Recent data released by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that as of September 30, 2024, the backlog of applications processed by IRCC—including permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship applications—has risen to 1,097,000 cases, an increase of 1.73% from the previous month. Since the backlog first surpassed one million in July this year, the number has continued to climb.

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Marc Miller, recently announced that a series of new regulations for international students came into effect on November 15. These changes include extending the number of off-campus work hours for students during their academic terms and modifying the process for transferring between Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs).

On November 8th, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will no longer accept study permit applications submitted through the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Additionally, the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) program for Nigerian students has also been discontinued. Going forward, all international students must apply for a Canadian study permit through the standard application process.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced changes to its tourist visa policy, ending the automatic issuance of 10-year multiple-entry visas. The new policy gives immigration officers greater discretion, allowing them to assess individual cases and determine whether to grant short-term or multiple-entry visas, instead of defaulting to extended validity periods.

On October 24, 2024, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Marc Miller, announced the 2025-2027 immigration level plan, aiming to slow down immigration growth in the short term to enable sustainable growth and effective long-term management. This decision has garnered widespread attention and discussion across various sectors, and many potential immigration applicants are closely monitoring how these changes might impact them.

On October 3, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released updated guidelines concerning the Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) work permit category. These revisions introduce a more restrictive interpretation of the ICT category, significantly impacting foreign companies seeking to establish or expand operations in Canada.

The changes to Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which will take effect on November 1, 2024, will have a significant impact on international students who wish to work in Canada after graduation. The new language and field of study requirements, particularly for students submitting study permit applications after the deadline, add extra considerations.

Earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a reduction in the temporary resident population from 6.5% of Canada’s total population to 5% by 2026. To achieve this goal, the federal government is taking action to manage the growth of temporary residents and hold employers accountable for system abuse. Specific measures include reforming the international student program, tightening the eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers, enforcing employer compliance more strictly, and strengthening labor market impact assessments to reduce fraud.

On June 3, 2024, the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Marc Miller, announced the introduction of new enhanced caregiver pilot programs in Toronto.

In response to the growing processing times for immigration applications, the Canadian government announced a series of reform measures aimed at the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed programs. These measures, which are set to take effect on April 30, 2024, aim to reduce backlogs and expedite the approval process, thus enhancing the efficiency of the immigration system and improving services for both newcomers and Canadian citizens.