Ottawa: The Canadian government has announced plans to significantly reduce the number of international students entering the country while expanding opportunities for skilled foreign workers over the next few years.
As outlined in the 2025-26 federal budget, the intake of international students is set to drop sharply from 305,900 to 155,000. In contrast, the government aims to increase the number of skilled workers admitted, raising the target from 210,700 to 230,000.
Officials said the move is part of a broader strategy to prioritize workforce needs and support Canada’s economic growth while managing resources in the education sector. The plan is expected to impact higher education institutions, which have relied heavily on international students, and encourage more migration under the skilled worker programs.
The government indicated that further details regarding implementation and eligibility criteria will be shared in the coming months.
