Canada Immigration Brief — October 22, 2025

Canada Immigration Brief — October 22, 2025 Spotlights: IRCC restarted category draws for teachers and trades, provinces continued to select workers, and two policy shifts will change how people apply (and reapply). Specifically, Express Entry ran back-to-back category rounds (Education and Trades), Manitoba and PEI issued invitations, BC and Saskatchewan reiterated their limits, proof-of-funds for students increased on September 1, and refusal letters now come with the officer’s notes.

What’s new (and why it matters)

• Express Entry — category draws return:•: • Education (Sept 17): 2,500 ITAs, cutoff CRS 462.• Trades (Sept 18): 1,250 ITAs, cutoff CRS 505.• PNP‑only (Sept 15): 228 ITAs, cutoff CRS 746. Lower cutoffs in Education and Trades widen the window for well‑prepared candidates. (Official draw history/coverage.) Canadavisa.com

• Provinces — activity continues, but uneven:• Manitoba (EOI #254, Sept 18): Skilled Worker invites, several sub‑rounds; lowest ranked as low as 612 in one stream. Manitoba Immigration• PEI (Sept 19): 129 invitations (workforce/Express Entry‑linked) with priority to in‑province workers and recent grads. Government of Prince Edward Island• BC: No general or priority‑occupation ITAs planned in 2025; only limited, high‑impact invitations. BC Gov News+1• Saskatchewan: No scheduled EOI draws for now due to 2025 allocation constraints. Government of Saskatchewan

• Students — proof of funds increased for files submitted on/after Sept 1, 2025 (check the updated amounts before filing). Government of Canada

• Refusals — officer notes now included: Since July 29, 2025, IRCC has begun attaching decision notes to many refusal letters (TRVs, study/work permits, visitor records), providing applicants with clearer reasons and better reapply strategies. Government of Canada

• Atlantic Immigration Program — settlement funds: AIP proof‑of‑funds table updated for 2025; amounts track 12.5% of LICO and are revised annually. Government of Canada

Dates & numbers at a glance

• Sept 17 — Education category: 2,500 ITAs, CRS 462. Canadavisa.com

• Sept 18 — Trades category: 1,250 ITAs, CRS 505. Canadavisa.com

• Sept 15 — PNP‑only: 228 ITAs, CRS 746. Canadavisa.com

• Sept 18 — Manitoba EOI #254 invites issued (multiple sub‑rounds; e.g., 612 lowest in one selection). Manitoba Immigration

• Sept 19 — PEI draw: 129 invites; workers and recent PEI grads prioritized. Government of Prince Edward Island

• Sept 1 — Study‑permit funds requirement increased. Government of Canada

• July 29 — Officer decision notes begin to be sent out, accompanied by numerous refusal letters. Government of Canada

Quick takeaways

• Teachers & tradespeople: Keep language tests current and work histories clean; category rounds are active again. Canadavisa.com

• Already working in a province? Manitoba and PEI continue to favour in‑province workers; gather employer letters and licensing proof early. Manitoba Immigration+1

• BC & Saskatchewan applicants: Expect limited or paused invitations; monitor official pages before paying fees. BC Gov News+2WelcomeBC+2

• International students: Rebuild budgets to the Sept 1 thresholds and include a clear expense breakdown. Government of Canada

• If refused: Use the attached officer notes to fix specific weaknesses before a re-application or review. Government of Canada

Canada Immigration Brief — October 22, 2025