The Future of Canadian Immigration: New Programs and what can be learned from 2025

Immigration to Canada and the growth of Canada’s total population have been frequently discussed in the media in recent years. These discussions, along with a shift in Canadian Government policies, led to a substantial transformation throughout Canada’s immigration sector in 2025.

Throughout 2025, the Canadian Government continued with its plan to replace temporary immigration to Canada with permanent immigration. Specifically, plans to be more selective with immigration continued through targeted Express Entry draws and the creation of new programs and initiatives aimed at attracting talented individuals for immigration to Canada. These plans, along with the overall direction of immigration in Canada, are expected to continue into 2026.

Efforts to Reduce the Levels of Temporary Immigrants Successful

Part of the goals of the last few Immigration Levels Plans and other Canadian Government initiatives have involved restricting the number of temporary residents in Canada to 5 per cent of the population. To this end, Canada instituted the first-ever study permit caps in Canadian history, along with other policy decisions designed to reduce the levels of non-permanent residents in Canada.

Throughout 2025, these efforts have continued and were largely successful from a policy goal standpoint. According to Statistics Canada, the Canadian population declined slightly in the third quarter of 2025. It was noted that Canada’s population decreased by over 76,000 people. This represents a 0.2% drop in Canada’s population.

Population Decline Specifics

Statistics Canada noted this drop in population was mainly due to a decline in levels of non-permanent residents in Canada, as over 176,000 non-permanent residents left Canada from July 1 to October 1, 2025. Although the number of non-permanent residents declined in quarters one and two, quarter three was the first quarter in which Canada’s population saw an overall decline.

It was further found that study permit holders departing were the primary cause of the drop in population. The population reduction was primarily spread across Canada, as almost every province and territory experienced a decline in residents. However, Ontario and British Columbia experienced the most significant population declines among all the provinces and territories.

Despite the non-permanent population declining, Statistics Canada noted that over 100,000 immigrants were welcomed in the third quarter of 2024, which offset some of the population loss. Additionally, these numbers are broadly consistent with those outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Although Canada’s total population dropped, this does not mean that immigration to Canada has halted. Instead, it has taken a different form, as the focus on permanent resident immigration will likely continue into 2026 and beyond.

Immigration Measures Targeting Doctors to be Implemented

On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that new targeted immigration measures to boost Canada’s supply of doctors will be issued in 2026. The announcement from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada was made in conjunction with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, indicating that these measures were considered jointly by both departments.

The announcement detailed that a new Express Entry category for international doctors will be introduced in 2026, and the first invitations to apply under this new category are expected to be issued in early 2026. However, a specific date confirming when the first invitations to apply will be issued was not provided as part of the announcement. To be eligible for this new Express Entry category, doctors working in Canada must have at least one year of Canadian work experience gained within the last three years. The category will apply to doctors who are already working in Canada on a temporary basis.

As part of the creation of the new Express Entry category, the Government of Canada has reserved 5,000 federal admission spaces for the Provinces and territories to nominate doctors with job offers. The announcement stressed that these 5,000 admission spaces will be issued in addition to the Provincial Nominee Program annual allotments.

After the program opens, nominated doctors will receive an additional benefit, as they will have their 14-day work permit processing expedited. This expedited processing will enable doctors to continue working while they await permanent residence. There are three different National Occupation Classifications (NOCs) that doctors can apply for under Express Entry as part of this program. The Classifications are: General practitioners and family physicians (NOC: 31102); Specialists in surgery (NOC: 31101); and Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine (NOC: 31100).

The Government of Canada’s goals with this program are transparent, as a need for additional doctors has been identified. This is largely in line with recent immigration trends and regulatory changes that have resulted in category-based selection as part of Express Entry. Category-based entry enables the Canadian Government to meet specific economic goals, and healthcare was one of the first occupations added as a category. The new Express Entry category for physicians with Canadian work experience will help to alleviate doctor shortages in Canada and provide more of Canada’s population with access to healthcare.

Start-up Visa Program Shelved

On December 19, 2025, it was announced that the Start-up Visa Program would cease accepting new applicants after December 31, 2025. The Program targeted immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada. Successful applicants to the Program would receive work permits. Individuals who could apply as part of this Program were those who had a qualifying business, a letter of support from a designated organization, met the language requirements, and had sufficient funds to settle in Canada.

Despite the closure of the Program, an exception has been made for applicants who have already received a valid commitment from a designated organization in 2025 but have not yet applied as part of the Program. Potential applicants in this situation are permitted to use the Program until June 30, 2026. There is a further exception for those already in Canada who apply to extend their current Start-up Visa work permit, as they will be allowed to apply for extensions.

Future of Entrepreneur Visas

The announcement regarding the cancellation of the Start-up Visa Program included a look at how Canadian immigration will treat immigrant entrepreneurs in the future. As part of the broader goal of reducing Canada’s temporary resident population, individuals in Canada on Start-up Visa Program work permits will be prioritized for transition to permanent residence. However, it was not specified how they would be prioritized.

Furthermore, the announcement indicated that a new, targeted pilot program will be unveiled in 2026, tailored specifically for entrepreneurs, while acknowledging the large number of applications in Canada’s business programs. The information about the potential new pilot program in the announcement was sparse, so those who may have applied under the Start-up Visa Program and are interested in the new pilot will have to wait for more information to be revealed sometime in 2026 to apply.

Garson Immigration: Experienced Immigration Lawyers Helping You Navigate Canada’s New Immigration

The Canadian immigration landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, prioritizing permanent residency and specialized healthcare professionals while phasing out older programs such as the Start-up Visa. Navigating these rapid policy changes requires a strategic and informed approach to ensure your application remains viable. At Garson Immigration Law, we are exclusively dedicated to the practice of immigration law, providing reliable advice on the Canadian immigration process. Our experienced immigration lawyers work to find practical solutions for our clients in all kinds of immigration matters, including citizenship, inadmissibility, and US immigration. If you have any questions about an immigration application or how these 2026 updates affect your status, do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 416-321-2860.