Canada's Immigration Squeeze Leaves Nearly 2.9 Million Temporary Residents Facing Uncertain Future

Canada is facing a growing immigration challenge this year as the number of temporary residents—including foreign workers, international students, and other temporary visa holders—far exceeds the country's permanent residency targets, leaving the future of nearly 2.9 million people uncertain.

The affected population includes thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates living and working in Canada.

The Canadian government has set a target of admitting 380,000 new permanent residents this year. As a result, more than one million temporary residents may be left without a viable pathway to remain in the country legally once their current permits expire.

Among those expected to be most affected are holders of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and their family members. Many of them have spent years contributing to Canada's economy by working in sectors such as healthcare, construction, and food services.

Temporary residents account for nearly half of Canada's foreign resident population, including a significant number from South Asia. Bangladeshi students and workers are also among those facing uncertainty under the current immigration framework.

Meanwhile, a temporary policy allowing eligible work permit holders to study without obtaining a separate study permit is set to expire on June 27, 2026. Many temporary residents are already concerned about the approaching expiry of their work permits and the limited options available for extending their legal status.

Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has introduced a series of measures aimed at strengthening Canada's economy and reshaping its immigration system. However, the future of many temporary residents is expected to depend on the country's evolving economic conditions and political decisions.

Immigration analysts say the tightening of permanent residency pathways reflects a deliberate government policy intended to reduce the number of temporary residents and encourage many of them to leave Canada once their permits expire.