Follow immigration topics over time. Read AI-summarized timelines of policy changes and latest updates.
Quebec-based sponsors face an additional processing layer requiring MIFI undertaking approval before IRCC can finalize parents' and grandparents' PR applications, creating potential delays for this group.
IRCC will issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, down 7% from 2025 and 16% from 2024, as the cap continues to shrink Canada's international student population from over 1 million in January 2024 to roughly 725,000 by September 2025.
Effective January 1, 2026, master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement when applying for a study permit, recognizing their contributions to Canada's economic growth and innovation.
The Canadian Experience Class cut-off reached a 2026 high of 523 on August 18, while the September 1 CEC draw sat at 521. The pool's top-scoring band (501–600) grew by 885 profiles in two weeks, suggesting upward pressure on general and CEC cut-offs.
IRCC continues to allow sponsored spouses and partners to apply for visitor visas and open work permits while their PR application is in progress, providing a pathway to work in Canada during processing. Online applications remain mandatory since September 2022.
Nova Scotia's one-time 2026 selection expansion reflects provinces making strategic, autonomous decisions about who to nominate within tight federal allocation limits, prioritizing workforce retention over new entrants.
The open work permit application deadline for 2021 TR-to-PR pathway applicants still awaiting a PR decision has been extended to December 31, 2026, and is available to eligible principal applicants and their family members.
Canada held 10 active category-based draw types in 2026, including a new physicians-with-Canadian-experience stream launched in 2026. As of September 3, 229 physicians were invited at a CRS of just 198, and French-language candidates saw a 2026-low cut-off of 382 on August 19.
IRCC updated officer instructions on July 24, 2026, requiring mandatory review of funding sources and amounts for all study permit applicants, extending the required bank statement history from 4 to 6 months and removing the previous high-risk-only threshold for supplementary document review.
Ontario replaced previous OINP streams with a new Ontario Workforce Priority stream open to all NOC TEER categories and self-employed physicians, with EOIs now accepted as of August 4, 2026.
Canada's 2026-2028 plan locks in 380,000 PR admissions per year, with economic immigrants at 244,700, family class at 81,000, and refugees/humanitarian at 56,200 for 2026.
Over 80 citizenship ceremonies were held during Citizenship Week in April 2026, naturalizing approximately 6,000 new Canadians from 40 countries; virtual ceremonies remain the most common format.
Canadian passport fees increased on March 31, 2026 for the first time since 2013, with a 10-year adult passport now costing $163.50 from within Canada. A new '30 business days or free' processing guarantee also took effect April 1, 2026.
Effective August 18, 2026, the low-wage LMIA cap for employers with fewer than 10 employees is now calculated separately per qualifying work location rather than across the whole employer, allowing more low-wage hires across multi-location businesses.
Canada's 2026–2028 immigration levels plan raises LMIA-exempt work permit (IMP) targets by 32% to 170,000, while cutting LMIA-based Temporary Foreign Worker Program targets by 27% to 60,000.
The 2026 rules confirm off-campus work remains capped at 24 hours per week for most students, while spousal Open Work Permits are now restricted to master's, PhD, and select professional degree students only.
As of July 7, 2026, processing times fell by 1–2 months for CEC, base PNP, QBC, and PGP applicants, while citizenship grants reached a four-month low. Spousal sponsorship outside Quebec and Express Entry-aligned PNP saw a 1-month increase.