Temporary Resident Arrivals Fall Nearly 70% in Canada

Canada recorded a steep drop in new temporary resident arrivals during the first five months of 2026 as federal immigration rules became more restrictive.

New federal data shows Canada admitted about 225,000 fewer temporary residents between January and May 2026 than during the same period in 2024. Overall arrivals fell by nearly 70 per cent.

The federal government says the reduction supports its plan to lower temporary residents to less than five per cent of Canada’s population by the end of 2027. Ottawa has linked the policy shift to pressure on housing, health care, infrastructure and public services.

International Student Arrivals Fall Sharply

International students recorded the largest decline.

Canada set a target of 155,000 new student arrivals for 2026, but only 19,425 arrived between January and May. May accounted for 3,335 arrivals.

That represents an 83 per cent decrease compared with the same period in 2024.

The decline follows several measures introduced over the past two years, including annual study permit caps, stronger checks on letters of acceptance, higher proof-of-funds requirements and lower study permit targets under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.

The government says the measures are intended to improve oversight and ensure schools and communities can support international students.

Temporary Foreign Worker Numbers Also Decline

New temporary foreign worker arrivals also fell significantly.

Canada’s 2026 target is 230,000 worker arrivals. Between January and May, 77,915 workers arrived, including 19,645 in May.

That was 63 per cent lower than during the same period in 2024.

Recent policy changes include lower limits on low-wage hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, higher wage thresholds for some Labour Market Impact Assessment streams, tighter eligibility for spousal open work permits and revised Post-Graduation Work Permit rules.

Ottawa says the changes aim to protect opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent residents while allowing targeted hiring in sectors facing labour shortages.

Large Temporary Population Remains

Despite fewer arrivals, Canada still had a large temporary resident population on May 31, 2026.

Federal figures showed 632,850 study permit holders and 1,561,465 people holding only work permits.

Immigration officials expect those numbers to decline gradually because many current permit holders were approved before the latest restrictions took effect.

More Temporary Residents Gain Permanent Status

Canada is also placing greater emphasis on helping eligible people already in the country become permanent residents.

In 2024, 215,090 former temporary residents gained permanent status, representing 44 per cent of all permanent resident admissions. The number fell to 188,020 in 2025, but their share rose to 48 per cent.

Between January and May 2026, 84,135 former temporary residents became permanent residents, accounting for 57 per cent of admissions during that period.

Many qualified through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs and other economic pathways.

The figures show Canada moving away from high temporary resident volumes toward a more selective system focused on long-term labour needs. Future applicants can expect stronger eligibility checks, increased competition and greater emphasis on skills matching Canada’s economic priorities.