Europe’s new Entry/Exit System means biometrics and advance clearance for Canadian visitors
Northwest Territories opens rare third Nominee Program intake, adds 103 spots for 2025
Immigration Minister schedules Halifax event to link Budget 2025 climate spending with future talent strategy
Latest News
Canada Unveils 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Cuts Temporary Resident Intake by 45 %
IRCC’s 2026–2028 plan keeps permanent-resident targets flat at 380,000 but slashes new temporary resident admissions by 45 % next year, with equally steep cuts for students (-49 %) and foreign workers (-37 %). The shift will tighten hiring pipelines for employers who depend on quick work permits and reduce international-student revenues for schools, while emphasising pathways that convert existing talent to permanent status. Companies should audit foreign-talent needs and secure LMIA-based permits before quotas reset in January 2026.
Graduate Students Exempted from Study-Permit Cap; Doctoral Files Fast-Tracked to Two Weeks
From 1 January 2026, master’s and PhD applicants will not be counted under Canada’s study-permit cap and will no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter. PhD candidates—and their families—can now receive permits in as little as two weeks, giving universities and knowledge-economy employers a competitive edge.
IRCC Confirms 148 000 One-Off PR Admissions Sit Outside Planned ‘Cuts’
IRCC clarified that 148,000 extra permanent-residence spots for in-country refugees and temporary workers are in addition to, not within, the 380,000-per-year quota. That means total admissions will exceed headline targets, offering companies a valuable path to retain existing foreign staff even as new temporary intakes shrink.
Quebec Extends Freeze on Low-Wage LMIA Work Permits in Montréal and Laval Until 2026
Québec has extended its ban on processing low-wage LMIAs for Montréal and Laval until the end of 2026, preventing employers from hiring or renewing foreign workers earning under CAD 34.62/h through the TFWP. Businesses in retail and hospitality will feel the pinch, while exemptions exist for select sectors and high-wage roles.
French-Language Requirement Introduced for Long-Term Temporary Workers in Québec
Starting 17 December 2025, foreign workers with three years’ experience in Québec must prove spoken French at NCLC 4 to renew or obtain TFWP permits. Employers must budget for language training or risk losing key staff, adding another compliance layer for assignments in Canada’s second-largest province.
IRCC November Update Shows Processing Times Stabilising for Digital Streams, Lagging on Paper PNP
IRCC’s November 7 dashboard shows Express Entry and digital PNP files are processed in 5–6 months, but paper-based PNPs still take 16 months and inland spousal sponsorship 34 months. Employers should favour digital submissions and build bridging-permit costs into budgets for applicants using slower pathways.