Key Takeaways
• Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 lowers permanent resident targets to 395,000 in 2025.
• Bill C-71 extends citizenship by descent beyond the first generation, effective by March 19, 2025.
• Over 40% of new permanent residents in 2025 will be students or workers already living in Canada.
Executive Summary
Canada 🇨🇦 remains a global leader in immigration, with policies designed to attract skilled workers, reunite families, and support humanitarian needs. The Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 marks a significant shift, reducing permanent resident (PR) targets and introducing new caps on temporary residents. These changes reflect growing concerns about housing, infrastructure, and the integration of newcomers. At the same time, the government is expanding access to citizenship, notably through Bill C-71, which will allow citizenship by descent beyond the first generation.
A recurring question is whether rising numbers of immigrants are obtaining Canadian citizenship and then leaving the country. As of May 2025, there is no evidence of a significant or growing trend in this area. However, the evolving policy landscape, especially the focus on in-Canada applicants and the expansion of citizenship eligibility, raises important questions about long-term retention and the meaning of Canadian citizenship. This policy brief analyzes the current context, examines available data, and offers evidence-based recommendations to support Canada’s goals of integration, retention, and social cohesion.
Introduction
Canada 🇨🇦 has long relied on immigration to drive economic growth, address demographic challenges, and enrich its social fabric. The country’s approach is often cited as a model for managed migration, balancing economic needs with humanitarian commitments. However, rapid increases in immigration over recent years have put pressure on housing, healthcare, and other social services, prompting a recalibration of policy.
The Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 introduces lower PR targets and, for the first time, sets caps on temporary residents such as international students and foreign workers. At the same time, Bill C-71 is poised to make citizenship more accessible for children of Canadians born abroad. These changes come amid ongoing debates about the integration and retention of immigrants, and whether some new citizens are choosing to leave Canada after naturalization.
This brief explores the evidence behind these concerns, outlines the latest policy developments, and provides recommendations for ensuring that Canada’s immigration and citizenship policies continue to serve the country’s long-term interests.
Background
Historical Context
Canada’s immigration system has evolved over decades to meet changing economic and social needs. Historically, the country has welcomed newcomers to fill labor shortages, support population growth, and foster diversity. The points-based system, introduced in the 1960s, prioritized skills and adaptability, while family reunification and refugee protection remained central pillars.
In recent years, Canada has set ambitious immigration targets, admitting over 400,000 permanent residents annually. This rapid growth has contributed to economic vitality but also created challenges, particularly in housing and public services. As a result, the government is now adjusting its approach to better balance these competing priorities.
Citizenship and Mobility
Canadian citizenship is highly valued, offering security, mobility, and full participation in society. The path to citizenship typically involves several steps:
- Permanent Residency: Most newcomers must first become permanent residents, often through economic, family, or humanitarian streams.
- Residency Requirement: PRs must live in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the last five years before applying for citizenship.
- Language and Knowledge Tests: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French and pass a citizenship test, unless exempt.
- Application Submission: The citizenship application is submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), along with supporting documents and fees. The official application form and instructions are available on the IRCC website.
- Decision and Oath: Successful applicants attend a citizenship ceremony and take the Oath of Citizenship.
Once naturalized, Canadian citizens enjoy the right to live, work, and travel freely, both within Canada and abroad.
Analysis
Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027
The new plan reduces PR admissions to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. This is a significant decrease from previous projections, reflecting concerns about the pace of population growth and its impact on infrastructure and social services. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these adjustments are intended to give communities time to adapt and ensure that newcomers can integrate successfully.
Key features of the plan include:
- In-Canada Focus: Over 40% of new PRs in 2025 are expected to be students or workers already living in Canada. This shift aims to prioritize those with Canadian experience, who have demonstrated better economic and social outcomes.
- Temporary Resident Caps: For the first time, Canada is setting targets for temporary residents, with 673,650 in 2025, 516,600 in 2026, and 543,600 in 2027. This move is designed to stabilize population growth and reduce pressure on housing and services.
- Economic Class Emphasis: By 2027, nearly 62% of PR admissions will be in the economic class, focusing on critical sectors like healthcare and skilled trades.
Citizenship Act Changes (Bill C-71)
Bill C-71, expected to receive Royal Assent by March 19, 2025, will extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. This means that children born abroad to Canadian citizens (even if their parents were also born outside Canada) will be eligible for citizenship. Minister Marc Miller has emphasized that this change will create a more inclusive citizenship system and recognize the realities of modern, transnational families.
Provincial Nominee Program Adjustments
Provinces are also adapting to new federal quotas. For example, British Columbia’s federal nomination quota has been halved for 2025, dropping from 8,000 to 4,000 spots. This forces provinces to prioritize high-impact skilled workers and entrepreneurs, potentially affecting regional labor markets and economic development.
Retention and Integration
A central goal of the new policies is to improve the retention and integration of immigrants. Research shows that those with Canadian work or study experience are more likely to stay and contribute long-term. The shift toward in-Canada applicants reflects this evidence, aiming to build stronger ties between newcomers and Canadian society.
