Canada's Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a vital pathway for many families to reunite. However, after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), common mistakes in the application process can derail an applicant's efforts. This article provides a detailed analysis of the five most common application "pitfalls," including incomplete applications, replying to no-reply emails, inconsistent information, improper form signing, and omitting periods of unemployment. It also offers specific strategies to avoid them, aiming to help applicants increase their chances of success and smoothly complete what may be a once-in-a-lifetime sponsorship opportunity.

Nova Scotia's immigration authority issued an official notice on July 16, announcing an adjustment to its Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP) application processing strategy. As the number of applications for 2025 has reached the annual allocation limit set by the federal government, the province has decided to shift its processing focus for the remainder of the year to applicants already working in the province whose work permits are set to expire in 2025, with a particular emphasis on professionals in the healthcare and construction sectors. This adjustment is a direct response to the federal government's reduced 2025 PNP allocation and will significantly impact various categories of applicants.

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.

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.

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.

The global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its highly anticipated 2026 World University Rankings. This year's edition highlights a major shift in Canada's top-tier academic landscape: McGill University in Montreal, ranked 27th globally, has surpassed the long-reigning University of Toronto (29th) to become the nation's highest-ranked institution. The University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta also secured their places within the global top 100. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the performance and key metrics of Canada's leading universities, along with an essential guide for prospective international students on applying for a Study Permit and a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Recent data from Statistics Canada reveals that national population growth nearly stalled in the first quarter of 2025, with an increase of only about 20,000 people, or 0.0%. This significant slowdown is primarily attributed to a series of restrictive immigration policies implemented by the federal government to address domestic pressures on housing and social services, including sharp cuts to temporary resident numbers and lower targets for permanent resident admissions. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the key policy measures driving this change and their specific impacts on various visa applicants.

As the peak summer travel season approaches, many are planning to visit Canada to see family, friends, or attend events. However, Canada's stringent entry screening system may catch some visitors with criminal records off guard. Under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, non-citizens with a criminal record may be deemed "criminally inadmissible" and denied entry. This article will detail the conditions that lead to inadmissibility and introduce the three official pathways to overcome this barrier: the Temporary Resident Permit (TRP), Deemed Rehabilitation, and individual Criminal Rehabilitation, to help affected individuals prepare in advance.

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued new invitations to Entrepreneur Immigration applicants on May 28. A total of no more than 14 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued across the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional and Base streams, with varying cut-off scores. Notably, compared to its skills immigration streams, BC's Entrepreneur Immigration program has maintained significant invitation frequency and stability in 2025, underscoring the province's continued focus on attracting business investment and promoting economic development.