Canada immigration news
Plain-language updates on the changes that affect students, workers, and PR applicants — each linked to its official source. Verify anything time-sensitive against the primary source before you act.
BREAKING: Ontario opens intake for new permanent residence pathway
Ontario has opened intake for its new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream (OWPS), a provincial nominee program pathway launched on August 4, 2026, that includes streams for higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians.
- The OWPS opened for intake on August 4, 2026, after launching on June 25, 2026 without an active portal
- Three pathways are available: higher-skilled workers, lower-skilled workers, and self-employed physicians registered with Ontario's health insurance program
Immigration department finds PR pathway for self-employed persons “no longer fit for purpose”
Canada's immigration department has determined that the Self-Employed Persons Program (SEPP), the only federal pathway to permanent residence for self-employed talent, is no longer fit for purpose due to backlogs, high refusal rates, and unclear objectives. IRCC is now reviewing the program's design to improve its effectiveness.
- The SEPP has a 69% average refusal rate over the past ten years and processing times exceeding 10 years for recent applicants
- IRCC paused SEPP intake in April 2024 and extended the suspension indefinitely in December 2025
Yukon simplifies path to practice for internationally trained family doctors
Yukon has introduced a new 'Limited A' licensing pathway that allows internationally trained family doctors from Australia, Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom to practice in the territory without completing additional practice assessments and supervised practice periods.
- Yukon created the 'Limited A' licensing pathway for family physicians from Australia, Ireland, the US, and UK
- Eligible doctors can practice in Yukon without needing extra practice assessments or supervised practice periods
Canada opens book on number of waitlisted permanent residence applications
Canada's immigration department began releasing monthly updates on July 21, 2026, showing how many permanent residence applications are in active processing versus waitlisted for future processing due to insufficient admission spaces.
- IRCC now publishes monthly data on waitlisted PR applications across three categories: Economic, Family, and Protection
- As of May 31, 2026, 705,315 PR applications were awaiting finalization, with 25% of Economic applications waitlisted, 40% of Family applications waitlisted, and 46% of Protection applications waitlisted
Canada updates distribution of Express Entry profile scores
Canada's Express Entry pool shrank by over 3,500 profiles between July 5–19, 2026, with most score bands declining as IRCC conducted four selection rounds during that period.
- Express Entry pool decreased from 235,127 to 231,533 profiles between July 5–19
- Nearly every score band from 421 onward declined in size; top-scoring profiles fell from 19,136 to 18,644
Ontario unveils scoring system for new permanent residence pathways
Ontario has released details on how it will score and rank candidates applying for permanent residence through three new pathways under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), with the highest-scoring applicants prioritized for nomination under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream.
- Candidates under the Ontario Workforce Priority Stream can earn up to 130 points based on multiple criteria
- Regional location matters: Northern Ontario offers up to 15 points, while Toronto offers 0 points
Alberta invites over 1,100 candidates to apply for provincial nomination
Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program (AAIP) issued over 1,100 invitations to apply for provincial nomination across six draws between July 3–15, 2026, with a focus on healthcare, law enforcement, and technology workers, as well as rural settlement candidates.
- Between July 3–15, 2026, Alberta conducted six draws issuing no fewer than 1,167 invitations to apply for provincial nomination
- The draws targeted healthcare, law enforcement, technology occupations, and candidates planning to settle in rural Alberta
British Columbia holds largest provincial immigration selection round this year
British Columbia held its largest Provincial Nominee Program selection round of 2026 on July 16, inviting 569 candidates under its Skills Immigration stream through either registration score or job offer criteria.
- 569 candidates invited on July 16, 2026 under BCPNP Skills Immigration
- 346 invitations based on registration score (minimum 132 points); 223 based on TEER 0–3 job offers at $58/hour or higher
Nova Scotia expands nominations to target workers with expiring permits
Nova Scotia has launched a one-time initiative to issue provincial nominations to workers currently in the province whose work permits are expiring in 2026 or earlier, provided they submitted expressions of interest by June 30, 2026.
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) is targeting workers with expiring or expired work permits through a one-time initiative
- Eligible candidates must have active expressions of interest submitted on or before June 30, 2026, and work permits expiring in 2026 or earlier
Quebec issues invitations for permanent selection through PSTQ
Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration held a selection round on July 3, 2026, under its Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ), issuing 501 invitations to provincial candidates across four skill streams.
