Canada Will Take Up to 1.5 Lakh New International Students a Year From 2027: What the New Plan Means for Indian Families
Published 06/11/2026
In short: Canada has set its plan for the next three years. It aims to welcome up to 150,000 new international students (1.5 lakh) in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029, slightly fewer than this year. For Indian families, it means Canada stays open to students, with a small trim in numbers and no change to the study permit rules themselves.
What happened
Every autumn, Canada's immigration department (IRCC) publishes a levels plan: how many people it wants to welcome over the next three years. The 2027–2029 plan came out on 5 November 2026.
For students, the key line is this. The plan holds new temporary resident arrivals at 370,000 a year, made up of 220,000 new workers and up to 150,000 new international students in each of 2027, 2028 and 2029.
How this compares with the previous plan:
2026 vs the new plan
- 155,000 new students
- 385,000 new temporary residents
- 380,000 permanent residents
- 150,000 new students
- 370,000 new temporary residents
- 380,000 permanent residents
So the student number dips by 5,000, the same 150,000 Canada had already pencilled in for 2027 and 2028 last year. The bigger story is stability: the government calls the plan "predictable", and permanent resident admissions stay at 380,000 a year, including people who are already working or studying in Canada.
Two more points from the official papers:
- The figures for 2028 and 2029 are notional. IRCC says they will be confirmed or adjusted by 1 November next year.
- The plan itself does not change study permit rules, work rules or post-study work permits. Those are set separately, and IRCC treats post-graduation work permits as an extension of status, not a new arrival.
For students
What this means: 150,000 is a national target for students from every country, not a quota for India. There is no country-wise split, and it is a planning target for arrivals, not a new visa rule. Each study permit application is still decided on its own, so the basics still decide the outcome: a sensible course, clear funds and complete documents.
What to do:
- Pick the course first, the country second. Ask why this programme, at this institution, fits your past studies and future plans. You will need to explain it clearly.
- Check the institution is a designated learning institution on IRCC's official list before you pay anything.
- Read the current study permit rules on canada.ca, not on agent websites. Rules on funds, documents and permits can change faster than the levels plan.
- Applying for 2027? Keep a second-choice country or an Indian option in parallel, so a refusal doesn't cost you a year.
For parents
Will my child still get a Canadian study permit?
The plan doesn't decide that. 150,000 is one target for students from every country; each application is still judged on its own merits.
On money: don't commit large sums before the study permit is approved. Ask the institution in writing about its refund policy if the visa is refused, and keep every receipt.
On permanent residence: the plan keeps PR steady at 380,000 a year, but it does not promise a route for any particular student. Treat PR as a possible later step, not the reason to spend on a degree. The government mentions "targeted measures" for graduate students without giving details in the plan, so watch for official announcements rather than rumours.
On advice: Canada fined unauthorised immigration agents only last month. Use only licensed consultants or the official website, and be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed visa or PR.
Key dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| 5 Nov 2026 | Canada releases its 2027–2029 levels plan |
| 2027 | Target: up to 150,000 new international students |
| By 1 Nov 2027 | 2028 and 2029 figures confirmed or adjusted |
Sources
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system, 5 November 2026. Checked 6 Nov 2026.
- IRCC, Supplementary Information for the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, 5 November 2026. Checked 6 Nov 2026.
- IRCC, Supplementary Information for the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, for the 2026 figures. Checked 6 Nov 2026.
If you'd like a calm look at Canada against other options, more on easyapply.in when useful.
Dates can change. Confirm on the official website before you pay or apply.