In an effort to lower the number of temporary residents in the country, Canada said on Wednesday that it will further reduce the number of study permits granted to foreign students while also tightening its foreign labour laws, a move that will affect many Indian students.

Canada reduces International student permits 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X, “We're granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number's going down by another 10%. Immigration is an advantage for our economy - but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down.”

Canada granted 5,09,390 in 2023 and 1,75,920 in the first seven months of 2024, and the new policy would cut the number of international study permits awarded to 4,37,000 in 2025, according to immigration department data.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in a statement, “The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to.”

Canada tightens work permit rules for spouses 

The reforms would also restrict work permit eligibility for the spouses of some students and temporary foreign workers.

In January, Canada had also placed a two-year cap on international students.

According to Statistics Canada, the largest increase in immigration numbers is from temporary residents, particularly students and workers, whose numbers have doubled in only two years, from 1.4 million in the second quarter of 2022 to 2.8 million in the second quarter of 2024.

Canada has already vowed to lower the number of temporary residents to 5% of the entire population, from 6.8% in April.