Canada Immigration Trends in Asia (2024 vs 2025): What Changed and the Impact in 2026
Canada’s immigration system has experienced notable shifts over the past two years — especially among applicants from Asian countries such as India, the Philippines, and China. After record levels of immigration in 2024, policy changes aimed at balancing population growth and domestic pressures resulted in a reshaped landscape in 2025. This blog explores how these trends unfolded and what they mean as Canada enters 2026.
Record Highs in 2024: A Snapshot
In 2024, Canada welcomed a record-breaking 483,000+ new permanent residents, continuing its long-standing appeal as a destination for economic migrants, family reunification, and humanitarian arrivals. Asian countries, particularly India, the Philippines, and China, remained at the top of the list for new permanent residents. India alone accounted for over 127,000 new immigrants, although this was slightly down from the previous year — a subtle sign that change was already beginning.
At the same time, the temporary resident population — which includes international students and foreign workers — continued to grow. Data from 2024 show that temporary permits issued (for study and work) remained high, contributing significantly to Canada’s demographic and labor market dynamics.
This period also saw Canada focusing on economic-class immigrants and expanding its multicultural labor force, particularly in sectors like technology, healthcare, and caregiving.
Shifts in 2025: Policy Reshaping Immigration
2025 marked a turning point in how Canada approached immigration volumes and categories. With housing shortages, infrastructure pressures, and public impacts growing, the Canadian government introduced policy changes that directly affected both permanent and temporary residents.
For permanent residents, targets were adjusted downward. While figures for the full year are still emerging, interim reports indicate that fewer permanent residency slots were filled compared to 2024. For example, one report found that between January and September 2025, about 310,000 individuals were granted permanent residency, with India still leading but the overall pace lower than the previous year.
On the temporary side, the changes were more dramatic. Canada saw a sharp reduction in new arrivals of international students and workers in the first half of 2025, with about a 58 % decrease in new student and work permit arrivals compared to the same period in 2024. Despite this reduction in inflows, the overall temporary resident population declined only slightly, since many individuals holding multi-year permits remained in the country.
One of the most notable figures from 2025 was that Canada approved 834,010 temporary resident applications in the first quarter alone — with India representing nearly 46 % of these. This underscores that demand from Asian applicants remained strong even amid tighter policies.
What Explains the 2025 Changes?
The trends between 2024 and 2025 were not accidental but the result of concrete policy decisions and evolving priorities within Canadian immigration planning.
Tighter Caps and New Eligibility Rules
In 2025, Canada implemented caps on study permits — reducing the overall number available compared to the previous year. Government records show that intake caps on study permits were lowered in 2025 to stabilize temporary resident numbers.
Processing criteria also tightened. In an effort to curb fraud and ensure applicants are well-qualified and financially prepared, visa authorities increased scrutiny on application documentation and the use of unauthorized representatives. This has raised refusal rates for temporary residence applications, including study permits and work visas.
Changing Labor Market Strategies
Canada continues to adjust labour migration streams based on economic needs. In 2025, fast-track work permits for essential professions were introduced to alleviate shortages in sectors such as healthcare and agriculture.
However, stricter regulations for temporary foreign worker programs were also put in place. These include reduced quota caps for some categories and higher wage requirements, which have changed the profile of eligible foreign workers and potentially slowed entry numbers.
Asian Countries in Focus: India, Philippines, China
India
India continued to be the most significant source of both permanent and temporary migrants in 2025. In early 2025, nearly half of all temporary resident applications approved were Indian, driven largely by student and work visas.
However, the tighter policy environment did slow certain categories. For example, limitations on family work permits and higher financial requirements for students reduced some of the earlier growth observed in 2024.
Philippines
Filipino applicants saw a notable rise in permanent resident numbers in 2024, and this trend carried into 2025 in both study and work categories. The Philippines has become an increasingly prominent source country thanks to strong demand in caregiving, nursing, and hospitality sectors — areas where Canada continues to recruit internationally.
