Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the first Express Entry draw of the month on October 1, 2025, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement for this draw was 534 points, and candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 4:01 AM UTC on February 21, 2025. This marks the 10th CEC category draw of 2025, and the third consecutive draw maintaining both the 1,000-invitation scale and the 534-point threshold.

On August 28, 2025, Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) issued 231 invitations to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) through its Regular Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ). This round of invitations primarily targeted two specific categories of candidates: highly skilled individuals with work experience outside of regulated professions and those with exceptional talent. The draw takes place against the backdrop of comprehensive immigration policy reforms being developed by the province, highlighting Quebec's current preference for applicants who are already in the province and possess advanced education and specialized skills.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its latest Express Entry draw on September 3, 2025. This draw specifically targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), issuing a total of 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for invited candidates was 534. This draw marks the ninth invitation round for this category so far this year.

The Government of Yukon announced on August 21, 2025, that it has successfully secured an additional 67 nomination allocations for its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), raising the total for the year to 282. The boost follows sustained advocacy on behalf of local employers after initial federal cuts to the program. As a direct result, the territory will issue 80 new Invitations to Apply in August, prioritizing candidates with established ties to the Yukon, including local work experience and graduates from its institutions.

On August 7, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream. A total of 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 534. Compared to the last CEC draw, this round saw a significant drop in the number of invitations issued and a corresponding increase in the score requirement, reflecting the heightened level of competition among candidates.

On July 17, 2025, the province of Quebec launched its new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) with its first invitation round since the program's reform in 2024. A total of 238 candidates were invited, with a precise focus on individuals already residing in Quebec who possess French language skills, local educational credentials or work experience, and are in occupations that address labour shortages. This inaugural draw targeted the "Highly qualified and specialized skills" and "Exceptional talent" streams, signaling a definitive policy shift towards prioritizing candidates already integrated into Quebec society.

On July 11, the Canadian government updated its list of restricted regions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). According to the latest directive, 26 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) across the country will suspend the processing of "low-wage stream" Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications due to unemployment rates at or exceeding the 6% threshold. This measure is a continuation of a policy announced by the federal government in early 2024, aimed at protecting job opportunities for local residents in areas with high unemployment. The expansion of this list, which includes major immigration destinations like Toronto and Vancouver, undoubtedly has profound implications for many foreign nationals and their employers seeking to obtain or extend work permits for low-wage positions.

In 2024, the Canadian federal government introduced several adjustments to its Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit policies. These changes encompass Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), New work permit for PNP nominee candidates, Updated instructions regarding ICTs under the IMP and more, aimed at optimizing immigration structures and managing the proportion of temporary residents. Below is a professional analysis of the key policy changes and their implications.

On October 3, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released updated guidelines concerning the Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) work permit category. These revisions introduce a more restrictive interpretation of the ICT category, significantly impacting foreign companies seeking to establish or expand operations in Canada.