The Canadian federal government has announced a temporary easing of rules for rural employers using the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. Under the new policy, eligible rural employers in participating provinces and territories will not only be allowed to maintain their current number of low-wage temporary foreign workers, but will also be able to increase the cap on these workers from 10% to 15% of their total workforce. The move is being seen as a targeted policy adjustment aimed at addressing persistent labour shortages in rural and remote communities. However, the measure will apply only in provinces and territories that choose to participate, and the federal government has not yet released a list of those jurisdictions.

On March 5, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new category-based Express Entry draw, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) for the first time under the Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience category. A total of 250 ITAs were issued in this round, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 429. This category is one of three new occupational streams introduced when IRCC overhauled the Express Entry system in February 2026. Looking at the overall trend of Express Entry draws so far in 2026, IRCC has shown a clear preference for prioritizing immigration candidates already residing in Canada, particularly those with local work experience or provincial nominations.

On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the second-ever Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the "education" category. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462. Compared to the inaugural draw for this category, this round featured a significantly lower cut-off score and a larger number of invitations, reflecting the flexibility and strategic focus of Canada's immigration policy on attracting professionals from specific fields.