Maple News reports that as of February 26, 2025, Quebec has officially implemented a cap on the number of international student applications it will accept through its Foreign Student Program. The provincial government announced the measure as part of a strategy to control enrollment levels and ensure a more balanced distribution across educational institutions.
This newly introduced cap limits the number of study permit applications to 124,760 for the one-year period between February 26, 2025, and February 26, 2026. This move marks the first time Quebec has imposed such a restriction on incoming study applications aimed at international students.
The cap applies exclusively to new applications received after February 26, 2025. It does not limit the number of study permits that will eventually be issued but rather caps the volume of applications the province will accept for processing within this timeframe.
The allocation is broken down by type of post-secondary institution. Universities will receive the largest share with 63,299 applications, followed by vocational training programs with a cap of 32,261, and colleges receiving 29,200 applications. This targeted distribution reflects the province’s effort to reduce pressure on vocational and college institutions while maintaining stability in university-level admissions.
According to Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), the cap is intended to promote quality education and curb the challenges linked to over-enrollment in some sectors, particularly among college and vocational training programs that have rapidly expanded in recent years.
The government also highlighted that this cap serves as a mechanism to ensure better resource management and to preserve the integrity of the education system. With growing scrutiny over the role of private colleges in international education, the measure appears to signal a more regulated and strategic approach to international student intake in Quebec.
Maple News notes that these changes are part of broader provincial and national conversations around reforming the international student ecosystem, which has seen substantial growth in recent years. As Canada remains a top destination for foreign students, provinces like Quebec are expected to introduce more structured policies to align international enrollment with housing, labor market, and educational infrastructure.