Canadian Immigration Updates 2025, What Changed, Why It Changed, and the 2026–2027 Outlook

Immigration rules in Canada did not change in one single moment in 2025. The year was a continuation of a clear direction from IRCC, tightening program integrity, slowing temporary resident growth, and rebalancing selection toward candidates who are already in Canada and are more likely to integrate successfully.

This page breaks down the most important Canadian immigration news and updates in 2025, explains the policy reasons behind them, and outlines the 2026 and 2027 outlook based on the official Levels Plan and IRCC publications. (Canada)

Table of contents

1. The big picture, why Canada tightened rules in 2025

2. Express Entry updates in 2025

3. International students, study permits, and the cap

4. PGWP field of study updates, what changed and why

5. Spousal open work permit changes in 2025

6. Border measures, flagpoling ended and the real world impact

7. Refugee and border integrity developments (Bill C-12)

8. 2026 and 2027 outlook, what to expect

9. Practical takeaways for applicants

10. FAQ

1) The big picture, why Canada tightened rules in 2025

In 2025, IRCC’s messaging increasingly focused on bringing immigration “back to sustainable levels” and aligning targets with community capacity, including housing, services, and processing capacity. (Canada)

At the planning level, Canada’s approach became more explicit about reducing the share of temporary residents. Under the 2026 to 2028 Levels Plan, the government states a commitment to reduce Canada’s temporary population to less than 5 percent of the total population by the end of 2027. (Canada)

This matters because many 2025 changes were not isolated. They were connected to three consistent themes:

• System control and integrity (reducing abuse, aligning programs with capacity).

• Labour market targeting (prioritizing specific sectors and Canadian experience).

• Predictability for long term planning (PR levels stabilize, temporary levels reduced). (Canada)

2) Express Entry updates in 2025

2.1 CRS points for job offers were removed (major change)

As of March 25, 2025, IRCC removed CRS points for arranged employment for candidates in the Express Entry pool. This includes both:

• 200 points for certain senior management NOC categories, and

• 50 points for other skilled job offers. (Canada)

Why this likely happened (policy logic):
IRCC did not describe it as “punishment” of genuine employers. The practical policy purpose appears to be reducing incentives and distortions around job offers, including the risk of job offer commercialization or misuse, and to make selection lean more heavily on human capital and verified experience.

What it means for applicants:

• A job offer may still matter for eligibility in certain programs, and for employment based pathways, but it no longer boosts CRS by those additional points. (Canada)

• Strong language scores, Canadian experience, education, and targeted categories become even more important for competitiveness.

2.2 2025 Express Entry category priorities were updated (including Education)

IRCC announced Express Entry categories for 2025, including a new Education category, and stated that federal economic draws in 2025 would focus more on candidates with Canadian work experience, including a stronger emphasis on CEC style selection. (Newland Chase)

Why this likely happened:
Category based selection is a lever for targeted labour needs, while “Canadian work experience” focus aligns with settlement outcomes and faster integration.

What it means for 2026 and 2027:
The Levels Plan indicates the economic class will remain the majority of PR admissions, reaching 64 percent in 2027 and 2028, which usually supports continued targeted selection rather than purely general draws. (Canada)

3) International students, study permits, and the cap (2025)

3.1 The 2025 study permit cap, 437,000 planned permits

IRCC stated that for 2025, it planned to issue a total of 437,000 study permits, described as a decrease from the 2024 cap. (Canada)

IRCC also published finalized provincial and territorial allocations under the cap. (Canada)

Why this likely happened:
The policy logic was closely tied to capacity concerns and the sharp growth in the international student population in prior years, with a stated need to restore control and sustainability. (Reuters)

What it means for students and families:

• Study permit planning became more technical, because many applicants must include an attestation letter (PAL or TAL depending on jurisdiction and rules).

• School choice and program choice became more strategic, not just academic.

3.2 What changed after 2025, the 2026 cap update (important for outlook)

For 2026, IRCC stated that 309,670 study permit application spaces would be available under the cap for PAL or TAL required students. (Canada)

That is a meaningful shift in volume and process expectations heading into 2026.

4) PGWP field of study updates in 2025

IRCC continued to align PGWP eligibility with labour market direction using “field of study” eligibility lists.

4.1 June 25, 2025 change, and July 4, 2025 correction window

IRCC’s guidance explains that fields removed on June 25, 2025 had transitional treatment, and that on July 4, 2025, IRCC updated eligible CIP codes to add back fields that had been removed days earlier, with a note that removed fields remain eligible until the list is next updated in early 2026 for certain timing scenarios. (Canada)

Why this likely happened:
This looks like a policy tool to discourage programs with weak labour market outcomes, while prioritizing programs aligned with Canada’s workforce needs, and also to reduce unfairness caused by sudden list changes.

What it means for students (practical):

• Your PGWP planning should be based on the exact timing of your study permit application and the CIP code list in effect at that time.

• Program selection now has a direct immigration consequence, so “study permit strategy” and “career strategy” should match.

5) Spousal open work permit changes in 2025 (family OWP restrictions)

IRCC announced changes effective January 21, 2025, limiting eligibility for family open work permits for spouses of certain international students and foreign workers. (Canada)

Why this likely happened:
This is consistent with the broader objective to reduce temporary resident growth and tighten eligibility based on targeted needs and manageable volumes.

