Canada is prioritizing French speakers and individuals with qualifying work experience in select sectors and occupations for permanent residence (PR) through Express Entry’s category-based selection (CBS). To qualify for a priority occupational category, you must have six months of full-time, continuous work experience in a single eligible occupation within the last three years (in Canada […]

The post This easy-to-use tool can help you build eligibility for priority permanent residence categories first appeared on CIC News.

Express Entry competition continues its cooling trend for the second month in a row, as even more top-scoring profiles leave the candidate pool. Competition within the Express Entry pool appears to be easing at the top end, even as the overall pool size has grown. Between January 4 and February 2, a total of 6,238 […]

The post Number of top-scoring Express Entry profiles falls 30% first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post British Columbia invites 400+ provincial nominee candidates in latest Skills Immigration draw first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Express Entry: What candidates need to know about claiming foreign work experience first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Beyond CRS: the top factors that impact success in pursuing permanent residence through Express Entry first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post How to get Canadian PR with a two-year college diploma first appeared on CIC News.

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” […]

The post Who can get a Canadian work permit at the border? first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post New Brunswick overhauls provincial immigration pathways first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post First Express Entry draw of February sees PNP candidates invited first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Exclusive Preparation Materials from CELPIP to Help You Approach Your Language Test with Confidence! first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Why category-based selection remains the most accessible pathway to PR for many first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Ontario issues more than 1,800 invitations in first draws of the year first appeared on CIC News.

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. […]

The post These are the occupations that PNPs prioritize for PR invitations through Express Entry first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post This common mistake can lead to earlier work permit expiry first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post The eight most livable cities for newcomers to Canada—and how to move there first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Manitoba targets more skilled workers in its end-of-January immigration draw first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Canada is prioritizing applicants in these occupations for faster work permit processing first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Saskatchewan hits cap for worker nominations in three sectors first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Newfoundland and Labrador to connect foreign workers with employers in upcoming virtual immigration fair first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Six healthcare jobs being prioritized for permanent residence, requiring two years of college or less first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post These new initiatives are benefitting in-Canada candidates for permanent residence first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post New IRCC wait times: Visitor visas speed up for some, work permits drag on first appeared on CIC News.

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 and […]

The post What to Expect in a Job Interview: A Guide for Newcomers first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Coming to Canada on a study permit? Your spouse may be eligible for PR before you are first appeared on CIC News.

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 […]

The post Government instructions leave the door open for the Parents and Grandparents Program to return in 2026 first appeared on CIC News.