The Canadian government has introduced new conditions for international students, foreign workers, and their spouses. In 2024, work permit allocations will be reduced by 35%, with plans to issue 485,000 new study permits. The government aims to decrease this by 10% in 2025 and 2026, targeting 437,000 study permits in 2025. Canada’s new immigration policy for international students, expatriates, and their spouses is also aimed at controlling the influx of people.
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A recent statement outlined further restrictions on study and work permits for spouses of foreign workers. It also highlighted some embargo placed on students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. These changes in Canada’s new immigration policy for international students, expatriates and their spouses include:
-A 10% reduction in study permits for 2025, based on the 2024 target of 485,000 permits. Nevertheless, the cap is going to stabilise in 2026.
-Updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to align with immigration and labour market goals starting this fall.
-Furthermore, work permits for spouses of master’s students will only be granted if their program lasts 16 months or more.
-Lastly, work permit eligibility for spouses of foreign workers will be limited to those in management or professional occupations. Moreover, it will be for professionals facing labour shortages under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Mobility Program.
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that work hours for foreign workers would be reduced. He said, “We will reduce the number of low-wage, temporary foreign workers and shorten their work terms. The labour market has changed, and businesses need to invest in Canadian workers.”
Yearly, many students and job seekers from Nigeria travel to Canada for education and employment. These changes in Canada’s new immigration policy for international students, expatriates will also affect their spouses. Impliedly, they will only be allowed to work in fields with labour shortages.
The proportion of temporary residents in Canada will drop from 6.5% to 5%. Thus, reflecting changes outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, set for release on November 1, 2024.
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Master’s and doctoral students will need a Provincial Attestation Letter to apply. However, 12% of spaces will be reserved for them due to their expected contributions to the Canadian labour market. Moreso, Post-Graduation Work Permit applicants will require a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 7 for university graduates. College graduates will also require a CLB after November 1.
Public college graduates will remain eligible for a PGWP of up to three years. However, that’s if their field of study is linked to long-term labour shortages. Additionally, work permits for spouses of master’s students will be restricted to those enrolled in programs lasting 16 months.
Canada’s new immigration policy for international students, expatriates is to reduce the number of immigrants seeking work and study permits.
