Canada Announces Major Changes for Temporary Workers and Foreign Students

 

Canada Makes Major Changes for Temporary Workers and Foreign Students. As part of its border immigration reforms, Canada announces the implementation of new measures to regulate the flow of temporary residents, including workers and international students, on September 19, 2024. The government hopes that by implementing these adjustments, there will be a balance of the benefits of immigration and less pressure due to limited resources such as housing and work prospects. The following is a detailed summary of these modifications and their impact.

Reduction In International Students Permit

Canada is reducing the number of study permits it distributes to international students. This significant change is part of a bigger effort to limit the number of temporary immigrants who are permitted to enter the country. The government aims to issue approximately 430,000 study permits in 2025, compared to 500,000 permits in 2023. This change will have a minor impact on immigrants who are already studying in Canada, as well as students who are still in the process of applying for visas, as they will be forced to adapt to the new changes, unlike older students or immigrants, reducing the number of international students studying in Canada.

By limiting the number of student permits, Canada hopes to relieve pressure on its housing market, as popular cities such as Vancouver and Toronto, which have major universities and colleges, are already dealing with housing pressure for their students, resulting in a significant increase in cost of living and rental prices. This current approach intends to provide comfort and low-rent housing and accommodations for the fewer students who will be granted an international student permit.

Tightening Of Work Permit For Spouse

It was very straightforward to come to Canada as a spouse and any children who would act as dependants under the spouse at first, but the availability of work permits for spouses appears to be more difficult right now. Spouses of temporary foreign workers or international students have immediate access to work permits in the sense that if they claim to be partners to any of these two types of immigrants, they will be instantly granted the ability to work. However, the government has chosen to bring this into consideration by making it difficult to obtain the right to work visa, and if any spouse who comes as

dependents of an international student or temporary foreign worker who meet the stricter conditions can receive a work visa. This new step will have a significant influence on any spouse or family wanting to temporarily settle in Canada, where both partners intend to work. This restriction reflects the government's concern about the increasing number of temporary residents and their influence on Canadian citizens' employment and pay. Reducing spouses' eligibility for work permits may lead to fewer people competing for jobs in Canada.

Limited Transition To Permanent Residency

The administration is under increasing pressure to provide international workers and students with a clearer path from temporary to permanent status. Many of the jobs performed by temporary workers, according to economists and immigration advocates, are not as transient as they appear. Despite these calls, the government's most recent announcement did not include a proposal to convert additional temporary migrants to permanent status. Many people are outraged by the lack of a permanent residence option, as they believe that temporary labour is critical to Canada's economic prosperity. Advocates argue that offering more temporary immigrants a path to permanent residence could improve their rights and working conditions, so addressing concerns about worker exploitation.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program Revisions

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)'s treatment of low-wage workers has sparked controversy. Reports have criticised the program, alleging that it produces conditions conducive to exploitation and even current forms of slavery. In response, Canada modified the plan by limiting the overall number of foreign workers who can be hired at low salaries by specific firms.

The government has also limited the hiring of temporary foreign workers by businesses in areas with high unemployment rates in specific industries. Local candidates will be given priority for available posts under this method, especially in fields with high unemployment rates. Employers who rely heavily on foreign labour to meet commercial demands, particularly in the agricultural and service industries, are subject to restrictions, despite the fact that this benefits Canadian workers.

Strengthening Visa Integrity

The Canadian government is committed to improving visa integrity in light of the increase in refugee applications. Immigration agents are receiving new equipment and training to help them detect fraud and prevent unauthorised entry into the country. The goal is to reduce the potential of immigration procedures being abused and exploited, while also ensuring that only authorised tourists and temporary residents can enter Canada.

Because fraudulent applications have the potential to undermine public trust in Canada's immigration system, visa integrity is a critical concern. The government intends to reduce application delays and increase overall procedure efficiency by upgrading the visa decision-making process. This strategy ensures that persons who legitimately qualify for visas receive them quickly, while also preserving the system.

Changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Caps

As part of the overall immigration policy reform, the government reversed numerous 2022-2023 extensions to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The new guideline limits the percentage of low-wage temporary employees that a company can hire. This change affects specific industries, particularly those with persistently high unemployment rates and a large reliance on foreign labour. As a result, Canadian firms will need to change their hiring strategies and may prefer to focus more on locating local talent. Although the intention is to protect Canadian workers, businesses that rely significantly on local labour, including as manufacturing, hospitality, and agriculture, would likely experience additional operational challenges as a result.