Canada reveals international student enrolment limits for 2025.
The Canadian government has just released the study permit issuance targets for 2025, along with the breakdown of how those targets will be distributed across the country under the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) formula introduced in 2024. Since the government implemented caps on new international students last year, students—aside from a few exceptions—are required to submit a PAL with their study permit applications. Each province receives a specific allocation of PALs, which they can then distribute among their Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).
Study Permit Targets for 2025
For the year 2025, the Canadian government plans to issue a total of 437,000 new study permits. This marks a 10% reduction compared to the 485,000 study permits capped for 2024. Some study permits will be allocated to students exempt from the cap, such as K-12 students, exchange students, and students who are applying for study permit extensions at the same institution. Additionally, certain study permits will be specifically reserved for graduate students, who are now included in the cap.
Out of the total number of study permits to be issued in 2025, 316,276 will be allocated to students who are required to submit a PAL. This group includes college students, undergraduate students, language students, those in graduate diploma programs, as well as master’s and doctoral students. These segments represent the bulk of the annual study permit applications submitted for international students wishing to study in Canada.
Breakdown of Study Permit Allocations by Student Type
Here is the allocation breakdown for study permits issued for 2025, segmented by student type. The government’s focus is clear in supporting international students across various levels of education while maintaining a reduced cap.
Breakdown of PAL Allocations
Now, turning our attention to the PAL allocation, which is crucial for the study permit process. The table below outlines the maximum number of PAL-required student applications that will be processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for each province. A notable percentage—approximately 17% of the PALs—are reserved for master’s and doctoral students.
Focus on Postsecondary Students
Ontario, the Canadian province that attracts the highest number of international students, has announced that 96% of its PALs will be allocated to public postsecondary institutions. Only 4% of the PALs will be directed towards language schools, and no PALs will be distributed to private colleges. The Ministry of Colleges and Universities in Ontario made a clear statement: "All public institutions will receive at least the same number of applications as they used in 2024."
Ontario’s total allocation of 181,000 PALs will include 32,000 set aside specifically for master’s and doctoral students. This illustrates the province's priority in supporting higher education while meeting its evolving labor market needs.
Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges and Universities, emphasized the government’s continued focus on student success, stating, “As we have been from the beginning, our government is laser focused on ensuring students in Ontario receive the skills they need to succeed in industries that address our province’s labour market needs.”
Approved Study Permits Fell by 45% in 2024
The recent analysis from ApplyBoard indicates that, in 2024, the number of approved study permits decreased by approximately 45% compared to the previous year. The approval rate for study permit applications in 2024 hovered at around 50%, based on data up to October 2024. The introduction of the cap on study permits, along with new regulations surrounding post-study work eligibility and more, led to a significant drop in approvals.
Many industry observers believe that the government’s policy response might have been an overcorrection, and this is reflected in the data for 2024. As these new policy measures were implemented in 2024, there was confusion in the marketplace, which likely dampened student interest. This has led to the expectation that the actual study permit volumes for 2024 may fall below the cap established for the year.
Observations on the Policy Environment
The shift in Canada’s international education policy and the introduction of these new cap systems has stirred up mixed reactions from the educational sector. The changes have had enough of an impact to reduce the number of study permit applications approved in 2024, and the slow response could be indicative of the market’s adjustment period to these regulations.
Further insights on how Canada's international education sector is adjusting to these new policy changes can be found in IDP’s recently published Canada Sector Survey whitepaper.
