Canada is witnessing a significant decline in the number of new temporary residents arriving in the country, Maple News reports. According to the latest data released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the influx of international students and foreign workers dropped drastically during the first half of 2025.
Between January and June 2025, Canada admitted 88,617 fewer international students and 125,903 fewer foreign workers compared to the same period in 2024. This represents a 70% decline in new student arrivals and a 50% drop in new worker entries year-over-year.
Collectively, this translates to a total reduction of 214,520 fewer newcomers across these two key temporary resident categories. The figures underline the significant impact of recent IRCC policy changes aimed at moderating the growth of temporary resident populations.
In recent months, the federal government has introduced a series of measures to tighten temporary immigration channels. These include a national cap on international student permits and stricter eligibility assessments for post-graduate work permits and labor-market impact assessments for foreign workers.
The pronounced drop in arrivals reflects the transition period as both applicants and educational institutions adapt to the new regulatory landscape. The changes are part of a broader strategy by the Canadian government to ensure sustainable immigration levels and to prioritize permanent residency pathways over temporary ones.
This development has raised concerns among sectors that rely heavily on international labor and student populations, such as post-secondary institutions, hospitality, agriculture, and tech employers. Some stakeholders have urged Ottawa to take a balanced approach that preserves economic growth while managing infrastructure and service challenges.
While the longer-term implications remain to be seen, the current trend signals a reset in Canada’s temporary immigration intake, suggesting a future that may increasingly prioritize stability and integration over volume-driven growth.
Maple News will continue to monitor evolving immigration trends and what they could mean for Canada’s labor market, education sector, and broader economic outlook.