Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced that starting January 21, 2025, it will further tighten the policy for family Open Work Permits (OWPs) for international students and foreign workers. This measure aims to address housing supply and affordability issues, with an estimated reduction of 150,000 OWPs over three years. The new policy introduces significant changes to eligibility, occupational scope, and application criteria for spouses and children.

On January 8, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2025 through the Express Entry system. A total of 1,350 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542. This marks the second draw of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7. IRCC is actively working toward its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, adjusting priority categories in the Express Entry system to better meet labor market demands.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first Express Entry draw of 2025, issuing 471 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 793 points. As the primary pathway for economic immigration to Canada, Express Entry will continue to focus on French-speaking candidates, healthcare and trades professionals, as well as bolster pathways under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2025.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced that no new applications will be accepted under the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) in 2025. Only applications submitted in 2024 will be processed, with a cap of 15,000 approvals for the year. This decision comes as part of a 20% reduction in permanent resident admission targets for 2025. Meanwhile, the super visa has become a critical alternative for those looking to reunite with family.

In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system will undergo significant changes, affecting how economic immigrants are selected. These changes include an increased proportion of Express Entry in overall immigration targets, the removal of CRS score bonuses for job offers, and the division of the “Federal High-Skilled” category into two new subcategories. These adjustments not only reflect Canada’s goal for more efficient immigration management but also highlight the government’s strategic focus on labor market orientation and cultural-linguistic integration.

The Canadian federal government has recently announced a cap on permanent residency applications under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (Agri-Food Pilot). In 2025, the program will accept a maximum of 1,010 applications, significantly reduced from the previous annual quota of 2,750. This adjustment aims to address the surge in demand and align with the 2025–2027 immigration levels plan. The pilot program is expected to expire on May 14, 2025, after which applications may no longer be accepted.

In 2024, Canada’s Express Entry immigration system underwent significant changes that had a profound impact on foreign nationals aspiring to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This article provides a comprehensive review of the policy adjustments, trend changes, and related data for Express Entry in 2024 and offers insights into potential developments in 2025.

In 2024, Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented several significant adjustments to the policies for international students and Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP). These changes aim to mitigate the pressure on social resources caused by the rapid growth of temporary residents by limiting the number of international students and tightening application standards. This article provides an in-depth analysis of these policy changes, their specific impact on international students, and future trends.

Four Canadian provinces have recently issued a significant number of provincial nominee invitations, covering skilled workers, international students, entrepreneurs, and specific industry professionals. This demonstrates the urgent need of local Canadian governments to attract high-quality immigrants and offers international applicants more opportunities to secure permanent residency in Canada.

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced plans to end the longstanding “flagpoling” policy, which has provided expedited services to newcomers and temporary residents. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that the decision aims to ease border management pressure, enhance the integrity of the immigration system, and require applicants to submit their extension requests through online systems. While no specific implementation date has been announced, Miller indicated that the changes would take effect “as soon as possible.”