Immigration News


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The eight most livable cities for newcomers to Canada—and how to move there

Most newcomers choose one of Canada’s three “gateway cities” (Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver), upon initially moving to the country due to work and schooling opportunities. While these cities are often regarded as the most popular among new arrivals, the world’s second-largest country has much more to offer newcomers in terms of livability. The Globe and […]

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Manitoba targets more skilled workers in its end-of-January immigration draw

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has invited more skilled workers to apply for provincial nomination in its latest draw. Candidates were selected for declaring the receipt of an invitation to apply (ITA) from the MPNP under a strategic recruitment initiative in their Expression of Interest (EOI) profile. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams […]

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Canada is prioritizing applicants in these occupations for faster work permit processing

Applicants in certain occupations designated as performing or supporting “essential services” in Canada can receive priority processing on their work permit application. This expedited processing covers employer-specific work permits, including but not limited to: Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permits; Francophone Mobility Work Permits; and International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits. Schedule a Free […]

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Saskatchewan hits cap for worker nominations in three sectors

As of January 20, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) officially reached its job position limits for all capped sectors, for its first intake window. The SINP’s capped sectors include accommodation and food services, retail trade, and trucking. Its first intake window (out of six total for the year) opened on January 13 and was […]

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Newfoundland and Labrador to connect foreign workers with employers in upcoming virtual immigration fair

On February 11, between 6–10 p.m. GMT, the Newfoundland and Labrador government will run a virtual immigration and job fair for all interested audiences. The event will cater to foreign skilled workers interested in immigrating to Canada, who will have a chance to connect with hiring employers across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, in […]

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Six healthcare jobs being prioritized for permanent residence, requiring two years of college or less

Having work experience in a priority healthcare occupation can give you an advantage in pursuing Canadian permanent residence (PR). Discover your options for Canadian permanent residence International student graduates of healthcare programs are more likely to get jobs in their field after graduation, in addition to being more likely to get permanent residence down the […]

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These new initiatives are benefitting in-Canada candidates for permanent residence

Over the last year or so, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has consistently emphasized that is prioritizing those already in Canada for permanent residence (PR). The latest Immigration Levels Plan (2026-2028) explicitly stated that its temporary resident (TR) and PR targets for the year were established “…with a focus on transitioning to permanent residence […]

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New IRCC wait times: Visitor visas speed up for some, work permits drag on

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing times for temporary resident applications, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas. The immigration department’s latest processing times update shows several key trends: visitor visas are mostly steady (with some notable improvements), while work permits have generally slowed and become more volatile. Discover if […]

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What to Expect in a Job Interview: A Guide for Newcomers

When applying for jobs in Canada, many employers may ask you to take part in an interview. Preparing ahead of time may help the experience feel less stressful and more manageable. Here are some tips to make things easier. Learn more about the TD New to Canada Banking Package   1. Learn About the Employer […]

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Coming to Canada on a study permit? Your spouse may be eligible for PR before you are

A couple may be able to get Canadian permanent residence (PR) years sooner—by having one spouse work while the other studies. If a foreign national comes to Canada on a study permit and enrolls in a qualifying study program, their spouse could begin working on a spousal open work permit (SOWP). By the time the […]

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Government instructions leave the door open for the Parents and Grandparents Program to return in 2026

Recent news coverage around the closure of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2026 does not tell the full story. While Ministerial Instructions issued by the Canadian government do explicitly state that new application intake to the program will be closed this year, it is worthwhile to note that they do also include the […]

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Year in review: How did the Rural Community Immigration Pilot fare in 2025?

