Immigration News


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How to find out if you have Canadian citizenship through the same ancestor as Beyoncé

More than 13,000 people are known to share the same Canadian ancestor as Beyoncé, according WikiTree—but this is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Through her mother, American singer-songwriter Beyoncé is the sixth great-granddaughter of Acadian resistance leader Joseph Broussard dit Beausoleil, who led 193 refugees to Louisiana in 1765. Get a Free Consultation […]

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Canada holds first Canadian Experience Class Express Entry draw in four weeks

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 3,000 ITAs in a draw for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have: A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518; and Created an […]

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Canada to impose quarantine on travellers returning from Ebola-stricken regions

Canada is introducing quarantine requirements for travellers who have recently been to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, in response to the Ebola outbreak. The quarantine requirement will take effect on May 30 at 11:59 p.m. EDT and remain in place until August 29, 2026. See your eligibility for Canadian Permanent Residence […]

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Canada to suspend immigration documents for residents of Uganda, South Sudan, and the DR Congo

Canada will suspend immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan starting May 27, 11.59 p.m. EDT. Residents of these countries will not be allowed to travel to Canada, even if they hold a temporary resident visa or permanent resident visa, or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). These temporary […]

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Off-campus work rules for international students: May 2026 update

International students in Canada can work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during academic terms, with unlimited hours during scheduled breaks. The headline number hasn’t changed since fall 2024 — but the rules around what counts as work, what counts as a break, and how the immigration department tracks compliance have continued to shift […]

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IRCC plans to add language test field to post-graduation work permit application portal

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is developing a dedicated field to submit language test results on its post-graduation work permit (PGWP) site, in the face of continued applicant confusion. In an article in Global News, a spokesperson for Immigration Minister Lena Diab’s office said the change is in the works as part of broader […]

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What happens behind the scenes after you submit a study permit application?

Most of the study permit process is waiting. You completed biometrics three weeks ago. Your IRCC account hasn’t changed. Your application status still says “In Progress,” and the processing-times page tells you to wait somewhere between six and twelve weeks. Take a 5-minute survey for a chance to win one of twenty $20 Amazon gift […]

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Live Webinar: What to Know Before Buying Your First Home in Canada: A Guide for Newcomers

Are you considering buying your first home in Canada? For many newcomers, understanding how mortgages work, what costs to expect, and how much home you can afford may feel unfamiliar at first. Taking time to learn the basics may help you move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Join CanadaVisa and TD Bank for a […]

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LGBTQ Americans are getting expedited Canadian citizenship certificates

Eligible LGBTQ Americans are being fast-tracked in their applications for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates. Some are receiving citizenship certificates in as little as two weeks. Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship In contrast, most American applicants can expect to wait about a year, as of the time of writing, […]

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Canada holds second consecutive provincial nominee draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 334 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 805; and Created an […]

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Canada to drop visa requirement for citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia

Qualifying citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia will be authorized for visa-free travel to Canada. Eligible citizens from both countries will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead of a temporary resident visa (TRV) when flying to Canada. This means that Indonesian and Malaysian nationals entering Canada to visit, study, or work […]

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Alberta invites over 1,000 healthcare, tech, and rural community-bound candidates across four draws

Over the course of May 1–May 13, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted four selection rounds, inviting more candidates to apply for provincial nomination. A total of 1,051 AAIP candidates received invitations, including health and tech professionals, and individuals planning to reside and work in rural Alberta communities. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP […]

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Prince Edward Island issues over 100 invitations to foreign students and workers, in fifth draw of the year

On May 21, Prince Edward Island conducted its fifth draw of the year, issuing 114 invitations to candidates working in in-demand occupations and priority sectors within the province. The draw marks the fifth consecutive month PEI has adhered to its anticipated invitation schedule, with the province consistently issuing more than a hundred invitations monthly to […]

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Manitoba targets skilled workers invited under a strategic recruitment initiative in 10th draw of the year

