IRCC tie-break rule affects Express Entry invitations Candidates in Canada’s Express Entry system can meet the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off in a draw and still not receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. The outcome can hinge on the exact date and time a profile was submitted. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) … Read more
Ontario FCIP regions update 2026 priority jobs Three communities in Ontario participating in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) have published revised priority sectors and occupations for 2026. The updates reflect changing labour needs at the local level. Timmins, Greater Sudbury, and the Superior East Region each adjusted their lists, removing some roles while introducing … Read more
Canada ranks 25th in 2026 World Happiness Report Canada has placed 25th among 147 countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report, a global assessment of life satisfaction released on March 19. The updated ranking reflects a continued downward trend for Canada, which had ranked 18th in 2025. The report evaluates how residents rate their own … Read more
Canada expands PR support for francophone students The federal government has introduced a new initiative aimed at helping francophone international students and graduates navigate pathways to permanent residence in Canada. The announcement was made on March 20 in Sudbury, Ontario, as part of broader efforts to strengthen French-speaking communities outside Quebec. The initiative focuses on … Read more
Express Entry pool declines as high-scoring profiles fall Canada’s Express Entry candidate pool recorded a net decrease in profiles during the first half of March, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As of March 15, 2026, the total number of candidates in the pool declined by 1,172 compared to … Read more
Canada updates rules for business visitors Canada has released updated guidance affecting foreign nationals seeking entry under the business visitor exemption from work permit requirements. The changes were published on March 19, 2026, as revised instructions to immigration officers. The update clarifies how officers assess eligibility and documentation for those entering Canada to conduct limited … Read more
Ontario resumes graduate immigration draws Ontario has issued new invitations to apply for provincial nomination, including selections targeting master’s and PhD graduates. The draws took place on March 18 and mark the first invitations under these graduate streams since September 2024. More than 1,100 international graduates with Canadian work experience were invited through targeted selections. … Read more
Newcomer job search experiences highlighted in Canada Recent accounts from newcomers to Canada have outlined the challenges of entering the labour market without pre-arranged employment. The experiences reflect broader settlement realities for permanent residents adapting to new hiring practices, workplace expectations, and regional employment systems. Immigrants arriving through economic and family pathways are among those … Read more
IRCC backlog drops below one million in January Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that its total application backlog fell to 990,300 as of January 31, 2026. This marks the first time since October 2025 that the backlog has dropped below one million. The update reflects shifting processing trends across permanent residence, temporary residence, … Read more
IRCC issues 4,000 Express Entry invitations in French draw Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates with French-language proficiency. A total of 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued in the latest round. The draw reflects continued federal selection of candidates based on language … Read more