Canada Immigration News — Permanent Residency Briefing (Jan 21, 2025)

Nina A
Jan 21
2 min read

Three people consult with a government officer at a Canadian immigration office, reviewing application documents together at a desk; the officer points to paperwork while the applicants hold passports, with a bright, professional office setting and Canadian flags softly visible in the background.

Canada Immigration News Snapshots: Record‑Setting Express Entry PNP Draw; New Federal Measures for International Doctors; IRCC Backlog Tops One Million Applications; Provincial Nominee Program Highlights.

TORONTO — January 21, 2026 — Canada’s immigration landscape continues to shift as year‑end draws and policy announcements shape permanent‑residence pathways for skilled workers, provincial nominees, and international professionals.

Record‑Setting Express Entry PNP Draw

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently held a record‑breaking Express Entry draw for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on Dec 8, 2025, issuing 1,123 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) — the largest PNP‑focused round of 2025. CIC News+1

Takeaway: PNP nominations continue to be a strong ticket to permanent residence, with large draws boosting candidate opportunities despite tight pools.

New Federal Measures for International Doctors

On Dec 8, 2025, the federal government announced a new Express Entry category and immigration measures to support international doctors relocating to Canada. This initiative will:

Reserve 5,000 federal admissions spaces for provincially nominated licensed doctors.
Offer expedited 14‑day work permit processing for doctors with provincial nomination.
Issue dedicated invitations for this category in early 2026. Canada+1

The Canadian Medical Association has publicly supported these changes, saying they will help address physician shortages nationwide. Canadian Medical Association

Takeaway: Healthcare professionals, especially doctors with Canadian work experience, gain a clearer and faster route to PR under this new federal initiative.

IRCC Backlog Tops One Million Applications

IRCC’s Dec 16, 2025 inventory update shows the total number of pending immigration files at 2.18 million, with the backlog — cases exceeding service standards — now above 1 million. VisaHQ

Takeaway: Despite active draws and new pathways, systemic delays persist; applicants should continue to submit complete files and plan timelines accordingly.

Provincial Nominee Program Highlights

British Columbia (BC) issued 410 invitations under its BC PNP Skills Immigration streams on Dec 10, 2025, targeting high economic impact candidates across skilled occupations. Canada Immigration Services

Meanwhile, Ontario’s PNP saw over 2,000 invitations issued in back‑to‑back draw days earlier this month, reflecting reactivated activity after months of relative quiet. CIC News

Takeaway: Provincial nominee programs remain major contributors to Canada’s immigration intake, with both skills and economic priorities shaping draws.

What This Means for Applicants

Express Entry hopefuls: Strong PNP support and targeted federal measures can improve PR prospects — track upcoming draws and meet profile requirements early.
Healthcare professionals: New category for doctors offers a promising fast track to PR, especially for those already working in Canada.
Applicants facing delays: Large backlogs mean patience and careful documentation remain crucial for all streams.

Canada Immigration News