A new regulatory proposal indicates that Canada is preparing to redesign the selection of high-skilled immigrants, replacing the current Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades programs with a single, streamlined federal category. The goal is to simplify the system and make it more responsive to labour market needs, shifting away from a universal selection model toward a more targeted approach based on occupations and economic demand. Th

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has added a new $135 fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (WEOI), effective April 7, 2026. The other AAIP service fees remain unchanged for now. Under the current structure, applications to streams such as Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry, Rural Renewal, and Tourism and Hospitality are set at $1,500, while several entrepreneur streams carry a $3,500 application fee. Additional charges apply for entrepreneur

On April 2, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  this year’s first occupation-specific Express Entry draw for candidates working in skilled trades occupations and issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA). In round #408, the cut-off score was 477, 33 points fewer than the previous draw for this category-based selection, held on September 18, 2025. The tie-breaking rule for this round was February 14, 2026, at 20:53:54 UTC. This year, Canada issued 58

On March 31, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 2,250 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #407, the cut-off score was 509 points, two points more than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was March 18, 2026, at 08:27:11 UTC. As of March 29, 2026, 230,186 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool

On March 30, 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador  held  the second round of selection through the Enhanced Expression of Interest (EOI) system, issuing a total of 245 invitations. Of these, 209 were sent to candidates under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), while 36 went to applicants through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Last year, Newfoundland and Labrador invited a total of 3,376 applicants under the NLPNP and AIP. So far, the province

On March 30, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #406 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The Government of Canada issued 356 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the round’s cut-off score was 802 points, 60 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was February 12, 2026, at 03:54:03 UTC. As of March 29, 2026, 230,186 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. This

On March 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the third Express Entry draw for French language proficiency candidates of the year. In round #405, IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to francophone candidates. The cut-off score of this draw was 393 points – four points fewer than the last draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 29, 2025, at 12:47:31 UTC. As of March 15, 2026, 231,362 profiles were registered in the Expres

On March 17, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #404, the cut-off score was 507 points, one point fewer than in the previous CEC-targeted draw, and the lowest since August 2024. The tie-breaking rule for this round was May 11, 2025, at 18:57:31 UTC. As of March 15, 2026, 231,362 profiles were registered

On March 16, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #403 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The Government of Canada issued 362 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the round’s cut-off score was 742 points, 32 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 05, 2025, at 20:35:25 UTC. As of March 15, 2026, 231,362 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. This

On March 6, 2026, Newfoundland and Labrador  held  the first rounds of selection through the Enhanced Expression of Interest (EOI) system, issuing a total of 445 invitations. Of these, 362 were sent to candidates under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP), while 83 went to applicants through the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Last year, Newfoundland and Labrador invited a total of 3,376 applicants under the NLPNP and AIP. #newfoundland_and_lab

On March 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the first-ever Express Entry draw for senior managers with Canadian work experience. IRCC issued 250 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in the fourth draw of the week. In round #402, the cut-off score was 429 points. The tie-breaking rule for this round was August 19, 2025, at 15:10:18 UTC. As of March 1, 2026, 232,534 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. So far in 2026, the Government of Cana

On March 4, 2026, Alberta  released  the results of the recent Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) immigration draws. On February 26, the province invited 30 Rural Renewal Stream candidates with a minimum score of 55. The AAIP has issued 822 nominations so far in 2026, with 5,581 spaces remaining from its total allocation of 6,403. Last year, the program met its full allocation by issuing 6,603 nominations, with over 85% going to temporary foreign workers already in

On March 3, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #400, the cut-off score was 508 points, the same as it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was June 24, 2025, at 22:35:48 UTC. As of March 1, 2026, there were 232,534 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. So f

On March 2, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the fifth Express Entry draw #399 for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The Government of Canada issued 264 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the round’s cut-off score was 710 points, 79 points fewer than the previous PNP-targeted draw, and it was the lowest of the year. The tie-breaking rule for this round was August 07, 2025, at 18:02:56 UTC. As of March 15, 2026, 232,534 profiles were regi

On February 26, 2026, Alberta  released  the results of the recent Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) immigration draws. On February 20, 2026, the province invited 831 candidates under the Alberta Opportunity Stream – Priority Sectors. The minimum score for this draw was 56 points. Additionally, on February 24, 2026, Alberta invited 68 candidates under the Tourism and Hospitality Stream. Invited candidates had a minimum score of 73 points. So far, Alberta has invite

A joint study by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveals that provincial nominees screened through the Express Entry system achieve better economic outcomes than those admitted through base streams. Enhanced provincial nominees earned 7% to 16% more one year after arrival and 12% more three years later, even after accounting for demographic differences. The research, which analyzed data from 2016 to 2024, shows that 78% of enhanced nominees

On February 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the first occupation-specific Express Entry draw of the year for candidates working in healthcare and social services occupations. In round #398, IRCC issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the cut-off score was 467 points (9 points fewer than the last draw for this category). The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 9, 2025, at 18:22:06 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 profil

Nova Scotia has restructured its immigration system by consolidating ten separate streams into four main pathways. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program now offers clearer options for newcomers through the Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry streams. This change took effect on February 18, 2026, and applies only to new applications submitted after that date. Existing applications remain unaffected, and all eligibility requirements sta

On February 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the first Express Entry draw for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience. IRCC issued 391 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #397, the cut-off score was only 169 points. The tie-breaking rule for this round was January 03, 2026, at 03:25:14 UTC. As of February 15, 2026, 235,695 profiles were registered in the Express Entry pool. So far in 2026, the Government of Canada has issued

Canada is shifting its immigration strategy to prioritize high-skilled professionals and economic sustainability. On February 18, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed new Express Entry categories designed to fill labour gaps. The new update introduces priority streams for researchers, senior managers, and aviation experts. Additionally, the government will streamline immigration pathways for foreign military personnel for roles within the Canadian Armed Forc