Abramovich Immigration Law presents a comprehensive news review of the latest immigration developments for the last week of August, highlighting significant policy changes and announcements in Canadian immigration procedures. Follow our social media channels to stay informed about immigration-related news, expert insights, and important deadline reminders.

IRCC’s 2025 Express Entry plan: French focus and targeted draws transform immigration

Newly released Access to Information (ATIP) documents shed light on how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to manage Invitations to Apply (ITAs) throughout the remainder of 2025. The records indicate a significant emphasis on category-based draws to strike a balance between short-term immigration objectives and the longer-term goals outlined in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. Education, Healthcare, and social services, as well as Trades, are the three categories with clearly defined ITA allocations this year. So far, 1,000 ITAs have been allocated to Education candidates, leaving around 2,000 still to be issued. Healthcare applicants have already received the majority of their share—7,500 of 8,000—while the Trades stream has yet to begin, with all 3,300 invitations still available. The notes also highlight Ottawa’s push for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, citing 21000 ITAs issued in French-language draws this year, all contributing to the broader target of increasing Francophone representation.

The implications of these figures suggest that the second half of 2025 will be particularly active for candidates in the Trades and Education categories, where significant numbers of invitations remain unissued. For Healthcare applicants, opportunities are almost exhausted, indicating minimal rounds left this year. The government’s commitment to Francophone recruitment signals a continued priority for French-speaking applicants, which could shape admissions for 2026. Provinces and territories will also benefit from IRCC’s new rolling ITA calendar, which provides advance notice of draw types, timelines, and projected cut-off scores, allowing them to better align their nomination programs. For prospective applicants, especially those in Trades, the coming months represent a critical window to ensure profiles are up to date and documentation is complete, as IRCC accelerates its draw schedule to meet both annual and future immigration targets.

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program: High refusals and long processing times

Processing delays and rising refusal rates have pushed Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) program into a critical state. Current wait times have stretched to an unprecedented 52 months, while rejection levels have surged, 85% for applicants backed by angel investors and 73% for those linked to business incubators as of early 2025. With a backlog of 17,919 pending files, the pathway originally created to draw innovative entrepreneurs has become difficult to access. Experts caution that unless improvements are made, Canada risks losing top global talent to more competitive immigration markets.

Immigration officials maintain that eligibility requirements have not changed, attributing increased refusals to applicants not meeting program criteria rather than inventory reduction efforts. The Federal Government has simultaneously reduced annual permanent resident allocations for business immigration from 5,000 in 2024 to just 1,000 by 2027. Experts are now advocating for a merit-based ranking system and the revival of investor programs to better serve genuine entrepreneurs while maintaining program integrity.

Refugee protection claims surge to record high in July 2025: Immigration appeals on the rise

A sharp rise in asylum applications has pushed protection claims to 11,163 in July 2025, marking a 36.7% increase over June. Despite finalizing 7,464 cases, the backlog expanded further to nearly 292,000 pending claims, with more than 66,000 new applications submitted in the first seven months of the year.

Meanwhile, immigration appeals have escalated dramatically, with July recording 531 new cases—a 36.2% jump from June. Despite efforts to finalize 346 cases, the number of non-stayed pending appeals has increased to 2,158. The refugee appeals system similarly struggles, with 1,080 new appeals filed in July and a pending caseload of 3,786. These statistics highlight the growing strain on Canada’s immigration infrastructure amid global migration pressures.

Canadian study permit crisis: Approval rates drop to 48% as applications plunge 50% in 2025

Immigration officials in Canada have tightened study permit evaluations, with approval rates dropping to 48% in 2024 from a previous average of 60%, resulting in nearly 290,000 rejections. The primary concerns cited were doubts about applicants’ intentions to leave Canada after graduation (75% of refusals) and insufficient financial resources, following the increase in proof-of-funds requirements from $10,000 to $20,635. This scrutiny has led to a dramatic 50% decline in applications during the first half of 2025, with only 143,485 applications processed, compared to 290,635 in the same period last year.

Falling application numbers combined with consistently low approval rates indicate that Canada may fall short of its 2025 international student enrollment goals. Approval outcomes also differ widely depending on both institution type and country of origin. Universities report higher success rates, ranging from 45% to 59%, while colleges experience significantly lower levels, at 23% to 33%. Applicants from China continue to receive approval rates of 65% or higher, whereas those from India are experiencing rising rejection rates. Since July 2025, new transparency rules have required certain refusal letters to include detailed notes from immigration officers, offering applicants clearer insight into the grounds for denial and guidance for future submissions.

Record immigration numbers raise concerns as government exceeds caps in key categories

Recent immigration data reveals the Canadian Government has significantly surpassed its self-imposed caps in multiple categories during Q2. Temporary foreign worker permits have reached 105,000, surpassing the promised 82,000 cap, while the International Mobility Program has already admitted 302,000 individuals in just six months, exceeding its annual target of 285,000. This occurs amid Canada’s lowest youth employment rate since 1998, raising questions about policy priorities.

Concerns extend to Canada’s asylum system, which faces unprecedented pressure with a 2,920% increase in backlog since 2015. Asylum seekers now experience waiting periods exceeding four years for hearings. Critics argue these mounting numbers will further strain housing availability, healthcare accessibility, and employment opportunities for residents. Opposition leaders are calling for policy revisions to create what they describe as a more balanced approach to immigration.

Provincial nominees shift towards high-skilled tech jobs, study reveals

According to a recent Statistics Canada analysis, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) immigrants are playing a growing role in high-skilled sectors, particularly in the technology sector. Data from the 2021 Census indicate that provincial nominees were three times more likely than Canadian-born workers to be employed as computer and information systems professionals, with 15% of principal applicants working in tech compared to just 2.4% of Canadian-born employees.

Regional differences remain significant across provinces, with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia focusing on professional occupations, while Prairie provinces recruit more nominees for lower-skilled positions. The study found minimal occupational mobility among immigrants over time. Still, it noted a substantial shift across cohorts, with recent nominees holding significantly more high-skilled positions than their counterparts a decade earlier. This aligns with broader labour market trends showing accelerated growth in professional occupations across Canada’s economy.

Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program under scrutiny: Balancing economic needs with worker rights

Critics are increasingly drawing comparisons between the labour systems of Gulf nations and Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Although Canada’s program has stronger legal protections, it has grown far beyond a seasonal fix, becoming a permanent fixture in many industries. This shift has created a significant power imbalance. Because workers are tied to a single employer through closed work permits, many are at risk of exploitation and have few avenues for help. Research has uncovered disturbing issues—from dangerous workplaces and controlling employers to substandard housing—highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.

Industry representatives maintain that the TFWP is essential for economic stability, particularly in sectors like agriculture, where labour shortages could result in billions of dollars in losses. While employers must follow strict regulations, with 94% passing compliance reviews, experts disagree on solutions. Some advocate for open work permits, allowing workers to move between employers, while others warn that this could destabilize businesses that invest heavily in recruitment. The deeper challenge remains shifting cultural attitudes that devalue certain types of work and the people who perform it — a necessary transformation to create a program that both supports economic needs and respects human dignity.

Abramovich Immigration Law provides comprehensive immigration solutions for individuals and families seeking to relocate to Canada. We offer personalized guidance through various pathways, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, and business immigration. Contact us today or visit our website to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward your new life in Canada.