Canada plans to cut over 50% of study permits by 2026. Learn the key reasons behind this decision and its impact on Vietnamese students.

On November 4, the Canadian government announced a shocking plan to cut over 50% of study permits starting next year. Accordingly, the number of international students will drop from 437,000 this year to just 155,000 by 2026 - the lowest level in nearly a decade.This news quickly became a global talking point, as Canada is the world’s second&nbsp;most popular study destination&nbsp;after the U.S. With over one million international students in 2023, the country has long been considered a “study abroad paradise” thanks to its high-quality education system and attractive immigration opportunities. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;So, why has Canada taken such a drastic step, and what does it mean for Vietnamese students planning to study in Canada?<h2>Context and Reasons: "Internal Pressure"</h2>According to the federal budget policy announced by&nbsp;Prime Minister Marc Carney, the reduction of study permits is part of Canada’s effort to “control the immigration system.”Over the past several years, the number of international students has surged at an unprecedented pace. By 2023, they accounted for&nbsp;7.5% of Canada’s population, making a significant contribution to the economy, but also putting substantial&nbsp;pressure on housing,&nbsp;healthcare, and public services.Finance Minister&nbsp;François-Philippe Champagne&nbsp;stated:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "We need to ensure that the immigration system operates sustainably-supporting economic growth while protecting the quality of life for Canadians."In fact,&nbsp;nearly 90,000 new international students arrived in Canada during the first eight months of this year - a drop of&nbsp;60% compared to the same period last year. This is the steepest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating that the government has begun to “hit the brakes” on immigration and international education policies.<h2>Concrete Figures: From Records to Tightening</h2>If Canada welcomed over 437,000 new international students in 2023, that number is expected to drop to&nbsp;around 155,000 by 2026 - a reduction of&nbsp;65%.According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):<ul><li>The total number of international students currently stands at around&nbsp;802,000&nbsp;- the lowest since 2021.</li><li>Indian students&nbsp;account for&nbsp;41%,&nbsp;Chinese students&nbsp;12%, and over&nbsp;17,000 Vietnamese students are among the top 10 countries sending the most students to Canada.</li></ul>This sharp decline not only affects colleges but also forces many provinces, which were previously reliant on revenue from international students,&nbsp;to reconsider their recruitment strategies and housing support.<h2>The Real Reason: "Not Tightening, but Restructuring"</h2>According to Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, this policy is part of Canada’s effort to manage its immigration system.In just the first eight months of this year, Canada welcomed nearly 90,000 new international students - a drop of&nbsp;60% compared to the same period last year, marking the largest decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts predict that the total number of permits for the year could fall well short of&nbsp;the target of 437,000.&nbsp;Last year, Canada was the world’s second-largest study destination, hosting over&nbsp;one million international students, with India accounting for 41%,&nbsp;China 12%, and over&nbsp;17,000 Vietnamese students. However, that number has now dropped to just&nbsp;802,000, the lowest since 2021.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:735/511;" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/bd/de/e2/bddee235215dd222e37182395dfa50b8.jpg" alt="Restructuring of Canada's immigration system" width="735" height="511"><figcaption>Restructuring of Canada's immigration system</figcaption></figure>This raises the question: Is Canada gradually closing the “golden door” for international students, or is it simply restructuring the system to ensure more sustainable growth in the future?From a policy perspective, Canada is not “closing the door” to international students. Instead, it is&nbsp;shifting its strategy:<ul><li>Curbing mass enrollments from&nbsp;private colleges </li><li>Increasing academic quality control </li><li>Prioritizing graduate students, those in high-demand fields, or programs in provinces facing labor shortages&nbsp;</li></ul>Notably, while reducing international student admissions, the government is still&nbsp;allocating CAD 1.7 billion&nbsp;(approximately USD 1.2 billion)&nbsp;to attract 1,000 international researchers, PhD, and postdoctoral students over the next 13 years.This indicates that Canada aims to be more selective -&nbsp;reducing quantity while&nbsp;increasing quality and focusing on long-term talent development.