Canada to Reduce International Student Permits, Tighten Worker Rules
Canada announced on Wednesday that it will be cutting the number of international student permits and tightening rules for foreign workers in 2025. This decision is part of a broader effort to reduce the rising number of temporary residents in the country.
In recent months, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has introduced a series of measures aimed at addressing the impact of record immigration levels, which have pushed Canada’s population past 41 million. These surging numbers have put pressure on housing, the job market, and social services.
“It is a privilege to come to Canada, not a right,” Immigration Minister Marc Miller said during a press conference, signaling the government’s firm stance on managing immigration.
As of 2025, the number of study permits issued to international students will be slashed to 437,000, compared to 485,000 this year and over 500,000 in 2023.
In addition, the government is placing new restrictions on work permits for the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers. There will also be increased scrutiny when issuing travel visas, as part of an effort to tackle a rise in fraudulent or rejected asylum claims.
Earlier, Ottawa announced plans to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the population, down from 6.8% in April.
