Iman Borhanifar, RCIC
Iman Borhanifar is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) based in Toronto and licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). He writes and reviews MapleVisa coverage of Canadian immigration policy, programs, and regulatory developments.
His background includes Canadian immigration consulting, business and management, and legal studies, including common law. He is also a member of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), Ontario Bar Association (OBA), and Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).
For Individuals
Permanent Residence
PEI Immigration Draws: October 7 and 16, 2026
The PEI PNP draws October 2026 results show that Prince Edward Island issued 254 Invitations to Apply across… Read More →
Ontario REDI Initiative Launches New 2026 Round
Ontario has launched a new round of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative, which will run… Read More →
Express Entry points changes start November 3, 2026
IRCC announced that, starting November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates may receive additional points for eligible Canadian work… Read More →
Express Entry Draw 450 French-Language on October 16, 2026
IRCC issued 5,000 invitations in Express Entry Draw 450 on October 16, 2026, targeting candidates in the French-language… Read More →
Study in Canada
Ontario pauses OSAP at private postsecondary institutions
Ontario has paused OSAP at private postsecondary institutions while an independent audit examines concerns about the integrity of… Read More →
Study permit guidance for minor children, September 22, 2026
IRCC Program Delivery Updates has published an item titled “Study permits – Guidelines on minor children.” The supplied… Read More →
Canada Study Permit Conditions and Rules for 2026
IRCC says Canada study permit conditions require permit holders to remain enrolled at a designated learning institution, actively… Read More →
Canada reports lower student and worker arrivals
IRCC says new student and worker arrivals to Canada fell by 67% between January and June 2026 compared… Read More →
Work permit holders can study without a study permit
Under a new IRCC public policy, eligible foreign nationals with a valid work permit may study without a… Read More →
Working in Canada
IRCC Updates Work Permit Guidance for Protected Persons
IRCC Program Delivery Updates has published an operational update concerning persons with protected status under A95(2), R207(c) and… Read More →
IRCC Updates C13 Work Permit Instructions
IRCC’s C13 instructions outline when foreign nationals may be considered for work permits to carry out emergency repairs… Read More →
Judges, referees and similar officials [R186(m)]
Foreign nationals invited to serve as judges, referees or similar officials at certain international events in Canada may… Read More →
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) [R204(c) – C18]
IRCC’s Atlantic Immigration Program instructions set out the requirements for employer-specific work permits issued under administrative code C18,… Read More →
Labour Market Impact Assessment Review – Temporary Foreign
IRCC’s work permit instructions say that certain in-Canada applicants may have up to 90 days to provide a… Read More →
Visiting Canada
NEXUS Interview Deadline Returns to Two Years
Canada will restore a two-year NEXUS interview deadline for applicants who receive conditional approval on or after April… Read More →
Consent Letters for Children Travelling Outside Canada 2026
Travel.gc.ca advises that children travelling outside Canada without one or both parents or persons with decision-making responsibility should… Read More →
Canada Extends Ebola Temporary Measures to Sept. 28, 2026
Canada has extended its Ebola temporary measures until September 28, 2026, according to an IRCC visitor visa eligibility… Read More →
IRCC Updates Super Visa Income Rules for Hosts
IRCC’s super visa instructions set out two ways hosts may meet the minimum necessary income requirement, including an… Read More →
Canadian Citizenship
Citizenship certificate processing time reaches 33 months
Citizenship certificate processing time has reached an estimated 33 months, with more than 136,000 applications awaiting a decision,… Read More →
Online Passport Renewal Now Open to Eligible Adults
Online passport renewal is now available to all eligible adult Canadians in Canada, IRCC announced today. Applicants can… Read More →
Canada starts 30 days or free passport guarantee
Canada’s 30 days or free passport guarantee takes effect April 1, 2026. Applicants whose complete passport or travel… Read More →
For Professionals
Federal Court
Visitor Visa Misrepresentation Disclosure Challenge Fails
The Federal Court dismissed a Visitor Visa Misrepresentation Disclosure challenge after finding that Samira Rafiee had not shown… Read More →
Ethnic Tigrayan Refugee Claim Dismissal Upheld
The Federal Court dismissed an Ethiopian claimant’s challenge to the refusal of his ethnic Tigrayan refugee claim, finding… Read More →
