Canada has announced plans to reduce the number of international student permits in 2025 and impose stricter rules on foreign workers as part of efforts to manage its growing temporary resident population. The move comes after the country’s population surpassed 41 million earlier this year, driven by record immigration levels that have put pressure on housing, employment, and social services.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller highlighted that immigration to Canada is a privilege, not a right, as he unveiled the new measures. In 2025, Canada will issue 437,000 study permits, a reduction from 485,000 this year and over 500,000 in 2023. Additionally, work permits for spouses of some international students and foreign workers will face new restrictions.
READ ALSO: Police Arrest Canada-Based Nigerian Woman Over Threats to Kill Fellow Nigerians in Viral Video
The Canadian government also plans to increase scrutiny before issuing travel visas to curb fraudulent or rejected asylum claims. Ottawa aims to reduce the number of temporary residents from 6.8% of the population in April to 5%, as part of ongoing efforts to balance population growth with available resources.
