Canada’s Work Permit Approvals Drop 50% for Foreign Workers
Since the beginning of 2025, there’s been a noticeable shift in Canada’s landscape for foreign workers. The number of new foreign workers arriving in the country has dropped significantly, marking nearly a 50% decline in work permits compared to the same period last year.
From January to June 2024, Canada issued a total of 245,137 work permits. However, this number plummeted to just 119,234 in the first half of 2025. This decrease isn’t only seen in work permits; the influx of international students has also suffered, with a staggering 70% drop in study permit approvals.
Work Permits: A Closer Look
To give you a clearer picture, between January and June 2025, Canada issued 125,903 fewer temporary work permits than in the same time frame the previous year. Notably, the highest number of work permits issued in March 2024 was 63,618, while in March 2025, it fell drastically to just 18,540. February recorded the year’s lowest at 14,396 permits.
The numbers for May and June were also concerning, with only 14,243 and 11,287 work permits issued, respectively.
What’s Behind These Changes?
In response to changing market needs, Canada implemented new regulations for foreign workers on September 26, 2024. They introduced a 10% cap on low-wage hires per workplace, with a higher limit of 20% in specific in-demand sectors. Additionally, a refusal-to-process policy was established in urban areas experiencing unemployment rates at or above 6%.
These shifts indicate a determined effort from the Canadian government to reshape the foreign worker program, reflecting the country’s evolving economic landscape.
Future Outlook for Immigration
The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan sets forth ambitious goals, aiming to reduce the immigrant population in Canada to less than 5%. This plan includes revisions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and modifies the eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP). These changes aim to tighten requirements, particularly for foreign students and their spouses, making it a bit more challenging to secure work permits for accompanying family members.
If you’re an international job seeker considering a move to Canada, this landscape can feel daunting but don’t lose hope. There are still opportunities out there!
Our website, VisaJobsCanada.com, focuses specifically on Canadian jobs that offer visa sponsorship to international applicants, giving you the chance to find a position that supports your immigration journey to Canada. If you’re looking to explore job opportunities from overseas, you’ll find that every listing on VisaJobsCanada.com includes visa support.
As you navigate the complexities of Canadian immigration policy and the job market, it’s important to keep an eye on these trends and stay informed about the latest developments. Understanding these shifts can help you better plan your immigration strategy and identify potential job openings.
If you’re interested in pursuing a particular visa pathway, get to know about programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Express Entry, both of which can help facilitate your move to Canada. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) within Express Entry, for example, evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, and work experience, which could be crucial for your permanent residency (PR) application.
While the current climate might seem tough, having a solid plan and staying informed can pave the way to a successful transition to Canada. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and I encourage you to explore all your options through the resources available at VisaJobsCanada.com.
What do you think?
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