
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

Quebec Halts New Spousal Sponsorship Applications After Reaching Quota, Moratorium in Place Until 2026
Quebec's immigration ministry announced on July 9 that it has paused the intake of new applications for spousal, partner, and adult dependent sponsorship after reaching its predetermined cap. The measure is part of Quebec's immigration quota management and will remain in effect until June 25, 2026. During this period, the application stream for sponsoring minor children, parents, and grandparents will remain open.
07/13/2025

Canada to Bolster Support for Francophone Immigrants with Launch of Revamped "Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative"
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.
07/10/2025

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

Canada Adjusts Financial Requirement for International Students, Effective September
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.
07/04/2025

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

Canada Overhauls PGWP-Eligible Programs to Align with 2025 Labour Market Demands
On June 25, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a sweeping overhaul of the eligible fields of study for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). The changes, designed to align the program with Canada's projected labour market needs for 2025, introduce 119 new eligible programs while removing 178. The new policy heavily favors fields such as healthcare, education, and the trades, while significantly scaling back eligibility for programs in transport and agriculture. These adjustments will primarily impact international students in non-degree programs who apply for their study permit on or after November 1, 2024.
06/26/2025