The Canadian Government's reduction in study permits has started to have an impact. Last year, Sheridan College in Ontario suspended 40 academic programs and reduced staff due to the decline in enrolments resulting from the cap on international students.  The college anticipated a 30% decline in students in 2025.  Some of the programs that are affected include Arts & Design, Humanities and Social Sciences and Business.  Overall, colleges in Ontario are expected to lose over $3 billion in revenue over the next two years due to the decline in international student enrolment.  Seneca Polytechnic in Ontario has also temporarily closed  its Markham campus.

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In November 2024, the Globe and Mail had reported that a stringent verification by IRCC discovered 10,000 fraudulent student acceptance letters in 2024.  After a group of international students who were applying for permanent residence were deported in 2023, strict verification of documents was introduced which led to the interception of more than 10,000 potentially fraudulent letters of accpetance.  This is about 2% of the total study permit applications received in 10 months.

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Canada now allows international students to work for up to 24 hours per week off campus without a work permit.  Students must be enrolled as a full-time student at a DLI for a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program that is at least six months long which leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.  Students are required to apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).

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With effect from November 8, 2024, IRCC is no longer accepting study permit applications under the Student Direct Stream.  All study permit applications must now be submitted using the standard application process.  This is expected to lead to longer processing times.    

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As of November 2024, Canada has ended the automatic 10-year tourist visa.  Revised guidelines also allow immigration officers more discretion in determining visa types and validity.  This means that frequent travelers may no longer be guaranteed long-term visas.

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In October, Canada announced the new immigration levels plan for the next three years (2025-2027).  The new immigration levels mark a decline in targets for permanent residents and temporary residents (international students and temporary workers).  The Permanent Residents targets have dropped by 21% to 1.4 million permanent residents over the next three years.  This means 395,000  permanent residents in 2025, 380,000  for 2026 and 365,000 for 2027.  For 2025, there is a reduction of 100,000 permanent residents as compared to the earlier target.  The priority would be to accept more applications from the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs and lower applications from new arrivals.  By 2027, economic class admissions for skilled sectors like healthcare will make up 62% of the total admissions.

Starting from November 1, 2024, the Post Graduation Work Permit rules have been modified.  Under the new rules, Canadian college programs that attract a large number of international students for programs in tourism, hospitality or business will no longer be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit.  With the introduction of "Fields of Study" as a criteria to be eligible for the PGWP.  Only five programs qualify:  Agriculture and agri-food, Healthcare, Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM), Trade and Transport. This requirement will apply for all levels of programs including bachelors, masters and PhD. New language proficiency requirements have also been introduced using the Canadian Language Benchmarks standard.  ​

In 2024, Canada was on track to invite 500,000 new permanent residents for 2025 and 2026.  This would be a major milestone for Canada as it attempts to bolster its economy and address labour shortages across various sectors.

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Starting November 1, 2024, Canada has announced changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.  Students will be eligible for the PGWP if they graduate from a program linked to certain occupations.  The fields of study are divided into 5 categories-agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), trade and transport. In addition, students are required to meet the language requirement.

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In October last year, Colleges Ontario, which represents the province's 24 public colleges, urged the government to work collaboratively with the province to ensure that the needs of the people of Ontario are taken into consideration under the new work permit system.  They argued that the new policy threatens to undermine the availability of workers essential to Ontario's economy and prosperity.  According to the new policy, international students graduating with college certificate or diploma programs will no longer be eligible for a PGWP unless their work is linked to areas of high labour market demand, as designated by each province or territory.

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From November 1, 2024, Canada has introduced major changes in work permit rules for international students, foreign workers and permanent residents.  As per the Immigration Levels Plan, new regulations have been introduced like the introduction of a language proficiency requirement for applicants to postgraduate work permit courses.  These changes are expected to reduce the number of post-graduation work permits to approximately 175,000 over the next three years.  In addition, the number of temporary residents is expected to be reduced from 6.5% of the total population to 5%.  Spousal work permits are also expected to reduce to 100,000 as limited work permits will be granted to spouses of highly skilled, specialized workers and workers in industries facing key shortage of labour.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​