- 501 total invitations issued in the July 3, 2026 PSTQ draw
- Stream 2 (intermediate and manual skills) received the majority with 289 invitations
Saskatchewan SINP Overview: Program Information and Resources Available
Saskatchewan's Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) provides multiple pathways for international skilled workers to immigrate to the province. The program offers eligibility assessment tools, language requirements information, and application guidance.
- SINP has multiple sub-categories under the International Skilled Worker program
- Applicants can use a points grid to assess eligibility
British Columbia issues invitations to skilled workers in priority care and construction occupations
British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program issued 343 invitations in a July 9 draw targeting skilled workers in care and construction occupations. The selection prioritized childcare educators, healthcare professionals, veterinary workers, and construction trades.
- BC issued 343 invitations across care (childcare, healthcare, veterinary) and construction trades occupations
- This was the eighth Skills Immigration draw of 2026 and the 15th round overall
Low-wage LMIA processing restrictions lifted for eight regions, including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina
Starting July 10, 2026, eight Canadian regions including Halifax, Winnipeg, and Regina can now process low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications after their unemployment rates dropped below 6%.
- Eight regions were removed from the low-wage LMIA processing freeze as of July 10, 2026: Halifax, Saint John, Fredericton, Drummondville, Kingston, St. Catharines-Niagara, Winnipeg, and Regina
- Four new regions were added to the freeze starting July 10: Saskatoon, Red Deer, Kamloops, and Chilliwack
Canada holds second-ever Express Entry draw for senior managers with Canadian work experience
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its second Express Entry draw targeting senior managers with Canadian work experience, issuing 500 invitations to apply (ITAs) with a CRS score requirement of 392.
- 500 ITAs were issued on July 10, 2026 for senior managers with Canadian work experience
- The minimum CRS score required was 392, which is 37 points lower than the first draw for this category in March 2026 (429)
Projects aimed at supporting Francophone minority communities
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced funding for multiple projects supporting Francophone immigration and minority communities across Canada, including initiatives in the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, the ICT sector, and support for international students.
- The Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration (CIFI) manages programs to integrate Francophone perspectives into Canadian immigration
- Northwest Territories project receives $860,000 over two years to improve immigration services and support for Francophone and bilingual immigrants
Canada and the Northwest Territories join forces to support the growth of Francophone communities
Canada and the Northwest Territories are jointly investing to support Francophone and bilingual immigration to the territory through a new project funded under the Francophone Immigration Support Program.
- The federal government is investing approximately $860,000 in a new project to improve retention and integration of Francophone and bilingual immigrants in the Northwest Territories
- The project will improve access to immigration information, promote the Northwest Territories Nominee Program, support foreign credential recognition, and increase employer involvement
Canada and Manitoba join forces to give new momentum to Francophone immigration
Canada and Manitoba announced a joint $1.3 million investment to support Francophone immigration to the province, including new promotional initiatives and an extension of a pilot program for French-speaking international students through August 2027.
- The federal government is investing approximately $1.3 million in a new project to grow Manitoba's Francophone population through promotional initiatives, research, and skills recognition support
- The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) will be extended for an additional year, through August 2027
Work permit holders can no longer study without a study permit
The temporary public policy that let certain work permit holders study without a separate study permit expired on June 27, 2026.
- The temporary policy letting some work permit holders study without a study permit expired June 27, 2026.
- Anyone wanting to study a program longer than the usual short-course exemption now generally needs a study permit, same as before the policy existed.
Ontario closes all 8 OINP streams and launches Workforce Priority
On June 26, 2026 Ontario closed its eight existing OINP streams and introduced a new Workforce Priority stream that requires a job offer.
- Ontario permanently closed all 8 of its old OINP streams on June 26, 2026, including the Masters Graduate and International Student streams.
- One new stream — Ontario Workforce Priority — replaces them, built around having a qualifying job offer rather than a degree alone.
Express Entry: healthcare draw invites 4,000 at CRS 475
IRCC issued 4,000 invitations in a Healthcare and Social Services category draw on June 25, 2026, with a CRS cut-off of 475.
- 4,000 ITAs issued in a Healthcare and Social Services category draw, CRS cut-off 475.
