New Study Permit Caps, Immigration Pilots, Super Visa Requirement Changes and Other Canada Updates

Study Permit Caps Announced

IRCC announced the yearly cap for study permits to be issued in Canada for 2025.

Around 437,000 study permits will be issued this year, which represents a 10% decrease from the previous year’s cap.

This is the second year in which IRCC will officially cap the number of study permits issued, after the restriction was brought in last year as part of the government’s new plans to reduce immigration levels.

Canada saw approximately 40% fewer students being admitted to study courses in 2024 as a result of the new restrictions. According to the government, this cap has helped to “ease strain” on housing, healthcare and other services, particularly in areas with high student populations.

The estimated distribution of study permits across different cohorts in 2025 is as follows:

• 73,282 permits for graduate degree students
• 72,200 permits for kindergarten to grade 12 applicants
• 48,524 permits for other applicants exempt from the provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) requirement
• 242,994 permits for other applicants who require PAL/TALs.

PAL/TALs are required for most study permit applicants, with the exception of kindergarten to grade 12 students, certain government priority groups and vulnerable cohorts, and existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and at the same level of study.

Rural and Francophone Immigration Pilots Launched; Participating Communities Announced

The Canadian government have officially launched two new immigration pilots aimed to fill labour shortages in small rural and Francophone communities throughout the country.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) will accept international applicants to help fill job roles in specific participating communities while also granting permanent residency status to applicants.

The RCIP is aimed at those wishing to live and work in certain rural communities, while the FCIP is specifically for French-speaking applicants looking to move to small Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

The communities taking part in the RCIP are as follows:

• Pictou County, NS
• North Bay, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Thunder Bay, ON
• Steinbach, MB
• Altona/Rhineland, MB
• Brandon, MB
• Moose Jaw, SK
• Claresholm, AB
• West Kootenay, BC
• North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
• Peace Liard, BC

Meanwhile, the participating communities for the FCIP are as follows:

• Acadian Peninsula, NB
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Superior East Region, ON
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB
• Kelowna, BC

Applicants for each programme will have to meet a variety of eligibility criteria, including having a valid job offer from a business in a participating community, having relevant work experience, meeting minimum English/French language requirements and having enough funds to support themselves for their move.

Changes to Super Visa Health Insurance Requirements

IRCC have implemented a change to the health insurance requirement for super visa applicants.

Effective immediately, super visa applicants can now apply with private health insurance coverage purchased from non-Canadian suppliers.

Previously, only Canadian health insurance providers were eligible for the requirement when applying for this visa.

In order to be eligible, the health insurance providers in question must:

• Be issued by a foreign insurance company authorised by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance
• Appear on OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions
• Be issued under the company’s insurance business in Canada

Super visa holders are required to have valid private health insurance for the entirety of their stay in Canada, which can be up to 5 years per visit. Health insurance policies may have to be renewed if they are set to expire during a visa holder’s stay.

IRCC have stated that this change will make it easier for families to reunite in Canada using a super visa while also ensuring that eligible parents and grandparents continue to have adequate health insurance coverage during their stay.

New Financial Assistance Available for Palestinians Arriving in Canada

New measures have been announced to help assist Palestinians arriving in Canada.

These will be in the form of direct, one-off payments to Palestinians to help them meet basic needs such as food, clothing and housing.

Adults can receive CAN$3,000, while children under 17 can receive CAN$1,500.

Applications for this financial assistance programme will be processed in stages, starting with individuals who arrived in Canada before 31 March 2025. For this reason, individuals are encouraged to apply for assistance as soon as possible after arrival.

As payment are only made via bank transfer, individuals must have a bank account with a Canadian financial institution to be eligible. In turn, a temporary resident status document must be acquired in order to open a Canadian bank account.

In addition to this new plan, the Canadian government will also refund temporary resident visa (TRV) applications fees and biometrics fees to people applying for the Gaza special measures programme for extended family in Gaza.

Individuals who are eligible to receive financial assistance through this new plan will be contacted by email, which will also contain further information on the eligibility criteria and how to apply.

How Can IAS Help With Your Canadian Immigration Application?

IAS have a team of immigration consultants and caseworkers experienced in the field of Canadian immigration.

Our CICC-qualified immigration consultants can help you with numerous facets of Canadian immigration, including skilled worker, family, student or provincial-based immigration.

We can also give close guidance and support on Express Entry and the CRS, helping you to maximise your chances of being accepted for one of Canada’s prestigious immigration programmes.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help on your situation today. Call us on +1 844 290 6312 or reach out to us online.