Canada immigration rule changes
10 dated rule changes to Canada programmes, from 2023-05-31 to 2026-04-30. Each item links to the programme page and the official source we recorded it from. This is a record of what we captured, not a complete legislative history.
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2026 (2)
Canada Express Entry Category-Based Selection: IRCC's scheduled biennial fee adjustment raised the Right of Permanent Residence Fee from CAD $575 to CAD $600, and the Express Entry principal-applicant processing fee (Federal High Skilled categories) from CAD $950 to CAD $990.
source →Canada Express Entry Category-Based Selection: IRCC held its first category-based Express Entry round under new 2026 occupational categories, headlined by a new 'Medical Doctors with Canadian work experience' category; new categories for researchers, senior managers, and transport occupations were also introduced (all requiring at least 1 year of Canadian work experience), while the agriculture and agri-food category was retired.
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2024 (6)
Canada Study Permit: Permanent off-campus work cap set at 24 hours/week during academic sessions, replacing the temporary pandemic-era 40-hour/unlimited allowances.
source →Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): Government announced 21% reduction in PR admissions targets for 2025-2027; fewer ITAs expected.
source →Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Federal 2025-2027 immigration plan cut PNP allocations by ~50%, increasing competition.
source →Canada Start-Up Visa: IRCC announced intake caps and 2-3 year processing target to reduce Start-up Visa backlog.
source →Canada IEC Working Holiday: IEC fees increased: CAD 172 work permit, CAD 156 IEC participation; biometrics CAD 85.
source →Canada Study Permit: IRCC introduced a 2-year cap on new international student permits and required Provincial/Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL) for most study permit applications; spousal open work permit eligibility restricted to master's (16+ month), doctoral, and select professional programmes.
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2023 (2)
Canada Study Permit: Student Direct Stream (SDS) discontinued; all study permit applicants are now processed through the standard stream regardless of country of residence.
source →Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker): Category-based Express Entry draws launched: healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, French speakers.
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