Following the introduction of the temporary international student cap in January 2024, the government has now released the 2025 cap and allocated it among Canada’s provinces and territories. For 2025, Canada plans to issue a total of 437,000 study permits—a decrease of 10% from 2024. Details on the cap calculation, the breakdown by student cohort, and the allocation model can be found here. This decision aligns with the government’s stated goal of reducing the number of temporary foreign nationals in the country to 5% of the total population.
Also, in related policy changes:
- As announced in late 2024, graduate and doctoral students are no longer exempt from the cap;
- exchange students are now exempt from the provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) requirement to ensure reciprocal study abroad opportunities for Canadians; and
- the government also clarified other policies related to PAL/TAL requirements. More details can be found here.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper highlights how Brazil’s new electronic visa for Chinese citizens reduces bureaucracy, lowers costs and streamlines business and tourism travel.
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Associate Ilaria Iovieno and Immigration Consultant Sean Pearce explain how the UK’s higher English language requirement for work visas affects construction employers.
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Senior Business Immigration Manager Vicente Duque outlines key immigration considerations for international visitors traveling to Mexico for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa eligibility, entry documentation and travel between host countries.
Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.
Blog post
Counsel Susan Steger examines how wage-driven selection mechanisms in programs such as the H-1B lottery and PERM can create incentives for artificial wage inflation and introduce new compliance and workforce planning challenges for employers.
Media mentions
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