Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently announced detailed provincial allocations for the 2025 Study Permit and provided further clarifications regarding the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement. According to the latest official data, Canada plans to issue approximately 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease compared to 2024. Among these, graduate students (master’s and doctoral) account for nearly 17% of the overall allotment. Meanwhile, IRCC confirms that, starting January 24, 2025, master’s and doctoral candidates will also be required to submit PALs, while exchange students are newly exempt from PAL or TAL (Territorial Attestation Letter) requirements.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 4,000 invitations to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the third round of Express Entry this year, with a minimum CRS score of 527. This invitation round signifies the continued importance of the CEC in 2025. At the same time, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is facing quota reductions, indicating that Express Entry will once again become the main channel for many skilled immigration candidates.

On January 18, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued ministerial instructions outlining a new application quota for study permits in 2025, totaling 505,162. The instructions take effect on January 22 and remain in place until December 31 of the same year. During this period, IRCC will only process applications within this cap, and any applications exceeding that limit will be returned along with refunded fees. Notably, the figure of 505,162 refers to the number of applications processed, not the number of final approvals issued. This article provides a detailed look at the background, implications, and exemptions under the new policy.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently introduced a pilot program named Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI). The program, open until December 31, 2025, aims to attract up to 800 highly skilled immigrants to four remote and northern regions: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. Applicants who secure a provincial nomination through this pilot can use the nomination certificate to apply directly for permanent residency with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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.

On January 8, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held its first Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2025 through the Express Entry system. A total of 1,350 candidates received Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 542. This marks the second draw of the week, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on January 7. IRCC is actively working toward its 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, adjusting priority categories in the Express Entry system to better meet labor market demands.

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.

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its first Express Entry draw of 2025, issuing 471 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 793 points. As the primary pathway for economic immigration to Canada, Express Entry will continue to focus on French-speaking candidates, healthcare and trades professionals, as well as bolster pathways under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2025.

In 2025, Canada’s Express Entry system will undergo significant changes, affecting how economic immigrants are selected. These changes include an increased proportion of Express Entry in overall immigration targets, the removal of CRS score bonuses for job offers, and the division of the “Federal High-Skilled” category into two new subcategories. These adjustments not only reflect Canada’s goal for more efficient immigration management but also highlight the government’s strategic focus on labor market orientation and cultural-linguistic integration.

The Canadian federal government has recently announced a cap on permanent residency applications under the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot (Agri-Food Pilot). In 2025, the program will accept a maximum of 1,010 applications, significantly reduced from the previous annual quota of 2,750. This adjustment aims to address the surge in demand and align with the 2025–2027 immigration levels plan. The pilot program is expected to expire on May 14, 2025, after which applications may no longer be accepted.