Parents and Grandparents Program Regional Disparities
PGP wait times were reported to be declining as of February 2026, bucking the trend seen in other application types where processing times increased.
17 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Topics
Follow immigration topics over time. Read AI-summarized timelines of policy changes and latest updates.
Graduate Student PAL Exemption
Starting January 1, 2026, Master's and PhD students at Canadian public universities are officially exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter requirement, streamlining the application process for graduate-level international students.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
CRS Cutoff Trends
CEC cut-offs have held in the 507–518 range across 2026, while French-language draws have ranged from 393–446. A record all-time low of 169 was set in a Physicians draw in February 2026.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Spousal Sponsorship Processing Improvements
As of June 2026, outland spousal sponsorship processing is approximately 15 months and inland approximately 21 months; IRCC's service standard targets 80% of complete applications within 12 months, which is currently not being met.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
PNP Federal-Provincial Authority Transfer
As of March 30, 2026, provinces and territories are now solely responsible for assessing key nomination criteria previously evaluated by IRCC; a valid provincial nomination certificate is now accepted as sufficient proof at the federal stage.
18 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Category-Based Selection System
IRCC introduced new Express Entry categories in 2026 under the International Talent Attraction Strategy and raised the minimum work experience threshold for renewed priority categories from 6 months to 1 year within the past 3 years.
24 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
PNP Express Entry Draw Trends
BC PNP held its 12th draw of 2026 on June 2, issuing 357 invitations with a clear focus on construction and healthcare occupations tied to the province's new CARE and BUILD strategic objectives announced April 23.
23 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan
The In-Canada Workers Initiative — announced under the 2026–2028 levels plan to transition 33,000 workers to PR — has been clarified as an acceleration of existing applications under regional and pilot programs, not a new Express Entry draw mechanism.
47 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Student Work Authorization Simplification
Spousal open work permits are now restricted to spouses of Master's, PhD, and select professional degree holders, and PGWP eligibility now excludes students at private colleges that are not designated as 'licensed' institutions.
16 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the IMP admissions target to 170,000 (up 32%) while reducing LMIA-based TFWP targets to 60,000 (down 27%), signalling a clear federal preference for LMIA-exempt pathways.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
PR Card Processing Efficiency
CEC PR application processing times rose to 7 months in February 2026, up from 6 months in January 2026, suggesting incremental pressure on the Express Entry PR processing queue.
23 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
International Student Cap Reduction
Canada reduced the 2026 international study permit target to approximately 408,000 — a 7% drop from 2025 — with a national cap of roughly 155,000 new permits, creating tighter quotas particularly affecting undergraduate applicants in Ontario and BC.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Service Fee Adjustments
Effective March 31–April 1, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013 (10-year adult passport now $163.50) and a 30-day processing guarantee was introduced.
20 articlesLatest: Jun 11, 2026
→
Citizenship Processing Improvements
IRCC welcomed approximately 6,000 new citizens during Citizenship Week (April 12–18, 2026) across 80+ ceremonies, while processing 112,600 PR decisions in Q1 2026.
12 articlesLatest: Jun 4, 2026
→