Canada to reduce visa limits for foreign nationals starting in 2026
Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney (photo: Getty Images)
Canada prepares to significantly limit the number of temporary residents allowed to enter the country next year, according to the government’s new immigration plan.
Under the new federal budget, Canada plans to admit 385,000 temporary residents in 2026 - a 43% decrease from the number planned for 2025. Over the following two years, the quota will be reduced further to 370,000 people.
For comparison, last year’s immigration plan provided for more than 516,000 new temporary residents.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne says that the Canadian government aims to return immigration to a more sustainable level.
“Canadians understand we had reached our capacity, or sometimes exceeded our capacity,” he said, adding they were not closing the door, but were moving toward a more balanced approach.
Fewer students and seasonal workers
The document notes that the number of temporary foreign workers in 2025 has already decreased by half compared to the previous year, while the number of international students has dropped by 60%. The number of asylum seekers has also declined by approximately one-third.
Despite this, Canada plans to continue granting permanent residency to 380,000 people annually, maintaining last year’s level.
Focus on economic benefits
The new approach is aimed at aligning immigration more closely with the country’s economic needs. The government seeks to increase the share of economic migrants among all new arrivals from 59% to 64% over three years.
The plan also includes a one-time measure to accelerate permanent residency for 33,000 work visa holders and the launch of a new program for holders of US H-1B visas, particularly in the technology sector.
Additionally, the government will invest 1.7 billion dollars over 13 years to attract highly skilled researchers to Canadian universities.
Public opinion and criticism
Over the past five years, the number of Canadians who believe the country is accepting too many immigrants has increased significantly - currently, more than 56% hold this view.
At the same time, human rights organizations have criticized the new policy.
Said Hussan from the Migrant Rights Network said that this was an attempt to make migrants scapegoats for problems created by the government itself, ranging from housing shortages to overburdened healthcare.
Despite the controversial assessments, the government insists that reducing immigration is a necessary measure aimed at stabilizing the labor market and easing the pressure on the country’s social systems.
Canada has filed a lawsuit to seize the Russian cargo plane An-124, which has been at Toronto Airport since 2022, and if successful, plans to transfer it to Ukraine as a symbol of holding Russia accountable for the war.
