NEWS & RESOURCES

Canada’s 2026 immigration updates: first Express Entry draw issues 574 PNP ITAs, federal Immigration Levels Plan targets ~380,000 PRs annually, citizenship by descent rules modernized, and Quebec family reunification waits remain long.

Express Entry is closing the year with a burst of targeted draws—plus Ottawa just announced a brand-new “doctors” category for early 2026. Here are the numbers, the policy shifts, and what PR hopefuls should do next.

Canada Immigration News — January 7, 2026 Snapshots: IRCC 2025's most significant PNP‑only Express Entry draw; Processing backlogs remain enormous; Regulatory & digital updates on the horizon; Provincial plans and targets evolve. IRCC wraps 2025 with the most significant PNP‑only Express Entry draw. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held one of the year’s biggest Express Entry rounds on December 8 , issuing 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)  under the Provi

IRCC launches a fast‑track Express Entry category for doctors (ITAs early 2026), runs 2025’s largest PNP draw (1,123 ITAs, CRS 729), sets 2026 study‑permit math (408k total; grad students PAL/TAL‑exempt), and Federal Court rule changes take effect Dec 21. Manitoba’s support‑letter deadline hits Dec 15.

Canada’s immigration system is shifting. From tighter study‑permit limits to new temporary‑resident rules, here are the key December 2025 updates from IRCC, provincial nominee programmes and courts—and what they mean for you.

IRCC’s application inventory has topped the two-million mark, and processing times now vary sharply by stream. This update explains where delays are concentrated, which routes are moving faster, and how applicants can reduce risk by submitting complete files, selecting the smartest pathways, and making well-timed submissions.

IRCC held a PNP-linked Express Entry draw on October 27, issuing invitations at one of the year’s highest CRS cut-offs. We break down the numbers, why the threshold spiked, and what skilled workers, employers, and international graduates should do next to stay competitive.

IRCC capped a busy week with category-based Express Entry rounds for Education (2,500 ITAs, CRS 462) and Skilled Trades (1,250 ITAs, CRS 505). Ontario and Alberta issued large provincial invitations, while IRCC clarified PGWP-eligible fields and resumed movement on the Parents & Grandparents Program. This briefing distills the key dates, numbers, and practical takeaways clients need to plan their next steps confidently.