VisaVerse Bi-Weekly Updates ( November 01 - 15 ) 2025

Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan

Canada's partial release of its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan alongside Budget 2025 reveals a strategic recalibration of the country's immigration framework. Temporary resident admissions will decline from 516,600 to 385,000, reflecting efforts to balance infrastructure capacity with population growth amid housing pressures and institutional constraints across Canadian provinces. International student spaces will face a 50% reduction to 155,000 annually, while overall projected admissions for workers will drop to 230,000 in 2026, and to 220,000 in 2027 and 2028. However, the budget allocates $19.4 million over four years to expedite permanent residency for up to 33,000 work-permit holders. Economic immigration will account for 64% of permanent resident allocations (approximately 239,800 in 2026 and even higher, 244,700 in the following years), up from 59% in 2025, signaling Ottawa's focus on addressing labor market needs.

Quebec announced a new immigration strategy for 2026-2029 with reduced intake targets

Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration has introduced the province's immigration framework for 2026-2029, alongside the detailed 2026 Immigration Plan. The strategy aims to limit both temporary and permanent immigration volumes to ease pressure on the province's integration capacity. Quebec will welcome 45,000 permanent residents in 2026, while also admitting between 84,900 and 124,200 temporary residents through the Temporary Foreign Worker and International Student programs. Key changes include making the Skilled Worker Selection Program the sole pathway for permanent skilled worker immigration, phasing out the Quebec Experience Program by November 19, 2025, and introducing French language proficiency requirements for temporary foreign workers.

Canada's job market shows resilience with 67,000 new positions added in October

Canada's employment landscape continued to strengthen in October 2025, adding 67,000 jobs and pushing the national employment rate to 60.8%. This marks the second straight month of growth, with the unemployment rate dropping to 6.9%. The gains were particularly pronounced among men aged 25 to 54 and younger workers aged 15 to 24. Wholesale and retail trade, transportation, and information sectors led the expansion, while Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador posted notable regional increases. Average hourly wages climbed 3.5% year-over-year to $37.06, reflecting ongoing economic adjustments despite labor disruptions that affected total hours worked across several provinces.

Saskatchewan's job market demonstrates strong growth with 14,000 new positions and a 5.5% unemployment rate

Saskatchewan's labor market demonstrated remarkable strength in October, adding 14,000 jobs compared to the previous year—a 2.3% increase that ranks second-highest among Canadian provinces. The province's unemployment rate dropped to 5.5%, significantly lower than the national average of 6.9%, placing it as the second-lowest in the country. October saw record-breaking employment figures with 621,800 people working across Saskatchewan, including 514,500 in full-time positions. Both Regina and Saskatoon experienced growth, with Regina adding 9,200 jobs and Saskatoon gaining 1,900 positions. The healthcare and construction sectors led the expansion, contributing 7,300 and 4,400 new jobs, respectively.

Canada's student visa rejection rate soars to 74% for Indian applicants

Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller rejected departmental advice to shelve a special humanitarian initiative designed to help Sudanese Canadians reunite with family members fleeing the devastating civil war in Sudan. Immigration officials had expressed concerns that the program could undermine Canada's immigration reduction targets, but Miller prioritized humanitarian needs over administrative constraints. The program, launched in February 2024, has since brought approximately 1,950 people to Canada, though processing delays have left thousands of applicants stranded. With Sudan's conflict claiming hundreds of thousands of lives and displacing 12 million people, advocates continue pressing Ottawa to expedite applications and expand humanitarian commitments despite planned reductions in immigration levels.

Canada's rental market shows signs of relief as immigration decline eases housing pressure

Canada's rental market is experiencing a notable shift as reduced immigration levels begin to ease the pressure on housing demand nationwide. Recent data reveals that major cities, including Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, and Metro Vancouver, have recorded year-over-year rent decreases for one-bedroom units, with Toronto seeing the steepest drop at $176. Ontario experienced the largest decline in immigration in early 2025, receiving over 15,000 fewer newcomers than the previous year. Meanwhile, interprovincial migration patterns are reshaping regional markets, with Alberta gaining nearly 13,000 new residents and Atlantic provinces like Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island experiencing substantial population growth that continues to support rental demand in those areas.

Ontario implements stricter driver's license requirements tied to immigration status starting in 2026

Ontario is introducing comprehensive reforms to its driver's license system through Bill 60, which links licensing eligibility directly to immigration status and work authorization. Effective early 2026, the Ministry of Transportation will verify applicants' legal status in Canada before issuing or renewing licenses. The legislation prohibits temporary visitors from obtaining commercial driver's licenses, ends automatic recognition of foreign licenses from non-reciprocal countries, and mandates one year of Canadian driving experience before qualifying for Class A commercial licenses. These measures aim to enhance road safety, prevent fraud, and ensure only authorized individuals operate vehicles professionally across the province.