IRCC issues 4,000 Invitations in surprise Health-Care Express Entry draw
Alberta to hold October referendum on five sweeping immigration questions
IRCC tightens rules for LMIA-exempt ‘reciprocal employment’ work permits
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First-ever physicians-only Express Entry draw sets record-low CRS of 169
IRCC’s newly created physicians category issued 391 ITAs with a record-low CRS cut-off of 169, offering practising international doctors a fast track to permanent residence. The move addresses Canada’s acute doctor shortage and gives hospitals a retention boost.
Record-Low CRS of 169 in First-Ever Physician-Only Express Entry Draw
On February 19, IRCC invited 391 physicians with Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence, setting a record-low CRS cut-off of 169. The draw, launched less than a day after new Express Entry categories were announced, provides an expedited pathway to PR for foreign-trained doctors and signals that other occupation-specific draws could produce similarly low CRS thresholds.
Canada Waives Biometrics for Certain FIFA-Invited Visitors Ahead of 2026 World Cup
IRCC has issued a time-limited policy waiving biometrics for foreign nationals on FIFA’s official invitee list who apply for World Cup Temporary Resident Visas between November 2025 and July 2026. The measure should accelerate visa issuance for referees, technical crews and other essential personnel, reducing operational risk for Canada’s 2026 World Cup host cities.
Quebec Report Warns Worker Shortages to Intensify as Immigration Levels Dip
An Institut du Québec study predicts the province’s working-age population will contract over the next three years as lower immigration inflows and population ageing converge, tipping bargaining power toward workers. Businesses may face acute recruitment challenges unless immigration targets – or productivity measures – are adjusted.