Temporary Foreign Worker Program Arrivals Hit Two-Year Low

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has reached unprecedented lows in recent arrivals, as indicated by the latest government statistics.

On December 16, IRCC released its most recent monthly report, revealing that a mere 3,215 new work permit holders under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program arrived in October 2025.

This figure marks the lowest monthly count since IRCC began compiling data in December 2023. The decline in new arrivals primarily stems from ongoing policy measures taken by the federal government. These include a halt on processing low-wage LMIA applications, increased salary thresholds for applications, and an overall decrease in TFWP levels.

New Low in Temporary Foreign Worker Arrivals

After experiencing a temporary rise earlier in 2025—largely seasonal in nature—arrivals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program have been trending downward since reaching a peak in May 2024.

What Contributed to the Decrease in TFWP Arrivals?

In the past two years, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has faced significant scrutiny . Critics argue the program contributes to wage suppression in an increasingly competitive labor market and heightens pressure on Canadian housing and social resources. In September 2025, Canada's Conservative Party advocated for the termination of the TFWP, attributing rising youth unemployment and a sluggish labor market to the program’s impact.

A series of measures enacted by the federal government as early as July 2024 have significantly curtailed new arrivals under the TFWP. These include: - Restricting applications and renewals for low-wage TFWP work permits in areas with an unemployment rate exceeding 6%. - Raising the wage threshold for the program’s high-wage stream. - Reducing the employer workforce cap. - Narrowing access to spousal open work permits (SOWPs) to partners of TFWP holders working in high-demand occupations.

According to the most recent annual Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government aims for 60,000 new TFWP arrivals in 2026, representing a 27% reduction from the 82,000 target of the previous year's plan.

Declines in Other Work Permit Programs

The downward trend in TFWP arrivals coincides with reduced entries under Canada's other significant work permit initiative, the International Mobility Program (IMP), as well as a fall in the number of international students. October 2025 also marked a two-year low in the arrival of new international students.