Immigration is a vital component of Canada’s future; it contributes to economic growth, demographic balance, and social and cultural diversity. By effectively managing immigration and addressing the associated challenges, Canada can build a prosperous and inclusive future for all its citizens. The Canadian government has outlined its immigration plans for 2025-2027, focusing on economic growth and addressing labour market needs.
The key targets for Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 are:
- 2025: 465,000 new permanent residents
- 2026: 485,000 new permanent residents
- 2027: 500,000 new permanent residents
Key Highlights and Strategic Priorities
- Reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026.
- Focus on economic immigration aiming for 62% of permanent resident admissions by 2027, prioritizing key sectors like healthcare and trades.
- A 10% reduction in study permits in 2025 compared to 2024.
- Introducing temporary resident targets for international students and temporary foreign workers.
- In 2025, 40% of overall permanent resident admissions will be students or workers already in Canada.
Implications for Prospective Immigrants
There are several potential pathways to immigrate to Canada, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process. Here are some of the main options:
- Express Entry: This is a fast-track system for skilled workers. It manages three main programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with work experience and language proficiency.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers with Canadian work experience.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople with work experience or a job offer.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Each province and territory has PNPs, which nominate skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and other candidates who can contribute to the economic and social growth of the province.
- Family Sponsorship: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor eligible family members to immigrate to Canada.
- Business Immigration: Programs for entrepreneurs and investors who want to start or invest in a business in Canada.
- Caregiver Programs: For individuals who care for children or elderly people in Canadian households.
- Other Programs: Other programs are available for specific groups, such as refugees, humanitarian cases, and international students.
Impact on Express Entry and PNPs
The new immigration rules in Canada are expected to have a significant impact on both Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Eliminating job offer points in Express Entry and reducing PNP allocations could make it more challenging for candidates to secure a nomination. Success might hinge on demonstrating strong skills and experience in in-demand occupations. French language proficiency may provide a significant advantage in both Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Express Entry
- Elimination of Job Offer Points: Removal of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for valid job offers. This means that candidates will no longer receive extra points for having a job offer from a Canadian employer, levelling the playing field for all candidates.
- Focus on Specific Occupations: Conduct more occupation-specific draws, prioritizing candidates with skills and experience in in-demand sectors. This could benefit candidates in fields like healthcare and trades.
- Increased Focus on French-Speaking Candidates: To support bilingualism and economic growth in French-speaking regions, there will be an increased focus on attracting French-speaking candidates.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
- Reduced Allocations: The number of admissions through PNPs is being significantly reduced from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025. This shift indicates a greater emphasis on federal-level immigration pathways.
- Focus on In-Demand Occupations: PNPs will likely continue to prioritize candidates with skills and experience in occupations that are in high demand within their respective provinces.
Changes in Work Permit and Study Visa Rules
The Canadian government is reducing the number of study permits issued to international students as part of its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. To control the volume of temporary residents, study and work permits will be subject to the following changes.
Study Permits
- Reduced Caps: A cap has been introduced on the number of study permits issued, with a 10% reduction in 2025 compared to 2024.
- Focus on Specific Programs: Eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) for college graduates is now restricted to programs aligned with in-demand labour market sectors.
- Inclusion of Masters and Doctoral Students: Unlike previous years, the intake cap for 2025 and 2026 will include master’s and doctoral students.
Work Permits
- Restrictions on Spousal Open Work Permits: Spouses of international students will now have more limited access to open work permits, primarily available to spouses of students enrolled in master’s or doctoral programs.
Government’s Policy Objectives
The Levels Plan aims to align temporary and permanent resident immigration with community capacity. Supporting the Canadian economy continues to be a key priority of the Levels Plan, the economic category represents the largest proportion of admissions each year, reaching nearly 62% by 2027.
The Plan adopts a whole-of-society approach to be responsive to the needs of newcomers and Canadians, including thorough consultations with federal departments and agencies, provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, stakeholders and Canadians. The goal is to lower temporary residents so that they do not exceed the resources and infrastructure available.
The Role of Immigration in Canada’s Future
Immigration is crucial for Canada’s future. By attracting skilled workers, immigrants fill labour shortages, drive economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship, and contribute to a vibrant and diverse society. They help counterbalance an aging population by ensuring a sustainable workforce and a strong economy for generations to come.
Controlling Immigration Targets and Their Rationale
The rationale behind Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 is multifaceted, aiming to balance economic, demographic, and social considerations:
Economic Growth
- Addressing Labor Shortages: Attract skilled workers to fill critical gaps in key sectors like healthcare and trades, boosting economic productivity and innovation.
- Long-Term Growth: Support sustainable economic growth and competitiveness by ensuring a sufficient and skilled workforce.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Immigrants often bring new ideas, skills, and business ventures, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.
- Consumer Spending: Immigrants contribute to economic growth through their consumer spending, supporting businesses and stimulating the economy.
