Canada has unveiled plans to reduce the number of international student permits and tighten regulations for foreign workers starting in 2025. This initiative aims to address concerns over the rising number of temporary residents in the country, following a surge in immigration that has pushed Canada’s population past 41 million.

During a press conference, Immigration Minister Marc Miller emphasized, “Coming to Canada is a privilege, not a right,” highlighting the government’s commitment to managing immigration levels responsibly.

For the upcoming year, Ottawa intends to issue 437,000 study permits for international students, a reduction from 485,000 in 2024 and more than 500,000 in 2023. The government is also implementing new restrictions on work permits for the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers, as well as enhancing scrutiny of travel visa applications to combat an increase in fraudulent asylum claims.

This decision is part of a broader strategy to lower the proportion of temporary residents in Canada to five percent of the total population, down from 6.8 percent in April. The government aims to alleviate pressure on housing, the job market, and social services amid record immigration levels.

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