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Immigration priority gains ground as Canadians eye talent attraction for economic growth
Recent polling data reveals a notable shift in Canadian priorities, with 79% of respondents now viewing the attraction of global talent through sustainable immigration as a key government focus, up five points since the summer. This marks the largest increase among Prime Minister Mark Carney's seven national priorities, suggesting Canadians increasingly recognize immigration's role in economic recovery. While the cost of living and housing remain dominant concerns at 91% and
Dec 4, 2025


IRCC implemented new fees for restoration, IEC and inadmissibility services, effective December 1, 2025
IRCC has officially updated several immigration fees effective December 1, 2025, affecting International Experience Canada (IEC) applicants, restoration of status, and multiple inadmissibility services. The changes include higher charges for authorizations to return to Canada, temporary resident permits, criminality and serious criminality assessments, as well as restoration of visitor, worker, and student status. Applicants who submit online must pay the new fees immediatel
Dec 4, 2025


Chinese immigrants face security clearance hurdles for government positions
Senator Yuen Pau Woo has brought attention to a growing concern affecting Chinese immigrants seeking careers in Canada's public sector. During a Senate foreign affairs committee meeting, the senator described how individuals with minimal ties to Chinese government entities are experiencing delays or rejections in their security clearance applications. These applicants, many of whom are young Canadians hoping to work for members of Parliament or senators, appear to be facing
Dec 4, 2025


CBSA opens public consultation on streamlined transit process for international passengers
The Canada Border Services Agency has initiated a month-long consultation period on regulatory changes that would eliminate mandatory check-ins for passengers transiting through Canadian airports to international destinations. The Free Flow International-to-International Transit initiative, part of the government's red tape reduction efforts, aims to streamline travel while maintaining security standards. Under the proposal, airlines would provide enhanced passenger data to
Dec 4, 2025


Ontario to launch new talent streams for permanent residency in 2026Ontario's Immigration Minister David Piccini has officially announced the province will roll out new immigration pathways next year,
Ontario's Immigration Minister David Piccini has officially announced the province will roll out new immigration pathways next year, including a specialized Talent Stream under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program. Speaking during the debate on Bill 30 in late November, Piccini outlined plans to target high-impact individuals, including major investors, elite culinary professionals, prominent artists, and leading researchers. The legislation grants the province greater flex
Dec 4, 2025


Quebec issues delayed Arrima invitations after technical glitch
On November 28, 2025, the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation et Integration (MIFI) published the results of a new invitation round in Quebec’s online system Arrima. In this draw, the province issued six supplementary invitations for permanent selection under special provisions of the Quebec Immigration Act. These candidates were originally scheduled to receive their invitations during the July 31 selection round; however, a technical issue in the system delayed the
Dec 1, 2025


Calgary construction site raid sparks debate over Canada's immigration enforcement approach
A recent immigration enforcement action at the construction site of Calgary's new arena has raised concerns that Canada is adopting aggressive tactics similar to those used by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Canada Border Services Agency, accompanied by Calgary police, required workers to present identification, resulting in four individuals being barred from returning to work for lacking proper documentation. Experts warn that involving local police in immig
Nov 28, 2025


Statistics Canada reports a decline in census undercoverage for non-permanent residents
A new study released by Statistics Canada reveals that 38% of non-permanent residents were not captured in the 2021 Census, marking a notable seven-percentage-point improvement from the 45% missed rate documented in 2016. The research identified distinct patterns in census participation across demographic groups. Ontario recorded the highest provincial omission rate at 45%, while Quebec achieved the lowest at 22%. Young adults aged 20 to 24 and individuals on short-term perm
Nov 27, 2025


Ottawa announced 2026 international student cap allocations with new graduate student exemptions
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released provincial and territorial allocations for 2026 under the international student cap, setting a national target of 408,000 study permits—down 7% from 2025. The cap, which has successfully reduced the number of study permit holders from over 1 million to approximately 725,000 since its 2024 introduction, aims to lower Canada's temporary population to below 5% by 2027. As announced before, master's and doctoral students
Nov 27, 2025


