New Year Brings Sweeping Canadian Immigration Rule Changes
IRCC Launches Record-Setting CEC Express Entry Draw, Issuing 8,000 ITAs
IRCC Updates Hong Kong Permanent-Residence Pathway Work-Experience Rules
Latest News
Canada issues 8,000 invitations in second-largest Canadian Experience Class draw
IRCC invited 8,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates on 7 January 2026—the second-largest CEC draw on record. A CRS cut-off of 511 and in-Canada work experience requirements mean employers will see thousands of current temporary workers transition to permanent residence within months. The move underscores Ottawa’s strategy of prioritizing talent already contributing to the labour market.
First Express Entry draw of 2026 invites 574 Provincial Nominee candidates
On 7 January 2026, IRCC issued 574 ITAs to Provincial Nominee Program candidates in the year’s first Express Entry round. With a CRS cut-off of 711, the draw clears the queue of provincially selected workers and helps regional employers secure talent outside major hubs.
Start-Up Visa pause and other pathway closures reshape Canada’s business immigration landscape
IRCC’s year-end pause on the Start-Up Visa and the closure of several Quebec programs leave foreign entrepreneurs with fewer direct PR options. A new pilot is promised later in 2026, but companies should explore alternative pathways in the meantime.