Breaking: Large Decrease in Arrivals of Temporary Residents in Canada

Canada has recently experienced a significant drop in the number of temporary residents arriving in the country, marking a dramatic shift in its immigration trends. This decline, which affects both international students and foreign workers, is largely attributed to major policy changes implemented by the government. These changes aim to alleviate pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services, which have become significant concerns for Canadians.

Key Policy Changes and Targets

The Canadian government has introduced a series of measures to reduce the number of temporary residents. The goal is to limit temporary residents to 5% of the total population over the next three years. Starting in 2025, specific targets have been set for both work permits and study permits.

For 2025, the government has set a target of 673,650 arrivals of work and study permit holders, which is a notable decrease from previous years. This number is expected to drop further to 516,600 in 2026, with a slight increase to 543,600 in 2027. The breakdown for 2025 includes 367,750 workers and 305,900 students.

Decline in Student Visas and Foreign Workers

The first half of 2025 saw a significant decline in the arrival of temporary workers, with a 51% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Only 24,058 new temporary workers arrived during this time. The number of new study permits issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also fell sharply, dropping by 66% between January and June 2025 compared to the previous year. In June 2025 alone, only 4,185 new study permits were issued.

In 2024, Canada granted 267,890 new study permits, which is almost 100,000 below the target and represents a 48% decline from 2023. The cap on international students introduced in 2024 was further tightened by 10% in 2025, accelerating the decline in student arrivals.

Population Growth Impact

These policy changes have had a direct impact on Canada’s population growth. Between January 1 and April 1, 2025, the country’s population grew by just 20,107 people, representing a 0.0% increase. This is the lowest quarterly growth since the COVID-19 border restrictions were implemented.

Statistics Canada reported that the number of temporary residents fell by over 61,000 during the first quarter of 2025. This is a stark contrast to the average growth rate of 0.3% seen between 2001 and early 2024.

Underlying Reasons and Public Sentiment

The policy changes were driven by growing public concern about the impact of high immigration on housing and public services. A 2024 Environics poll found that 58% of Canadians believed the country was accepting too many immigrants. In response, the government has not only capped but also actively reduced admissions, with more temporary residents expected to leave or transition to permanent status than new arrivals in 2025 and 2026.

Program-Specific Developments

The number of work-and-study permit holders reached 325,000 in the most recent quarter, while work permit holders (excluding asylum-linked permits) have grown by over 600,000 in two years, reaching 1.45 million. However, the most consistent decline has occurred among international students, with their numbers dropping by more than 100,000 from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025, down to 557,000. This decline is largely due to the introduction of stricter permit caps and eligibility rules.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite these reductions, achieving the target of temporary residents making up only 5% of Canada’s population may not be realized until 2029 or later. Ongoing inflows and challenges in enforcement and data tracking pose significant hurdles. Sustainable reductions will require not just policy changes but also improvements in data systems and better coordination between education, labor, and immigration sectors.

Canada’s policy shift marks a dramatic turn from the past decade of strong immigration growth, reflecting broad changes in public opinion and intense concern over affordability and service availability. This marks a new period of controlled, targeted immigration with significant implications for population trends and the economy.

Source: CIC News

Public Sentiment and Policy Response

The policy changes come amid heightened public concern over immigration levels. A 2024 Environics poll revealed that 58% of Canadians felt the country was accepting too many immigrants, prompting the government to act. This shift reflects a broader societal debate on balancing economic needs with resource availability.

Program-Specific Adjustments

In 2025, work permits were capped at 367,750, with 285,750 under the International Mobility Program and 82,000 under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Study permits were limited to 305,900, showing a strategic approach to managing different immigration streams.

Future Outlook and Challenges

Experts predict that reaching the 5% temporary resident target may take until 2029 due to ongoing inflows and enforcement difficulties. Enhancing data systems and improving coordination between sectors are crucial for sustaining these reductions and ensuring policy effectiveness.

Implications of the New Strategy

Canada’s immigration strategy is evolving from rapid growth to a more controlled, targeted approach. This shift aims to address public concerns while maintaining economic stability, marking a significant change in immigration policies with profound implications for future population and economic trends.

Conclusion

The significant decrease in temporary residents in Canada reflects a strategic shift in immigration policies, driven by public concerns over housing, infrastructure, and public services. The government’s target to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population by 2029 aims to balance economic needs with resource availability. This shift marks a move from rapid immigration growth to a more controlled, targeted approach, with implications for future population and economic trends.

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