The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has announced that its 2025 Provincial Nominee Program (SINP) has received an additional 1,136 nominations from the federal government, bringing its total annual allocation to 4,761. This adjustment reopens application pathways for several sectors that were previously paused due to reaching their caps. Against a backdrop of diverging immigration allocation trends across Canada, this development in Saskatchewan, along with increases in several other provinces, highlights the complex and evolving landscape of federal and provincial immigration policies.

The Government of Yukon announced on August 21, 2025, that it has successfully secured an additional 67 nomination allocations for its Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), raising the total for the year to 282. The boost follows sustained advocacy on behalf of local employers after initial federal cuts to the program. As a direct result, the territory will issue 80 new Invitations to Apply in August, prioritizing candidates with established ties to the Yukon, including local work experience and graduates from its institutions.

Recent Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws across Canada reveal a growing trend towards highly targeted invitations for specific industries and communities. Manitoba issued a small number of high-scoring invitations through a strategic initiative; Alberta focused on construction and tech workers with two targeted, low-score draws; and Newfoundland and Labrador invited nearly 400 candidates through its provincial and Atlantic programs. These actions underscore a nationwide shift towards using immigration to precisely fill specific economic and community needs.

On July 25, Alberta conducted a new provincial nominee draw, specifically targeting candidates in the federal Express Entry pool with experience in the construction sector. A total of 39 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with a remarkably low minimum score requirement of 66. This targeted draw highlights the province's strategy of using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) to tackle critical labor shortages. Data shows that a significant number of nomination spots are still available for the remainder of the year.

On July 17, 2025, the province of Quebec launched its new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) with its first invitation round since the program's reform in 2024. A total of 238 candidates were invited, with a precise focus on individuals already residing in Quebec who possess French language skills, local educational credentials or work experience, and are in occupations that address labour shortages. This inaugural draw targeted the "Highly qualified and specialized skills" and "Exceptional talent" streams, signaling a definitive policy shift towards prioritizing candidates already integrated into Quebec society.

In the first half of July 2025, the province of Alberta issued hundreds of invitations to apply through its Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), aiming to attract foreign professionals capable of filling critical labor shortages. The draws covered multiple streams, including both Express Entry-aligned and non-Express Entry pathways, with a distinct focus on priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, aviation, and law enforcement. Data reveals that the candidate pool for certain programs, particularly the Alberta Opportunity Stream, is highly saturated, leading to fierce competition.

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.

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.

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.

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.