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Workers

Canada Sees Sharp Decline in Foreign Worker Arrivals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Canada's new immigration policies have led to a significant decline in foreign worker arrivals, with a 50% fall in the total number of work permits issued between January and June 2025 compared to the same period last year. Between January and June 2025, the number of work permits issued to foreign workers declined to 119234, compared to 245137 in the same period in 2024. Additionally, the country has seen a 70% drop in study permit approvals, with a sharp decline in new international student arrivals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of work permits issued to foreign workers in Canada declined by 50% between January and June 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, from 245137 to 119234.
  • The country saw a 70% drop in study permit approvals, with a sharp decline in new international student arrivals.
  • From a high of 63,618 work permits issued in March 2024, the work permits issued in March 2025 fell to 18,540.
  • The lowest number for this year was recorded in February with just 14,396 permits issued.
  • In May and June 2025, Canada issued 14,243 and 11,287 work permits, respectively.
  • Canada set a 10% cap on low-wage hires per workplace and introduced a refusal-to-process policy in urban areas with unemployment at or above 6% as of September 26, 2024.
  • The 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to reduce Canada's temporary population to less than 5% and has updated the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
  • Canada has also reformed the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) and tightened eligibility requirements for the PGWP for foreign students.
  • The country has tightened work permit eligibility for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers.

Statistics:

  • 50% fall in the total arrivals of foreign workers in the first six months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
  • 119234 work permits issued to foreign workers in Canada between January and June 2025.
  • 245137 work permits issued to foreign workers in Canada between January and June 2024.
  • 70% drop in study permit approvals in 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
  • 1,25,903 fewer new temporary workers issued between January and June 2025 compared to January to June 2024.
  • 63,618 work permits issued in March 2024.
  • 18,540 work permits issued in March 2025.
  • 14,396 permits issued in February 2025.
  • 14,243 work permits issued in May 2025.
  • 11,287 work permits issued in June 2025.

Sources:

  • "Canada sees sharp decline in foreign worker arrivals." IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com, 2025.
  • "Canada's New Rules for Foreign Workers." IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com, 2024.
  • "2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan." Government of Canada, 2024.

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