A joint study by Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reveals that provincial nominees screened through the Express Entry system achieve better economic outcomes than those admitted through base streams. Enhanced provincial nominees earned 7% to 16% more one year after arrival and 12% more three years later, even after accounting for demographic differences. The research, which analyzed data from 2016 to 2024, shows that 78% of enhanced nominees

A recent study from HEC Montreal reveals that the route immigrants take into Canada matters more than their qualifications alone. Workers arriving with closed permits typically earn higher incomes than other groups, while foreign students show the fastest wage growth once they enter the job market. The research, which surveyed 2,500 university-educated immigrants in 2025, found that the current points-based selection system does not always identify candidates who will perfor

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified how work permits will be issued to applicants under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) in 2026. Candidates who have submitted a complete permanent residence application under either pilot and hold a valid job offer may qualify for a work permit valid for up to two years while their PR application is processed. These work permits are exempt from t

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced plans for an October 2026 referendum on immigration policy, marking a significant departure from her previous support for high population growth. The proposal comes as the province grapples with rapid demographic changes that have strained public services. Smith attributes the shift to federal immigration reforms under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which moved away from merit-based selection toward increased temporary work

On February 19, 2026, Prince Edward Island  conducted  2026’s second invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 109 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates working in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. The province prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI-based organizations and international graduates from recognized institutions, including UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de

Nova Scotia’s Pictou County has announced the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), with employer designation applications opening on February 17, 2026. As one of only 14 selected communities in Canada, Pictou County will use this permanent residency pathway to fill critical roles in healthcare, trades, and technology across municipalities like New Glasgow and Stellarton. The program aims to align regional labour needs with international talent, offering a

On February 11, 2026, New Brunswick issued 196 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Skilled Worker Stream under the NBPNP, specifically targeting the NB Graduates and NB Experience pathways. This draw focused on essential Healthcare occupations for candidates who submitted their EOI by the February 10, 2026, cut-off date. The Skilled Worker Stream is designed for foreign nationals with the skills, education, and work experience needed to contribute to the provinc

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) continues its regular invitation rounds for candidates registered in its Skills Immigration stream. As of February 8, 2026, the registration pool contains 10,988 candidates across various score ranges. The distribution shows significant concentration in the mid-tier brackets, with 2,134 registrations in the 100-109 range and 1,979 in the 90-99 category. Higher-scoring candidates remain competitive, as 41 registrations

Canada's Express Entry pool is showing signs of reduced competition at the top tier for the second consecutive month. Between January 4 and February 2, over 6,200 profiles with CRS scores above 501 exited the system, marking a significant 29% decrease in the 501-600 range alone. While the overall pool expanded by 2,366 candidates, the reduction in high-scoring applicants suggests improving prospects for mid-range candidates seeking permanent residence invitations. Immigratio

The North Bay & Area Rural Community Immigration Pilot has announced significant updates to its 2026 Priority Occupation List, including the addition of a sixth priority sector focused on natural and applied sciences. Following consultation with over 170 designated employers and analysis of regional labour market data, the program has refined its occupations list to better address workforce needs across healthcare, construction, manufacturing, and newly added technology fiel

On February 3, 2026, 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). On February 2, 2026, the province conducted two draws and issued a total of 326 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. The new draws were conducted under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream – Employment in New Brunswick (166 ITAs) and NB Strategic

Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program has issued 111 nominations from its 2026 allocation of 6,403 spaces, leaving 6,292 spots available as the province continues processing 1,386 applications across multiple streams. The Alberta Opportunity Stream leads with 70 nominations issued and 741 applications under review, currently assessing submissions from October 2025. Meanwhile, the Tourism and Hospitality Stream has granted 10 nominations with 73 applications pending, and th

On January 15, 2026, Prince Edward Island  conducted  2026’s first invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 26 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates working in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. The province prioritized candidates with employment offers from PEI-based organizations and international graduates from recognized institutions, including UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de l'

On January 15, 2026, 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 January 13 to January 15, 2026, the province conducted three draws and issued a total of 379 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates. The new draws were conducted under the New Brunswick Express Entry Stream– Employment in New Brunswick (20 ITAs),

On January 7, 2026, the Office of Immigration of Prince Edward Island  published  a schedule for invitation rounds via the Expression of Interest system for individuals to apply for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEIPNP). The invitation rounds are scheduled for the following dates: January 15, 2026 February 19, 2026 March 19, 2026 April 16, 2026 May 21, 2026 June 18, 2026 July 16, 2026 August 20, 2026 September 17, 2026 October 15, 2026 November 19, 2026

British Columbia's Skills Immigration registration pool has recorded 11,210 total registrations as of January 6, 2026, according to the latest provincial data . The distribution shows a concentration of interest across all scoring tiers, with the 100-109 range leading with 2,161 registrants, followed closely by the 90-99 bracket at 2,048. The pool's composition reveals sustained demand for skilled worker pathways, as scores ranging from 60 to 149 demonstrate consistent regist

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 23, 2025, Prince Edward Island conducted an unscheduled invitation round under the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). In this draw, PEI issued 13 invitations to apply (ITAs) to workers in priority sectors based on economic impact in PEI. So far, the province has invited only one business candidate this year. PEI invited 1,609 skilled workers through 14 PEI PNP draws in 2025. The province will publish the next PEI PNP draw dates in early 20

On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the indefinite suspension of intake for Home Care Worker Immigration pilots, effective immediately. This decision addresses the growing gap between demand and available space, resulting in longer processing times for applicants. The pause supports Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which is designed to stabilize immigration levels while addressing critical labour market needs. IRCC w

On December 18, 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). On November 16 and December 9, 2025, the province conducted three draws and issued a total of 145 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to qualified candidates under the NB Skilled Worker – NB Experience Stream, NB Skilled Worker – NB Graduates Stream, and NB Express Entry