Blog

Canada has introduced a Canada student visa cap, and International students are seeking guidance from Canada student visa consultants to navigate through the recent changes brought in Canada’s Immigration policy. As the policy is in effect, many questions arise, like “Can I still apply for a Canada Student visa this year? and “Who can help with a Canada Student visa under the new rules?”. Croyez Immigration is a trusted Canada Student visa consultant. We not only provide assistance to navigate through the Student visa application Canada but also advice on the right plan aligning with the student’s profile. These changes can impact the profile through delays and further development.

Know all about the New Canada Student visa cap policy

What is the Canada Student visa cap?

Canada has introduced a nationwide two-year cap on study visas for International students who have applied to study in Canada. This cap aims to limit the 4,37,000 permits for the year 2025, which marks a 10% decrease from the previous year 2024, which welcomed 4,85,000 International students through the study permits. This cap was implemented mainly to address issues like housing demand, healthcare shortage and other services. Due to the arrival of a large number of temporary residents, the study cap will remain effective through Canada student visa cap 2026.

Cap Implementation Year

On 22 January 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced the student visa cap. The Canada Government aimed to address the rapid growth of International students as their mass arrival resulted in strain on the accommodation and other services. The other factor for the permit decrease is that many institutions started to offer low-quality programs. Their primary intention of the universities shifted to attract students through immigration rather than quality education. This cap aims to address the issues and restore the integrity of the system. Eventually, this path allows the genuine students to seek the chance and experience.    

Who gets affected by the cap?

What does the Canada student visa limit mean for students? This student cap impacts the students to are enrolling for undergraduate diplomas, graduate diplomas and master’s and doctoral programs. The applicant must acquire a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) to submit along with their application. In the previous year, the Master’s and doctoral programs were exempted from this cap, whereas in 2025, they are also included among the categories for the cap. But there are still some categories that are exempted from the cap, which include primary and secondary school students, exchange students and individuals who have applied for a study permit extension under the earlier rules and institutions. 

Impact of Cap on International Students

Application Delays and Increased Rejection Risk

From the effective of the cap, only a few study permit applications are processed every year. Canada aims to process a cap of 5,50,000 applications, set approximately, where only 4,37,000 applications are expected to be approved. If the cap number is reached, IRCC will stop processing further applications for the year. The processing fees will be refunded for the permits that are not selected under the caps. Hence, student applicants can expect Student visa application Canada delayed or refusals for the application even if they fulfil the eligibility requirements.

Priority for Certain Institutions and Provinces

The provinces and territories in Canada will receive the cap allocation based on the province's population and history of intakes. Some provinces, like Ontario and British Columbia, have a history of accepting huge intakes of International students. Hence, they will be allocated with highest number of caps. This provincial allocation may also affect the chances of International students, for instance, if the province reaches the allocation number very soon, the student must have Plan B and look for other institutions. And also, Designated Learning Institutions with good reputations will fill early and may receive priority processing.

Effects on College vs University Admissions

In previous years, students at the graduate level applied to universities and enjoyed faster approvals. But the recent update on cap covers all types of student programs, including master’s and doctoral programs. This does not guarantee approval, even for a profile with high eligibility. The student applicants must be more strategic about selecting the college or university to apply to.

Steps to strengthen your application

Submit a Strong Statement of Purpose (SOP)

The Student applicant must draft a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) with a clear intention; this does not act as just a formality for the year to come. The content must state the student’s academic and career goals, their intention to choose Canada for study and a strong return ties to the home country. A well-drafted, genuine Statement of Purpose will increase the chances of approval. The credibility of the SOP would lift the students’ profile among other applicants in the heavy competition.

Organise all the updated documents

The student must prepare to organise all the documents which may affect the status of the application. Even a small error or rejection would lead to refusal or delay under the present conditions. The documents, like academic records, language proficiency test scores, college acceptance letters, PAL, and fund papers, must be submitted according to the IRCC standards.    

Apply to DLI?Approved Institutions 

Still, many institutions with lower international demand or institutions in the provinces which are Designated Learning Institutions with many allocations can have seats. 

Croyez Immigration, regarded as the best Canada Student visa consultants, will help the students to identify these institutions and secure a seat and assist in increasing the chance of getting a study permit.

Choose Croyez Immigration as your Canada Student visa consultants

Who can help with Canada student visa under the new rules - Croyez Immigration

Expert team analysis on Cap Impact Based on Your Profile

Croyez Immigration is the best Immigration Consultant in the Country, standing proudly with more than a decade of experience. We have helped thousands of students to get placed in top institutions and have turned their study abroad dream into reality. Our expert team will assess the student profile in detail and provide the details about how the cap will affect you. Our team’s support and personalised assistance will provide you with a smooth visa processing experience in the restricted processing area.

Advice on selecting safe colleges in Provinces 

Students have chosen their desired course and college to study in Canada, but presently, it has become more difficult than before due to the cap implementation. In Croyez, we help the students select the best institution in the province with a strategic approach and increase the chances of getting a study permit for the same.   

Visa Filing support for 2024–25 Intakes

As the application intakes and permit selection processes are being reduced due to the strict requirements, the application must be refined and undergo accurate filing. In Croyez, we provide real-time filing support in preparing updated and accurate documentation, along with verification and timely submission. 

We are updated on Immigration Policy Changes

Canada’s Immigration policies are subject to frequent changes. Our expert team stays updated with all the changes and is ready to process them in any circumstances. We will inform you about the updates, new exemptions, PAL rules and quota changes for the current regulations. 

Alternative options if your visa is affected

Considering other study destinations

If the Students are not able to secure a study permit, they can opt to apply in other countries like Australia, the UK, where the process is lenient and welcomes students with an open visa policy. 

Deferring to the next Intake

Students can select the deferred option, where admission is granted to the next intake. This will give a sufficient amount of time to improve the profile and organise all other documents.   

Switching to University Pathways or PG Programs

The universities and institutions in lesser priority provinces increase the chances of approvals. The students can apply for Graduate and postgraduate programs for a smooth permit process. This can also open the pathway to a post-graduation work permit and permanent residency.

FAQs Canada Student Visa Cap 

Can the student visa cap delay my application?
Yes, it would affect the application process when the cap limit is reached; further applications are returned and refunded. This may affect the intake application and result in refusal.  

How many students will Canada allow this year?
For the year 2025, IRCC accepts only the study permit cap of 4,37,000, which has been decreased from the number of 4,85,000 in 2024.

Will PGWP be affected by this cap?
No, the post-graduation work permit is not directly affected by the updates on the study permit cap. But students who are enrolled under curriculum licensing arrangements, like institutions using public curricula, are not eligible after 1 September 2024.

What provinces are less impacted?
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada are have International students cap Canada less impacted areas and mostly receive fewer applications.

Contact Croyez the Best Canada student visa consultants to apply now