Canada Announces Measures to Protect Immigration System – Updates on Study Permit Cap and Post-Graduation Work Permit

To ensure that the temporary residents that are welcome to Canada receive adequate support, the Honorable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, has announced additional measures to manage the amount of temporary resident arrivals, maintain the integrity of our immigration system, and protect vulnerable people.

Steps Include:

  • To reduce the number of study permits issued to international students in 2025 by 10% compared to the 2024 target of 485,000 permits. This means that in 2025, only about 437,000 study permits will be issued. In 2026, the number of study permits issued will stay the same as in 2025. So, Canada will keep the intake at 437,000 study permits for both years, 2025 and 2026.
  • Updating the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall to better align with immigration objectives and labor market demands.
  • To later this year, limit work visa eligibility to spouses of master’s degree students whose programs last at least 16 months.
  • To later this year, limit work permit eligibility to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional roles, or in sectors experiencing labor shortages, under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP).

Note:

  • The intended reduction of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s total population will be incorporated in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which will be published on November 1, 2024.
  • Graduates of public college programs will be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years if their field of study is related to a long-term shortage occupation.
  • As part of the PGWP Program modifications, all applicants will be expected to demonstrate a minimum level of French or English language competency. This will improve their ability to move to permanent residency and adjust to changing economic situations. Anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after November 1, 2024, must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 for university graduates and a CLB 5 for college graduates.
  • The study permit intake cap for 2025-2026 will include master’s and doctorate students, who will now be required to present a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will reserve about 12% of allocation spots for these students in honor of their contributions to the Canadian employment market.

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