Canada Immigration Updates September 2025: Carney’s TFWP “Focused Approach,” International Arrivals Drop, IRCC Processing Times, IEC Invitations Surge

September 2025 Canada immigration updates: Carney advocates focused TFWP amid Poilievre’s criticism, international arrivals drop 14.9%, IRCC updates processing times, and 5,532 IEC invitations issued. Go Canada Services offers expert immigration support.

Canada September 2025 Immigration Updates: Carney’s TFWP “Focused Approach,” International Arrivals Drop, IRCC Processing Times, and IEC Invitations Surge

Carney’s TFWP “Focused Approach,” International Arrivals Drop Introduction

September 2025 underscores Canada’s ongoing immigration debates and operational adjustments, aligning with the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan (395,000 permanent residents, 673,650 temporary residents).

Prime Minister Mark Carney calls for a “focused approach” to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) amid Pierre Poilievre’s criticism, international arrivals dropped 14.9% in August, IRCC updated processing times for September, and 5,532 International Experience Canada (IEC) invitations were issued.

These updates address the user’s Arabic request to refine the provided digest, integrating prior queries on TFWP divisions, job losses, refugee claims, and housing impacts.

Go Canada Services, a trusted immigration firm since 2004, offers expert guidance, leveraging web and X sources for accuracy.

Tensions Rise Over Immigration Policies

Carney and Poilievre clash on TFWP and immigration levels. Key details:

• Details: Addressing the Liberal caucus in Edmonton, Prime Minister Mark Carney advocated a “focused approach” to TFWP, targeting sectors like agriculture and healthcare to reduce pressure on housing and services. The government aims to lower non-permanent residents from 7% to 5% by 2027. Former Immigration Minister Marc Miller accused Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of stirring “anti-immigrant sentiments” after Poilievre claimed high immigration (471,771 PRs in 2024) contributes to youth unemployment (14.5%) and housing shortages (670,000-unit gap).
• Context: An Abacus Data survey shows 44% support phasing out TFWP, with 61% of Conservative voters in favor. X posts from @CdnImmigration and @truckdriverpleb highlight Poilievre’s push to abolish TFWP (except agriculture), citing 105,000 permits in H1 2025 exceeding the 82,000 cap. Carney’s stance aligns with a 21% immigration-driven housing price growth (2006–2021) and 106,000 job losses.
• Impact: TFWs should pursue PR pathways (e.g., CEC, PNP) before reforms. Employers in non-priority sectors (e.g., retail, NOC 64100) may face restrictions, requiring local hiring or Manitoba’s EDI/TRRP.

For TFWP and PR support, contact Go Canada Services’ Work Permit Services.

International Arrivals Drop 14.9% in August 2025

Canada’s international travel continues to decline. Key findings:

• Details: Preliminary data for August 2025 shows a 14.9% year-over-year drop in international arrivals, totaling 6.6 million visitors. Non-resident air arrivals rose 0.4% to 1.2 million, but Canadian-resident return trips fell across all modes, with US return air travel down 25.4% due to Air Canada’s mid-August labour disruptions. Labour Day weekend saw an 18.2% surge in US-resident arrivals compared to other August weekends.
• Context: This marks the seventh consecutive month of declines, per Statistics Canada. X posts from @StatCan_eng note tourism’s $2.5B economic impact in Q2 2025, down 10% from 2024. The decline aligns with tightened study permit approvals (48% in H1 2025) and a 50% drop in applications (143,485).
• Impact: International students and workers should expect stricter entry processes and plan travel early, ensuring valid permits. Tourism businesses may face revenue challenges, requiring diversification (e.g., domestic tourism campaigns).

For visitor visa support, visit Go Canada Services’ Contact Page.

IRCC Updates Processing Times for September 2025

IRCC released updated processing times, showing mixed efficiency. Key points:

• Details: As of September 10, 2025, IRCC’s processing times (based on 80% of finalized applications) indicate improvements in Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) processing (down one month to 5 months) and family sponsorship (spouse/common-law: 10 months, down from 12). However, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) processing rose to 14 months, study permits average 8 weeks (longer for Chinese STEM students, per prior digest), and the backlog exceeds 901,700 applications, including 291,975 refugee claims.
• Context: X posts from @IRCCEng highlight backlog reduction efforts, with 246,300 PRs processed in H1 2025. Prior updates note Global Talent Stream LMIA at 8 days and PR Stream at 259 days. The Chinese STEM students’ lawsuit against IRCC cites delays exceeding one year, impacting 1.1 million international students (September 2024).
• Impact: Applicants should submit complete applications early, especially for study permits (CLB 7+, financial proof) and PNP streams (job offers in NOC 33102, 72100). Family sponsorship applicants benefit from faster processing but should use regulated consultants to avoid errors.

For application support, explore Go Canada Services’ Permanent Residency Services.

