Canada sets annual target of 1.5 lakh new international students for 2027-29

Canada has set a target of 150,000 new international student arrivals each year from 2027 to 2029 under its latest Immigration Levels Plan. The latest target is 3.2% lower than Canada’s 2026 target of 155,000 new international students. It is also nearly half the 305,900 target set for new student arrivals in 2025, reflecting Canada’s broader effort to reduce the number of temporary residents.

The target is part of Canada’s plan to limit new temporary resident arrivals to 370,000 annually over the three-year period. International students are expected to account for about 40% of these arrivals, while workers will make up the remaining 60%.

What the student target includes

The target applies to new international students entering Canada under the International Student Programme. It covers foreign nationals studying for six months or longer at a designated learning institution approved by a province or territory.


The figure does not include study permit extensions or applications made from within Canada. It also excludes visitors entering the country with temporary resident visas or electronic travel authorisations.

Post-Graduation Work Permits are also not included in the worker targets because Canada treats them as an extension or change of status, rather than as new arrivals.

The student target remains unchanged at 150,000 in 2027, 2028 and 2029. However, the figures for 2028 and 2029 are notional and may be confirmed or adjusted by November 1 of the following year.

Canada fixes temporary resident arrivals at 3.7 lakh

Canada’s overall target for new temporary resident arrivals, including students and workers, is 370,000 in each of the three years.

The worker target has been set at 220,000 annually. This includes 170,000 arrivals under the International Mobility Programme and 50,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme.

The government said the targets would provide greater stability and predictability for provinces, territories, employers and educational institutions. The plan is also intended to support short-term labour needs and help Canada attract global talent.

Canada has separately kept its permanent resident admissions target at 380,000 for each year from 2027 to 2029. The economic category will account for 64.4% of admissions during the period.