The Canadian government has announced a significant shift in its immigration strategy, reducing permanent residency targets to manage population growth sustainably.

By 2025, the target for new permanent residents will drop from 500,000 to 395,000, with further reductions to 380,000 by 2026 and 365,000 by 2027. This plan includes economic, family reunification, and humanitarian streams and introduces controlled targets for temporary residents, such as capping study permits until 2026.

While aimed at easing pressure on housing, infrastructure, and social services, these changes may limit permanent residency routes for international students. Despite this, the plan prioritizes transitioning existing temporary residents—students and workers already in Canada—to permanent status. In 2025, over 40% of new permanent residents will come from this group.

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, noted the need for balanced policies that address economic needs and societal pressures, emphasizing Canada's commitment to responsible population growth. Industry voices, including Larissa Bezo, President and CEO of CBIE, expressed concerns about the policy’s potential long-term impact on international education and talent attraction.

Read more about the new policy here.

The Dutch government is taking steps to limit English-medium degrees and reduce the number of international students as part of its new Balanced Internationalisation Act. Education Minister Eppo Bruins emphasized that the rapid increase in international students has strained housing and lecture capacity and impacted the use of the Dutch language.

The proposed measures include requiring Dutch bachelor's programs to teach at least two-thirds of their curriculum in Dutch. Full English-medium bachelor's degrees will need special approval based on specific criteria, such as labour market needs or international relevance. Master's programs, however, are exempt from these new language requirements.

In addition to limiting course language offerings, the government is seeking to increase non-EU tuition fees and reduce financial support for EU students, aiming to curb public spending on students who do not stay in the country post-graduation. Minister Bruins stated that these measures will lower international student numbers but aim to increase the percentage of graduates who stay in the Netherlands to work.

Dutch universities expressed concerns, arguing that the policy may hurt educational quality, deter essential international talent, and risk program closures. Universities of Applied Sciences called for exemptions, highlighting that most of their courses are already taught in Dutch and that the labour market values international courses.

These proposed changes, set to take effect from the 2025/26 academic year, could reshape the landscape of Dutch higher education and its appeal to international students.

Access the full government statement here.

The Danish government has unveiled plans to create 400 new spots in English-taught STEM bachelor’s programs by 2027, aiming to attract international students and address labour shortages. The new places will focus on business, technology, and engineering courses and will be established outside Denmark's largest cities.

Higher Education Minister Christina Egelund emphasized the importance of drawing qualified talent to sustain Denmark’s economy and meet the growing need for skilled professionals. “It’s absolutely crucial for us as a society to attract qualified labour from abroad. It helps to protect a red-hot labour market and contributes very well to our economy,” she stated.

This initiative follows previous reductions in English-taught programs in 2021, which were partly reversed last year. The new strategy represents a shift towards embracing international students, with the goal that many will stay and contribute to the workforce after graduation.

The expansion will require an estimated 20 million kroner annually for student financial support (SU payments). Broader educational reforms are expected to follow this announcement.

Read more about the initiative here.