Canada Immigration News — February 4 2026

Canada Immigration News — February 4 2026 Snapshots: IRCC backlog, Express Entry & PNP trends, provincial shifts, policy outlook

🗞️ Top Canada Immigration Headlines

📊 IRCC Backlog Update: Still High but Progressing

New figures from IRCC show about 2,182,200 immigration applications in inventory across permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship categories — a slight decline from earlier totals but still reflecting significant processing pressure. About 53.8 % of applications are being processed within service standards, meaning nearly half remain delayed.

📌 Express Entry & Provincial Nominee Programs in 2026

Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan confirms a target of 380,000 new permanent residents for 2026, with a continued focus on economic immigration and labour‑market alignment.

Express Entry strategies are shifting: smaller, more frequent category‑based draws are expected throughout 2026, prioritizing occupations such as healthcare, trades, STEM, and French‑language proficiency, and even creating specific lanes for physicians with Canadian work experience.

Provincial Nominee Programs remain strategic routes for candidates, with provinces selecting workers whose skills match local labour needs. PNP tied to Express Entry is projected to increase admissions targets to around 91,500 in 2026.

⚖️ Policy & Legal Landscape

Federal immigration policy is evolving: stricter controls on temporary pathways and greater alignment with labour needs feature in recent reforms, and new legislation, such as Bill C‑12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act), is introducing broader border‑enforcement and information‑sharing frameworks across Canada’s immigration system.

Separately, family‑reunification delays in Quebec continue to draw controversy and legal attention, with provincial caps and long waits far above those of other provinces spotlighting systemic challenges.

🧠 Plain‑Language Takeaways

• Backlogs remain significant but show modest improvement as IRCC works through inventory.

• 2026 permanent resident targets hold steady around 380,000, with economic pathways taking priority.

• Express Entry is changing: expect focused, frequent small draws over big general rounds.

• Provinces are key partners, especially through PNP streams tied to Express Entry outcomes.

• Policy shifts and new laws reflect tighter controls on temporary stays and enhanced enforcement.

📅 Key Dates & Numbers

Date / Eventmore	Update
Nov 4, 2025	Federal 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan released; 380,000 PR target for 2026.
Late 2025	IRCC backlog ~2,182,200 applications; ~53.8 % within service standards.
2026	Express Entry draws to be smaller, frequent, and category‑based.
2026	PNP Express Entry-aligned admissions target: ~91,500.
Ongoing	Quebec family reunification delays drawing legal scrutiny.
Recent	Bill C‑12 was introduced, affecting immigration enforcement and asylum processes.

Canada Immigration News — February 4 2026