For much of the last decade, employers in Canada have operated under an unofficial formula: bring in a skilled worker, offer stable employment, and trust that permanent residency (PR) would follow. It worked\u2014until now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since September 2024, the Canadian government has implemented sweeping changes that have significantly narrowed the pathways to PR for international students and skilled workers. Many foreign workers are now left in limbo\u2014and employers who continue to rely on outdated assumptions are in for a wake-up call in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In just nine months, several major immigration policy changes have disrupted the usual PR pipeline:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That international student you hired? They can no longer work full-time hours during regular academic sessions. Since November 2022, Study Permit holders have been permitted to work more than 20 hours per week, meaning for the past few years, employers have been able to hire Study Permit holders on a full-time basis. However, starting in the Fall of 2024, Study Permit holders are now only permitted to work up to 24 hours per week while school is in session<\/strong>, and full-time hours during regularly scheduled school breaks (i.e., December holidays and summer). Employers must keep in mind that in order for Study Permit holders to maintain the ability to work at all, they must also maintain full-time enrollment <\/strong>status at their school. In addition to the change in the number of permitted work hours, a PGWP is no longer guaranteed after graduation\u2014eligibility is now limited to specific programs and institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, for the past number of years, spouses of foreign workers could receive open work permits with few restrictions. That\u2019s changed. Now, spousal open work permit eligibility hinges on the principal worker being employed in a high-skilled position (TEER 0\u20132, or select TEER 3 roles under the National Occupation Classification system). This is a return to the pre-COVID policy framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019ve secured an LMIA or an employer specific LMIA-exempt work permit to help a worker qualify for PR, their chances may be significantly reduced. As of March 25, 2025, Express Entry no longer awards points for Arranged Employment<\/em>. That\u2019s a 50- or 200-point drop (depending on the TEER skill level of the position) \u2014often the difference between receiving or missing out on an Invitation to Apply (ITA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding to the challenge, the Federal Government has announced a 20+% reduction in annual PR approvals over the next three years. This will affect both the Federal Express Entry application management system and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The PNPs now have less nominations they will be able to issue, and Express Entry will issue less ITAs over the coming years \u2013 making an already competitive process even tougher.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpouses of foreign workers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Workers with employer specific LMIA-exempt or LMIA based work permits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
More LMIA roadblocks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n