International student enrollment declines in Canada and the US

International student enrollment is facing significant declines in both Canada and the United States due to shifting immigration policies and visa restrictions.

In Canada, the language education sector is experiencing a “state of crisis.” According to a survey by Languages Canada, member programs enrolled 81,636 students in 2025, a 13 per cent decrease from the previous year. Total student weeks fell by 19 per cent, leaving enrollment at roughly half of pre-pandemic levels. This decline follows federal efforts to reduce the temporary resident population through national caps on international study permits.

In the United States, international student applications for the 2026-27 academic year fell by approximately 10%, marking the sharpest annual drop in over a decade. Data from the Common App platform indicates nearly 16,000 fewer applicants, with particularly steep declines reported in Asia and Africa. This trend coincides with tightening visa rules and growing concerns among universities regarding the impact of reduced overseas demand on enrollment.