IRCC issues 4,000 invitations in Canadian-Experience-Class Express Entry draw, CRS holds at 508
Canada and India launch bilateral Talent & Innovation Strategy to turbo-charge academic mobility
Saskatchewan extends domestic-tuition relief for Ukrainian students under CUAET until 2030
Latest News
IRCC confirms 30-day ‘money-back’ guarantee for passport processing, effective April 1
IRCC’s March 3 news release confirmed that, starting 1 April 2026, routine Canadian passport applications not processed within 30 business days will be refunded in full. The policy, coupled with small fee increases, introduces clear performance accountability and should give travellers and employers greater predictability when planning international trips.
IRCC kicks off Fraud Prevention Month with nationwide appeal to “Spot, Stop, Report” immigration scams
IRCC opened Fraud Prevention Month with a March 2 statement warning of increasingly sophisticated immigration scams, citing 95,000 fraud investigations and new fines of up to $1.5 million for dishonest representatives. The campaign urges applicants and employers to verify information on Canada.ca and will be amplified globally ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Businesses should review compliance processes to avoid liability.
IRCC invites 264 provincial-nominee candidates in first March Express Entry draw
In a March 2 Express Entry draw, IRCC issued 264 ITAs to provincial-nominee candidates with a minimum CRS score of 710. The small, high-cut-off round reflects constrained provincial nomination quotas and ongoing backlog management. Employers should pursue provincial streams promptly to secure the 600-point CRS boost for key talent.
CBSA issues parallel fraud alert: ‘We will never ask for your SIN or credit-card number’
On March 2 the CBSA warned of phone, text and email scams in which criminals pose as border officers to demand money or personal data. The agency reiterated it never requests SINs or credit-card numbers and urged reports to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Employers should brief international assignees and travellers on how legitimate CBSA payments and communications occur.
Manitoba PNP shifts to webform-only enquiries to speed up processing
Manitoba’s immigration department has replaced its general email address with mandatory webforms for all MPNP enquiries as of March 2. The province expects faster, traceable responses but warns that duplicate submissions will slow processing. Employers and representatives must attach proof of authorisation and file numbers with each request.
Special measures for Iranian nationals lapse as IRAN2023 public policy expires
The temporary IRAN2023 policy that facilitated in-Canada status extensions for Iranian nationals expired on February 28 and, according to a March 2 update, will not be renewed. Employers must now use standard work-permit or study-permit processes; failure to act could leave workers out of status.
Surrey opens upgraded Passport Office after weekend relocation
Service Canada reopened its Surrey Passport Services Office in larger City Centre 3 premises on March 2, promising shorter wait times and more counters. A second Service Canada office will follow on March 16, creating a consolidated service hub for the Greater Vancouver area.
Express Entry pool snapshot shows 232,534 active profiles and falling CRS bands
A March 2 IRCC data release shows 232,534 active Express Entry profiles, with notable drops in the 501–600 and 451–500 CRS ranges. The shift reflects recent large draws and underscores the importance of provincial nominations or score-boosting strategies for candidates below 450.