Canada Reshapes Express Entry in 2025: Key Learnings from the First Half of the Year From January 1 to July 24, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted 27 Express Entry draws—a consistent pace compared to 2023 and 2024. However, this year marks a strategic shift: a rising emphasis on targeted draws, particularly Provincial […]

The number of immigration applications in backlog with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased once again. As of June 30, 2025, the backlog stood at 842,800 applications, marking a 5.02% increase from 802,000 in May. This rise occurs even as IRCC shows strong progress in processing study permit applications, where delays have significantly […]

Residents of Quebec who were planning to sponsor their parents, grandparents, or certain other relatives for permanent residency will now have to wait—the cap on sponsorship undertakings for these categories has officially been reached, according to an announcement from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) on July 22, 2025. This […]

Canada has officially raised the income requirements for sponsoring parents and grandparents under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), with updates now in effect for the 2025 intake cycle. To be eligible, sponsors must meet minimum income levels for the past three consecutive tax years—2024, 2023, and 2022. The changes reflect both inflation and the […]

In a strong move to address national healthcare workforce shortages, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted one of its largest category-based Express Entry draws of the year on July 22, 2025, issuing 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible healthcare and social services professionals. This draw is part of Canada’s ongoing strategy to streamline […]

Government Calls on Citizens, Stakeholders, and Communities to Guide the Future of Immigration Policy In a pivotal move toward shaping the future of Canadian immigration, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially launched a national consultation process for the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. This public consultation, which runs from July 21 to August 17, […]

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to welcome skilled foreign nationals through its tailored immigration programs to meet the province’s growing labor demands. On July 10, the Office of Immigration and Multiculturalism (OIM) issued a total of 359 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under two major immigration pathways: These invitations allow selected candidates to apply for provincial nomination […]

Prince Edward Island (PEI) continues to address critical labor shortages by extending new invitations through its Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP). On July 17, 2025, the province issued 39 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible foreign nationals with offers in in-demand occupations. The draw is part of PEI’s focused immigration strategy for 2025, which emphasizes […]

In a major immigration policy shift, the United States has introduced a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” targeting non-immigrant visa applicants, including many foreign nationals residing in Canada and select Canadian citizens. This change comes as part of the H.R.1 Act—popularly dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which was signed into law on July 4, 2025. […]

July 21, 2025 – Ottawa: In its latest move under the Express Entry system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 202 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a draw targeting candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This draw—held on July 21—continues Canada’s recent trend of prioritizing candidates nominated by provinces and territories, as […]