Canada is making significant adjustments to its temporary residence programs to better manage the influx of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of its immigration system.
In a recent announcement, the government revealed a 10% reduction in the intake cap for international student study permits for 2025, decreasing the target from 485,000 to 437,000. Stricter eligibility requirements for work permits are also being introduced, with the aim of aligning immigration policies with the country’s evolving economic and humanitarian needs.
An update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated, “Today, we announced changes to Canada’s temporary residence programs to better manage the volume of temporary residents, uphold the integrity of our immigration system, and protect vulnerable populations.”
Since January 2022, Canada has aimed to impose a national cap on the number of international students. The recent changes are part of a broader strategy to ensure the system’s sustainability. These adjustments include updated measures to enhance the integrity of the asylum system, such as partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals and improved fraud detection mechanisms.
Key changes include:
- A reduction in the intake cap for international student study permits to 437,000 for 2025, with the same cap maintained for 2026.
- An update to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to better align with labour market demands.
- Limiting work permit eligibility to spouses of master’s degree students whose programs last at least 16 months, as well as spouses of foreign workers in management or professional roles.
The government has set a target to reduce the proportion of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s total population by 2026. This includes tightening eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers and ensuring stricter compliance from employers.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, emphasized the importance of managing the immigration system sustainably. He stated, “Not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to, and we are taking action to strengthen our temporary residence programs to meet today’s demands.”
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, added that these changes are designed to prioritize Canadian workers and address the current labour market landscape, where more Canadians are available for open positions.
As part of these reforms, graduates from public college programs will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years if they graduate in fields experiencing long-term shortages. Additionally, new language proficiency requirements will be implemented, requiring applicants to demonstrate a minimum proficiency in either French or English.
Further details regarding these measures will be released on the IRCC website in the coming weeks.
