China grants 30-day visa-free access to Canadian passport holders
Record 314,000 Canadian work permits due to expire in Q1 2026, triggering status crunch
IRCC launches first Express Entry draw targeting senior managers, CRS cut-off just 429
Latest News
Canada extends tailored work-permit renewal scheme for Iranian nationals until 2027
IRCC has prolonged its temporary measures for Iranian nationals, letting those with work permits dated 28 February 2025 or earlier apply inside Canada for a single two-year renewal until 31 March 2027. The tighter rules still give Canadian employers a pathway to keep key Iranian talent but require meticulous date checks and in-Canada processing.
Canada and Australia mark 40 years of shared consular services, pledge easier citizen mobility
Ottawa and Canberra have renewed and expanded their unique consular-sharing pact, promising a joint digital platform and more officer exchanges that will give Canadian travellers broader emergency assistance in countries where Canada lacks a mission. The leaders also signalled future easing of short-term work-permit rules for mining specialists.
Record-size French-language Express Entry draw invites 5,500 candidates, CRS plummets to 397
IRCC’s 4 March 2026 category-based Express Entry draw for French-speakers issued 5,500 ITAs at a record-low CRS score of 397. The move accelerates Ottawa’s push to boost francophone immigration outside Quebec and offers employers an expanded pool of bilingual talent.
Canada extends special work-permit measures for Iranian nationals until March 2027
IRCC has revived and tightened its special measures for Iranian nationals: only in-Canada work-permit holders whose permits pre-date 28 Feb 2025 may now obtain a single two-year renewal, with applications accepted until 31 Mar 2027. The change averts imminent status loss for thousands of workers but excludes visitors and students.
Canada secures limited commercial-flight seats from Beirut as Iran war disrupts regional airspace
GAC has booked a small block of Beirut seats and is negotiating additional routes to help Canadians leave Lebanon as the Iran war strains regional airspace. Employers with personnel in the Middle East should activate evacuation and communications plans immediately.
Ottawa publishes February 2026 processing-time update: citizenship, CEC wait-times climb
IRCC’s monthly processing-time update reveals longer waits for citizenship, Canadian Experience Class, and many temporary-resident extensions, while some PNP streams improved. Employers should extend onboarding timelines and track weekly changes.
Passport and travel-document fees to rise 31 March; 30-day service-time ‘money-back’ guarantee confirmed
Passport fees will increase slightly on 31 Mar 2026 and will henceforth be indexed to inflation each year. Service Canada now pledges to refund fees automatically if a complete passport application isn’t processed within 30 business days, shifting risk away from travellers but demanding error-free submissions.
Ottawa launches $100 million scholarship package and 13 new MOUs to woo Indian students
Canada has earmarked $100 million in new scholarships and signed 13 university MOUs to attract Indian students, reinforcing the study-to-permanent-residence talent pipeline and expanding bilateral research in AI and clean energy.