Canada Immigration News: Summer 2025 Updates and Key Takeaways

Canada Immigration News spotlights: As of the beginning of September 2025, Canada’s immigration file remains busy. Express Entry ran five draws this month, multiple provinces restarted or expanded nominations, and IRCC clarified key rules for students, graduates, and families.

Express Entry: Five August Rounds

IRCC conducted five draws in August 2025, with a strong emphasis on targeted categories:

• Aug. 19: Healthcare & social services — 2,500 ITAs; CRS 470

• Aug. 18: Provincial Nominee Program — 192 ITAs; CRS 800

• Aug. 8: French proficiency — 2,500 ITAs; CRS 481

• Aug. 7: Canadian Experience Class — 1,000 ITAs; CRS 534

• Aug. 6: Provincial Nominee Program — 225 ITAs; CRS 739

👉 IRCC is consulting until September 3 on which priorities will guide category-based selection in 2026, highlighting healthcare, trades, education, and French-speaking admissions.

📌 Internal reporting suggests a three-month Express Entry scheduling framework shared with provinces, with heavier invitation volumes late in 2025 that may roll into 2026 targets.

Provincial Nominee Programs Resume and Expand

Ontario (OINP): On Aug. 28, Ontario issued 468 invitations across five targeted draws (Foreign Worker, International Student, In-Demand Skills), focusing on Northern Ontario and REDI communities.

Alberta (AAIP): Alberta held its largest draw of 2025 on August 12 under the Opportunity Stream, inviting 581 candidates. Additional activity targeted healthcare and law enforcement pathways.

British Columbia (BC PNP): BC limited invitations to high economic impact candidates. On August 19, entrepreneurs received 11+ invitations (base minimum: 124; regional minimum: 115).

Manitoba (MPNP): Two draws in August — 37 LAAs (score 724) on Aug. 7 and 77 LAAs (score 612) on Aug. 21 — through the Skilled Worker stream.

Quebec (Arrima): Resumed activity in July and August, issuing ~277 invitations with scores in the mid-700s.

Prince Edward Island (PEI): On Aug. 21, the province issued 132 invitations, prioritizing employer-supported workers and recent graduates.

International Students: 2025 Cap and PGWP Changes

• Study Permit Cap 2025: Set at 437,000 permits, ~10% below 2024. Allocations vary by province/territory, with reserved spaces for graduate students.

• PGWP Eligibility: On July 4, IRCC updated the list of non-degree eligible fields, adding 119 and removing 178.

• Grandfathering: Applicants who filed before June 25, 2025, remain under prior rules. The list will be reviewed again in early 2026.

👉 The study permit cap reflects efforts to ease housing and service pressures. Students should confirm PAL/TAL requirements early and check their CIP code against the current PGWP eligibility list.

Family Sponsorship: PGP 2025 Invitations

On July 28, IRCC began issuing 17,860 invitations under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), with a target of 10,000 completed applications.

📅 Deadline: October 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET.⚠️ By invitation only — from the 2020 interest to the sponsor pool.

👉 Families not invited may consider the super visa as an alternative.

Humanitarian Measures: Gaza Special Arrivals

Canada extended temporary measures for Palestinians and continued processing special arrivals.

• By July 8, more than 1,750 people had passed screenings, with 860+ already in Canada.

What This Means for Applicants and Employers

• Express Entry: Maximize CRS scores and align profiles to active categories (healthcare, social services, French).

• PNP Pathways: Use Ontario’s renewed draws, Alberta’s high volumes, and Manitoba’s steady activity to pursue the 600-point boost.

• Students & Graduates: Confirm study permit allocations and PGWP program eligibility before committing.

• Families: If you received a PGP invitation, prepare your package now; otherwise, explore the super visa.

Final Takeaway

Canada immigration in August 2025 is marked by targeted Express Entry draws, expanded provincial programs, tighter student rules, and growing family sponsorship activity. Applicants who plan early and adapt to evolving IRCC policies will be best positioned for success.

(Canada Immigration News)