The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) will reopen on February 27, accepting applications for immigration to Canada in 2025. The program will process 90 new applications in addition to 60 applications from 2024, aiming to meet the overall nomination quota for 2025. Applications will be processed based on the expiry dates of work permits, and there will be new application quotas for different immigration categories.

Starting from February 19, 2025, Newfoundland and Labrador will adjust the application process for its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), implementing an online Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This change requires foreign nationals to apply for immigration nomination or certification by submitting an EOI, rather than applying directly. At the same time, some ongoing applications will no longer be processed.

Manitoba and Prince Edward Island (PEI) recently issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). Manitoba primarily invited candidates with higher education and specific qualifications, while PEI targeted candidates working in the province and international student graduates from specific institutions.

New Brunswick recently announced that certain occupations will no longer be eligible for nomination under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). This change is part of a broader adjustment to Canada’s immigration policy, with the provincial government prioritizing immigration applications in the healthcare, education, and construction sectors.

The Canadian Immigration and Citizenship Department (IRCC) recently issued 646 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) invitations through the Express Entry system, requiring candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 750. Starting in 2025, IRCC will prioritize PNP and CEC candidates in the draws and will not conduct category-based draws for French speakers, healthcare workers, or skilled trades. IRCC plans to allocate 41,700 permanent resident spots for these priority groups in the 2025-2027 immigration plan.

New developments in Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for 2025: Alberta completed its first round of provincial nominee draws for the year from February 3 to 6, issuing a total of 308 invitations for the Rural Renewal Stream and Medical Care stream (including both Express Entry and non-Express Entry categories); meanwhile, New Brunswick announced delays in issuing invitations due to technical issues from system overload. It is expected that formal draws will begin in March, and applicants are reminded to pay attention to updated occupational restrictions.

British Columbia and Manitoba in Canada issued more provincial nomination invitations, while Alberta also updated the candidate pool status for several of its immigration programs. These provinces attract entrepreneurs, international students, and overseas candidates with technical backgrounds through economic immigration channels, and Alberta has also released statistical data on the current candidates.

Starting in 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a series of new regulations for international student transfers, clarifying situations that require reapplication for study permits and outlining how to maintain eligibility for PGWP after transferring. Notably, IRCC has also implemented temporary transition measures for students transferring between January and May 2025, allowing them to start at their new institution before the new permit is approved. This report provides an in-depth analysis of application requirements, procedures, fees, and PGWP considerations.

In 2024, the Canadian federal government introduced several adjustments to its Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit policies. These changes encompass Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP), New work permit for PNP nominee candidates, Updated instructions regarding ICTs under the IMP and more, aimed at optimizing immigration structures and managing the proportion of temporary residents. Below is a professional analysis of the key policy changes and their implications.

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced an expansion of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligible programs, adding several new education-related fields. This adjustment provides international students with more opportunities for employment and immigration in Canada and supports the long-term labor market needs of the country.