- India accounted for 45.8% of 834,010 temporary visa approvals in Q1 2025.
- Canada is seeing increased applications from Nigeria, the Philippines, and Ukraine.
- New enforcement measures target overstays and visa rule violations.
In the first quarter of 2025, Canada approved over 834,000 temporary resident permits, with nearly half coming from Indian nationals. The majority of these approvals were study and work permits, reflecting Canada’s demand for international students and skilled labor, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors.
Beyond India, countries like Nigeria, the Philippines, and Ukraine have also shown notable increases in temporary resident applications.
Canada Tightens Temporary Visa Rules Amid Surging Approvals from India and Beyond
Canada’s immigration system approved over 834,000 temporary resident permits in the first three months of 2025, and nearly 46% were issued to Indian nationals. This surge is led by Indian students and professionals seeking to build careers in Canada’s growing tech and healthcare industries.
Countries such as Nigeria and the Philippines are also becoming key contributors to Canada’s temporary migration, with a noticeable increase in work-related and educational visa approvals. These trends point to Canada’s continued attractiveness as a destination for global talent and opportunity.
However, Canadian immigration authorities are also becoming more vigilant. Under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to reduce temporary residents to 5% of the national population. This marks a clear pivot from growth to control.
To meet this target, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) now holds increased power to issue removal orders and cancel permits when visa holders violate conditions. The government emphasizes that compliance is non-negotiable as it balances welcoming newcomers with maintaining integrity in the immigration system.
Canada’s evolving immigration policies reflect a dual goal: maintaining its appeal to global talent while reinforcing stricter rules to manage population balance and program integrity.
“People need to comply with the conditions of their stay.” – CBSA Spokesperson
