Canada has seen a significant decline in new international student and temporary worker arrivals as the federal government implements measures intended to reduce the country’s temporary resident population.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), there were 67% fewer new student and worker arrivals between January and June 2026 compared with the same period in 2024. This represents 249,380 fewer arrivals.
The federal government states that reducing the number of students and temporary workers coming to Canada is intended to help ease pressures on housing, infrastructure and services. Canada has committed to reducing its temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
Why Are International Student Arrivals Declining?
Canada has set a target of 155,000 new international student arrivals for 2026. Between January and June, 22,405 new students arrived, including 3,025 in June.
Compared with the same period in 2024, new student arrivals declined by 82%, representing 102,520 fewer arrivals.
IRCC states that student arrival numbers depend on several factors, including recent changes to the International Student Program, how learning institutions recruit students, and how many prospective students apply.
Government measures include the annual international student cap introduced in 2024, with further reductions announced for 2025 and 2026. IRCC has also made acceptance letter review mandatory and raised financial requirements for international students.
Why Are Temporary Worker Arrivals Declining?
Canada has set a target of 230,000 new temporary worker arrivals for 2026. Between January and June, 98,125 new workers arrived, including 20,330 in June.
This represents 60% fewer new worker arrivals compared with the same period in 2024, or 146,865 fewer arrivals.
IRCC states that changes to some work permit streams in 2025 caused demand to drop. Measures affecting temporary workers include a 10% limit on low-wage hiring under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, with a 20% limit in certain in-demand sectors, and a decision to stop processing low-wage applications in census metropolitan areas with unemployment rates of at least 6%. The government has also tightened Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility and work permit eligibility for spouses of certain international students and temporary foreign workers.
What Do the Latest Numbers Show?
As of June 30, 2026, IRCC reported 632,535 people holding a study permit, compared with 1,032,990 in June 2024. IRCC also reported 1,554,470 people who held only a work permit as of June 30, 2026.
IRCC cautions that the full effects of recent measures will take time to appear because existing application inventories continue to be processed under the rules that applied when applications were submitted.
Temporary residents already in Canada are also transitioning to permanent residence. Between January and June 2026, 103,750 former temporary residents became permanent residents, representing 57% of all new permanent residents during that period.
Understanding the Data
IRCC counts new arrivals based on people issued study or work permits during the relevant month. The arrival figures exclude asylum claimants and permit extensions. Worker arrival figures also exclude agricultural workers and certain Temporary Foreign Worker Program workers who are in Canada for 270 days or less within the same calendar year. IRCC states that its data is approximate and subject to change.
Conclusion
The latest IRCC data shows a substantial decline in new international student and temporary worker arrivals. These figures reflect the federal government’s broader effort to reduce temporary resident arrivals and manage immigration levels while addressing pressures on housing, infrastructure and services.
For prospective students, workers and temporary residents already in Canada, understanding current eligibility requirements is increasingly important as Canada’s immigration policies continue to change.
Contact Jain Immigration Law
If you have questions about studying, working or transitioning to permanent residence in Canada, Jain Immigration Law is here to help. Contact our office to discuss your circumstances and available immigration options.
Jain Immigration Law
Phone: +1 (416) 548-5533
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Website: www.jainimmigrationlaw.com