Record Number of International Students Claiming Asylum in Canada -Trend Set to Rise in 2025

Canada is witnessing a sharp rise in asylum claims from international students. In 2024 alone, over 20,000 foreign students applied for refugee protection—a dramatic surge that’s raising questions about the future of Canada’s immigration policy and international education system.

Asylum Claims Hit New High Despite Study Permit Cuts

According to newly released federal data, 5,500 international students filed asylum claims in the first quarter of 2025. That’s a 22% increase from the same period last year, putting Canada on track to exceed 2024’s already record-breaking figures.

This surge is happening even as Ottawa slashes the number of study permits. In 2024, the government cut international student admissions by 40%, reducing the cap to around 360,000 permits.

But the reduction has yet to take full effect. Many students still hold valid multi-year study permits issued before the cap, and legal experts warn the upward trend is likely to continue.

Why Are More Students Seeking Asylum?

The rise in claims isn’t random. Experts point to several key reasons:

• Permanent residence (PR) pathways are shrinking: Policy changes have made it harder for students to stay in Canada legally after graduation.
• Longer processing times: With a backlog of over 281,000 cases, delays in PR applications push students to consider asylum as a last resort.
• Diploma mills and low-value programs: Some colleges have been accused of offering programs that do not lead to viable job opportunities or work permits.

“The government has closed a lot of doors for international students to apply for permanent residence through regular streams,” said immigration lawyer Chantal Desloges. “It’s funneling people to look for other solutions.”

Which Colleges Had the Most Asylum Claims?

A few post-secondary institutions saw particularly high numbers of claims:

These colleges have expressed concern, but also frustration, noting that Immigration Canada doesn’t inform them when a student files a claim.

One institution, Ellis College, even said it may close admissions from certain African countries due to a lack of information-sharing from the federal government.

Federal Government Under Pressure to Lower Numbers

New Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to reduce temporary immigration, including foreign students and workers, to below 5% of Canada’s population by 2027. That’s down from the current 7%.

“This will help ease strains on housing, on public infrastructure and social services,” Carney said.

But immigration specialists warn that scaling back comes at a price—not just for students, but also for employers and families who rely on them.

“We do have a crisis in health care. We have another crisis in housing,” said Ottawa-based lawyer Warren Creates. “Have refugees created that? No. Have they exacerbated it a bit? Probably.”

Real Claims Amid Policy Fallout

Despite concerns of system abuse, many asylum claims from students are legitimate. For instance, a student from Ukraine who arrived six years ago may now have valid grounds for protection due to the conflict back home.

Each case is evaluated on individual merit, based on a well-founded fear of persecution.

Still, long waits and poor communication between immigration departments and educational institutions are contributing to confusion and mistrust.

A Growing Dilemma for Canada

With a growing refugee backlog, shrinking PR pathways, and rising costs of living, Canada’s international student system is facing a pivotal moment. As policies tighten, more students may feel forced to choose asylum as their only path forward.

At the same time, immigration reform must balance compassion, national needs, and the integrity of the system.

If trends hold, 2025 will be another record-breaking year for asylum claims among international students, raising urgent questions about where the system is heading next

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