| Recent immigration updates include limits for international workers and the end of some policies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes for international students are expected later this fall. |
| Changes for temporary foreign workers |
| The government is limiting the number of work permits that it issues for the low‑wage category of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program. |
| The low-wage category applies to jobs that pay below the median hourly wage, which is $28.39 in Ontario. For example, many fast-food service jobs might pay less than this amount and fall into the low-wage category. |
| The following limits have been in place since September 26, 2024. |
| Limits in areas with high unemployment rates |
| Employers need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment from the government before they can hire a worker through the TFW Program. |
| The government is no longer doing these assessments for many low-wage jobs in areas of the country where the unemployment rate is 6% or more. Without the assessment, employers cannot hire workers in the low-wage category for these jobs. |
| But there are some exceptions where the government is still doing assessments for low-wage jobs, even in areas with high unemployment. These include: |
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| Limits on workers in low-wage category |
| In the past, many employers could hire up to 20% of their workers at a specific location from the low-wage category. And employers in certain sectors with labour shortages could hire up to 30%. |
| The government has lowered these limits. Now, employers can generally hire up to 10% of their workers at a specific work location from the low-wage category. The limit is 20% for low-wage jobs in: |
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| There are special rules for how these limits apply to employers who have fewer than 10 employees in Canada. |
| Some positions have no limit. This includes primary agriculture jobs on farms and certain seasonal positions. |
| The government will not do a Labour Market Impact Assessment if hiring another temporary foreign worker would cause an employer to go over their limit. Without the assessment, the employer cannot hire the worker in the low-wage category of the TFW Program. |
| Limit on length of permits |
| Generally, workers who are hired through the low-wage category can work for only one year. They used to be able to work for 2 years. |
| Who this does not apply to |
| The limits referred to above do not apply to the high-wage category of the TFW Program. |
| They also do not apply to other work programs for people who are not permanent residents. These include the International Mobility Program and open work permits. |
| No work permit applications for visitors |
| During the COVID-19 pandemic, people who were in Canada on visitor visas could apply for work permits from within Canada. The government has now ended that policy. |
| In general, visitors can no longer apply for a work permit while they're in Canada. IRCC will process applications under the old policy only if they got them before August 28, 2024. |
| Refugee protection claimant document |
| This is photo identification that a refugee claimant uses to get health care and other services. |
| During the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC said that these documents would still be valid even after they expired. But starting April 1, 2025, they will not be valid. And people will have to renew them. |
| People must now do this using IRCC's web form. IRCC no longer accepts the old paper-based application forms that people sent by mail. |
| IRCC is developing a way for people to apply if they cannot use the web form. |
| Changes for international students |
| The government says that this fall, they plan to make several important changes to the rules for international students. They also plan to issue fewer study permits over the next 2 years. |
| International students should check IRCC's website over the coming weeks for updates. |
| Getting legal help |
| There's more information about all of these topics on IRCC's website. People can also call IRCC's Client Support Centre at 1-888-242-2100. |
| Immigration law is complicated. The rules for students and workers can change quickly. It's important that people check IRCC's website for updates and get legal help if they have questions. |
| Migrant Worker's Alliance provides information, advocacy, and support for migrant workers and international students. |
