Kelowna has broadened its Francophone Community Immigration Pilot by introducing eight new occupations and launching a dedicated business and finance sector. French-speaking professionals can now pursue permanent residence through 25 priority roles that offer hourly wages of $21- $28 across six economic sectors. The program features seven intake periods beginning June 2026, with applications accepted from the 15th to the 30th of each month. Applicants need NCLC Level 5 Frenc

On March 4, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it will continue offering temporary immigration relief to Iranian nationals already living and working in the country. The measures, first introduced in February 2023 due to ongoing instability in Iran, now allow Iranians holding valid work permits issued on or before February 28, 2025, to apply for extensions. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada stated these provisions will remain in effect until March 31, 2

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) introduced new contact procedures effective March 2, 2026. Applicants must now submit inquiries via designated web forms instead of email. This shift aims to make the application process more efficient and cut down response times. French-speaking applicants can still reach out through the immigreraumanitoba.com mailbox. Program officials ask those waiting for replies to earlier emails not to resubmit requests, as duplicate subm

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) has announced the annual Fraud Prevention Month campaign for March 2026 to help employers and prospective immigrants recognize and avoid immigration scams. Immigration fraud remains a serious concern, with consequences including financial loss, legal penalties, and application refusals. The BCPNP reminds applicants that hiring a representative is optional, and any representative used must be licensed with the College of

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Parliamentary Secretary Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk highlighted Alberta's support for displaced Ukrainians. Since the conflict began, the province has welcomed almost 65,000 Ukrainian evacuees who now live in 213 communities across Alberta. Armstrong-Homeniuk noted that millions have been forced from their homes due to the ongoing war, which has become Europe's largest conflict since World War II. She emphasized that U

Nova Scotia has restructured its immigration system by consolidating ten separate streams into four main pathways. The Nova Scotia Nominee Program now offers clearer options for newcomers through the Nova Scotia Graduate, Skilled Worker, Entrepreneur, and Nova Scotia: Express Entry streams. This change took effect on February 18, 2026, and applies only to new applications submitted after that date. Existing applications remain unaffected, and all eligibility requirements sta

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program will reopen on March 9, 2026, with significant changes to its Employer-Driven Stream. The territory has been allocated 197 nominations for the year and is introducing an Expression of Interest system to improve fairness and transparency. Employers will submit profiles for foreign workers, which will be scored based on work experience, education, language proficiency, and connections to the NWT. The first selection draw is scheduled f

According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country saw 53% fewer international student and temporary worker arrivals in 2025 compared to the previous year, marking a significant shift in immigration policy. New figures released for December 2025 show just 9,665 study permits and 9,735 work permits were issued that month, reflecting the government's commitment to reducing temporary resident numbers to below 5% of the total popul

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board processed 6,456 new refugee protection claims in January 2026, marking a notable decline from previous months, according to recently released statistics . The agency finalized 6,663 claims during the same period, resulting in a slight reduction in the pending caseload to 299,960. Meanwhile, refugee appeals continued their upward trend with 1,037 new filings and 984 finalizations, bringing the pending appeals to 4,742. Immigration appeals

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

Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Diab has made it clear that universities facing financial strain from reduced international student enrollment must look to provincial governments for support. The minister noted that international student numbers fell from over one million in early 2024 to approximately 700,000 by November 2025. The Federal Government scaled back the program after concerns that post-pandemic immigration levels were overwhelming healthcare, housing, and oth

Immigration Minister Lena Diab has called for enhanced tracking capabilities to monitor temporary residents leaving Canada, as nearly 1.9 million temporary residents are set to have their visas expire this year. While the Canada Border Services Agency currently tracks departure details like transportation methods and travel documents, it lacks the ability to efficiently determine visa expiration status without manual, labour-intensive checks. Diab emphasized that many countr

The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) has announced it will wind down operations over the next year, citing an "unsustainable" financial model following a dramatic 55% drop in international student enrollment. While the Winnipeg-based institution is set to close, the province has reached an agreement with Red River College (RRC) Polytech to transfer selected programs and ensure that all currently enrolled students can complete their credentials. The closure

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

The Quebec government has turned down Montreal's request to grant flexibility for immigrant workers following the elimination of the Quebec Experience Program. Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada and city council members had unanimously sought a grandfather clause that would have allowed temporary residents already in the province to apply under the now-defunct program. Immigration Minister Jean-Francois Roberge confirmed that while applications submitted before the program's canc

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

Canada has once again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec by exceeding its 2025 immigration target. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced that the country welcomed French-speaking permanent residents at a rate of 8.9%, surpassing the 8.5% goal and marking the fourth straight year of achieving the target. This success stems from coordinated efforts among federal, provincial, and territorial governments and community p

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

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