🇨🇦 Work & skilled workers

The Government of Canada is investing approximately $1.2 million to support new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP) as announced on 29 September 2026. These projects are managed by the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration (CIFI). The specific projects announced include: 1. A project led by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, aiming to create a sustainable corridor for Francophone and bilingual talent to support population growth and labour market needs. This project includes targeted overseas recruitment in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and early childhood education. This project seeks to expand French services and improve access and inclusivity for Francophones in the province. 2. An initiative by the Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan, focused on increasing Francophone immigration to Saskatchewan through a turnkey approach that matches local labour market needs with international talent. This involves an interactive mapping platform, in-person and virtual activities, support for academic credential recognition and professional certification exams, and cultural transition workshops. It targets employers in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, mining, energy, technology, and the hotel industry. 3. The implementation of the coordinated promotional strategy 'Osez le Nord' developed by the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, which brings together stakeholders to promote regionalisation of immigration and opportunities in Northern Ontario. This was part of a project funded in 2025. Further CIFI-managed projects previously announced include: 1. A project to increase and improve Francophone immigration to Manitoba, with an allocation of $1,300,000 over two years. This involves promoting Manitoba's Francophone communities abroad, innovative digital solutions for immigration and labour market integration, support for credential recognition of French-speaking healthcare professionals, and research into challenges faced by Francophone temporary residents. 2. A global mapping of Francophone talent project led by the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), allocated $160,000 over two years, to identify and attract bilingual ICT talent globally. 3. A project supporting Université de Hearst international students and graduates with a pathway to permanent residence, allocated $1,100,000 over three years. This programme provides information on Francophone immigration pathways, practical support for labour market transition, personalised support, and integration opportunities. 4. An international campaign by the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada to inform French speakers about immigration and settlement opportunities outside Quebec, using webinars, digital presence, and video content.

The Alberta Opportunity Stream continues to be for temporary foreign workers already working full-time in Alberta with a full-time job offer in an eligible occupation. Candidates must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or hold one of the accepted LMIA exemption work permits. They must also meet other minimum eligibility criteria for residency, work permit type, occupation, language, education, Alberta job offer, and work experience. Candidates apply on their own using the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program portal. The Contact form for the programme now allows applicants or interested parties to specify if they are a 'Foreign National Temporary Worker in Alberta', a 'Lawyer or Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)', or an 'Employer', and provides specific inquiry options such as 'I would like to know more about AAIP criteria and processes of the Alberta Opportunity Stream', 'My employer or job offer has changed', and 'My work permit is expiring'.

Draw No. 279 does not create a new permanent MPNP stream or replace the existing EOI system. Instead, it applies targeted selection criteria to the candidates available in the EOI pool. Candidates under the health selection were considered because they declared current employment in Manitoba within Broad Occupational Category 3. Unlike a selection based on a single NOC unit group, this category covers the wider health occupational grouping. The draw therefore considered a broader range of health occupations rather than limiting the selection to a small number of named NOC unit groups. 233 candidates received LAAs through this selection. The Manitoba education selection operated differently. It considered top-scoring profiles where either the applicant or their spouse had completed post-secondary education in Manitoba. 508 LAAs were issued, and the lowest-ranked invited candidate had a score of 825. The selection therefore did not mean that every candidate with Manitoba education and a score of 825 or more would necessarily receive an invitation outside the draw's selection process. Candidates must also be able to substantiate the Manitoba education claimed in their EOI. The Francophone selection considered candidates who declared French as their language of communication with the MPNP and held a valid French-language test result. 11 LAAs were issued. Separately, 41 LAAs were issued to candidates with direct invitations through specified strategic recruitment initiatives or the applicable temporary public policy. The MPNP also highlighted information-integrity requirements. Candidates who appeared to meet a selection criterion could fail to receive an LAA if they had declared an approved language test without providing a valid test number, if their language test was no longer valid, or if they declared a strategic recruitment invitation without providing a valid invitation number. Candidates can update their EOI with the correct information for consideration in a future draw. Candidates working in regulated occupations must also be able to demonstrate that they are actually working in the regulated occupation and have completed the necessary licensing steps in Manitoba. The MPNP warned that an application could be refused where a candidate selected as fully licensed cannot substantiate the required licensing status.

