Topics
Follow immigration topics over time.
Temporary Resident Target Reductions
Canada committed to reducing temporary resident population to under 5% by end of 2027, with new arrival targets dropping from 385,000 in 2026 to 370,000 in 2027-2028.
Category-Based Express Entry System
2026 shows IRCC's decisive shift toward category-based draws over general draws, with 10 active categories including new ones launched in February.
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion
LMIA-exempt work permits increased to 170,000 (32% increase) while LMIA-based permits cut to 60,000 (27% decrease) in 2026.
LMIA Requirements Tightening
With LMIA-based permits reduced to 60,000, employers face increased competition and potentially stricter requirements for traditional work permits.
PNP Regulatory Changes
Authority for assessing economic establishment and intent to reside transferred entirely from IRCC to provinces effective March 30, 2026.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times
Family sponsorship wait times have decreased in early 2026, with spousal sponsorship at 15 months (outland) and 21 months (inland) as of March.
PNP Target Increases
PNP targets increased dramatically to 91,500 in 2026, up 66% from 55,000 in the previous plan.
CRS Cutoff Trends
Q1 2026 cutoffs varied dramatically by category: CEC stable at 507-511, French draws as low as 393, and Physicians setting record low of 169.
New TR to PR Pathway Launch
Canada quietly launched its new TR to PR pathway in March 2026, targeting 33,000 foreign workers over two years with focus on rural areas and in-demand sectors.
Study Permit Duration Changes
Graduate students at public DLIs exempted from PAL/TAL requirements effective January 1, 2026, while joint program rules simplified.
PR Card Processing Improvements
PR card processing times improved significantly with new cards taking 54 days (down from 62 days in January) and renewals at 27 days, indicating IRCC efficiency gains.
Study Permit National Cap
2026 study permit cap set at 408,000 total permits (155,000 new, 253,000 extensions), down 7% from 2025 targets.
IRCC Digital Modernization
IRCC's Departmental Plan outlines significant digital modernization investments alongside budget cuts and structural changes to compliance processes.
Parents and Grandparents Program Delays
While PGP processing times have improved, Quebec-destined applications experienced a significant 21-month increase in a single update.