Quebec caps international student enrollments by 20%

The Quebec government has announced a 20 percent reduction in the number of international students allowed to enroll in post-secondary institutions for the 2025-26 academic year. This decision, formalized in a decree, caps the number of Certificats d’acceptation du Québec (CAQs) at 124,760, down from 156,647. The reductions particularly affect vocational training and college-level programs, with CAQs for college diplomas remaining stable. The government aims to address the rapid increase in international students, which rose by 140 percent from 2014 to 2023, now comprising 21 percent of the province's non-permanent residents. While officials acknowledge the contributions of international students, the measures are intended to stabilize enrollment and protect strategic sectors. The changes follow a law passed in December 2024 that grants the province more control over international student admissions.