Immigration Announcement
International Student and Temporary Worker Arrivals Canada Fall 66%
The number of international student and temporary worker arrivals Canada recorded during the first 7 months of 2026 was 66% lower than during the same period in 2024. IRCC reported 28,200 new study permit holders and 113,360 new work permit holders from January through July 2026.
The figures show a substantial reduction in new temporary arrivals. At the same time, Canada is increasingly relying on people already in the country as a source of new permanent residents.
According to IRCC, 127,135 former temporary residents became permanent residents between January and July 2026, representing 57% of all new permanent residents during that period.
Canada Records a Sharp Drop in New Temporary Arrivals
IRCC’s latest data provides a snapshot of how Canada’s temporary resident system has changed.
| Measure | January-July 2026 |
| New study permit holders | 28,200 |
| New work permit holders | 113,360 |
| Combined new student and worker arrivals | 141,560 |
| 2026 student arrival target | 155,000 |
| 2026 worker arrival target | 230,000 |
| Study permit holders in Canada, July 31 | 590,205 |
| People holding only a work permit, July 31 | 1,560,565 |
IRCC says the 2026 figures are approximate and subject to change. The department also rounds many figures to the nearest 5 to protect privacy.
The data therefore should be read as a snapshot rather than a final annual count.
Student Arrivals Have Fallen the Most
New international student arrivals have declined particularly sharply.
Canada recorded 28,200 new study permit holders from January to July 2026. That was 80% lower than the comparable period in 2024, a reduction of 113,830 arrivals.
The 2026 annual target for student arrivals is 155,000.
The monthly figures also show why year-to-date data should be interpreted carefully.
For example, Canada recorded 5,820 new student arrivals in July 2026. IRCC notes that student arrivals tend to rise before academic semesters, particularly in August ahead of the fall semester.
Therefore, January-to-July numbers do not necessarily represent the final 2026 student intake.
Why Is Canada Reducing International Student Arrivals?
The federal government has introduced several measures to reduce the number of new international students entering Canada.
These include:
- Annual limits on new international student study permits
- Further reductions to provincial and territorial allocations
- Stronger verification of letters of acceptance
- Higher financial requirements
- Measures designed to strengthen the International Student Program
- Greater emphasis on attracting master’s and doctoral students
These measures form part of Canada’s broader approach to managing temporary residents.
IRCC says Canada has committed to reducing the temporary population to below 5% of the total population by the end of 2027.
Temporary Worker Arrivals Are Also Down
New worker arrivals reached 113,360 between January and July 2026.
That is 59% lower than during the same period in 2024, representing a decline of 161,180 arrivals.
Canada’s 2026 worker arrival target is 230,000.
The decline reflects changes affecting several work permit and temporary worker streams.
The federal government has tightened parts of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including restrictions on low-wage hiring in certain circumstances. It has also changed Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility and limited some spousal open work permit eligibility.
These changes have affected the number of new workers entering Canada.
Fewer New Arrivals Does Not Mean Fewer Temporary Residents Overall
One important distinction is between new arrivals and the total number of temporary residents already in Canada.
Canada had 590,205 people holding study permits as of July 31, 2026.
The number of people holding only a work permit was 1,560,565.
These totals represent people already in Canada and should not be confused with the number of people who arrived during the first 7 months of the year.
IRCC also explains that it takes time for policy changes to affect total temporary resident numbers because applications submitted under earlier rules may continue to be processed.
Former Temporary Residents Are Becoming Permanent Residents
Another major part of the latest data is the number of former temporary residents transitioning to permanent residence.
| Period | Former temporary residents becoming PRs | Share of new PRs |
| 2024 | 215,090 | 44% |
| 2025 | 188,020 | 48% |
| Jan-July 2026 | 127,135 | 57% |
The rising percentage does not mean that every temporary resident will qualify for permanent residence.
Rather, it shows that a larger share of Canada’s new permanent residents during the measured period previously held temporary status.
Many such applicants use economic programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, depending on their circumstances.
What This Means for International Students
For prospective international students, the latest numbers reinforce the need to research the complete study-to-work pathway before choosing a Canadian program.
A study permit is temporary status.
Studying in Canada does not automatically lead to permanent residence.
Students should examine:
- Whether their institution and program qualify for a PGWP
- Current PGWP rules
- Program duration
- Field-of-study requirements where applicable
- Tuition and living costs
- Provincial immigration options
- Potential Express Entry eligibility
- Labour market prospects after graduation
This makes Study in Canada planning more complex than simply obtaining admission to a Canadian institution.
What This Means for Temporary Workers
Temporary workers should also pay attention to the changing environment.
Canada has stated that it wants to focus more on people already in the country, including newcomers who are working and contributing to the economy.
For eligible workers, this can make long-term immigration planning important.
Potential pathways may include Canadian Experience Class, provincial nomination programs or other economic immigration categories.
However, having a Canadian job or work permit does not guarantee permanent residence.
Eligibility depends on the specific program and the applicant’s circumstances.
A Lower Temporary Intake Changes Immigration Planning
The latest figures suggest a shift in Canada’s immigration system from rapid growth in temporary arrivals toward more controlled temporary migration and greater emphasis on transitioning eligible people already in Canada to permanent residence.
That does not mean Canada has stopped welcoming international students or foreign workers.
Instead, the available numbers indicate that the scale and composition of temporary immigration are changing.
For prospective applicants, this makes program selection more important.
A person considering Canada should look beyond the initial visa or permit and consider what their longer-term options could look like under current rules.
What Applicants Should Do Before Coming to Canada
Prospective students and workers should take several steps before committing to a pathway.
Check the Latest Rules
Immigration policies can change between the time an application is planned and when it is submitted.
Review the Full Pathway
Students should examine study permit, PGWP and potential permanent residence options together.
Workers should review their work permit conditions and possible PR pathways.
Avoid Relying on Outdated Information
Rules that applied to international students or temporary workers in 2024 may no longer apply in 2026.
Check Provincial Options
Provincial immigration programs can have different priorities and eligibility requirements.
Canada recorded a 66% decline in new student and worker arrivals during January to July 2026 compared with the same period in 2024.
The change is part of a broader effort to reduce temporary resident volumes while giving greater attention to people already in Canada who may qualify for permanent residence.
For students and workers planning Canada immigration, the key takeaway is to assess the entire pathway before making a decision.
