Canada Faces Significant Decline in International Student and Worker Arrivals Amid Visa Restrictions
Canada Sees 37% Drop in Student Intake, Worker Arrivals Fall 20% Amid Visa Curbs
Times Now NewsImage: Times Now News
Canada has experienced a 37% drop in international student arrivals and a 20% decrease in temporary worker entries in January 2026 compared to the previous year. This decline is attributed to stricter immigration policies and higher visa rejection rates, particularly affecting Indian students, who make up a substantial portion of the international student population.
- 01International student arrivals fell by 37% in January 2026 compared to January 2025.
- 02Temporary worker arrivals decreased by 20% during the same period.
- 03Indian students remain the largest group among international students, with over 427,000 currently enrolled.
- 04Visa policies have tightened, leading to rejection rates as high as 74% last year.
- 05The Canadian government aims to limit temporary residents to 5% of the total population.
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Canada's international student and temporary worker intake has sharply declined, with new international students numbering only 7,040 and temporary workers at 11,850 in January 2026. This represents a 37% reduction in student arrivals and a 20% decrease in workers compared to January 2025. The decline is largely due to stricter immigration policies, including increased financial requirements and a more rigorous verification process for admission letters. Indian students, who form a significant portion of the international student body, are particularly affected, with rejection rates reportedly reaching 74% last year. The Canadian government has decided to maintain a cap of 408,000 study permits for 2026, despite a slight relaxation for master's and PhD students. The changes are part of a broader strategy to manage the growing population of temporary residents and alleviate pressure on housing and social services. The peak admission season in August has also seen a drop, from nearly 80,000 arrivals in 2024 to about 45,000 in 2025, reflecting the ongoing challenges in attracting new international students.
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The tightening of visa policies may limit opportunities for international students and workers, particularly affecting those from India. This could lead to a decrease in diversity and economic contributions from these groups.
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