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Manitoba invited over 400 candidates in the last MPNP draw of 2025
On December 31, 2025, Manitoba held the invitation round #261 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 421 candidates under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream. The draw invited 353 candidates under the occupation-specific selection and 68 candidates under the Skilled Worker pathway. In this round, 118 invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. In 2025, the MPNP invit
Jan 5


Ontario colleges face an uncertain future as the federal international student cap drives program cuts and layoffs
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
Jan 5


Ontario immigration changes leave newcomers facing uncertainty over permanent residency
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
Jan 5


Ontario focuses on workforce development as international student permits face a sharp reduction in 2026
Ontario is adjusting its approach to international student admissions following Ottawa's decision to reduce study permit approvals by 42 percent for 2026. The province will strategically allocate its 104,780 Provincial Attestation Letters, prioritizing programs in high-demand fields such as construction, nursing, teaching, and STEM. Minister Nolan Quinn emphasized that Ontario remains committed to maintaining its reputation for world-class education while ensuring graduates
Dec 23, 2025


MPNP invited more candidates under the Skilled Worker Stream
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
Dec 19, 2025


Canada reports a 53% drop in international student and worker arrivals
Canada's efforts to reduce temporary resident numbers are showing measurable results, with new data revealing a 53% decrease in student and worker arrivals between January and October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The government has implemented stricter caps on international student permits and tightened eligibility for temporary foreign workers as part of its commitment to bring the temporary population below 5% of the total population by late 2027. Only 3,030 n
Dec 18, 2025


Canada's international student cap triggers widespread economic impact on higher education
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
Dec 15, 2025


Canada published New Post-Graduation Work Permit updates
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
Dec 15, 2025


Manitoba invited 184 candidates in the MPNP draw #259
On December 5, 2025, Manitoba held the invitation round #259 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 184 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, 61 invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,281 candidates, and 1,343 of them rec
Dec 9, 2025


Canada stands alone among the big four nations with a hard cap on international student enrolment
As 2026 approaches, Canada remains the only country among the major study destinations to enforce a strict numerical limit on international student intake. While Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have introduced various policy measures to manage foreign enrolment, Canada has implemented actual caps—408,000 study permits for 2026, down 7% from 2025 targets. The policy responds to public concerns over housing shortages and healthcare capacity amid rising imm
Dec 5, 2025


B.C. launches review to save public post-secondary education system
The government of British Columbia has launched an independent review to strengthen the public post-secondary education system and ensure its long-term sustainability. Ministry of Post‑Secondary Education and Future Skills says institutions in B.C. are under severe financial pressure due to reduced international student permits, inflation and declining domestic enrolment — leading to widening gaps between revenues and expenses. The review will deliver recommendations by Marc
Nov 27, 2025


Ottawa announced 2026 international student cap allocations with new graduate student exemptions
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released provincial and territorial allocations for 2026 under the international student cap, setting a national target of 408,000 study permits—down 7% from 2025. The cap, which has successfully reduced the number of study permit holders from over 1 million to approximately 725,000 since its 2024 introduction, aims to lower Canada's temporary population to below 5% by 2027. As announced before, master's and doctoral students
Nov 27, 2025


IRCC updated the study permit policy for international students transitioning between education levels
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
Nov 27, 2025


Manitoba held a new skilled worker stream draw under the MPNP
On November 21, 2025, Manitoba held the invitation round #258 under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The province invited 35 skilled workers under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams as part of a strategic recruitment initiative. In this round, five invitations were extended to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. This year, the MPNP invited 7,097 candidates, and 1,282 of them r
Nov 24, 2025


International student enrollment at Canadian public colleges nearly doubles over a nine-year period
Statistics Canada highlighted a significant shift across Canada’s postsecondary sector, noting that international students now account for more than half of public college enrollments. The 2023/2024 academic year saw 288,798 international students attending these institutions—representing 50.4% of total enrollment—compared to just 26.7% in 2014/2015. India has emerged as the leading source country, accounting for nearly 60% of international students, while Ontario continues
Nov 21, 2025


IRCC updated study permit rules for protected persons and their families
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
Nov 14, 2025


IRCC exempts graduate students from enrolment cap, fast-tracks PhD applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced measures to strengthen graduate student recruitment following recent enrolment restrictions. Starting January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral candidates at public universities will be exempt from the international student cap, eliminating the need for provincial attestation letters. Additionally, doctoral applicants will benefit from expedited 14-day study permit processing, extended to accompanying family mem
Nov 10, 2025


Canada updated study permit guidelines with new PAL/TAL requirements
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced important updates to the provincial and territorial attestation letter framework for study permits. Effective November 4, 2025, IRCC has introduced several key clarifications affecting the 2025 allocation period, including revised protocols for PAL/TAL reuse, joint program applications, and processing criteria. The updates also address exception cases requiring Organization/Entity IDs and provide sample docume
Nov 7, 2025


Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan
Canada's partial release of its 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan alongside Budget 2025 reveals a strategic recalibration of the country's immigration framework. Temporary resident admissions will decline from 516,600 to 385,000, reflecting efforts to balance infrastructure capacity with population growth amid housing pressures and institutional constraints across Canadian provinces. International student spaces will face a 50% reduction to 155,000 in 2026 (150,000 in 2027 a
Nov 7, 2025


Holland College faces a 47% drop in international enrolment due to federal policy changes
Holland College has reported a 47% decline in its international student population in 2025, from 848 students last year to 446. The college projects an additional loss of 300 students by the 2026–27 academic year, totalling a reduction of about 700 international students, over 80% of its former international enrolment. The decline stems directly from federal immigration policy changes, particularly restrictions on college graduates’ eligibility for Post-Graduate Work Permits
Nov 3, 2025
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