Canadian Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has put forward a series of views on immigration policy and has stated his intention to push for reforms in the upcoming Prime Ministerial election. Poilievre's reform plans involve various aspects, including promoting economic immigration, optimizing the foreign worker program, enhancing border security, and promoting the cultural integration of new immigrants. With the prospect of him becoming the next Prime Minister in the 2025 election, his immigration policies could have a profound impact on Canada's society and economy.

This week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,000 invitations through the Express Entry system to candidates eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw is the second invitation this week, following closely behind the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on February 4th, reflecting the priorities of Canada’s immigration policies.

In the 334th round of Express Entry invitations, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 455 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, requiring a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 802 and submission of the profile before the deadline. This draw is the fourth one in 2025, aimed at attracting high-quality talent with essential professional skills and language proficiency to meet domestic economic and population development needs.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) recently announced it is easing immigration requirements for self-employed physicians, making it easier for them to apply for permanent residency. This policy change primarily concerns the work experience of self-employed physicians, who can now apply without relying on a job offer from an employer. The change aims to help alleviate the physician shortage in Ontario and support the recruitment of talent in the healthcare field.

On January 24, 2025, Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) conducted its first draw of the year. This draw targeted healthcare sector candidates and issued 22 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Labour Impact Category and the PEI PNP Express Entry stream.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). This program offers a pathway to permanent residency (PR) for individuals with intermediate French proficiency who have a job offer in priority occupations in selected communities outside Quebec. These communities will provide potential candidates with more immigration information and help match them with local employers.

The Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department (IRCC) recently announced the official launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program (RCIP). The program aims to attract foreign nationals to move to rural areas of Canada to fill local labor shortages and provide immigrants with long-term settlement opportunities. This pilot will involve 14 communities, with participants required to obtain a job offer from a local employer and meet certain conditions.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that a new caregiver immigration pilot program will officially launch on March 31, 2025. This new program will replace the previous permanent residency pathways and aims to provide eligible foreign home care workers with the opportunity to directly obtain permanent residency.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently announced detailed provincial allocations for the 2025 Study Permit and provided further clarifications regarding the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement. According to the latest official data, Canada plans to issue approximately 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease compared to 2024. Among these, graduate students (master’s and doctoral) account for nearly 17% of the overall allotment. Meanwhile, IRCC confirms that, starting January 24, 2025, master’s and doctoral candidates will also be required to submit PALs, while exchange students are newly exempt from PAL or TAL (Territorial Attestation Letter) requirements.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a further extension of the temporary public policy allowing Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates to apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) until December 31, 2025. Under this policy, eligible foreign nationals can apply for an OWP valid for up to two years without being tied to a specific employer, thereby providing greater flexibility for those seeking to transition to permanent residency via a PNP. Alberta, Manitoba, and the Yukon have taken the lead by implementing this measure and issuing support letters to PNP candidates who live and work in their respective jurisdictions.