Canada’s ambitious plan to rein in temporary migration is showing dramatic results. New official data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that the number of international students and temporary foreign workers arriving in Canada has fallen to its lowest level in over three years.
- 01On This Page
- 02Key Takeaways: The Big Picture
- 03International Students: 75% Drop in New Arrivals
- 04Temporary Workers: 71% Drop in New Arrivals
- 05Total Temporary Population: Still Over 2.1 Million
- 06What Is Driving the Decline? Government Measures Explained
- 07Demographic Outlook: Zero Population Growth in 2026
- 08Why This Matters for Housing, Labour, and the Economy
- 09Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In February 2026 , only 2,135 new international students and 10,375 new temporary workers were admitted – a staggering 72% decline compared to the 101,085 arrivals recorded in January–February 2024.
This article provides a complete, data‑driven analysis of the latest IRCC statistics, explains the government measures driving the decline, and explores what this means for Canada’s population growth, housing market, and labour force.
On This Page
- Key Takeaways: The Big Picture
- International Students: 75% Drop in New Arrivals
- Temporary Workers: 71% Drop in New Arrivals
- Total Temporary Population: Still Over 2.1 Million
- What Is Driving the Decline? Government Measures Explained
- Demographic Outlook: Zero Population Growth in 2026
- Why This Matters for Housing, Labour, and the Economy
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Official Sources and Further Reading
Key Takeaways: The Big Picture
| Metric | 2024 (Jan‑Feb) | 2026 (Jan‑Feb) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New international students | 29,800 | 9,145 | ↓ 75% |
| New temporary workers | 75,670 | 22,180 | ↓ 71% |
| Total new arrivals | 105,470 | 31,325 | ↓ 70% |
| February 2026 new students | (Feb 2024: 9,240) | 2,135 | ↓ 77% |
| February 2026 new workers | (Feb 2024: 42,915) | 10,375 | ↓ 76% |
The steepest declines occurred in the low‑wage temporary foreign worker stream and among international students from India and China, following the introduction of a hard cap on study permits in 2024.
Despite the sharp drop in new arrivals, the total number of temporary residents already in Canada remains high – over 2.1 million people hold a study permit, work permit, or both as of February 2026.
International Students: 75% Drop in New Arrivals
New international student arrivals have collapsed from a peak of 95,305 in December 2023 to just 2,135 in February 2026.
Monthly New Student Arrivals (Selected Months)
| Month | New Study Permit Holders |
|---|---|
| December 2023 (peak) | 95,305 |
| August 2024 | 79,725 |
| December 2024 | 29,830 |
| January 2025 | 11,215 |
| August 2025 | 45,010 |
| January 2026 | 7,040 |
| February 2026 | 2,135 |
Year‑over‑Year Comparison (Jan‑Feb)
| Period | New Students |
|---|---|
| January‑February 2024 | 29,800 |
| January‑February 2025 | 15,290 |
| January‑February 2026 | 9,145 |
The 75% drop between early 2024 and early 2026 reflects the full impact of the study permit cap introduced in 2024 and further tightened in 2025 and 2026. The cap limits the number of study permit applications IRCC will process, effectively reducing new international student entries by roughly 35‑40% year over year.
Seasonal Patterns
Student arrivals are highly seasonal, with peaks in December (winter semester) and August (fall semester). The decline is visible even during peak months: August 2025 saw 45,010 new students – a 44% drop from August 2024’s 79,725.
Temporary Workers: 71% Drop in New Arrivals
New work permit holders have also fallen sharply, though the decline has been somewhat more gradual than for students.
Monthly New Worker Arrivals (Selected Months)
| Month | New Work Permit Holders |
|---|---|
| March 2024 (peak) | 63,655 |
| February 2024 | 42,915 |
| February 2025 | 14,370 |
| February 2026 | 10,375 |
Year‑over‑Year Comparison (Jan‑Feb)
| Period | New Workers |
|---|---|
| January‑February 2024 | 75,670 |
| January‑February 2025 | 29,250 |
| January‑February 2026 | 22,180 |
The 71% drop between early 2024 and early 2026 is driven by multiple factors:
- Post‑Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility changes (tightened language and field‑of‑study requirements).
- Spousal work permit restrictions (only spouses of certain high‑skill workers and students in specific programs are now eligible).
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) low‑wage cap (10% limit on low‑wage hires, with some exceptions).
Breakdown by Program (February 2026)
| Program | New Arrivals |
|---|---|
| Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) | 2,675 |
| International Mobility Program (IMP) | 7,700 |
| Total | 10,375 |
The IMP – which includes PGWP holders, CUSMA professionals, and other LMIA‑exempt workers – continues to account for about 74% of new worker arrivals.
Total Temporary Population: Still Over 2.1 Million
Despite the sharp decline in new arrivals, the total number of temporary residents in Canada remains substantial because existing permit holders are still in the country and many have extended their stays.
As of February 28, 2026:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Study permit only | 460,695 |
| Work permit only | 1,481,590 |
| Both study and work permit | 234,770 |
| Total temporary residents | 2,177,055 |
Historical Comparison
| Date | Study Only | Work Only | Both | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 2023 | 673,920 | 1,232,510 | 320,815 | 2,227,245 |
| February 2026 | 460,695 | 1,481,590 | 234,770 | 2,177,055 |
| Change | ↓ 213,225 | ↑ 249,080 | ↓ 86,045 | ↓ 50,190 |
The data shows a shift in composition : fewer students, more workers. The total number of work permit holders (including those with both permits) has increased by over 160,000 since December 2023, even as student numbers have dropped.
