Manitoba conducted its latest Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw for the Skilled Workers Overseas stream last week, on May 15. This draw was highly focused on candidates who have established a strong connection to the province through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. A total of 62 candidates received Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA) for provincial nomination, with the lowest-ranked candidate scoring 626 points. This move further underscores Manitoba's strategic approach to attracting specific skilled talent to address local labour market demands.

Canada's Federal Court announced special measures on May 14, 2025, extending the period for immigration applicants to perfect their application for leave for judicial review. Under the new rules, after filing an initial request for leave, applicants will now have an additional 45 days, totaling 75 days, to prepare and submit their complete applicant record. This initiative is a response to the significant backlog of applications for leave and judicial review that accumulated during 2024 and 2025.

Newfoundland and Labrador issued 328 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on May 8, 2025, in its second round of draws through the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This system, implemented on February 19, 2025, manages candidates for both the Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Despite facing an initial halving of its federal nomination allocation, the province successfully secured additional spaces, enhancing opportunities for prospective immigrants.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted several rounds of invitations between April 29 and May 8. These draws, spanning six distinct immigration pathways, prioritized candidates in key sectors, healthcare, and those addressing rural workforce shortages, issuing a total of 295 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Notably, the province's 2025 nomination allocation has been halved compared to the previous year.

Typically, foreign nationals must apply for Canadian work permits from outside the country. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides for nine specific scenarios allowing eligible individuals to apply from within Canada. This article will delve into these nine exceptions, detailing eligibility criteria, important considerations, how to maintain legal status in Canada, and the specific application procedures, offering professional guidance for foreign nationals aspiring to work in Canada.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently released an internal training guide for its officers adjudicating Permanent Resident (PR) applications. This extensive 447-page document, through detailed case analyses, uncovers common oversights and errors made by applicants during the PR application process. These issues can lead to applications being flagged, requiring further review, or even outright rejection. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of these common mistakes and offer professional advice to help potential immigration applicants navigate these pitfalls and successfully make their way to Canada.

Facing a refusal of a Canadian immigration application is a predicament many applicants may encounter. This article provides an in-depth analysis of six primary response measures applicants can take after receiving a refusal notice from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These include obtaining detailed reasons for refusal, requesting case reconsideration, filing an appeal (where eligible), seeking judicial review, reapplying after addressing issues, and consulting a professional immigration lawyer. A clear understanding of the refusal reasons and choosing the right strategy are paramount for subsequent actions.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw in over three months on May 13, issuing 500 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 547, who had created their profiles before May 21, 2024, at 5:26 p.m. (UTC). According to the information provided, 34,440 ITAs have been issued via Express Entry so far in 2025. On the same day, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Lena Metlege Diab as the new Minister of Immigration, who is expected to implement policies focused on stabilizing permanent resident levels, increasing Francophone immigration, revamping the Global Talent Stream, and managing temporary resident numbers.

Following the Liberal Party's victory in the recent federal election, Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney has swiftly initiated a cabinet reshuffle. The highly watched position of Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has been officially assigned to Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West. The new minister takes office with an outstanding background in provincial immigration management and law, carrying public expectations for her experience and capabilities. How she will lead the formulation and implementation of Canada's immigration policy will be a focal point of attention.

In its latest Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) once again focused on candidates from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 511 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to applicants, with the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score set at 706. This marks the third draw in May 2025 and brings the total number of ITAs issued this year via Express Entry to nearly 34,000, clearly reflecting Canada's sustained preference and strategic focus on specific skills and PNP talent.