Canada has introduced significant changes to its temporary residence programs to manage the influx of temporary residents and maintain system integrity. The government aims to reduce the intake cap for international student study permits by 10% for 2025, from 485,000 to 437,000, and maintain this cap for 2026.
The changes also include stricter eligibility requirements for work permits. Starting later this year, work permits will be limited to spouses of master’s degree students whose programs are at least 16 months long and to spouses of foreign workers in management or professional roles or sectors with labor shortages.