Canada Shortens Study Permits for Prerequisite Students Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revised its policy for international students completing prerequisite courses before beginning longer academic programs. Under new instructions issued on February 19, 2026, study permits will now be valid for a shorter period than before. The change affects students arriving in Canada … Read more
Northwest Territories sets 2026 nomination quota, launches EOI model Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the Northwest Territories will retain 197 nomination spaces for 2026 under the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). The figure matches the territory’s closing allocation for 2025 following a year-end increase. The Government of the Northwest Territories also … Read more
Canada launches new Express Entry Transport category Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new Transport category within the Express Entry system, providing an additional pathway to permanent residence for foreign nationals with recent experience in specific transportation occupations. The new category came into effect on February 18, 2026, and is intended to … Read more
Nova Scotia reduces immigration streams to four Nova Scotia has overhauled its provincial immigration framework, merging ten nominee program streams into four broader categories. The revision, effective February 18, 2026, aims to simplify pathways for newcomers and employers while maintaining existing eligibility criteria. The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration stated that the consolidation is intended … Read more
Provincial nominees eligible for LMIA-exempt work permits Provincial nominees in Canada are able to apply for closed work permits exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) while their permanent residence (PR) applications are being processed. The measure enables nominees to begin or continue employment before receiving a final PR decision. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship … Read more
IRCC backlog tops one million applications by end of 2025 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that its total application backlog reached its highest level of 2025, surpassing one million pending files by December 31. The figure reflects a steady increase since mid-year, despite some reductions in specific categories such as Express Entry. IRCC … Read more
Canada Adds Three New Express Entry Categories for 2026 The federal government has confirmed three new occupational priorities for permanent residence under the Express Entry system. The 2026 update will emphasize candidates with Canadian work experience in research and senior management roles, transport professionals, and foreign military personnel recruited by the Canadian Armed Forces. Immigration … Read more
Top-Scoring Express Entry Profiles Decline by Half Recent federal immigration data indicate a sharp reduction in the number of high-ranking Express Entry profiles, with nearly 50% fewer candidates scoring above 500 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) compared with two weeks earlier. The decline follows multiple Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) draws that … Read more
IRCC updates February 2026 immigration processing times Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued its latest update on processing times across permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship applications. The February 2026 figures show mixed results, with longer waits for several temporary resident categories and modest improvements for certain family sponsorship applications. The data compares … Read more
Canada Gains Visa-Free Access to China for 2026 Starting February 17, 2026, Canadian passport holders are permitted to visit China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The new arrangement, confirmed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, remains valid until at least December 31, 2026. The change allows Canadians to travel to China … Read more