Immigration News


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British Columbia invites 400+ provincial nominee candidates in latest Skills Immigration draw

On February 4, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held its first Skills Immigration draw of the year, issuing 429 invitations to apply (ITAs). Invitations were issued to candidates that the province identified as creating a high economic impact in BC based on wage/job offer or registration score. Assess your eligibility for enhanced […]

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Express Entry: What candidates need to know about claiming foreign work experience

Gaining foreign work experience can be one of the quickest ways to boost one’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score under Express Entry—especially through skill transferability points. But it’s also one of the easiest factors to get wrong. When Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews a permanent residence (PR) application, immigration officers don’t just look […]

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Beyond CRS: the top factors that impact success in pursuing permanent residence through Express Entry

Many people think Express Entry is just a numbers game: get a high Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, and you’ll get invited to apply for permanent residence (PR). While certainly important, it isn’t the only thing that ultimately decides success—factors like eligibility for certain draw types, timing of profile creation, and submitting a complete, strong […]

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How to get Canadian PR with a two-year college degree

A two-year program at a Canadian college can lead to a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP), allowing an international student to become a competitive candidate for Canadian permanent residency (PR), provided they plan ahead. See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories When pursuing PR through this study-to-immigrate pathway, plan for Meeting the […]

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Who can get a Canadian work permit at the border?

Foreign nationals who arrive in Canada may still be able to apply for (or be issued) a work permit at a port of entry (POE)—but this option is far more limited than it used to be. In recent years, the federal government has tightened POE access through several measures, including ending the practice of “flagpoling” […]

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New Brunswick overhauls provincial immigration pathways

The Government of New Brunswick has implemented numerous changes to its provincial immigration programs, including restrictions on occupations eligible for consideration, a new application consideration model, and a pilot extension. These updates will affect both in-Canada and overseas candidates of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) and New Brunswick’s Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Assess […]

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First Express Entry draw of February sees PNP candidates invited

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 423 ITAs in a draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 749; and Created an […]

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Exclusive Preparation Materials from CELPIP to Help You Approach Your Language Test with Confidence!

Starting your immigration journey in Canada in 2026? Your language test is a big step in making Canada your new home. To help you prepare, CELPIP is offering preparation materials designed to support effective exam preparation and help you approach the test with confidence and a clear understanding of what to expect. Get the CELPIP […]

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Why category-based selection remains the most accessible pathway to PR for many

For many, getting drawn through an Express Entry category remains one of the most accessible paths to permanent residence (PR). Compared to other draw types, category-based selection (CBS) typically requires a lower Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score and work experience requirements. There are, however, drawbacks to consider that may reduce accessibility for some—such as […]

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Ontario issues more than 1,800 invitations in first draws of the year

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held six draws on February 2, 2026, issuing a total of 1,825 invitations to apply (ITAs) for provincial nomination. These targeted draws were held through the province’s Employer: Job Offer streams, and focused on physicians, Regional Economic Development candidates through Immigration (REDI), and health occupations, plus early childhood educators […]

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These are the occupations that PNPs prioritize for PR invitations through Express Entry

The occupation listed on your Express Entry profile can help you get both a provincial nomination and an Express Entry invitation to apply (ITA). Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada have special, Express Entry-aligned (or enhanced) streams, wherein provinces can pick and nominate candidates in the pool based on their immigration and labour market needs. […]

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This common mistake can lead to earlier work permit expiry

Passport validity directly impacts the validity period of work permits issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If a prospective worker’s passport is set to expire before the end of their planned stay, the work permit will be issued with a shorter validity period. Foreign nationals wishing to work in Canada should therefore ensure […]

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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 Looking for personalized expert advice on […]

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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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