Immigration news

Immigration news directory

Comprehensive coverage of Canadian immigration news, policy updates, and program changes. Filter by jurisdiction, program, impact, and more.

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⭐ Top 3 Most Important

Ontario’s OINP: Previously Dedicated Health, Tech, and Trade Jobs Now Included in “Other-Priority” – What It Means for Applicants

⭐ FEATURED

Program Delivery Update Ontario 🎯 Moderate Impact

OINP Other-Priority Update

Ontario’s OINP has integrated 36 NOC codes previously exclusive to Health, Tech, and Trade into the “Other-Priority” category, expanding it to 77 occupations. These codes retain their original classifications, allowing dual eligibility for dedicated streams (e.g., Express Entry Human Capital Priorities) and broader “Other-Priority” draws. This enables flexible, high-volume invitations—8,795 issued in 2025, with CRS scores as low as 42 in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream. The shift enhances PR pathways but raises questions about processing differences. Verify your NOC with the Immigratic NOC Navigator and track draws for optimal application timing.

Programs Affected:

OINP-EE-Trade OINP-EE-Health OINP-EE-Tech +1 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 36 📅 Sep 6, 2025

IRCC to Include Officer Decision Notes With Refusal Letters for Greater Transparency

⭐ FEATURED

Portal Notice Federal 🎯 High Impact

IRCC Decision Notes

Effective 2025-07-29, IRCC will attach deciding officer decision notes to refusal letters for TRVs (excluding eTA/TRP), visitor records, study permits and work permits to improve transparency. Portions may be redacted for security/privacy, IRCC Portal – New users won’t receive notes initially, and the measure will roll out to more application types over time.

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 31 📅 Jul 29, 2025

Moghadam v. Canada: Court Rules Scheduled Interview Doesn’t Moot 52-Month PR Delay Claim, Mandates 90-Day Resolution—Security Screening Insufficient Justification

⭐ FEATURED

Legal Decision Federal 🎯 Moderate Impact

Mandamus 90-Day Order

Federal Court ruled a late interview notice does not moot a mandamus claim challenging a 52‑month family sponsorship PR delay and ordered IRCC to decide within 90 days. The court held generic security‑screening explanations are insufficient to justify such prolonged delay.

Programs Affected:

Sponsorship

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 30 📅 Jul 25, 2025

Program Delivery Update Federal Low Impact

DNA Testing Update

IRCC revised DNA-testing procedures—separating citizenship and immigration instructions, standardizing officer letters and GCMS recording, and adding virtual witnessing at select IOM offices. Tests must be SCC‑accredited and client‑paid, remain voluntary as a last resort, and affect Citizenship, Sponsorship, H&C and Refugee programs to improve consistency and fairness.

Programs Affected:

Citizenship Sponsorship +2 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 37 📅 Sep 7, 2025

⭐ FEATURED

Program Delivery Update Ontario Moderate Impact

IRCC updated C90 and A75 work permit instructions, reducing caregiver experience required from 12 to 6 months and accepting foreign experience earned within a 36‑month window. Applicants get only one opportunity to submit experience evidence; updates also clarify non‑Express Entry PNP procedures and include Quebec skilled workers/investors.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 31 📅 Jul 30, 2025

Federal Court quashed the SINP-based refusal in Asif v. Canada, finding a breach of procedural fairness where IRCC raised new credibility concerns about employment documents (format/handwritten) without issuing a second procedural fairness letter. The matter was remitted for redetermination, underscoring that officers must re-notice authenticity concerns before imposing a five‑year misrepresentation bar.

Programs Affected:

SINP

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 30 📅 Jul 25, 2025

⭐ FEATURED

Legal Decision Federal Moderate Impact

Q1 2025 IRB data: India had the highest refugee claim volume (3,118) with a ~48.1% approval rate and large “Other” totals indicating many pending/non‑finalized cases. Afghanistan, Eritrea, Burundi, Ethiopia and Iran recorded 100% approval (no negatives); Türkiye combined high volume with ~96% approval, highlighting strong recognition for some nationalities amid processing backlogs.

Programs Affected:

Refugees

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 19, 2025

Canada to Require Language Tests for Some International Mobility Program Work Permits Starting 2025

⭐ FEATURED

Policy Announcement Federal Moderate Impact

IMP Language Tests

IRCC will require designated language test results for certain International Mobility Program work permit applicants, with regulatory amendments planned for 2025–2027. The proposal will appear in the Canada Gazette, Part I in spring/summer 2025 for public comment; aimed at improving workforce integration and retention but may narrow the eligible pool and add testing costs.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 19, 2025

Extensive Policy Update on Marine Workers and Transportation-Related Work Permits

Program Delivery Update Federal Low Impact

Work Permit Policy Update

IRCC’s 18 July 2025 policy clarifies R186(s) no‑permit scenarios versus TFWP/IMP permit requirements for marine and transport workers, defining “crew member” duties and addressing offshore EEZ construction. It adds an IMP R205(a)–C10 pathway for Seaspan above‑deck retrofits, integrates Operational Bulletin 649, and may increase permit filings and project lead times for employers and specialized workers.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 18, 2025

Program Delivery Update Federal Low Impact

Recognized Employer Pilot

IRCC (2025-07-16) issued operational guidance to standardize work-permit decisions under the Recognized Employer Pilot, aiming to speed up and make processing more predictable for employers with proven compliance. Expected benefits include greater consistency and faster processing for recognized employers, with potential relative disadvantages for non‑recognized employers and a need for ongoing compliance monitoring and clear communication.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 16, 2025

CSQ Holders Outside Quebec – A76 Work Permit Pathway Limited

Program Delivery Update Quebec Moderate Impact

A76 Work Permit Limited

Effective 2025-01-16 MIFI stopped issuing A76 invitation letters for CSQ holders outside Quebec; only letters dated on or before 2025-01-15 remain valid and applicants must apply for the work permit within 90 days of the letter date. Those without an eligible MIFI letter should pursue alternative work authorization (e.g., LMIA-based routes) and ensure maintenance of legal status.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 16, 2025

2025 Parents and Grandparents Program Intake Opens July 28

Policy Announcement Federal Moderate Impact

2025 PGP Intake

IRCC will open the 2025 PGP intake on 2025-07-28, issuing up to 10,000 invitations drawn exclusively from the 2020 Interest-to-Sponsor pool and not opening a new form. Sponsors should check their 2020 email (including spam) for ITAs and consider the Super Visa if not selected.

