Canada tightens foreign worker eligibility, reduces study permit issuance by 10% for 2025  

The Canadian government will reduce the issuance of study permits by 10% for 2025, lowering the cap from 485,000 in 2024 to 437,000.

This reduction aims to manage the volume of temporary residents and stabilize the number of international students entering the country.

Master’s and doctoral students will need provincial attestation letters, with 12% of study permits reserved for them.

Canada will also enforce stricter rules for work permits.

Only spouses of master’s degree students enrolled in 16-month programs and spouses of foreign workers in management or sectors with labor shortages will be eligible for work permits.

These changes align with the country’s labor market needs and prioritize Canadian workers for available jobs.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program will also be updated.

Starting November 2024, PGWP applicants must meet language proficiency requirements, with university graduates needing CLB 7 and college graduates CLB 5.

Additionally, Canada will invest over $743 million in its asylum system to address rising claims and enhance visa integrity.