Canada tightens immigration rules, rejects record hits 2.36 million

The Canadian government has ramped up its immigration restrictions, rejecting a record 2.36 million temporary resident visa applications in 2024.

This represents a staggering 50% refusal rate, a sharp increase from 35% in the previous year.

This is coming as authorities implement stricter policies to reduce the number of temporary residents.

The rejection rates cut across visitor visas, study permits, and work permits, with the government citing concerns over population growth.

The target is to bring down the proportion of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of the population by 2026.

Visitor visas recorded the highest number of refusals, with 1.95 million applications denied translating to a 54% rejection rate.

Officials have tightened regulations to curb potential overstays, making it increasingly difficult for applicants to gain entry.

International students have also felt the impact of Canada’s policy shift, as study permit approvals dropped significantly.

About 52% of applications were rejected due to new eligibility requirements, higher financial benchmarks, and increased scrutiny of fraudulent applications.

Meanwhile, work permits saw a comparatively lower refusal rate of 22% as authorities adopted a more calculated approach to balancing labor market needs with immigration control.

While the move is expected to ease pressure on Canada’s housing and healthcare systems, it has raised concerns for industries that depend on foreign talent.

Educational institutions, which generate an estimated $22 billion annually from international students, risk financial losses.

Similarly, sectors like healthcare and construction, both heavily reliant on skilled foreign workers—could face labor shortages.

As Canada advances its 2025-2027 immigration strategy, the long-term economic and social effects of these rejections remain a subject of debate.

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