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.

The Government of Canada has announced the official launch of an enhanced Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) initiative, set to be operationalized between 2025 and 2026. The program will designate 24 communities across Canada (outside of Quebec) to provide bolstered community support and settlement services, facilitating the successful integration of French-speaking newcomers. This initiative represents a key component of Canada's broader strategy to increase Francophone immigration and ensure the vitality of French-speaking minority communities.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a new Express Entry draw on July 8th, exclusively targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). A total of 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued. Notably, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 518, the lowest cutoff since September 2024. To date, the Express Entry system has issued a total of 45,201 invitations in 2025.

Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of July, exclusively targeting candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). A total of 356 candidates received invitations, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement of 750. Data indicates a clear pattern in 2025 draws, with alternating PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) invitations becoming a recent norm. This strategy has directly resulted in the first decline in the number of high-scoring candidates in the Express Entry pool in at least six months.

In the first half of 2025, Canada's immigration system underwent a profound structural adjustment. The federal government not only lowered its permanent resident (PR) admission targets and historically set a cap on temporary residents, but also implemented significant reforms to core programs like Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The new policies reflect a clear strategic intent to tighten overall numbers, prioritize in-Canada applicants, and precisely guide new immigrants toward Francophone communities, rural areas, and key sectors such as healthcare and construction. This series of changes has had a far-reaching impact on global applicants, signaling that Canada's immigration policy is shifting from an era of broad-based intake to one of targeted selection.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on June 2, 2025, an upcoming adjustment to the proof of funds requirement for study permit applicants. Effective September 1, 2025, a single applicant will need to demonstrate access to at least C$22,895 for living expenses. The change, which excludes applicants destined for Quebec, is intended to ensure the financial threshold accurately reflects Canada's current cost of living.

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.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed in its latest Departmental Plan that it is developing a new stream for foreign workers in the agriculture and fish processing industries. The initiative aims to effectively tackle Canada's long-standing agricultural labour shortages through the introduction of sector-specific work permits and potentially expanded international agreements. This new stream is also viewed as a successor to the Agri-Food Pilot, which recently reached its application cap.

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.

On June 20, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) unveiled its 2025-2026 Departmental Plan, setting a clear direction for immigration policy over the next two years. The plan introduces new immigration avenues for specific groups while continuing and reinforcing the policy of tightening controls on the temporary resident population, a trend that began in 2024. Key measures include proposing the conversion of the 'Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot' into a permanent immigration stream, creating a new work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sectors, adjusting eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs), and explicitly capping the temporary resident population at 5% of Canada's total population. These initiatives reflect the Canadian government's balancing act between attracting needed talent and alleviating pressure on domestic social services.