The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has officially closed its 2025 intake after receiving sufficient applications to meet the federal nomination cap of 300 candidates. Prospective applicants will receive email notifications regarding whether their submissions will proceed to assessment or be withdrawn. The program is scheduled to reopen in 2026, with further details to be announced. Employers seeking to fill workforce gaps can explore alternative pathways, including th

On January 13, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a $640,000, three-year investment to support the "Culture d’entreprise" project, an initiative led by the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF) and Culture pour tous. This funding aims to facilitate the integration of French-speaking newcomers into the workforce by developing intercultural toolkits that bridge the gap between business environments and Francophone culture. As part of the Action Plan for Offic

The Government of Yukon has confirmed an allocation of 282 nominations for its 2026 Nominee Program, with two intake periods scheduled for January 19-30 and July 6-17. Employers can submit expressions of interest online, with applications scored based on priority criteria, including regulated healthcare professionals, rural Yukon employers, and foreign nationals who have established roots in the territory. Those who received Temporary Measure Letters of Support in 2024 or 20

Canada faces a mounting challenge as nearly one million work permits have expired by late 2025, with close to another million set to lapse throughout 2026. This could result in roughly two million individuals without legal status by mid-2026, with South Asian nationals comprising approximately half of this figure. The situation has intensified due to recent policy shifts that have narrowed pathways to permanent residency, particularly affecting international students and tem

Statistics Canada's latest quarterly data show that Canada admitted 102,867 immigrants in the third quarter of 2025, maintaining steady immigration levels compared with previous quarters. However, the period also saw a significant increase in emigration, with 41,203 Canadians leaving the country—nearly double the Q2 2025 figure. Meanwhile, 21,147 former emigrants returned home during the same period. Net emigration reached 20,056, reflecting growing outward migration pattern

The Canadian restaurant sector is bracing for serious challenges as federal immigration restrictions threaten to worsen an already critical staffing crisis. With Ottawa slashing temporary resident admissions by 43 percent for 2026, industry leaders warn this could add another 50,000 vacant positions to the nearly 150,000 openings expected by 2027. Restaurant operators, many of whom are immigrants themselves, say the cuts not only make it harder to recruit reliable staff but

The Government of Quebec has announced new language requirements for temporary foreign workers seeking a Quebec Acceptance Certificate under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Starting December 17, 2028, applicants who have completed three years of work in Quebec must demonstrate Level 4 proficiency in French, as defined by the Echelle québécoise. Agricultural workers, political office employees, and staff of recognized international non-governmental organizations

Canada has recorded a significant decline in asylum applications, with 33% fewer claims submitted between January and October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This decrease follows the government's implementation of stricter border controls and enhanced screening processes. The country's asylum system, designed to protect individuals fleeing persecution and danger, has seen rising numbers in recent years due to global instability and armed conflicts. Recent policy c

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees will need to follow updated job posting rules under the Employment Standards Act. Employers must now include clear compensation ranges in all publicly advertised job ads, and these ranges may not exceed $50,000 unless the job pays more than $200,000. Employers are also not allowed to require Canadian work experience in job postings, helping reduce barriers for international talent. If artificial intelligen

Ontario's college sector is grappling with significant upheaval as tighter federal restrictions on international student visas force institutions to suspend programs and reduce services. Ottawa's decision to reduce study permit issuance to 408,000 in 2026 – down from 485,000 in 2024 – has prompted colleges to cut hundreds of programs and eliminate more than 8,000 positions. Students at institutions such as George Brown, Conestoga, and Fanshawe are experiencing reduced suppor

Quebec has become the top province in Canada for retaining newcomers one year after arrival. According to Statistics Canada, 91.5% of permanent residents who landed in 2022 and initially intended to settle in Quebec were still living there 12 months later, compared with 91.3% in Ontario. This comes at a time when interprovincial mobility has been rising across the country since the pandemic. Quebec’s retention rate has grown notably from 85.9% in 2019 to 91.5% in 2022, while

On December 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant updates to the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. The revisions include enhanced verification procedures for work permits, updated guidelines for medical examinations and police certificates, and refined case management protocols. Key changes involve corrections to Australian International Co-op validity periods and new provisions that allow Dutch post-secondary studen

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the data on immigration inventories and backlogs. According to the last update, there were 2,182,200 applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship approvals in all IRCC inventories. According to the new data, 53.8% of applications in the inventory are within service standards. IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within its service standard; however, some complex cases may require a

On December 18, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab released a statement recognizing the vital role migrants play in strengthening Canada's communities and economy. She acknowledged how their skills and determination support key sectors while noting the growing complexity of global migration driven by conflict, economic challenges, and climate pressures. Canada remains committed to working with international partners, including the UNHCR and IOM, to promote safe and order

Saskatchewan has announced its 2026 immigration plan, setting the province's initial allocation under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program at 4,761 nominations. The province is taking a more focused approach this year, reserving at least half of all nominations for priority industries, including healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, and technology. In a shift from previous years, Saskatchewan has introduced caps on certain sectors that have historically dominated th

On December 18, 2025, Manitoba  held  the invitation round #260 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 63 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, eight invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,344 candidates, and 1,351 of them

On December 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revised the eligibility criteria for Hong Kong residents applying through Stream B of the permanent residence pathways. Effective immediately, principal applicants must demonstrate at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work experience obtained through paid employment at any skill level within three years prior to submission. Additionally, all applicants are required to have maintained a valid Can

A group of leading Canadian economists has raised concerns about recent changes to the country's immigration framework, arguing that the 2023 introduction of category-based selection has undermined the transparency of Canada's formerly merit-driven system. The shift from the Comprehensive Ranking System to ministerial discretion has created uncertainty for prospective immigrants and may reduce the inflow of highly skilled workers. With international student applications decl

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada reported 7,527 new refugee protection claims in November 2025, marking a continued decline from earlier months. With 6,738 cases finalized during the period, the backlog now stands at 299,452 pending claims. This represents a steady increase from 149,088 pending cases in November 2023. Meanwhile, refugee appeals climbed to 4,283 pending cases after processing 846 finalizations in November. Immigration appeals also saw growth, with

Canada's postsecondary sector faces mounting challenges as international student arrivals plunged 60% between January and September 2025 compared to the previous year, following government-imposed caps designed to ease housing pressures. The dramatic decline has triggered financial losses exceeding $140 million across just six Ontario institutions, while British Columbia anticipates annual losses surpassing $300 million. Ontario colleges have suspended 600 programs and elimi