In response to the evolving needs of the Canadian immigration system, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, unveiled significant new measures aimed at managing the influx of temporary residents, particularly international students and foreign workers.
These measures come as part of a broader strategy to address labour shortages, safeguard the asylum system, and ensure that temporary residents are adequately supported throughout their stay in Canada.
Key Measures in the Announcement
The latest measures, which include changes to international student study permits and work permit eligibility, reflect Canada’s growing challenges in accommodating temporary residents.
The steps outlined by Minister Miller and the Honourable 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 intake cap for international student study permits starting in 2025.
The government has announced a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 study permits, which will bring the number of permits issued in 2025 to 437,000.
This reduction is a direct response to concerns about the growing number of international students in Canada and its potential strain on housing and public resources.
The intake cap for 2026 will remain at the 2025 level, stabilizing the number of new study permits issued.
This reduction is intended to ensure that international students can be adequately supported while they pursue education 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. University graduates will need to meet a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7, while college graduates will need a CLB level of 5.
These requirements aim to improve international graduates’ ability to integrate into Canada’s workforce and transition to permanent residency.
Additionally, only graduates from fields of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage will be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years. This aligns the program more closely with Canada’s labour market needs and immigration goals.
3. Changes to Work Permit Eligibility for Spouses of Foreign Students and Workers
To further 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 the spouses of master’s degree students in programs lasting at least 16 months will be eligible for work permits.
Additionally, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP) will only issue work permits to the spouses of foreign workers in management or professional occupations or in industries where there is a labour shortage.
These changes are designed to prioritize Canadian workers while ensuring that the foreign workers who do come to Canada fill essential roles in sectors that are struggling with shortages.
Read more through: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/canada-actions-reduce-temporary-residents/