OTTAWA — Canada issued 18% fewer student visas so far this year compared to 2024, according to newly-released data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC.)

And the vast number of study permits continue to be issued to students from India, which continues to be Canada’s largest cohort of foreign students.

Between Jan. and Sept., Canada issued 296,250 study permits to students around the world — that’s down from the 361,965 permits issued between the same time period in 2024, and the 537,115 permits issued in 2023.

The Justin Trudeau years were marked by drastic changes to Canada’s immigration policy, touching off a flood of foreign students and workers exacerbating Canada’s ongoing cost-of-living and housing crisis , with many foreign students resorting to food banks,

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