
Canada
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Canada has announced a significant cap on study permit applications for 2025 as a measure to regulate the increasing number of international students in the country.
The new policy, revealed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on January 18, 2025, will impose a maximum limit of 505,162 applications accepted for processing throughout the year, effective January 22 and concluding December 31, 2025. This cap directly influences how many study permit applications the IRCC will process, rather than the number of permits that will ultimately be granted.
Once the cap is reached, subsequent applications will be returned to applicants without any processing, and fees will be reimbursed. This strategic regulation aims to manage the temporary resident population in Canada while ensuring that the government can adequately support the students currently residing in the country.
Several groups will be exempt from this cap, including those renewing study permits at the same Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and level. Also, individuals holding valid temporary resident permits or those affected by removal orders, along with individuals sponsored by Canadian family members for immigration remain exempt from this cap.
Additionally, exchange students, those studying at federally administered DLIs, and candidates with scholarships managed by Global Affairs Canada will not face restrictions under this new cap. Other exempt categories include participants in the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot program and individuals responding to specific crises or public policies, as well as certain Indigenous persons and their families.
The new cap of 505,162 applications represents a significant decrease from the target of 606,250 set for 2024, although IRCC has yet to provide the exact number of approvals for that year. The objective is to welcome approximately 305,900 new international students each year as part of a broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027.
The rationale for implementing this cap is to control the influx of international students and ensure that Canada can sustainably manage its immigration levels. For prospective international students considering Canada, it is crucial to submit applications early to secure a processing slot within the established cap. Students should carefully review exemption qualifications to determine if they apply to their circumstances.