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How Canadian immigration unfolded in 2025: a chronological summary

How Canadian immigration unfolded in 2025: a chronological summaryHow Canadian immigration unfolded in 2025: a chronological summary
Written by
Eddy Ramirez
December 30, 2025

2025 was a year of significant changes in Canadian immigration policy. These changes affected the Latino community starting in January.

In this blog, you will find a chronological summary from January to December 2025 as a review to understand what is coming in 2026. Read with me to the end, and let's analyze how these changes in studies, work, and permanent residence were managed and what their effect will be on applications for next year.

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Chronological summary 2025: immigration adjustments 

Work: alignment with demand and documentation

The temporary work system became more specific, requiring greater alignment of job functions and the submission of complete and orderly documentation.

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Period Migration adjustment Change management
Jan - Apr SOWP restriction. The Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) was limited to spouses of highly skilled workers (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) and master's degree students. Ensure eligibility. Your spouse must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. If you are a student, prioritize a master's degree of 16 months or more.
May Flexibility in Closed Permits. IRCC allowed temporary workers to change employers more quickly, without waiting for final approval of the new permit. Leverage your experience. Use this flexibility to seek a role that enhances your profile for Permanent Residency (PR) without jeopardizing your status.
July - October Targeted recruitment. Provincial draws and pilot programs focused on trades, construction, and specific regions (Manitoba, rural migration). Specialization and provinces. Focus your strategy on trades and evaluate migration to provinces with specific pilot programs where demand is high.
Sep Rejections due to "Main Duties." Rejections of work permits increased due to poorly substantiated job functions. Flawless documentation. Ensure that job functions are aligned with the official NOC description.
Nov - Dec Reduction of temporary residency. The 2026-2028 Levels Plan indicated the intention to reduce the flow of temporary residents. Speed of processing. Prioritize expediting permanent residency and keeping essential documentation up to date.

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Studies: financial solvency and academic alignment

The focus was on student authenticity, financial capacity, and program eligibility.

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Period Migration adjustment Change management
Jan - Jun Increased scrutiny and PGWP codes. Increase in permit denials and adjustments to CIP codes eligible for PGWP. Alignment and verification. Demonstrate the authenticity of your curriculum, maintain the logical thread of previous studies, and verify that your program's CIP code leads to the PGWP.
July - September Increase in federal financial solvency. Higher amounts for the means test came into effect. Financial planning. Adjust your travel and study budget to meet the stipulated requirements.

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Quebec: provincial and language requirements (French)

The adjustments in Quebec showed that the province operates under its own rules, requiring dual preparation (federal and provincial) and closing low-skilled pathways.

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Period Immigration adjustments Change management
May Suspension of CAQ for language studies. The province stopped granting permits for students in private language schools. Focus on higher education. If your goal is immigration, your study plan should focus on a college or university program (DLI) that leads to the PGWP.
Sep - Nov Closure of the PEQ, adjustments to funds and French. The province closed the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for students, increased its own solvency requirements, and suggested a French language requirement for graduation. Double preparation. In addition to federal requirements, adjust your budget to provincial rates. Start studying French at the same time and look for alternative provincial programs for PR.

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Express Entry: the gateway to permanent residence

Express Entry consolidated its role as the primary economic selection tool, consistently prioritizing specific categories.

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Period Immigration priority Action to be taken
Jan - Dec Consolidation of selections by category. Draws consistently prioritized French speakers, health, trades, and education, with lower CRS scores than general rounds.

IRCC introduced a new category exclusively for international doctors already working in Canada. 		Strategy in your profile. Focus your efforts on gaining work experience or studying in one of the priority categories. If you do not qualify, proficiency in French is the fastest and most effective way to receive an ITA.

Estrategia de perfil. Conoce el NOC de tu profesión médica y prepara la documentación necesaria para formar parte de las primeras ITA a partir de 2026.

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Immiland Canada: our commitment to the Latino community

2025 brought us significant changes, showing us that there are always practical solutions that can be implemented. The year 2026 will continue the trend of high selectivity and alignment. Success will lie in the quality of the application and strategic planning.

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At Immiland Canada, we are committed to strengthening our support for Latin American migration by continuously reporting on every change and opportunity through all our communication channels (blogs, social media, newsletters), keeping track of what has happened and what will happen in Canada.

We hope this summary will be very useful to you in successfully planning your immigration process.

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If you would like a profile assessment to determine your best options in this new immigration landscape, click on this link: https://www.immilandcanada.com/servicios 

If you would like a personalized immigration consultation to put together your 2026 travel plan, click here.

Thanks for reading. See you in the next blog.

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada

Note: This article does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion from an attorney. Rather, it is provided solely to inform readers about certain aspects related to the details of the law in legal matters.

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How Canadian immigration unfolded in 2025: a chronological summary
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