IRCC unveils its modified strategies for the period of 2025-2026, as revealed in the latest Departmental Plan.
The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a series of initiatives and changes for the upcoming years, focusing on the period 2025-2026.
One of the key initiatives is the operationalization of the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative, aimed at fostering a welcoming environment for French-speaking immigrants across Canada.
However, the federal government has reduced immigration levels in 2024, with a cap on study permit applications, limitations on eligibility for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SOWP), and a moratorium on low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). This move is part of a broader strategy to cut overall permanent resident admissions by approximately 20%, as outlined in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan.
In an effort to streamline the immigration process, IRCC is testing a new algorithm, GeoMatch, in collaboration with Stanford University. This initiative aims to help Express Entry candidates make informed decisions about where to settle in Canada.
The eligibility requirements for spousal open work permits (SOWPs) issued to spouses of foreign workers and international students are also set to change.
IRCC is not only focusing on permanent immigration but also on trade agreements. They will implement new free trade agreements with Indonesia and Ecuador, and negotiate additional FTA work permits with the accession candidates to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership, and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) will continue to play a significant role, with candidates primarily being skilled workers with specific qualifications that meet the local labor market needs of each Canadian province or territory. Each province has its own criteria and emphasizes professions and skills that are in demand regionally.
The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot will become permanent by the end of 2025.
IRCC is also rolling out a new online account for all IRCC clients throughout 2025-2026. They aim to establish a framework for updating the field of study requirements for PGWPs.
Visitors and international students are expected to contribute at least $36 billion to Canada's economy annually. The federal government has held specific draws for various categories, including Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Program, French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, education, and unspecified Express Entry draws, as of 2025.
The federal government has mandated that provinces issue 75% of their PNP nominations to candidates already present in Canada.
However, as of 2025, there is no specified new pathway to Permanent Residency for refugee students.
Lastly, IRCC will create a new foreign labor stream and type of work permit for the agriculture and fish processing sector. The federal government's policy direction in 2025 includes holding targets for net new temporary resident admissions.
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