As of May 2025, Canada has introduced significant changes to its immigration system, which are particularly impactful for international students nearing graduation and individuals living in the country without legal immigration status. These policy shifts reflect the government’s effort to address housing shortages, pressure on public services, and labor market alignment.
For international students, Canada has placed a cap on the number of study permits issued for 2025, limiting it to 437,000. This is a 10% reduction from the previous year and is aimed at managing the strain on essential services like healthcare and housing. Additionally, changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program mean that permits are now primarily available to graduates in high-demand fields such as healthcare, STEM, and skilled trades. Applicants must also meet new language requirements—Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB level 5 for college graduates.
Working regulations for students have also been updated. International students can now work up to 24 hours per week during academic sessions, an increase from the previous 20-hour limit. However, open work permits for spouses of international students are now restricted to those whose partners are enrolled in professional degree programs like medicine, law, engineering, and education. Additionally, expedited visa programs such as the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) have been discontinued to ensure a more equitable process.
While the Canadian government has not announced specific policies directly targeting individuals without legal status, broader immigration strategies are likely to affect them. One of the government’s goals is to reduce the number of temporary residents—from 6.5% to 5% of the population—by tightening rules across various temporary immigration programs. Border enforcement has also been strengthened, with increased interceptions of unauthorized crossings, signaling a stricter approach to immigration control.
For international students nearing the completion of their studies, it is crucial to understand these changes and plan accordingly. They should review whether their field of study aligns with PGWP eligibility criteria and ensure they meet any updated language requirements. Staying informed through official updates from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and seeking guidance from immigration professionals can help students transition smoothly to work permits or permanent residency.