What Is Driving the Decline? Government Measures Explained
The federal government has introduced a series of policy changes aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada, particularly international students and low‑wage workers.
For International Students
| Measure | Impact |
|---|---|
| Study permit cap (2024) | Reduced number of new study permit applications processed by ~35% in 2024. |
| Further cap reduction (2025‑2026) | Additional cuts of 10‑15% each year. |
| Mandatory Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) | Requires provinces to verify that the student’s program aligns with labour needs. |
| Higher financial requirements | Doubled the required proof of funds (from $10,000 to $20,635). |
| PGWP eligibility restrictions | Students in college programs not linked to in‑demand occupations no longer qualify for PGWP. |
For Temporary Workers
| Measure | Impact |
|---|---|
| TFWP low‑wage cap | Employers in high‑unemployment areas (≥6%) cannot hire low‑wage TFWs; national cap of 10% of workforce. |
| Spousal work permit restrictions | Only spouses of high‑wage TFWs, certain critical sector workers, and master’s/doctoral students are eligible. |
| PGWP changes | University graduates must now meet language CLB 7; college graduates must have field of study linked to in‑demand occupations. |
| End of “flagpoling” for PGWP | Graduates must apply online, reducing border‑rush volumes. |
The 5% Target
The government has committed to reducing the temporary resident population to less than 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027. The temporary population peaked at 7.6% in 2024 (approximately 3.1 million people). As of February 2026, it stands at about 6.5% .
Demographic Outlook: Zero Population Growth in 2026
The Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released a report on February 26, 2026, projecting that Canada’s population will see zero growth in 2026 – a sharp reversal from the 3.1% growth recorded in 2023.
PBO Projections
| Year | Population Growth |
|---|---|
| 2025 | ~0% (flat) |
| 2026 | 0.0% |
| 2027 | 0.3% |
| Medium term (2028‑2030) | ~0.8% annually (below pre‑2015 average of 1.1%) |
The PBO notes that the decline in temporary residents – particularly international students and low‑wage workers – is the primary driver of the slowdown. Without the one‑time transition of 148,000 temporary residents to permanent status (under the 2026‑2028 Immigration Levels Plan), the temporary population would remain above 5% until 2028.
Why This Matters for Housing, Labour, and the Economy
Housing Pressures May Ease
The rapid growth of the temporary population between 2021 and 2024 contributed significantly to rental housing shortages and price increases. With new arrivals now falling and the total temporary population slowly declining, pressure on housing – especially in university towns and large cities – is expected to ease.
Labour Shortages May Persist in Some Sectors
While the government aims to reduce overall temporary migration, certain sectors remain heavily dependent on foreign workers:
- Agriculture (seasonal workers, exempt from caps)
- Healthcare (nurses, personal support workers)
- Construction (skilled trades)
- Food processing (low‑wage labour)
Employers in these sectors may face continued difficulty filling positions as the pool of new workers shrinks.
Permanent Immigration Remains Stable
The 2026‑2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets 380,000 permanent resident admissions per year – a 20% reduction from the 2024 peak but still historically high. Importantly, nearly half of new permanent residents come from temporary resident streams (e.g., CEC, PNP, TR‑to‑PR pathways). A smaller temporary pool could mean fewer candidates for permanent residence in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many new international students arrived in Canada in February 2026?
2,135 new study permit holders arrived in February 2026, down from 9,240 in February 2024 – a 77% drop.
Q2: How many new temporary workers arrived in February 2026?
10,375 new work permit holders arrived, down from 42,915 in February 2024 – a 76% drop.
Q3: What is the total number of temporary residents in Canada as of February 2026?
Approximately 2.18 million people hold a study permit, work permit, or both. This does not include asylum claimants or protected persons.
Q4: Why are student arrivals dropping so fast?
The federal government introduced a cap on study permits in 2024, further reduced it for 2025‑2026, and tightened PGWP eligibility. These measures have reduced new student arrivals by over 75% in two years.
Q5: Are worker arrivals also declining?
Yes. New worker arrivals are down 71% compared to early 2024. The decline is driven by restrictions on low‑wage TFWs, spousal work permits, and PGWP eligibility.
Q6: What is the government’s 5% target?
Canada aims to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. It peaked at 7.6% in 2024.
Q7: Will Canada’s population still grow in 2026?
The PBO projects zero population growth in 2026 , followed by modest growth of 0.3% in 2027. Long‑term growth is expected to average 0.8% – below the historical average.
Q8: Where can I find the full IRCC dataset?
Detailed monthly data is available on the Open Government Portal under “Statistics on international students” and “Statistics on temporary workers.”
Canada’s temporary migration system has undergone a seismic shift. The number of new international students and temporary workers arriving in the country has plummeted by more than 70% in just two years, as the government’s caps and restrictions take full effect.
| For prospective students | For prospective workers | For policymakers |
|---|---|---|
| The window to come as a student has narrowed significantly. Only those accepted into programs at public universities and certain high‑demand college programs are likely to obtain a study permit. | Low‑wage work permits are harder to obtain, and spousal permits are largely restricted. High‑wage, in‑demand occupations remain viable. | The 5% target is within reach, but the long‑term effects on labour supply and demographic growth will need careful monitoring. |
The data is clear: Canada is no longer the easy destination for temporary residence it was in 2022‑2024. Plan accordingly, and always consult official IRCC sources before making travel or study decisions.
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