The three regions participating in the federal Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) have announced their 2026 priority sectors and occupations—with several overlaps. To obtain permanent residence through the RCIP, candidates are required to have a job offer from an employer designated by the community, in an eligible occupation. Assess your eligibility for the Rural Community […]

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The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) held two draws on February 20 and February 24, 2026, issuing close to 900 invitations to candidates. The two selections encompassed the first draw for priority sectors under the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the first Tourism and Hospitality Stream draw of the year. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP […]

The post Alberta issues hundreds of invitations to foreign workers across two AAIP draws first appeared on CIC News.

Iranians in Canada can no longer apply for special work permits, following the expiry of a temporary public policy. Under the expired policy, Updated temporary public policy for nationals of Iran in Canada as temporary residents, Iranians who had arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025 had been able to obtain open work permits. […]

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The three regions in British Columbia that are participating in the Rural Community Immigration (RCIP) have released the sectors and occupations they will be prioritizing in 2026. Foreign nationals whose job offers align with the workforce needs of a BC community can use this pilot as a pathway to permanent residence (PR). Assess your eligibility […]

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The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has held a new Expression of Interest (EOI) draw under two pathways of its Skilled Worker Stream. The province issued invitations—or Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs)—to candidates both in Manitoba and abroad, who stated they were directly invited by the MPNP through a strategic recruitment initiative. Assess your […]

The post Manitoba issues more invitations to foreign workers in latest immigration draw first appeared on CIC News.

Foreign nationals and their employers now face stricter evaluation criteria when seeking work permits issued under the “significant benefit to Canada” exemption to the requirement for a labour market impact assessment (LMIA). The significant benefit work permit is issued under LMIA exemption code C10, and allows officers to assess on a case-by-case basis whether a […]

The post Canada tightens rules for work permits issued under “significant benefit” LMIA exemption first appeared on CIC News.

Many provincial pathways to permanent residence require job offers, but 13 do not. If you’re seeking permanent residence through nomination by a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and don’t have a job offer, here are your options. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams Alberta The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) offers one PNP stream through […]

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing times for various temporary resident application types—work permits, study permits, and visitor visas. Most notably, study permit processing times have skyrocketed for Pakistan-based submissions (an eight-week climb compared to one week ago), and US wait times have dropped by one week. Work permits remained relatively […]

The post Canadian immigration processing times: Visitor visas see improvements while certain study permit applications surge first appeared on CIC News.

Settling into life in Canada involves managing finances in a new country. Along the way, you may be asked to share personal or banking information. Knowing how to recognize and respond to potential fraud may help you protect yourself and your finances. Book an Appointment at a TD Branch Now This article outlines common types […]

The post Tips for Staying Safe from Financial Fraud in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Quebec has released an updated list of occupations that can benefit from expedited Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Following this update on February 24, 2026, which has removed many IT and engineering professions, there are now just 60 occupations eligible for this simplified LMIA processing across all […]

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A bill proposing major changes to Canada’s immigration system is set to advance to the next stage, with no amendments proposed. Should it become law in its current form, the bill will provide sweeping executive powers over Canada’s immigration system to the Governor in Council, that is, to the governor general, acting upon the advice […]

The post BREAKING: Major immigration bill reported with no amendments first appeared on CIC News.

The five Ontario communities participating in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) have released their priority sectors and occupations for 2026. Foreign nationals with a job offer that aligns with an Ontario community’s labour market needs can pursue permanent residence (PR) through this pilot. Assess your eligibility for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot This article […]

The post Ontario regions announce jobs eligible for permanent residence through the RCIP first appeared on CIC News.

Obtaining a police certificate for the period you’ve resided in China for an Express Entry application can prove difficult, particularly for those no longer in the country. This is because China, in most cases, requires in-person applications and the lack of a national standard for issuing police certificates. Consult with an experienced immigration representative In […]

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American country music star Charley Crockett was forced to cancel the Canadian portion of his tour after having been denied entry to Canada on account of his criminal record. According to a post on his Instagram account on February 23, 2026, Crockett sought entry to Canada at Kelowna on February 22, only to be told […]

The post Why was Charley Crockett denied entry to Canada? first appeared on CIC News.

Canada’s immigration department has clarified the rules around the issuance of special work permits to permanent residence applicants under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). Foreign nationals who have submitted a complete application for permanent residence under the FCIP or RCIP may be eligible for a work permit that […]

The post IRCC clarifies work permit rules for RCIP and FCIP applicants first appeared on CIC News.

On February 18, Canada’s immigration department launched a new priority category under the Express Entry system, targeting foreign skilled military recruits to immigrate to the country. This measure signals the importance of these recruits to Canada, a view echoed in the country’s recently released Defense Industrial Strategy—which emphasizes continued immigration initiatives for skilled military personnel […]

The post Canada is prioritizing foreign military members to immigrate to the country – here’s what you need to know first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published its first-ever AI strategy. The strategy sets out guiding principles and objectives, identifies opportunities, and provides a framework for categorizing AI use cases. Join the Angus Reid Forum and get $5 in points! According to the published strategy, IRCC aims to implement AI in ways that are […]

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A class of labour-market-impact-assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permits is now being issued under revised rules. Work permits issued on the basis of reciprocal employment through the International Mobility Program are now subject to revised instructions to officers, under the new title “Reciprocal employment general guidelines [R205(b) – C20] – Canadian interests – International Mobility Program.” Schedule […]

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To qualify for an occupational category, Express Entry candidates now require at least 12 months’ work experience in an eligible occupation within the past three years. This work experience need not be continuous. See your eligibility for all Express Entry Streams and Categories Prior to this change, qualifying for an occupational category required six months […]

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On February 19, 2026, Prince Edward Island held its latest selection round under the PEI Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP), aligning with the province’s anticipated Invitation to Apply (ITA) schedule. As in earlier draws this year, PEI prioritized candidates with in-province ties and strong alignment with occupations and priority sectors seen as having high economic […]

The post Prince Edward Island continues to prioritize international graduates in latest immigration draw first appeared on CIC News.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has held six provincial immigration draws between February 6 and February 19, 2026, spanning multiple immigration streams. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams Over this period, Alberta issued no less than 441 invitations through its: Rural Renewal Stream; Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway; Alberta Express […]

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International students arriving in Canada to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting longer programs will now be issued shorter study permits. Under the old rules, officers were instructed to issue a study permit for a period equal to the length of the prerequisite course(s) plus one year. Now, a study permit is to be issued […]

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 4,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Healthcare and social services category. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 467; […]

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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted the Northwest Territories a nomination allocation of 197 for 2026—the same number of slots it ended 2025 with post-nomination increase. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has also changed its selection process for 2026, introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for all pathways under its Employer-Driven […]

The post NWT Nominee Program announces nomination allocation for 2026, introduces EOI selection model first appeared on CIC News.

Foreign nationals with work experience in one of four occupations may now be prioritized for Canadian permanent residence under the newly created transport category. See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories As of February 18, 2026, Express Entry candidates can qualify if they have at least 12 months’ work experience within the […]

The post Who qualifies for permanent residence under Canada’s new Transport category? first appeared on CIC News.