Key Takeaways
• Quebec institutes a one-year cap on study permits, limiting universities to 63,299 applications from February 26, 2025, to 2026.
• Exemptions include applications submitted before February 26, 2025, students continuing current programs, and dependent children of temporary workers/students.
• Allocations by university vary, with University of Montreal getting 8,709 permits, while smaller institutions receive little or none.
Quebec’s recently unveiled study permit allocations represent a major development in the province’s management of international student admissions. Announced on March 3, 2025, by the Québec Ministry of Immigration and Francization (MIFI), this policy institutes a cap on the number of study permits that universities in the province can endorse. The new regulations, effective between February 26, 2025, and February 26, 2026, limit Quebec universities to a maximum of 63,299 study permit applications during this period.
This one-year cap stems from the province’s increasing focus on regulating the rapid growth of its temporary resident population. It comes as a response to concerns surrounding the sharp rise in study permit holders in Quebec—an increase of 140% between 2014 and 2023—and its associated pressures on local resources, including housing and public services.
Allocations by Institution
Breaking down the total cap of 63,299 permits earmarked for universities, the MIFI has outlined how many applications each institution can accept. These allocations vary widely depending on the size and focus of the universities, ranging from as many as 8,709 permits for the University of Montreal to zero for smaller specialized schools. Key figures include:
- University of Montreal: 8,709
- Laval University: 8,276
- University of Quebec in Montreal: 7,674
- University of Quebec in Chicoutimi: 7,674
- Concordia University: 5,233
- McGill University: 5,131
Other institutions—including Bishop’s University, Tele-university, and specialized schools like the Montreal Conservatory of Dramatic Arts—will be significantly or entirely excluded from new study permits. The diverse nature of these allocations reflects the province’s emphasis on ensuring equitable distribution based on institutional capacity and regional needs.
Who Is Exempt?
The policy includes exemptions to minimize disruptions for certain groups. These exemptions aim to safeguard existing commitments and prioritize vulnerable populations. Exemptions include:
- Students who submitted their study permit application before February 26, 2025.
- Temporary extensions for those continuing the same program at the same institution.
- Dependent children of temporary foreign workers or international students.
- Primary and secondary school applicants.
Other groups, like those applying for protection under certain sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or selected through Quebec’s Excellence Scholarship Program, are also excluded from these limits. By doing so, the Quebec government acknowledges the immediate needs of individuals in these categories while shaping longer-term strategies for managing international admissions.
Why Was the Cap Introduced?
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration, explained the rationale behind this decision as a step to assess and address Quebec’s specific needs strategically. “This one-year cap allows us to reassess the situation and adjust according to Quebec’s strategic needs, taking into account new trends that might emerge,” Roberge noted.
Quebec is not acting in isolation. The move aligns with broader federal efforts to manage international admissions into Canada. The federal government has already reduced the total number of study permits across the country to 550,162 for 2025, a substantial drop from the 606,250 permits issued in 2024. Quebec’s share, therefore, mirrors a national trend toward tightly regulating international admission in response to growing pressures on housing availability, infrastructure, and public services.
Impact on Universities and International Applications
The imposition of a cap has already begun to influence application numbers, particularly at institutions that count heavily on international students. For instance:
- The Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) reported a 32% drop in international applications for the fall 2024 semester compared to a year earlier.
- The University of Quebec in Chicoutimi (UQAC), where nearly 38% of the student body is made up of international students, expressed concerns about its long-term sustainability under these restrictive measures.
- McGill University and École Polytechnique have also noted considerable challenges, as their incoming foreign student applications have decreased significantly compared to prior years.
The sharp declines worry institutions like the INRS, where international students currently make up 67% of the student body. As a hub for advanced research, restrictions on international enrolments could negatively impact the institution’s global competitiveness and research output.
Challenges for Graduate Studies and Research Programs
Graduate and postgraduate programs are among the areas most directly impacted by these new regulations. International students account for over 51% of enrolments in advanced degree programs across Quebec. Their contributions to research and development are critical not only for individual universities but also for the province’s long-term innovation and scientific reputation.
