IRCC Inventory Tops 2 Million as Backlog Nears One Million Applications
IRCC inventory tops 2 million applications as backlog nears one million
Ottawa to Unveil New Francophone-Immigration Measures in Newfoundland
Latest News
Canada and Vietnam Sign Air-Transport Deal Clearing Way for First Non-Stop Flights
A new Canada–Vietnam air-services agreement signed 24 September allows up to 14 weekly passenger flights in each direction, enabling non-stop routes for the first time. The move will cut transit times, support the Vietnamese-Canadian community and expand business-travel options along a $20 billion trade lane.
Manitoba PNP Issues 474 Invitations in Latest Draw, Tightening CRS Scores
Manitoba invited 474 candidates in its 24 September draw, with cut-off scores surging to 760 for key occupations. The results highlight fiercer competition for dwindling provincial-nominee spots and underline the need for complete, up-to-date documentation from employers and applicants.
Quebec Invites 519 Skilled Workers in Multi-Stream Arrima Selection Round
MIFI’s 24 September Arrima round issued 519 invitations across four skilled-worker streams, favouring candidates with strong French skills and regional job offers. The draw underscores Quebec’s push to disperse newcomers beyond Montréal and address sector-specific shortages.
Alberta Releases Results of Six AAIP Draws, 380 Candidates Invited
Alberta issued at least 380 provincial-nomination invitations across six draws published 25 September, with tech and healthcare candidates dominating. Lower CRS thresholds and faster response deadlines make AAIP an attractive—but time-sensitive—option for employers seeking permanent pathways for foreign talent.
Federal Court ruling clarifies key tests for Start-Up Visa entrepreneurs
In Punjwani v. Canada, the Federal Court ruled that officers assessing Start-Up Visa files must separately analyse the qualifying-business criteria and any allegations of artificial transactions. The clarification should curb arbitrary refusals and streamline application preparation for tech entrepreneurs and their investors.
CBSA warns of construction-related delays at key land borders
CBSA’s 26 September update warns travellers of continuing lane reductions at the Windsor–Detroit Tunnel and redevelopment work at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, which could lengthen wait times. Businesses are urged to plan alternative routes or off-peak crossings to minimise disruption to cross-border travel and logistics.
Seasonal Closure of Alberta–Montana Chief Mountain Border Crossing Set for 30 September
CBSA will close the scenic but weather-exposed Chief Mountain border crossing at 6 p.m. MDT on 30 September, redirecting traffic to other southern Alberta ports until spring 2027. Mobility managers should reroute staff and goods through Carway, Del Bonita or Coutts to avoid delays.
Simcoe County Prepares to Open Temporary Reception Centre for Newcomers
Simcoe County confirmed its Bradford Temporary Reception Centre will open next month, adding 136 short-term beds for refugees and vulnerable newcomers. The facility, developed with IRCC, may ease housing bottlenecks in the Greater Toronto Area and expand regional labour-force integration options.
Advocacy Groups Urge Ottawa to Expedite Palestinian Graduate-Student Visas
A 25 September press-gallery briefing highlighted protracted study-permit processing for over 130 Palestinian graduate students. Advocacy groups are pressuring IRCC to fast-track the files, warning that research programs and Canada’s reputation as a study destination are at stake.
British Columbia’s ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ draw invites record 426 candidates
British Columbia issued 426 invitations under its high-wage Innovate stream on 24 September 2026, the second-largest draw of the year. The province has confirmed a lower CAD 52/hour wage floor and continues to process 80 % of Innovate files within 10 weeks, giving employers a quick pathway to retain senior talent before 2027 quota resets.
CBSA resumes enforced removals to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE
Canada Border Services Agency has removed Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE from its Administrative Deferral of Removal list, re-activating deportations to those countries as of 23 September 2026. Employers must now confirm immigration status of affected staff, while foreign nationals facing removal have fewer procedural shields. The move underscores Ottawa’s intention to clear a growing enforcement backlog.
