
Provincial Immigration Updates: Newfoundland Boosts Quota, BC Focuses on Entrepreneurs, and Manitoba Prioritizes Graduates
In its June 24 draw, Newfoundland and Labrador issued 320 invitations and successfully negotiated a 1,000-spot increase to its 2025 PNP allocation, signaling a strong commitment to attracting new immigrants. British Columbia’s July 8 draw once again targeted entrepreneurs, issuing no more than 17 invitations and underscoring its high priority for business and investment-class immigrants. Meanwhile, Manitoba extended 67 invitations on July 10, prioritizing international students who graduated from its institutions and skilled workers identified through "Strategic Recruitment Initiatives." These moves clearly reflect the unique immigration strategies each province is deploying based on its economic and labor market needs.
07/14/2025

Canada Tightens Temporary Foreign Worker Policy: 26 Major Cities Halt Processing of Low-Wage LMIA Applications
On July 11, the Canadian government updated its list of restricted regions for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). According to the latest directive, 26 Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) across the country will suspend the processing of "low-wage stream" Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications due to unemployment rates at or exceeding the 6% threshold. This measure is a continuation of a policy announced by the federal government in early 2024, aimed at protecting job opportunities for local residents in areas with high unemployment. The expansion of this list, which includes major immigration destinations like Toronto and Vancouver, undoubtedly has profound implications for many foreign nationals and their employers seeking to obtain or extend work permits for low-wage positions.
07/12/2025

Alberta Targets Key Industries in Latest Immigration Draws, Focusing on Construction and Agriculture
In late June 2025, the province of Alberta conducted two targeted draws through its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), focusing on inviting candidates from the construction and agriculture sectors. The draws featured relatively low cut-off scores, reflecting the province's precise strategy to address labor shortages. However, official data indicates that despite a significant number of nominations still available for the year, tens of thousands of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have accumulated in the main candidate pools, signaling exceptionally fierce competition ahead.
07/07/2025

OINP Undergoes Key Policy Shift: Ontario Can Now Return Applications, Prioritizing "High-Quality" Candidates
Effective July 1, 2025, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has officially implemented a series of new regulations. Under the Working for Workers Seven Act, Ontario's immigration authority has been granted greater autonomy. The most notable change is that the OINP now has the authority to return applications that do not align with current priorities and issue a full refund. This measure aims to ensure that the limited provincial nomination spots are used to attract candidates who can best meet the urgent needs of Ontario's labour market. The new policy also includes mandatory in-person interviews, adjusted education requirements for specific occupations, and the full launch of a new Employer Portal, signaling a fundamental shift in Ontario's immigration selection strategy.
07/03/2025

International Education Stream Dominates Latest Manitoba PNP Draw
On June 26, 2025, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) conducted its latest draw, issuing Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to foreign skilled workers and international students with strong connections to the province. The highlight of this draw was the International Education Stream, which invited 478 candidates, all of whom were required to have a close relative supporter residing in Manitoba. The Skilled Worker streams targeted high-scoring candidates selected through strategic recruitment initiatives, issuing 14 invitations and showcasing the province's strategy for targeted talent acquisition.
07/02/2025

Alberta Launches Intensive Provincial Nomination Draws, Opens Doors to Global Talent Across Five Streams
Between June 5 and 19, 2025, Alberta's Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) conducted an intensive series of five separate provincial nomination draws, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. This series of draws precisely targeted key gaps in the province's labour market, focusing on attracting talent with professional experience and in-demand skills in specific sectors. Data reveals that over 2,300 nomination spots remain for Alberta's 2025 annual allocation, presenting significant opportunities for global applicants.
06/30/2025

British Columbia Releases 2024 PNP Annual Report: Skills Immigration Dominates, Early Childhood Education Emerges as Top-Nominated Field
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has recently released its 2024 annual statistical report. The report shows that the province successfully issued its full allocation of 8,000 nominations in 2024, with the Skills Immigration category accounting for a staggering 99%. A notable trend is that, driven by the provincial government's prioritization of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs), occupations in education and social services have surpassed the tech sector to become the category with the most nominees. Furthermore, the report provides a detailed breakdown of nominee salary levels, primary countries of origin, and confirms major changes made to immigration pathways for international students in 2024.
06/29/2025

New Brunswick Holds Intensive June PNP Draws, Inviting Over 600 Candidates in Four Rounds Across Two Days
On June 16 and 17, 2025, the province of New Brunswick held four rounds of draws through its Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP). In this series of draws, a total of 608 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) across four distinct pathways under the Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams. This high frequency of activity makes June the most active month for the NBPNP so far in 2025, bringing the province's year-to-date invitation total to 2,015. The draw results clearly indicate the province's focus on specific labour market needs and its preference for candidates with existing ties to New Brunswick through work or study.
06/23/2025

PEI PNP Draw Focuses on Key Sectors, Issues First Entrepreneur Invitation of 2025
On June 19, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) held its sixth Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw of the year, issuing a total of 52 invitations to apply. A key highlight of this draw was the first invitation of 2025 issued under the entrepreneur stream. The draw also underscores the province's current immigration strategy, which prioritizes skilled workers in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, trades, and manufacturing to address urgent labour market needs.
06/22/2025

Reversing the Trend: New Brunswick Secures Increased Immigration Allocation from Ottawa in Exchange for Welcoming Asylum Claimants
Facing a landscape of significant federal cuts to provincial immigration allocations for 2025, the province of New Brunswick has announced a unique agreement with the federal government. By committing to welcome up to 400 asylum claimants over the next two years, the province has successfully secured an additional 1,500 spots for its nominee program. This move increases its total annual immigration allocation to 4,250, effectively mitigating the pressure from an earlier 50% cut. The agreement not only breathes new life into New Brunswick's priority sectors but also serves as a potential model for other provinces grappling with similar challenges.
06/18/2025