Maple News reports that Canada’s federal government is rolling out a suite of significant reforms to its international student program and work permit pathways in an effort to bring down temporary resident levels and preserve the integrity of the immigration system.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced it will issue a maximum of 437,000 study permits in 2025—a 10% reduction from this year’s intake cap of 485,000. This decision comes as IRCC continues to recalibrate its international student program amidst concerns over sustainability and capacity. Officials anticipate a reduction of 300,000 study permits over the next few years as the cap remains in place through 2026.
Notably, the updated cap will now include all international students, including those enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. These students will be required to obtain a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), a document attesting that their province supports the application based on an allocated quota. IRCC will reserve around 12% of the total spots for graduate-level applicants, recognizing their positive impact on Canada’s labor market.
Further eligibility changes have been introduced for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. Starting November 1, university graduates must demonstrate Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores of at least 7, while college graduates must score at least 5. These revised standards aim to ensure that permit holders are prepared to succeed in the Canadian workplace. Minister Marc Miller estimates that these changes will result in 175,000 fewer PGWP holders over the next three years.
Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) eligibility is also being tightened. Later this year, these permits will only be available to spouses of master’s students enrolled in programs lasting at least 16 months. IRCC expects 50,000 fewer spousal work permits will be issued under this restriction. In unrelated changes, SOWPs will also be limited to spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents working in designated critical sectors.
These reforms are set against the backdrop of a softening labor market. Canada’s unemployment rate rose to 6.6% in August 2024, with 1.5 million people out of work. In response, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault emphasized the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) should remain a last resort for employers and not undercut opportunities for Canadians.
Across the board, the government is working to balance immigration with labor market needs. Canada recently ended pandemic-era policies allowing visitors to apply for work permits from within the country and paused the processing of low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in regions with high unemployment. A new strategy is also being considered to align PGWP issuances with graduates in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades.
Moving forward, IRCC plans to add temporary resident targets to the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. These targets, covering work and study permits, highlight Canada’s shift toward managing not only who becomes a permanent resident, but also who can temporarily enter and work in Canada. Minister Miller has hinted that even permanent immigration levels could be adjusted substantially—indicating more policy shifts may be on the horizon.
Altogether, these sweeping changes reflect the federal government’s intent to manage population growth responsibly, maintain immigration program integrity, and ensure newcomers are set up for long-term success in Canada.