Canada Immigration News — October 20, 2025

Canada Immigration News — October 20, 2025 Snapshots: IRCC restarted category draws for Education and Trades, the PNP stream stayed active, and student proof-of-funds rules stepped up—plus a reminder that refusal letters now come with officer notes you can actually use.

What’s New

• IRCC Raises Financial Requirement for Study Permits. As of September 1, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the minimum financial resources international students must prove when applying for study permits. The change reflects an effort to align living and tuition costs with what students will realistically need to support themselves while in Canada. The Times of India

• Higher Settlement Funds for Atlantic & Economic StreamsIRCC updated settlement fund thresholds on July 29, 2025. For the Atlantic Immigration Program and other specific economic immigration pathways, applicants now need to demonstrate funds amounting to 12.5% of the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO), up from prior requirements. This is intended to ensure newcomers arrive with an adequate financial buffer. The Economic Times

• IRCC Accepting TOEFL Essentials for English ProofIRCC has added TOEFL Essentials, a shorter and more affordable English proficiency test, to the list of accepted tests for some permanent residence applicants. This broadening of options makes language verification more accessible for many. The Times of India

• Permanent Resident Numbers & Study Permit Declines: Latest data show a steep drop in study permit issuance, with 149,860 study permits granted in the first half of 2025, compared to over 245,000 in the same period in 2024. Work permit volumes (especially temporary foreign worker permits) have decreased, too. Despite the declines, Canada remains on track to hit its target for permanent resident admissions in 2025. Canada Immigration Services

Key Dates & Figures

Date	What Happened	Important Numbers / Details
Sept 1, 2025	New financial eligibility rules for study permits are in effect	Higher required funds affect prospective international students globally, The Times of India
July 29, 2025	The settlement funds requirement has been raised	12.5% of LICO is now required for Atlantic & other economic streams, The Economic Times
Mid‑2025 (first half)	Lowered study & work permit issuance	~149,860 study permits vs ~245,000 in the first half of 2024; work permit numbers down too Canada Immigration Services

What It Means for Applicants

• If you’re planning to study in Canada, start budget planning carefully. You’ll need to show more funds than in previous years. Ensure you can document all the information the IRCC may request (tuition, living expenses, etc.).

• Those applying under Atlantic or economic immigration streams will need higher settlement funds. This might require reworking savings, loans, or financial proofs.

• With the acceptance of TOEFL Essentials, some applicants may find a more accessible path to satisfying English language requirements. This could reduce cost or wait time for test availability.

• The drop in temporary resident permits (for study/work) suggests that IRCC is tightening eligibility and oversight. Applicants should double-check eligibility rules, ensure documentation is complete, and allow extra time for processing.

Canada Immigration News — October 20 2025