Canada’s immigration system underwent major reforms in 2025, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shifted toward a more targeted, integrity-focused approach to permanent residence and temporary pathways.
From sweeping Express Entry reforms to tighter rules for international students, workers, and families, these changes reshaped who qualifies and how.
Below is a clear breakdown of the 10 most significant Canadian immigration policy changes of 2025 and who they impact.
1. Bill C-3 Comes Into Force: Citizenship by Descent Expanded
Who this impacts: “Lost Canadians” affected by the former first-generation limit (FGL).
On December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 officially amended the Citizenship Act, restoring citizenship eligibility to thousands of individuals previously excluded due to the first-generation limit.
Children born or adopted abroad on or after December 15, 2025 must now meet a “substantial connection” requirement, meaning the Canadian parent must have lived in Canada for at least three years before the child’s birth or adoption.
2. CRS Points Removed for Arranged Employment
Who this impacts: All Express Entry candidates.
Effective March 25, 2025, IRCC eliminated CRS points for LMIA-supported job offers. Previously, candidates could gain 50–200 additional points, significantly boosting their chances of receiving an ITA.
This change leveled the playing field and aimed to reduce fraud tied to job offers.
3. Express Entry Category-Based Selection Overhauled
Who this impacts: Express Entry candidates in priority occupations.
In February 2025, IRCC:
- Added Education as a new category
- Removed Transport
- Expanded Healthcare into Healthcare and Social Services
- Reworked occupation lists across all categories
Later, in December 2025, IRCC announced a new Express Entry category for physicians with Canadian experience, with draws expected in early 2026.
4. New Restrictions on Family Open Work Permits
Who this impacts: International students and foreign workers with spouses.
As of January 21, 2025, family open work permits were restricted to:
- Spouses of master’s (16+ months), doctoral, and select professional program students
- Spouses of workers in TEER 0, 1, and select TEER 2–3 occupations (healthcare, trades, natural resources)
5. PGWP Field-of-Study Rules Reworked
Who this impacts: International students in non-exempt programs.
IRCC updated the PGWP-eligible field list in June 2025, temporarily removed programs, then reinstated them in July 2025, confirming eligibility will remain until the next update in early 2026.
There are now 1,107 eligible programs.
Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees remain exempt.
6. New Rules for International Students Changing Schools
Who this impacts: Post-secondary international students.
Since November 8, 2024, students must be enrolled at the DLI named on their study permit. Changing schools now requires a new study permit, not just notification.
With processing times exceeding 100 days, this has major planning implications.
7. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Allocations Cut—Then Partially Restored
Who this impacts: PNP applicants.
In January 2025, IRCC cut PNP nomination allocations, forcing provinces to pause or narrow streams. Throughout the year, most provinces renegotiated increases.
By year-end:
- Alberta & Manitoba reached 65% of 2024 levels
- Yukon reached 94%
- Northwest Territories restored 100%
8. Upfront Medical Exams Required for Express Entry
Who this impacts: Express Entry PR applicants.
As of August 21, 2025, most Express Entry applicants must complete an Immigration Medical Exam (IME) upfront before submitting their PR application.
Certain in-Canada applicants with a valid IME from the past five years may be exempt.
9. Maintained Status Rules Tightened
Who this impacts: Temporary residents filing multiple extensions.
Under new 2025 rules, if a person applies for a second extension while on maintained status and the first application is refused, the second application will not extend legal stay and will also be refused.
This closes a loophole that previously allowed extended stays.
10. Policy Allowing Closed Work Permit Holders to Change Employers Extended
Who this impacts: Workers on employer-specific work permits.
IRCC extended its public policy allowing eligible closed-permit holders to start working for a new employer within 10 days, while their new permit is processing.
This replaces the earlier COVID-era policy and remains crucial given 210-day processing times.