Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Conducts Expression of Interest Draw No. 278, Targeting Specific Occupations and Francophone Candidates

What changed

From 3 November 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will change the Express Entry system. These updates will add new Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for people with eligible Canadian work experience or qualifying job offers in occupations that pay high wages. At the same time, the requirement for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) will be removed for qualifying job offers used to prove you meet the programme's conditions and to get CRS points. This change aims to better help skilled professionals join the Canadian job market by focusing on high-wage occupations.

What changed

On 15 October 2026, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programme (BC PNP) issued 16 invitations to apply to candidates registered under its Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. These invitations were extended to individuals who achieved a minimum score of 54 points. This recent draw signals the province's continued focus on attracting skilled workers to rural and remote healthcare sectors, allowing invited candidates to proceed with their application for provincial nomination, which supports their permanent residency application in Canada.

What changed

On 14 October 2026, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a proposed rule that would remove the requirement for immigration officers to give deference to certain previous eligibility approvals when deciding subsequent employment-related immigration petitions. The proposal targets 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5), a regulation introduced in December 2024 that generally instructs USCIS officers to defer to an earlier approval when a subsequent request involves the same parties and underlying facts, unless a specified exception applies.

What changed

The UK Home Office has published updated guidance for caseworkers regarding the cancellation and curtailment of pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and limited leave granted via an EUSS Family Permit. This guidance, updated on 12 October 2026, details new discretionary grounds for cancellation and curtailment, including the submission of false information, fraudulent assistance in obtaining immigration benefits, and involvement in marriages or civil partnerships of convenience. The changes, reflecting Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 584, mean that individuals holding pre-settled status face a broader range of circumstances under which their leave may be withdrawn.