<h2>Who Will Be Most Affected?</h2><h3>Students Currently Applying</h3>Those preparing to apply for study abroad between 2025 and 2026 will be most affected:<ul><li>Study permit processing times may take longer. </li><li>Rejection rates could rise due to limited quotas. </li><li>Reputable DLIs&nbsp;(especially public institutions) will be given priority.</li></ul>This is also the time when the Letter of Attestation (LOA) - the document verifying enrollment quotas - becomes more important than ever.<h3>Students currently studying in Canada</h3>If you are studying full-time with a valid study permit,&nbsp;this policy does not directly affect you, but it may have indirect impacts on:<ul><li>Opportunities to change programs or schools </li><li>Future Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policies </li><li>Immigration pathways (PR) that IRCC is currently reviewing</li></ul><h3>Impact on Vietnamese Students</h3>With over&nbsp;17,000 current international students, Vietnam is one of the Southeast Asian countries with the largest student communities in Canada.<ul><li>Applications with clear study plans and realistic career goals will have an advantage.</li><li>Applicants choosing fields in STEM, Healthcare, Education, or Trades are more likely to be approved.</li></ul>Conversely, applications for private colleges or programs lacking clear career direction may face a higher risk of rejection than before.<h2>Impact on Canadian Schools and the Economy</h2>Small colleges that rely heavily on international students will be severely affected. Statistics show that&nbsp;many colleges in Ontario earn&nbsp;60–70% of their revenue from international student tuition.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:736/1104;" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/22/d3/ab/22d3aba472adbf4e0d8b83de26f4b6de.jpg" alt="University of Toronto" width="736" height="1104"><figcaption>University of Toronto</figcaption></figure>However, large public universities such as&nbsp;Toronto,&nbsp;British Columbia,&nbsp;Waterloo, and&nbsp;Alberta&nbsp;support this restructuring policy, citing the following reasons:"This is an opportunity to rebuild the international education system - focusing on selecting students who are truly capable and aligned with Canada’s labor market needs."Canada’s economy is expected to see a short-term decline in revenue from tuition fees, but in the long term, the country aims to&nbsp;enhance the reputation of its education system,&nbsp;ensure the quality of training, and&nbsp;reduce social pressure.<h2>What Should International Students Do Now?</h2>LOA Portal suggests three clear courses of action for Vietnamese students:<h3>Prepare Your Application More Carefully Than Ever</h3><ul><li>Clearly explain your study and career goals after graduation. </li><li>Prioritize&nbsp;public institutions (DLIs) and programs related to your immigration plan. </li><li>Avoid “mass applying” to multiple schools—focus on submitting one strong, well-prepared application.</li></ul><h3>Closely Monitor Updates from IRCC từ IRCC</h3><ul><li>Regulations regarding work permits, PGWP, and PR are being updated regularly. </li><li>Follow official sources (IRCC website or LOA Portal) to avoid misinformation.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Prepare Your Personal Competencies</h3><ul><li>Improve your English and professional skills. </li><li>Take advantage of co-op terms or part-time work to gain early experience - while fully complying with the law.</li></ul><h2>An Optimistic Perspective: Opportunities for Truly Serious Applicants</h2>Although the news of a “50% cut” may cause concern, in reality, Canada is by no means shutting its doors to international students.The country still needs quality talent in the following fields:<ul><li>Engineering and Technology (AI, Data, Engineering) </li><li>Healthcare and Medical Services </li><li>Education and Research </li><li>Agriculture and Renewable Energy</li></ul>The government aims to filter out less transparent applications&nbsp;and focus on students with clear study–work–immigration plans. For those who are truly serious, opportunities remain intact.<h2>Conclusion</h2>Canada’s planned 65% cut in study permits marks a major turning point in the country’s immigration and international education policies.While it presents many challenges, this also serves as a reminder for international students to prepare thoroughly,&nbsp;make smart choices, and adopt a more long-term strategy.Remember:"Canada is not closing the door to studying abroad; it is simply opening a new door—reserved for those truly ready to step through."

Canada Plans to Cut Study Permits by More Than 50% by 2026

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