- 34 Express Entry draws and 89,067 ITAs issued between Jan 5 and Jun 25, 2026.
IRCC tightens language-test integrity checks
IRCC updated its operational guidance in June 2026 to help officers verify language test results and detect fraud or misrepresentation.
- IRCC strengthened integrity procedures in June 2026 to help officers verify language test results.
- Officers now have additional tools to detect fraud or misrepresentation in submitted test results.
Canada proposes a major overhaul of its asylum system
On June 19, 2026, the government published proposed regulations to modernize the asylum process, opening a 30-day public consultation.
- Proposed regulations published June 19, 2026 to modernize the asylum process under the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act.
- Includes review timelines, rules on reinstating withdrawn claims, protections for vulnerable claimants, and faster work-permit access for eligible claimants.
Important Update for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program - International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway (CEP) Candidates
Manitoba has updated its Provincial Nominee Program International Education Stream (IES) Career Employment Pathway (CEP), transitioning candidates with six months of Manitoba work experience to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway for future selection.
- CEP candidates with active EOI profiles and at least six months of Manitoba work experience are invited to transition to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway
- The change aims to improve alignment between education, work experience, and labour-market needs
Important Update for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program – International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway (CEP) Candidates
Manitoba has restructured its International Education Stream Career Employment Pathway, moving eligible international graduates into the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway for future selection in EOI draws.
- International graduates with active CEP profiles and at least six months of Manitoba work experience are invited to transition to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway
- The change aims to improve alignment between education, work experience, and labour-market needs
BC PNP drops graduate and tech streams, refocuses on healthcare and trades
British Columbia restructured its PNP around a Care / Build / Innovate model, permanently closing the graduate, tech-priority and entry-level streams.
- BC closed its International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, Priority Tech, and Entry Level/Semi-Skilled streams.
- The 2026 program is rebuilt around three pillars: Care (healthcare), Build (nine designated construction trades), and Innovate (high-economic-impact roles).
Alberta introduces a $135 Worker EOI fee
As of April 7, 2026, Alberta charges a $135 CAD fee to submit a Worker Expression of Interest to the AAIP.
- A $135 CAD fee now applies to every AAIP Worker Expression of Interest submission, effective April 7, 2026.
- Alberta launched an Eligibility Explorer tool (June 17, 2026) to help match workers/employers to the right AAIP stream.
Spousal open work permits narrowed again with a final-term rule
From March 4, 2026, a student’s spouse is refused an open work permit if the student is in the final term of their program — on top of the January 2025 eligibility cuts.
- From March 4, 2026, a student's spouse is refused a spousal open work permit if the student is in their final academic term — even on a renewal.
- This adds to the January 21, 2025 change limiting SOWP eligibility to spouses of master's (16+ months), doctoral, or certain professional-degree students.
Master's and PhD students at public colleges/universities no longer need a PAL
As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs are exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL) requirement.
- As of January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at a public DLI no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL/TAL).
- Most other study permit applicants still require a PAL/TAL, and those spaces remain capped under the 2026 allocation.
Bill C-3 removes the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent
In force since December 15, 2025, Bill C-3 lets Canadians born abroad pass citizenship to children also born abroad, ending the first-generation limit.
- Bill C-3 came into force December 15, 2025, removing the "first-generation limit" on citizenship by descent.
- The change is retroactive and automatic — IRCC estimates 110,000+ people became citizens the moment it took effect.
2026–2028 Levels Plan: PR admissions stabilize at 380,000 a year
Canada’s new plan holds permanent-resident admissions at 380,000 per year through 2028 — about 20% below the 2024 record — while sharply cutting temporary residents.
- PR admissions are held at 380,000/year from 2026 through 2028 — about 20% below the 2024 record of 484,000.
- Economic immigration is set to reach about 64% of admissions by 2027-2028, the highest share in decades.
International student intake nearly halved for 2026
New study permits for newly arriving students fall to about 155,000 in 2026 — a ~49% drop — with 309,670 total application spaces under the cap.
- IRCC expects to issue about 155,000 study permits to newly arriving students in 2026 — down ~49% from roughly 305,000 in 2025.
- 309,670 total study permit application spaces are available under the 2026 cap (for applicants who need a PAL/TAL).
General information, not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often — for your situation, consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer, and always confirm details on the official source linked in each item.