In the first quarter of 2025, Canada approved 834,010 temporary resident applications, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas, according to new IRCC data. This surge highlights Canada’s global appeal but also reflects growing strain on the immigration system.
By the Numbers
- Study Permits: 96,015 approvals, confirming Canada’s popularity among international students.
- Work Permits: 186,805 approvals, supporting labor needs in healthcare, agriculture, and tech.
- Visitor Visas: 273,990 approvals, underscoring strong demand for tourism and family visits.
Note: These three categories make up the bulk of approvals. The remainder includes permit extensions and other types of temporary resident documents processed during the same period.
Top Source Countries: India, Nigeria, China, Mexico, Iran, and the Philippines were the leading sources of applicants, reflecting Canada’s global reach and multicultural draw.
Policy Changes and Enforcement
While welcoming new applicants, Canada is tightening oversight of those already in the country. Permit violations and overstays are met with removal orders, and 2025 policy updates allow authorities to cancel permits for fraud or non-compliance.
In response to housing and labor market concerns, IRCC has capped study permits, restricted post-graduation work permits to high-demand fields, and limited open work permits for spouses of international students and workers.
These measures aim to reduce the temporary resident share of the population to 5% by 2026, balancing system integrity with ongoing economic priorities.
