Five things international students need to know about Canada’s 2025-27 immigration levels program

1. Increasing the arrival of international students compared to work permit holders:
   The new immigration program sets the number of new international students at 305,900 in 2025, 2026 and 2027. Meanwhile, the number of temporary workers will decrease in the coming years, so that in 2026 and 2027, a larger share of temporary immigrants will be international students.
2. Increasing the conversion of students and temporary workers to permanent residence in Canada:
   The new program focuses on prioritizing the conversion of temporary residents into permanent residents. This includes students and workers who are already in Canada. By 2025, more than 40% of permanent residents are expected to be people who are already in Canada.
3. Reducing the share of provincial programs (PNPs):
   The number of provincial program admissions has dropped from 120,000 in 2025 to 55,000. This will make the pathway more competitive for students seeking permanent residency through provincial programs.
4. More emphasis on French language skills:
   In line with Canada’s previous policies to increase francophone immigration, the share of francophone immigrants outside of Quebec will increase from 8.5% in 2025 to 10% in 2027.
5. More focus on high demand jobs:
   In 2023, Canada will begin job category-based selections for workforce recruitment in sectors such as health, STEM and transportation. International students who intend to stay permanently should be employed in jobs that match these job categories.

These changes can affect the path of international students for permanent residence, and for greater success, will require more careful planning in choosing a job and strengthening language skills.