IEC Invitations Surge

The IEC program continues to attract young professionals. Key insights:

• Details: From August 11 to September 5, 2025, IRCC issued 5,532 IEC open work permit invitations, with 36,080 candidates in the pool as of September 5. Top countries include Korea (932 ITAs), France (471), Germany (393), Ireland (352), and Italy (282). In 2025, 94,378 ITAs were issued, supporting youth mobility in Working Holiday, Young Professionals, and International Co-op streams.
• Context: The IEC supports 2.36M temporary residents, with 546,562 study permit holders and 1.5M work permit holders. X posts from @IRCCEng note high demand from Korea and France, aligning with Canada’s francophone immigration goals (4,500 ITAs in September 4 Express Entry draw). The program complements BC PNP’s 10,876 registrants.
• Impact: IEC candidates should apply promptly, ensuring eligibility (ages 18–35, valid passports). Employers in BC and Ontario can leverage IEC for short-term staffing in high-demand sectors (e.g., hospitality, NOC 64300).

For IEC support, contact Go Canada Services’ Work Permit Services.

Prior Updates (Context from Previous Digests)

• IRCC DNA Testing (September 5): Updated guidelines with virtual witnessing and GCMS integration, voluntary testing.
• BC PNP Skills Immigration: 10,876 registrants, 94 invitations in 2025, prioritizing healthcare/tech.
• Immigrant Retention: Optimism (28% retention boost) and belonging (25%) key, per ICC report.
• BC Newcomers’ Guide 2025: Checklists, QR codes, A-to-Z directory for settlement.
• Job Losses (August 2025): Ontario (-26,000), BC (-16,000), Alberta (-14,000), Windsor at 11.1% unemployment.
• Asylum Data Risks: $68M project lacks privacy assessments, risking refugee data.
• Minimum Wage Increases (October 2025): Ontario ($17.60), Nova Scotia ($16.50), PEI ($16.50), Saskatchewan ($15.35), Manitoba ($16.00).
• Temporary Residents: 2.36M, with 100,000 PR transitions in H1 2025.
• TFWP Survey: 44% support phasing out TFWP, 54% in Alberta, 34% in Quebec.
• Refugee Claims (H1 2025): India (9,770), Mexico (7,410), Haiti (6,320).
• Housing Price Impact: Immigration drove 21% price growth (2006–2021).
• Newfoundland Physiotherapist Program: $89,000 for mentorship.
• Express Entry Francophone Draw (September 4): 4,500 ITAs, CRS 446.
• Manitoba MPNP Draw (September 4): 3,347 invitations.
• Manitoba EDI/TRRP (September 2): Employer Direct Initiative, Temporary Resident Retention Pilot.
• Canadian Job Crisis: 106,000 job losses, 105,000 TFWP permits in H1 2025.
• Saskatchewan Job Growth: 16,500 jobs, 4.7% unemployment.
• OINP Penalties: $509,100 in fines since 2018.
• Chinese STEM Students’ Lawsuit: 25 students sue IRCC over study permit delays.

Other Key Updates

• Biometrics for Citizenship: Mandatory fingerprints/facial recognition starting 2026–2027 ($85–$170).
• Afghan Refugee Crisis: 3,000 Afghans in Tajikistan face deportation; IRCC collaborates with UNHCR.
• American Refugee Claims: 245 claims in H1 2025, driven by transgender issues.
• Poilievre’s Deportation Policy: Immediate deportation for criminal non-citizens (August 20, 2025).
• Express Entry Medical Exams: Mandatory upfront exams starting August 21, 2025 ($140–$280).

Immigration and Settlement Strategies

• TFWP Applicants: Transition to PR via CEC or PNP (e.g., OINP, MPNP) before reforms, targeting high-demand NOCs (33102, 72100).
• International Travelers: Plan cross-border trips early, leveraging air travel for stability; immigrants in tourism should diversify skills (e.g., healthcare via Ontario’s nursing programs).
• Immigration Applicants: Submit complete applications for FSW or family sponsorship to leverage faster processing. Use regulated consultants for PNP or study permits.
• IEC Candidates: Apply promptly for Working Holiday or Young Professionals streams, ensuring eligibility and job offers in hospitality or healthcare.

For tailored strategies, start with Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Mark Carney’s ‘focused approach’ to the TFWP?
  Carney advocates targeting specific sectors (e.g., agriculture, healthcare) and regions to reduce housing and service pressures, aiming to lower non-permanent residents to 5% by 2027.
• How much did international arrivals to Canada drop in August 2025?
  International arrivals fell 14.9% year-over-year to 6.6 million, with US return air travel down 25.4% due to Air Canada disruptions.
• What are IRCC’s updated processing times for September 2025?
  Federal Skilled Worker processing dropped to 5 months, family sponsorship to 10 months, but PNP rose to 14 months, with 901,700 applications pending.
• How many IEC invitations were issued in 2025?
  From August 11 to September 5, 5,532 IEC invitations were issued, with 94,378 total ITAs in 2025, led by Korea (932) and France (471).

Why Choose Go Canada Services?

Go Canada Services excels in navigating Canada’s immigration pathways, offering solutions for Permanent Residency, Work Permits, Study Permits, and Family Sponsorship. Their regulated consultants ensure compliance with IRCC and provincial requirements. Start with a Free Assessment or contact them at Go Canada Services’ Contact Page.

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