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

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a stern warning to Canadians about a surge in marriage-based immigration fraud. The alert comes as the federal government cuts permanent residency targets by more than 21 percent, dropping from 451,000 approvals in 2024 to 380,000 this year. Officials are urging citizens to exercise caution when considering sponsoring foreign spouses, particularly in cases involving rushed engagements or individuals with multiple

On January 7, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)  held  the second-largest Express Entry draw for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. IRCC issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) in this draw. In round #390, the cut-off score was 511 points, four points fewer than it was in the previous CEC-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was June 10, 2025, at 15:59:25 UTC. So far in 2026, Canada has issued 8,574 invitations through two E

On January 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the Express Entry draw #389. In the first draw of 2026, the Government of Canada issued 574 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This round’s cut-off score was 711 points, 20 points fewer than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was October 06, 2025, at 01:54:31 UTC. As of January 4, 2026, 236,554 profiles were registered in the

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 (IRCC) updated the data on immigration inventories and backlogs. According to the last update, there were 2,182,200 applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship approvals in all IRCC inventories. According to the new data, 53.8% of applications in the inventory are within service standards. IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within its service standard; however, some complex cases may require a

On December 18, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab released a statement recognizing the vital role migrants play in strengthening Canada's communities and economy. She acknowledged how their skills and determination support key sectors while noting the growing complexity of global migration driven by conflict, economic challenges, and climate pressures. Canada remains committed to working with international partners, including the UNHCR and IOM, to promote safe and order

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

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

British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program has been allocated 5,254 spots for 2026, falling short of the province's requested 9,000 nominations needed to address critical labour shortages. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirmed the allocation, which represents a decrease from BC's 2025 total of 6,214 spots. Provincial officials are now working to determine strategic priorities for utilizing this limited allocation and plan to announce their 2026 approach i

On December 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) revised the eligibility criteria for Hong Kong residents applying through Stream B of the permanent residence pathways. Effective immediately, principal applicants must demonstrate at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work experience obtained through paid employment at any skill level within three years prior to submission. Additionally, all applicants are required to have maintained a valid Can

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