Following major changes to Ontario's immigration system, many newcomers pursuing permanent residency are in limbo , uncertain about their future in Canada. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, which offers a fast-track pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers and international students, is undergoing significant restructuring. The province has suspended its skilled trades stream and is reducing entry categories from nine to four, while Ottawa has cut provincial no

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 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

Alberta has once again proven its economic strength by creating 28,700 jobs in November 2025, accounting for more than half of all jobs added across Canada. This marks the third consecutive month of significant employment growth in the province. Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow highlighted that Alberta has added over 105,000 jobs since November 2024, demonstrating positive momentum that aligns with the province's rapid population expansion. Youth

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

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.

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

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

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 6, 2025, 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 current average LMIA processing time has increased across all streams. Global Talent Stream - 10 business days (+2 days) Agricultural stream – 16 business days (+3 days) Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program - 11 business days (+4 days) Permanen

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has extended its public policy allowing certain foreign workers in Provincial Nominee Program expression of interest pools to obtain open work permits until December 31, 2025. The program, originally scheduled to end in late 2024, enables eligible foreign nationals currently employed in participating provinces to secure work permits valid for up to 2 years with provincial support letters. Manitoba and Yukon remain active participa

On November 4, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rolled out updated guidelines following regulatory amendments that took effect January 31, 2025. These changes grant designated officers the authority to individually cancel electronic travel authorizations, temporary resident visas, work permits, and study permits when circumstances warrant. The new provisions under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations apply exclusively to issued document

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has revised the list of countries requiring medical examinations for temporary residence applications, effective November 3, 2025. Four countries—Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Venezuela—have been added to the requirement list, while six territories —Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Latvia, Lithuania, and Taiwan —have been removed. The changes affect individuals who have resided in or travelled to these nations for six co

Ontario is introducing comprehensive reforms to its driver's licence system through Bill 60 , which links licensing eligibility directly to immigration status and work authorization. Effective early 2026, the Ministry of Transportation will verify applicants' legal status in Canada before issuing or renewing licences. The legislation prohibits temporary visitors from obtaining commercial driver's licences, ends automatic recognition of foreign licences from non-reciprocal cou

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the last draws in International Experience Canada (IEC) pools for 2025. Since October 10, Canada has invited 2,946 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of October 27, 40,086 candidates were registered in the pool and waiting for the invitation. In the last round, there were 398 ITAs for Australia, 4 ITAs for Austria, 6 ITAs for Belgium, 3 ITAs for Chile, 6 ITAs for Costa Rica, 7 ITAs for Croatia, 6

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced procedural updates to the Recognized Employer Pilot program. Effective October 24, 2025, applicants may now use a single Labour Market Impact Assessment for multiple work permit applications under the REP framework, contingent upon available positions remaining on the approved LMIA. IRCC has simultaneously established standardized procedures for officers to verify position availability on REP LMIAs. These clar

On October 15, 2025, 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). From October 6 to October 9, 2025, the province held two draws under the NB Express Entry – Employment in New Brunswick Stream (all sectors) and the NB Skilled Worker – NB Graduates Stream (health care, education and social & community services, construction trades)

Over the past month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held new draws in the International Experience Canada (IEC) pools. From September 6 to October 10, Canada invited 4,965 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of October 10, 39,279 candidates were registered in the pool and awaiting invitations. Canada issued 1 ITA for Andorra, 719 ITAs for Australia, 12 ITAs for Austria, 13 ITAs for Belgium, 1 ITA for Chile, 8 ITAs for Costa Rica, 19

A migrant worker seeking to build a new life in Canada faces uncertainty after paying over $24,000 to an immigration representative for...

Employment and Social Development Canada reported significant changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, emphasizing its role as...