Quebec's Immigration Minister, Jean-François Roberge, announced the province's draft immigration plan for the next four years (2026-2029) on June 5, 2025, signaling a major policy shift. The new strategy focuses on strictly controlling and reducing the number of temporary residents while shifting the selection focus entirely to in-province candidates with French language skills and work experience. To facilitate this transition, Quebec has immediately suspended intake for the popular PEQ experience program and plans to consider raising its permanent residence targets only after the federal government commits to a significant reduction in temporary residents. The draft plan is now open for public consultation.

Ontario's Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) recently confirmed its 2025 provincial nomination allocation has been significantly reduced by half to 10,750, stemming from federal adjustments to the overall Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allocations. Despite the reduced quota and anticipated longer processing times, Ontario recently resumed large-scale draws after a several-month pause, issuing 3,719 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through 10 draws. These targeted foreign workers, international students, and in-demand skilled individuals in key areas such as healthcare, Northern Ontario, and specific Regional Economic Development Initiatives (REDI), demonstrating its commitment to addressing critical labour shortages within its limited allocation.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued new invitations to Entrepreneur Immigration applicants on May 28. A total of no more than 14 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional and Base streams, with varying cut-off scores. Notably, compared to its skills immigration streams, BC's Entrepreneur Immigration program has maintained significant invitation frequency and stability in 2025, underscoring the province's continued focus on attracting business investment and promoting economic development.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), under its new minister, conducted the first Express Entry draw of the month on June 3rd, issuing 277 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) exclusively to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 726. So far in 2025, Canada has issued 34,717 ITAs via the Express Entry system, with PNP streams significantly leading in both invitation volume and draw frequency.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced significant revisions to the "Maintained Status" provisions for temporary residents, effective May 28, 2025. The new rules specify that if a temporary resident's initial extension application, submitted while on maintained status, is refused, a subsequent application filed after the expiry of their original permit will no longer automatically allow them to maintain legal status in Canada. This change has profound implications for temporary residents submitting multiple extension applications and requires close attention.

Manitoba held a new Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw this week, issuing invitations to skilled workers outside Canada. The selection heavily prioritized candidates participating in Strategic Recruitment Initiatives and their comprehensive scores. Despite adjustments to its 2025 nomination quota, the province continues to actively leverage its programs to attract needed talent.

Canada's Yukon Territory has recently announced the allocation details for its 2025 Yukon Nominee Program (YNP). Amid a significant 50% cut in its nomination allocation by the federal government, Yukon will only have 215 spots for permanent residency nominations this year. To address this challenge, the territory has transitioned to a new Expression of Interest (EOI) invitation system, prioritizing applicants already in Yukon who hold temporary support letters. Due to a strong response in the initial EOI intake, the 2025 nomination spots are likely already filled, and employers who have not yet submitted an EOI may need to wait until 2026.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regularly updates processing times for various visa and immigration applications for applicant reference. This article provides an in-depth analysis of changes in processing times for major permanent resident, temporary resident, and citizenship applications over the past year (comparing current data with that of June 25, 2024). Data shows that while processing times for programs under the Express Entry system have maintained high stability, others, such as Provincial Nominee Programs (non-Express Entry) and inland spousal sponsorships (outside Quebec), have seen substantial increases. Meanwhile, processing efficiency for some overseas work permits and inland study permits has improved. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for applicants planning to come to Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced the extension of a temporary public policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy allows foreign workers on closed work permits to apply to change employers and/or occupations before their new work permit is approved. The newly revised policy will take effect on May 27, 2025, revoking and replacing the original policy first signed in May 2020. The most significant change is the removal of the previous exemption for submitting biometrics for new work permit applications. This measure aims to continue providing flexibility for foreign workers in Canada while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system.

Several Canadian provinces and territories have recently announced results from their latest immigration draws. Alberta issued 158 invitations through its tourism/hospitality and opportunity streams; Prince Edward Island invited 168 skilled workers, focusing on high-demand sectors like healthcare, trades, and manufacturing; and Yukon has commenced issuing invitations for its 2025 nominee intake, prioritizing candidates with temporary support letters. Despite widespread cuts to provincial nomination allocations, these jurisdictions are actively adapting strategies to meet specific local labour market needs.