Canada Extends International Student Intake Targets Through 2029

The Canadian government has officially announced that it will maintain a target of 150,000 new international student arrivals annually through 2029. This decision extends the existing policy framework established in previous immigration plans to manage the volume of temporary residents entering the country. The move is part of a broader effort by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to ensure sustainable growth within the national education system. This policy follows a period of significant adjustment for Canada's International Student Program. In early 2024, the government introduced an intake cap on study permit applications to address what officials described as unsustainable growth. Since that time, the country has seen a marked decline in the number of new international students arriving at Canadian educational institutions. Data from the government indicates that these measures have had a substantial impact on migration numbers. In 2025, the country welcomed approximately 62 percent fewer new international students than the targets originally outlined in earlier projections. Officials noted that these shifts are intended to stabilize the student population and improve the integrity of the immigration system. Educational institutions across the country have expressed varying reactions to the extended targets. Larissa Bezo, the president and CEO of the Canadian Bureau for International Education, stated that the stable targets provide the predictability that member institutions have long advocated for after years of rapid policy changes. She added that this stability allows schools to plan their recruitment strategies and program offerings with greater confidence. Universities Canada also welcomed the government's decision to maintain the 150,000-student target through the end of the decade. The organization noted that clear, long-term goals are essential for maintaining the quality of the international education sector. By setting these limits, the government aims to balance economic objectives with the capacity of local infrastructure and housing. Beyond numerical caps, the government has implemented several qualitative measures to strengthen the program. These include mandatory verification of acceptance letters to prevent fraud and updated financial requirements to ensure students can support themselves during their studies. Additionally, authorities have introduced stricter rules regarding off-campus work hours and the requirement for students to attend the specific learning institutions named on their permits. These reforms are part of a larger strategy to reduce the share of temporary residents in Canada to 5 percent of the total population. Policy experts at the C.D. Howe Institute have recommended that the government treat this 5 percent figure as a strict ceiling rather than a target. They argue that such measures are necessary to maintain public confidence in the immigration system. Processing times for study permits have also seen fluctuations as the department adapts to these new requirements. While some categories have experienced delays, officials are working to streamline operations and improve consistency in decision-making. Applicants are encouraged to submit complete documentation early to avoid potential processing extensions. As the government moves forward, it continues to monitor the impact of these policies on both the education sector and the broader economy. The department is currently evaluating the results of various pilot programs to inform future recommendations. These ongoing assessments are designed to ensure that the immigration system remains responsive to changing national needs. Looking ahead, the government plans to integrate these student intake targets with broader immigration levels for permanent residency. By aligning temporary and permanent migration streams, officials hope to create a more transparent and predictable pathway for those seeking to study and eventually work in Canada. The focus remains on attracting high-human-capital candidates who can contribute to the country's long-term economic and social development.