Canada is approving temporary residents at an unusually brisk rate—again. IRCC data shows approvals of non-permanent resident applications and extensions surged in February. Now at the third-highest volume on record, it confirms a softening stance on immigration. However, weaker applications reveal global demand for these visas is fading fast.
Canadian Approvals of Temporary Resident Visas Surge
Approved non-permanent residents: New applications and extensions, February.
Source: IRCC; Better Dwelling.
IRCC approved 295,055 temporary resident applications in February, up 12.1% (+31.8k people) from last year. It marked the third-highest February on record, trailing only 2023 and 2024.
The latest data may mark a sudden shift in policy, as year-to-date volumes still trail last year. The first two months of 2026 have seen 544,925 applications approved, down 1.1% (-6.0k people) from last year. However, weaker than last year doesn’t mean weak—it was the fourth biggest start to any year and nearly double 2021.
It’s easy to see this growth and assume it’s new demand, but the data reflects approved applications, most of which are extensions. Extensions are people already in the country, looking to extend their temporary residency. Any consumption or housing demand they would contribute to is already present.
The sudden surge does confirm that policymakers have eased plans to reduce the population of temporary residents. A recent PBO analysis shows delayed targets achieved by reclassifying some applicants. Policymakers are looking to tap immigration growth again, though demand is eroding.
Canada Sees Plunge In Temporary Resident Applications
Applications for non-permanent residents received by IRCC, February.
Source: IRCC; Better Dwelling.
IRCC has seen the volume of applications it received drop sharply. The agency received just 366,025 applications in February, down 5% from last year and 28% under the month’s 2024 record. The year is off to a slow start as well, with 706,365 applications received year-to-date, down 13% from last year. Both numbers are the weakest since the pandemic, showing a clear erosion in demand.
While policymakers still have enough applications to hit their targets, it potentially signals a bigger problem. The focus on immigration-driven growth pushed aggregate GDP higher, but job creation trailed the population surge and wasn’t offset with matching growth in service capacity. Canada’s fading application volumes suggest a tarnished reputation—one that’s resulted in its global rank plunging to one of the unhappiest places on earth for young adults.
