For over two decades, Canada reigned supreme as the premier destination for international students. Its winning formula was straightforward: top-tier universities, a welcoming multi-cultural society, reasonable living expenses compared to the US or UK, and a clear, predictable pathway from graduation to Permanent Residence (PR). However, policy adjustments enacted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between 2024 and 2026 have fundamentally reshaped the inte