Canada Immigration Briefing — December 26, 2025

Canada Immigration Briefing — December 26, 2025 Snapshots: A press conference of IRCC on December 8, 2025; 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan details; IRCC has raised several immigration and citizenship fees; Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program updates; OINP and Express Entry.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a press conference on December 8, 2025, to unveil new measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce — likely new immigration or work‑permit initiatives targeting health-sector workers. Canada
Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan remains front and centre: it reconfirms the target of 380,000 new permanent residents per year, while rebalancing toward economic immigrants and reducing temporary‑resident inflows. Canada+2Canada+2
IRCC has raised several immigration and citizenship fees effective December 1, 2025, impacting inadmissibility applications, restoration-of-status requests and the International Experience Canada (IEC) work‑permit fee. CIC News+2The Economic Times+2
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has proposed a significant overhaul, consolidating its multiple “Employer: Job Offer” streams into a single stream — with plans to replace the existing streams with new ones (Health‑care, Entrepreneur, Exceptional Talent) starting in 2026. CIC News
Meanwhile, OINP has suspended its Express Entry: Skilled Trades stream due to systemic compliance concerns; applications under this stream will be returned with fees refunded. IR Global+1

Healthcare workers may gain priority soon. The December 8 IRCC press conference suggests new or expanded pathways to support Canada’s health workforce. Those with health credentials should monitor updates closely.
Stable but selective immigration push ahead. The 2026–2028 Levels Plan continues Canada’s long‑term commitment to immigration, with a steady PR target (380,000 per year) and a tilt toward economic immigration. For newcomers: demand remains high, but priority will likely go to in‑demand skills and labour‑market needs.
Plan applications carefully — fees are up. If you’re applying for IEC work permits, inadmissibility waivers, or restoring status, expect higher fees from December 1 onward. For ongoing applications paid before the deadline, old fees may still apply.
Ontario’s PNP is being restructured — review eligibility. If you plan to apply under OINP’s employer-based streams, note the proposed consolidation and prospective new streams. The Skilled Trades route is currently suspended — affecting some applicants.

Date / Period	What Happened or Planned
Dec 8, 2025	IRCC press conference on health‑workforce measures Canada
Dec 1, 2025	Fee increases for many immigration & citizenship applications CIC News+2The Economic Times+2
2026–2028	Immigration Levels Plan sets ~380,000 permanent residents per year Canada+2Canada+2
2026 (proposal)	OINP to consolidate job‑offer streams; add new streams (healthcare, entrepreneur, exceptional talent) CIC News
Early December 2025	OINP suspends Skilled Trades stream — refunding pending applications IR Global+1