Canada International Student Target has been set at 1.5 lakh new international students annually from 2027 to 2029 under the country’s latest Immigration Levels Plan.
The decision means Canada will continue to maintain restrictions on the number of new international students entering the country over the next three years.
The Canadian government announced the targets as part of its 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan.
The policy aims to manage temporary immigration while balancing the country’s education requirements, workforce needs and pressure on housing and public services.
For Indian students planning to study in Canada, the announcement provides greater clarity about the number of new international students the country intends to accommodate.
However, the limited annual target means students will continue to face a more controlled study permit environment.
Canada International Student Target for 2027–2029
According to the latest plan released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada will allow up to 1.5 lakh new international student arrivals every year in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The target represents a reduction of 5,000 students compared with the 2026 target of 1.55 lakh.
However, the government had already indicated the same annual figure for 2027 and 2028 under its previous immigration projections. The latest announcement extends this target to 2029.
The annual targets are:
2026: 1,55,000 new international students
2027: 1,50,000 new international students
2028: 1,50,000 new international students
2029: 1,50,000 new international students
This means Canada is not planning an immediate return to the higher international student intake levels seen before the introduction of stricter immigration controls.
 Canada Will Allow 3.7 Lakh New Temporary Residents Annually
Along with international students, Canada has established an overall target of 3.7 lakh new temporary resident arrivals every year between 2027 and 2029.
International students will account for approximately 40% of these arrivals, while temporary foreign workers will make up the remaining 60%.
The allocation for temporary workers has been set at 2.2 lakh annually. This includes 1.7 lakh places under the International Mobility Program (IMP) and 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
The government has also established an annual range of 3.55 lakh to 3.85 lakh new temporary resident arrivals, providing some flexibility in managing immigration numbers.
These targets form part of Canada’s broader approach to controlling temporary population growth while allowing employers and educational institutions to access international talent.
Will Indian Students Face More Restrictions?
The latest announcement is particularly relevant for Indian students considering Canada for higher education.
Canada has traditionally been an important destination for students seeking international degrees and opportunities to gain overseas experience.
However, the government has been tightening its approach to international student admissions in recent years.
Concerns about housing availability, infrastructure capacity and pressure on public services have contributed to the decision to control the number of new temporary residents.
The new annual allocation provides a clearer picture of Canada’s student intake plans. However, it does not guarantee that every eligible applicant will receive a study permit.
Students must still secure admission to an eligible educational institution, demonstrate sufficient financial resources and meet the immigration requirements applicable to their applications.
The overall target should also not be confused with the number of study permits that will actually be issued. It is a planning figure for new international student arrivals rather than a guaranteed number of approvals.
Importantly, the annual arrival targets do not include study permit extensions or applications submitted by people already living in Canada.
Therefore, existing international students seeking eligible extensions are treated separately from new arrivals under these figures.
 Canada Maintains Permanent Residency Target at 3.8 Lakh
Alongside temporary immigration controls, Canada will maintain its permanent resident admission target at 3.8 lakh annually between 2027 and 2029.
Economic immigration will remain the largest category, with 2,44,700 permanent resident admissions planned each year.
The government has allocated 81,000 places annually for family reunification and 49,300 for refugees and protected persons. Another 5,000 admissions will fall under humanitarian and other categories.
Canada also plans to increase the proportion of French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec. The target will rise from 9.5% in 2027 to 10.5% in 2028 and 12% in 2029.
These measures indicate that Canada intends to maintain a more controlled immigration system while continuing to attract skilled workers and people who can contribute to its economy.
For Indian students, the latest plan offers a clearer understanding of Canada’s future admission targets.
Those planning to apply should carefully check university admission requirements, financial eligibility and the latest study permit conditions before making education and travel arrangements.
