IRCC Policy Update — May 11, 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
On May 6, 2026, Minister Diab announced new regulations to strengthen oversight of immigration consultants, taking effect July 15, 2026 — including stronger penalties, an expanded public register, and a compensation fund for victims of dishonest consultant conduct.
Eight immigration changes took effect March 31–April 1, 2026, including increased passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50), a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with a free-passport remedy if the deadline is missed, and flexible income requirements for PGP Super Visa sponsors.
IRCC's 2026-2028 Levels Plan targets reducing Canada's temporary resident population to below 5% of total population by end of 2027, with new temporary resident arrival targets set at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028. A consultation on Express Entry reform closes May 24, 2026.
What You Should Do
- If you are working with an immigration consultant, verify their license on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants public register at college-ic.ca before July 15, 2026 — new regulations expanding the register and increasing penalties take effect that day.
- If you need to renew or apply for a Canadian passport, budget for the new fees effective March 31, 2026: $163.50 for an adult 10-year passport from within Canada. Submit your application and track it — if it takes more than 30 business days, you are entitled to a full fee refund under the new '30 days or free' guarantee.
- If you want to provide input on proposed Express Entry reforms, submit feedback before the IRCC consultation closes on May 24, 2026 — check canada.ca or immigrationnewscanada.ca for the consultation link and details.
- If you are a temporary resident in Canada (worker, student, or visitor), be aware that IRCC is actively working to reduce the temporary population — review your current status and any pending applications at ircc.canada.ca to ensure your documents are valid and you are not inadvertently at risk of status issues.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026-2028 Levels Plan targets 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals in 2026, dropping to 370,000 in 2027-2028, as part of a commitment to reduce Canada's temporary population below 5% of the total population by end of 2027.
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013. Adult 10-year passports now cost $163.50 (up from $160) and 5-year adult passports cost $122.50 (up from $120), attributed to inflation and rising production costs.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — June 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — May 30, 2026
May 30, 2026
Get immigration updates in your inbox
Weekly analysis. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.