Latest Immigration News

The C-11 now requires 51% ownership, dual funding (business capital plus separate personal settlement funds for 18 months), and strict temporary intent. The old C-11 to CEC permanent residence pathway has been eliminated. Permits are capped at 18 months. Ontario entrepreneurs face additional challenges with the OINP Entrepreneur Stream remaining suspended.

IRCC confirmed the full regulatory overhaul will take 12–18 months, but CRS changes like the new High Wage Occupation factor can be fast-tracked via Ministerial Instructions. The factor awards points based on Job Bank NOC wage benchmarks — not individual salaries — across three tiers. Age points will not change, foreign-only experience remains viable, and trade points will likely be tiered.

The most important change is the transfer of decision-making authority from the federal government to the provinces and territories. A provincial nomination certificate is now considered conclusive evidence that the applicant meets economic establishment criteria and intends to reside in the province.

Bill C-12 introduces reforms aimed at strengthening border integrity, improving processing efficiency, enhancing program management, and modernizing the asylum system. The law gives authorities expanded powers to suspend or cancel visas and work permits, and emphasizes stricter compliance requirements.

Due to ongoing labour shortages in construction, manufacturing, and maintenance, skilled trades have become one of the most reliable pathways to obtain permanent residency in Canada. The Federal Skilled Trades Program under Express Entry is specifically designed for individuals with hands-on trade experience.

These are the biggest changes coming to Express Entry in 2026. The updates include a new physician category, proposed Leadership/Research/Defence streams, increased PNP allocations, higher francophone targets (9% in 2026, 12% by 2029), a major NOC revision affecting 165 occupational groups, and potential TOEFL acceptance for PR applications.

IRCC will launch a new Express Entry category in early 2026 for physicians with at least one year of Canadian work experience who are actively treating patients. Additionally, 5,000 new PR admissions spaces are reserved exclusively for physicians, and nominated doctors will receive work permit approvals in just 14 days.

Canada will issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026 (155,000 new students + 253,000 extensions). This target is 7% lower than 2025 and 16% lower than 2024. Starting January 1, 2026, Master's and PhD students at public DLIs no longer need a PAL/TAL, making Canada an attractive destination for graduate-level candidates.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued an important update to its study-permit instructions for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Students moving from secondary to post-secondary programs may now start their post-secondary studies while their new study permit application is being processed. New rules for joint programs require students to obtain one provincial/territorial attestation letter and one study permit tied to the DLI issuing the final credential.