Manitoba expands work permit support to 16 trades Manitoba has broadened eligibility under its Temporary Resident Retention Pilot (TRRP), allowing employers in any industry to support work permit extensions for workers in 16 skilled trade occupations. The update removes previous sector restrictions, enabling more businesses to retain internationally trained employees while addressing labour shortages in … Read more
Stakeholders urge CUSMA review to expand eligible occupations As the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) approaches its scheduled review, industry and policy stakeholders are calling for updates to the list of professions eligible for simplified cross-border work permits. The consultations, led by Global Affairs Canada between September and November 2025, sought feedback on how to modernize … Read more
Canada prioritizes trades and technical jobs for permanent residence The federal government has expanded its permanent residence (PR) selection criteria to emphasize applicants with experience in high-demand skilled trades and technical occupations. The change is part of Canada’s ongoing effort to align immigration with labour market needs across multiple provinces. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada … Read more
Ontario Receives 14,119 PNP Nominations for 2026 Ontario has announced its 2026 Provincial Nominee Program allocation, confirming a significant increase in the number of nominations available for the year. The province received 14,119 nominations—up sharply from its 2025 total. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) confirmed the figures on February 6, 2026, through its online … Read more
Provincial immigration routes offer faster PR paths for graduates Across Canada, international students and recent graduates have access to a growing number of provincial immigration programs that can lead to permanent residence more quickly than the federal Canadian Experience Class route. These provincial nominee program (PNP) options often carry lower work experience thresholds and reflect … Read more
Express Entry ITAs Possible Before CRS Score Rises Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) may occasionally issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Express Entry system to candidates whose Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are lower than a draw’s cut-off. This can occur when a candidate is close to reaching a new work experience threshold … Read more
Alberta issues over 1,100 invitations across four draws The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has announced the results of four provincial nominee draws conducted between January 26 and February 2, 2026. A total of 1,169 invitations were issued to candidates across several AAIP streams. The draws reflect Alberta’s early 2026 focus on occupations in health … Read more
New Brunswick issues 326 invitations in February draws New Brunswick conducted two rounds of invitations under its Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) on February 2, issuing a total of 326 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination. The draws targeted skilled workers, French-speaking candidates, and individuals employed or studying in the province. The selections were made … Read more
IRCC Updates Study Permit Rules for Joint Programs Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced updated procedures for processing study permit applications involving provincial or territorial attestation letters (PALs/TALs). The revised rules simplify requirements for international students enrolled in joint academic programs. The updated guidance, published on February 6, 2026, specifies that students enrolled … Read more
IRCC issues 8,500 invitations in French-language Express Entry draw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry selection round targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. The department issued 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. This draw, held on February 6, 2026, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of … Read more