Key Highlights:
- UK introduces stricter immigration rules affecting skilled workers, students, and asylum seekers.
- Canada yet to announce reforms, but talks between PMs signal possible alignment.
- Potential changes in Canada could include higher CRS thresholds and shorter post-graduation work permits.
- Public sentiment and economic pressures may influence Canadian immigration policy shifts.
- Canada likely to adapt reforms with its own humanitarian and multicultural approach.
Is Canada Poised to Follow the UK’s Tougher Immigration Path?
On 12 May 2025, the UK government unveiled a sweeping set of immigration reforms aimed at tightening control across multiple streams—ranging from skilled worker visas and international student policies to asylum procedures. With Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer taking bold steps to curb rising migration figures, eyes quickly turned across the Atlantic. Could Canada, under its new Prime Minister Mark Carney, be preparing for a similar shake-up?
While Canada hasn’t officially rolled out any new immigration measures, the timing of a high-level conversation between Carney and Starmer on the same day of the UK’s announcement has raised eyebrows. With both nations grappling with housing shortages, inflation, and growing public concern over immigration levels, the big question now is: Will Canada adopt elements of the UK’s new approach?
UK-Inspired Immigration Adjustments Canada Might Explore
Though Canada’s immigration system is structurally different from the UK’s, there are certainly lessons and ideas that could be borrowed. Here’s a closer look at how the UK’s new immigration playbook may influence Canadian policy in the near future.
1. Raising the Bar for Skilled Workers
What the UK Did: The UK now mandates degree-level qualifications for those applying under skilled worker visas.
What Canada Might Do:
- Increase the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for Express Entry draws.
- Mandate degree-level education for select occupations, especially in tech and healthcare.
- Align these changes with Canada’s 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan to attract top-tier global talent.
2. Encouraging Employers to Prioritise Domestic Talent
UK Strategy: British employers in critical sectors are now required to demonstrate investment in local training programmes before hiring from abroad.
Canadian Direction:
- Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) could demand employers show active upskilling of Canadian workers.
- Foreign hiring may be restricted unless companies prove they’ve tapped into the local talent pool.
3. Tightening Rules for International Students
UK Approach: Post-study work rights have been curtailed and stricter compliance is now expected from academic institutions.
Possible Canadian Moves:
- Shorten Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) from 3 years to 18–24 months.
- Raise accountability for educational institutions by monitoring graduation and employment outcomes.
- Build on the 2025 international student cap to better manage intake volume.
4. Language Proficiency Requirements for All Applicants
UK Reform: More stringent English language requirements now apply to both skilled migrants and their family members.
Canadian Possibilities:
- Raise minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for economic immigrants.
- Introduce basic language testing for dependents of primary applicants.
- Invest in earlier access to language training to aid smoother integration.
5. Tackling the Refugee Claim Backlog
UK Measures: The UK is streamlining its asylum process and increasing deportation speeds for rejected claims.
Canada’s Situation: With over 260,000 refugee claims pending by end-2024, reform is clearly needed.
- Shift to a “last-in, first-out” model to avoid long wait times.
- Fast-track cases from countries with high approval rates.
- Shorten processing times while maintaining Canada’s commitment to protection.
6. Attracting High-Potential Global Talent
UK Initiative: Introduction of new visa categories for internationally recognised professionals in key industries.
Canada’s Opportunity:
- Expand the Global Talent Stream to cover more emerging sectors.
- Develop dedicated Express Entry pathways for AI, green technology, and scientific R&D.
- Prioritise candidates with credentials from globally respected institutions.
Where Canada Is Likely to Draw the Line
Some of the UK’s new measures clash with values enshrined in Canada’s immigration framework. Here’s a look at what Canada is unlikely to adopt:
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