Canada Faces Rising Risk of Out-of-Status Residents as Millions of Temporary Permits Expire

Canada is facing a growing risk of people falling out of legal immigration status as millions of temporary permits for workers, students, and visitors expire by the end of 2025. While public debate often cites nearly five million expiring documents, this number reflects permits rather than individuals, and Canada lacks reliable exit tracking to confirm who leaves, who transitions to new status, and who remains without authorization. As a result, the true scale of undocumented residents is difficult to measure.

Current estimates of people without valid status range widely, but projections suggest the number could increase significantly by 2026 if many permit holders are unable to renew or move into permanent pathways. Enforcement efforts are rising but remain limited relative to the size of the temporary resident population.

Source: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/canada-faces-new-undocumented-risk-2026/