Français
English
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Canada have made several announcements aimed at limiting immigration. Naturally, many of you are concerned about these announcements. So, who will actually be affected by the new measures?
No changes to IEC Canada
First of all, the good news is that no changes have been made to the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. This means if you are on an IEC Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op permit, your current permit is not affected.
The main things to be aware of with IEC for 2025 are:
- The program is now essentially back to its pre-COVID numbers, following a few years of low uptake.
- Some countries have seen a reduction in their quota this year.
- RO waitlists filled up quickly, with some so popular they are already completely closed for the 2025 season.
This means there are now more people wanting to apply than there are available spaces for IEC. Not everyone waiting will receive an invite to apply this year.
For more information on how the IEC application system works, read our step-by-step guide.
Let’s take a look at the changes that have been announced so far, starting with those that impact IEC holders trying to get another visa/permit:
1. Removal of flagpoling
On December 23, 2024, the government of Canada put an end to flagpoling to reduce the stress it places on border officers and allow them to focus on border enforcement again.
In theory, IEC permit holders should not have been impacted by this change, as the removal of flagpoling was supposed to stop people applying for a new or renewed permit at the border, not activating pre-approved permits.
However, many people trying to activate an IEC permit are being turned away from the land borders. Currently, the only way to ensure your IEC permit will be activated is by flying internationally (but not to the US) to access immigration at the airports.
IRCC have said they are working to clarify the measures for IEC permit holders, so we will update this post once we know more.
For other permits (e.g. SOWP or PGWP), you should now apply for all necessary immigration services online.
2. Restrictions on spousal open work permit (SOWP) applications for workers
On September 18, 2024, it was announced that spouses of foreign workers would be restricted in who can apply for a SOWP. Previously, spouses of workers under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, 3 (and sometimes 4 and 5) were eligible for a SOWP.
As of January 21, 2025, only spouses of workers in jobs categorised as management or professional occupations (aka TEER 0 or 1) or select TEER 2 and 3 sectors with labour shortages will qualify for a SOWP. The full list of jobs that will count for a SOWP will be announced on January 21, 2025.
Under the new rules, you will also only be able to apply for a SOWP for your partner if you have at least 16 months left on your permit. This will rule out many countries who only receive a 12-month IEC participation.
As mentioned above, flagpoling for a SOWP permit is now prohibited and you should apply online. Be aware of massive processing delays at the moment.
3. Removal of extra 50 points for PR for having a job offer
Previously, if you could prove you had a job offer (e.g. an LMIA or a closed permit like a Young Professionals permit), you could gain 50 additional points for PR. On December 23, 2024, it was announced that from spring 2025, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional points for having a job offer.
This is to reduce the fraud that was taking place, where LMIAs were being illegally sold to increase applicants’ points (and chances of receiving PR).
We do not have an exact date when in spring this change will take place. We will update this post once it has been announced.
4. Changes to low-wage LMIA applications across Canada
Defining the terms
For a Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker, they must go through either the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) or the International Mobility Program (IMP). The IMP includes IEC and Francophone mobility. The following change we will discuss about LMIAs only concerns the TFWP.
For most applications under the TFWP, the employer of a foreign worker must complete a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to be able to hire them. The employer must prove to the Government of Canada that they have initially tried to recruit a Canadian or permanent resident of Canada, but have not been successful and therefore need to hire a foreign worker. This process costs the employer CA$1,000.
What has changed with LMIA applications under the TFWP?
From November 8, 2024, the starting hourly wage for workers coming through the high-wage TFWP stream must be 20% higher than its current level (the median wage in the relevant province/territory of work). This means a greater number of jobs are expected to move to the stricter rules of the low-wage stream, and fewer positions are likely to be approved through the LMIA process.
As of September 26, 2024, certain LMIA applications in low-wage streams will no longer be processed where the unemployment rate across Canada is 6% or higher. Low wage is determined to be a wage below the median wage in the Canadian province or territory of employment.
In addition, these low-wage jobs used to allow LMIA applicants access to two-year work permits. They will be limited to one-year permits from September 26, 2024.
In Quebec specifically, there has also been a temporary stop on processing LMIA applications for low-wage positions in Montreal between September 3, 2024 to March 3, 2025. For more information, read Hiring temporary foreign workers in the province of Quebec.
Note that there are some sectors that are not affected by these changes detailed above, such as construction and health professions.
How is this relevant for IEC Working Holiday and Young Professionals?
This change has no impact on your current IEC permit. However, if you were planning to stay in Canada with an LMIA application after the expiration of your current IEC permit, your application will no longer be processed if you fall into the category of low wage and in a province/territory experiencing 6% or more unemployment.
Next, we’ll look at the other changes to immigration that are relevant to those going down pathways outside of the IEC program:
5. Quotas for study permits
In 2024, Canada introduced the first ever cap on study permits. Initially introduced as a temporary measure, Canada has since announced the cap is here to stay. In 2025, they will offer 437,000 study permits (a 10% reduction from the number offered in 2024).
The 2025–2026 study permit quota will also require master’s and doctoral students to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter; previously, they were exempt from this requirement.
6. Changes to Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP)
Canada has made several changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). First, graduates from programs at public colleges will only be eligible for a PGWP of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.
Second, PGWP applicants will now need to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. From November 1, 2024, university graduates applying for a PGWP will need to prove a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of level 7, and college graduates will need a CLB of level 5.
Flagpoling prohibited for PGWP applicants
As of June 21, 2024, it was announced that foreign nationals could no longer apply for a PGWP at the border, only online.
7. Restrictions on spousal open work permit (SOWP) applications for students
Since April 30, 2024, only spouses of students studying in a master’s or doctoral degree program have been eligible for a spousal open work permit (SOWP). As of September 18, 2024, this has been restricted further.
From January 21, 2025, the student must be studying a master’s degree program that is at least 16 months in duration for their spouse to qualify for a SOWP.
As mentioned above, flagpoling for a SOWP permit is now prohibited and you should apply online.
8. Visitors to Canada can no longer apply for work permits onshore
As of the end of August 2024, it is no longer possible for visitors (tourists) to Canada to apply for a work permit directly on Canadian territory. This does not apply to IEC applications, which have always been considered as offshore applications (even though you can apply while residing in Canada, you have to activate the permit by entering at an international border).
If you have any questions about the changes announced, drop them in the comments below and we will try to help.
0 comments
{{like.username}}
Loading...
Load more