The 'Invitations to apply' page for the BC PNP has been updated, with the latest update being 7 October 2026. This update includes new data for the Skills Immigration registration pool, showing the number of registrations across various score ranges as of 6 October 2026. Additionally, new invitation rounds have been added for 'Innovate: High Economic Impact' on 22 April 2026, and general 'High Economic Impact' invitations on 11 February 2026 and 4 February 2026, specifying minimum wage, annual income, job offer NOC TEER categories, and minimum points required for those dates. New Entrepreneur Immigration invitation rounds are also listed for September 2026, August 2026, July 2026, June 2026, May 2026, April 2026, March 2026, February 2026, and January 2026.

Candidates with an active Expression of Interest (EOI) profile under the International Education Stream (IES) – Career Employment Pathway (CEP) who have gained at least six months of work experience in Manitoba are now invited to transition into the Skilled Worker in Manitoba (SWM) pathway. They will be considered in future EOI draws alongside other skilled workers on a priority basis.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) may extend the nomination deadline to 31 December 2027 for eligible individuals who received Manitoba Support Letters in 2024 or 2025 under the expired Temporary Public Policies (TPP), and who meet other MPNP eligibility criteria. Manitoba may issue up to 2,700 support letters.

There is no new eligibility rule created by this invitation round. The change is that Newfoundland and Labrador selected 140 candidates to proceed to the next stage on 26 August 2026. The province issued: 94 NLPNP invitations 46 AIP invitations 140 invitations in total This means that candidates who received an ITA can now take the next application step within the applicable programme, subject to the programme's requirements and deadlines.

Employers must use the OINP Employer Portal for all applications for approval of employment positions under the Ontario Workforce Priority stream. This process involves the employer submitting a job offer, the employee registering an Expression of Interest (EOI) within 30 calendar days, and if invited, the employer submitting an application for approval of an employment position within 14 calendar days, and the employee submitting their application within 17 calendar days (including three additional days for payment and submission after the employer's application).

From 7 April 2026, the AAIP applies a consolidated fee schedule across its worker, entrepreneur and post-nomination services. A $135 fee is required to submit a Worker Expression of Interest. Applications under the Alberta Opportunity, Alberta Express Entry, Rural Renewal, and Tourism and Hospitality streams cost $1,500, while applications under the Graduate Entrepreneur, Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur, Rural Entrepreneur and Farm streams cost $3,500. Entrepreneur Expressions of Interest cost $200. The programme also charges $150 for a nomination extension, a 204(c) work-permit support letter, a 205(a) work-permit support letter, or a Business Performance Agreement change, while a request for reconsideration costs $250. Fee Breakdown Worker Expression of Interest: $135 Alberta Opportunity Stream application: $1,500 Alberta Express Entry Stream application: $1,500 Rural Renewal Stream application: $1,500 Tourism and Hospitality Stream application: $1,500 Graduate Entrepreneur Stream application: $3,500 Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream application: $3,500 Rural Entrepreneur Stream application: $3,500 Farm Stream application: $3,500 Entrepreneur Expression of Interest: $200 Nomination extension: $150 204(c) Letter of Support: $150 205(a) Letter of Support: $150 Reconsideration request: $250 Business Performance Agreement change: $150

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) website's Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream page now directs users to connect with the programme using the 'Opportunity Alberta Feedback contact form' or to send an email to 'aaip.feedback@gov.ab.ca', or to call the Operations Manager at '780-638-2843'.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Programme (AAIP) has introduced a new Law Enforcement Pathway under the Alberta Express Entry Stream. This pathway applies to international recruits identified by a member organisation of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP). To qualify, an applicant's primary occupation in their Express Entry profile must match their current Alberta employment or job offer. They must also have been identified by the AACP to the AAIP as an internationally recruited police officer and hold a valid, verifiable job offer from an Alberta employer in Alberta police services (based on valid AACP membership). Eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes for this pathway are 40040 (Commissioned (management) police offers and related occupations in public protection services), 41310 (Police investigators and other investigative occupations), and 42100 (Police officers (except commissioned)). The AAIP will seek additional information from applicants and the AACP to confirm eligibility. The previous Accelerated Tech Pathway now explicitly lists specific types of individuals not eligible to apply or be nominated, even if they meet other criteria: part-time, casual or seasonal employees (regardless of hours); independent contractors or temporary agency workers; and employees who do not work in Alberta (e.g., remote workers outside Alberta).

