Ontario Prioritizes Key Sectors as Canada Cuts International Study Permits for 2025
With Canada’s federal government reducing the number of international study permits for 2025, Ontario has announced a new strategy to allocate permits based on high-priority labor market needs.
📌 What’s Changing?
Ontario will focus study permit approvals on public colleges and universities that provide training for in-demand industries like health care, STEM, skilled trades, and French-language education.
This means some students will have a harder time securing study permits, while those applying for key graduate programs may see fewer restrictions.
Ontario’s 2025 Study Permit Allocations – What You Need to Know
The federal government’s new cap on study permits significantly reduces the number of international students allowed into Ontario:
📉 2024: 141,000 approved study permits
📉 2025: 116,740 approved study permits (🔻 17% decrease)
📑 Total Applications Received: 181,590
🎓 Reserved for Master’s & PhD Programs: 32,579
While publicly assisted colleges and universities will still receive the majority of study permit allocations (96%), career colleges have been excluded entirely.
How Study Permits Are Now Being Prioritized in Ontario
Ontario’s new international student intake strategy aims to:
✅ Support Ontario’s labor market needs – Allocating study permits to programs aligned with job demand.
✅ Ensure quality education – Prioritizing publicly assisted colleges & universities over private institutions.
✅ Align with post-graduate work permit (PGWP) eligibility – Making sure students can stay and work in Canada after graduation.
📌 Priority Fields for Study Permits in Ontario:
✔️ Health Care & Human Resources (nurses, doctors, allied health professionals)
✔️ Skilled Trades (electricians, welders, carpenters)
✔️ STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
✔️ Early Childhood Education & Childcare
✔️ French-Language Programs
New Requirements for International Students in 2025
🆕 1️⃣ Master’s & PhD Students Now Require Attestation Letters
- Previously exempt, graduate students must now obtain a provincial attestation letter (PAL) before applying for a study permit.
- PALs are issued by Ontario postsecondary institutions to confirm the student’s acceptance.
🆕 2️⃣ Study Permit Extensions Are Now Restricted
- Students transferring between designated learning institutions (DLIs) must now apply for a study permit extension.
- Ontario high school graduates transitioning to postsecondary institutions must compete for study permits under the cap.
Why Is Canada Limiting Study Permits?
The federal government’s decision to cut international student permits is part of a broader strategy to manage:
🏠 Housing & Infrastructure Pressure – Some regions struggle to accommodate growing student populations.
📈 Immigration Policy Adjustments – The federal government is reducing overall immigration targets after record-high numbers.
💰 Concerns Over Education Quality – Efforts to crack down on low-quality private colleges that exploit international students.
How Will This Impact International Students?
🚨 Harder to Get Study Permits – With fewer spots available, students will face stronger competition.
🚨 Career Colleges Excluded – Private career colleges will not receive any study permit allocations, affecting thousands of students.
🚨 More Pressure on Public Institutions – Universities and colleges must adjust admissions strategies based on new permit limits.
However, there is some good news:
✅ Master’s & PhD Students Still Have Stronger Approval Chances – While they now need attestation letters, they have dedicated study permit quotas.
✅ Students in High-Demand Fields Will Benefit – Ontario’s strategy favors health, STEM, and skilled trades, meaning graduates will have better job prospects.
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