February 6, 2025
Key Changes and Allocations under Canada’s 2025 International Student Cap
As part of ongoing efforts to manage international student numbers, Canada has outlined the 2025 study permit cap, announced on January 24, 2025, which will see the issuance of 437,000 study permits—reflecting a 10% reduction compared to 2024. This adjustment follows the introduction of the temporary international student cap in 2024, which aimed to reduce the number of temporary foreign nationals in the country to 5% of the total population. The government’s focus is now on improving the management of international students and addressing the strain on housing, healthcare, and other services.
Provincial and Territorial Allocations for 2025
The provincial and territorial allocations for 2025 have been finalized. These allocations determine the maximum number of study permit applications that each jurisdiction can process. Of the 437,000 study permits expected to be issued, 120,724 will come from students who are exempt from the Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement. The remaining 316,267 are expected to come from students who must submit a PAL/TAL.
Notably, for the first time, graduate and doctoral students are no longer exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement, a change that aims to ensure better regulation of the international student population. The number of study permits available to graduate students will be aligned with the number issued in 2023, ensuring that this sector remains well-managed.
Changes to the PAL/TAL Policy
While most study permit applicants are required to submit a PAL/TAL, there are specific exemptions. Primary and secondary school students, certain vulnerable groups, and existing study permit holders applying for extensions at the same institution and program level remain exempt from this requirement. Additionally, exchange students are now exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement, ensuring that reciprocal study abroad opportunities for Canadian students remain intact.
Impact on the Student Experience
These changes, which also include new compliance reporting and letter of acceptance verification regulations for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), are intended to further strengthen Canada’s International Student Program. DLIs that fail to comply with these regulations may face suspension for up to one year, limiting their ability to enroll new international students. These steps aim to ensure that only institutions committed to maintaining the highest standards for international students continue to operate.
These changes underscore the Canadian government’s ongoing commitment to managing international student numbers responsibly, balancing the benefits of global education with the needs of local communities and services. The 2025 cap and the associated policies reflect a shift toward a more sustainable, carefully regulated approach to welcoming international students, while also promoting Canada as a destination of choice for global scholars.
While we at BLG have advocated for ongoing reforms in this space, we again call on government stakeholders to consult broadly, embark upon a regulatory practice before rolling out these measures to ensure the proper balance and fullest expression of the law and all stakeholder input is reflected in key reforms.