Breek: a large decrease in the arrivals of temporary residents in Canada
Significant Decline in New Student and Employee Arrivals in Canada in 2025
In 2025, the Canadian immigration department reported a drastic decrease in new student and employee appointments, with a 70% drop in new student arrivals and a 50% decrease in new employee arrivals compared to the previous year.
Between January and June 2025, Canada witnessed a decline of 88,617 international students and 125,903 foreign employees, totaling to 214,520 fewer new arrivals. The measures implemented by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have played a significant role in this decline.
Shift in Newcomers’ Profiles
The latest data from the immigration department indicates a notable change in the composition of newcomers arriving in Canada. There has been a noticeable decrease in the share of newcomers holding study permits, with a significant rise in the number of arrivals holding work permits.
While the monthly share of new arrivals holding study permits fluctuates, the data shows a consistent trend towards work permit holders comprising 80% of new arrivals between February and June 2025. This is a significant shift from the previous year when work permit holders accounted for 70% of newcomers.
Reduced Intake Numbers
Both study permit and work permit intakes have substantially decreased in 2025. Comparing the average monthly arrivals under study permits and work permits between January and June 2024 to the same period in 2025, there has been a significant drop in numbers.
| Study Permits | Work Permits | |
|---|---|---|
| January to June 2024 | 20,839 | 40,865 |
| January to June 2025 | 6,070 | 19,872 |
IRCC’s Measures to Address the Decline
IRCC has implemented various reforms to curb the influx of new study permit and work permit holders in Canada. These measures include stricter eligibility criteria for study permits, financial requirements, and revised rules for work permits. Additionally, changes in policy such as restricting Intra-Company Transferees and setting multi-year goals for new work permits have been introduced.
Inclusion of Temporary Residents in Immigration Plans
As part of the broader changes in Canadian immigration, IRCC has incorporated temporary residents into the Immigration Levels Plan. The plan aims to reduce the share of temporary residents in the Canadian population from 7% to 5% by 2026, marking a significant shift in immigration policy.
