Canada is adjusting its targets for permanent resident admissions.
In today’s release of the Immigration Levels Plan, the government has outlined the following reductions in permanent resident intake goals:
- 2025: 395,000, down from the 485,000 target for 2024
- 2026: 380,000, down from the 500,000 goal in the 2024-2026 plan
- 2027: 365,000, down from the 500,000 target set in the 2024-2026 plan
The targets for economic immigration in 2025 have only decreased by 15%, from 272,000 to 232,000, with 40% of these immigrants expected to already be in Canada.
In a rare move, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led the announcement, typically delivered by the Immigration Minister. Trudeau praised the role of immigration, calling it a key factor in making Canada’s economy “the envy of the world.”
This year’s plan also includes temporary resident targets, a shift from previous plans where such targets were absent. Each annual Immigration Levels Plan sets out targets for the coming year and the subsequent two years, with adjustments typically made to the latter.
This announcement follows a series of changes this year, particularly related to temporary residents on work or study permits. The government aims to reduce the percentage of temporary residents from 6.5% of the population (as of March) to 5% by the end of 2026.
Limit on study permit applications set for 2024
On January 22, IRCC introduced the first-ever cap on international student admissions to help manage the growing number of foreign nationals on study permits in Canada.
Originally intended as a temporary two-year policy, the cap aimed to limit the issuance of study permits for undergraduate and college students to 360,000 in 2024. However, this measure has since become a permanent feature of Canada’s international student program, now also applying to master’s and PhD students.
In line with these changes, IRCC has revised the eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) throughout the year. In January, it was announced that, starting in September, international students enrolled in programs with curriculum-licensing agreements would no longer qualify for PGWPs.
Additionally, reforms have been made to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Earlier initiatives to limit the issuance of study permits, Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), and spousal open work permits
On September 18, Miller unveiled changes expected to lead to the following reductions over the next three years:
- 300,000 fewer study permits
- 175,000 fewer Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs)
- 150,000 fewer spousal open work permits
*CIKH will provide updates as more information becomes available.
