Canada rejects record 2.35 million temporary resident applications

Canada is rejecting a record number of applications from foreign workers, students, and tourists. In 2024, immigration officials denied 2.35 million temporary resident applications. This represents 50% of all submissions, a sharp increase from the 1.8 million rejections in 2023. Visitor visas were the most affected, with 54% of applicants turned away, up from 40% the previous year. Student permit rejections also rose significantly to 52%, compared to 38% in 2023. Work permit applications saw a 22% rejection rate, which is slightly better but still high. These rejections reflect Canada's stricter immigration policies. The government is responding to public concerns about rising living costs and housing shortages. To address these issues, Ottawa has cut the number of new permanent residents by 20% for the years 2025 to 2027. The new target for 2025 is 395,000 new arrivals, down from earlier goals. Despite these rejections, some temporary residents are finding ways to extend their stay. Applications for visitor records have nearly doubled, reaching 389,254 in 2024. While most of these applications were approved, processing times are long, taking up to 119 days. This crackdown on immigration comes as Canada faces a broader global decline in student enrollments. The country saw a 46% drop in student visa applications in 2024, falling to 469,000 from 868,000 in 2023. Other countries, like Australia, the UK, and the US, are experiencing similar declines in student interest.