Foreign students could be forced out of Canada by 2027 as the country’s once-booming international education pipeline collapses, according to American commentator and TV actor Ronald Butler Jr., who shared his analysis on social media.“Student visas, foreign student visas, are down 97%. 97%, you just might as well say closed… and all those students that came in 23 and 24, by the end of 27, they’ve got to be gone,” Butler said on X regarding international student numbers. His comments come as official figures show that Canada’s international student pipeline has been reduced very sharply. This could make life difficult for students already in Canada, and they may be advised to leave before basic costs become too high.
97% Less Foreign Student Visas: The Student Housing Landlords In Ontario Kiss Their Businesses Goodbye
By the end of 2027 almost all the Foreign Students are gone & this year looks like hardly any new ones are coming
Let me describe how bad this is for Real Estate Investors
pic.twitter.com/OLJGOZLeec
— Ron Butler (@ronmortgageguy) January 27, 2026
How the drop increased to 97% within 2 years
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal that in November 2025, only 2,485 new study permits were issued, in contrast to 95,320 in December 2023, which was the highest for new student permit issuances in the past two years. That works out to a roughly 97% drop in monthly new study permits.The drop has been driven by deliberate policy changes introduced by the Canadian government to better manage the temporary resident population, particularly in response to pressures on housing, healthcare and public services. Butler said this drop is affecting student housing, colleges and universities, and local communities. He said the collapse of the student housing investment model in Ontario and British Columbia was now inevitable, as landlords who once rented out homes to foreign students struggle with a huge drop in demand. He said: “The process, that trade that, hey, I’m going to buy a big house, I’m going to fill it up with 18 foreign students, I’m going to charge them 800 a bed, and I’m going to make good money, is gone… Like I said it was gone before, but it is the gonest of the gone now.”
Why has it become difficult for students to enter Canada?
In 2024, the Canadian government set a yearly limit on international student permits to slow down growth that was putting pressure on housing and public services in busy student cities. Most applicants now need a letter from their province or territory, and stricter checks have been introduced to prevent fake acceptance letters. These changes have reduced the number of permits issued.In 2026, the cap framework remains in place, with IRCC planning to issue up to 408,000 study permits, including both new students and extensions. This figure is way lower than previous years.
What are the repercussions of having fewer foreign students?
Canadian universities and colleges that depended on international student fees are now facing fewer enrolments. Fewer new students mean less first-year intake, emptier campus housing, and financial strain on programmes that relied on large international classes. Some schools are already cutting staff and budgets because of the lower demand.In colleges, universities, and local housing markets, landlords and schools are facing uncertainty. Butler said that without more students coming, many small investors and operators may not survive the drop. Go to Source
