International student enrollment at the University of Prince Edward Island has decreased by approximately 20% compared to the previous year, according to recent data. This marks the third consecutive year that the federal government has imposed limits on the issuance of study permits for international students.
The national target set for international student intake was 437,000 annually. Currently, UPEI hosts around 1,300 international students, a significant decline from the previous count of approximately 2,000 before the implementation of the federal restrictions.
Ava Czapalay, the CEO of the Association of Atlantic Universities, highlighted that the Atlantic region has experienced a 48% decline in international student enrollment since the regulations were introduced in 2024, surpassing the federal government’s 35% target reduction.
Expressing disappointment, Czapalay noted that the actual international enrollments fall below the targets initially set by the federal government when the policy changes were announced in January 2024.
It is emphasized that international students typically apply to multiple universities in various locations. Czapalay stressed the importance of creating a welcoming environment to attract qualified students who can afford tuition fees and demonstrate financial stability.
While international student enrollments have declined across universities in Atlantic Canada, there has been a slight uptick in first-year enrollments. By October 2026, universities in the Atlantic region reported a 3.4% increase in first-year students. The rise in local and regional student enrollments is seen as a consequence of the drop in international student numbers.