Nationwide U.S. ground stop causes cascading delays at Canadian airports
Air Canada waives change fees at seven airports after FAA outage
IRCC’s weekly update shows work-permit processing slows while study-permit times improve
Latest News
Newfoundland & Labrador invites 95 candidates in latest PNP and AIP draws
Newfoundland and Labrador issued 95 immigration invitations across its Provincial Nominee Program and the Atlantic Immigration Program in draws held November 9 and 13. Successful candidates can leverage fast-track work permits and ultimately permanent residence, giving employers in Atlantic Canada another route to fill chronic skill gaps.
Canada refreshes 16 Caribbean and U.S. travel advisories ahead of winter peak
Global Affairs Canada on November 13 revised advice for the United States and 15 Caribbean destinations, maintaining existing risk levels but adding fresh guidance on airport disruptions and crime hot-spots. With the peak sun-season approaching, employers and travel managers should incorporate the new language into pre-trip briefings and insurance checks.
Express Entry invitation rounds remain paused eight days after CRS overhaul
IRCC’s Express Entry system has been on hold since 3 November while all profiles are rescored under new rules that award up to 150 points for high-wage Canadian work experience or job offers. As of 12 November there is still no invitation round and no confirmed restart date, disrupting candidates and employers who depend on federal selections.
IRCC to unveil temporary immigration pathway to help provinces tackle labour shortages
At a press event in Dieppe on November 12, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab will roll out a temporary pathway that allows provinces and territories to nominate additional in-Canada workers for permanent residence. The time-limited measure—first flagged in Budget 2026—aims to let jurisdictions address acute labour shortages without expanding overall immigration levels. Employers gain a retention tool, while temporary workers get a faster route to permanence.
Ottawa offers provinces optional 100,000-slot top-up to transition in-Canada workers
IRCC will let provinces and territories claim up to 100,000 extra Provincial Nominee Program spaces to make permanent residents of workers already in Canada. The one-off allocation—available until March 31, 2027—supports labour retention without increasing overall immigration targets. Businesses gain a clearer path to keep valued foreign staff, while provinces can calibrate uptake based on local capacity.
Federal Court decision opens new avenue for stalled Start-Up Visa applicants
In Naghavi v Canada, the Federal Court ordered IRCC to decide a long-pending Start-Up Visa file within 90 days, holding that ministerial instructions cannot justify endless processing delays. The precedent empowers thousands of backlogged SUV applicants to seek similar court orders, pressuring IRCC to clean up its queue or face litigation. Businesses awaiting foreign founders could see faster decisions, but the ruling also underscores the need for Ottawa’s forthcoming ‘high-impact’ replacement programme.
Ontario First Nations launch community-led border control pilot to curb drug smuggling
Five remote First Nations in northern Ontario have started mandatory traveller searches under a new community-run border-control pilot led by the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service. Chiefs say the program is essential to stem lethal drug trafficking that has surged since 2025. The pilot shows how Indigenous communities are filling enforcement gaps and signals to employers and service providers that extra screening time must now be built into travel logistics.
Canada to transition up to 100,000 temporary workers and families to permanent residence in 2027
On 12 November international media highlighted Canada’s plan to convert up to 100,000 in-country temporary workers—and 45,000 accompanying family members—to permanent residents starting in 2027. The move prioritises backlog clearance and regional labour needs while offering businesses greater talent stability.
Express Entry draws remain paused nine days after CRS overhaul
No Express Entry invitations have been issued since October 28—nine days and counting after IRCC implemented a major Comprehensive Ranking System reset on November 3. The pause allows the department to rescore every profile but leaves would-be immigrants and employers guessing when selections will resume and at what cut-off. Candidates should log in now to check their recalculated CRS and correct any data before the next draw.
Ottawa boosts Northwest Territories nomination quota to record 350 for 2026
Canada has raised the Northwest Territories’ 2026 PNP quota to 350, the highest on record, and scheduled an extra EOI draw for 18 November. Employers and candidates have just days to act, making the increase both an opportunity and a logistical challenge in one of Canada’s tightest labour markets.
Immigration Minister to unveil labour-market measure at Dieppe press conference
IRCC has scheduled a 12 November press conference in Dieppe where Minister Lena Metlege Diab will provide granular details on the new pathway to permanent residence for temporary workers. Businesses and immigration advisers are watching closely for allocation numbers and eligibility rules.
Alberta publishes round-up of 525 recent AAIP invitations across six draws
Alberta’s new statistics show 525 AAIP invitations issued in six draws between October 22 and November 2. Rural Renewal topped the list, followed by Alberta Opportunity and health-care pathways. With only 495 nomination spots left this year and 32,000 EOIs in the pool, employers and applicants face intensifying competition for provincial nominations.