CIC News – Page 47 – Shaya Immigration

International students taking prerequisites will be issued shorter study permits under new rules

International students arriving in Canada to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting longer programs will now be issued shorter study permits. Under the old rules, officers were instructed to issue a study permit for a period equal to the length of the prerequisite course(s) plus one year. Now, a study permit is to be issued
The post International students taking prerequisites will be issued shorter study permits under new rules first appeared on CIC News.

International students arriving in Canada to complete prerequisite courses prior to starting longer programs will now be issued shorter study permits. Under the old rules, officers were instructed to issue a study permit for a period equal to the length of the prerequisite course(s) plus one year. Now, a study permit is to be issued […]

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February 21, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Latest Express Entry draw sees thousands of healthcare professionals invited

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 4,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Healthcare and social services category. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 467;
The post Latest Express Entry draw sees thousands of healthcare professionals invited first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 4,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Healthcare and social services category. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 467; […]

The post Latest Express Entry draw sees thousands of healthcare professionals invited first appeared on CIC News.

February 20, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

NWT Nominee Program announces nomination allocation for 2026, introduces EOI selection model

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted the Northwest Territories a nomination allocation of 197 for 2026—the same number of slots it ended 2025 with post-nomination increase. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has also changed its selection process for 2026, introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for all pathways under its Employer-Driven
The post NWT Nominee Program announces nomination allocation for 2026, introduces EOI selection model first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has granted the Northwest Territories a nomination allocation of 197 for 2026—the same number of slots it ended 2025 with post-nomination increase. The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) has also changed its selection process for 2026, introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) model for all pathways under its Employer-Driven […]

The post NWT Nominee Program announces nomination allocation for 2026, introduces EOI selection model first appeared on CIC News.

February 20, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Who qualifies for permanent residence under Canada’s new Transport category?

Foreign nationals with work experience in one of four occupations may now be prioritized for Canadian permanent residence under the newly created transport category. See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories As of February 18, 2026, Express Entry candidates can qualify if they have at least 12 months’ work experience within the
The post Who qualifies for permanent residence under Canada’s new Transport category? first appeared on CIC News.

Foreign nationals with work experience in one of four occupations may now be prioritized for Canadian permanent residence under the newly created transport category. See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams and categories As of February 18, 2026, Express Entry candidates can qualify if they have at least 12 months’ work experience within the […]

The post Who qualifies for permanent residence under Canada’s new Transport category? first appeared on CIC News.

February 20, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Nova Scotia revamps provincial immigration pathways

Nova Scotia has consolidated its provincial immigration pathways. As of February 18, 2026, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) now has a total of four provincial immigration streams, down from its previous 10. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams Eligibility criteria for all ten pathways remain unchanged, having been consolidated under the following streams:
The post Nova Scotia revamps provincial immigration pathways first appeared on CIC News.

Nova Scotia has consolidated its provincial immigration pathways. As of February 18, 2026, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) now has a total of four provincial immigration streams, down from its previous 10. Assess your eligibility for enhanced PNP streams Eligibility criteria for all ten pathways remain unchanged, having been consolidated under the following streams: […]

The post Nova Scotia revamps provincial immigration pathways first appeared on CIC News.

February 19, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Canada holds first Express Entry draw under new category, with lowest CRS cut-off score since 2021

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 391 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Physicians with Canadian work experience category. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of
The post Canada holds first Express Entry draw under new category, with lowest CRS cut-off score since 2021 first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued more invitations to apply (ITA) through the Express Entry system. The immigration department issued 391 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Physicians with Canadian work experience category. To be considered in this draw, candidates needed to have A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of […]

The post Canada holds first Express Entry draw under new category, with lowest CRS cut-off score since 2021 first appeared on CIC News.

February 19, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Ontario issues more than 1,400 invitations to foreign workers and international graduates

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on February 18, 2026, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in skilled trades-related occupations through the province’s Employer Job Offer streams. To have been invited, candidates must have declared that they are currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit. Assess
The post Ontario issues more than 1,400 invitations to foreign workers and international graduates first appeared on CIC News.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held a targeted draw on February 18, 2026, issuing invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in skilled trades-related occupations through the province’s Employer Job Offer streams. To have been invited, candidates must have declared that they are currently residing in Canada with a valid work or study permit. Assess […]

The post Ontario issues more than 1,400 invitations to foreign workers and international graduates first appeared on CIC News.

February 19, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

Qualifying provincial nominees can benefit from this special LMIA-exempt work permit

Provincial nominees may be able to obtain a new closed work permit to begin working in Canada before their permanent residence (PR) application is finalized, or extend their existing permit. This permit, granted to those who meet certain criteria (such as having a provincial support letter and a qualifying job offer), is exempt from the
The post Qualifying provincial nominees can benefit from this special LMIA-exempt work permit first appeared on CIC News.

Provincial nominees may be able to obtain a new closed work permit to begin working in Canada before their permanent residence (PR) application is finalized, or extend their existing permit. This permit, granted to those who meet certain criteria (such as having a provincial support letter and a qualifying job offer), is exempt from the […]

The post Qualifying provincial nominees can benefit from this special LMIA-exempt work permit first appeared on CIC News.

February 19, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

IRCC’s total backlog hits new highs, as Express Entry inventory plummets

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) application backlog as of December 31, 2025, reached the highest level seen all year, following a relatively steady month-by-month increase since May of last year. By 2025’s end, the overall application backlog reached 1,014,700 applications. The most notable change seen from IRCC’s recent update is attributable to the declining
The post IRCC’s total backlog hits new highs, as Express Entry inventory plummets first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) application backlog as of December 31, 2025, reached the highest level seen all year, following a relatively steady month-by-month increase since May of last year. By 2025’s end, the overall application backlog reached 1,014,700 applications. The most notable change seen from IRCC’s recent update is attributable to the declining […]

The post IRCC’s total backlog hits new highs, as Express Entry inventory plummets first appeared on CIC News.

February 18, 2026/by Ali

CIC News

BREAKING: Canada will prioritize three new occupational categories for permanent residence through Express Entry

The Canadian federal government will be prioritizing three new occupational categories for permanent residence through the Express Entry system: researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and military personnel. See your eligibility for all Express Entry categories and streams The minimum work experience requirement for all occupational categories has been increased to
The post BREAKING: Canada will prioritize three new occupational categories for permanent residence through Express Entry first appeared on CIC News.

The Canadian federal government will be prioritizing three new occupational categories for permanent residence through the Express Entry system: researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport occupations, and military personnel. See your eligibility for all Express Entry categories and streams The minimum work experience requirement for all occupational categories has been increased to […]

The post BREAKING: Canada will prioritize three new occupational categories for permanent residence through Express Entry first appeared on CIC News.

February 18, 2026/by Ali