Canada has recently announced several significant changes to its immigration policies, a move that is set to significantly impact millions of temporary workers and students currently residing in Canada. This includes a large number of Indian nationals. The updated policies, announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, are part of the Trudeau government’s efforts to address pressing issues in housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
These changes are aimed at the domestic challenges Canada is currently facing, but it is also true that these new policies are going to have tremendous impacts on foreign nationals. For many, Canada is a prime destination for work and education.
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Temporary permits set to expireAt present, if reports are to go by, almost five million temporary permits are going to expire by the end of next year (2025). No doubt, this is a cause of concern for many. As per the official government announcement, many of these temporary permit holders will have to leave Canada unless a permanent residency is secured or the permits are renewed.
Reports state that approximately 766,000 study permits are going to expire by December 2025. Keeping that in mind, there’s a possibility that many of these international students may opt to renew their permits. Going for post-graduate work permits may also allow them to stay longer. But it is undeniable that the majority will need to return to their home countries. If anyone overstays their visas, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will enforce immigration laws.
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Under the revised immigration rules, reductions in both permanent and temporary resident targets will be seen over the next three years. As per reports, these measures are a response to Canada’s growing challenges in providing adequate housing, healthcare services, and infrastructure to support its population.
As per recent reports, by 2025, the yearly target for permanent residents will be reduced from 500,000 to 395,000. This represents a whopping 21percent decrease. Similarly, temporary foreign workers and international students will also see significant reductions in number. The number of foreign workers are expected to drop by over 40 percent, and international students by 10 percent by 2026.
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How is it going to affect the Indian community
If reports are to go by, there are over 1.6 million Indians currently residing in Canada. Many of them are in Canada on temporary visas, such as work permits and study permits.
Indian nationals form a crucial part of Canada’s workforce, with roles ranging from engineers and technicians to executives and scientists. The revised policies may make it harder for these workers to extend their stay or transition to permanent residency, potentially leading to disruptions in their professional and personal lives.
