Study Permit

The backlog has grown by nearly 260,000 persons over the past month.IRCC’s backlog has grown to 2.4 million persons.The backlog has grown by 257,499 persons over the past month, largely due to a significant increase in temporary residence applications.The citizenship inventory stands at 394,664 applications as of June 1, 2022.The permanent residence inventory stands at 522,047 persons as of June 6.The temporary residence inventory has grown to 1,471,173 persons, also as of June 6.The backlog has progressed as follows since last summer:

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has highlighted concerns about the growing number of international students in Canada. Speaking to CTV News, Miller noted the need for provinces to manage these numbers more effectively. In 2022, there were over 800,000 international students in Canada, with projections of reaching 900,000 by the end of 2023, a significant rise from 275,000 in 2012.

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.

Canada's non-permanent resident population has reached 2.2 million, with a significant increase attributed to international migration. This marks a 46% year-over-year growth, primarily from work and study permits. Canada's total population now stands at nearly 40.1 million, making it a leader in G7 countries for population growth.

The temporary public policy for Iranian nationals in Canada is set to expire on February 28, 2025. These measures have allowed Iranian temporary residents in Canada to extend their stay, switch visa categories, and apply for work or study permits without paying fees.

The national body representing Canadian universities has cautioned that Ottawa’s international student cap is excluding many of the students Canada most hopes to attract. These are often highly skilled candidates who could help fill critical labour gaps and strengthen the economy.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 place 34 Canadian universities on the global list, highlighting Canada’s strong performance in research quality, teaching, and international collaboration.

Canada continues to be a leading destination for international students, with four cities featured in the QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa were all listed among the world’s top 100 cities for international education.

Canadian Cities in the QS 2026 Ranking:

• Montreal: =18
• Toronto: 22
• Vancouver: =29
• Ottawa: 80

Global Top 3 Cities (QS 2026):

• Seoul – 1st
• Tokyo – 2nd
• London – 3rd

While Montreal maintained its position as Canada’s highest-ranked city, all four saw notable drops compared to 2025 rankings.

The QS ranking evaluates cities based on factors such as university performance, student diversity, employer activity, desirability, affordability, and student satisfaction. Affordability continues to challenge Canadian cities, with Vancouver and Toronto scoring particularly low in this area.

Top Universities in These Cities (QS 2026 Rankings):

• Montreal: McGill University (27th globally)
• Toronto: University of Toronto (29th globally)
• Vancouver: University of British Columbia (40th globally)
• Ottawa: University of Ottawa (218th globally)

Despite rising costs of living, Canada remains attractive for international students due to its high-quality education and post-graduation opportunities.

Colleges across Canada are slashing programs, laying off staff, and scrambling to rebalance their budgets as the impact of new federal immigration policies begins to take hold. The cap on international study permits and tighter restrictions on post-graduate work eligibility—announced earlier this year—have led to an abrupt decline in international student enrolment, a key revenue source for many institutions.

This funding will go towards the Digital Literacy Exchange Program.

For international students who want to turn their studies into permanent status, Canada continues to stand out, especially for those completing a master’s degree.

Canada continues to be a premier destination for international students, offering a wide range of scholarships to alleviate financial burdens and provide access to world-class education. Here's a refreshed guide to the top opportunities available for the 2025 academic year, tailored to meet diverse academic and financial needs.

Canada’s new rule to limit graduate students from abroad has raised concerns that it could drive top talent away. Before, students in master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs were not part of the cap, but they are now included as the government tries to manage the growing number of temporary residents.

Canada has issued clarifications on how the duration of a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is determined for students who complete more than one program. Previously, it was unclear how immigration officers assessed PGWP eligibility and duration in these cases.

Canada is known for the quality of its education and schooling systems.

Restoration of TR status: eligibility

Further to the above, to be eligible for TR status restoration, applicants must:

In 2022, the top 10 source countries of new international students coming to Canada were:

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) has unexpectedly canceled TOEFL Home Edition results for some study visa applicants, causing concern and uncertainty among affected students.

The wait is over for the students who have been waiting to apply for their study permits. The Quebec Government (MIFI) has started issuing updated CAQs which will serve as an Attestation Letter required to apply for a study permit as per the instructions by the Federal Government released on January 22, 2024.

There are many study permit pathways available for international students coming to Canada, including the fast-tracked Student Direct Stream.