In recent years, the Canada Immigration system has undergone some significant changes. For the first time since pre-pandemic levels, temporary and permanent resident targets are being carefully scaled in response to increasing pressures on housing, public services, and infrastructure.  

To balance sustainable growth with economic and humanitarian goals, this readjustment harmonizes targeted channel extension and strategic tightness. In this article, we are going to provide complete details about the mid-year review of Canadian immigration. 

IRCC Trims Permanent Residency Targets 

The Canadian Immigration Authority, IRCC, has significantly reduced the Canada PR targets. 

• 2025 Target: 395,000 (down from 5,00,000 in 2024) 
• 2026 Target: 3,80,000
• 2027 Target: 3,65,000

These PR targets have marked the first multi-year reduction since 2018, which reflects the Canadian government’s effort to address the pressure on housing, healthcare, and public infrastructure. Despite this significant drop, economic immigration remains a prime focus, including 62% of total PR spots available in 2025. 

Significant Changes Under Canada Immigration Streams 

Canada offers various immigration streams, which are designed to meet the unique requirements of candidates. However, the Canadian Immigration Authority, IRCC (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada), has also implemented various significant changes under the Canada Immigration streams. 

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 

The federal government of Canada has cut down the Provincial Nominee Program allocation by around 50% in 2025. Meanwhile, various Canadian provinces, including Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick, have successfully negotiated with the Canadian High Commission to demand nomination spaces. 

Additionally, some Canadian provinces have temporarily paused or permanently suspended specific immigration streams while opening intake for others. Meanwhile, Ontario will still process the existing applications and also warns about slower processing and greater competition. 

Federal High-Skilled Program & Express Entry

It has seen a slight increase in allocations from 124,680 in 2025. It has increased from 110,770 in 2024. Additionally, the Canadian government authorities and IRCC have also removed the bonus of 50 CRS points for LMIA-based job offers. 

It seems to be a policy shift seeking to diminish fraud and align choice with genuine labor demand.

Family and Humanitarian Class 

The Canadian High Commission has also made the following significant changes under the family and humanitarian class.

• Spousal and dependent admissions were reduced to 70,000 (from 84,000).
• Permitted by parents and grandparents: 24,500 (down from 34,000).
• Refugee admissions: 58,350 in 2025, in line with humanitarian commitments. 

Tighter Control Over Temporary Residency

A historic change brings in limits on temporary residents as a proportion of Canada’s total population, targeting a reduction from around 7% to 5% by end‑2026.

Key 2025 targets:

• All temporary residents: 673,650
• Workers: 367,750 (TFWP at 82,000 level; rest through IMP)
• Students: 305,900 (reduction from 682,889 in 2023)

Pilot Programs and Targeted Pathways 

The Canadian immigration authority has introduced the following pilot program for skilled professionals, which offers them a pathway to Canada PR. 

New Rural & Francophone Immigration Streams

Canada is developing new permanent resident streams—such as the Rural Community Immigration Class (RCIC) and Francophone Community Immigration Class (FCIC)—to enhance rural and French-language community development. Launch information and quotas are coming.

Home Caregiver Pilots

From March 31, 2025, new caregiver programs will provide direct entry to PR on arrival, reduced language expectations, and education levels aligning with Canadian high school standards.

Express Entry and Category-based Draws 

Express Entry is being revamped to match labor requirements more closely:

• Category-based draws emphasize health care, trades, and French‑speaking professionals.
• Increased draws targeting in‑Canada candidates, especially through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

These changes also project reducing CRS thresholds, targeted below 500 after the elimination of the 50-point job‑offer bonus.

Legislation and Regulatory Reforms

The Canadian immigration authority has also implemented the following reforms: 

Bill C‑3: Restoring Citizenship by Descent

Introduced on June 5, this bill removes the generation-based restrictions on citizenship transfer, allowing those with a Canadian parent to claim citizenship, along with other residency connections. It must pass by November 20, 2025.

Strong Borders Act (June 3)

This sweeping bill suggests tighter asylum requirements, more robust border action (e.g., postal inspections, coast guard authority), and increasing IRCC’s mandate to halt or cancel requests for procedural infractions.

Conclusion

Canada’s 2025 immigration review transitions from high numbers to a managed, targeted approach, which will reduce pressure on housing, healthcare, and infrastructure while continuing economic growth, family reunification, and humanitarian assistance. Canada prioritizes strategic routes such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, and Rural and Francophone streams with an emphasis on labor market alignment, fraud prevention, and sustainable integration.

For more details about the Canada Immigration program, reach out to the best immigration consultancy in Delhi, Keymart Visa at +91 9911338722 or info@keymartvisa.com