Foreign-born population – 2021 | 22% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
8.4 million, 48% women | Evolution since 2014: +17% | China (11%), India (11%), Philippines (9%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Canada received 484 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 2.5% more than in 2023. This figure comprises 30% labour migrants, 50% family members (including accompanying family) and 16% humanitarian migrants. Around 213 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 221 300 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants.
India, China and the Philippines were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, India registered the strongest increase (22 000) and Nigeria the largest decrease (‑4 700) in flows to Canada compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 19%, to reach around 174 000. The majority of applicants came from India (33 000), Bangladesh (16 000) and Nigeria (13 000). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of India (21 000) and the largest decrease nationals of Mexico (‑15 000). Of the 89 000 decisions taken in 2024, 55% were positive.
Emigration of Canadian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑3% in 2023, to 39 000. Approximately 48% of this group migrated to the United States, 8% to Mexico and 7% to the United Kingdom.
Canada’s 2025‑2027 Immigration Levels Plan set decreasing permanent resident admissions at 395 000 in 2025, 380 000 in 2026 and 365 000 in 2027. Targets for temporary residents were included in the Plan for the first time, with the aim of reducing their share to below 5% of Canada’s population by 2027.
In response to various international crises and situations, Canada introduced family-based humanitarian pathways for affected foreign nationals who have close or extended family in Canada to find safe haven and build their lives in Canada with support from their family. Pathways have been created in response to humanitarian situations in Ukraine, the Americas, Sudan and Gaza.
In 2024, Canada continued to support human rights defenders facing persecution through a dedicated refugee resettlement stream. Canada collaborated with the United Nations Refugee Agency and human rights defender protection organisations to resettle over 400 human rights defenders.
In March 2024, to support talent attraction, the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility Programme was introduced to provide selected Global Hypergrowth Project companies with an exemption from the labor market impact assessment and make it easier to bring talent.
Canada implemented several reforms to the International Students Programme in 2024 to better equip international students for life in Canada and to address evolving economic and social priorities. These measures include enhanced volume controls through: an intake cap on most study permit applications; the realignment of the Post-Graduation Work Permit to better support national labor market needs; and, the strengthening of programme integrity through initiatives such as the introduction of a letter of acceptance verification system and new regulatory authorities enabling Canada to take action against non-compliant institutions. These reforms are designed to reduce fraud and abuse within the programme and to ensure its long-term sustainability.
In 2024, regulatory amendments came into force that provide the government of Canada’s International Experience Canada programme with enhanced abilities to negotiate symmetrical bilateral youth mobility agreements and arrangements. As a result, this supports reciprocal opportunities between Canada and its partner countries and territories.
In January 2025, the minister launched the Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots to provide pathways to permanent residence for newcomers who can help overcome critical labor job shortages in key sectors and wish to stay in select rural communities. These pilots build on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.
Canada remains committed to Francophone immigration. In 2024, Canada exceeded its 6% target by reaching 7.21% of admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec. Canada’s 2025‑2027 Immigration Levels Plan includes a fixed target of 8.5% in 2025, along with notional targets of 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027. Canada also launched the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot programme, where participants will benefit from a direct pathway to permanent status after obtaining their diploma, and access to settlement services while they’re studying.
Canada launched the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots in March 2025, which provide direct pathways to permanent residence for home care workers who support Canada’s seniors, children and people living with disabilities.
For more information: www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html.
