The best is yet to come
OK
Log out of UNA?
Log out
Cancel
Revolutionizing Immigration with AI
My Appointments
Welcome to UNA
Canada's Immigration System Undergoes Key Adjustments: 2025 Mid-Year Review Highlights Quota Reductions and Policy Updates

Entering 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a series of policy adjustments that have reshaped the country's immigration landscape. These changes affect not only permanent resident applicants seeking to settle in Canada but also have a direct impact on the large population of international students and temporary workers.

Macro-level Controls: Reduced Immigration Quotas and Caps on Temporary Residents

The shift in Canada's immigration policy is first reflected in its macro-level figures. According to the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan released in late 2024, the federal government lowered its annual admission targets for permanent residents. In a more landmark development, IRCC set an annual target for the temporary resident population for the first time, aiming to reduce their share of the total population from 7.4% in October 2024 to 5% by the end of 2026.

Data shows that the growth rate of the temporary resident population had already slowed significantly in the second half of 2024. This trend reflects the federal government's clear signal to control population growth and alleviate pressure on social services like housing and healthcare. Furthermore, the policy specifies that over 40% of PR spots in 2025 will be allocated to workers and students already in Canada, underscoring the "in-Canada priority" principle.

Reform of Federal Flagship Program: Express Entry Rules Rewritten

As the core system for federal skilled immigration, Express Entry experienced transformative changes in 2025.

As of March 25, IRCC eliminated the additional points for Arranged Employment. Previously, an applicant with a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) could receive 50 or 200 points, which was a near guarantee of receiving an invitation. This move has significantly altered the competitive landscape, giving renewed hope to high-scoring overseas applicants without Canadian employer support while also increasing the relative advantage of in-Canada applicants.

Additionally, Category-based Selection draws underwent major adjustments. IRCC added a new "Education" category (including 5 occupations) while removing the "Transportation" category. The lists of eligible occupations for existing categories—such as Healthcare, STEM, Trades, and Agri-food—also saw additions and removals. Notably, the STEM category had 19 occupations removed, while the Trades category saw 19 added. The priority categories for 2025 have been confirmed as: French-language proficiency, Trade occupations, and Healthcare and social services occupations.

Federal-Provincial Dynamics: PNP Allocations Halved and Strategies Adjusted

While the federal level tightened, provincial immigration programs also faced immense pressure. In 2025, the federal government cut allocations for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) by 50%.

In response to the drastic reduction in spots, provinces were forced to react. Provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick successfully negotiated with the federal government for additional nomination spaces. Other provinces took stricter measures, including suspending some immigration streams, limiting application intake, and tightening eligibility criteria, to focus their precious allocations on the most critical sectors, such as healthcare and construction. Jurisdictions like Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador also introduced new Expression of Interest (EOI) systems, replacing a previous model where eligible candidates could apply directly, thereby enhancing their screening capabilities.

New Opportunities Emerge: New Pilots and Targeted Pathways

While tightening some streams, IRCC also opened new, clearly targeted immigration pathways.

  • Launch of Two Community Pilots: On January 30, the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) were officially launched. The former aims to fill labor shortages in rural areas, while the latter serves the federal government's broader strategy to promote Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
  • New Pilots for Home Care Workers: Two new pilots for home care workers, targeting "Child Care" and "Home Support" providers, opened for applications on March 31. The in-Canada streams for these pilots were filled on the first day, reflecting huge demand.
  • Agri-Food Pilot Closes: Meanwhile, the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, designed to attract workers in agriculture and food processing, closed on February 13 after reaching its cap.
  • Dedicated Pathway for Construction Workers Forthcoming: To address the housing crisis, the government has announced that a new permanent residence pathway for construction workers is in development. It is expected to admit up to 14,000 foreign construction workers and may provide a pathway to status for up to 6,000 undocumented construction workers already in Canada.

Comprehensive Tightening of Study and Work Permit Policies

For international students and temporary workers, 2025 has been a challenging year.

