Overview
- IRCC’s October data show 45,380 new student arrivals in August 2025 versus 79,795 a year earlier, and 16,890 new temporary worker arrivals.
- From January to August 2025, Canada recorded 132,505 fewer new students and 146,395 fewer new workers than in 2024, totaling 278,900 fewer arrivals.
- The decline follows measures such as a reduced national study‑permit cap, mandatory offer‑letter verification, higher proof‑of‑funds, tighter PGWP and spouse rules, and limits on low‑wage hiring tied to regional job conditions.
- The number of people holding only study permits fell to 514,540 in August 2025 from 651,230 a year earlier, a drop of about 26%.
- IRCC says fuller effects will take months as legacy applications are processed, notes 139,700 former temporary residents became permanent from January to August, and indicates new 2026–2028 targets will be released in the coming weeks.