To mitigate this, universities have urged the government to reconsider imposing quotas at the graduate and postgraduate levels. In a collective stance, McGill University, along with the Universities of Montreal, Sherbrooke, and Laval, released a joint brief in November 2024, highlighting the policy’s potential consequences. The brief emphasized that these restrictions “threaten to erase these gains” and could disrupt Quebec’s academic and research ecosystem.
It remains unclear whether Quebec’s upcoming Immigration Levels Plan will address these specific concerns. For now, institutions with a heavy focus on graduate studies and research remain in limbo, awaiting clarity on how these measures will evolve in the years to come.
Impact on Quebec’s International Appeal
Quebec’s new cap on international student permits may inadvertently affect its attractiveness as a destination for higher education. Beyond its vibrant cultural and linguistic identity, the province’s universities have long relied on an international student base to bolster academic programs and diversify campus life.
This policy starkly contrasts the ambitions stated in past years when the provincial government actively promoted Quebec as a global hub for education. By reducing the volume of international admissions, particularly in urban centers like Montreal, the measure could dissuade highly qualified candidates from applying—especially for graduate-level fields that rely on robust international enrolment.
Stakeholders are now watching to see if the MIFI will consider regional exemptions or field-specialized leniencies for future policy updates. Rural and remote area programs, which experience less strain from rising populations, could see fewer restrictions compared to metropolitan campuses.
The Broader Immigration Strategy
This cap is part of a larger restructuring of Quebec’s immigration strategy, aligning with the province’s aim to control temporary immigration through more targeted measures. For the first time, Quebec will include temporary immigration targets, like those for international students, in its formal Immigration Levels Plan. This upcoming 2025 plan is expected to shed light on the direction the province will take to balance immigration, education, and economic growth.
The government has also suggested favoring regional programs in its future policies. These adjustments could help preserve enrolment in regions that might otherwise face disproportionate challenges. However, no formal confirmation of specific protection measures for graduate research programs has been announced, leaving stakeholders awaiting answers.
Conclusion
Quebec’s announcement of study permit allocations for its universities represents a notable change in how the province approaches international education. While the cap is intended to manage the rapid growth of foreign study permits amid housing and service pressures, it brings challenges for institutions relying on international students. These include potential loss in research competitiveness, decreased appeal to prospective candidates, and threats to the financial stability of smaller universities.
The coming year, marked by the release of Quebec’s Immigration Levels Plan and ongoing discussions led by Jean-François Roberge, will be critical in determining the long-term consequences of these policies. Whether through fine-tuning allocations or creating exceptions for high-priority programs, the next steps will shape Quebec’s role in global higher education for years to come.
For more detailed information about Quebec’s immigration decisions and policies, readers can visit the official Quebec Ministry of Immigration website. As highlighted by VisaVerge.com, these developments will significantly impact students, universities, and Quebec’s broader academic ecosystem in the months ahead.
Learn Today
Study Permit → A document allowing international students to study at designated institutions in Canada under specific conditions.
Temporary Resident Population → Individuals residing in a country temporarily, such as international students, workers, or visitors, without permanent residency status.
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act → Canadian law governing immigration processes, including statuses for refugees, permanent residents, and temporary residents like students and workers.
Immigration Levels Plan → A governmental strategy outlining immigration targets and quotas, including those for temporary residents such as international students.
Institutional Capacity → The ability of an organization, like a university, to manage and support its operations effectively, including student intake and resources.
This Article in a Nutshell
Quebec’s one-year cap on study permits limits universities to 63,299 applications, addressing surging international student numbers. Effective February 2025, this policy tackles housing and service pressures but raises concerns about research competitiveness and financial stability. Institutions relying on international students face challenges, urging policymakers to balance regional needs with global educational appeal.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Quebec Sets Limits on International Student Admissions for 2025-26
• Quebec Temporary Residents: New PR Pathways Through Pilot Programs
• Quebec Suspends Experience Program & Skilled Worker Pathway Until 2025
• Quebec Sets New Immigration Cap for 2024-2025
• Quebec Government Caps Skilled Worker Immigration Program
