Is Canada Still Among the Big 4 Overseas Student Recruiters?

"A dramatic decline in international student numbers in Canada shows how internationalization globally is "evolving," with the concept of the "big four" recruitment destinations seen as increasingly outdated. The country is on track to issue about 80,000 new study permits this year, way below the cap of 437,000 its federal government set for 2025. This has not stopped the cap being reduced even more, with the budget announced earlier this month confirming that it will be set at 155,000 next year-although the country could struggle to reach even this revised figure on the latest projections."

"Lil Bremermann-Richard, chief executive of Oxford International, said it shows how the country has moved to an "evolving" strategy that is more focused on aligning with housing and labor market capacity. "The government is moving toward a more managed, sustainable approach to welcoming international students rather than the rapid growth of recent years," Bremermann-Richard said. "We'll likely see a shift away from a clearly defined big four toward a broader group of preferred destinations as more countries expand their international education capacity and appeal.""

Canada is projected to issue about 80,000 new study permits this year, far below the 437,000 cap set for 2025. The federal government has announced a reduced cap of 155,000 for next year, though projections suggest Canada may not meet that figure. The decline in Canadian international student numbers far outpaces drops in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Eighty-two percent of Canadian universities reported fewer overseas undergraduates, and 90 percent cited restrictive government policies as the biggest obstacle. The shift reflects policy moves toward sustainability and alignment with housing and labor-market capacity.

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