IRCC Policy Update — May 14, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Eight immigration changes took effect on March 31–April 1, 2026, including increased Canadian passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50), a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with a full refund if the deadline is missed, and new regulations on immigration consultant oversight taking effect July 15, 2026.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan sharply reduces temporary resident admissions targets, raises the LMIA-exempt IMP target to 170,000, and cuts the TFWP to 60,000. Employer compliance inspections are being transferred from IRCC to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).
IRCC's 2026–27 Departmental Plan signals significant departmental budget cuts and greater use of digital automation and analytics in application processing, alongside a continued focus on integrity and employer oversight.
What You Should Do
- If applying for a Canadian passport after March 31, 2026, budget for the new fee: $163.50 for an adult 10-year passport from within Canada. Review the full updated fee schedule at canada.ca/passport-fees.
- If you applied for a passport on or after April 1, 2026, note the 30-business-day processing guarantee — if your passport is not processed within 30 business days, you are entitled to a full fee refund automatically.
- If you are an employer using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (LMIA-based), prepare for more rigorous compliance inspections as oversight transitions to ESDC. Review ESDC's employer compliance requirements at canada.ca/esdc-employer-compliance.
- If you work with or are a regulated immigration consultant (RCIC), review the new oversight regulations taking effect July 15, 2026, including increased penalties and expanded College complaint/discipline processes, at canada.ca/immigration-consultants.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026–2028 plan significantly cuts temporary resident admissions, raises the LMIA-exempt IMP target to 170,000 (up 32%), slashes the TFWP to 60,000 (down 27%), and introduces structural changes including transfer of employer compliance to ESDC.
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013. An adult 10-year passport from within Canada now costs $163.50, up from $160. A new 30-business-day processing guarantee with automatic full refund also took effect April 1, 2026.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — June 8, 2026
Jun 8, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 4, 2026
Jun 4, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 1, 2026
Jun 1, 2026
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