Express Entry Draws – January 2026

In the first weeks of 2026, IRCC has continued to hold high volume Express Entry draws, with a particular emphasis on candidates with Canadian work experience. On January 7, 2026, IRCC issued 8,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with a minimum CRS score of 511, one of the largest draws […]

Read More

Canada Pauses Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot for Skilled Refugees

Canada has unexpectedly paused new applications to the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), a federal program that allows skilled refugees and displaced individuals to immigrate based on their skills and connect with Canadian employers facing labour shortages. The pause, which took effect at the end of December 2025, was communicated to partner organizations just days […]

Read More

Francophone Immigration Targets Surpassed for 2025

Canada has exceeded its Francophone immigration target for the fourth year in a row. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 8.9% of all permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2025 were French-speaking applicants, surpassing the 8.5% target. More than 29,500 Francophone permanent residents were admitted, underscoring the growing importance of Francophone immigration in […]

Read More

Increased Admissions Targets for LMIA-Exempt Work Permits

Canada has introduced important updates to LMIA-exempt work permits under the International Mobility Program (IMP) for 2026. The federal government has raised the admissions target to 170,000, a 32% increase from previous plans, while the target for LMIA-based permits under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been reduced to 60,000. These targets apply only to […]

Read More

Canada Launches Temporary Measure to Help Ukrainian Nationals Maintain Status

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy to make it easier for certain Ukrainian nationals and their family members to maintain legal status in Canada while their permanent residence applications are processed. This policy allows eligible individuals to obtain or renew work permits and study permits, even if they would […]

Read More

Express Entry Draws – December 2025 – January 2026

The end of 2025 saw two significant Express Entry draws. The French language proficiency draw dropped to a minimum CRS score below 400, while the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) reached its lowest CRS threshold of the year. Kicking off 2026, the first CEC draw was the second-largest in history, issuing 8,000 invitations with a minimum […]

Read More