Canada's immigration security apparatus is struggling with fundamental structural weaknesses that have allowed security threats to slip through multiple agency checkpoints, according to recent policy analysis . The system involves four separate federal bodies – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police – each maintaining distinct databases and risk assessme

Ottawa has announced significant changes to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), with new co-payment requirements taking effect May 1, 2026. Under the updated policy outlined in Budget 2025, eligible beneficiaries will pay $4 per prescription medication and 30% of costs for supplemental services such as dental care, vision care, counselling, and assistive devices. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) states these measures will ensure the program's long-t

Over the last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the first draws of the year for the International Experience Canada (IEC) pools. From January 1 to January 23, Canada invited 12,693 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of January 23, 35,567 candidates have registered in the pool and are awaiting the invitation. In these rounds, there were 1 ITA for Andorra, 1,304 ITAs for Australia, 83 ITAs for Austria, 370 ITAs for Belgium, 2

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a freeze on eligible fields of study for Post-Graduation Work Permits for the remainder of 2026. International students planning to work in Canada after graduation should note that no programs will be added to or removed from the current list of eligible CIP codes this year. This decision provides stability for students already enrolled in qualifying programs, but means those in non-eligible courses will not s

On January 21, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #392, the cut-off score was 509 points, two points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 29, 2025, at 04:35:24 UTC. As of January 19, 2026, 237,120 profiles were registered in the Express Ent

Canada's immigration system continues to show robust activity , with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada processing over 414,000 permanent residence decisions between January and November 2025, welcoming 367,500 new permanent residents during this period. The citizenship program also demonstrated significant momentum, granting citizenship to 181,600 individuals from April through November. On the temporary residence front, IRCC finalized substantial numbers of applic

On January 20, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the Express Entry draw #391. The Government of Canada issued 681 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 746 points, 35 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was November 19, 2025, at 04:09:11 UTC. As of January 19, 2026, 237,120 profiles were registered in the Expres

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

The Government of Yukon has begun accepting expressions of interest for its 2026 Nominee Program, with submissions closing January 30 at 4:30 pm YST. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals will complete an online form, earning points based on program priorities, including regulated healthcare professionals, rural Yukon employers, and candidates with established territorial ties. The territory received 282 nominations from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its Instrument of Designation and Delegation, effective December 15, 2025. The update broadens authority across multiple roles, including Director Generals and case processing agents, while introducing three key changes. Officers in Resettlement Operations can now refuse permanent resident visas when Quebec selection criteria are not satisfied. The Director General of the Migration Health Branch regains the auth

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced new guidelines for processing family class permanent residence interviews. The updated procedures address situations where applicants living in Canada cannot attend overseas visa office interviews. Officers now have the authority to evaluate whether concerns can be addressed remotely from Canada or require an in-person meeting at the visa office abroad. The changes, effective January 16, 2026, apply to both f

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a stern warning to Canadians about a surge in marriage-based immigration fraud. The alert comes as the federal government cuts permanent residency targets by more than 21 percent, dropping from 451,000 approvals in 2024 to 380,000 this year. Officials are urging citizens to exercise caution when considering sponsoring foreign spouses, particularly in cases involving rushed engagements or individuals with multiple

On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the second-largest Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #390, the cut-off score was 511 points, four points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was June 10, 2025, at 15:59:25 UTC. So far in 2026, Canada has issued 8,574 invitations through two E

On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #389. In the first draw of 2026, the Government of Canada issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This round’s cut-off score was 711 points, 20 points fewer than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 06, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC. As of January 4, 2026, 236,554 profiles were registered in the

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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced immediate changes to its business immigration programs as part of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan and Canada’s Talent Attraction Strategy. As of December 19, 2025, IRCC has stopped accepting applications for the optional work permit under the Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program, except for applicants already in Canada seeking to extend an existing SUV work permit. The department will also prioritize permanent residence

British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program has been allocated 5,254 spots for 2026, falling short of the province's requested 9,000 nominations needed to address critical labour shortages. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirmed the allocation, which represents a decrease from BC's 2025 total of 6,214 spots. Provincial officials are now working to determine strategic priorities for utilizing this limited allocation and plan to announce their 2026 approach i

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