Canada immigration policy tightening

In late July 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued new guidance that tightened study‑permit conditions. The updated rules set the permit to expire on the earlier of the printed date or 90 days after a program’s official completion, clarified transfer requirements between Designated Learning Institutions, limited authorized leave to 150 days (with work prohibited during leave), and ended a temporary policy that had allowed certain foreign workers to study without a separate permit. At the same time, IRCC heightened scrutiny of financial documentation, demanding stable, well‑documented funds and treating atypical cash deposits as red flags.

A few days later, IRCC announced stricter eligibility for the C20 reciprocal employment work‑permit exemption. Applicants must now be "currently employed by the company abroad" to qualify, removing the ability for new hires whose employment would start after arrival to use the exemption. The change preserves the pathway for multinational firms that can demonstrate a global network offering comparable opportunities for Canadians, but firms that no longer meet the criteria will need to apply through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment. Together, these measures reflect a broader move by Canada to tighten immigration controls for both international students and foreign workers.