Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) recorded a significant slowdown in November 2025, with only 2,615 new work permits issued, marking the lowest monthly intake since early 2024. This decline reflects the federal government’s broader effort to rebalance temporary migration amid housing pressures and labour market recalibration.
According to analysis by certified Canadian immigration consultants at ImmigCanada, the slowdown is not isolated but part of a structural shift toward prioritizing permanent residence pathways over short-term labour solutions.
Policy Changes Reshape Temporary Worker Intake
During the post-pandemic recovery period of 2022-2023, annual TFWP approvals exceeded 100,000. However, new caps and restrictions introduced in 2024 and 2025 have dramatically reduced inflows.
Key reforms include:
- A 10% cap on low-wage foreign worker hiring (with limited sector exceptions)
- Suspension of low-wage LMIA processing in CMAs with 6% unemployment
- Increased wage thresholds for high-wage streams
- Tighter eligibility for spousal work permits
- Reforms to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program
These changes have been particularly challenging for employers in agriculture, food processing, and hospitality, where LMIA processing times now exceed 12 weeks in some regions.
Temporary Residents Increasingly Transition to Permanent Status
Despite declining arrivals, Canada continues to transition existing temporary residents into permanent residents. Between January and November 2025, over 177,000 former temporary residents became permanent residents, accounting for 48% of all new PR admissions.
As Regulated Immigration Consultants often explain, this strategy favors candidates with Canadian work experience, language proficiency, and employer support criteria commonly assessed through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs.
Why Employers and Workers Must Adapt Quickly
For employers, reliance on the TFWP is becoming increasingly risky without long-term planning. For workers, temporary status alone no longer guarantees future stability.
Experts at ImmigCanada immigration consulting services recommend proactive PR planning, especially for workers in high-demand sectors who may qualify for provincial or federal economic programs.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With additional TFWP reforms expected in the 2026 federal budget, further reductions in temporary worker arrivals are likely. Immigration strategy is shifting toward sustainability, regional needs, and long-term settlement outcomes.
Temporary workers and employers navigating Canada’s changing immigration landscape should consult a Regulated Immigration Consultant. The team at ImmigCanada, led by Eivy Joy Quito, provides expert guidance to help candidates transition from temporary status to permanent residence with confidence.
Leave a Reply