Immigration News - March 3, 2025

Canada records unprecedented refusal rate for temporary resident applications in 2024

The Canadian government denied a record-high 50 percent of temporary resident applications in 2024.

Immigration officials rejected over 2.3 million applications from would-be visitors, international students, and foreign workers, marking a significant increase from the 35 percent refusal rate in 2023. Visitor visa applications faced the highest rejection rate at 54 percent, while study permits saw 52 percent of applications denied. Work permit refusals decreased slightly to 22 percent.

Despite limiting new entries, data reveals that extensions for those already in the country remain readily available, with visitor record applications doubling since 2019 and maintaining a low 5 percent refusal rate.

Deportations from Canada rose by 11% in 2024 as removal backlog grows

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) data shows deportations increased to 16,860 in 2024 – up 11% from last year and reaching the highest level since 2019.

This increase comes amid a growing backlog of 485,359 foreign nationals awaiting removal, concentrated in Quebec (197,029) and Ontario (120,273), with 123,000 unassigned to any region.

The top deportations were from Mexico (3,579), India (1,932), and Colombia (956). Most deportees were failed refugee claimants (13,527), followed by those violating immigration laws (2,261) and criminals (860).

Canada's immigration strategy falls short in combating demographic decline

A new study by Daniel Hiebert reveals that while Canada has relied heavily on immigration to boost its workforce, this approach alone cannot solve the country's demographic challenges.

Despite having one of the world's lowest fertility rates at 1.26 children per woman, even the highest immigration scenarios would still result in rising old-age dependency ratios over the next 50 years.

The report suggests that policymakers need a more comprehensive population strategy that includes raising retirement ages and better coordination between immigration targets, housing development, and infrastructure investment.

Public enthusiasm for Canada's historically high immigration levels has waned amid concerns about housing costs and public services.

Quebec extends LMIA suspension for low-wage jobs in Montreal and adds Laval region

Quebec has announced a nine-month extension to its suspension of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for low-wage jobs under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, now lasting until November 30, 2025.

Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge revealed on February 27 that the measure will expand to include Laval starting March 3, in addition to Montreal. The suspension applies to positions paying below Quebec's wage threshold of $27.47 CAD, with exceptions for certain industries, including agriculture, construction, food processing, education, and health services.