Canada has reported a significant drop in new international arrivals in 2025, with fresh data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showing fewer foreign students and workers entering the country. Between January and June 2025, Canada admitted 214,520 fewer newcomers compared to the same period in 2024, sparking debate on the impact of new immigration measures.
Numbers Show a Steep Decline
According to IRCC, Canada welcomed 88,617 fewer international students and 125,903 fewer foreign workers in the first half of 2025 compared to last year. Monthly averages reveal that only 6,070 new study permits were issued between January and June 2025, compared to 20,839 in 2024. Similarly, work permit issuances dropped to 19,872 per month from 40,865 last year.
Shift in Composition of Arrivals
A notable change has been observed in the makeup of new arrivals. Between February and June 2025, work permit holders accounted for 80% of new entrants, up from 70% in 2024. This reflects the consistent decline in student inflows, despite Canada’s traditionally higher student intake in August and December.
Temporary Resident Population Still Growing
Interestingly, even with fewer new arrivals, the overall number of temporary residents has increased. From January 2024 to June 2025:
- Study permit holders fell by 133,325
- Work permit holders rose by 262,262
- Dual permit holders declined by 32,014
In total, temporary residents in Canada grew by 137,851, highlighting the role of pathways like the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that convert students into workers.
Policy Reforms Driving the Decline
Experts attribute the fall to tighter immigration measures:
- For students: Provincial caps, higher financial proof requirements, stricter PGWP eligibility, revised off-campus work rules, and the closure of expedited streams like the Student Direct Stream.
- For workers: Ending COVID-era transitions, limiting Intra-Company Transferees, banning flag-poling, multi-year targets for work permits under IMP and TFWP, and restrictions on Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs).
