World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to helping international students, immigrants, and refugees achieve their educational and career goals in the United States and Canada. The weekly roundup includes research, stories, and events of interest to the Canadian immigration and settlement community. This content has been created by WES and is reproduced here with their permission, in partnership.
Canada's Long-Standing Openness to Immigration Comes Under Pressure (MPI)
Canada has long been regarded as a global leader in open and equitable immigration policy. Historically, narratives around immigration in Canada have been positive, with immigration and newcomers being viewed as essential the country’s social and economic fabric; in contrast to polarizing sentiments observed globally. In recent years, however, public opinion has shifted to become more skeptical of immigration amid a climate of political division, strained social services, and exponential growth in permanent and temporary migration levels. In order to renew consensus on immigration in Canada, researchers are pointing to the need to balance housing supply, infrastructure and health services in line with the pace of demographic shifts and ensure economic stability long-term.
IRCC backlog grows for the first time in months (CIC News)
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is facing its highest backlog since October 2024. As of May 31, there were 802,000 applications in backlog representing an increase of 5.5 percent since the end of April (760,200). As per latest IRCC data, the total number of applications in all inventories is 2,117,800 with 1,315,800 being processed within service standards. According to representatives from IRCC, the Department is committed to processing at least 80 percent of the applications within standard processing time and reducing backlog levels. IRCC has shared plans to enhance processing mechanisms through incorporating the use of analytics and automation technologies to sort, identify, and summarize complex plans.
Internationally mobile students triple in 20 years to nearly 6.9 million (The PIE)
The number of internationally mobile students tripled to 6.9 million in 2023, signaling a rise in global demand for cross-border education. This surge reflects a 228 percent increase from 2.1 million in 2000. Data from UNESCO indicates that Europe and North America continue to lead as preferred destinations. These regions collectively hosted 4 million international students in 2022, accounting for more than half the world’s total. UNESCO data reveals significant disparities in access to higher education across regions; with enrolment rates ranging from 79 percent in Europe and North America - to just 9 percent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, the report highlights another stark disparity, with UNESCO data showing that refugee's enrolment in higher education remained critically low between 2000 and 2023, with only 7 percent of refugees being enrolled. Advocates are calling for enhanced measures to credential recognition to reduce barriers to higher-education and commensurate jobs.
Canada is cutting down on eligibility for student work permits. Here’s what to know (CTV)
The federal government has modified eligibility criteria for work permits linked to Canada’s international student program. Post-Graduation Work Permits will no longer be granted to student enrolled in non-degree programs across 178 fields. 119 additional fields have now been added to the list of eligible majors including health care, social services, education, and trade sectors. Programs that have been removed from eligibility include those that are no longer linked to occupations in long-term labour shortages, according to IRCC. Cuts to eligibility apply only to those who filed for study permits on or after June 25, 2025. Those who apply before this date will remain eligible, even if their field of study is one that has been removed from the list. Following these changes, a total of 920 fields are included in the PGWP eligibility list.
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