Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has finally released mid-year immigration data for 2025, months later than usual. The delay sparked accusations that the government was deliberately withholding figures as numbers declined across most categories of newcomers. Critics argue that the lack of transparency has made it harder to assess the impact of immigration on housing, healthcare, and the job market.
On This Page You Will Find
- Canada’s permanent resident numbers for the first half of 2025
- International Mobility Program work permit figures
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program permit trends
- Study permit issuance compared with past years
- Transparency concerns over IRCC’s delayed data release
Permanent Resident Numbers
Canada admitted 207,650 permanent residents in the first half of 2025, a notable decline compared with 255,950 in 2024 and 263,425 in 2023. Despite the slower start, Canada has a target of 395,000 permanent residents for the year. At the current pace, the country is projected to land about 415,000 newcomers by year-end, which would still exceed the official plan.
International Mobility Program (IMP)
The International Mobility Program (IMP) saw a sharp decline. Canada issued 302,280 IMP work permits in the first half of 2025, down from 410,825 in 2024 and 377,650 in 2023. The reduction follows government moves to slow temporary resident growth. Critics say these changes, combined with delayed reporting, raise questions about whether Canadians are being given the full picture of the program’s impact.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) remained more stable, with 105,195 permits issued in the first six months of 2025, compared to 109,310 in 2024 and 111,985 in 2023. The program continues to play a critical role in sectors like agriculture, construction, and caregiving, where worker shortages remain acute.
Study Permits
Study permits fell significantly. Canada issued 149,860 study permits in the first half of 2025, well below 245,055 in 2024 and 238,425 in 2023. The decline reflects tighter rules on international students introduced to ease pressure on housing and public services. Critics argue that by delaying the release of this data, the government avoided public debate on a sensitive policy shift.
Transparency Concerns
For decades, IRCC has published monthly immigration data through its open data portal. In 2025, however, updates stopped after March, leaving journalists, researchers, and policymakers in the dark until now. Conservative Immigration Critic Michelle Rempel-Garner accused the government of “hiding figures that Canadians deserve to see,” while officials insist the delay was due to changes in how the data is presented.
Outlook for 2025
Even with mid-year declines, Canada is still on track to meet its permanent resident target of 395,000. The challenge will be balancing long-term immigration goals with tighter limits on temporary residents. The release of delayed figures has reopened debate about how transparent the government is willing to be as it reshapes immigration policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was IRCC accused of hiding immigration data?
IRCC stopped publishing its monthly data updates after March 2025, breaking with long-standing practice. Critics said this amounted to withholding crucial figures from the public.
How many permanent residents did Canada admit in early 2025?
Canada admitted 207,650 permanent residents in the first six months of 2025, a drop compared to 2024 and 2023. The country still appears on track to meet its yearly target.
What are the trends in work permits?
IMP work permits fell to 302,280 in the first half of 2025, down sharply from previous years. TFWP permits remained stable at 105,195.
What about international students?
Canada issued 149,860 study permits in the first half of 2025, a steep decline from more than 245,000 in the same period of 2024. The drop reflects tighter policy rules.
Is Canada still on track to meet its 2025 immigration plan?
Yes. Despite lower mid-year totals and delayed reporting, Canada is projected to welcome about 415,000 permanent residents in 2025, slightly above its planned target.
