Latest Canadian immigration news, policy changes, program updates and Federal Court decisions, with practical context from authoritative sources.
IRCC announced that, starting November 3, 2026, Express Entry candidates may receive additional points for eligible Canadian work experience or a qualifying job offer in a high-wage occupation
IRCC issued 5,000 invitations in Express Entry Draw 450 on October 16, 2026, targeting candidates in the French-language proficiency category. The CRS cut-off was 435, 53 points higher than the previous draw in the same category.
The Federal Court dismissed a Mexican mother’s application for judicial review after finding it was reasonable for the Refugee Appeal Division to uphold Merida, Yucatan, as a viable internal flight alternative (IFA) for her and her five daughters. The decision, released October 8, 2026, left the refusal of their refugee protection claims in place.
British Columbia issued 16 invitations in its BC Skills draw on October 15, 2026, under the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. The minimum score was 54.
A proposed expansion of Manitoba’s Practice Ready Assessment process could result in up to 90 new family physicians ready to work in the province by 2028-2029. The Manitoba Practice Ready Assessment project would support internationally trained medical graduates seeking to practise family medicine, with a focus on rural, remote and northern communities.
IRCC issued 2,500 invitations in Express Entry Draw 449 on October 15, 2026, targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class category. The CRS cut-off was 519, 1 point higher than the previous draw in the same category.
The Federal Court has set aside a Canadian Experience Class refusal after finding that the applicant was not given a fair opportunity to respond to credibility concerns about his claimed supervisory duties. The Canadian Experience Class work experience application must be reconsidered by a different officer.
The Federal Court dismissed a challenge to the refusal of a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) application, finding that a PRRA oral hearing was not required. In Lenga Et Al. v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2026 FC 1261, Justice Anne M. Turley found the officer had assessed insufficient evidence of risk rather than made an adverse credibility finding.
The Federal Court denied a removal stay in a refugee appeal case after finding that the applicant’s challenge to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) decision was plainly out of time. In Singh v. Canada (Citizenship and Immigration), 2026 FC 1246, Justice Lafrenière also found that the applicant had not shown irreparable harm ahead of his scheduled October 16, 2026 removal.
Express Entry Draw 448 issued 752 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates on October 13, 2026, with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 772.