Canada immigrants may need to fasten their seatbelts in 2025 especially those whose permits will expire by then.

Nearly five million temporary permits in Canada are set to expire by the end of 2025, raising significant concerns about the future of visa holders in the country.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller addressed these concerns earlier this week during his testimony before the Commons immigration committee.

The permits in question include those for temporary foreign workers, students, and asylum claimants engaged in employment.

Conservative MP Tom Kmiec raised concerns about the government’s preparedness to manage the expiring permits, questioning how Canada would ensure that the 4.9 million visa holders leave the country if required.

In response, Minister Miller emphasized that the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is actively enforcing immigration laws and that most individuals are expected to leave voluntarily.

In addition, he addressed the issue of 766,000 study permits expiring by December 2025, stating that many students would either renew their permits or apply for post-graduate work permits to extend their stay.

Additionally, key statistics from Statistics Canada reveal that work permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP) are significant components of the temporary foreign workforce. In 2021, 87% of TFW permit holders and 69% of IMP permit holders for work purposes were employed.

Also Read: Japa: Canada Announces New Immigration Targets For The Next Three Years

Temporary residents, particularly international students, make up a considerable portion of the workforce in Canada.

However, their growing numbers have raised concerns about the strain on infrastructure and social services.

How Lucrative Is Rice Business In Nigeria?