Canada has introduced significant immigration policy changes in 2024 to balance demographic growth, economic needs, and the sustainability of the programs themselves. This now results in a reduction to the number of people accepted for various permanent and temporary residence programs. Below is a summary of some of the changes which may affect your plans with respect to Canada.
2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan
Every year, Canada issues a so-called “Immigration Levels Plan” to set immigration targets for the following three years (the “Plan”). On October 25, 2024, the Plan was issued for the period 2025-2027. Among other changes, the Plan reduces the annual target for permanent residents by 20% (395,000 in 2025; 380,000 in 2026; 365,000 in 2027). The majority of Canada’s new permanent residents are expected to come from its economic programs (in particular, the Express Entry program, provincial nominee programs and pilot programs which require specific occupations or immigration to a specific region).
For the first time, the Plan also limits the number of temporary residence permits (work permits and study permits). To ensure that a reduced number of people will be accepted into Canada, further measures were implemented in 2024 and early 2025, including those we have summarized below.
Changes to the Express Entry Program
The Express Entry Program is the main federal program to obtain permanent residence in Canada. In 2023, the program was subdivided in six categories of applicants to meet economic goals:
1. French-language proficiency
2. Healthcare occupations
3. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
4. Trade occupations
5. Transport occupations
6. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
These categories still apply. This means that only people who fit into these six categories or who obtained a nomination from Canadian province will be accepted for immigration to Canada.
On December 23, 2024, the Government of Canada cut arranged employment from its points system for Express Entry candidates making it harder to qualify for permanent residency.
Changes affecting foreign temporary workers
a) Spousal Work Permit: In future, these types of permits will not be issued to spouses of temporary foreign workers unless the principal applicant works in management, a professional occupation, or in a government-priority sector. Spouses of international students can qualify only if the principal applicant is studying for a master’s or doctoral degree or in a select professional program.
b) Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA): In future, a Canadian employer can only hire a foreign worker at a salary lower than the median wage for that occupation if they pay an additional 20%, in regions with unemployment rates over 6%. In general, Canadian employers may not employ more than 10% of their temporary foreign workers in low-wage positions.
Changes affecting international students
a) Study Permits: Canada has reduced the number of approved study permits to only 360,000 for 2024. In future, international students must obtain a so-called Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the government of the province in which they plan to study before they can apply for a study permit.
b) Student Work: Foreign students must work at least 24 hours per week in off-campus jobs in order to balance their academic requirements with work in Canada.
c) Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP): To qualify, university graduates must have French or English skills at the level CLB 7, and college program graduates must meet a CLB 5. A PGWP will only be granted to a non-degree program graduate if their field of study is on a list of approved programs. A PGWP can no longer be extended beyond its expiry date.
Programs to consider
a) Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP): This program is for French-speaking students who want to study outside Quebec.
b) Rural and Francophone Community Pilots: These programs are for French-speaking immigrants who are prepared to move to rural areas and Francophone communities.
c) Agri-Food Pilot Extension: The program was extended to 2025. It is for immigrants who work in agriculture, meat processing, and livestock farming.
d) Québec Investor Program: This program reopened in January 2024 after a three-year pause. It remains one of the few immigration programs based on making an investment in Canada but requires applicants to have significant net worth, management experience, and speak French fluently.
Ban on Flagpoling
Flagpoling consists in leaving Canada via the American land border and immediately re-entering to have a visa application processed directly at the Canadian border. This practice was previously considered lawful and accepted by the IRCC to avoid its usual processing times. However, it has been banned effective December 23, 2024. Now, persons who are already in Canada may not use this strategy to extend their status. Some limitations apply.
Conclusion
Clearly, Canada is now limiting its immigration programs. This makes it very important for clients who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently or for a temporary period to have a solid immigration strategy to avoid time-consuming and expensive mistakes. Our team is happy to assist you throughout this process.