Immigration Updates Team

Six Healthcare Jobs Prioritized for Canadian Permanent Residence Canada continues to prioritize healthcare professionals for permanent residence as part of its immigration strategy to address labour shortages in critical medical and support roles. Several healthcare occupations that require two years or less of college training have been identified among those receiving priority consideration through federal … Read more

IRCC Expands Pathways to Permanent Residence for In-Canada Workers Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a series of new measures reinforcing its focus on granting permanent residence (PR) to temporary residents already living and working in Canada. The federal government’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan outlines this shift, emphasizing the transition of skilled individuals … Read more

IRCC Updates Processing Times for Temporary Visas Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its official processing times for temporary resident applications, including visitor visas, work permits, and study permits. The latest update reflects variations across different application categories and regions. The update provides insight into current operational trends, highlighting steady or improved timelines … Read more

Spousal Work Permits May Accelerate PR for Couples Canada’s immigration framework allows the spouse of an international student to work while their partner studies, potentially leading to permanent residence (PR) eligibility earlier than the studying spouse. This pathway has gained attention among foreign nationals seeking faster routes to PR through programs such as Express Entry … Read more

Rural Community Immigration Pilot Marks First-Year Results More than one thousand newcomers secured permanent residence in 2025 through Canada’s Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The initiative is aimed at strengthening smaller and rural communities by addressing local workforce needs. The pilot continues this year as part of … Read more

Canada and U.S. took opposing paths on immigration in 2025 Canada and the United States both reduced immigration levels in 2025, but each adopted sharply different strategies. The U.S. government implemented wide-ranging restrictions, while Canada narrowed its focus to adjust programs in specific sectors facing labour shortages. The contrasting approaches affected pathways to permanent residence, … Read more

Canada explores new trade deals with mobility focus The Government of Canada has concluded public consultations on potential free trade agreements with India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the Mercosur bloc. The discussions are expected to inform how upcoming negotiations could affect temporary entry for businesspeople and professionals. The consultations, which ended on January … Read more

CEC Cut-Off Scores Drop, Expanding Eligibility in 2026 Cut-off scores for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry have declined sharply after several months of stagnation, opening the door for more candidates to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. Between August and November 2025, minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores for CEC … Read more

BC PNP Raises Skills Immigration Application Fees The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has increased its application fee for the Skills Immigration category. The adjustment raises the cost from $1,475 to $1,750 and took effect on January 22, 2026. According to the BC PNP, applications submitted on or after that date must include … Read more