Are New Citizens Leaving Canada?
There is ongoing public debate about whether increasing numbers of immigrants are obtaining citizenship and then leaving Canada. While some anecdotal reports suggest this may occur, especially among those with strong international connections, there is no recent statistical evidence of a significant or rising trend as of 2025. Statistics Canada and IRCC have not published comprehensive data on post-naturalization emigration in recent years. Historically, most immigrants remain in Canada after becoming citizens, but some mobility is expected, particularly among those with family or business ties abroad.
Potential Impact of Bill C-71
The expansion of citizenship by descent could increase the number of Canadians living abroad, as more individuals become eligible for citizenship without ever having lived in Canada. The practical impact of this change remains uncertain, but it raises questions about the meaning of citizenship and the connection between legal status and lived experience.
Policy Options
- Maintain Current Approach
- Continue to prioritize in-Canada applicants for PR status.
- Monitor the impact of reduced immigration targets and temporary resident caps.
- Implement Bill C-71 and assess its effects on citizenship and mobility.
- Enhance Data Collection and Monitoring
- Invest in better tracking of citizenship retention and post-naturalization emigration.
- Collaborate with Statistics Canada to publish regular reports on immigrant mobility.
- Strengthen Integration Supports
- Expand language training, employment services, and community programs for newcomers.
- Target support to those at higher risk of leaving, such as recent citizens with limited social ties.
- Review Citizenship Eligibility
- Consider additional requirements for citizenship by descent, such as minimum periods of residence or demonstrated connection to Canada.
- Engage in public consultation on the meaning and value of Canadian citizenship.
- Increase Provincial Flexibility
- Allow provinces more flexibility in allocating nomination spots based on local labor market needs.
- Support regional retention strategies, especially in areas facing population decline.
Recommendations
Based on the current evidence and policy context, the following recommendations are proposed:
- Continue Prioritizing In-Canada Applicants: The focus on those with Canadian experience is supported by research showing better retention and integration outcomes. This approach should be maintained and refined as needed.
- Enhance Monitoring of Citizenship Retention: The government should invest in improved data collection to track the mobility of new citizens. Regular reporting will help identify trends and inform policy adjustments.
- Expand Integration Supports: Targeted programs can help new citizens build stronger connections to Canada, reducing the likelihood of emigration. This includes language training, employment assistance, and community engagement initiatives.
- Assess the Impact of Bill C-71: As citizenship by descent is expanded, the government should monitor its effects on the number of Canadians living abroad and consider additional measures if needed to maintain strong ties to Canada.
- Engage Stakeholders: Ongoing dialogue with provinces, employers, immigrant communities, and the public is essential to ensure that policies reflect diverse needs and perspectives.
Conclusion
There is no current evidence of a significant or rising trend of Canadian immigrants obtaining citizenship and then leaving the country as of May 2025. While some mobility among new citizens is expected, especially among those with transnational ties, the vast majority remain in Canada and contribute to its economic and social life. The Immigration Levels Plan 2025–2027 and Bill C-71 represent important shifts in policy, aimed at improving retention, supporting integration, and making citizenship more inclusive.
As these changes take effect, it will be important to monitor outcomes closely, invest in integration supports, and maintain a balanced approach that serves Canada’s long-term interests. For official information and updates, readers can visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
By focusing on evidence-based policy and ongoing engagement with stakeholders, Canada 🇨🇦 can continue to be a global leader in immigration and citizenship, ensuring that newcomers are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to build their futures in Canada.
Actionable Takeaways
- Prospective immigrants should review the latest PR and citizenship requirements on the IRCC website and ensure they meet residency and language criteria before applying.
- New citizens are encouraged to participate in community programs and access available supports to strengthen their ties to Canada.
- Employers and provinces should work with federal partners to adapt to new quotas and support the integration of skilled workers.
- Researchers and policymakers should prioritize improved data collection on citizenship retention and mobility to inform future decisions.
For more analysis on Canadian immigration trends and policy changes, VisaVerge.com reports that ongoing adjustments are likely as the government seeks to balance economic needs, integration, and social cohesion.
Learn Today
Permanent Resident (PR) → A non-citizen authorized to live permanently in Canada with most rights of citizens.
Bill C-71 → Canadian legislation expanding citizenship by descent beyond the first generation of born-abroad citizens.
Temporary Resident → Individuals permitted to stay in Canada for limited periods, such as students or workers.
Citizenship by Descent → Acquiring Canadian citizenship through birth to Canadian parents abroad, extended by Bill C-71.
Provincial Nominee Program → Immigration pathway allowing provinces to nominate workers aligned with local labor market needs.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada’s new Immigration Levels Plan reduces permanent resident targets and caps temporary residents. Bill C-71 broadens citizenship by descent, promoting integration while addressing infrastructure pressures and immigrant retention challenges.
— By VisaVerge.com
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