In a landmark policy overhaul, the Canadian government has announced a substantial recalibration of its immigration strategy, pledging to significantly scale back the number of temporary foreign workers and international student permits over the next three years.
Revealed during King Charles III’s ceremonial speech at the opening session of Canada’s 45th Parliament, the reform aims to address mounting public concern over the strain on housing, infrastructure, and public services attributed to surging immigration numbers in recent years.
Under the new framework, the proportion of temporary residents—including international students and foreign laborers—will be capped at less than five percent of Canada’s total population by 2027. Officials say the move reflects an effort to restore equilibrium to an increasingly burdened system, which critics argue has outpaced the country’s ability to integrate newcomers effectively.
“Canada’s immigration system has long been a source of pride for Canadians and of dynamism for the economy. The government is dedicated to rebuilding the trust of Canadians in immigration by restoring balance to the system,” Britain’s King Charles, who doubles as Canada’s Head of State, said in his throne speech during a live broadcast.
The monarch continued: “The government will cap the total number of temporary foreign workers and international students to less than five percent of Canada’s population by 2027. By doing this, the government will attract the best talent in the world to build our economy, while sending a clear message to Canadians working abroad that there is no better time to come home.”
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For Nigerians and other Africans, who have been among the top contributors to Canada’s international student population, Canada’s new immigration cap and policy change could have far-reaching implications.
In 2023, Canada issued 37,630 student visa to Nigerians, a significant 133.7 per cent jump, compared to the previous year in 2022.
According to official data, approximately 36,000 temporary work permits were granted to Nigerian nationals as of December 2023. However, Canada’s recently unveiled immigration strategy signals a significant shift in this trajectory. Beginning in 2025, the number of international student admissions will be scaled down to an estimated 305,900 annually, continuing through 2027. Similarly, the issuance of permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program is projected to be capped at around 82,000 per year during the same timeframe.
These projected reductions form part of a broader recalibration effort aimed at mitigating domestic pressures. Canadian authorities have cited growing concerns over critical issues such as affordable housing shortages, overwhelmed infrastructure, and overstretched public services as key drivers of the new immigration limits. The government emphasizes that the revised intake model seeks to create a more sustainable and balanced approach to population growth, labor needs, and national development.