Refugee Re-availment Finding Upheld Over Turkey Trips
The Federal Court dismissed a judicial review challenging the cessation of refugee protection for Turkish nationals who made… Read More →
PRRA State Protection Decision Upheld
The Federal Court dismissed a Colombian family’s challenge to a negative pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), finding that the… Read More →
Refugee Claim Credibility Findings Upheld in Kenya Case
The Federal Court has dismissed a Kenyan citizen’s challenge to a Refugee Appeal Division decision rejecting her protection… Read More →
Policy and Updates
Law Commission publishes Beyond Tomorrow report
The Law Commission of Canada has published its first Beyond Tomorrow immigration report, examining the legal impacts of… Read More →
IRCC Removes C10 SUV Work Permit Banner
IRCC has removed a C10 SUV work permit banner from its significant-benefit work permit instructions. The banner had… Read More →
IRCC corrects protected persons’ family member fees
IRCC has corrected its fee guidance for family members of people determined to be protected persons under A95(2).… Read More →
CKFTA Contractual Service Supplier Guidance
IRCC Program Delivery Updates has published guidance titled “Contractual service suppliers and independent professionals – CKFTA [R204(a) –… Read More →
Canada asylum portal changes start November 3, 2026
Canada asylum portal changes will take effect on November 3, 2026, affecting how refugee protection claims are submitted… Read More →
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Iman Borhanifar, RCIC
BC PNP Skills Immigration Draw, September 10, 2026
The BC PNP draw on September 10, 2026 issued Skills Immigration invitations through targeted childcare, health, veterinary care and construction trades selections. Minimum scores ranged from 76 to 99, with 182 childcare, 143 health and 104 construction trades invitations reported, while veterinary care invitations were listed as fewer than five.
Alberta PNP Draw Issues 51 Invitations, September 9, 2026
Alberta held a Dedicated Health Care Pathway – Express Entry draw on September 9, 2026, issuing 51 invitations. The Alberta health care draw had an AAIP minimum score of 60.
Work permit holders can study without a study permit
Under a new IRCC public policy, eligible foreign nationals with a valid work permit may study without a study permit in a course or program lasting six months or less. The temporary measure takes effect 30 days after it was signed on August 5, 2026, and is set to expire on December 31, 2027.
IRCC Sponsorship Default Processing Guidance
IRCC’s sponsorship default processing guidance explains how officers should handle Group of Five and Community Sponsor applications when a sponsor or another party to the sponsorship is found in default. The instructions cover files at different decision stages, including cases that have received a positive final decision but where the applicant has not yet landed in Canada.
Admissibility Case – Guevara Robles, 2026 FC 1134
In the Guevara Robles admissibility case, the Federal Court set aside an Immigration Appeal Division decision finding Valentin Antonio Guevara Robles inadmissible for complicity in crimes against humanity. Justice Phuong T.V. Ngo held that the IAD did not adequately address the interpretation of paragraph 15(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations or the applicant’s issue estoppel arguments.
IRCC Updates Work Permit Rules for Spouses of Students
IRCC has clarified its instructions for spouses and common-law partners of Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot participants who apply for open work permits under the C42 category.
IRCC Updates C13 Work Permit Instructions
IRCC’s C13 instructions outline when foreign nationals may be considered for work permits to carry out emergency repairs or repair out-of-warranty industrial or commercial equipment where the work may create significant economic or social benefits.
Express Entry Draw 441: Healthcare and Social, CRS 475
IRCC issued 3,500 invitations in Express Entry Draw 441 on September 4, 2026, targeting candidates in the Healthcare and Social Services Occupations category. The CRS cut-off was 475, unchanged from the previous draw in the same category.
Mandamus – Citizenship, Hussini v. Canada, 2026 FC 1122
In Mandamus – Citizenship, the Federal Court dismissed Mubarak Abou Hussini’s judicial review application as moot after his citizenship application was granted. However, Justice Catherine M. Kane awarded him $2,000 in costs, finding that the extensive and unexplained processing delay amounted to special reasons for an exceptional costs award.
Express Entry Draw 440: Physicians, CRS 198
IRCC issued 229 invitations in Express Entry Draw 440 on September 3, 2026, targeting candidates in the Physicians with Canadian Work Experience category. The CRS cut-off was 198, 25 points lower than the previous draw in the same category.