In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is implementing new temporary resident admissions targets as part of its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan aimed at balancing immigration levels with Canada’s infrastructure and labor market needs. These targets set limits on the number of new temporary residents—including international students, temporary foreign workers, and certain longer-term visitors—allowed to enter Canada annually. This marks a significant change in immigration management, with broad implications for visitors, workers, students, and employers.

What Are the Latest Temporary Resident Admission Targets?

The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan outlines the following targets for new temporary resident arrivals:

  • 673,650 in 2025
  • 516,600 in 2026
  • 543,600 in 2027

These figures include new arrivals on study permits, work permits issued under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP), and certain longer-term visitor visas. Short-term visitors, seasonal workers, and asylum claimants are excluded from these targets.

Why Introduce These Caps?

The temporary resident population in Canada has grown rapidly, putting pressure on housing, healthcare, education, and other public services. The government aims to reduce temporary residents to 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2026 to ensure sustainable growth and community well-being. These caps help balance economic growth with infrastructure capacity and public support for immigration.

Impact on Visitors

Short-term visitors such as tourists and business travelers are not included in the targets and should not face direct restrictions. However, longer-term visitors who require visas or electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) may experience indirect effects, including potential processing delays as IRCC manages application volumes within the new caps. Visa officers will continue to apply strict eligibility and security assessments.

Impact on International Students

International students represent a significant share of temporary residents, with a target of approximately 305,900 new study permit holders in 2025. While study permits remain a government priority, IRCC has introduced an intake cap on study permits and updated financial and program eligibility requirements. Additionally, IRCC is establishing a framework to update the field of study requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), which may affect future eligibility. Prospective students should verify program and institution eligibility and ensure their applications are complete and accurate.

Impact on Temporary Foreign Workers

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program will see a substantial reduction in work permit issuance, with a target of 80,000 to 84,000 Labor Market Impact Assessment-based work permits annually in 2025, down from 184,000 in 2023. The International Mobility Program, which issues work permits exempt from LMIAs, is expected to issue approximately 285,750 permits in 2025. These adjustments aim to better align temporary worker admissions with labour market needs and improve program integrity. Employers should anticipate stricter compliance requirements and possible processing delays.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Temporary Residents

The PNP remains a key pathway for permanent residence but will see reduced admissions targets in 2025, set at 55,000 from a previous 120,000. The federal government mandates that provinces issue 75% of their nominations to candidates already in Canada. Temporary residents pursuing permanent residence through the PNP may experience changes in work permit availability and processing times as IRCC adjusts priorities to meet overall immigration targets.

Additional Policy Highlights from IRCC’s 2025-2026 Departmental Plan

  • Launching a permanent pathway to permanent residence by making the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot permanent by the end of 2025.
  • Creating a new foreign labor stream and work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors.
  • Changing eligibility requirements for spousal open work permits (SOWPs) issued to spouses of foreign workers and international students.
  • Implementing new free trade agreements with Indonesia and Ecuador, and negotiating additional work permits under trade agreements with ASEAN and CPTPP accession candidates.
  • Rolling out a new online client account system to simplify application processes.
  • Completing the operationalization of the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative to support French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec.
  • Exploring a new potential pathway to permanent residence for refugee students.

What Does This Mean for You?

  • Visitors: Short-term visits remain largely unaffected, but visa applicants should prepare for possible processing delays and stricter eligibility checks.
  • International Students: Study permits continue to be prioritized but applicants must meet updated program and financial requirements and stay informed about PGWP changes.
  • Temporary Workers: Reduced permit allocations under TFWP and ongoing issuance under IMP mean employers and workers should plan carefully and expect increased scrutiny.
  • Employers: Must adapt recruitment strategies and ensure compliance with evolving immigration policies and caps.

Looking Ahead

Canada’s immigration system is evolving to balance economic growth, community capacity, and public confidence. IRCC aims to process at least 80% of applications within service standards and achieve a 90% client satisfaction rate. Staying informed through official IRCC updates and seeking professional advice will help applicants and employers navigate these changes successfully.

FAQs

Which temporary residents are included in the new admission targets?

The targets include new arrivals on study permits, work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program, and certain longer-term visitor visas. Short-term visitors, seasonal workers, and asylum claimants are excluded.

Will the new targets affect visa and permit processing times?

Processing times may be impacted as IRCC manages application volumes within the new caps. Applicants should apply early and ensure complete applications to minimize delays.

Are there changes to eligibility criteria for study or work permits?

Yes, recent updates include caps on study permit intakes, revised financial requirements for students, changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility, and adjustments to work permits for spouses and temporary foreign workers to align with labor market needs.