September 18, 2024 — Ottawa, Ontario — In a significant policy shift, the Canadian government announced major changes to its temporary resident programs to better align with the country's evolving economic needs. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, unveiled a series of measures aimed at reducing the number of international students and temporary foreign workers, while strengthening the integrity of Canada's immigration system.
Key Highlights
- Reduction in Study Permits:
- 10% Decrease in 2025 and 2026: The government will reduce the target for new study permits by 10% compared to 2024, issuing up to 437,000 study permits each year.
- 36% Decrease from 2023 Levels: This represents a significant drop from the surge experienced in previous years.
- Limiting Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP):
- New Language Requirements: Effective November 1, 2024, PGWP applicants must meet minimum language proficiency levels—CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates.
- Adjusted Eligibility: Only graduates from bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, and certain public college programs linked to labor market shortages, will be eligible for PGWPs of up to three years.
- Restricting Spousal Work Permits:
- Spouses of Students: Work permit eligibility will be limited to spouses of master's and doctoral students in programs of at least 16 months.
- Spouses of Foreign Workers: Only spouses of highly skilled workers in specialized occupations or sectors with labor shortages will be eligible.
- Including Temporary Residents in Annual Immigration Levels Plan:
- For the first time, Canada will include targets for temporary residents in its annual immigration levels planning, enhancing transparency and better managing immigration flows.
Reasons Behind the Changes
Minister Miller emphasized the need to adapt to post-pandemic economic conditions:
"As we emerged from the pandemic, Canada faced severe labor shortages. Today, our economy has evolved, and our labor market has softened. We need to take action to ensure our immigration system remains sustainable and well-managed."
The government aims to:
- Address Overpopulation Concerns: Temporary residents surged to 6.5% of Canada's total population; the goal is to reduce this to 5% over the next three years.
- Prioritize Canadian Workers: With rising unemployment among youth and newcomers, the focus is shifting to employing domestic talent.
- Strengthen System Integrity: New measures will combat fraud and ensure that temporary residents are better prepared to integrate successfully.
Impact on International Students and Workers
- Fewer Study Permits: An estimated 300,000 fewer study permit holders over the next three years.
- Reduced PGWP Holders: Approximately 175,000 fewer post-graduation work permits expected to be issued.
- Limited Spousal Work Permits: Around 150,000 fewer work permits for spouses of students and foreign workers.
Additional Measures
- Asylum System Enhancements:
- Implementing a partial visa requirement for travelers from Mexico has led to an 80% reduction in asylum claims by Mexican nationals.
- Budget 2024 allocates $743.5 million over five years to improve processing while maintaining fairness and integrity.
- Fraud Prevention Initiatives:
- Systematic verification of letters of acceptance from educational institutions.
- Review of visa decision-making processes to better detect fraud.
Government's Stance
Minister Miller stressed the importance of making tough choices:
"We have listened to Canadians and will continue to protect the integrity of our system. Immigration is vital for Canada, but we must grow our population responsibly to ensure everyone has access to quality jobs, homes, and supports they need to thrive."
Looking Ahead
- Immigration Levels Plan: By November 1, the government will announce the annual immigration levels plan for 2025 to 2027, reflecting the updated strategies and targets.
- Employer Compliance: Enhanced measures will be introduced to detect and prevent fraud in temporary worker programs.
- Community Collaboration: The government urges provinces and territories to collaborate in addressing asylum claimant distribution and integration.
Additional Facts:
- Surge in Temporary Residents: The number of temporary foreign workers increased from 437,000 in 2019 to over 1.2 million in 2023.
- International Student Population: Canada had over 900,000 international students last year.
- Economic Context: The labor market has softened post-pandemic, necessitating adjustments to immigration policies.
The Canadian government's new measures represent a significant shift in immigration policy, aiming to balance the needs of the economy with sustainable population growth. While these changes may present challenges for prospective international students and workers, they underscore Canada's commitment to a well-managed and integrity-driven immigration system.
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