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International students in Canada 380,310 people had a Canadian study permit become valid in 2025, -26.1% from 2024. The peak was 680,625 in 2023.
Study permits in 2025 380,310 -26.1% vs 2024
Peak year 680,625 2023
Students on Dec 31, 2024 996,375
Top country India 93,685
IRCC
Students whose study permit became valid each year 0 200K 400K 600K 2015 · Secondary or less: 49,225 2015 · Post Secondary: 142,985 2015 · Other Studies: 29,060 2015 · Education level not stated: 140 2015 2016 · Secondary or less: 55,840 2016 · Post Secondary: 178,795 2016 · Other Studies: 32,680 2016 · Education level not stated: 120 2016 2017 · Secondary or less: 62,105 2017 · Post Secondary: 214,705 2017 · Other Studies: 42,335 2017 · Education level not stated: 125 2017 2018 · Secondary or less: 64,105 2018 · Post Secondary: 248,145 2018 · Other Studies: 46,065 2018 · Education level not stated: 140 2018 2019 · Secondary or less: 69,475 2019 · Post Secondary: 291,805 2019 · Other Studies: 42,930 2019 · Education level not stated: 155 2019 2020 · Secondary or less: 45,110 2020 · Post Secondary: 194,375 2020 · Other Studies: 19,130 2020 · Education level not stated: 95 2020 2021 · Secondary or less: 63,710 2021 · Post Secondary: 348,050 2021 · Other Studies: 34,780 2021 · Education level not stated: 160 2021 2022 · Secondary or less: 81,665 2022 · Post Secondary: 427,810 2022 · Other Studies: 41,970 2022 · Education level not stated: 150 2022 2023 · Secondary or less: 112,280 2023 · Post Secondary: 525,775 2023 · Other Studies: 45,370 2023 · Education level not stated: 220 2023 2024 · Secondary or less: 110,740 2024 · Post Secondary: 369,810 2024 · Other Studies: 35,885 2024 · Education level not stated: 205 2024 2025 · Secondary or less: 117,415 2025 · Post Secondary: 245,675 2025 · Other Studies: 19,415 2025 · Education level not stated: 100 2025 2026 · Secondary or less: 79,165 2026 · Post Secondary: 143,240 2026 · Other Studies: 9,600 2026 · Education level not stated: 55 2026*
*2026 covers January to August 2026 only, so it is not a full year. IRCC rounds every number to the nearest 5.
Unique persons holding a study permit that became effective (was signed/issued) in the calendar year. Includes new permits and extensions/renewals; a person is counted once per year even with several permits. 2026 is January-2026-08 only.
IRCC
International students in Canada on December 31 (2000–2024) 0 290K 581K 871K 1.16M 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024 Everyone holding a valid study permit on the last day of the year. IRCC has not updated this series since the 2024 year.
IRCC
Study permits by month 0 30K 61K 91K 121K Sep 23 Mar 24 Sep 24 Mar 25 Sep 25 Mar 26 Aug 26 The big spikes in August and December line up with the start of the fall and winter terms.
IRCC
Where international students come from Top 15 countries of citizenship 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* ▶ Play
1 India 93,685
2 China 48,715
3 Nigeria 25,320
4 Philippines 19,825
5 France 13,310
6 Vietnam 9,705
7 Iran 9,075
8 South Korea 8,715
9 United States 8,440
10 Mexico 7,900
11 Algeria 7,630
12 Ukraine 6,495
13 Brazil 6,155
14 Colombia 5,765
15 Bangladesh 5,535
Tap a year or press ▶ Play.
IRCC
Study permit holders by province in 2025 Total Ontario 163,595
British Columbia 76,800
Quebec 61,075
Alberta 33,715
Manitoba 13,315
Nova Scotia 9,240
New Brunswick 8,080
Saskatchewan 7,760
Newfoundland and Labrador 3,225
Prince Edward Island 1,935
Yukon 170
Northwest Territories 75
Nunavut 15
Per 1,000 residents British Columbia 13.4
Prince Edward Island 10.6
Ontario 10.1
New Brunswick 9.1
Manitoba 8.8
Nova Scotia 8.4
Quebec 6.7
Alberta 6.6
Saskatchewan 6.1
Newfoundland and Labrador 5.8
Yukon 3.4
Northwest Territories 1.6
Nunavut 0.3
Source: Study permit holders by country of citizenship and year in which permit(s) became effective , Study permit holders by province/territory, study level, and year in which permit(s) became effective , Study permit holders on December 31st by province/territory and study level , Study permit holders on December 31st by country of citizenship .
FAQ
Questions people ask How many international students came to Canada in 2025? 380,310 people had a study permit become valid in 2025 (new permits and extensions), down from a peak of 680,625 in 2023 (IRCC).
How many international students are in Canada? 996,375 people held a valid study permit on December 31, 2024, the latest year IRCC has published.
Which country sends the most international students to Canada? In 2025 the top countries were India (93,685), China (48,715), Nigeria (25,320).