Last Updated On 14 May 2025, 8:52 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada is witnessing an unprecedented spike in asylum claims by international students, according to exclusive Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data obtained by Global News.
The data indicates that 2025 is poised to break last year’s record of 20,245 asylum claims by international students in Canada.
As the federal government restricts pathways to permanent residency, experts warn the trend could intensify, putting pressure on housing, healthcare, and public services.
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In 2024, asylum claims by international students nearly doubled from 2023 and were six times higher than in 2019.
The first quarter of 2025 alone saw 5,500 claims—a 22% jump from the same period last year.
Immigration lawyers attribute this surge to stricter immigration policies, which have limited options for students seeking permanent residency.
“The government has shut down many regular pathways to permanent residence,” said a Toronto-based immigration lawyer. “This is pushing students toward claiming asylum as a last resort.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney, echoing his predecessor Justin Trudeau, has vowed to reduce immigration to “sustainable levels.”
On May 2, 2025, Carney announced plans to cap temporary workers and foreign students at under 5% of the Canadian population by 2027, down from 7%.
“This will ease the strain on housing, infrastructure, and social services,” Carney stated.
To curb the influx, Ottawa slashed study permits by 40% in 2024 to approximately 360,000, restricted work hours for foreign students, and tightened spousal work permit rules.
Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller called the system “overheated,” citing exploitation by “diploma mills” offering low-value credentials.
Despite fewer study permits, asylum claims continue to climb.
An immigration expert explains that many students, after earning diplomas from questionable institutions, find themselves ineligible for work permits or permanent residency.
“Some students have diplomas that hold little value in the job market. They’re stuck with no clear path forward,” immigration experts say.
The IRCC notes that study permits, often valid for multiple years, mean the full impact of permit cuts may not yet be felt.
“The proportion of permit holders claiming asylum remains small compared to total permits issued,” an IRCC spokesperson said.
In 2024, the following post-secondary institutions reported the highest claims for asylum from foreign students:
- Conestoga College: 720 claims
- Seneca College: 650 claims
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi: 500 claims
- Niagara College: 495 claims
- Collège Ellis (Trois-Rivières): 475 claims
Affected institutions express frustration over their lack of control. Université du Québec à Chicoutimi selects students based on academic merit, unaware of their intentions to seek asylum.
Niagara College emphasized its willingness to collaborate with the government but noted it receives no notification of claims.
Collège Ellis highlighted a “significant communication gap” with immigration authorities and is considering barring students from certain countries due to the issue.
The Canadian asylum process requires claimants to prove a credible fear of persecution in their home country.
However, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is grappling with a backlog of over 281,000 cases, leading to lengthy delays.
While some question the legitimacy of student claims, immigration experts stress that many are valid.
“Take a student from Ukraine who arrived years ago—circumstances in their home country have drastically changed. Their claim isn’t fraudulent just because they were a student,” an immigration expert said.
Immigration specialists acknowledge the political pressure to reduce immigration.
“There’s a housing crisis and a healthcare crisis. Refugees haven’t caused these, but high immigration levels may worsen them.”
As the country navigates this complex issue, the debate intensifies: how can the country uphold its humanitarian commitments while addressing domestic challenges?
With claims for asylum on track to hit new highs in 2025, the government faces tough choices.
Stay informed on the Canadian immigration policies and their impact. Follow for updates on this developing story.
How many refugee claims are successful in Canada?
As per CBC News, the recognition rate—which is calculated by dividing the number of refugee claims that are approved by the Immigration and Refugee Board by the total number of applications that have been resolved on merit—rose from 64% in 2018 to 82% in the first nine months of 2024.
Which country sends the highest number of foreign students to Canada?
More than 40% of foreign students are from India, followed by 10% from China.
Is it possible for an international student to ask for asylum in Canada?
Yes, an international student can apply to claim asylum if they are able to prove they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country.
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