Canada’s Six New 2024 Immigration Measures Explained
In response to the rising number of temporary residents, the Government of Canada, led by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, has introduced a series of impactful measures to ensure the country’s immigration system remains sustainable. The focus is primarily on controlling the growing number of international students and temporary workers. Here’s a deeper dive into each of the six new measures announced on September 18, 2024.
1. Capping International Study Permits: Controlling the Flow
The new policy introduces a national cap on international student study permits, set to reduce the volume by approximately 300,000 permits over the next three years. This is a significant response to the exponential growth in temporary residents, which surged from 437,000 in 2019 to 1.2 million in 2023. The government recognizes that the influx has placed pressure on housing markets, particularly in cities with a high concentration of students. Minister Miller stressed that this is a "fairness" issue—it’s about ensuring resources like housing are distributed more equitably across the country.
Minister Miller:
“Over the next three years, we expect these changes to yield approximately 300,000 fewer study permits... The international student cap is here to stay. It’s important we distribute resources like housing fairly across provinces and territories.”
The intake cap on international student study permits will be reduced by 10% from the 2024 target of 485,000. This means reducing study permits issued to 437,000 for 2025 and 2026. By slowing down the intake, this measure seeks to alleviate housing shortages in cities like Toronto and Vancouver while allowing educational institutions and local governments to better prepare for future arrivals.
2. New Language Proficiency Requirements: Enhancing Integration
Another key change is the introduction of stricter language requirements for international students applying for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Starting November 1, 2024, all applicants must meet Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates. The reasoning behind this is simple but powerful: students with better language skills are more likely to integrate successfully into Canadian society and the labor market.
Minister Miller:
"Starting November 1, 2024, a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit. People who speak the language are better equipped to succeed in Canadian society."
This shift acknowledges that linguistic barriers can hinder the success of international students, both during their studies and afterward when they seek employment. Minister Miller underscored that Canada needs people who can “succeed” in the economy and contribute meaningfully to society. This change is also a response to concerns about temporary residents' ability to navigate Canada’s economy and social systems without sufficient language proficiency.
3. Focus on High-Value Graduates: PGWP Eligibility Changes
Canada is tightening its PGWP eligibility by focusing on students who are more likely to succeed in the long term. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates will remain eligible for up to three-year PGWPs, as their educational backgrounds are seen as contributing more directly to the Canadian economy. This change aims to reduce 175,000 permits over the next three years, focusing on students who can better adapt to the economy’s shifting demands.
Minister Miller:
"Graduates from bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs will remain eligible for a work permit of up to three years. These graduates are more likely to acquire transferable knowledge and skills and adapt to changing economic circumstances."
This measure signals a shift toward prioritizing high-skill graduates, who are more likely to obtain employment in fields where Canada has labor shortages. Graduates from public post-secondary institutions will continue to benefit from this program, but more stringent oversight of the quality and relevance of their education is part of this reform.
4. Spousal Work Permit Restrictions: Aligning with Labor Needs
In an effort to better align work permits with labor market needs, the government will also place stricter limits on spousal open work permits for international students. Previously, the spouses of most international students were eligible to work in Canada. However, this is now being restricted to focus only on students in high-demand programs like doctoral degrees and certain professional master’s programs.
Minister Miller:
"In the near future, we will also take further measures to restrict eligibility for spousal open work permits... to better align with Canada's labor market needs."
Minister Miller emphasized that spousal permits were contributing to an oversaturation in certain labor markets, particularly in sectors already facing wage stagnation and employment challenges for Canadians. By narrowing eligibility, Canada hopes to reduce an estimated 50,000 spousal permits over the next three years.
5. Further Limits on Spousal Work Permits: High-Skilled Focus
Building on the previous point, the government will also restrict spousal work permits to partners of those in high-demand sectors. This includes C-suite executives, engineers, scientists, and healthcare workers, where Canada faces labor shortages. In areas like construction and healthcare, where demand is high and the need for skilled workers is critical, these permits will still be available.
Minister Miller:
"We will limit eligibility to spouses of students in doctoral, professional master’s programs, and select pilot programs, leading to approximately 50,000 fewer work permits for spouses of students."
This measure is another step toward reducing pressure on the labor market and ensuring that work permits are issued based on Canada’s economic needs. It’s projected that this change will lead to 100,000 fewer spousal permits over three years, helping Canada address its labor needs in a more targeted way.
6. Safeguarding Economic Priorities: Spouses of Critical Workers
Finally, a new policy will ensure that work permit eligibility for spouses is limited to those of highly skilled workers in sectors experiencing significant labor shortages. This includes industries like healthcare, construction, and engineering, which are crucial to Canada’s economy and infrastructure. The government wants to ensure that temporary work permits are contributing to sectors that drive economic growth, rather than flooding the market with workers in already saturated industries.
Minister Miller:
"We will limit work permit eligibility to spouses of highly skilled and specialized workers, such as C-suite executives, scientists, engineers, and technicians, or workers in sectors with key labor shortages."
This final measure reflects Canada’s broader strategy of ensuring its immigration system supports economic stability, aligns with labor market needs, and responds to the realities of population growth.
Conclusion
Canada’s new measures for managing temporary residents reflect a careful balance between supporting the country’s economic growth and ensuring the sustainability of its immigration system. The government expects the impact of these changes to begin showing by the second quarter of 2025, as the reforms to study permits, work permits, and language requirements will gradually take effect. By targeting high-demand sectors, improving language requirements, and capping study permits, the government is taking decisive action to control the number of temporary residents while continuing to support critical labor markets. These reforms are part of a broader effort to protect the integrity of the immigration system and ensure that it benefits both newcomers and Canadian society.
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About the author:
Igor Kyryliuk
Canadian Immigration Lawyer, LLM