Programs Affected:

Sponsorship

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 16, 2025

Canada Extends Support Measures for Ukrainians Under CUAET Program

Program Delivery Update Federal Moderate Impact

Canada Extends CUAET Support

IRCC extended the CUAET public policy so Ukrainians and their family members who arrived by March 31, 2024 may apply for open work permits, study permits and TRVs until March 31, 2026. Applications are subject to regular fees, and the Feb. 4, 2024 “pending CUAET” policy expired Dec. 31, 2024.

Programs Affected:

Work Permit Study Permit +1 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 15, 2025

Ontario Releases 2024 Immigration Nomination Results with 21,500 Selected

Statistical Report Ontario Moderate Impact

Ontario 2024 Nominations

Ontario used its full 21,500 OINP nominations in 2024, with 30% of nominees in tech and 15% in healthcare. Employer and graduate streams remained primary pathways, signaling continued prioritization of tech/health talent and tighter competition for other sectors.

Programs Affected:

OINP-EE-French OINP-EE-Health +6 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 29 📅 Jul 13, 2025

Immigration Policy Update: Authorities Urged to Consider Dual Intent in Visa Applications

Legal Decision Federal Moderate Impact

Dual Intent Ruling

Federal Court in Singh v Canada (2025 FC 1210) found a work‑permit refusal unreasonable because the officer failed to consider IRPR dual‑intent where a PR‑stream LMIA was on file. The ruling requires officers to expressly assess dual intent (impacting study permits, PGWPs and work permits) rather than treating PR plans as automatic grounds for refusal.

Programs Affected:

Study Permit PGWP +1 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 28 📅 Jul 8, 2025

Express Entry Draw Held for Canadian Experience Class Applicants

Invitation Round Federal Moderate Impact

Canadian Experience Class Draw

On 2025-07-08 IRCC held an Express Entry draw for Canadian Experience Class candidates, issuing 3,000 invitations with a CRS cutoff of 518 in a General (all regions) round. This high cutoff signals strong competition and underscores the importance of score‑enhancing factors for CEC applicants.

Programs Affected:

Express Entry EE-CEC

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 28 📅 Jul 8, 2025

Quebec Temporarily Halts Spousal Sponsorship Applications Starting July 9, 2025

Program Delivery Update Quebec High Impact

Spousal Sponsorship Pause

Quebec is pausing all spousal sponsorship intake (inland and outland) from July 9, 2025 through June 2026 due to processing capacity limits. Pending applications will be returned and applicants may be redirected to the federal sponsorship process.

Programs Affected:

Sponsorship

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 28 📅 Jul 7, 2025

IRCC Reverts CIP Code List to June 25 Version

Policy Announcement Federal High Impact

IRCC Reverts CIP Codes

IRCC reverted eligible CIP codes to the June 25, 2025 version, restoring PGWP field-of-study eligibility and covering students who applied between June 25–July 4, 2025. Restored eligibility stands until the next update in early 2026, offering short-term certainty but leaving potential changes ahead.

Programs Affected:

PGWP Study Permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 27 📅 Jul 4, 2025

Ontario Unveils New Employer Portal for Immigration Nominee Program

⭐ FEATURED

Portal Notice Ontario Low Impact

Ontario Employer Portal

Ontario has launched a new digital employer portal for the OINP, ending paper-based nominations as of 2025-07-02 and affecting Employer Job Offer streams JOFW, JOID and JOIS. Expected benefits include faster processing, fewer clerical errors and broader access, though employers may face short-term transition/training and data-security considerations.

Programs Affected:

OINP-JOFW OINP-JOID +1 more

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 27 📅 Jul 2, 2025

How to Get Urgent Processing for Your Work Permit Application

Policy Announcement Federal High Impact

TR Urgent Processing

Work permit processing in Canada can take months, but priority processing is available for applicants in essential services like healthcare, agriculture, and agri-food. By correctly identifying and entering your NOC code, you may qualify for urgent processing and significantly reduce wait times. This guide explains eligible occupations, key steps for priority consideration, and highlights other fast-track options like the Global Skills Strategy (GSS).

Programs Affected:

work-permit

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 51 📅 Dec 28, 2024

How Canada's Rigged Express Entry System Sidelines Global Talents

Other Federal Low Impact

Express Entry Is Outdated

Canada’s Express Entry system is central to its immigration strategy, but its rigid points-based structure often overlooks exceptional global talent. By prioritizing younger, middle-class workers, Canada risks losing world-class innovators who don’t fit the current model. This article examines the shortcomings of Express Entry, compares Canada’s approach with global competitors like the U.S. and Australia, and calls for reforms. Solutions include creating a dedicated global talent pathway and updating selection criteria to reflect Canada’s strategic needs in healthcare, STEM, and innovation.

Programs Affected:

express-entry

👤 Soheil Hosseini

Week 52 📅 Jan 31, 2024

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