Canada has announced major changes to its immigration policies in an effort to manage the increasing number of temporary residents, including international students and foreign workers. These adjustments are set to take effect in 2025 and will see a reduction in study permits and more stringent rules for work permits.
According to a government news release on Thursday, Canada will lower the number of study permits granted to international students by 10% for 2025. This means the current cap of 485,000 study permits will be reduced to 437,000, with the same number maintained for 2026. The decision is part of a broader effort to manage the growing number of temporary residents while addressing economic challenges.
The government stated, “We’re taking these steps to strengthen our immigration system, address the changing needs of our country and continue to grow our population responsibly.”
In addition to the reduction in study permits, Canada will also tighten the eligibility criteria for work permits. Under the new rules, work permits will only be granted to spouses of students enrolled in master’s degree programs that are at least 16 months long, as well as to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional positions or industries facing labor shortages.
The changes are part of a broader immigration reform aimed at managing the pressures caused by a rising number of temporary residents, which currently make up 6.5% of Canada’s population. By 2026, Canada plans to reduce this proportion to 5%.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasized the need for a well-managed system, saying, “The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to.”
Other reforms include stricter measures to ensure compliance with work permit regulations and prevent fraud in the immigration system. For example, labor market impact assessments will now be more thorough, and employers misusing the system will face increased scrutiny.
Canada is also updating its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program to better align with the country’s immigration and labor market needs. Graduates from certain fields of study in public colleges will still be eligible for PGWPs, but new language proficiency requirements will be introduced for all applicants starting in 2024. This includes a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates.
The changes reflect Canada’s evolving approach to immigration as it grapples with economic shifts, labor market fluctuations, and housing challenges. In August 2023, the government signaled that rising housing costs could lead to further restrictions on student visas.
These measures aim to ensure that temporary residents can be adequately supported, while also protecting the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.
