Opinion… from the Senior Editor 23.10.25

Alongside other members of the “Big Five” study destinations, Canada has seen a steady decline in international enrolments across both language and tertiary education providers in recent years. The latest report from the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) highlights a 28 per cent drop in preliminary international student enrolments across Atlantic universities for the 2025/2026 academic year—suggesting the downward trend is far from over.

This fall in numbers follows a series of federal policy changes, including a cap on study permits, tighter visa requirements, and increased financial thresholds. While these measures were designed to address housing shortages and preserve system integrity, they have also eroded Canada’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming and globally engaged destination for international students.

There has, however, been some encouraging news from other major markets. In the USA, it was recently confirmed that current international students are exempt from the new US$100,000 H-1B visa petition fee. This clarification offers relief for students hoping to transition from study to work. The new policy could even make international graduates more attractive hires, as sponsoring existing students may be less costly for employers than applying for entirely new candidates.

In the United Kingdom, student mobility trends are moving in the opposite direction. Despite recent reforms that reduced post-study work rights from two years to 18 months, student visa applications rose by 7 per cent in the year to September 2025, reaching over 434,000. The data suggests that the UK’s education sector remains resilient and attractive despite policy tightening.

Bethan Norris, Senior Editor

However, it remains to be seen whether two recent policy announcements by the UK government will impact on student demand. The Graduate Route of post-study work rights will be reduced from the current entitlement of two years to 18 months from January 2027, while the government has confirmed that a levy will be applied to international student fee income for universities in England.

Meanwhile, as traditional destinations navigate policy headwinds, new markets and industry dynamics continue to evolve. The International House World Organization has announced the opening of a new affiliate school in Riyadh, expanding opportunities for both English and Arabic language learning in Saudi Arabia.

In the agency sector, consolidation continues apace. WEP International has acquired Germany’s Camps International, extending its network to 10 countries and further signaling the growing globalization and professionalization of international education services.