Canada

The aftermath of Canada's study permit cap is only intensifying following months of policy whiplash. But swift action can help get the country's international education sector back on track, says Philipp Reichert.

The president of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) has said Canada is “no longer competitive in attracting global talent” after nearly two years of policy changes wreaking havoc on the sector.

International student enrolments at Canadian school districts dipped only slightly in the past year amid dramatic drops at language schools and post-secondary institutions, new data shows. 

This week, The PIE sat down with Carina Dipti Mathur, founder and managing director of Canada Immigration and Visa.

With international education increasingly at the mercy of domestic politics, global student mobility is at a tipping point as market share expands beyond the ‘big four’, a conference has heard.

Canada’s study permit refusal rate has risen to its highest level in over a decade, with nearly two-thirds of applicants refused by the IRCC so far this year.

As international and domestic students across Canada return to class this semester, data suggests the housing crunch may be easing. But stakeholders caution that finding safe, affordable housing remains a significant challenge.

The IRCC has accepted TOEFL Essentials English language test for use in Canadian permanent economic immigration applications, in what has been deemed a “win” for consumers.

Q2 2025 saw a much-needed rise in Canada's study permit approval rating, though major declines for Indian students and Canadian colleges indicate a "fundamental shift" in IRCC decision making, new data reveals.

Sprott Shaw College, situated in British Columbia, Canada, has been bought by the professional education and training provider, the BPP Education Group.

This week, The PIE sat down with Lindsey López, senior country director, US, ApplyBoard, to chat about her time in a punk rock band, why she recommends a certain TED Talk podcast to everyone, and her plans to grow partnerships across the US.

In a long-called for change, the IRCC has added officer decision notes to visa refusal letters for certain temporary resident permits, though stakeholders have warned against premature celebration.

The Canadian Bureau for International Education has warned of further downturns in Canada’s international student population after study permit issuance fell far short of government targets for last year.

Canadian universities have welcomed the government’s planned audit of the international student program to strengthen processes and integrity, and to reinforce public trust in the system.

The Canadian language sector experienced a 15% decline in student numbers last year, as the impact of Canada’s study permit caps and visa processing delays take hold.