On December 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for French language proficiency candidates. In round #388, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to francophone candidates. The cut-off score of this draw was 399 points, nine points fewer than in the previous draw in this category. The tie-breaking rule for this round was August 24, 2025, at 23:43:05 UTC. This year, Canada issued 113,998 ITAs through 58 Express Ent

On December 16, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #387, the cut-off score was 515 points, five points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw, and it was the smallest CRS score for CEC candidates in 2025. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September 9, 2025, at 18:58:59 UTC. So far in 2

On December 15, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #386. In this draw, the Government of Canada issued 399 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This round’s cut-off score was 731 points, two points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 18, 2025, at 7:18:52 UTC. As of December 15, 2025, 237,302 profiles were registered in the Express E

On December 11, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published new updates to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. The updates clarify that applicants must have held a valid study authorization within 180 days of completing their studies to remain eligible. Language and field-of-study requirements now apply equally across university and non-university programs, effective March 11, 2025. However, students who applied for their study permit befo

On December 11, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the seventh occupation-specific Express Entry draw of the year for candidates working in healthcare and social services occupations. In round #385, IRCC issued 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the cut-off score was 476 points (14 points more than the last draw for this category). The tie-breaking rule for this round was November 26, 2025, at 07:44:30 UTC. This year, Canada issued 102,599 ITA

On December 10, 2025, 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) to candidates in the CEC-targeted draw. In round #384, the cut-off score was 520 points, 11 points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was July 15, 2025, at 17:30:33 UTC. As of December 7, 2025, 242,379 profiles were registe

On December 8, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a massive Express Entry draw #383. The Government of Canada issued 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw, making it the largest draw of the year for the category. This round’s cut-off score was 729 points, 30 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was March 05, 2025, at 05:10:48. As of December 7,

Canada is streamlining the path to permanent residence for international physicians already working in the country. The Federal Government announced a dedicated Express Entry category for doctors with at least one year of recent Canadian work experience, with invitations expected in early 2026. Additionally, 5,000 federal spaces have been allocated for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers, who will benefit from expedited 14-day work permit p

Manitoba has announced the approaching deadline for its temporary public policy supporting work permit extensions for Provincial Nominee Program candidates. Eligible applicants have until December 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST to submit their Support Letter applications through the online portal. After this date, the submission form will close, and no new applications will be accepted. The Federal Government will continue processing applications received under this policy until

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

On November 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for French language proficiency candidates. In round #382, IRCC issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to francophone candidates. The cut-off score of this draw was 408 points, eight points fewer than in the previous draw in this category. The tie-breaking rule for this round was May 26, 2025, at 12:28:38 UTC. This year, Canada issued 94,476 ITAs through 52 Express Entry

On November 26, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC again issued only 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates in the CEC-targeted draw. In round #381, the cut-off score was 531 points, two points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 08, 2025, at 19:02:26 UTC. As of November 24, 2025, 246,656 profi

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

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

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

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

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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has updated its operational guidelines for work-permit applications submitted by family members of military personnel, effective November 14, 2025. The revision confirms that dependent children are no longer eligible for open work permits under codes C46 or C48 for applications filed on or after January 21, 2025, where no reciprocal agreement applies. It also clarifies that spouses of TEER 4 workers are no longer eligible for open

On November 14, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the sixth occupation-specific Express Entry draw of the year for candidates working in healthcare and social services occupations. In round #379, IRCC issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA), and the cut-off score was 462 points (ten points fewer than the last draw for this category). The tie-breaking rule for this round was December 02, 2024, at 22:19:41 UTC. This year, Canada issued 86,699 ITAs

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that protected persons and their family members can now apply for study permits from within Canada, regardless of whether they have submitted permanent residency applications. This policy update, effective November 13, 2025, expands access for various groups, including students at all educational levels, work permit holders, temporary residents, refugee claimants, and families of foreign government officials. The