The Government of the Northwest Territories (NWT) has announced that its 2025 Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) allocation has been restored to 2024 levels following federal approval. The total quota will rise to 300, up significantly from 197 earlier this year. Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment Caitlin Cleveland stated that preparations are underway for the next NTNP intake period, which will open additional pathways for skilled workers to obtain provincial nomination. This adjustment makes the NWT the first jurisdiction in 2025 to regain its pre-reduction quota, marking a key milestone in the territory’s ongoing efforts to address critical labor shortages through immigration.

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.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently updated its official website to indicate that the "applicants not working in Canada" stream under the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots (HCWP) has been officially closed. This stream was marked as "closed" on September 29, 2025, without ever having opened to accept applications since the program's launch. Despite this closure, overseas caregivers still have alternative pathways to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and other routes. Industry analysts suggest this decision may be linked to severe application backlogs and the federal government's policy shift toward prioritizing the transition of temporary residents already in Canada to permanent residence status.

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 Canadian province of Saskatchewan has announced that its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has received an additional 1,136 nominations from the federal government, bringing its total annual allocation to 4,761. This adjustment reopens application pathways for several sectors that were previously paused due to reaching their caps. Against a backdrop of diverging immigration allocation trends across Canada, this development in Saskatchewan, along with increases in several other provinces, highlights the complex and evolving landscape of federal and provincial immigration policies.

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.

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.

For many international students aspiring to work and settle in Canada, obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a crucial first step. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clearly states that PGWP eligibility hinges on studying at a qualified Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and enrolling in a PGWP-eligible program. Notably, beginning November 1, 2024, graduates at certain study levels will face new language proficiency and field of study restrictions. This report provides a detailed interpretation of IRCC's relevant regulations, guiding international students on how to choose schools and programs correctly to ensure successful PGWP acquisition.

Starting in 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a series of new regulations for international student transfers, clarifying situations that require reapplication for study permits and outlining how to maintain eligibility for PGWP after transferring. Notably, IRCC has also implemented temporary transition measures for students transferring between January and May 2025, allowing them to start at their new institution before the new permit is approved. This report provides an in-depth analysis of application requirements, procedures, fees, and PGWP considerations.