India, Nov. 27 -- The Canadian government has projected a seven per cent decrease in the total number of international students issued permits next year.

A release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) noted that the total number of study permits to be issued in 2026 will be capped at 408,000. This will include the 155,000 visas issued to newly arriving international students plus 253,000 extensions for current and returning students.

"This number is 7% lower than the 2025 issuance target of 437,000 and 16% lower than the 2024 issuance target of 485,000," IRCC said.

IRCC said that the cap that was first introduced in 2024 "has been an effective tool in slowing the growth of Canada's temporary population" as the numbe...