On May 21, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held another selection round targeting candidates directly invited under a strategic recruitment initiative. Invitations were extended to candidates through both pathways of the MPNP’s Skilled Worker Stream. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams This marks the province’s 10th immigration selection round of the year, the […]

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IRCC’s latest update reveals Express Entry application backlog at all-time low

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) application backlog has continued its downward trajectory, according to newly-released figures covering the period ending March 31, 2026. An application is classified as backlogged if it has not been processed within the immigration department’s official service standards*. See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams The most notable changes […]

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The top 11 mistakes that can derail a proof of Canadian citizenship application, according to a lawyer

Americans who now qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent can use a checklist to avoid common mistakes that can result in the return, delay, or refusal of their proof of Canadian citizenship applications. If you’re an American born before December 15, 2025 with at least one Canadian ancestor, you have the right to Canadian citizenship. […]

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Nova Scotia launches initiative to connect Express Entry candidates with job offers

Nova Scotia has begun sending out Notices of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates, to connect them with employers in priority sectors that are experiencing labour shortages. As of the time of this time of writing, only two sectors have been identified under this initiative: construction and healthcare. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams […]

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IRCC releases updated processing times for temporary residence applications

On May 20, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time estimates for newly-submitted applications. Significant improvements to wait time can be seen across various application types, primarily for submissions from India and Pakistan, while Nigerian and U.S. applicants experienced notable slowdowns. Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation Most distinctly, Nigerian-based work […]

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Starting a Small Business in Canada as a Newcomer: 5 Steps From Legal Eligibility and Registration to Taxes and Funding

Are you thinking about starting a business in Canada? This is an exciting step, with some new processes to explore. If you’re a newcomer, it is helpful to learn how businesses are structured, what rules apply, and where to find support. In this article, we’ll cover five steps you may take to plan your business […]

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Unaccompanied minors exempted from Canada’s asylum ban

Canada’s one-year ban on asylum claims no longer applies to unaccompanied minors. On May 19, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) instituted a new temporary public policy, exempting unaccompanied minors from the ban on asylum claims filed more than a year after the claimant’s entry to Canada. Under the ban, instituted under Bill C-12, […]

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What’s Lena Diab done with Canada’s immigration system in her first year as minister?

Three trends have emerged in the direction of Canadian immigration under the first year of Lena Metlege Diab’s tenure as immigration minister: a more targeted approach to permanent residence selection, a streamlining of temporary residence administration, and stricter measures for the asylum system. In this analysis piece, we’ll trace the through-line of recent policy under […]

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Shiloh Jolie is among the Americans who are now U.S.-Canadian dual citizens, after Canada changed its citizenship law

Shiloh Jolie is among the many Americans who acquired Canadian citizenship by descent when Canada changed its citizenship law. On December 15, 2025, changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act removed the first-generation limit to inheriting Canadian citizenship for everyone born before that date. Get a Free Consultation on Applying for Proof of Canadian Citizenship Shiloh Jolie […]

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Where Americans are finding the documents needed to prove Canadian citizenship by descent

This spring, thousands of Americans are requesting copies of official documents from vital statistics offices and archives to prove their eligibility for Canadian citizenship by descent. Last December, Canada eliminated the generational limit to inheriting Canadian citizenship, making millions of Americans with Canadian ancestry eligible to obtain Canadian passports. Get a Free Consultation on Applying […]

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Canada places among world’s best countries in updated rankings

Canada has placed 19th overall in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Countries rankings. The country’s strongest showing came in the Culture & Tourism scoring category, where it placed 8th globally—with notable performances in Governance and Infrastructure categories also bolstering Canada’s overall ranking. See your eligibility for Canada’s largest immigration programs Switzerland claimed […]

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British Columbia issues more than 430 invitations to apply to high economic impact candidates

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP held another Skills Immigration draw on May 14, 2026. Invitations were extended to candidates who met one of two selection factors, centred around wage/salary and TEER 0–3 job offer, and profile registration score. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams Draw details This latest selection round, which saw […]

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