IRCC invited 777 PNP candidates in the new Express Entry draw
On November 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #380. The Government of Canada issued 777 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 699 points, 39 points fewer than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 06, 2025, at 01:16:22 UTC. As of November 23, 2025, 245,758 profiles were registered in the Exp
Nov 27, 2025


Canada introduces work permit exemptions for FIFA World Cup 2026 personnel
Canada has announced a temporary public policy exempting certain FIFA-invited foreign nationals from work authorization requirements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The policy, effective through July 31, 2026, applies to FIFA employees, contractors, and subcontractors who hold invitation letters confirming their involvement in official FIFA events. Eligible individuals can enter Canada between December 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, without obtaining traditional work permits.
Nov 27, 2025


IRCC updated the study permit policy for international students transitioning between education levels
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced policy changes on November 24, 2025, affecting study permit applications for designated learning institutions. Students moving from secondary to post-secondary education can now start classes at their new institution while awaiting permit approval, provided they applied before their current permit expired. The update also clarifies requirements for joint programs leading to a single credential. These students need only o
Nov 27, 2025


Canada extends legal protections for out-of-status home care workers
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has implemented a five-year temporary measure allowing out-of-status and unauthorized home care workers to regularize their immigration status while awaiting permanent residence decisions. The policy, which became effective March 31, 2025, enables eligible workers who applied under Stream A of the Home Care Worker Immigration program to restore their status and secure work authorization. Family members residing in Canada who are i
Nov 27, 2025


Manitoba held a new skilled worker stream draw under the MPNP
On November 21, 2025, Manitoba held the invitation round #258 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 35 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, five invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,097 candidates, and 1,282 of them r
Nov 24, 2025


Canada extended the pause on refugee sponsorship applications until the end of 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced an extension to the temporary pause on new applications under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program's group of five and community sponsor streams, now lasting until December 31, 2026. The decision comes as the department works to address a significant backlog caused by high demand and lengthy processing times. While new applications remain on hold, previously submitted cases will continue to be processed, and C
Nov 24, 2025


International student enrollment at Canadian public colleges nearly doubles over a nine-year period
Statistics Canada highlighted a significant shift across Canada’s postsecondary sector, noting that international students now account for more than half of public college enrollments. The 2023/2024 academic year saw 288,798 international students attending these institutions—representing 50.4% of total enrollment—compared to just 26.7% in 2014/2015. India has emerged as the leading source country, accounting for nearly 60% of international students, while Ontario continues
Nov 21, 2025


Canada extended fee-free immigration support for Haitian nationals amid ongoing security crisis
The Government of Canada has announced the continuation of special immigration measures for Haitian nationals and foreign family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents beyond November 20, 2025. The extension allows eligible individuals to apply for study permits, open work permits, temporary resident permits, or status extensions without application fees. Initially launched in May 2024 in response to Haiti's deteriorating security conditions, these measures ref
Nov 21, 2025


Canada extends the citizenship act amendment deadline to January 2026
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has granted Canada's Federal Government an additional two months to finalize amendments to the Citizenship Act, pushing the deadline from November 20, 2025, to January 20, 2026. This extension provides Parliament with crucial time to advance Bill C-3, legislation designed to eliminate the First-Generation Limit that currently blocks Canadians born overseas from transmitting citizenship to their foreign-born children. The court ruled this
Nov 20, 2025


Northwest Territories Nominee Program closes 2025 intake after reaching federal allocation cap
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has officially closed the 2025 intake after receiving sufficient applications to meet its federal nomination allocation of 300 candidates. Applicants will receive email notifications regarding the status of their submissions. The program is scheduled to reopen in 2026, with further details to be announced. In the interim, employers facing workforce challenges can explore alternative pathways such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Progr
Nov 20, 2025


Canada struggles to retain its highly skilled immigrants
A new national analysis shows that highly skilled immigrants, those with advanced degrees or expertise in fields such as engineering, ICT, and healthcare, are twice as likely to leave Canada within their first five years compared to immigrants with lower skill levels. Although one in five newcomers eventually departs within 25 years, early-stage departures are far more common among top-talent professionals who face challenges such as limited career opportunities, underemploy
Nov 20, 2025
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