Canada Immigration News — January 12, 2026
- Nina A
- Jan 12
- 2 min read
Canada Immigration News — January 12, 2026 Snapshots: 2026 Study Permit Cap & Graduate Exemptions; Express Entry: New Pathways for International Doctors; IRCC Processing Times.
2026 Study Permit Cap & Graduate Exemptions
Canada has officially released its 2026 international student cap and related policy updates, part of the ongoing effort to balance immigration with housing, labour markets, and infrastructure planning. IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits next year — including 155,000 to new students and 253,000 to extensions within Canada. This represents a decline from previous years, as the federal government continues to manage temporary resident growth. Canada+1
A major change set for January 1, 2026, is the exemption of master’s and PhD students at public universities from the federal study permit cap and PAL/TAL requirement. Graduate applicants in eligible programs will not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter, and doctoral students may benefit from expedited processing in about 14 calendar days when applying alongside family. Canada+1
Express Entry: New Pathways for International Doctors
IRCC has introduced targeted immigration measures for international doctors to address health workforce shortages. Canada will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for licensed physicians nominated by provinces and territories, with invitations to process applications expected to begin in early 2026. Designated doctors with job offers may be eligible for expedited 14‑day work permits while awaiting permanent residence. Canada
In addition, a new Express Entry category specifically for internationally trained doctors with recent Canadian work experience was announced, marking a focused effort to attract medical professionals into Canada’s skilled immigration framework. CIC TIMES+1
IRCC Processing Times: Slower in Some Areas, Faster in Others
Recent IRCC processing time updates reveal mixed trends across key categories:
Study permits: Processing times have declined for most applicant locations — including submissions from within Canada, the U.S., Pakistan, and Nigeria — though India remains steady. CIC News
Work permits: Most countries show stable or slightly improved timelines, while the U.S. saw a minor increase. CIC News
Visitor visas: Processing times varied by country, with some decreases for Canada and the U.S., and increases from India and Pakistan. CIC News
Sponsorship & citizenship: Family sponsorship and citizenship grants remain lengthy, with some categories increasing by months compared to earlier data. CIC News
Canada Immigration News — January 12, 2026
Comments