Canada Immigration Bulletin –November 28 2025

Canada Immigration Bulletin –November 28  2025 Snapshots: In a decisive policy pivot, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has signalled that Canada’s immigration system is shifting from expansion toward sustainability, integrity and labour‑market alignment. Three significant developments highlight this recalibration: the unveiling of the 2026‑28 national immigration levels plan; a sharp rise in study‑permit refusals (particularly for Indian applicants); and new cancellation guidelines for temporary‑resident authorizations.

1. New levels plan: fewer students, steady immigrants

On November 4, 2025, the federal government published its new multi‑year immigration levels plan covering 2026‑2028. Immigration News Canada+1 The key figures:

• Permanent‑resident admissions will be held at around 380,000 per year for the next three years. Immigration News Canada+1

• Meanwhile, the cap on new study permits has been slashed to about 155,000 for 2026, then ~150,000 annually for 2027 and 2028. This represents a reduction of nearly 50 % compared to previous targets. ICEF Monitor+1

• The broader temporary‑resident target (study, work, visitor) will shrink from about 673,650 in 2025 to around 385,000 in 2026. ICEF Monitor+1

What it means: The message is unequivocal—Canada is decelerating the growth of temporary‑resident numbers, especially international students, while maintaining a steady stream of permanent‑residence entries targeted at economic integration. Applicants should treat this as a wake‑up call: competition remains fierce, and genuine labour‑market alignment and a Canadian work or education background are growing advantages.

2. Study‑permit refusals surge—India most impacted

Coinciding with the levels announcement, IRCC data show that Indian student visa applications faced an approximate 74 % refusal rate in August 2025, up from 32 % in August 2023. The Indian Express+1 The number of Indian applications for that month dropped from about 20,900 in 2023 to around 4,515 in 2025. The Indian Express+1

Implications:

• Institutions and agents recruiting from India will face a significantly higher risk of refusals.

• Applicants must prepare robust documentation of funds, programme legitimacy, study purpose and post‑programme ties—IRCC’s message: “proof of genuine intent matters.”

• International‑student pathways cannot be assumed to be a back‑door to residency; the system now emphasizes integrity, and the pipeline to permanent residence is narrowing for those who arrive purely as students without a clear labour‑market connection.

3. Temporary‑resident cancellation rules revised

Also on November 4, IRCC released new internal instructions and regulatory guidance for the cancellation of visitor visas, eTAs, study permits and work permits. Immigration News Canada: These changes reflect heightened enforcement of compliance in the temporary‑resident space.

For applicants and employers:

• Holders of study or work permits should maintain compliance with their permit conditions to avoid cancellation.

• Employers hiring foreign nationals—a growing focus of oversight—should monitor compliance with permit terms, as status loss can have cascading effects.

• For visitors and those on eTAs, even short‑term stays may now be subject to greater scrutiny if the underlying eligibility is in question.

Take‑Aways for Immigration‑Consultant Clients

• If you’re advising an international student or employer‑sponsored candidate: don’t count on an easy route to study‑permit issuance or “study‑then‑stay” strategy—eligibility now demands tighter alignment with Canadian labour‑market realities.

• For clients seeking permanent residence via economic streams, emphasize Canadian education/experience, French language ability (where applicable) and sectoral demand. The federal plan supports these priorities.

• For family‑sponsorship, visitor‑to‑worker or visitor‑to‑student transitions: ensure all status and documentation issues are meticulously managed to avoid cancellations or refusals—IRCC enforcement is sharpening.

• Employers must reassess reliance on low‑wage temporary foreign‑worker hiring: while not the focus in this week’s announcements, the broader context of reducing temporary‑resident numbers suggests this part of the system remains under increased review.

Canada’s immigration architecture is clearly entering a phase of consolidation rather than expansion. For your clients—whether students, workers, families or employers—the horizon is less about volume and more about quality, alignment and strategic positioning. The time is now to reassess assumptions and ensure all applications rest on firm foundations.

Canada Immigration Bulletin –November 28  2025