A group of American applicants are reporting significant delays and a lack of transparency regarding their Canadian citizenship-by-descent applications. Despite applying as soon as interim measures were introduced in March 2025, many early applicants have found their files stalled in the Immigration Department’s program support unit – a division typically reserved for complex cases. Meanwhile, newer applicants who submitted their files after the formalization of the "lost Can

A new assessment of Canada’s migrant integration landscape reveals significant strain as federal funding for the IRCC Settlement Program is projected to drop to $935.7 million by 2026-27. Despite a 70 percent budget growth since 2016, a government-wide expenditure review and reduced permanent resident targets are triggering widespread staff layoffs across service provider organizations. Particularly controversial is the decision to discontinue federal funding for language ins

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its program delivery instructions to clarify that the IMM 5707 Family Information form is no longer a mandatory requirement for work permit applicants applying from within Canada. The change affects several streams, including open work permits for Hong Kong residents and foreign nationals with a support letter from Manitoba, Alberta, or Yukon. Under the new guidance, applications cannot be refused solely because

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has announced that the Four Falls, New Brunswick, port of entry will remain permanently closed, having been out of service since May 2020. Initially suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision to finalize the closure followed an extensive analysis of regional operational pressures and low seasonal traffic volumes. The CBSA noted that the facility lacked an adjacent U.S. port of entry and highlighted that travellers can still u

New data from the 2026 Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey reveals a severe contraction in international student recruitment across Canada due to restrictive immigration policies. During the first quarter of 2026, 69 percent of Canadian universities reported a drop in new undergraduate enrolments, while 80 percent saw declines at the postgraduate level. These figures represent a second consecutive year of deterioration, contrasting sharply with growth in Asian and European mark

A recent analysis of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) argues that Canada’s use of age-based criteria is an outdated policy that contradicts national values regarding non-discrimination. Under current regulations, applicants receive zero points for age if they are over 45, a practice critics compare to prohibited forms of bias in employment. Research indicates that the assumption of older immigrants being a burden on social services is empirically incorrect, as pension b

Conservative members of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration have called for the firing of Immigration Minister Lena Diab following her testimony regarding widespread fraud in Canada’s international student program. The committee highlighted Auditor General findings showing that 14 percent of over 150,000 individuals who entered the country fraudulently have since filed asylum claims, while the whereabouts of another 33,600 remain unknown. During the hearing,

The Government of Canada has announced a significant update regarding the regulations governing immigration and citizenship consultants. Effective July 15, 2026, the new measures empower the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants to implement more rigorous disciplinary actions and increased penalties for misconduct. Key updates include expanded reporting requirements, a more transparent public register of licensed consultants set for 2027, and the establishment of

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has announced targeted Expression of Interest (EOI) draws for individuals who obtained work permits under the 2025 Temporary Public Policy. This initiative specifically invites candidates who have previously received Support Letters and have successfully secured a work permit to apply for a provincial nomination. The invitations will be issued in stages, beginning with applicants whose Support Letters were approved between April

On May 5, 2026, British Columbia held two draws under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The BCPNP issued 8 invitations to candidates in the Base Category of the Entrepreneur Stream, which is designed for experienced businessmen seeking to establish a new business or acquire an existing one in British Columbia. In addition, the province invited up to five candidates in the Entrepreneur Immigration - Regional Pilot category. The lowest score of this round

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced some details on the In-Canada Workers Initiative to transition 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residence by 2027. Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed that the initiative prioritizes individuals who have lived in smaller or rural communities for at least two years and have already applied for PR through regional programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, or various

The Government of Yukon and the Yukon Medical Council have introduced a new dual pathway licensing process to simplify the entry of US-trained physicians into the territory's healthcare system. Developed in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, this initiative allows American Board-certified doctors to use a single set of credentials to apply for licensure in both jurisdictions simultaneously. By leveraging BC’s approved registrations,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently updated its instructions regarding the restoration of temporary resident status to provide greater flexibility for foreign nationals. Under the revised policy, applicants can now apply to restore their temporary resident status independently, without the obligation to restore the specific work or study authorizations they previously held. This means individuals who no longer qualify for or require their former autho

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly announced $6 billion Team Canada Strong program signals a significant federal commitment to the skilled trades, creating a development that prospective immigrants should monitor closely. While the initial framework focuses on domestic recruitment, the goal of adding 100,000 Red Seal workers highlights a critical labour shortage that has traditionally driven skilled immigrants into the country. As Canada aims to fill 1.4 million trade positio

On April 30, 2026, the Government of Ontario conducted new invitation draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW) and International Student Stream (EJO IS) of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). In these draws, the province targeted candidates working in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The OINP issued 720 invitations to apply (ITAs) under the EJO FW Stream (57 points and above) and 277 ITAs under the EJO IS Stream (81 points and above). In total

Statistics Canada is overhauling its Demographic Estimates Program to keep pace with the country’s volatile migration landscape. Following the unprecedented population surge of 2023 and a subsequent cooling in 2025, the agency is integrating real-time administrative data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to better track permit extensions and non-permanent residents. New projects slated for 2026 include releasing sub-provincial data for urban centers to

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its policy regarding continued work authorization under section R186(u) for applicants awaiting a decision on their work permit renewals. The revised instructions clarify that the interim proof of work letter provided to applicants is now valid for 365 days. Importantly, if an application remains in progress beyond the date specified in the letter, workers may continue their employment until a final decision is r

The permanent residence fees will increase on April 30, 2026, to account for inflation and the rising costs of program delivery. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, these adjustments occur every two years to ensure the immigration system can manage growing demand while maintaining reliable service standards. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) will see a $25 increase, bringing the total to $600. Other significant adjustments include the Provincia

Parti Quebecois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon is under fire from federal ministers and advocacy groups following remarks made at a recent town hall regarding "frerism" and Muslim immigration. St-Pierre Plamondon suggested that an ideology linked to the Muslim Brotherhood is a documented reality in Europe but remains undocumented in Canada because it aligns with the Federal Government's "post-national" agenda. Federal ministers Jean-Yves Duclos and Marc Miller dismissed the

Effective May 1, 2026, Nova Scotia will implement a 12-month validity period for all Expressions of Interest (EOI) to enhance inventory management and ensure alignment with current labour-market needs. Under the new measures, EOIs submitted before May 1, 2024, will be closed immediately on the effective date. Those submitted between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, will remain active until April 30, 2027, unless selected sooner. For all new submissions moving forward, profile