On Wednesday, Canada revealed plans to significantly reduce international student permits next year and tighten regulations for foreign workers, aiming to further decrease the number of temporary residents in the country.
This decision follows several recent measures designed to manage record-high immigration levels, which propelled Canada's population beyond 41 million earlier this year. The government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has cited these high immigration rates as placing strain on the housing market, job market, and social services.
"It is a privilege to come to Canada. It is not a right," stated Immigration Minister Marc Miller during a news conference.
For 2025, the Canadian government intends to issue 437,000 study permits to international students, a reduction from 485,000 this year and over 500,000 in 2023. Additionally, new restrictions will be imposed on work permits for spouses of certain international students and foreign workers. Enhanced pre-issuance checks for travel visas are also planned to address a surge in fraudulent or rejected asylum claims.
Previously, Ottawa announced its intention to lower the number of temporary residents to five percent of the population, down from 6.8 percent in April.
