IRCC News & Updates
Latest Canadian immigration and citizenship news
Canada LMIA Processing Times: PR Stream Drops 26 Days in May 2026 Update
Canada's May 2026 LMIA processing times show a 26-day improvement for the Permanent Resident stream, while most TFWP streams see slight delays. Here’s what changed and how it affects your work permit.
Canada Issues 271 ITAs to Physicians in Second Express Entry Draw of 2026 — CRS Cut-Off Drops to 223
IRCC invited 271 physicians with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence in a June 24 Express Entry draw, lowering the CRS cut-off to 223—56 points below February’s draw.
Canada Issues 4,000 ITAs in Largest Canadian Experience Class Draw Since March 2026
IRCC held its largest Canadian Experience Class draw of 2026 on June 23, inviting 4,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 516. This marks a significant increase in invitations compared to recent draws.
IRCC Tightens Language Test Rules for Express Entry, PGWP, and PR Applicants in 2026
Starting June 23, 2026, IRCC officers must cross-check applicant photos and flag fraudulent language test results, removing the option for a second supervised test. Economic immigrants, PGWP applicants, and PR candidates face stricter scrutiny.
IRCC Invalidates Study Permits for School Transfers Without New Application — June 2026 Rule
IRCC clarified on June 23, 2026: international students switching schools without a new study permit face immediate invalidation, unauthorized study status, and potential exclusion orders.
Canada Opens Second PRRA Window for Ugandan Asylum Seekers Until June 2026
Canada will allow Ugandan nationals and former residents with final negative asylum decisions between June 20, 2025, and June 19, 2026, to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) immediately, bypassing the usual 12-month ban.
PEI PNP Issues 182 Invitations in Largest 2026 Draw — International Graduates Prioritized
Prince Edward Island invited 182 candidates in its largest provincial draw of 2026 on June 18, prioritizing international graduates from UPEI, Holland College, and Collège de l’Île in high-demand sectors.
Bill C-3 Grants Canadian Citizenship to Great-Grandchildren Born Abroad as of December 2025
Canada’s Bill C-3 now allows citizenship by descent for those with a Canadian great-grandparent, removing the first-generation limit effective December 15, 2025. Proof of lineage is required for eligibility.
Manitoba PNP Issues 124 Invitations in June 2026 Strategic Recruitment Draw — Full Breakdown
Manitoba issued 124 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) on June 18, 2026, under its Skilled Worker in Manitoba and Skilled Worker Overseas pathways. The draw targeted candidates invited through strategic recruitment initiatives, including Employer Services and Francophone communities.
BC PNP Issues 279 High-Economic-Impact Invitations in June 2026 Draw — Lowest SI Count of the Year
British Columbia invited 279 high-economic-impact candidates in its June 18, 2026, Skills Immigration draw, the smallest SI round of the year. Minimum registration score was 136, with most invites based on profile scores.
IRCC Reverses Course: Citizenship Certificates Returned After 6-Day Review in June 2026
Canada’s citizenship department has begun returning citizenship certificates it demanded back just days ago, issuing revalidation letters to affected applicants without requiring additional evidence.
Quebec Reopens Family Reunification Applications: 15,700 Spots Available Until June 2028
Quebec will accept 15,700 family reunification applications from July 2, 2026, to June 30, 2028, with 13,300 spots for spouses and 2,400 for parents and grandparents. Submission windows depend on IRCC eligibility letter dates.
Canada Demands Surrender of 2026 Citizenship Certificates Over Undisclosed Document Rules
IRCC is revoking citizenship certificates issued in 2026 to applicants by descent, citing new 'original source authority' rules not previously disclosed in official guidelines.
Bill C-3 Grants Canadian Citizenship to 7,000+ Woonsocket Residents — How to Claim Yours
Bill C-3, effective December 2025, removes Canada's first-generation citizenship limit, making nearly 1 in 6 Woonsocket, RI residents eligible for Canadian citizenship by descent. Here's how to apply.
IRCC Cuts In-Canada Work Permit Processing to 186 Days in June 2026 Update
IRCC has reduced processing times for in-Canada work permit applications and extensions to 186 days as of June 10, 2026—a 26-day improvement from May 2026.
Quebec Reopens PEQ Permanent Residence Pathway on July 2, 2026 — Eligibility and Key Dates
Quebec’s PEQ program reopens July 2, 2026, for a two-year period, prioritizing foreign nationals eligible before its November 2025 closure. No application cap in Phase 1, but processing times may exceed six months.
Newfoundland and Labrador Issues 108 Invitations in June 10 PNP and AIP Draw
Newfoundland and Labrador issued 108 invitations in its June 10 draw, with 89 under the NLPNP and 19 via the Atlantic Immigration Program, breaking a 2026 trend of declining invitation totals.
15-Month Wait for Canadian Citizenship Proof as Queue Hits 82,000 in June 2026
IRCC processing times for proof of Canadian citizenship certificates have surged to 15 months as the application queue reaches 82,000 in June 2026, up from 70,400 in May.
Canada’s 2026 NOC Updates Miss AI Roles — How Express Entry and Work Permit Applicants Are Affected
Canada’s 2026 NOC updates will revise 165 unit groups, but only two explicitly mention AI roles. Express Entry and Global Talent Stream applicants in AI fields face uncertainty as the system lags behind labor market changes.
Canada’s AI Strategy Reaffirms Fast-Track Work Permits for AI Talent Under Global Talent Stream (2026 Update)
Canada’s AI for All strategy, announced June 4, 2026, highlights accelerated work permits for AI professionals via the Global Talent Stream—but no new occupations were added. NOC codes 21211 and 21232 remain the only eligible AI roles.