What it means for families:

• Family planning for a move to Canada needs a more careful review of who qualifies for what, and when.

• Many families who previously assumed a spouse can automatically get an open work permit need to reassess the plan early, before submitting.

6) Border measures affecting temporary residents, flagpoling ended (late 2024, major impact in 2025)

CBSA ended “flagpoling” for work and study permits at the border effective December 23, 2024, and the effects were felt throughout 2025. (Canada)

Why this likely happened:
Policy logic includes border management and reducing pressure at ports of entry, plus pushing applicants to use proper in Canada or outside Canada processing streams.

What it means in real life:

• Many people can no longer rely on quick border trips to obtain or extend status documents.

• Planning timelines and maintained status strategies became more important.

7) Refugee and border integrity developments in late 2025 (Bill C-12)

A major late 2025 development was the advancement of Bill C-12, described as a border and immigration system integrity package with significant proposed impacts on some refugee claim processes, drawing substantial public debate. (The Guardian)

Why it matters for 2026 and 2027 outlook:
Even if you are not a refugee claimant, major legislative changes can affect system capacity, enforcement posture, and processing priorities.

8) 2026 and 2027 outlook, what to expect (based on official Levels Plan)

8.1 PR levels stabilize at 380,000 for 2026 to 2028

IRCC’s supplementary information for the 2026 to 2028 Immigration Levels Plan states that overall permanent resident admissions will stabilize at 380,000 from 2026 to 2028. (Canada)

8.2 Temporary resident new arrivals targets, and the 5 percent goal

IRCC’s supplementary page states targets for new temporary resident arrivals of:

• 385,000 in 2026

• 370,000 in 2027

• 370,000 in 2028 (Canada)

And again, the stated objective is to reduce Canada’s temporary population to below 5 percent by end of 2027. (Canada)

8.3 Economic class remains dominant, and Francophone targets rise

IRCC states the economic category will represent the largest share, reaching 64 percent in 2027 and 2028. (Canada)
IRCC also states a continuing commitment to Francophone immigration outside Quebec, including overall permanent resident admissions targets of 9 percent in 2026, 9.5 percent in 2027, and 10.5 percent in 2028. (Canada)

What this likely means in plain language (2026 to 2027)

• Expect continued preference for applicants who are more likely to integrate quickly, including Canadian work experience and targeted occupations.

• Expect continued strictness on temporary resident volumes, with more scrutiny on study and work permit eligibility, documentation quality, and genuine purpose assessments.

• Expect program rules to remain dynamic. Planning needs buffers.

9) Practical takeaways for applicants (no fluff)

If you are in Express Entry

• Recalculate your strategy without job offer CRS points. (Canada)

• Focus on what you can control: language tests, education, Canadian work experience, and category alignment.

If you are an international student or planning to study in Canada

• Treat school and program selection as both an academic decision and an immigration strategy decision.

• Confirm whether your pathway relies on PGWP eligibility and whether your CIP code remains eligible at the relevant time. (Canada)

If you are bringing a spouse

• Do not assume a spousal open work permit is automatic. Confirm eligibility under the post Jan 21, 2025 rules. (Canada)

If you were relying on border flagpoling

• Plan for proper processing routes instead, and protect your status with earlier filing and clear documentation. (Canada)

10) FAQ

Did Canada remove Express Entry job offer points in 2025?

Yes. IRCC states that as of March 25, 2025, job offer points were removed from the CRS for current and future candidates. (Canada)

What was the study permit cap for 2025?

IRCC stated it planned to issue 437,000 study permits in 2025. (Canada)

Did PGWP eligibility change in 2025?

IRCC updated PGWP field of study eligibility lists around June 25, 2025, with a further update on July 4, 2025 and transitional notes. (Canada)

Did spousal open work permit rules change in 2025?

Yes. IRCC announced changes effective January 21, 2025, limiting eligibility for family open work permits. (Canada)

What is the Canada immigration outlook for 2026 and 2027?

IRCC states PR admissions stabilize at 380,000 per year from 2026 to 2028, and targets for new temporary resident arrivals are 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027. (Canada)

If you want help understanding how these changes affect your case, book a consultation with Immigreen. We can review your situation, identify key risks, and build a strategy based on the rules in effect on your dates and facts. Immigration outcomes are never guaranteed, and the best approach is careful planning and strong documentation.

Mehdi is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB), an immigrant himself who has lived most of his life in Canada. He carries a deep passion for helping others navigate the same system that once shaped his own journey.

With a background spanning IT, healthcare, and business, Mehdi brings a rare combination of analytical precision and human understanding to every case. Before founding Immigreen Consulting, he spent years working in the health sector and technology fields, developing the problem-solving skills and empathy that now define his approach to complex immigration cases.

As a father, advocate for dignity and fairness, and someone who believes in second chances, Mehdi specializes in challenging applications—from humanitarian and compassionate PR cases to residency obligation appeals, spousal sponsorships, and refused visa re-applications. His work is guided by one simple principle: every client deserves trusted, human-centered representation and a voice that’s heard.

Outside his practice, Mehdi is an aviation enthusiast, lifelong athlete, and former martial arts competitor. He has volunteered with youth programs, taught martial arts, and supported foster children in care homes. He has also tutored underprivileged students, continuing his lifelong mission of helping people grow, belong, and thrive.

I treat every case like it’s personal. Because for my clients, it is.

About the author, Mehdi Nafisi

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