Canada Extends Freeze on Parent & Grandparent Sponsorships, Promotes Super Visa Alternative
Hundreds Rally on Parliament Hill Against Lower Immigration Targets and Program Pauses
Graduate Students Exempt from National Study-Permit Cap and PAL/TAL Requirement
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Canada–U.S. Preclearance Projects Move Ahead Despite Earlier Doubts, Says CBP
CBP and the Canadian government say new air and land preclearance sites will open this year, underscoring their importance to cross-border travel after earlier uncertainty. The expansion promises quicker U.S. entry for travellers and cargo but requires updated compliance procedures for mobility managers.
Canada Freezes New Parent & Grandparent Sponsorships for 2026, Pushes Families Toward Super Visa
IRCC has announced it will keep the Parents and Grandparents Program closed to new sponsorship applications for all of 2026 and will process only 10,000 existing files. Families are being steered toward the super visa, which allows five-year stays but not permanent residence. The freeze affects family-reunification plans and could influence employers’ talent-mobility strategies.
Protesters Converge on Parliament Hill Over Canada’s Lower Immigration Targets and Program Pauses
Hundreds rallied on Parliament Hill on 10 January 2026 to oppose lower immigration targets and ongoing pauses to key programs. Protesters say the cuts create uncertainty for families, students, and employers, while the government argues they are needed to relieve housing and service pressures. Companies with cross-border talent should prepare for potential processing slowdowns and participate in upcoming consultations.
Graduate Students Exempt from Study-Permit Cap as IRCC Drops Provincial Attestation Letter Requirement
IRCC has confirmed—via updated guidance shared on 10 January 2026—that master’s and PhD applicants are exempt from Canada’s study-permit cap and no longer need a Provincial Attestation Letter. The move speeds up graduate-level processing and secures a key talent pipeline for employers, though caps remain for lower-level programs.