Canada set to surpass 2025 permanent residency target despite drop in temporary permits

August 25, 2025

RED FM News Desk

The Canadian government has finally released its mid-year immigration report for 2025, though it came later than usual. In previous years, this data was released earlier in the year but delays this time sparked criticism. Some believe the government withheld the numbers because many immigration categories have seen a noticeable decline.

Permanent Residents
In the first half of 2025, 207,650 new permanent residents arrived in Canada — lower than in 2024 (255,950) and 2023 (263,425). However, officials still expect to reach 415,000 by year-end, which exceeds the government’s target of 395,000.

International Mobility Program (IMP)
This program allows work or study permit holders to work in Canada without needing a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Only 302,280 IMP work permits were issued in the first six months of 2025 — a sharp drop from 410,825 in 2024 and 377,650 in 2023.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
This program supports industries like farming, construction, and home care. In 2025, 105,195 TFWP permits were granted, slightly lower than 109,310 in 2024 and 111,985 in 2023 — showing relatively stable numbers.

Student Permits
Student visa approvals dropped significantly in 2025. Only 149,860 student permits were issued in the first half of the year, down from 245,055 in 2024 and 238,425 in 2023. This decline is linked to new policies aimed at reducing the number of international students.

Transparency Concerns
Typically, immigration data is updated monthly. However, after March 2025, no new information was released for several months. This lack of transparency made it difficult for journalists, researchers, and policymakers to track trends. Some critics have accused the government of hiding the truth from the public.

 Data Summary: