Finance
On Wednesday, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with a team of academic leaders from 24 major Canadian universities, led by Amb Christopher Cooter, the High Commissioner. The gathering aimed to strengthen academic and research collaboration with Indian higher education institutions, as well as India-Canada higher education cooperation.
According to Pradhan’s post on the microblogging site X, Canadian universities are eager to establish international campuses, strengthen academic, research, and innovation capacities, develop talent and build a future workforce, and develop innovative models for advancing the long-term educational agenda.
According to figures released by the Ministry of External Affairs during Parliament’s Winter Session in December 2025, there are 4,27,085 Indian students in Canada. The figure includes both students in schools and those studying at universities and postsecondary institutions.
In 2024, Canada was the top international higher education destination with a total of 4,27,000 Indian students visiting the country. This was followed by the USA with 3,37,630 Indian students, the United Kingdom with 1,85,000, Australia (1,22,202), and Germany (42,997), the NITI Aayog report said.
Why are fewer students arriving in Canada in 2025?
According to official data issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country’s new international student arrivals fell about 60% in 2025 compared to the previous year. The number of new entrants declined by almost 1.32 lakh within a year, indicating the impact of broad adjustments to student and temporary worker programs implemented in late 2023.
In early 2024, the federal government implemented a national yearly restriction of 3.60 lakh study permits to “stabilise growth” and handle housing and infrastructural challenges.
In 2025, the maximum was cut by 10%, resulting in lower distributions among provinces and territories. In addition, Ottawa mandated that every acceptance letter be confirmed through an official process in order to prevent fraud and unauthorised enrollments. The government has strengthened financial requirements for study visa applicants, ensuring that students are better equipped to handle living expenses in Canada’s high-inflation environment.
These changes, combined with the delayed processing of applications filed under previous criteria, have resulted in a considerable reduction in new arrivals this academic year.
What’s behind the policy shift?
The government has emphasised that the goal is not to restrict genuine talent but to make immigration “sustainable and better aligned with labour market needs.” In a statement, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the new limits are intended to “return temporary resident levels to below 5% of Canada’s population” in the coming years.
Concerns were developing over the influx of short-term inhabitants, notably international students, who faced housing constraints, exorbitant prices, and limited job possibilities. The government has stated that these measures are intended to improve outcomes for both students and host communities.
Source: IE
