Canadian Immigration Approval Rates: Updated Insights from January to July 2025

We wrote on the January to April 2025 approval rates when they were first released. This update builds on the previous snapshot and shows how approval trends have shifted as the year progressed. While some programs remain consistently strong, others show notable movement, both positive and negative, as IRCC continues to adjust priorities and apply tighter scrutiny in certain categories.

The approval rates below provide a broader view of outcomes for applicants in 2025 so far. 

Approval Rates by Major Program – January to July 2025 

Temporary Residence Programs 

Study Permits: 38%, up from 32%
Study permit approval rates show a modest improvement when extending the data from April to July 2025. While still low, this suggests a slight easing compared to the sharp declines seen earlier in the year.  

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): 50%, up from 48%
Visitor visa approval rates rise slightly when mid-year data is included. Even so, only half of applications are approved, reinforcing that visitor visas are far from guaranteed. 

Work Permit – International Mobility Program (IMP): 47%
IMP work permit approvals drop significantly in the January to July data compared to the earlier snapshot, where approvals sat at 69%. The reason for this drop is not evident in the data released but absolutely something to watch out for.   

Work Permit – Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): 67% | Work Permit Extension (TFWP): 50%
TFWP approval rates for both new and extensions have remained relatively stable compared to the April data. The April data showed work permit extensions were being approved at 49%, while the TFWP was 69%.   

Permanent Residence Programs 

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry: 92%
CEC approval rates remain very strong, though slightly lower than the earlier January to April figure of 94%. 

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) through Express Entry: 75%
FSW approvals have dipped compared to earlier 2025 data which sat at 78%. This could be the ongoing impact of language draws, which generally have a lower approval rate.  

Provincial Nominee Program through Express Entry: 97%, up from 95%
PNP applications through Express Entry continue to perform exceptionally well. This consistency reflects the fact that provinces assess eligibility first, leaving IRCC to focus primarily on admissibility. 

Provincial Nominee Program (Non–Express Entry): 97%
Non–Express Entry PNP streams show equally strong results. For candidates who may not be competitive in Express Entry alone, provincial nomination remains one of the most reliable pathways to permanent residence. 

What’s Changed Since January–April 2025? 

Extending the data through July 2025 highlights a few key takeaways: 

• Programs tied to Canadian experience or provincial nomination remain the most likely to be accepted. 

• Study permit approval rates picked up in the second quarter of 2025. 

• Work permit IMP approval rates fell off a cliff, from 69% to 47%, it is not clear what caused this, but applicants applying for an IMP work permit should be extra cautious with the application they submit.  

What Applicants Should Take From This 

Approval rates provide context, not certainty. Outcomes can vary widely based on nationality, personal circumstances, and how clearly an application demonstrates eligibility and intent. 

These averages can be used to help set expectations, but ultimately, even if you are applying to the CEC program which enjoys a 92% approval rate, your application needs to be as strong as possible, addressing all eligibility criteria and supporting documents thoroughly, or risk refusal.