By the end of 2025, nearly five million temporary permits in Canada are set to expire, a development that has prompted immigration officials to anticipate that the majority of permit holders will leave voluntarily. Immigration Minister Marc Miller addressed the issue during a Commons immigration committee meeting earlier this week, emphasizing the systems in place to monitor compliance.
Of the expiring permits, approximately 766,000 belong to international students, a demographic grappling with increasing difficulties due to recent immigration policy changes. Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about how the government plans to manage such a substantial number of expiring visas. Responding to these concerns, Miller assured the committee that mechanisms, including the Canada Border Services Agency, are equipped to identify and handle violations effectively.
Miller also noted that not all temporary residents would need to leave Canada. He explained, “Some will receive renewals or postgraduate work permits.” These work permits, typically valid for nine months to three years, are designed to help international students gain the work experience necessary for their permanent residency applications.
The evolving immigration policies have sparked visible discontent, particularly among students from Punjab. Since August, many have been protesting by camping in tents in Brampton, expressing frustration over the unexpected policy shifts. Several protesters claim they arrived in Canada under the assumption that they would eventually be allowed to stay permanently.
According to data from the immigration department, Canada hosted over one million international students as of May 2023. By the end of that year, 396,235 of these students held Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), a figure nearly three times higher than in 2018. However, the rising number of PGWPs set to expire within the next year, coupled with tighter immigration rules, has intensified the competition for permanent residency among international students.
Canada’s decision to curtail the number of international student permits has added to the challenges. In 2024, the issuance of these permits was reduced by 35%, with an additional 10% cut planned for 2025. The government has cited pressures on the housing market as a primary factor behind these reductions.
The immigration challenges are further complicated by the growing number of students filing for asylum, a trend that Immigration Minister Miller flagged as concerning. Last month, he indicated that the government aims to expedite the processing of asylum claims to identify and eliminate fraudulent applications more swiftly.
The shifting landscape of immigration policies has not only affected temporary residents but has also ignited a broader political debate. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has openly criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approach, arguing that the government’s policies have sown uncertainty among temporary residents while failing to tackle critical issues like housing shortages effectively. Poilievre highlighted government data showing that nearly five million temporary residents are expected to leave Canada by the end of 2025.
As Canada navigates these complexities, the interplay between immigration policies, housing market dynamics, and political discourse continues to shape the experiences of temporary residents and the broader national landscape.
