The Canadian government has introduced six new measures to manage the increasing number of international students and temporary workers.
These steps, aimed at addressing the growth from 437,000 temporary residents in 2019 to 1.2 million in 2023, are designed to prioritize jobs for Canadians and reduce pressures on housing and services. Marc Miller, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasized that the growth of temporary residents, while crucial for preventing a recession and supporting GDP growth, has led to overheated areas of the system, necessitating these changes.
- International student cap: The cap will stay in place, reducing approximately 300,000 study permits over the next three years.
- Inclusion of master's and PhD programs in the cap: Master's and PhD programs will now be included in the student permit cap.
- Stricter language requirements for postgraduate work permits: Starting November 1st, 2024, applicants for postgraduate work permits will need CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates.
- PGWP eligibility limitations: Postgraduate work permits will be limited to graduates from bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, leading to 175,000 fewer work permits. Degree graduates will remain eligible for a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years. International students approved for a study permit after October 1st, 2024, who graduate from college programs, will no longer be eligible for a PGWP unless their program is linked to an area of high labor market demand.
- Restrictions on spousal open work permits for international students: Spousal work permits will be restricted to spouses of students in specific doctoral, master’s, and pilot programs, reducing around 50,000 permits.
- Restrictions on spousal work permits for highly skilled workers: Work permits will be limited to spouses of workers in key sectors like healthcare, construction, and professional fields such as engineering, reducing around 100,000 permits.
These measures are part of the government’s broader effort to cool down the rapid growth of temporary residents while acknowledging the crucial role immigration has played in preventing a recession. Additionally, they aim to manage labor market constrictions, especially in areas with high concentrations of international students, and address the impact on the rental housing market. Further, the government will announce its annual immigration levels plan on November 1st, providing a comprehensive view of the economic and social impacts of immigration on Canada over the next three years.
