Canada: The Immigration U-Turn

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“We made mistakes, and that’s why we are making this big shift.” These words from Justin Trudeau on November 17 confirm what recent major announcements already suggested: a clear intention to tighten Canada’s immigration controls. This includes reducing the number of permanent residents over the next three years (395,000 admissions in 2025, compared to 500,000 in 2024, and only 365,000 planned for 2027) and limiting new non-permanent residents to just 17,400 in 2025. Trudeau also stated that temporary foreign workers would represent no more than 5% of the total population. Here’s a summary of recent measures:

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Increase in Government Fees

Starting December 1, 2024, government fees will rise for several categories (visitors, students, workers), including:

• • • Restoring temporary resident status
    • Authorizations to return to Canada
    • Criminal rehabilitation applications
    • Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs)

Specific amounts have yet to be disclosed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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Multiple-Entry Visas

On November 6, IRCC announced that obtaining multiple-entry visas, which can be valid for up to 10 years, will become more challenging. Applicants will face stricter documentation requirements, and the 10-year validity period will no longer be guaranteed.

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Corporate Immigration

The section of the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) designed for Temporary Foreign Workers (PEQ-Workers) seeking permanent residency is currently frozen. A new update is expected in Spring 2025.

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Work Immigration

Work Permits Under LMIA

As of November 8, 2024, the document requirements for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications have been updated. Additionally, minimum wage thresholds under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) for high- and low-wage streams have increased by 20% across all provinces:

• • • Ontario: $34.07/hour (previously $28.39)
    • Quebec: $32.96/hour (previously $27.47)

To qualify as a high-wage LMIA, the offered salary must meet or exceed the average provincial wage + 20%. Otherwise, the application will fall under the low-wage category, which is limited to 10% or may be outright rejected, depending on the region.

Employers must carefully evaluate the budgetary impact of these changes and consider potential delays if applications are reclassified into the low-wage category.

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Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)

A policy update from October 3, 2024, clarified requirements for ICT work permits, now including:

• • • Mobility must occur between branches of an established multinational corporation (MNC), with criteria provided for defining MNC status.
    • Verifiable work experience with the foreign branch is mandatory.
    • The employee must hold the same position in Canada.
    • Salaries must meet Canadian standards for the role.

As with other immigration processes, ICT applications will now undergo stricter scrutiny to ensure compliance.

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International Students

A range of measures aims to address student-related abuses, protect international students, and align their numbers with the Canadian labor market’s needs:

• • • The Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for international student graduates (PEQ-Graduates) is under review. A new update is expected in Spring 2025.
    • Students may work off-campus for up to 24 hours/week during academic sessions (full-time work is allowed during summer and winter breaks).
    • Students must obtain a new study permit approval before transferring institutions.
    • Institutions face stricter compliance checks, with sanctions (e.g., admission suspensions) for violations.
    • The Student Direct Stream (SDS) has been suspended. This program provided expedited study permits for applicants from 14 countries (e.g., Brazil, India, Morocco, Philippines, Vietnam).
    • Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) will be harder to renew.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller clarified that holding a study permit does not automatically lead to permanent residency. Other pathways, particularly through work, must be considered.

From a country once known for its openness, Canada is now aligning with global trends: border protection, stricter immigration controls, protectionism, and a focus on integration. Whether you’re an employer or an individual, strategic and proactive immigration planning is essential to avoid temporary stays or incomplete applications being denied.

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Feel free to contact us to discuss your situation! ✉️ oui@oui-immigration.com