Overview

Canada's federal government has released new immigration data showing significant reductions in the number of international students, workers, and asylum seekers entering the country as of June 2026. The figures, published by both Legit News and Yen News, reflect a deliberate shift in Canadian immigration policy under pressure from public concern over housing, healthcare, and other public services.

According to the data, international student arrivals fell by 73% compared to June 2024. Worker arrivals over the same period declined by 44%, while asylum claims filed between January and June 2026 were down 68% relative to the first half of 2024.

Government Response and Permanent Resident Targets

Despite the sharp declines in temporary arrivals, the government confirmed it remains on course to meet its annual permanent resident targets across all categories. Officials also announced the release of additional data covering immigration application inventories and processing timelines, framing the move as part of a broader commitment to transparency around the state of the immigration system.

Policy Drivers

Student Arrivals

The decline in student arrivals follows Ottawa's decision in 2024 to introduce a cap on study permits alongside tighter eligibility rules. Those changes included stricter financial requirements for applicants and restrictions on which institutions could sponsor permit holders.

Worker Arrivals

The fall in worker numbers follows changes to several temporary foreign worker and open work permit streams. According to the reports, the government scaled back these programmes in response to growth in certain categories that exceeded what the labour market could absorb.

Asylum Claims

The reduction in asylum claims was linked to border enforcement measures and bilateral arrangements to manage irregular crossings, particularly along the Canada-US border.

Transparency and Consultations

The government stated the latest data release is part of ongoing efforts to provide timely and accurate information about the immigration system. As part of that commitment, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opened public consultations on proposed changes to Express Entry category-based selection for 2027. The consultation period opened on August 4, 2026, and closes on September 1, 2026.

Since 2023, IRCC has used three economic priorities for category-based draws: addressing long-term labour shortages, attracting top global talent, and supporting Francophone immigration outside Quebec.