On this page you will find:
- How Canada’s work permit population has changed since 2024
- Why new worker arrivals have fallen by 57 per cent
- How international student numbers compare with temporary worker numbers
- Why fewer arrivals do not immediately reduce Canada’s temporary resident population
- What the figures mean for Canada’s 2027 immigration targets
Canada has sharply reduced the number of foreign workers entering the country, but its existing work permit population remains higher than it was two years ago, according to newly released federal immigration statistics.
Figures published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on October 20 show that 1,550,215 people held only a work permit as of August 31, 2026.
That represents an increase of approximately 118,000, or 8.2 per cent, compared with August 2024, despite a 57 per cent decline in new worker arrivals over the same two-year comparison period.
The contrast highlights a significant challenge for Canada’s immigration strategy. While restrictions have reduced the number of new temporary residents entering Canada, the existing population of foreign workers has not declined at the same pace.
The figures also reveal a striking difference between international students and temporary workers. Canada’s study permit population has fallen by almost 41 per cent since August 2024, while its work-permit-only population has increased.
The findings raise questions about how quickly Canada can meet its commitment to reduce temporary residents to less than five per cent of the population by the end of 2027.
The figures cover data through August 31, 2026.
Canada Records 63 Per Cent Drop In New Temporary Resident Arrivals
Canada recorded 195,335 new international student and temporary worker arrivals between January and August 2026.
That represents a decline of 326,900, or 63 per cent, compared with the same eight months in 2024.
The decrease reflects restrictions introduced across Canada’s international student and temporary worker programs as the federal government attempts to slow population growth and reduce pressure on housing and public services.
New worker arrivals fell by 57 per cent, while international student arrivals declined by 71 per cent.
| Indicator | January–August 2026 | Change from 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| New worker arrivals | 130,095 | –57% |
| New international student arrivals | 65,240 | –71% |
| Combined arrivals | 195,335 | –63% |
These comparisons use January to August 2024 as the baseline, not the equivalent period in 2025.
IRCC’s arrival figures exclude permit extensions, asylum claimants and certain categories of short-term workers. Consequently, they do not represent every foreign national entering Canada.
Nevertheless, the figures confirm that restrictions have substantially reduced new arrivals across both major temporary residence streams.
Work Permit Population Remains Higher Than In 2024
Despite the decline in arrivals, Canada’s existing work permit population has remained comparatively stable at an elevated level.
IRCC counted 1,550,215 people holding only work permits at the end of August 2026, compared with 1,432,100 in August 2024.
The increase of 118,115 people illustrates the difference between reducing the number of newcomers arriving each month and reducing the number of temporary residents already living in Canada.
International students show a very different pattern.
| Permit holder category | August 2024 | August 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study permit holders* | 1,019,545 | 602,115 | –40.9% |
| Work-permit-only holders | 1,432,100 | 1,550,215 | +8.2% |
*IRCC counts people holding both study and work permits in the study permit category.
The figures suggest that Canada’s immigration restrictions have so far produced a much larger reduction in the existing international student population than in the work permit population.
However, IRCC’s work permit figures exclude individuals who also hold study permits, as well as asylum claimants, protected persons and related groups.
They should not be treated as equivalent to Statistics Canada’s broader estimates of the non-permanent resident population.
Why Canada’s Work Permit Population Is Taking Longer To Fall
The difference between arrivals and existing permit holders largely reflects how Canada’s temporary immigration system operates.
New restrictions affect people seeking to enter Canada or obtain permits under revised rules. However, many individuals already in the country continue to hold valid permits.
Some workers can also apply to extend their authorization, provided they meet the applicable immigration requirements.
This means a sharp reduction in new permits does not necessarily produce an immediate reduction in the existing work permit population.
IRCC acknowledges that the effects of immigration restrictions take time to appear in its statistics.
The department explains that officials continue processing existing applications under the rules that applied when applicants submitted them. As a result, changes may only become fully visible several months after the government introduces new measures.
The August 2026 figures also show that the work permit population has not increased consistently throughout the period. It has fluctuated from month to month, reflecting a combination of new permits, extensions, expiries and changes in immigration status.
This distinction matters when assessing the government’s progress. Lower arrival figures demonstrate that restrictions are affecting immigration inflows, but they do not establish whether the overall temporary resident population is declining quickly enough to meet federal targets.
International Students Bear The Brunt Of Immigration Reductions
The much steeper decline in international student numbers reflects the scale of reforms introduced since 2024.
Canada has imposed study permit caps, tightened eligibility requirements and strengthened verification procedures for educational institutions.
