Latest Canadian immigration news, policy changes, program updates and Federal Court decisions, with practical context from authoritative sources.
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’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.
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 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’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.
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.
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.
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.
In LMIA Work Permit, Foukeng v. Canada, 2026 FC 1131, the Federal Court set aside a visa officer’s refusal of a temporary agricultural work permit application and related misrepresentation finding. The Court found that an incomplete certified tribunal record prevented it from assessing whether the officer’s reasoning was rational and justified.
The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) issued 96 invitations through the Alberta Express Entry Stream – Accelerated Tech Pathway on September 3, 2026. The Alberta tech draw had a minimum AAIP score of 60.