This week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 invitations through the Express Entry system to candidates eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw is the second invitation this week, following closely behind the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on February 4th, reflecting the priorities of Canada’s immigration policies.

In the 334th round of Express Entry invitations, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 455 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 802 and submission of the profile before the deadline. This draw is the fourth one in 2025, aimed at attracting high-quality talent with essential professional skills and language proficiency to meet domestic economic and population development needs.

On January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) conducted its first draw of the year. This draw targeted healthcare sector candidates and issued 22 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Labour Impact Category and the PEI PNP Express Entry stream.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). This program offers a pathway to permanent residency (PR) for individuals with intermediate French proficiency who have a job offer in priority occupations in selected communities outside Quebec. These communities will provide potential candidates with more immigration information and help match them with local employers.

The Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department (IRCC) recently announced the official launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP). The program aims to attract foreign nationals to move to rural areas of Canada to fill local labor shortages and provide immigrants with long-term settlement opportunities. This pilot will involve 14 communities, with participants required to obtain a job offer from a local employer and meet certain conditions.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently announced detailed provincial allocations for the 2025 Study Permit and provided further clarifications regarding the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement. According to the latest official data, Canada plans to issue approximately 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease compared to 2024. Among these, graduate students (master’s and doctoral) account for nearly 17% of the overall allotment. Meanwhile, IRCC confirms that, starting January 24, 2025, master’s and doctoral candidates will also be required to submit PALs, while exchange students are newly exempt from PAL or TAL (Territorial Attestation Letter) requirements.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a further extension of the temporary public policy allowing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) until December 31, 2025. Under this policy, eligible foreign nationals can apply for an OWP valid for up to two years without being tied to a specific employer, thereby providing greater flexibility for those seeking to transition to permanent residency via a PNP. Alberta, Manitoba, and the Yukon have taken the lead by implementing this measure and issuing support letters to PNP candidates who live and work in their respective jurisdictions.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 4,000 invitations to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the third round of Express Entry this year, with a minimum CRS score of 527. This invitation round signifies the continued importance of the CEC in 2025. At the same time, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is facing quota reductions, indicating that Express Entry will once again become the main channel for many skilled immigration candidates.

On January 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued ministerial instructions outlining a new application quota for study permits in 2025, totaling 505,162. The instructions take effect on January 22 and remain in place until December 31 of the same year. During this period, IRCC will only process applications within this cap, and any applications exceeding that limit will be returned along with refunded fees. Notably, the figure of 505,162 refers to the number of applications processed, not the number of final approvals issued. This article provides a detailed look at the background, implications, and exemptions under the new policy.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently introduced a pilot program named Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI). The program, open until December 31, 2025, aims to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four remote and northern regions: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. Applicants who secure a provincial nomination through this pilot can use the nomination certificate to apply directly for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).