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually from 2026 to 2028. Temporary resident arrival targets are set at 385,000 for 2026, and 370,000 for 2027 and 2028, with a goal to reduce Canada's temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Economic category admissions will constitute 64% by 2027 and 2028. The target for Francophone admissions destined for outside Quebec is increased to 10.5% by 2028, supporting a broader goal of 12% by 2029. Family class admissions remain stable at 21.3-22.1%. Refugee and Protected Persons admissions account for 13% of overall admissions. Additionally, one-time initiatives will transition approximately 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027, beyond the overall permanent resident targets.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) issued 53 Letters of Advice to Apply in Expression of Interest System Draw No. 277. These invitations were exclusively for profiles submitted under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream or the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream, specifically those who had declared a direct invitation from the MPNP via a strategic recruitment initiative. The distribution of these Letters of Advice to Apply included: 15 for Employer Services, 12 for Ethnocultural Communities, 13 for the Francophone Community, 9 for Regional Communities, and 4 under the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permit Issuance for Provincial Nominee Program Candidates. Of the total, 6 invitations were issued to applicants who declared both a valid Express Entry profile number and a valid job seeker validation code. Expressions of Interest from skilled workers were only considered if they met the direct invitation criterion as part of a strategic recruitment initiative or through the mentioned Temporary Public Policy.

The Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Programme will close. All travellers entering Canada through remote areas of northern Ontario or from the Northwest Angle into southern Manitoba must report to the CBSA at a port of entry or a designated telephone reporting site.

Online passport renewal is now available to all eligible adult Canadians in Canada, removing previous limitations.

The Federal Court set aside a refusal where the officer's notes did not explain the basis for a decision supported by automated triage, holding that procedural fairness requires intelligible reasons.

The proposed regulations would: 1. Clarify the asylum application process, setting clear requirements for documents and information, and timelines for submission (60 days with a one-time 30-day extension). 2. Establish timelines for key government review activities before a claim proceeds to an IRB hearing. 3. Specify rules for reinstatement of withdrawn claims and claims not abandoned. 4. Strengthen support for vulnerable claimants by clarifying when designated representatives must be appointed, their responsibilities, and when their appointment ends. 5. Maintain the status quo in the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) but clarify the start of the 14-day period for online applications and change the requirement for demonstrating eligibility based on an in-Canada family member. 6. Support faster access to work permits for eligible asylum claimants. 7. Create exceptions to new ineligibility rules, specifically for unaccompanied minors and for claimants subject to the one-year eligibility requirement who register online and indicate early intention to seek asylum.

Manitoba has changed the selection approach for existing CEP candidates who have an active EOI profile and at least six months of Manitoba work experience These candidates are invited to transition to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway Once transitioned, they may be considered in future EOI draws alongside other skilled workers, with Manitoba graduates receiving priority consideration Candidates must ensure their EOI information is updated and that they meet the eligibility requirements of the Skilled Worker in Manitoba pathway The current SWM criteria include Manitoba employment and other requirements. The current MPNP eligibility information states that candidates generally need a full-time job offer from an eligible Manitoba employer, while selection may also be subject to programme or occupation-specific limits.

Most visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by boat from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon must now obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). This requirement applies to travellers arriving by ferry, private boats, and commercial vessels. Exemptions include passengers arriving by cruise ship, French citizens residing in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon who travel directly to Canada, and seafarers working on commercial vessels (such as fishing boats) when travelling by boat from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents are also exempt from needing an eTA. Entry requirements for travellers from visa-required countries remain unchanged.

Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or related measures have until 31 March 2027, to apply to extend their work permit for up to three additional years. Eligibility requires arrival in Canada on or before 31 March 2024, or, if a CUAET holder, permission to arrive by 31 December 2024, if a decision was not received in time for the 31 March 2024 deadline.

Applicants will receive a full refund of their passport or travel document fee if processing of their complete application takes more than 30 business days. This refund will be issued automatically. Processing time begins when a complete application is received and concludes when the passport or travel document is printed and verified, excluding mailing time. A complete application requires a filled-out form, all necessary documents (such as a compliant passport photo), and full payment of fees.

Bill C-12, also known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, has officially become law. This legislation brings in several changes to Canada’s immigration and asylum systems, which include: new requirements for asylum claims; a modernised asylum process; clarified authorities for sharing information within the department and with government partners; and new tools for the Government of Canada to manage immigration documents and applications when it is in the public interest.

Approximately $1.5 million is invested to support 3 new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program. These projects aim to strengthen the Francophone presence in the information and communications technology sector, provide resources to attract and retain Francophone talent in Northern Ontario, and inform French-speaking candidates about employment, immigration, and settlement opportunities in French-speaking communities in Canada outside Quebec. Additionally, up to $575,000 over 3 years is allocated under the Settlement Program to Université de l’Ontario français to develop a micro-certificate in Francophone immigration management.

-Eligible workers can apply for a new employer-specific work permit. -The new permit can allow the worker to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 additional months. -The worker must have received an invitation from Quebec to submit a DSP under the Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). -The worker must meet the temporary measure's work-permit and application requirements. -The measure is available until 31 December 2026. -The new permit is employer-specific, so it does not give the worker an unrestricted right to work for any employer. -The measure does not itself grant permanent residence or a CSQ.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue existing Express Entry categories while introducing new ones for 2026. The new categories are designed to attract specific talent to Canada. Continuing categories include: * Candidates with strong French skills. * Work experience in Health care and social services (e.g., nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists, chiropractors). * Trades (e.g., carpenter, plumber, machinist). * Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations (e.g., engineers, cybersecurity specialists). New Express Entry categories for 2026 include: * Researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience. * Transport occupations (e.g., pilots, aircraft mechanics, inspectors). * Skilled military recruits with a job offer from the Canadian Armed Forces (e.g., doctors, nurses, pilots). * Foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience (announced in December for 2026).

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) may extend the nomination deadline to 31 December 2027 for eligible individuals who received Manitoba Support Letters in 2024 or 2025 under the expired Temporary Public Policies (TPP), and who meet other MPNP eligibility criteria. Manitoba may issue up to 2,700 support letters.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

On 30 July 2026, the MPNP conducted EOI Draw #276 and issued 766 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) through targeted selections. Manitoba selected 74 candidates who declared current employment in Manitoba in seven specified NOC 2021 occupations: aerospace engineers; aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians and inspectors; general practitioners and family physicians; facility operation and maintenance managers; aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors; air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors; and aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors. The largest selection targeted candidates currently employed in Manitoba in Broad Occupational Category 9 — occupations in manufacturing and utilities. Manitoba issued 605 LAAs to the top-ranking eligible profiles in this category, with the lowest-ranked invited candidate having an MPNP ranking score of 632. Manitoba also issued 17 LAAs to Francophone candidates who declared French as their language of communication with the MPNP and had a valid French-language test result. A further 70 LAAs were issued to candidates who had been directly invited through Strategic Recruitment Initiatives, including Employer Services, Ethnocultural Communities, the Francophone Community, Regional Communities and the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates. Overall, Draw #276 applied targeted selection criteria that directed invitations toward specified occupations, manufacturing and utilities workers, Francophone candidates and candidates identified through strategic recruitment initiatives. Of the 766 LAAs issued, 94 went to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code. These selection criteria applied to this draw and do not represent a permanent change to the underlying MPNP EOI system or the creation of a new immigration pathway.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.

Current rules for this policy, plus every recorded change.