On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, setting a clear direction for immigration policy over the next two years. The plan introduces new immigration avenues for specific groups while continuing and reinforcing the policy of tightening controls on the temporary resident population, a trend that began in 2024. Key measures include proposing the conversion of the 'Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot' into a permanent immigration stream, creating a new work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, adjusting eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), and explicitly capping the temporary resident population at 5% of Canada's total population. These initiatives reflect the Canadian government's balancing act between attracting needed talent and alleviating pressure on domestic social services.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has once again issued invitations through the Express Entry system this week. This latest draw was exclusively for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) who have prior work experience in Canada. A total of 3,000 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 521. This marks the first time since February that IRCC has held large-scale CEC draws in consecutive weeks, sparking discussions about a potential shift in future immigration selection trends.

On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a sweeping overhaul of the eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The changes, designed to align the program with Canada's projected labour market needs for 2025, introduce 119 new eligible programs while removing 178. The new policy heavily favors fields such as healthcare, education, and the trades, while significantly scaling back eligibility for programs in transport and agriculture. These adjustments will primarily impact international students in non-degree programs who apply for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024.

The global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its highly anticipated 2026 World University Rankings. This year's edition highlights a major shift in Canada's top-tier academic landscape: McGill University in Montreal, ranked 27th globally, has surpassed the long-reigning University of Toronto (29th) to become the nation's highest-ranked institution. The University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta also secured their places within the global top 100. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the performance and key metrics of Canada's leading universities, along with an essential guide for prospective international students on applying for a Study Permit and a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently held another draw through the Express Entry system, this time exclusively targeting candidates who have received a provincial nomination. A total of 503 candidates were invited, with a minimum CRS score of 742. This draw continues the 2025 trend of focusing heavily on the Provincial Nominee Program. To date, the total number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued this year is approaching 40,000. Concurrently, the department issued a strong reminder to all applicants regarding the necessity of ensuring the accuracy of their application information, warning that any form of misrepresentation will lead to severe consequences.

Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals that national population growth nearly stalled in the first quarter of 2025, with an increase of only about 20,000 people, or 0.0%. This significant slowdown is primarily attributed to a series of restrictive immigration policies implemented by the federal government to address domestic pressures on housing and social services, including sharp cuts to temporary resident numbers and lower targets for permanent resident admissions. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the key policy measures driving this change and their specific impacts on various visa applicants.

As the peak summer travel season approaches, many are planning to visit Canada to see family, friends, or attend events. However, Canada's stringent entry screening system may catch some visitors with criminal records off guard. Under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, non-citizens with a criminal record may be deemed "criminally inadmissible" and denied entry. This article will detail the conditions that lead to inadmissibility and introduce the three official pathways to overcome this barrier: the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), Deemed Rehabilitation, and individual Criminal Rehabilitation, to help affected individuals prepare in advance.

On June 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw, issuing 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 529. As the fourth draw of the month, its significant size marks a return to the large-scale CEC draws that were common in 2024 and earlier this year, sending a positive signal to individuals who already have Canadian study and work experience.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on June 10, 2025, once again targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 125 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 784. This is the third draw of the month and the first series of invitations under the new Minister of Immigration, Lena Diab. Data shows that the PNP remains the dominant stream for invitations in 2025. Concurrently, IRCC has underscored the importance for all candidates to maintain accurate profile information to avoid severe penalties for misrepresentation.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw on June 4, specifically targeting candidates in the "Healthcare and Social Services" category. A total of 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504. This marks the second targeted draw for this category this year, further signaling Canada's clear policy of prioritizing specific professional fields to address labor market shortages. To date, Canada has issued 35,217 ITAs through the Express Entry system in 2025.