The 2024/2025 academic year was the first full year to reflect the study permit cap Canada introduced in January 2024. New Statistics Canada data, summarized by Moving2Canada on October 2, 2026, show that international enrolment at Canadian public colleges and universities fell by 39,582 students, or 6.9%, compared with the previous year. Domestic enrolment rose by 37,626 (2.1%), leaving total postsecondary enrolment roughly flat at about 2.3 million.
For prospective international students, the figures show where policy changes are having the greatest effect — by institution type, province and field of study.
Colleges declined more than universities
Colleges: 266,508 international students, down 22,323 (−7.7%). Domestic enrolment rose 16,647 (+2.7%) to 628,524.
Universities: 266,874 international students, down 17,259 (−6.1%). Domestic enrolment rose 20,976 (+1.8%) to 1,172,976.
The larger decline at colleges is consistent with how the policies were designed. Master's and doctoral students are exempt from the cap, while most college students are subject to it. Two further changes also affected colleges directly:
Spousal open work permits are no longer available to spouses of college and most undergraduate students; eligibility is retained mainly for graduate programs.
Since November 1, 2024, graduates of non-degree programs must have studied in an eligible field of study to qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
By country and province
India recorded the largest decline at 26,550 students (−11.9%), roughly two-thirds of the total drop. China fell by 4,368 (−6.6%) and the Philippines by 3,654 (−18.6%). The Moving2Canada summary does not report a separate figure for Vietnam.
Ontario saw the largest provincial declines: 28,875 fewer international college students (−13.6%) and 7,455 fewer at universities (−6.7%). British Columbia universities fell by 5,346 (−10.6%). In Manitoba, international college enrolment fell by 732 (−13.4%) — small in absolute terms, but proportionally similar to Ontario.
By field of study
Business and administration saw the steepest declines: down 16,089 at colleges (−12.7%) and 5,283 at universities (−8.2%). Engineering fell by 4,677 at colleges (−17.6%) and 4,416 at universities (−10%). Health care was the exception, with international enrolment increasing at both colleges and universities.
This pattern aligns with the PGWP field-of-study list for non-degree programs, which focuses on health care, STEM, trades, education and agriculture/agri-food, and excludes most general business programs at the college level.
Graduations are still rising
Canada recorded 724,071 postsecondary graduates in 2024, up 61,197 (+9.2%). International college graduates increased by 44,328 (+31.3%). International students made up 55.5% of short-cycle tertiary graduates, compared with 7.5% in 2009. These cohorts enrolled before the cap took effect, so the number of graduates moving to PGWPs remains high in the short term.
Tuition
According to Statistics Canada figures cited by Moving2Canada, average international undergraduate tuition is $42,062, compared with $8,021 for Canadian students — a gap of more than five times, up from about 3.6 times a decade earlier.
Practical considerations for prospective students
The data do not predict the outcome of any individual application, but they point to several items to verify when planning:
Confirm PGWP eligibility before choosing a program. For college programs, check the program's CIP code against IRCC's current eligible field-of-study list, and confirm the language requirement (CLB 7 for university degrees, CLB 5 for college programs).
Plan for family members. If a spouse intends to work in Canada, note that spousal open work permits are now limited to certain programs, mainly at the graduate level.
Budget fully. In addition to tuition, applicants must meet the updated study permit proof-of-funds requirement in effect since September 1, 2026.
Consider the provincial pathway after graduation. In Manitoba, the MPNP International Education Stream has specific criteria for local graduates. Recent cut-offs for Manitoba graduates have been high (825 points in Draw #279), so profiles should be assessed realistically.
Prepare for the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL). Most study permit applicants need one, and each province's allocation is limited.
Conclusion
The 2024/2025 data confirm that the study permit cap has reduced international enrolment in Canada, with the clearest effects at colleges, in Ontario, and in business and engineering programs. Health care is the exception. For prospective students, program selection should be based on PGWP eligibility, spousal work permit rules and the relevant provincial nomination pathway — not only on admission.
To better understand studying in Canada, Manitoba provincial nomination and the options that fit your specific profile, please contact Nonsuch Immigration directly via Zalo 0946 749 585 or WhatsApp 204 963 9288.
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