New Brunswick updates provincial immigration programs The Government of New Brunswick has announced major updates to its immigration pathways, introducing new occupational restrictions and procedural changes to the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and the province’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). The measures, released on February 3, 2026, revise eligibility rules for both domestic and … Read more
IRCC issues 423 invitations in latest PNP Express Entry draw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted another round of invitations under the Express Entry system, continuing its 2026 pattern of draws targeting candidates with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience. The January draw saw 423 invitations to apply (ITAs) issued to candidates in … Read more
Category-Based Express Entry Seen as Key PR Route Canada’s category-based selection (CBS) system within the Express Entry framework continues to serve as a major pathway to permanent residence (PR). Introduced to better align immigration with labour market needs, the approach has become significant for applicants in targeted sectors. Although the system has expanded access for … Read more
Ontario issues 1,825 invitations in first 2026 OINP draws The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted six invitation rounds on February 2, 2026, distributing 1,825 invitations to apply for provincial nomination. The draws targeted applicants under the Employer Job Offer streams, focusing on healthcare, early childhood education, and regional economic development roles. These were the … Read more
Provinces list priority jobs for Express Entry PNPs Several Canadian provinces have released updated lists of priority occupations eligible for Express Entry–aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. The programs enable provinces to select skilled workers from the federal Express Entry pool who meet regional labour needs. According to recent provincial criteria, candidates whose primary occupation … Read more
Passport expiry can shorten Canadian work permits Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues work permits that align with the validity of a worker’s passport. This means a permit cannot extend beyond the passport’s expiry date, regardless of the employment period approved by the employer or assessment document. The policy affects foreign nationals applying for … Read more
Passport Expiry Can Shorten Canadian Work Permits Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ties the validity period of a temporary work permit to the expiration date of the applicant’s passport. This policy affects both new applicants and current workers seeking to extend their stay in Canada. According to IRCC’s operating rules, a permit cannot extend … Read more
Eight Canadian Cities Ranked Most Livable for Newcomers The Globe and Mail has released its third annual ranking of Canada’s most livable cities for newcomers, identifying eight municipalities that combine strong job markets, community support, and quality-of-life factors. The assessment provides a snapshot of how settlement opportunities vary across the country. The index evaluated cities … Read more
Manitoba issues 47 invitations in late-January MPNP draw The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has conducted its second immigration draw of 2026, inviting 47 candidates to apply for provincial nomination. The selection targeted skilled workers who had previously indicated participation in a strategic recruitment initiative within their Expression of Interest (EOI) profiles. The draw, held … Read more
Canada prioritizes essential occupations for faster work permit processing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is giving priority to work permit applications in designated essential occupations across the country. The measure aims to address ongoing labour shortages, particularly in healthcare and agri-food sectors. Applications that qualify under these categories are processed faster if they meet … Read more