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Canada Immigration Briefing — January 2, 2026

  • Nina A
  • Jan 2
  • 2 min read

A busy Canadian visa processing center: a digital screen shows ‘Express Entry PNP Draw – 1,123 ITAs issued, CRS 729’, beside a second panel reading ‘New Doctors Express Entry Category — 5,000 PR spots reserved’. In the foreground, a stethoscope and a stack of immigration application forms lie next to a Canadian flag map, symbolizing new medical‑immigration pathways

Canada Immigration Briefing — January 2, 2026 snapshots: IRCC Express Entry draw; Express Entry category for physicians; New immigration fee increases;2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan details.



Headlines at a glance

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the most significant Express Entry draw of 2025 under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a CRS cutoff of 729. CIC News+1

  • IRCC introduced a dedicated Express Entry category for physicians on December 8, 2025 — reserving 5,000 PR admission spaces for provinces/territories to nominate “practice‑ready” doctors with at least 12 months of recent Canadian work experience. CIC News+2Canada+2

  • As of December 1, 2025, Canada implemented new immigration fee increases, affecting inadmissibility-related applications and work-permit processing for programs such as International Experience Canada (IEC). CIC News+2The Economic Times+2

  • The recent 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan confirms that Canada will continue to welcome roughly 380,000 permanent residents per year, while shifting focus toward economic immigration and reducing reliance on temporary‑resident inflows. Tafapolsky & Smith LLP+2Canadavisa.com+2

What These Changes Mean — Clear Takeaways

  • PNP remains a strong path for PR. The December 8 Express Entry draw shows provinces remain central to Canada’s immigration strategy. If you already have a provincial nomination, your chances of receiving an ITA remain strong despite high CRS cutoffs.

  • Big opportunity for international doctors. With a new Express Entry category and 5,000 reserved PR spots, foreign‑trained physicians working in Canada now have a fast‑tracked path to permanent residence. Best to prepare credentials, Canadian work history, and any licensing documentation.

  • Higher costs for many applicants. If you're applying for inadmissibility relief or an IEC work permit, expect to pay higher fees from Dec 1 onward. Budget accordingly.

  • Stable long-term immigration goals. The 2026–2028 plan reassures applicants that Canada remains committed to substantial immigration levels — but with anincreasing emphasis on skills and labour‑market needs over sheer volume.



Canada Immigration Briefing — January 2, 2026

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