On March 18, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through the Express Entry system to candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required in this round was 393, dropping below the 400-point threshold and marking a notable development in recent French-language category-based draws. This selection was not only the 17th Express Entry draw of 2026, but also the third consecutive day of invitations this week, and the third draw this year targeting candidates with French-language ability. Although only three French-language draws have been held in 2026 so far, the category has already received 18,000 ITAs, ranking second among all draw types after the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

British Columbia recently held a new draw under the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) program of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP), issuing invitations to eligible candidates under both the Base and Regional streams. Those invited were mainly business applicants planning to establish a new business in British Columbia or acquire and expand an existing one. In this round, the minimum invitation score was 117 for the Base stream, with 7 invitations issued, while the minimum score for the Regional stream was 129, with fewer than 5 invitations issued. Since the start of 2026, British Columbia has completed five entrepreneur-category draws, reflecting the province’s continued steady pace in attracting business immigrants and supporting regional economic development.

The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) officially opened its Employer-Driven and Francophone Streams on March 9, 2026. The Employer-Driven Stream has transitioned to an Expression of Interest (EOI) selection model, with its inaugural draw scheduled for March 25, when up to 65 eligible candidates will be invited to submit full applications. The Francophone Stream will continue accepting direct applications on a first-come, first-served basis. For the 2026 cycle, the federal government has allocated 197 nomination spaces to the Northwest Territories.

On March 4, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the 13th Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was set at 397, marking the lowest threshold for this category in more than a year. This was also only the second French-language category-based draw of 2026. Year-to-date, French-language category candidates have received a cumulative total of 14,000 invitations, ranking second among all programs and categories. Meanwhile, the overall trend in Express Entry draws throughout 2026 suggests that IRCC is prioritizing immigration candidates already residing in Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations and Canadian work experience.

On February 24, 2026, the Government of Quebec released its annually updated list of occupations eligible for expedited Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Marking a significant shift from previous years, the total number of eligible occupations has been scaled back from 76 to 60, with a notable removal of various Information Technology (IT) and engineering professions. Designed to reflect the evolving needs of the provincial labour market, this updated list will remain in effect until February 23, 2027. To ensure a smooth transition for employers and applicants, Quebec has implemented a 30-day grace period—running from February 24 to March 26, 2026—for previously eligible occupations that have been cut from the new roster. Additionally, the province reiterated crucial guidelines regarding the TFWP approval process and recently implemented French-language proficiency requirements.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its latest Express Entry draw on February 6, 2026, specifically targeting candidates with strong French language proficiency. The department issued a total of 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs), marking the largest category-based selection in the history of the Express Entry system. With a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 400, this draw—the sixth of the year—underscores a clear trend in 2026: the immigration department is heavily prioritizing applicants already within Canada, particularly those with provincial nominations or Canadian work experience, alongside a significant push for Francophone talent.

On February 4, 2026, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held its first Skills Immigration draw of the year, issuing 429 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The draw focused on candidates deemed to have a “high economic impact” in BC, issuing invitations through a high-wage job offer stream ($70/hour for NOC TEER 0–3) and a score-based stream requiring a minimum registration score of 138 points. As of January 6, 2026, the Skills Immigration registration pool contained 11,210 registrations, while BC has been allocated 5,254 nomination spaces for 2026—indicating continued strong competition.

Under the targeted selection policies of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the healthcare sector has solidified its position as a premier pathway for foreign workers and international students seeking Permanent Residence (PR). Recent policy analysis indicates that not all medical careers require lengthy university education; six specific occupations, requiring only two years or less of college training, are currently being prioritized by the government. Through category-based Express Entry draws, eligible candidates in these fields are receiving invitations to apply with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores significantly lower than those in general streams.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) office officially announced on January 22, 2026, an immediate increase in nomination application fees for its Skills Immigration category. Under the new policy, the application fee for this category has risen from the previous $1,475 CAD to $1,750 CAD. This fee adjustment applies only to applications submitted on or after January 22, 2026; applicants who submitted prior to this date are not required to pay the difference. It is important to note that this adjustment targets only the Skills Immigration category, while fees for the Entrepreneur Immigration streams and other related costs, such as request for review fees, remain at their original price.

On January 19, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officially announced the reallocation of 5,000 permanent residence (PR) admissions spaces from the federal inventory to provinces and territories. This strategic move is designed to increase the intake of French-speaking newcomers through provincial pathways, expanding the focus beyond the federal Express Entry system. Concurrently, officials confirmed that Canada has exceeded its Francophone immigration target for the fourth consecutive year, achieving an admission rate of 8.9% outside of Quebec in 2025.