Canada‘s higher education sector faces unprecedented challenges as international student applications plummet by 54 percent following new visa restrictions. The government’s decision to reduce study permits to 437,000 for 2025-2026, down from 485,000 in 2024, has triggered widespread concern among educational institutions. This policy shift threatens program sustainability, particularly in high-cost areas like trades and healthcare, where international students have traditionally helped maintain financial viability. Educational leaders warn that these cuts could fundamentally reshape Canada’s post-secondary landscape and diminish its global appeal as a premier study destination.
