Canadian Immigration Approval Rates: Insights from January to April 2025

Approval Rates by Major Program and Key Insights

The following approval rates by major program come from a post shared by immigration lawyer, Steven Meurrens, presumably following an ATIP request. They provide a snapshot of approval rates  between January and April 2025, as broken down below: 

Work Permit (Temporary Foreign Worker Program – TFWP): 69%

At just under seven in ten applications approved, this shows a moderate success rate for workers relying on an LMIA. It also comes at a time when there are political calls to cancel the TFWP, so applicants in this category really need to stay on top of policy changes and ensure their applications are as strong as possible. 

Work Permit (International Mobility Program – IMP): 69%

With the same approval rate as the TFWP, this category includes the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. It’s worth highlighting that within this stream, IEC applications have an impressive 95% approval rate, meaning that for working holidaymakers and young professionals, this is still one of the most reliable ways to gain Canadian experience. 

Work Permit Extensions (TFWP): 49%

It is interesting to see that while initial applications for both the TFWP and INP sit at 69%, the approval rate drops sharply when workers seek to extend their permits. This is concerning for workers hoping to remain in Canada longer. At the same time, the LMIA process itself has been updated so that employers are now required to consider in-Canada applicants with work authorizations before hiring new temporary foreign workers, an interesting addition considering they are statistically less likely to be approved. Another factor driving the refusal rate down could be the rise of dummy work permit applications. We go into this in more detail here.  

Study Permits: 32%

At only 32%, study permit approval rates continue to decline from 2024 numbers, which were already shocking. This really does highlight the increasing barriers facing international students, and the trend will surely impact Canada’s reputation as a top study destination. It risks deterring students who would have otherwise considered Canada for their education. 

Temporary Resident Visa (TRV): 48%

Less than half of TRV applications are approved, showing that it’s really not a given you’ll be issued a visitor visa for Canada. Applicants need to prepare thoroughly and make sure they address all requirements before submitting. 

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) through Express Entry: 94%

The CEC remains a strong path for those who already have Canadian work experience. With nearly all applications approved, it’s a solid choice for workers aiming for permanent residence. 

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) through Express Entry: 78%

At 78%, the FSW approval rate is noticeably lower compared to the CEC’s 94%. This gap is concerning for those aiming to come through the FSW pathway. Recent reports suggest that French proficiency draws may be contributing factors, leading to lower approval ratings for some applicants, but FSW applicants should be extra diligent when submitting their application. 

Provincial Nominee Programs through Express Entry: 95% 

PNP applicants enjoy a strong 95% approval rate. That makes sense, considering IRCC’s role is primarily to check for admissibility, while provinces themselves assess applicant eligibility before issuing nominations. 

Quebec Skilled Worker Program: 99%

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program boosts an impressive 99% approval rate. Like the PNP program, IRCC are only involved with checking for admissibility, so a high approval rate makes sense.  

Family Class Sponsorship: Varies

For family class applications, the approval rates remain strong overall. For overseas applications outside of Quebec, approvals hover around 89%, while domestic applications within Canada reach 91%. For applicants destined for Quebec, domestic approvals also stand at 91%, but overseas approvals are lower at 82%.   

What Can You Do With This Information?  

Knowing how your odds stack up against approval or refusal rates should help you set realistic expectations. But remember, every application is processed on a case-by-case basis. It’s important to recognize that there can be institutional prejudices and varying processing practices that influence outcomes. Some applicants from certain countries may see higher or lower acceptance rates than the averages suggest.  

Ultimately, these averages should give you perspective but not complacency. Your application needs to be as strong as possible, addressing all eligibility criteria and supporting documents thoroughly. Treat your case as unique and make sure it stands on its own merits, rather than relying solely on general approval statistics.