Canada Announces New Measures in 2024

In response to the evolving needs of the Canadian immigration system, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, has unveiled new measures to manage the increase in temporary residents, especially international students and foreign workers. These measures are part of a broader strategy to address labour shortages, protect the asylum system, and ensure that temporary residents receive adequate support in Canada.

The latest measures, which include changes to study permits for international students and eligibility for work permits, reflect Canada’s growing challenges in accommodating temporary residents.

The actions announced by Minister Miller and the Honorable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, aim to ensure the sustainability of immigration programs and prioritize Canadian workers.

1. Reduction in Study Permits for 2025

One of the most notable changes is the reduction in the admission limit for international student study permits, starting in 2025.

The government has announced a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 study permits, resulting in 437,000 permits being issued in 2025.

This reduction is a direct response to concerns about the growing number of international students in Canada and their potential impact on housing and public resources. The admission limit for 2026 will remain at the same level as 2025, stabilizing the number of new study permits issued.

The reduction aims to ensure that international students receive appropriate support while seeking educational and future employment opportunities in Canada.

2. Updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program

Another significant change is the update to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which allows international students to work in Canada after completing their studies.

Starting in November 2024, new language proficiency requirements will be introduced for PGWP applicants. Graduates from universities will need to achieve a level 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), while graduates from colleges will need to achieve a level 5 on the CLB.

These requirements aim to improve the ability of international graduates to integrate into the Canadian labor market and facilitate the transition to permanent residency. Additionally, only graduates in fields related to occupations with long-term shortages will be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years. This aligns the program more directly with Canadian labor market needs and immigration goals.

3. Changes in Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses of International Students and Foreign Workers

To better manage the number of temporary residents, the Canadian government is introducing restrictions on work permits for spouses of international students and foreign workers.

Later this year, only spouses of master's students in programs lasting a minimum of 16 months will be eligible for work permits. Additionally, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) will only issue work permits to spouses of foreign workers in managerial positions or specialized professions, or in sectors with labour shortages.

These changes aim to prioritize Canadian workers by ensuring that foreign workers coming to Canada fill essential roles in sectors facing labor shortages.

4. Addressing the Growing Volume of Asylum Claims

In addition to managing the volume of international students and foreign workers, the Canadian government is focused on improving the asylum system.

The increase in displaced persons worldwide has led to a rise in asylum claims in Canada, further straining the country's immigration and temporary resident systems. To address these challenges, the government has implemented several measures to strengthen visa integrity and improve the asylum process:

• Partial visa requirements for Mexican citizens: This change aims to control the volume of non-genuine visitors and maintain oversight of temporary resident admissions.
• Improved processing of claims: In 2024, the government announced measures to enhance the processing of asylum claims, preserving the fairness and integrity of the system. These updates aim to make the process more efficient without compromising the thoroughness of evaluations.
• Review of visa decision protocols: The government will review visa decision-making protocols, equipping immigration officers with better tools to detect fraud and reduce the number of non-genuine visa applications.

By strengthening the asylum system, the government seeks to ensure that Canada remains committed to its humanitarian responsibilities while maintaining control over the volume of temporary residents.

What the Future Holds

The reduction in the number of temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s total population by 2027, as outlined in the upcoming Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027, is a clear sign of the government’s intention to carefully manage immigration volumes.

The plan, expected to be released by November 1, 2024, will reflect the new admission limits for international students and other temporary residents.

Conclusion

The measures announced by the Canadian government, especially the reduction in study permits for international students and the new restrictions on work permit eligibility, highlight the need for a sustainable immigration system aligned with the country's economic goals.

While Canada remains committed to welcoming new immigrants, these measures aim to ensure that the system operates with integrity and efficiency.

As the government refines its immigration policies, these updates reflect a forward-looking approach to managing temporary residents and supporting vulnerable populations.

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