The Canadian government has announced it will reduce the number of study permits granted to international students and tighten work permit eligibility for some temporary residents. The move is part of a broader effort to limit the number of temporary residents in the country, including foreign workers, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government faces growing political pressure ahead of a federal election in 2025.
By 2025, the number of international study permits will drop to 437,000, a reduction from the 509,390 issued in 2023. The new regulations will also limit work permits for spouses of certain students and temporary foreign workers.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller said in a Reuters report, “The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to — just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to.”
The government is also reviewing visa integrity measures to address fraud and ensure only genuine visitors are approved. The reforms follow public concern over rising housing costs and the country’s growing temporary migrant population.
Despite these changes, critics argue that blaming migrants for economic issues oversimplifies the problem, pointing to broader economic challenges.