China
Chinese applicants maintained a solid presence in Canada’s immigration intake, though year-on-year changes were more modest compared to India and the Philippines. China remains in the top tiers of temporary and permanent resident sources, reflecting long-standing educational and economic connections with Canada.
2026 Impact: What Comes Next
The implications of these shifts are now shaping the landscape in 2026.
Reductions in New Arrivals
Canada’s 2026 immigration plan reflects a strategic shift, with lower temporary and permanent resident targets compared to previous years. As a result, countries that saw high numbers of students and workers arriving in 2024 and early 2025 may experience a more moderated intake moving forward.
International student caps are expected to decrease again in 2026, reducing the number of new study permits issued compared to 2024 and 2025 levels. While this may mean increased competition for applicants from countries that traditionally send large numbers of students to Canada, it does not signal that Canada is closing its doors.
Canada remains committed to welcoming international students — but with a more focused and sustainable approach. The updated policies are designed to better align study programs with labour market needs and long-term immigration pathways. This provides greater clarity for prospective students, allowing them to make informed decisions about pursuing education in fields where job opportunities are strong and aligned with Canada’s priority sectors for permanent residence.
In many ways, these changes aim to strengthen outcomes — ensuring that students who come to Canada have clearer pathways to employment, stability, and long-term success.
Shifts in Population Dynamics
Canada’s overall population growth has slowed. In late 2025, quarterly data indicated the slowest growth since the pandemic era, largely due to fewer temporary residents arriving — a trend that could continue into 2026.
With smaller inflows of temporary residents, labour markets will need to adjust. Canada is balancing the need for skilled workers with affordability and service capacity concerns, which will continue to influence policy direction this year.
Long-Term Residency Focus
The government’s emphasis is shifting toward applicants who have Canadian work experience or long-term economic potential. As a result, pathways like transitioning from temporary to permanent residency remain prioritized, especially for those already in Canada. This focus will shape opportunities available to Asian applicants through 2026 and beyond.
Conclusion: A Transitional Year for Asia-Canada Migration
The comparison of 2024 and 2025 reveals a clear transition in Canada’s immigration approach — moving from peak intake levels to a more calibrated and selective system. While demand from Asian countries remains strong, tighter caps, increased scrutiny, and evolving labour market priorities have reshaped not only how many newcomers arrive, but also who is selected, with greater emphasis on skills, qualifications, and alignment with Canada’s in-demand sectors.
As 2026 progresses, these trends are likely to continue influencing the experience of skilled workers, students, and families from Asia — and they underscore how global migration is as much about policy timing as opportunity.
Official Government & Inter-Government References
(2024–2025 data, relevant for 2026 impact analysis)
Government of Canada – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration (2024 & 2025)
Immigration levels, source regions, permanent and temporary resident data
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration.html - Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027
Official targets for permanent and temporary residents
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/11/canada-immigration-levels-plan-2025-2027.html - Express Entry Year-End Report (2024)
Invitations issued, category-based draws, country of citizenship data
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/express-entry-year-end-report-2024.html - International Student Program – Study Permit Cap Announcements (2024–2025)
Policy changes and intake caps
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/study-permit-cap.html - Temporary Foreign Worker Program and International Mobility Program Overview
Work permit trends and policy adjustments
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers.html
Statistics Canada (Federal Agency)
- Canada’s Population Estimates by Immigration Status (2024–2025)
Growth driven by permanent vs temporary residents
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/subjects/population_and_demography - Quarterly Population Growth Reports (2024–2025)
Impact of immigration slowdowns
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-607-x/71-607-x2025q4-eng.htm
Inter-Governmental Organizations (Policy-Recognized)
- OECD – International Migration Outlook 2025 (Canada Chapter)
Comparative migration analysis and trends
https://www.oecd.org/migration/international-migration-outlook/ - OECD Economic Survey: Canada 2025
Immigration, housing pressure, and labour market impacts
https://www.oecd.org/economy/canada-economic-snapshot/
Parliamentary & Policy Transparency Sources
- Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) – Evidence & Reports
Policy rationale, cap discussions, and sector impacts
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Committees/en/CIMM
