Key Canadian Immigration Updates in September 2026
September 2026 brought several notable developments in Canadian immigration, affecting temporary workers, Express Entry candidates, family sponsorship, pre-removal risk assessments, and certain immigration applicants. Here are some of the key Canadian immigration developments from the month. Work Permit Holders Can Pursue Short-Term Studies As of September 4, 2026, a temporary public policy allows eligible foreign […]
Canada’s 33,000-Worker Permanent Residence Initiative: What We Know So Far
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is accelerating the transition of up to 33,000 workers in Canada to permanent residence through a one-time initiative running in 2026 and 2027. Known as the In-Canada Workers Initiative, the measure was announced in Budget 2025 and is intended to support workers who are already contributing to the Canadian […]
Temporary Resident Permits in Canada: IRCC Clarifies the Meaning of a “Compelling Need”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance on Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs), including language explaining what constitutes a “compelling need” to enter or remain in Canada. Under subsection 24(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), a TRP may be issued to a foreign national who is inadmissible to Canada or […]
Can Americans Move to Canada Because of Political Changes in the United States?
Political developments in the United States may lead some Americans to consider moving to Canada. However, political concerns do not create a special Canadian immigration category or an automatic right to live or work in Canada. U.S. citizens must qualify under an available temporary or permanent immigration program. Some options are facilitated by U.S. citizenship, […]
Canada Allows Eligible Work Permit Holders to Pursue Short-Term Studies Without a Study Permit
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced a temporary public policy that gives eligible foreign workers greater flexibility to pursue short-term education or training in Canada. The measure took effect on September 4, 2026, 30 days after it was signed, and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2027. It may be revoked earlier without […]
Judicial Review of Canadian Immigration Decisions: What Applicants Should Know
Receiving a negative Canadian immigration decision can be stressful, but depending on the circumstances, there may be legal options available. One potential option is to make an application for leave and for judicial review at the Federal Court of Canada. This is a two-part process whereby a person is able to appeal the refusal of […]
C20 Reciprocal Employment: IRCC Guidance No Longer Contains Prior Foreign Employment Requirement
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) publishes program delivery instructions concerning reciprocal employment under paragraph 205(b) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), commonly associated with administrative code C20. The current C20 guidance no longer contains language that previously stated that a foreign national had to be employed by the company abroad before the […]
Could You Already Be Canadian? Citizenship by Descent for Americans
For some Americans with Canadian ancestry, Canadian citizenship may be closer than they realize. Changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act that came into effect on December 15, 2025 significantly modified the first-generation limit on citizenship by descent and extended citizenship to certain people who were previously excluded under the former rules. As a result, some Americans […]
IRCC Introduces New Transparency on Permanent Residence Application Processing
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its public application processing information to provide a clearer picture of how permanent residence applications are managed. For the first time, the department is publicly reporting what proportion of permanent residence applications in its inventory are being actively processed and what proportion are waiting for admissions space […]
FAQ: What Should You Do After IRCC Approves Your Immigration Application?
Receiving an approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is an important milestone, but it is not always the final step in the immigration process. Depending on the type of application that was approved, there may be additional steps to complete before you can begin working, studying, travelling, or exercising your new rights in […]