For the first time in many years, Canada has seen a drop in the total number of temporary residents, which includes people on work and study permits. Between 2024 and 2025, the country had 14,954 fewer temporary residents, reversing a trend of steady growth over previous years.
This change is linked to tighter immigration rules that make it harder for foreign workers and students to come to Canada or extend their stay. While the total decrease might seem small, it marks a big shift in Canada’s immigration approach. For context, in the year before these changes, Canada actually welcomed 781,075 new non-permanent residents.
Where Did Temporary Residents Leave Canada?
Most of the decrease happened in Canada’s largest cities, particularly in Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba. Smaller cities and towns, however, saw a small increase in temporary residents.
Here’s a breakdown of the largest drops by metropolitan area:
| CMA | Net non-permanent residents |
|---|---|
| Toronto, ON | -44,792 |
| Vancouver, BC | -10,098 |
| Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, ON | -7,365 |
| London, ON | -1,777 |
| Hamilton, ON | -1,695 |
| Winnipeg, MB | -1,559 |
| Victoria, BC | -1,222 |
| Brantford, ON | -793 |
| Halifax, NS | -788 |
| Québec, QC | -757 |
The Toronto area saw the biggest decrease, losing more than three times the total number lost across the country overall. This shows that while some cities are seeing fewer temporary residents, others are actually gaining.
Which Areas Gained Temporary Residents?
Some regions in Quebec and Alberta actually welcomed more temporary residents during the same period.
| CMA | Net non-permanent residents |
|---|---|
| Montréal, QC | +17,635 |
| Calgary, AB | +9,608 |
| Edmonton, AB | +8,972 |
| St. Catharines–Niagara, ON | +3,397 |
| Ottawa–Gatineau, ON/QC | +2,922 |
| Windsor, ON | +2,179 |
| Saskatoon, SK | +1,272 |
| Saguenay, QC | +863 |
| Lethbridge, AB | +838 |
| Red Deer, AB | +797 |
Why Are Temporary Residents Leaving Canada?
Several new rules introduced between 2024 and 2025 have made it harder for foreign workers and students to stay in Canada. These include:
- Limits on low-wage jobs: Employers in areas with high unemployment can no longer hire temporary foreign workers for low-paying jobs.
- Shorter work permits: Low-wage work permits now last only one year instead of two.
- Higher pay requirement for skilled jobs: High-wage workers now need to earn 20% above the average regional salary.
- Restrictions on spousal work permits: Only certain spouses of skilled workers and students can now get open work permits.
- Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rules: Some students now must meet language or field-of-study requirements to qualify. Certain college graduates are no longer eligible.
- Removal of COVID-era policies: Visitors can no longer easily transition to work permits without a proper job offer.
- Ban on “flag poling”: Same-day processing at the border is no longer allowed.
- Caps on study permits: In 2025, Canada limited study permits to 437,000, a 10% drop from 2024.
- LMIA requirements: Employers must get approval before hiring or renewing work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Q: Does this mean Canada is closed to international workers and students?
A: No, Canada is still welcoming temporary residents, but rules are now stricter. You need to meet eligibility requirements carefully.
Q: Are smaller cities better for coming to Canada now?
A: Yes, many smaller cities have actually seen increases in temporary residents, so opportunities may be more available outside major cities like Toronto or Vancouver.
Q: How does this affect current work or study permit holders?
A: If you are already in Canada, these changes mostly affect renewals or extensions of your permit. Those with existing permits are not immediately impacted, but future applications may face stricter scrutiny.
Q: Why did Toronto lose so many temporary residents?
A: Toronto, being Canada’s largest city, had the highest concentration of temporary residents. Stricter rules combined with high living costs likely contributed to the net decrease there.
Q: Can international students still apply for post-graduation work permits?
A: Yes, but eligibility is now more limited, with stricter rules on program type, study length, and language requirements.
Canada’s immigration system is clearly shifting toward quality over quantity, focusing on specific regions, occupations, and study programs. Anyone planning to move to Canada for work or study now needs to plan carefully and follow all rules closely to ensure a smooth application process.