Canada resumes deportations to four Gulf states after six-month humanitarian pause
After determining that country-condition risks have subsided, the CBSA ended its six-month suspension on enforcing removals to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Deportations of foreign nationals from those states with enforceable removal orders can now proceed. Multinationals should review any Gulf-state employees who are in status-regularisation processes, as enforcement timelines may tighten.
British Columbia launches new ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ PNP stream with 426 invitations
British Columbia issued 426 invitations in the first draw of its new ‘Innovate: High Economic Impact’ PNP category, aimed at well-paid leaders in tech, clean energy and life sciences. The high wage floor and fast processing timeline create a premium immigration channel for companies building advanced R&D teams in B.C.
Ottawa tightens Saudi Arabia travel advisory amid renewed drone attacks
On 24 September 2026, Global Affairs Canada refreshed its Saudi Arabia advisory, citing renewed drone and missile threats and keeping southern border provinces under an “Avoid all travel” warning. Canadian businesses must revisit evacuation and insurance plans, while travellers should register with ROCA and be prepared for sudden airport closures.
Quebec invites 519 skilled workers in latest Arrima PSTQ draw
MIFI issued 519 invitations under Quebec’s skilled-worker programme on 24 September 2026, a draw markedly smaller than recent rounds. The province appears to be managing its remaining quota for 2026, with invitations favouring high-scoring francophone candidates in priority occupations. Employers should recalibrate talent pipelines because Arrima operates independently of Express Entry.
Manitoba’s latest MPNP draw issues 474 invitations across five selection categories
Manitoba invited 474 candidates in Draw #280 on 24 September 2026, heavily favouring skilled workers already employed in the province’s science and engineering sectors. With 148 Express Entry candidates included, the draw offers a fast federal pathway for many nominees and signals Manitoba’s focus on retaining in-province STEM talent.
Canada urges citizens to leave Myanmar as conflict escalates
Global Affairs Canada’s 24 September 2026 advisory keeps Myanmar at “Avoid all travel” and stresses that Canadians should depart immediately amid worsening armed conflict, drone strikes and arbitrary detentions. Employers with staff in-country face heightened duty-of-care and evacuation planning obligations.
IRCC clarifies renewal rules for Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot
IRCC’s 24 September update spells out how current Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot participants can renew study permits and how accompanying family members can extend or restore temporary status. The guidance preserves key exemptions from the national study-permit cap, giving French-language institutions outside Quebec a clearer path to keep foreign students on campus.
Montreal hosts ICAO TRIP Symposium on trusted digital travel identity
The ICAO TRIP Symposium concluded in Montreal on 24 September 2026, spotlighting next-generation digital travel credentials and AI-proof identity verification. Canada positioned itself as an early adopter, with trials of digital passports planned for major airports. Seamless, standardised digital IDs promise faster, more secure cross-border mobility for business travellers.
Canada and Viet Nam elevate ties to Strategic Partnership, pledge deeper mobility links
Canada and Viet Nam have upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership following a 24-25 September 2026 state visit to Ottawa. The joint statement highlights plans to deepen trade, education and people-to-people links—opening the door to faster visa processing, expanded student mobility and potential new working-holiday quotas.
CBSA fire-arms smuggling probe underscores Canada’s C$1.3 billion border-security plan
CBSA’s seizure of 53 illegal firearms in Ontario highlights the agency’s expanded enforcement resources under Canada’s C$1.3 billion Border Plan. While the case chiefly concerns crime prevention, stricter inspections may affect cross-border logistics and employee transfers, underscoring the need for robust customs-compliance protocols.
Georgia advisory revised; Ottawa warns of protests and occupied-territory risks
Canada’s 24 September 2026 update for Georgia keeps the overall risk level unchanged but highlights elevated protest risks in Tbilisi and reiterates a strict “Avoid all travel” warning for Abkhazia, South Ossetia and nearby buffer zones. Companies should adjust route-planning and protest-avoidance protocols.