2025 Mid-Year Immigration Update: Key Policy Changes in Canada

Canada’s immigration system has undergone several important changes in the first half of 2025. From new immigration pathways to major shifts in Express Entry, study permit rules, and temporary resident policies—these updates are shaping the future of how foreign nationals move to and stay in Canada.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most important immigration policy changes introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) so far this year, who they affect, and what they mean for applicants.

Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan

In October 2024, Canada announced its new Immigration Levels Plan. Key highlights include:

• Lower targets for permanent resident (PR) admissions compared to previous years.
• New targets for temporary residents and French-speaking newcomers (outside Quebec).
• More than 40% of PR spots in 2025 will be given to workers and students already in Canada.
• Fewer refugee admissions and the launch of new PR pathways.
  
  

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Adjustments

• The federal government cut PNP allocations by 50% in 2025.
• Some provinces negotiated more nomination spaces, while others paused or changed certain PNP streams.
• Eligibility requirements tightened, with a focus on in-demand sectors like healthcare and construction.
• New Expression of Interest (EOI) systems launched in Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador.
  
  

New Permanent Residence Pathways

IRCC introduced several job offer-based pathways:

• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP): To attract newcomers to rural areas.
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP): To support French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec.
  
  

Home Care Worker Pilots were also launched:

• Child Care Stream (HCWP:CC)
• Home Support Stream (HCW:HS)

These streams only opened for applicants already in Canada and reached capacity quickly.

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot also closed after reaching its cap on February 13, 2025.

Express Entry Changes

• Arranged Employment Points Removed: As of March 25, 2025, CRS points for job offers supported by LMIA are no longer awarded.
• Category-Based Selection Updates: Education was added as a new category, while Transportation was removed. Occupation lists within each category also changed.
• Priority Categories for 2025: French language, trade occupations, and healthcare/social services.
  
  

Changes in Political Leadership and Immigration Direction

• Mark Carney became Canada’s new Prime Minister on March 14, 2025.
• His government has focused on:
• Capping overall immigration levels.
• Prioritizing PR for those already in Canada.
• Reducing reliance on temporary foreign workers.
• Rachel Bendayan and later Lena Diab served as immigration ministers in 2025.
  
  

Temporary Public Policy Extensions

• Open Work Permits for PNP Nominees extended until December 31, 2025.
• Special Measures for Ukrainians extended until March 31, 2026.
• Work Permit Access for Iranians extended until February 28, 2026.
• Policy to Change Employers on Closed Work Permits extended with no set end date.
  
  

Work Permit Rule Changes for IEC Participants

As of May 6, 2025, eligible International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants already in Canada can now receive their work permits by mail, without leaving the country.

Extended Time for Judicial Review Applications

From May 14, 2025, immigration applicants now have 75 days to apply for judicial review, up from the previous 30-day period.

Study Permit Cap and New Rules

• Study permit applications capped at 550,162 for 2025.
• Approval limit reduced to 437,000, a 10% drop from 2024.
• PGWP eligibility expanded to include more college-level bachelor’s programs.
• New eligible fields of study were released in June 2025.
• Spousal Open Work Permit eligibility narrowed to partners of students in doctoral, professional, or long master’s programs.
• New rule for school transfers: Students must now apply for a new study permit before transferring schools.
  
  

Super Visa Health Insurance Options Expanded

As of January 28, 2025, Super Visa applicants can now buy health insurance from approved international insurers, not just Canadian companies.

Reduction in Temporary Resident Population

• Temporary resident levels rose by only 291,165 in 2024, a much smaller increase than in previous years.
• The federal goal is to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026 (down from 7.4% in 2024).
  
  

PAL Requirement Extended to Graduate Students

Starting January 24, 2025, master's and doctoral students must also submit a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) with their study permit applications.

Study Permit Exemption for Construction Apprentices

From February 26, 2025 to February 26, 2027, eligible construction apprentices with a work permit no longer need a study permit to join training programs.

PR Pathway in Development for Construction Workers

A new PR pathway for construction workers was announced in March 2025 to address Canada’s housing crisis. Details on the launch date and eligibility are still pending.

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Expanded

Canada will accept up to 25,000 PGP sponsorship applications in 2025—up from the earlier limit of 15,000.

Maintained Status Changes

As of May 28, 2025, submitting a second temporary residence application while on maintained status will not protect your status if your first application is refused.

Citizenship by Descent: Proposed Legislative Update

Bill C-3, introduced in June 2025, proposes granting citizenship by descent to children of Canadian citizens born abroad, even if their parent was also born outside Canada.

Asylum and Immigration Law Changes Proposed

Bill C-2, introduced in June 2025, proposes limiting asylum eligibility for foreign nationals who:

• Entered Canada after June 24, 2020, and waited over a year to apply; or
• Crossed the border irregularly and applied after 14 days.

The bill would also give more power to cancel or modify immigration documents.

Quebec's Immigration Updates

• Quebec suspended the PEQ – Worker stream and plans to reopen its Skilled Worker program in July 2025.
• Proposed PR admissions targets of 25,000 to 45,000 annually.
• Quebec plans to cut temporary foreign workers in Montreal by 50%.
• The province's 2026–2029 immigration plan is due in October 2025.