  • New Study Permit Rules: IRCC set a processing cap of 550,000 study permit applications for 2025, with approved permits also dropping by 10% compared to the previous year. Master's and PhD students are now required to provide a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Furthermore, international students must apply for a new study permit to switch institutions, unlike in the past when they could simply notify IRCC.
  • Higher Bar for Spousal Work Permits: Spouses of international students are now only eligible for an open work permit if their partner is enrolled in a doctoral program, a specified professional degree program (e.g., law, engineering), or a master's program of at least 16 months. Spouses of temporary workers also face stricter requirements related to their partner's occupation level (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) and work permit validity.
  • PGWP Adjustments: While the government removed the field-of-study restriction for graduates of college bachelor's programs applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), it updated the list of eligible fields on June 25, adding 119 while removing 178.

Other Key Policy Updates

  • Political Shifts: In March, economist Mark Carney became the new Prime Minister of Canada. His cabinet saw two changes in the role of Immigration Minister in short succession, signaling potential for further policy volatility.
  • Extension of Temporary Public Policies: Special policies for PNP nominees, Ukrainian nationals, and Iranian nationals to extend their status or work permits were extended. The temporary policy allowing holders of employer-specific work permits to change employers while waiting for a new permit was also updated and made permanent.
  • Citizenship Act Reform: The government introduced Bill C-3 to address the "first-generation limit" on citizenship by descent, allowing children of Canadians born abroad to inherit citizenship if they can demonstrate a "substantial connection to Canada."
  • Quebec’s Independent Measures: As a province with its own immigration system, Quebec announced more aggressive reduction plans, suspended several immigration programs, and demanded that the federal government significantly reduce the number of International Mobility Program (IMP) work permit holders in the province.

In summary, the adjustments to Canada's immigration policy in the first half of 2025 clearly outline a more cautious, strategic, and domestically-focused future blueprint. For global applicants, this means a greater need to precisely align with Canada's priority needs and remain highly attentive to rapid policy changes.

Tags
Immigration News
Immigration Encyclopedia
加拿大移民系统迎系列调整:2025年中盘点聚焦配额削减与规则更新
Canada's Immigration System Undergoes Key Adjustments: 2025 Mid-Year Review Highlights Quota Reductions and Policy Updates
In the first half of 2025, Canada's immigration system underwent a profound structural adjustment. The federal government not only lowered its permanent resident (PR) admission targets and historically set a cap on temporary residents, but also implemented significant reforms to core programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The new policies reflect a clear strategic intent to tighten overall numbers, prioritize in-Canada applicants, and precisely guide new immigrants toward Francophone communities, rural areas, and key sectors such as healthcare and construction. This series of changes has had a far-reaching impact on global applicants, signaling that Canada's immigration policy is shifting from an era of broad-based intake to one of targeted selection.
07/05/2025
加拿大调整留学财务要求:生活费资金证明标准九月起更新
Canada Adjusts Financial Requirement for International Students, Effective September
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on June 2, 2025, an upcoming adjustment to the proof of funds requirement for study permit applicants. Effective September 1, 2025, a single applicant will need to demonstrate access to at least C$22,895 for living expenses. The change, which excludes applicants destined for Quebec, is intended to ensure the financial threshold accurately reflects Canada's current cost of living.
07/04/2025
安省移民政策迎重要调整:OINP获权退回申请,筛选机制更重“择优”
OINP Undergoes Key Policy Shift: Ontario Can Now Return Applications, Prioritizing "High-Quality" Candidates
Effective July 1, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially implemented a series of new regulations. Under the Working for Workers Seven Act, Ontario's immigration authority has been granted greater autonomy. The most notable change is that the OINP now has the authority to return applications that do not align with current priorities and issue a full refund. This measure aims to ensure that the limited provincial nomination spots are used to attract candidates who can best meet the urgent needs of Ontario's labour market. The new policy also includes mandatory in-person interviews, adjusted education requirements for specific occupations, and the full launch of a new Employer Portal, signaling a fundamental shift in Ontario's immigration selection strategy.
07/03/2025
曼省省提名最新抽签结果公布,国际教育类别成绝对焦点
International Education Stream Dominates Latest Manitoba PNP Draw
On June 26, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw, issuing Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to foreign skilled workers and international students with strong connections to the province. The highlight of this draw was the International Education Stream, which invited 478 candidates, all of whom were required to have a close relative supporter residing in Manitoba. The Skilled Worker streams targeted high-scoring candidates selected through strategic recruitment initiatives, issuing 14 invitations and showcasing the province's strategy for targeted talent acquisition.
07/02/2025
加拿大移民部官宣:将为农业及渔业加工业专设全新外国工人类别
IRCC Officially Announces New Dedicated Foreign Worker Stream for Agriculture and Fish Processing Sector
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed in its latest Departmental Plan that it is developing a new stream for foreign workers in the agriculture and fish processing industries. The initiative aims to effectively tackle Canada's long-standing agricultural labour shortages through the introduction of sector-specific work permits and potentially expanded international agreements. This new stream is also viewed as a successor to the Agri-Food Pilot, which recently reached its application cap.
06/30/2025
阿尔伯塔省密集进行省提名抽选,五大移民类别向全球人才敞开大门
Alberta Launches Intensive Provincial Nomination Draws, Opens Doors to Global Talent Across Five Streams
Between June 5 and 19, 2025, Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted an intensive series of five separate provincial nomination draws, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. This series of draws precisely targeted key gaps in the province's labour market, focusing on attracting talent with professional experience and in-demand skills in specific sectors. Data reveals that over 2,300 nomination spots remain for Alberta's 2025 annual allocation, presenting significant opportunities for global applicants.
06/30/2025
BC省发布2024年省提名年度报告:技术移民占绝对主导,幼教职业成最大赢家
British Columbia Releases 2024 PNP Annual Report: Skills Immigration Dominates, Early Childhood Education Emerges as Top-Nominated Field
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has recently released its 2024 annual statistical report. The report shows that the province successfully issued its full allocation of 8,000 nominations in 2024, with the Skills Immigration category accounting for a staggering 99%. A notable trend is that, driven by the provincial government's prioritization of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), occupations in education and social services have surpassed the tech sector to become the category with the most nominees. Furthermore, the report provides a detailed breakdown of nominee salary levels, primary countries of origin, and confirms major changes made to immigration pathways for international students in 2024.
06/29/2025
加拿大为2025-2026年移民政策定调:计划增设新永久居民通道,并持续收紧临居管理
Canada Charts Course for 2025-2026 Immigration Policy: New PR Pathway Planned Amid Continued Tightening of Temporary Resident Rules
On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, setting a clear direction for immigration policy over the next two years. The plan introduces new immigration avenues for specific groups while continuing and reinforcing the policy of tightening controls on the temporary resident population, a trend that began in 2024. Key measures include proposing the conversion of the 'Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot' into a permanent immigration stream, creating a new work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, adjusting eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), and explicitly capping the temporary resident population at 5% of Canada's total population. These initiatives reflect the Canadian government's balancing act between attracting needed talent and alleviating pressure on domestic social services.
06/27/2025
加拿大快速通道一周内二度抽选,经验类移民迎重大利好
Canada's Express Entry Holds Second Draw in a Week, a Major Boost for Experience Class Candidates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued invitations through the Express Entry system this week. This latest draw was exclusively for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who have prior work experience in Canada. A total of 3,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. This marks the first time since February that IRCC has held large-scale CEC draws in consecutive weeks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in future immigration selection trends.
06/27/2025
加拿大移民部重大改革:全面调整毕业后工签(PGWP)合格专业,以应对2025年劳动力市场需求
Canada Overhauls PGWP-Eligible Programs to Align with 2025 Labour Market Demands
On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a sweeping overhaul of the eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The changes, designed to align the program with Canada's projected labour market needs for 2025, introduce 119 new eligible programs while removing 178. The new policy heavily favors fields such as healthcare, education, and the trades, while significantly scaling back eligibility for programs in transport and agriculture. These adjustments will primarily impact international students in non-degree programs who apply for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
06/26/2025
Sorry, your request failed
Please try again
OK