Canada retains annual target of 150,000 new international students through 2029

Canada will maintain its target of welcoming up to 150,000 new international students annually for the next three years, extending the figure to 2029 under its latest immigration plan.

The target was confirmed in the federal government's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, released on Nov 5. The plan sets an overall target of 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals each year between 2027 and 2029, including up to 150,000 international students and 220,000 workers.

The student arrival target remains unchanged from the figure previously announced for 2027 and 2028 under Canada's earlier immigration plan. The latest announcement extends the same target to 2029, providing a longer planning period for educational institutions and other stakeholders.

The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) welcomed the decision, saying the continued targets offer greater stability and predictability after several years of changes to the country's immigration policies.

Larissa Bezo, president and CEO of CBIE, said the targets would help institutions plan their recruitment strategies and programme offerings. She also highlighted the need for collaboration between educational institutions, governments, industry and local communities to ensure Canada can meet its annual student arrival target.

However, Bezo cautioned that the country remained some distance from achieving its existing targets, based on the latest available data for 2026.

“According to the most recent data from 2026, we are far from meeting our current targets,” she said, adding that cooperation across different sectors would be important to achieving the objectives set out in the new plan.

Universities Canada also welcomed the decision to retain the student arrival target through 2029. The organisation said predictable immigration policies were important for rebuilding confidence in Canada's international education system and attracting global talent.

Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada, said universities contributed to the country's economic goals through the talent they develop, research they advance and partnerships they establish with businesses and communities.

Canada continues efforts to regulate international student numbers

The decision comes after Canada introduced a series of measures to reduce the number of temporary residents entering the country and manage pressure on public services, housing and infrastructure.

These measures have included a cap on international study permits and tighter eligibility requirements for post-graduation work permits. The federal government has sought to bring down temporary resident numbers while continuing to attract international students and skilled workers.

The latest immigration plan maintains the annual target of 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals for 2027, 2028 and 2029. International students account for up to 150,000 of these arrivals, while temporary foreign workers make up the remaining 220,000.

For universities and colleges, the extension offers a clearer framework for planning international recruitment and academic programmes over the next three years. However, the CBIE's warning that Canada is falling short of its current target suggests that maintaining the planned numbers will require continued coordination between the government and the education sector.