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

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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
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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
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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
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Showing 12 of 46 posts
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IRCC updates guidance for Quebec-bound study permits, clarifies CAQ requirements and adds PAL section
Program Delivery Update Quebec Moderate Impact

Quebec Study Permit Update

IRCC updated guidance for Quebec‑bound study permits, clarifying CAQ requirements and verification (CAQ attestations may be issued for up to 49 months). The update adds a dedicated PAL section and revises exemptions and CAQ renewal rules, including a Dec. 6, 2025 exception, and directs officers to align permit validity with the CAQ.

Programs Affected:

Study Permit
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 38 📅 Sep 17, 2025
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Express Entry EE-PNP Draw Issues 228 Invitations at 746 CRS; Next Draw Anticipated Tomorrow
Invitation Round Federal Moderate Impact

EE-PNP Draw 746 CRS

Express Entry EE‑PNP issued 228 ITAs at a 746 CRS cutoff (update 2025‑09‑16), reflecting provincial nominations. A follow‑on draw is anticipated tomorrow but has not been officially confirmed.

Programs Affected:

Express Entry EE-PNP
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 38 📅 Sep 16, 2025
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Canada’s Startup Visa Backlog Creates 35-Year Wait as Critics Demand a Real Entrepreneur Program
Policy Announcement Federal Moderate Impact

Startup Visa Backlog

A Sept. 15 article alleges Canada’s Startup Visa backlog now amounts to a 35‑year wait as admissions stay microscopic, leaving applicants delayed and work permits stalled. Critics say the SUV lacks guaranteed investment or job‑creation requirements and urge a federal entrepreneur program tying PR to capital‑at‑risk, measurable job creation, and tighter oversight of designated organizations.

Programs Affected:

Startup Visa
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 38 📅 Sep 15, 2025
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IRCC revises DNA testing procedures, adds virtual witnessing and standardized officer letter
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
Read More →
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 +2 more
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 6, 2025
Read More →
Federal Court Upholds Exclusion Order in Karim v. Canada, Rules Students Must Prove Study‑Permit Compliance
Legal Decision Federal High Impact

Exclusion Order Upheld

In Karim v. Canada (2025 FC 1467) the Federal Court upheld an exclusion order, ruling international students bear the onus to prove study‑permit compliance or eligibility for exemptions. Re‑enrollment does not cure past non‑compliance, and CBSA/IRCC are not required to identify or apply exemptions for applicants.

Programs Affected:

Study Permit Enforcement
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 5, 2025
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Sept. 3, 2025 — OINP‑FWS issues 1,134 invitations across all regions; PNP cutoff score 42
Invitation Round Ontario Moderate Impact

OINP-FWS: 1,134 invites

Ontario’s OINP‑FWS issued 1,134 invitations province‑wide on 3 Sep 2025 under Other Priority Occupations with a PNP cutoff score of 42 (PNP update 4 Sep 2025). This large round may indirectly affect OINP‑JOIS pacing and nomination allocations.

Programs Affected:

OINP-JOIS
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 4, 2025
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Express Entry EE-CEC Draw Issues 1,000 Invitations with 534 CRS Cutoff
Invitation Round Federal Low Impact

EE-CEC Draw: 534 Cutoff

Express Entry (EE‑CEC) draw on 2025‑09‑03 issued 1,000 ITAs with a CRS cutoff of 534. The high cutoff signals a very competitive round favoring top‑scoring Canadian‑experience candidates and constraining mid‑range profiles.

Programs Affected:

Express Entry EE-CEC
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 4, 2025
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Express Entry EE‑French draw issues 4,500 invitations at 446 CRS cutoff, total French invitations reach 25,500
Invitation Round Federal Moderate Impact

EE‑French draw CRS 446

On 2025-09-04 IRCC issued 4,500 EE‑French ITAs at a CRS cutoff of 446, bringing cumulative French‑category invitations to 25,500. This impacts Express Entry and related provincial streams (e.g., OINP‑EE‑French).

Programs Affected:

Express Entry OINP-EE-French
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 4, 2025
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Ontario overhauls OINP priority occupations and issues 1,134 ITAs in targeted draw with 42 cutoff
Invitation Round Ontario High Impact

Ontario OINP overhaul

Ontario cut its OINP “Other Priority” occupations from 104 to 77, refocusing eligibility toward healthcare and skilled trades. On 2025-09-03 it issued 1,134 ITAs in a targeted Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker draw with a cutoff score of 42.

Programs Affected:

OINP-JOIS OINP-JOFW +1 more
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 3, 2025
Read More →
Ontario issues 759 OINP invitations to international students in Other Priority Occupations, cutoff score 63
Invitation Round Ontario Low Impact

OINP: 759 Invitations

Ontario issued 759 OINP invitations to international students in the Other Priority Occupations category on 2025-09-03, using the PNP scoring model with a cutoff score of 63. Invitations were province‑wide under the OINP‑JOIS stream.

Programs Affected:

OINP-JOIS
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 3, 2025
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Ontario Issues 2,643 Invitations in Third 2025 OINP Draw, Prioritizing Health and Early Childhood Occupations
Invitation Round Ontario Moderate Impact

Ontario OINP 2,643 Invites

Ontario issued 2,643 invitations in its third 2025 OINP draw (all Employer Job Offer streams), prioritizing health and early childhood education and care occupations. Breakdown: 1,305 Foreign Worker, 1,105 International Student, 233 In‑Demand Skills; no human‑capital stream invites; invited candidates have 14 days to apply.

Programs Affected:

OINP-JOFW OINP-JOIS +1 more
👤 Soheil Hosseini
Week 36 📅 Sep 2, 2025
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Showing 12 of 46 news items