up over 20% of Canada's population. Toronto and Vancouver buzz with more than 140 languages alongside English and French. Students celebrate festivals year-round—from Christmas to Diwali, Chinese New Year to Holi—and the whole country joins in. International students easily find communities from their home countries in major cities. Canadian policies actively support cultural inclusion and diversity, creating an environment where students thrive in their studies and personal growth.

How Policy Changes are Reshaping the Student Experience

Policy reforms are transforming how international students experience education in Canada. The government updated regulations to protect students from fraud and keep the system sustainable.

New PGWP rules favour graduate-level programmes

Master's advantage: Starting February 15, 2024, students completing master's degrees can now get a three-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This applies even if their programme runs for less than two years, as long as it lasts eight months. Thousands of international students pursuing advanced degrees will benefit from extra time to gain Canadian work experience.

Language proficiency: Starting November 1, 2024, students need specific language skills to get a PGWP. University graduates must reach Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French. College graduates need CLB/NCLC 5. These requirements help graduates blend into the Canadian workforce.

Field restrictions: Students who apply for study permits after November 1, 2024, must graduate in fields with long-term job shortages to qualify for a PGWP. These fields include agriculture and agri-food, education, healthcare and social services, STEM, trades, and transport. University students pursuing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees don't face these restrictions.

Increased cost-of-living requirement for study permits

Financial threshold: The government raised the living expenses requirement to INR 1,931,890.42 on September 1, 2025. This marks an increase of INR 190,699.82. Students must show this amount on top of their tuition and transportation costs.

Documentation proof: Students must prove they can support themselves financially. They need bank statements from the past four months, guaranteed investment certificates from Canadian banks, or student loans from approved banks. This protects students from financial struggles during their studies.

24-hour work limit introduced for part-time jobs

Work regulations: Starting November 15, 2024, students can work up to 24 hours weekly off-campus during school terms. This replaces the old 20-hour limit and temporary unlimited work hours during the pandemic. The new rule helps students balance work and studies.

Enforcement measures: Students must watch their work hours carefully. Working too much can lead to serious problems - lost student status, rejected future permits, or removal from Canada. The government believes the 24-hour limit "strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes".

Letter of Acceptance verification to curb fraud

Verification system: Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) must check all documents that prove acceptance or enrollment for post-secondary study permits. This system caught over 17,000 fake or cancelled letters since its launch on December 1, 2023.

Institutional accountability: DLIs that skip verification checks face tough consequences. They might lose the right to accept new international students for up to a year. This system protects students from scams and keeps the programme trustworthy.

Application process: International students should make sure their documents are real and verified by their school within 10 days. This helps avoid delays and rejected applications.

Which Programmes and Careers Are Driving Student Demand

Engineering, IT, and healthcare lead student priorities

Field priorities show business, management and marketing as the most common major fields of study for adults aged 25 to 64 with either a college diploma or university degree in Canada. Engineering, IT, and healthcare rank consistently at the top for international students who choose to study in Canada. Engineering graduates now earn approximately INR 6,750,436 to INR 10,125,654 yearly. This makes it an attractive career path for ambitious students. Healthcare jobs, particularly nursing, remain critical with average salaries between INR 5,906,631 and INR 8,016,142. These numbers reflect Canada's growing need for medical professionals. Software developers earn impressive packages between INR 7,172,338 and INR 9,281,849. This has sparked greater interest in computer science programmes at Canadian institutions.

Graduate degrees become more popular than diplomas

Credential trends point to a fundamental change toward advanced education. Master's degree graduates in Canada reached 72,471 in 2022. This marks steady growth in the last decade, despite dropping slightly from the 2021 peak of 74,361. Only 12% of Canadians study beyond a bachelor's degree in Canada. This creates great opportunities for international graduates with advanced qualifications. Bachelor's degree holders earn about INR 5,763,180 yearly—24% above the national average. Master's degree holders earn INR 7,121,710 while doctoral graduates make roughly INR 10,000,000. Apply Now to join many international students getting graduate credentials at Canada's world-class institutions.

Students match education with immigration goals

Strategic choices reflect immigration goals among international students. Without doubt, 70% of international students plan to apply for post-graduation work permits in Canada. 57% want to seek permanent residence after their studies. Programmes in fields with labour shortages offer better paths to permanent residency. Recent policy changes favour graduates in healthcare, trades, and STEM fields. Students pick credential levels and disciplines that line up with economic immigration programmes like Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programmes. Provincial programmes help about seven percent of international students become permanent residents. The Canadian Experience Class helps about 50 percent of former international students transition to permanent residency.

How International Students Are Transforming Canada

Economic impact: $22B+ contribution to GDP

Massive financial contribution shows how international students shape Canada's economy. These students pump about INR 3147.39 billion into economic activities each year. This translates to INR 2607.36 billion in GDP—making up 1.2% of Canada's total economic output. Students and their visiting families generate INR 624.42 billion in tax revenue through both indirect taxes and personal income taxes. Recent analysis shows that student spending supports 361,230 jobs nationwide. These jobs span education, accommodation, retail and transportation sectors.

Cultural diversity and community integration

Multicultural enrichment happens naturally as international students bring their unique points of view to Canadian communities. Canada's population includes over 20% foreign-born residents, and these students add to this array of diversity. Major cities buzz with more than 140 languages. Universities now run creative programmes like translation communities, international podcasts, and cross-cultural mentorship. These initiatives promote meaningful connections between domestic and international students.

Filling talent shortages in key sectors

Critical workforce gaps need international graduates to step in. The trades sector will see 700,000 skilled workers retire between 2019 and 2028. Transportation expects shortages of 70,000-130,000 workers by 2035. Recent policy changes encourage graduates to work in healthcare, where jobs grow 2.5% yearly compared to the overall economy's 0.9%.

Things You Should Prepare in Advance

Practical preparation means taking care of several key requirements before studying in Canada. Health insurance comes first since the Canadian government doesn't cover medical costs for foreign students. You should book your housing early, get the ArriveCAN mobile app to make border crossing easier, and bring some Canadian or US cash with you.