Canada’s Immigration Update: Plans to Cut Immigration by 20% in 2025

Canada is set to reduce its immigration targets by 20% starting in 2025. The government announced new goals for both permanent and temporary residents, aiming to adjust immigration levels over the next three years. Here's a breakdown of the changes and what they mean for Canada’s immigration landscape.

Permanent Resident Targets Lowered for 2025-2027

In the latest Immigration Levels Plan, Canada revealed revised targets for permanent resident admissions:

2025: 395,000 (down from 485,000 planned for 2024, and 500,000 in the previous 2024-2026 plan).
2026: 380,000 (previously 500,000).
2027: 365,000.

While overall targets have decreased, Canada will continue to focus on economic immigration, which will make up a larger share of the total admissions.

Focus on Economic Immigration

The new targets include a modest reduction in economic immigration, decreasing by 17%:

2025: 232,150 economic immigrants (down from 281,000 previously planned).
Over 40% of these economic immigrants are expected to come from temporary residents already living in Canada, such as international students and workers.

Breakdown of Permanent Resident Admissions by Category (2025-2027)

The government outlined the following targets for each immigration category:

Category

• Total PR Admissions: 2025: 395,000, 2026: 380,000, 2027: 365,000
• Economic Immigration: 2025: 232,150, 2026: 229,750, 2027: 225,350
• Family Reunification: 2025: 94,500, 2026: 88,000, 2027: 81,000
• Refugees & Humanitarian: 2025: 68,350, 2026: 62,250, 2027: 58,650
• French-Speaking Admissions Outside Quebec: 2025: 8.5%, 2026: 9.5%, 2027: 10%
  
  

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led the announcement, highlighting Canada’s dedication to maintaining strong immigration policies while managing population growth.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Reductions

The biggest shift in the new plan is the significant reduction in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets:

2025: 55,000 (a drop from 110,000 planned for 2024 and 120,000 for 2025).
2026 & 2027: Targets remain at 55,000.

This marks a notable change in Canada’s approach to provincial immigration, with more emphasis placed on federal programs.

Increase in High-Skilled Economic Immigration

While PNP targets have been reduced, the federal government is increasing its focus on high-skilled economic immigration through Express Entry:

2025: 124,680 (up from 110,770 planned for 2024).
2026: 123,230.
2027: 118,730.

This shift emphasizes the government’s commitment to bringing in skilled workers through federal programs.

Growing Focus on French-Speaking Immigrants Outside Quebec

Canada plans to increase the percentage of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec:

2025: 8.5% of all permanent residents.
2026: 9.5%.
2027: 10%.

This aligns with the government’s goal to boost Francophone communities across the country.

New Targets for Temporary Residents

For the first time, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan includes specific targets for temporary residents, reflecting a strategic reduction:

2025: 673,650 temporary residents.
2026: 516,600.
2027: 543,600.

This decision follows a year of adjustments to temporary resident programs, with plans to reduce their share of Canada’s population from 7% to 5% by the end of 2026.

Study Permit Cap and Adjustments to International Student Program

In 2024, Canada introduced a cap on study permits:

360,000 new study permits for undergraduate and college students in 2024.
This cap now includes master’s and PhD students, with adjustments to eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), restricting them to in-demand fields.
Language requirements have been introduced for PGWP applicants, with CLB 5 for college graduates and CLB 7 for university graduates.

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has faced several reforms:

Processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) has been paused in regions with high unemployment rates.
The length of low-wage TFWP permits has been shortened from two years to one year.

These changes are part of an effort to address concerns about reliance on temporary foreign labor.

Impact on Future Immigration Targets

Despite reducing the overall target for new permanent residents, Canada’s 2025 goals remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. The government emphasized that the plan is a "middle of the road" approach, balancing population growth with the country's capacity to support new immigrants.

Prime Minister Trudeau acknowledged that the changes are politically driven as Canada gears up for upcoming elections.

This story is still developing, and additional details may emerge as the plan unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates!