New students and temporary workers arriving in Canada fell 70% between January and May 2026 compared to the same period in 2024, a drop of 225,335 people, according to updated IRCC data published July 21, 2026. The department also clarified its Understanding student and temporary worker numbers page to better explain how it counts arrivals against annual targets, confirming it is on track to stay within both the 155,000 student and 230,000 worker arrival targets for 2026.
The student numbers are the starkest. Just 3,335 new students arrived in May 2026, and only 19,425 have arrived all year, an 83% drop from the same period in 2024. Worker arrivals fell 63% over the same window. Yet buried in the same dataset is a counterintuitive fact: the total number of people holding only a work permit in Canada is still rising, reaching 1,561,465 on May 31, 2026.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Annual Arrivals | Students | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 292,915 | 393,230 |
| 2025 | 115,060 | 208,690 |
| 2026 (Jan-May) | 19,425 | 77,915 |
| 2026 target | 155,000 | 230,000 |
IRCC counts arrivals as people issued a study or work permit in that month. The counts exclude asylum claimants, permit extensions, seasonal agricultural workers, and short-term TFW placements of 270 days or less. Those exclusions are part of what the July 21 page clarifications spell out.
Students: An 83% Collapse in New Arrivals
The student decline reflects the compounding effect of the international student cap introduced in 2024 and reduced again in 2025 and 2026, mandatory acceptance letter verification, and the doubled financial requirement. Total study permit holders in Canada have fallen from a peak above 1,033,000 in mid-2024 to 632,850 as of May 31, 2026, a drop of roughly 400,000 students in under two years.
The monthly pattern still matters for applicants: arrivals spike each August before the fall semester, which is when most of this year's remaining target room will be used. If you are applying, submit as soon as you have your acceptance letter and make sure you understand your study permit conditions and expiry dates once approved.
Workers: Fewer Arrivals, But 1.56 Million Still Here
Worker arrivals fell to 77,915 for January through May, down 63% from 2024, driven by the low-wage hiring limits in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, tightened PGWP eligibility, and restrictions on spousal open work permits. But the total count of people holding only a work permit kept climbing through 2026, from 1,478,820 in January to 1,561,465 in May.
The explanation is in the counting rules: extensions are not arrivals. People already in Canada who renew or transition between permits do not appear in arrival numbers, so the in-Canada population can grow even while the door narrows for new entrants. This is the dynamic behind IRCC's commitment to bring the temporary population below 5% of Canada's total by the end of 2027, and it also explains why IRCC's newly published application inventories matter for anyone waiting in the queue.
The Quiet Shift: 57% of New PRs Are Already in Canada
The most consequential number for anyone planning a pathway may be this one: from January to May 2026, 84,135 former temporary residents became permanent residents, representing 57% of all new PRs in that period. That share was 44% in 2024 and 48% in 2025. Canada is increasingly selecting permanent residents from people already studying and working here, mostly through Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program.
For applicants, the implication is direct: Canadian work experience, Canadian credentials and time in Canada are worth more than ever in selection. Track how that plays out in invitation rounds on our live Express Entry draw tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are student and worker arrivals down 70%?
Deliberate policy. IRCC capped international student permits starting in 2024 with further reductions in 2025 and 2026, tightened PGWP and spousal work permit eligibility, and limited low-wage hiring under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The July 2026 data shows those measures compounding.
Is Canada on track for its 2026 arrival targets?
Yes, on both. IRCC reports 19,425 student arrivals against a 155,000 target and 77,915 worker arrivals against a 230,000 target for January through May 2026.
If arrivals are falling, why is the number of work permit holders rising?
Because extensions and in-Canada transitions are not counted as arrivals. People already in Canada renewing permits keep the total population high, which is why the effects of new measures appear in the data only gradually.
What is the 5% commitment?
IRCC has committed to reducing Canada's temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
What does this mean for permanent residence chances?
The share of new PRs who were already temporary residents in Canada hit 57% in early 2026, up from 44% in 2024. Canadian experience and credentials now carry decisive weight in Express Entry and PNP selection.
Sources: IRCC, Understanding student and temporary worker numbers in Canada (canada.ca), data as of May 31, 2026. Last verified: July 21, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.
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