Canada's international student population is booming. Immigration Minister Marc Miller anticipates hosting around 900,000 international students in 2023, but internal documents suggest it might be even higher. Forecasts predict 1.4 million international student applications by 2027, with a rapid rise in study permit applications from 2019 to 2022.
Recent data reveals that in the first half of 2023, Canada issued over 280,000 new study permits, a 77% increase from 2022. The government processed 49% more study permit applications during the same period. In 2022, Canada welcomed a record 551,405 international students, with 807,750 valid study permits. This year, it's expected to break records with an estimated 600,000 permits.
While Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec remain popular destinations, affordability concerns are pushing students toward provinces with lower costs. Alberta saw a 139% increase in new study permits, and Saskatchewan had a 116% rise from January to June 2023. Countries like Nigeria, Nepal, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea are sending more students, with Nigeria poised to become Canada's second-largest source country.
Canada's international student numbers are surging, diversifying across provinces and institutions. This trend is expected to continue, making 2023 a record-breaking year for international students in Canada.
