The Government of Quebec has announced new language requirements for temporary foreign workers seeking a Quebec Acceptance Certificate under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Starting December 17, 2028, applicants who have completed three years of work in Quebec must demonstrate Level 4 proficiency in French, as defined by the Echelle québécoise. Agricultural workers, political office employees, and staff of recognized international non-governmental organizations

Canada has recorded a significant decline in asylum applications, with 33% fewer claims submitted between January and October 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This decrease follows the government's implementation of stricter border controls and enhanced screening processes. The country's asylum system, designed to protect individuals fleeing persecution and danger, has seen rising numbers in recent years due to global instability and armed conflicts. Recent policy c

Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees will need to follow updated job posting rules under the Employment Standards Act. Employers must now include clear compensation ranges in all publicly advertised job ads, and these ranges may not exceed $50,000 unless the job pays more than $200,000. Employers are also not allowed to require Canadian work experience in job postings, helping reduce barriers for international talent. If artificial intelligen

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

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

Quebec has become the top province in Canada for retaining newcomers one year after arrival. According to Statistics Canada, 91.5% of permanent residents who landed in 2022 and initially intended to settle in Quebec were still living there 12 months later, compared with 91.3% in Ontario. This comes at a time when interprovincial mobility has been rising across the country since the pandemic. Quebec’s retention rate has grown notably from 85.9% in 2019 to 91.5% in 2022, while

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

The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) is advocating for a new “trusted employer” certification within Canadian immigration programs to prevent worker abuse and strengthen protections for foreign workers in the trucking sector. The MTA’s executive director, Aaron Dolyniuk, has met with provincial labour and immigration officials to propose a program that would require companies to prove they can properly onboard foreign employees — including helping them obtain driver’s lic

According to a new Statistics Canada report , October 2025 marked a turning point for cross-border travel as US visitors to Canada rose 3.0% year-over-year, ending an eight-month decline. Meanwhile, overseas arrivals jumped 11.7%, driven by European and Asian travellers, with France, the UK, and China leading source countries. However, Canadian trips abroad fell sharply by 18.4%, particularly automobile trips to the US, which dropped 30.2%. The data reflect shifting travel pa

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

Canada added 21,200 payroll positions in October, a modest 0.1% gain that reversed September's decline , according to Statistics Canada. Healthcare led growth with 10,300 new jobs, while finance, public administration, and transportation also posted gains. However, job vacancies dropped to 467,000—the lowest level since 2017—falling 3.9% from the previous month. Average weekly earnings reached $1,312, up 2.2% year-over-year, though the job vacancy rate slipped to 2.6%. The un

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

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

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

Saskatchewan has announced its 2026 immigration plan, setting the province's initial allocation under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program at 4,761 nominations. The province is taking a more focused approach this year, reserving at least half of all nominations for priority industries, including healthcare, agriculture, skilled trades, and technology. In a shift from previous years, Saskatchewan has introduced caps on certain sectors that have historically dominated th

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

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

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

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