The government has also restricted access to post-graduation work permits, reducing opportunities for some international graduates to remain in Canada after completing their studies.
These measures have contributed to a substantial decline in both new student arrivals and the existing study permit population.
Meanwhile, Canada continues to rely on temporary foreign workers to fill labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and construction.
Although the government has tightened access to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, including restrictions on low-wage hiring, it has maintained immigration pathways designed to address specific economic needs.
The contrasting trends indicate that international students are accounting for a disproportionate share of the reduction in Canada’s existing student and worker permit populations.
However, this does not necessarily mean the government has deliberately exempted workers from its immigration reductions. Both groups face tighter admission rules, but their existing populations are responding differently.
What The Figures Mean For Canada’s Five Per Cent Target
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan commits the government to reducing temporary residents to less than five per cent of the total population by the end of 2027.
The plan establishes a target of 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals in 2026, comprising 230,000 workers and 155,000 students.
The government plans to reduce combined arrivals to 370,000 annually in 2027 and 2028.
However, achieving its population target requires more than controlling new arrivals.
The number of temporary residents must also decline through permit expiries, departures from Canada and transitions to permanent residence.
The latest IRCC figures show that student numbers have responded relatively quickly to the restrictions, while the work permit population remains substantial.
The government therefore faces the challenge of reducing temporary residence numbers without disrupting employers that rely on foreign workers.
The work permit figures alone cannot determine whether Canada is on track to meet the five per cent target. A complete assessment requires Statistics Canada’s estimates of the wider non-permanent resident population, including groups excluded from IRCC’s permit-holder tables.
Permanent Residence Transitions Could Help Reduce Temporary Numbers
One way Canada is attempting to manage its temporary resident population is by helping eligible workers and students already in the country become permanent residents.
IRCC figures show that 153,005 former temporary residents became permanent residents between January and August 2026.
They accounted for 58 per cent of all new permanent residents admitted during that period.
That compares with 48 per cent in 2025 and 44 per cent in 2024.
The government has also announced plans to accelerate the transition of up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence in 2026 and 2027.
These transitions can reduce the number of people counted as temporary residents without requiring them to leave Canada.
They also allow employers to retain experienced workers who have already established themselves in the Canadian labour market.
However, permanent residence pathways remain competitive, and not every temporary worker will qualify.
For those unable to obtain permanent residence or extend their temporary status, the longer-term implications of Canada’s restrictions remain significant.
Canada’s Immigration Cuts Are Producing Uneven Results
The latest statistics demonstrate that Canada’s immigration restrictions are having a substantial impact on new arrivals.
Both international students and temporary workers are entering the country in significantly smaller numbers than in 2024.
However, the changing composition of Canada’s existing temporary resident population tells a more complicated story.
The international student population has fallen sharply, while the number of work-permit-only holders remains higher than two years ago.
The distinction will become increasingly important as the government approaches its 2027 deadline.
Canada’s challenge is no longer simply to reduce the number of newcomers arriving each year. It must also manage the existing temporary resident population while protecting access to workers in industries facing persistent labour shortages.
Whether the government can achieve both objectives will depend on how quickly its restrictions affect existing permit holders, how many temporary residents transition to permanent residence and how many leave Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people hold work permits in Canada in 2026?
As of August 31, 2026, IRCC recorded 1,550,215 people holding only work permits in Canada. This represents an increase of approximately 8.2 per cent compared with August 2024. The figure excludes people who also hold study permits, as well as certain asylum claimants and protected persons.
Why are Canada’s work permit numbers increasing despite immigration cuts?
Canada’s restrictions have significantly reduced new worker arrivals, but many existing permit holders can remain under valid permits or obtain extensions if they qualify. IRCC also continues processing applications submitted under earlier rules. Consequently, immigration restrictions may take several months or longer to affect the existing work permit population.
Are international student numbers falling faster than foreign worker numbers?
Yes. Canada’s study permit population declined by approximately 41 per cent between August 2024 and August 2026. During the same period, the work-permit-only population increased by 8.2 per cent. New student arrivals have also fallen more sharply than new worker arrivals, reflecting extensive restrictions on international education.
What is Canada’s temporary resident population target for 2027?
The federal government wants temporary residents to account for less than five per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027. Its immigration strategy combines lower arrival targets with permanent residence transitions and the anticipated departure of some existing temporary residents. Progress depends on changes across the wider non-permanent resident population.
Can temporary foreign workers still become permanent residents in Canada?
Yes. Eligible foreign workers can pursue permanent residence through programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program. Canada is also implementing a temporary initiative to accelerate permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers in 2026 and 2027. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant immigration pathway.