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.

The Canadian federal government has recently updated the income requirements for sponsors under the 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), introducing a significant increase. For a baseline two-person family, the minimum required income for 2024 has risen to $47,549, an increase of over $3,000 from the previous year. Sponsors must demonstrate that their income has met or exceeded the set levels for the three preceding tax years (2024, 2023, and 2022). Additionally, the government has confirmed that the 2025 invitations will be drawn from the pool of candidates who expressed interest in 2020, with plans to issue approximately 17,860 invitations to receive 10,000 complete applications. For those unable to apply, the Super Visa remains the primary alternative for long-term family reunification.

On July 17, 2025, the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held its latest immigration draw, issuing 39 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to foreign nationals with job offers in in-demand occupations. This draw clearly reflects PEI's shift towards a more selective immigration strategy amidst tightening federal immigration quotas, with a strong focus on attracting specific professionals who can quickly fill gaps in the local labour market.

Global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has recently released its 2026 Best Student Cities ranking. Four Canadian cities—Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa—have secured spots in the top 100. While these cities are lauded for their excellent student feedback, diversity, and university quality, their overall scores are weighed down by consistently low marks in affordability. Notably, all four cities have seen a significant drop in their rankings compared to the previous year. This trend not only reflects a broader challenge faced by North American cities but also introduces new factors for international students to consider when planning their education in Canada.

Canada's federal government has announced that the highly anticipated Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will launch a new round of invitations on July 28, 2025. Over a two-week period, the immigration department will send 17,860 invitations to candidates who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, with the goal of accepting 10,000 complete permanent residence applications. For sponsors who do not receive an invitation this round, or for families who were unable to enter the pool in recent years, the Super Visa remains an important pathway for parents and grandparents to reunite with family in Canada for long-term stays.

In a surprise announcement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has revealed it will postpone the implementation of a highly-watched measure to tighten eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Certain study programs slated for removal from PGWP eligibility on June 25, 2025, will now remain eligible until early 2026. This adjustment not only safeguards students who applied for study permits during the policy transition period but has also temporarily increased the total number of PGWP-eligible programs, marking a significant boon for students in non-degree college programs, who are the primary group affected.

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.

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.

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.

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).