November 20th, 2024 at 12:25 pm

Key Insights for International Students on Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-27

For the first time, Canada set goals for temporary residents, including overseas students, when it unveiled the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027 on October 24. Every year, Canada releases its Immigration Levels Plan for the upcoming year, which outlines how many permanent residents it hopes to bring in to boost economic growth, bring families back together, and fulfill humanitarian obligations.

Although they are hypothetical, the Immigration Levels Plan also published immigration targets for 2026 and 2027. By November 1 of each year, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) finalize the targets for the following year. International students should be aware of the following conclusions from the most recent announcement:

Canada intends to admit more foreign students than those with work permits

For 2025, 2026, and 2027, the Plan establishes a steady goal of 305,900 international student arrivals each year. These numbers do not include expected study permit renewals from students who are currently in Canada; they are just for new arrivals.

In contrast, for three years, the number of temporary resident worker arrivals—including those under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program—slowly decreases (367,750 in 2025; to 210,700 in 2026; to 237,700 in 2027). This implies that international students will make up a larger share of temporary resident arrivals in Canada starting in 2026 and 2027.

Canada intends to accept more new permanent residents from within the country

Under the “in-Canada focus” category, the Immigration Levels Plan 20255-2027 places a strong emphasis on making it easier for those who are currently in the nation—whether as workers or students—to become permanent residents. In 2025, IRCC forecasts more than 40% of overall permanent residence admissions to be students or workers currently in the country.

The Plan states that the Federal High Skilled (FHS) segment has been divided into two sections: Federal Economic Priorities and In-Canada Focus. Over the next three years, more admissions will be given to the latter. For instance, the goal for In-Canada Focus is 82,980 in 2025, almost twice as much as the goal for Federal Economic Priorities, which is 41,700.

This implies that the IRCC may seek other methods to convert temporary citizens into permanent citizens. More Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry drawings or new laws that benefit citizens who are currently in the nation could accomplish this.

Reduction of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

The Plan also revealed some significant reductions to the PNP admissions targets for the following years. Compared to last year’s goal of 110,000 for 2024 and 120,000 for 2025, the government’s allotment for PNP admissions in 2025 is a pitiful 55,000. The PNP streams might be more competitive for students who intend to pursue provincial nominations as a means of obtaining permanent residency.

Increased Attention to French Language Proficiency

The Levels Plan aims to include a larger percentage of French-speaking permanent residence objectives outside of Quebec, which is consistent with the IRCC’s prior position on francophone immigration. French-speaking people (outside of Quebec) will make up 8.5% of all projected admissions as permanent residents in 2025. In 2026 and 2027, this rises to 9.5% and 10%, respectively.

Additionally, this represents an increase above the prior goals outlined in the 2024–26 plan, which aimed at 7% for 2025 and 8% for 2026. Students who speak little or no French may choose to learn the language. Thus, to increase their chances of being asked to apply for permanent residence

Increased Significance for Demanded Jobs

Canada introduced category-based selection draws in 2023. Thus, to grant ITAs to qualified individuals in high-demand industries like healthcare, STEM, trades, and transportation. This was done to alleviate Canada’s labor deficit. These classifications are intended to evolve throughout time in response to labor market and demographic demands.

Healthcare vocations and commerce occupations are among the priority categories for 2025. Plans to retire any of the other priority categories, including STEM, transportation, agriculture, and agri-food, have not been announced by the government.

Candidates must have completed at least six months of continuous full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience). Thus, in an in-demand occupation during the previous three years in order to be eligible for a category-based selection draw.

Students who want to pursue Canadian permanent residence after graduating with Post Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) can think about concentrating on occupations that fit the category-based criteria.