Demographic Aging
- Counteracting Population Decline: Offset the effects of an aging population to maintain a strong and growing workforce and ensure a sustainable social safety net.
Social and Cultural Diversity
- Enriching Society: Promote a diverse and inclusive society by welcoming individuals from various backgrounds, benefiting from their skills and perspectives.
- Global Reputation: Strengthen Canada’s international reputation as a prosperous and inclusive nation.
Family Reunification
- Stronger Communities: Support the integration of newcomers into Canadian society by allowing families to reunite and fostering stronger communities.
Challenges and Considerations
- Integration: Ensuring the successful integration of newcomers into Canadian society, including access to employment, housing, and language support, is crucial.
- Infrastructure: Managing the impact of population growth on infrastructure, such as housing, transportation, and healthcare, is a key challenge.
- Public Opinion: Addressing public concerns about immigration, such as the impact on housing affordability and the need for effective integration programs, is essential.
New Pathways and Categories for Immigration
In December, the Government of Canada announced that $90 million will be invested in projects to help remove barriers preventing qualified and skilled newcomers from gaining work experience in their profession or field of study. The plan doesn’t explicitly introduce any new pilots, rather, it focuses on existing pilot programs and expects the intake volume of said programs to decrease.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot creates opportunities for skilled refugees and other displaced individuals to use their education, training and experience to continue their careers in Canada. To date, this pilot has seen the greatest uptake in the healthcare sector with over 50% of the applications received for candidates working as nurses’ aides, orderlies, and patient service associates.
The Federal Economic Pilots are a collection of immigration programs designed to address specific labour market needs and regional economic priorities in Canada. These pilots focus on attracting skilled immigrants to fill specific job gaps in particular regions or industries.
- Agri-Food Pilot: Targets individuals with experience in the agriculture and food processing sectors.
- Caregivers Pilot: Focuses on addressing the needs of families and individuals who require care.
- Community Immigration Pilots: Allow communities to identify specific economic needs and develop tailored immigration pathways to address them.
How the Rules Affect Different Occupation Categories
Immigration accounts for most of Canada’s labour force growth, helping to address shortages in key sectors. New work-related immigration rules prioritize individuals with skills and experience in high-demand sectors to address labour shortages and support the Canadian economy.
In category-based selection, the government invites candidates in the Express Entry pool who are eligible for a specific category established by the Minister to meet an identified economic goal. They invite candidates to apply for permanent residence based on criteria such as the ability to communicate in a specific official language, work experience in a specific occupation, and education.
Current 5 categories
- French-language proficiency
- Healthcare occupations
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
- Trade occupations
- Transport occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Special Focus on Francophone and In-Canada Applicants
In line with IRCC’s 2024 Policy on Francophone Immigration, the Levels Plan includes higher proportions of French-speaking permanent resident targets outside Quebec of 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027 (in comparison with the 2024-2026 Levels Plan targets of 7% and 8% in 2025-2026) of overall permanent resident admissions, which improves demographic representation across Canada.
The Plan supports bilingualism and economic growth in French-speaking regions by splitting the Federal High Skilled Class into Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus, prioritizing the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates.
Under the Canada–Québec Accord, Quebec establishes its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for between 34% and 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.
The Levels Plan has an in-Canada focus, aiming for 40% of permanent resident admissions to be students or workers already in Canada by the end of 2025. The plan emphasizes the integration of individuals already residing in Canada, such as international students and temporary workers, into the permanent resident stream. This recognizes the contributions of these individuals to the Canadian economy and society.
Keeping Updated with Immigration News in Canada
You can find trusted sources for Canadian immigration updates from the following:
Government of Canada
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: This is the official source for all immigration-related information.
- Government of Canada news releases: Look for official announcements and press releases related to immigration policy changes.
Reputable immigration news sources
- CIC News: A well-regarded source for Canadian immigration news and updates.
- Canadavisa.com: Provides comprehensive information and news on Canadian immigration.
Professional organizations:
- The Canadian Bar Association (CBA): Offers information and resources on Canadian immigration law.
- The Immigration Lawyers Association of Canada (ILAC): Provides resources and information for immigration professionals.
Guidance for Immigrants and Advisors
- Immigration Advising Canada: A regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada. Provides information and resources for regulated consultants, including professional development opportunities and ethical guidelines.
- The Canadian Bar Association (CBA): Offers resources and information on Canadian immigration law for lawyers.
- The Immigration Lawyers Association of Canada (ILAC): Provides resources and information for immigration professionals.
- Professional Development Workshops and Conferences: Many organizations offer workshops and conferences for immigration professionals to stay updated on the latest changes in immigration law and policy.
Sources
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/06/canada-announces-new-immigration-stream-specific-to-health-workers.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/rounds-invitations/category-based-selection.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2025-2027.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/10/20252027-immigration-levels-plan.html
