Changes ‘could positively impact the Canadian economy broadly, and businesses seeking skilled workers, by establishing a more diverse pool of international talent to fill a variety of labour market needs’
Ottawa is moving to streamline Canada’s core immigration pathways in a series of regulatory changes that will affect how employers recruit, retain and manage foreign talent.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says it intends to simplify and modernise the framework for high‑skilled immigration and related work and study permissions. The department argues that “streamlined requirements would also ensure that the system is easier for clients, employers and partners to understand and navigate,” a shift that would directly influence how HR teams plan workforce strategies and guide candidates through immigration processes.
Because these reforms touch the full talent pipeline—from student co‑ops and apprentices to permanent residents and temporary foreign workers—HR leaders will need to monitor the regulatory process and prepare to adjust internal policies, recruitment practices and compliance protocols as details emerge.
New high‑skilled immigration class
IRCC is proposing amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to “introduce a new federal high skilled immigration class with streamlined eligibility requirements, and repeal the existing Federal Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Class.” Since 2015, the criteria for those three classes “have become the minimum requirements for candidates to qualify under the Express Entry pool and be considered for an invitation to apply for permanent residence.”
The department says the proposed changes “could positively impact the Canadian economy broadly, and businesses seeking skilled workers, by establishing a more diverse pool of international talent to fill a variety of labour market needs.”
IRCC plans to consult “partners, stakeholders, and the public in Spring 2026,” with more information to be posted on its public consultations and engagement webpage.
Study and work authorisations to be simplified
In a separate initiative, IRCC is proposing amendments “to streamline study and work authorisations for foreign nationals in Canada,” focusing on international students and foreign apprentices.
“The amendment would remove the co-op work permit requirement for international students, and remove the study permit requirement for foreign apprentices that meet certain conditions,” the department says. “This change would reduce administrative burden and operational inefficiency of requiring foreign nationals to obtain a study and work permit to complete one educational program.”
IRCC also plans to extend certain work‑without‑permit permissions. Under the proposal, “existing authorisations to work without a work permit would be extended to international students that are waiting for a decision on their study permit extension application, and international graduates waiting for a decision on their post-graduation work permit application.”
The department notes that “other related housekeeping amendments would also be made to standardise international students work authorisation during scheduled academic breaks, and to clarify study permit and designated learning institution requirements.” IRCC says potential impacts for designated learning institutions include “introducing new reporting requirements on international students enrolled in work integrated learning, [and] supporting their ability attract top talent, by reducing barriers for international students to fully participate in all elements of their study program.”
Recently, the federal government introduced a temporary immigration measure aimed at helping Quebec employers retain skilled temporary foreign workers who are already on a pathway to permanent residence. It also extended temporary special immigration measures for certain Iranian nationals already working in the country. IRCC said the measures, first introduced in February 2023 in response to instability in Iran, will now run until March 31, 2027, but apply only to eligible Iranian work permit holders in Canada.
IMP inspections to move from IRCC to ESDC
A third set of planned amendments would shift employer compliance inspections under the International Mobility Program (IMP) from IRCC to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Budget 2025 directed that transfer.
Currently, IRCC and ESDC conduct employer compliance inspections under the IMP and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, respectively.
“Both departments use similar tools, processes, and authorities, which has resulted in a duplication of effort, oversight, and internal service demands,” IRCC says. “The aim of this transfer will be to simplify the compliance landscape for employers, while supporting more coherent federal oversight under a single department and ensuring worker protection.”
According to IRCC, “the proposed regulatory change is expected to have minimal impact on employers and temporary foreign workers using the IMP.” The department adds that the transfer “is anticipated to reduce administrative burden and improve clarity on compliance expectations” and that the changes “are unlikely to increase employer obligations under the IMP and will not adversely impact temporary foreign workers.”
The public “may have the opportunity to comment” through pre‑publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, according to IRCC, giving HR departments using the IMP and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program a chance to respond to the proposed model.
The federal government has made numerous changes to its immigration policies in the past couple of years. But not all stakeholders are happy about the changes. Recent federal immigration policy changes are expected to intensify chronic labour shortages in Canada’s restaurant sector, with more than half of operators anticipating a negative impact on their businesses, according to Restaurants Canada.
