Québec releases international student caps for 2025/2026

The province will accept up to 63,299 international applications for university programs, 32,261 for vocational training programs, and 29,200 for college-level programs, it was announced on February 26.

Under the new limits – which are broken down by institution and degree type – Québec will issue a maximum of 124,760 acceptance certificates to international students, marking a decrease of around 20% from 2024.

The decision to manage applications in this way is aimed at decreasing numbers in college-level and vocational training programs, but the government has said that the number of acceptances to universities “should remain stable” and will be capped at the 2024 level.

“The government of Québec is taking action to promote the reduction of temporary immigration, which includes foreign students. It is using the levers at its disposal to plan and supervise the arrival of foreign students, rather than letting the federal government dictate the conditions,” a government statement read.

Bill 74, passed on December 5, is the tool used by the province to implement the federal government’s study permit caps, allowing ministers to allocate a cap per school, program, field and level of studies.

Bernard Drainville, Québec ‘s minister of education, said that the the number of foreign students coming to Québec to study vocational training has “exploded” in recent years, particularly in certain private institutions in urban areas.

He said that setting a maximum number of applicants will allow for a more balanced management of the province’s international student program.

The provincial government reminded stakeholders that as of October 1 2024, non-permanent residents represented nearly 615,000 people. Of this number, approximately 129,000 (21%) were international students.

The number of holders of a valid study permit in Québec within the international student program increased by 140% between 2014 and 2023, from just over 50,000 to nearly 120,000 people, according to a government release.

By restricting access to CEGEPs for international students, we are affecting a network that contributes in an essential way to the educational and economic vitality of Quebec
_{^{Marie Monpetit, Fédération des cégeps}}

Private universities and public colleges across the province have criticised the Bill for threatening academic and institutional autonomy.

A statement from Fédération des cégeps, which represents all 48 public colleges in Québec, said CEGEPs are “paying the price” for problems that began elsewhere.

In a statement, the group highlighted that CEGEPs welcome approximately 9,000 international students, or 5% of their enrolment and 1.4% of non-permanent residents mentioned by the government of Québec in its argument to justify the implementation of quotas.

Marie Montpetit, president and CEO of the Fédération des cégeps, commented: “By restricting access to CEGEPs for international students, we are affecting a network that contributes in an essential way to the educational and economic vitality of Québec. For many institutions, the presence of this student population is essential to maintaining critical study programs.”

Elsewhere, she raised concerns with the timeline of the cap’s implementation which she said demonstrates the government’s lack of understanding of the CEGEP academic calendar, more specifically with regard to how international recruitment works”.

“The Federation reiterates the importance of a decision-making process that offers institutions at least 18 months of predictability on admission targets,” she added.

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