Closed Permanent Residence Pathways in 2025 and Top Alternatives

In 2025, Canada’s permanent residence landscape underwent major changes as several immigration programs, pilot initiatives, and Provincial Nominee Program streams were closed or suspended. These decisions, announced by federal and provincial authorities throughout the year, affected skilled workers, international graduates, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and refugees seeking permanent residence.

Despite these closures, multiple alternative pathways remain available for foreign nationals seeking Canadian permanent residence, whether through existing programs or newly emerging routes.

Understanding Permanent Residence Pathway Closures In 2025

Throughout 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and several provinces adjusted immigration intake to address application backlogs, fraud concerns, and allocation limits.

As a result, numerous permanent residence pathways were either terminated or paused indefinitely, forcing many applicants to reassess their immigration strategies.

These closures were not limited to one region or category but spanned provincial programs, Quebec-specific pathways, federal pilots, and business immigration routes.

Provincial Nominee Program Streams Closed Or Suspended

Several provinces made significant changes to their nominee programs in 2025. Ontario closed its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream on November 14, 2025, citing concerns related to systemic misrepresentation and fraud. All pending applications were returned, and no new submissions were accepted.

Saskatchewan stopped accepting applications on March 27, 2025, for its Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner or Operator streams, with no reopening plans announced.

New Brunswick discontinued its Express Entry stream tied to the NB Student Connection Pathway in early February 2025. In March, the province also halted new expressions of interest for the Skilled Worker Priority Occupations pathway.

British Columbia terminated its International Post-Graduate Stream on January 7, 2025. Although three replacement student streams were announced, these were suspended indefinitely on April 14 due to allocation constraints.

The Yukon Community Program pilot concluded on June 30, 2025, as scheduled, ending a five-year initiative that provided open work permits leading to permanent residence.

Best Alternatives To Provincial Nominee Closures

1. Express Entry

Candidates eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program can still enter the Express Entry pool. Category-based draws targeting specific occupations or language skills often have lower CRS cut-off scores than general or CEC draws.

2. Other Provincial Nominee Streams

While some PNP streams closed, others remain active. Applicants may still qualify under alternative provincial pathways, especially those with local work experience, job offers, or in-demand occupations.

3. Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program continues to offer permanent residence for individuals with job offers from designated employers in Atlantic Canada. Applicants should be aware of longer processing times, currently averaging 37 months.
AIP details: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/atlantic-immigration.html

4. Rural And Francophone Immigration Pilots

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot remain viable options for candidates with job offers in participating communities. The Francophone pilot requires a minimum NCLC level 5 in French.

5. Quebec Immigration Programs Closed In 2025

Quebec terminated its Quebec Experience Program on November 19, 2025, ending both the graduate and temporary foreign worker streams after a prolonged pause.

On November 6, 2025, Quebec also announced the closure of three pilot programs covering food processing workers, orderlies, and certain technology and visual effects roles, effective January 1, 2026.

6. Federal Pilots And Specialized Programs Ended

The Agri-Food Pilot closed early on February 13, 2025, due to high demand.

Two Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots were paused on December 19, 2025, after reaching capacity. These programs are not expected to resume until March 2030.

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot concluded on December 31, 2025. The federal government has indicated that a new permanent program for skilled refugees will be announced.

7. Start-Up Visa Program Closure

IRCC stopped accepting new Start-Up Visa Program applications on December 31, 2025, with limited exceptions for applicants holding prior commitments. The program is expected to fully close on January 1, 2026. Entrepreneurs may now need to rely on provincial entrepreneur nominee streams.

Key Takeaways

Several permanent residence pathways were closed or paused across Canada in 2025.
Provincial Nominee Programs experienced significant reductions in stream capacity.
Quebec eliminated major graduate and worker pathways.
Federal pilots for caregivers, agri-food workers, refugees, and entrepreneurs ended or paused.
Express Entry, remaining PNP streams, Atlantic programs, and community pilots remain viable alternatives.

While 2025 marked a challenging year for many aspiring immigrants, Canada continues to offer multiple permanent residence options for qualified candidates. Staying informed, reassessing eligibility, and exploring alternative pathways remain essential strategies as Canada’s immigration system continues to evolve.