Canada is making significant changes to its temporary residence programs in an effort to manage the increasing number of temporary residents and maintain the integrity of its immigration system.
As part of these reforms, the Canadian government will reduce the number of international student study permits issued and tighten eligibility rules for work permits, starting in 2025.
According to an announcement made on Thursday, the government will lower the intake cap for international student study permits by 10%, reducing the number of permits from 485,000 to 437,000.
This cap will remain in place for 2026 as well. The new policies aim to align immigration programs with Canada’s evolving economic and humanitarian needs while ensuring the system remains sustainable.
In a post from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government explained the need to take action to manage the growing volume of temporary residents, strengthen the immigration system, and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
The message emphasized Canada’s commitment to managing population growth responsibly.
In January 2022, Canada first announced plans to reduce the intake of international students, and the latest measures further this goal.
The reforms also include efforts to address issues within the asylum system, such as partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals and enhanced fraud detection processes.
The update also includes significant changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program.
Starting later this year, work permits will only be available to the spouses of master’s degree students enrolled in programs lasting at least 16 months, as well as the spouses of foreign workers in management, professional roles, or industries facing labor shortages. These restrictions are designed to better match immigration policies with labor market needs.
As part of broader efforts to reform immigration programs, Canada announced earlier this year that it would reduce the proportion of temporary residents in the country from 6.5% to 5% of the total population by 2026.
This move comes after years of high immigration levels, which the government now seeks to moderate in response to economic pressures and the aftereffects of the pandemic.
The government’s latest release highlights that Canada has a long tradition of welcoming newcomers who contribute to the country’s economy and culture.
However, changing labor market conditions, including a softening job market, have prompted the need for adjustments to immigration policies. The reforms include stricter eligibility for temporary foreign workers, tougher enforcement of employer compliance, and more rigorous labor market impact assessments to combat fraud.
Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, emphasized that not everyone seeking to come to or stay in Canada will be able to do so under these new rules.
He outlined the importance of preserving the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and ensuring that it is well-managed and sustainable. The minister also noted that these reforms are intended to set newcomers up for success in the country.
Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, reiterated the purpose of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which is to address labor shortages when qualified Canadians are unavailable to fill positions.
He noted that there are currently more Canadians qualified to take on available jobs, and the changes announced will prioritize domestic workers while ensuring the TFWP meets Canada’s economic needs.
The new measures, as detailed in the IRCC release, reflect the government’s effort to adapt immigration policies in response to evolving national needs.
These adjustments aim to protect the integrity of Canada’s system while responsibly managing the country’s growth and addressing community concerns, including those raised by provincial and municipal leaders.
Key Details and Future Plans:
– The reduction in temporary residents, from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s total population, will be outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, expected by November 1, 2024.
– Graduates from public colleges will continue to be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years, but only if their field of study is linked to long-term labor shortages.
– Starting November 1, 2024, applicants for post-graduation work permits will need to meet minimum language proficiency levels in English or French. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required.
– Master’s and doctoral students will need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter as part of the study permit application process, with 12% of available spaces reserved for these students due to their potential contributions to the Canadian labor market.
– As of January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants was updated to better reflect the actual cost of living in Canada, to help prevent the exploitation of international students.
– Budget 2024 includes $743.5 million over five years, beginning in 2024-2025, and $159.5 million annually to support the stability and integrity of Canada’s asylum system.
– In August 2023, Canada acknowledged that rising housing costs could lead to future limits on foreign student visas.
Further information on these reforms will be available on the IRCC website soon. These adjustments reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to manage temporary resident numbers, address labor market needs, and ensure the long-term success of Canada’s immigration system.
