Canada’s temporary resident population continued to decline in July 2026, with the number of non permanent residents falling by 154,614 compared with July 2025.
As of July 2026, Canada has about 2.78 million temporary residents, which is 6.7% of the total population of Canada. The largest declines were among study permit holders, which decreased by 141,000, and people holding both work and study permits, which fell by 81,000.
Meanwhile, Canada’s annual number of new permanent residents declined for the fourth consecutive year. In 2025/2026, approximately 368,000 new residents, making it the first time since 2021/2022 that the annual total fell below 400,000.
How Immigration Changes Are Affecting Temporary Residents
A Global News report highlighted the experiences of temporary residents. Sandeep Kaur from Nova Scotia waited 29 months for her provincial nominee application, but then her file was closed following changes to program eligibility. Because her food-sector job is no longer eligible, she may now need to leave Canada, despite building a life and career here.
Employers also feel the impact of this, with one Nova Scotia business owner saying that two employees were lost after their work permits expired, despite having worked and contributed to the business and economy.
The changes are part of an effort to create a more sustainable immigration system and address the pressures on housing, healthcare, education, and public services. As Canada works to reduce the temporary population, including international students, it remains focused on attracting top talent through the International Student Program to meet economic and social goals.
Temporary Residence Processing Times Are Changing
Wait times for certain temporary residence applications have also increased. Work permits from the United States increased to an estimated three weeks, up from two weeks. Study permit processing times increased by one week for applications made from Canada and Nigeria.
For prospective students, workers, and other temporary residents, changing immigration levels and processing times highlight the importance of planning ahead and staying informed of immigration requirements and processing timelines.
Max Chaudhary
With over 30 years of experience, Moin (Max) Chaudhary is the founder and principal of Chaudhary Law Office — a distinguished Barrister & Solicitor holding a B.A. and J.D. A proud Toronto, Ontario native, he has built a strong and trusted reputation in the field of immigration law. A prolific author and sought-after lecturer, Max is regularly retained by the media, fellow immigration lawyers, and consultants alike for his insight on complex immigration matters, appeals, and Federal Court cases. He has served on the Executive of the Ontario Bar Association and served at Chair from 2025 to 2026.
