Canada Immigration and Refugee Updates Guide 2025 for Skilled Workers and Students
Canada’s immigration landscape in 2025 is evolving to address labour shortages, streamline processes, and enhance inclusivity. This guide provides detailed insights into the latest updates across key immigration pathways.
Canada Immigration Updates 2025
In 2025, Canada’s immigration policies have undergone significant changes to address labour shortages, manage population growth, and ensure sustainable development. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration has prioritised reducing overall immigration to sustainable levels while attracting top global talent to bolster economic growth. The Immigration Levels Plan for 2025-2027 sets a target of 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, with a focus on transitioning temporary residents already in Canada to permanent status.
Additionally, the government has implemented stricter visa regulations, particularly affecting international students. These measures aim to manage domestic resources and housing pressures, reflecting a shift towards a more conservative immigration approach.
1. Express Entry: Strategic Enhancements for 2025
The Express Entry system has undergone significant changes in 2025 to better align with Canada’s economic needs:
- Category-Based Draws: Introduced to prioritise candidates with experience in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, STEM, trades, and education.
- New Education Category: Aimed at attracting individuals with advanced degrees to support Canada’s long-term labour market goals.
- Focus on Canadian Experience: Emphasis on candidates with Canadian work experience to facilitate smoother integration into the workforce.
- CRS Score Thresholds: Recent draws have seen Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-offs around 547, reflecting the competitive nature of the selection process.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Adaptive Strategies
PNPs continue to be vital for regional economic development, with provinces tailoring their programs to meet specific labour market needs:
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): Issued targeted invitations under the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream, focusing on sectors with acute labour shortages.
- British Columbia PNP: Transitioned to virtual appointments to enhance accessibility for applicants.
- New Brunswick PNP: Reopened immigration pathways in a controlled manner, ensuring alignment with provincial economic priorities.
- Application Process: Applicants are encouraged to check eligibility, apply for provincial nomination, and, upon receiving a nomination, update their Express Entry profile to receive additional CRS points.
Canada Immigration Updates News for Skilled Workers
Skilled workers remain a key focus in Canada’s immigration strategy. The Express Entry system has seen an increase in planned admission targets, rising to 124,590 in 2025, which constitutes 53.67% of the total planned economic immigration targets. This shift indicates a greater emphasis on skilled workers, especially those with Canadian work experience through the Canadian Experience Class.
Furthermore, the Federal Skilled Worker Program remains a key pathway for individuals with foreign work experience seeking permanent residency. Applicants are assessed based on education, work experience, language skills, and other criteria.
Provinces like Alberta have also been active in issuing invitations to skilled workers through their Provincial Nominee Programs, conducting draws to attract candidates who meet specific labour market needs.
3. International Experience Canada (IEC): Enhanced Accessibility
The IEC program offers youth from partner countries the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience:
- 2025 Season Open: Inviting applicants across categories such as Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op.
- Processing Time: Average processing time is approximately five weeks after submission of all required documents and biometrics.
- Fee Update: Participation fee increased to CAD 179.75 to reflect administrative costs.
- Work Permit Simplification: Eligible IEC participants already in Canada can now receive new work permits by mail, eliminating the need to exit and re-enter the country.
Canada Immigration News for International Students
International students have faced notable changes in Canada’s immigration policies in 2025. Stricter visa requirements have led to a 31% decrease in study permits issued to Indian students in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This decline is attributed to increased financial requirements and policy shifts aimed at managing the influx of international students.
Moreover, international students wishing to change their designated learning institutions (DLIs) are now required to apply for a new study permit before making the switch. This change, effective from May 1, 2025, replaces the previous interim measures that allowed for more flexibility.
On a positive note, the Canadian government has removed the field-of-study restriction for international students graduating from degree programs at Canadian colleges. This policy change allows a broader range of graduates to be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), enhancing their opportunities to gain Canadian work experience.
4. Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP): Expanded Opportunities
The EMPP facilitates the immigration of skilled refugees and displaced individuals through economic programs:
- Program Expansion: Increased efforts to welcome more skilled refugees, addressing both humanitarian commitments and labour market needs.
- Application Streams: Two pathways are available—one through a job offer and another without, providing flexibility for applicants.
- Processing Goals: Aim to process 80% of applications within stated timelines, though high demand may affect processing times.
- Ontario’s Integration: The OINP has issued targeted invitations to EMPP candidates, demonstrating provincial support for the program.
Find out if you are eligible to get in Canada →
Canada’s 2025 immigration updates reflect a strategic approach to attracting skilled individuals, addressing Labour shortages, and fulfilling humanitarian commitments. Prospective immigrants should stay informed about these changes to navigate the application processes effectively.
