Temporary Resident Arrivals in Canada Decline Sharply in 2025
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Canada has seen a steep drop in the number of temporary residents arriving in 2025. According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), both international student and temporary foreign worker arrivals have declined significantly compared to last year.
July 2025 Numbers at a Glance
- New workers: 18,500 (down 37% from July 2024)
- New students: 7,685 (down 55% from July 2024)
- Total arrivals (students + workers): 26,185
- Compared to June 2025: down 7.29%
In total, Canada admitted 20,550 fewer new workers and students in July 2025 compared to the same month last year.
Year-to-Date Decline (Jan–July 2025)
- Student arrivals: Down 70%
- Worker arrivals: Down 50%
- Total decline: 235,070 fewer new arrivals compared to Jan–July 2024
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Current Temporary Resident Populations
Study Permit Holders:
- July 2025: 499,365
- July 2024: 619,070
- Year-over-year decline: 119,705 fewer study permit holders
Work Permit Holders:
- July 2025: 1,494,905
- July 2024: 1,423,545
- Year-over-year increase: +71,360 (5%)
Both Study + Work Permits:
- July 2025: 286,465
- July 2024: 356,380
- Decline of ~70,000 in one year
Why Are Numbers Falling?
The federal government has been scaling back temporary resident levels since January 2024, aiming to reduce Canada’s temporary resident population to less than 5% of the total population.
This includes:
- Stricter rules for study permits
- Caps on international student admissions
- Adjustments to temporary worker programs
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Political Context
Temporary resident levels remain a hot political issue. While critics argue that programs like the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) should be scrapped, the majority of work permits are actually issued under the International Mobility Program (IMP).
IRCC’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan aims to gradually reduce IMP arrivals by over 50% by 2026, while keeping TFWP numbers stable.
Conclusion
The decline in temporary resident arrivals is reshaping Canada’s immigration landscape in 2025. While the international student population is shrinking, the number of work permit holders remains relatively steady, highlighting a shift toward retaining graduates and skilled workers already in the country.
👉 Stay updated with Study Buddy Abroad for the latest immigration insights and how these policy shifts may impact your pathway to Canada.
