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IRCC held new draws under the IEC and invited over 9,400 candidates
Over the last two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held new draws under the International Experience Canada (IEC). From March 28 to April 10, Canada invited 9,407 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of April 10, 27,651 candidates have registered in the pool and are awaiting the invitation. In these rounds, there were 1,019 ITAs for Australia, 8 ITAs for Austria, 99 ITAs for Belgium, 45 ITAs for Chile, 12 ITAs for Costa Rica, 5
33 minutes ago


New Brunswick conducted two draws under the NB Express Entry Stream and Atlantic Immigration Program
On April 10, 2026, New Brunswick published the results of its recent draws using an expression of interest system to streamline immigration applications for the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). On March 30, 2026, the province conducted a new draw and issued a total of 25 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to healthcare and IT professionals under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick pathway.
40 minutes ago


ESDC published decreased processing times for Labour Market Impact Assessment streams
On April 9, 2026, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the processing times for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under various streams. Based on statistics from all processing centres, the average LMIA processing time has decreased for all streams except the Agricultural and Low-wage streams, which had a very slight increase. Global Talent Stream - 7 business days (-5 days) Agricultural stream – 16 business days (+1 day) Seasonal Agr
44 minutes ago


Canada’s newest newcomers enter a tight labour market, but gaps persist
Statistics Canada’s latest analysis highlights how immigrants and non-permanent residents who arrived between 2019 and 2024 navigated a fast-changing labour market shaped by post-pandemic job vacancies. Using a 2024 Labour Force Survey supplement, the report examines core working-age newcomers (aged 25 to 54) and compares them with earlier immigrant cohorts. Many newcomers secured their first job quickly, with 42.5% of recent immigrants and 48.5% of recent non-permanent resi
5 days ago


AAIP introduces $135 Worker Expression of Interest fee effective April 7, 2026
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
5 days ago


Canada introduced new special immigration measures for residents affected by domestic natural disasters
The Government of Canada has announced new temporary measures to help communities and individuals disrupted by domestic natural disasters, as climate-related emergencies become more frequent and severe. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says that impacted temporary residents, including international students, temporary foreign workers and visitors, may replace lost status documents and apply to have permits restored, extended or renewed beyond the usual 90-
6 days ago


IRCC conducted 2026’s first Skilled Trades draw under Express Entry
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
6 days ago


Alberta introduces Bill 26 to strengthen immigration oversight
Alberta has introduced Bill 26, the Immigration Oversight Act, to restore confidence in the immigration system by increasing provincial oversight of employers, foreign worker recruiters, and immigration consultants. If passed, the legislation would require employers to register before using federal temporary foreign worker programs and would create a licensing framework for recruiters and consultants. The province says these measures will help curb fraud, exploitation, and l
Apr 2


IRCC updated instructions for Ukrainians awaiting the family reunification pathway
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued new processing instructions for a temporary public policy supporting certain Ukrainian nationals in Canada and eligible family members who have applied under the Family reunification for Ukrainian nationals pathway to permanent residence. Effective April 1, 2026, the measures allow eligible applicants to maintain or restore temporary resident status while their permanent residence application is processed. To qua
Apr 2


OINP invited candidates working in the mining industry under three Employer Job Offer streams
On April 1, 2026, Ontario conducted immigration draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW), International Student Stream (EJO IS), and In-Demand Skills Stream (EJO IDS) of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). In these draws, the province targeted candidates working in the mining industry. The OINP issued 372 invitations to apply (ITAs) under the EJO FW Stream, 355 ITAs under the EJO IS Stream, and 32 ITAs under the EJO IDS Stream. In total, the
Apr 2


New PNP rules shift key assessment authority to provinces and territories
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program regulatory changes took effect on March 30, 2026, updating how applications are processed before permanent residence is granted. Under the new rules, provinces and territories assume expanded authority previously held by IRCC to assess whether nominees can become economically established and whether they intend to live in the nominating jurisdiction. IRCC says the guidance is posted as a courtesy to stakeholders and applies to both existin
Mar 31


IRCC invited 356 PNP candidates through Express Entry
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
Mar 31


Ottawa held new IEC draws, inviting over 3,000 candidates
Over the last two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held new draws under the International Experience Canada (IEC). From March 14 to March 27, Canada invited 3,167 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of March 27, 31,077 candidates have registered in the pool and are awaiting the invitation. In these rounds, there were 233 ITAs for Australia, 6 ITAs for Austria, 38 ITAs for Belgium, 4 ITAs for Chile, 4 ITAs for Costa Rica, 10 IT
Mar 30


Canada to raise citizenship and permanent residence fees starting March 31 and April 30
Ottawa will raise key immigration fees this spring as it adjusts charges for inflation and program costs. As of March 31, 2026, the right of citizenship fee for adults will increase from $3.25 to $123, while the $530 processing fee for adult citizenship grants remains the same. A second increase follows on April 30, 2026, affecting permanent residence programs, including the right of permanent residence fee ($600) and higher rates for provincial nominees, business applican
Mar 30


Canada’s wealth gap persists for recent immigrants as established families pull ahead, StatCan finds
Canadian-born families continued to hold about twice the median wealth of recent immigrant families in both 2016 and 2023, Statistics Canada reports , with the gap especially pronounced when the primary income earner lacks a university degree. Over the same period, established immigrant families increased their wealth and, by 2023, moved ahead of comparable Canadian-born families. Home equity remained the biggest driver of net worth across groups, while pension assets stayed
Mar 27


Canada payroll employment rises in January 2026 as weekly earnings top $1,320
Payroll employment in Canada rose by 45,600 in January 2026, up 0.2% from December after a small decline the month before, Statistics Canada reported . Year over year, payroll employment was also up 0.2%. Average weekly earnings, including overtime, reached $1,320.46, a 2.0% increase from January 2025. Job gains were concentrated in educational services, construction, finance and insurance, and health care and social assistance, while retail trade posted the largest drop. Job
Mar 27


Thunder Bay analysis calls for stronger newcomer retention supports
Thunder Bay has completed a Welcoming Communities Analysis aimed at improving support for newcomers and advancing long-term population growth under the city’s Growth Action Plan. The work was led by the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission with Community Services and the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association. Leaders say recent immigration strengthened the workforce, but expected policy shifts could slow arrivals, making retention essential. The analysis poi
Mar 26


Canada’s wealth gap persists for recent immigrants as established families pull ahead, StatCan finds
Canadian-born families continued to hold about twice the median wealth of recent immigrant families in both 2016 and 2023, Statistics Canada reports , with the gap especially pronounced when the primary income earner lacks a university degree. Over the same period, established immigrant families increased their wealth and, by 2023, moved ahead of comparable Canadian-born families. Home equity remained the biggest driver of net worth across groups, while pension assets stayed
Mar 26


Canada suspends deportations to the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar due to safety concerns
The Canada Border Services Agency announced it has paused all deportations to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar due to dangerous conditions in those countries. The temporary measure applies to anyone facing removal from Canada, except those convicted of serious crimes or linked to security threats. Officials say the situation has become too risky for civilians across these nations. The suspension will stay in place until conditions improve and the risk to
Mar 25


Canada urged to create 10-year residency path for long-term contributors
A new proposal calls for Canada to establish a legal pathway to permanent residence for individuals who have lived in the country for ten years or more. The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association argues that thousands of people currently work, pay taxes, and raise families here while remaining legally temporary. The proposed policy would require proof of continuous presence, a clean record, and evidence of integration through tax filings or employment. Supporters say this
Mar 25
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