Arrivals under TFWP fall to the lowest level in two years, i.e., monthly arrivals under Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) have dropped to their lowest level in almost two years, based on the latest data released by the federal government.

Only 2,615 new foreign workers were admitted through the TFWP in November 2025. This is the most recent month for which data is available.

This figure is the lowest monthly total shown on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) temporary resident data page, which tracks monthly admissions starting from December 2023. The data was last updated on January 20, 2026.

The drop in temporary foreign worker arrivals matches the federal government’s changes to its immigration targets. In the latest Immigration Levels Plan, the government reduced the 2026 target for TFWP admissions to 60,000. This change cuts the earlier target of 82,000 by 27% for the same year.

A major reason for the lower number of arrivals is the government’s pause on processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the low-wage stream of the TFWP.

To apply for or renew a work permit under the TFWP, a foreign worker should include a positive/ neutral LMIA from their employer. This document, issued by ESDC, i.e., Employment & Social Development Canada, confirms that hiring a foreign worker will not harm job opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Since September 2024, the federal government has stopped processing LMIA applications under the low-wage stream in regions with a 6% or higher unemployment rate.

The government updates the list of regions with unemployment above 6% every three months.

The updated list, released on January 8, 2026, includes over 24 regions where the moratorium is in place. These regions include major cities such as Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa.

At the same time, the latest update removed seven major cities from the list. These include Vancouver, Halifax, and Winnipeg.

Although the TFWP issues fewer work permits than Canada’s other work permit system, i.e., the International Mobility Program (IMP), the TFWP remains Canada’s main employer-driven work permit program. It allows employers to hire skilled foreign workers for almost any occupation and from any country, as long as the worker meets Canada’s general entry rules and the employer has a positive/ neutral LMIA.

In contrast, the International Mobility Program has more limited rules. IMP work permits are available only in specific situations, such as for international graduates, spouses of skilled workers, or senior employees transferred to Canadian offices of multinational companies.

The cuts to the TFWP come after several years of criticism of the program. Moreover, some political groups, including the Conservative Party of Canada, called for the program to end entirely in September of the previous year.

In the same month, Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the government was planning further changes to the TFWP. The goal, according to his statement, is to create “a focused approach that targets specific, strategic sectors, and needs in specific regions.”

As of now, the government has not shared any details about these upcoming changes.

The reduction in TFWP admissions is part of a larger effort by the federal government to reduce the number of temporary residents (TRs) in Canada overall. The government aims to lower the temporary resident population to less than 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.

This broader plan also affects international students. In the latest Immigration Levels Plan, the government set the 2026 target for international student admissions at 155,000. This is a significant decrease from the previous target of 305,900 for 2026.

Together, these changes show a clear shift in Canada’s immigration policy toward fewer temporary residents and a more controlled approach to work permits and study permits.

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