In the first year of its operation, the Rural Community and Immigration Pilot (RCIP) helped more than a thousand newcomers gain permanent residency (PR) and settle in 14 of Canada’s fast-developing communities. The RCIP is set to continue facilitating the immigration of newcomers this year as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) continues initiatives to […]

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ANALYSIS: How Canada reversed the US immigration playbook

Canada and the United States (US) both scaled back on immigration in 2025, but did so in dramatically different ways. US immigration policy under Donald Trump took a more protectionist approach, cutting back on foreign workers across the board with the view that such workers displace Americans from the US labour market. In contrast, Canada […]

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What Canada’s upcoming free trade negotiations mean for workers from India, Thailand, UAE, and Mercosur countries

Foreign workers and businesspeople from multiple countries may soon see easier access to Canada following upcoming trade negotiations. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Should trade negotiations prove fruitful (and depending on the exact terms of each trade agreement), the Canadian government has signaled that it will look to […]

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Four kinds of candidates who are now eligible for CEC invitations after falling cut-off scores

After stagnating around 533–534 from August to November 2025, Canadian Experience Class (CEC) cut-off scores have begun to drop significantly—to as low as 509 on January 1, 2026. With the recent drop in cut-off scores, thousands of CEC candidates who previously scored too low to receive a chance at Canadian permanent residence have been newly […]

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British Columbia PNP increases nomination application fees for its worker streams

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has raised its application fees for the Skills Immigration category, from $1,475 to $1,750. The new fees were announced on the BC PNP’s news webpage on January 22, 2026. Only applications submitted on or after January 22 are subject to the new fee; those who applied prior […]

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Newcomers can receive hundreds of dollars from Canadian government this year under revamped benefit

Each eligible newcomer in Canada could receive up to an additional $417 this year, and up to an additional $167 per year over the next five years, under upcoming measures announced by the federal government. The money comes in the form of a refundable tax credit, dubbed the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, which revamps […]

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Changes are coming to LMIA-exempt work permits this year – here’s what to expect

Some major changes to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permits are on the docket for the year 2026, including an increase in the admissions target, a freeze on eligible fields of study for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs), and a suite of additional planned, expected, and potential measures. Admissions target increase for foreign workers The […]

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Statistics Canada is hiring for 32,000 jobs across Canada – work permit holders qualify, may build eligibility for PR

The next Census of Population is being conducted in May of 2026, and Statistics Canada is hiring for approximately 32,000 jobs across the country to aid in data collection. Work permit holders will qualify for consideration for a variety of supervisory and non-supervisory roles. The hiring of associated roles for the census will begin between […]

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These employers can help international students and recent graduates immigrate to Canada

By choosing the right employer and occupations, international students and recent graduates in Canada can put themselves on a strong track to gain permanent residence (PR). Gaining at least six months of work experience (in addition to meeting minimum program requirements) in an eligible occupation under an Express Entry category can help PR candidates in […]

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ANALYSIS: How Canada’s immigration strategy supports Carney’s “third path” to global prosperity

Canada’s immigration strategy underpins Carney’s ambitious plan to spearhead the development of a new global economic order. Join the Angus Reid Forum and get $5 in points! In an acclaimed speech at the World Economic Forum at Davos on Tuesday, the Canadian prime minister called out the recent “rupture” of the “rules-based international order” that […]

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Extend your stay in Canada with this accessible, LMIA-exempt work permit overlooked by most

Canada’s Francophone Mobility Work Permit (FMWP) lets foreign workers with modest French abilities qualify for an employer-specific work permit, whether they’re applying from abroad or seeking to extend their worker status from inside Canada.  The FMWP is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process, and is among the most accessible to workers both […]

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Live Webinar: Starting Your Canadian Immigration Journey in 2026

Starting your immigration journey in Canada in 2026? Don’t miss this live webinar on February 12 at 11AM EST and get your questions answered by leading experts in immigration, language testing, and financial services.  This webinar brings together Express Entry legal professionals from CanadaVisa, along with language testing specialists from Prometric and HR experts from […]

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Express Entry candidates in these situations may need to decline their invitations to apply

Whether you’re entering the Express Entry pool in 2026, or you already have a profile submitted, it’s worth knowing that there are some situations wherein a candidate might have to decline an Invitation to Apply (ITA), if they do receive one. Understanding why – and what to do – if this happens, can help you […]

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New law grants thousands Canadian citizenship: Can you apply in 2026?

If you were born outside Canada and have a Canadian grandparent, you may be able to apply for proof of Canadian citizenship under new rules, even if neither of your parents has a Canadian passport. On December 15, 2025, new legislation came into force that eliminated the first-generation limit (FGL) to citizenship by descent. With […]

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