IMMIGRATION ALERTS

Canada closes Hong Kong permanent residence pathways to new applications from August 31, 2026. Open work permits still available until May 2029.

Ontario OINP remote work rules 2026 – infographic showing fully remote work not accepted, hybrid work permitted with regular in-office attendance, and employer location requirements for GTA vs outside GTA.

Canada is addressing persistent labour shortages in rural regions by increasing the allowable share of low-wage Temporary Foreign Workers from 10% to 15% of a rural employer's workforce. The temporary measure runs from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. Ontario has declined to participate, citing youth unemployment. Canada is also targeting 20,000 workers already in Canada for permanent residence through the In-Canada Workers Initiative.

IRCC has rescinded the controversial new requirement for the Reciprocal Employment (C20) category that would have required foreign nationals to already have an employer-employee relationship abroad. The rule, published July 29, 2026, was reversed on August 6 after being confirmed as a "version control error."

Ontario has officially opened the Expression of Interest portal for its new Ontario Workforce Priority stream, the first pathway under the province's redesigned OINP. Effective August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can now register for provincial nomination through three pathways: higher-skilled workers (TEER 0-3), lower-skilled workers (TEER 4-5), and self-employed physicians.

IRCC has introduced a new eligibility requirement under the Reciprocal Employment (C20) category, requiring foreign nationals to already have an employer-employee relationship with the organization outside Canada before qualifying. The updated guidance, effective July 29, 2026, applies to all C20 applications including those already in process.

The Government of Canada has officially removed the daily cap on online passport renewal applications, allowing all eligible adult Canadians to apply digitally starting July 28, 2026.

<p>Applying for a visa to Canada is rarely difficult for just one reason. Most applicants run into trouble because they choose the wrong category, miss a

Canada Child Benefit increases starting July 20, 2026. Up to $8,157 per child under 6, up to $6,883 per child 6-17. 2% indexation boost.

Canada pauses new Parents and Grandparents Program applications from July 15, 2026. Only 15,000 existing applications will be processed this year.

Canada and Manitoba invest $1.3M to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec. Student pilot extended to August 2027. Bilingual healthcare, education, and manufacturing jobs targeted. No cap on participants.

Ontario has launched Phase 1 of a comprehensive OINP redesign, replacing eight previous streams with a single Ontario Workforce Priority stream. The changes, effective June 26, 2026, include TEER 0-3 (CLB 6) and TEER 4-5 (CLB 4) pathways, a self-employed physicians pathway, and rural flexibility. Old EOIs are withdrawn; new system opens summer 2026.

Quebec will reopen family sponsorship applications on July 2, 2026, with a new two-year cap of 15,700 applications. The cap includes 13,300 spots for spouses and partners, and 2,400 for parents and grandparents. Adult dependent children aged 18+ are now exempt from the cap. A phased intake schedule prioritizes applicants who have been waiting the longest

Quebec has announced the temporary reopening of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028. The first intake (July 2 – October 31, 2026) is open to those who met eligibility requirements by November 19, 2025. No application cap. Average processing time 6-7 months. PSTQ invitations will be reduced during this period.

Ontario has overhauled its Provincial Nominee Program (OINP), discontinuing most economic immigration streams including Employer Job Offer categories, Master's and PhD Graduate streams, Express Entry Human Capital streams, and Entrepreneur stream. The changes took effect May 30, 2026. A new consolidated Job Offer Stream with High-Skill and Labor Shortages tracks, plus mandatory Employer Portal registration, will replace the legacy system.

Canada removes visa requirements for Indonesian and Malaysian citizens effective May 26, 2026. The new eTA system costs CAD $7, is approved within minutes, and allows stays of up to 6 months for tourism, short-term study, or business – a game-changer for over 400 million people.

Canada’s major regulatory overhaul for immigration consultants takes effect July 15, 2026 – new compensation fund, stronger penalties, enhanced public register for CICC licensees.

Canada proposes major Express Entry overhaul: new single high-skilled immigration class to replace FSW, CEC, and FST categories. Public consultations spring 2026.

Big win for international students in Canada: no more separate co-op work permits required starting April 1, 2026. Study permit now covers mandatory co-op placements.

Canada extends immigration concessions for Ukrainian citizens until 2027 – open work permits, study permit flexibility, and family reunification priority extended.