Canada’s immigration system is continuing to evolve in 2026, with major updates affecting international students, temporary foreign workers, permanent residence applicants, and immigration consultants across the country.

From new Express Entry priorities to stricter oversight of immigration representatives, these changes are shaping the future of Canadian immigration.

Here’s a breakdown of the most important developments and what they could mean for applicants.

Canada Shifts Toward More Targeted Immigration

The federal government is placing greater emphasis on “sustainable immigration levels” while focusing on applicants who are more aligned with Canada’s labour market needs.

Recent policy directions indicate that Canada is increasingly prioritizing:

Skilled workers already living in Canada
Applicants in high-demand occupations
Regional and community immigration pathways
Healthcare, trades, and STEM professionals
Candidates with stronger long-term economic potential

At the same time, Canada is taking steps to slow the growth of temporary resident volumes, including international students and temporary workers.

Express Entry May Soon Prioritize Income & Labour Market Fit

One of the biggest discussions in Canadian immigration right now is the future of Express Entry selection.

IRCC officials have indicated that future reforms may place greater emphasis on:

Higher-earning workers
Canadian work experience
Labour market demand
Economic contribution potential
Category-based selection

This would represent a shift away from relying solely on Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores.

Applicants working in priority occupations — especially healthcare, skilled trades, transport, education, and French-language sectors — may continue to benefit from category-based draws.

Faster PR Processing for Some Temporary Residents

Canada has also introduced measures to speed up permanent residence processing for certain temporary residents already living and working in Canada.

This includes applicants connected to:

Regional immigration programs
Community-driven pathways
Certain employer-supported programs

The goal is to help retain workers who are already contributing to local economies and facing labour shortages in smaller communities.

New Rules for Immigration Consultants

The Canadian government has introduced stronger oversight measures for immigration and citizenship consultants.

The changes are designed to:

Improve consumer protection
Reduce immigration fraud
Increase accountability
Strengthen enforcement powers

Some of the new rules are expected to take effect later in 2026.

For applicants, this highlights the importance of working with licensed professionals and verifying credentials before hiring an immigration representative.

More Flexibility for Out-of-Status Workers & Students

New policy changes now allow some temporary residents who lost their worker or student status to restore status as visitors while remaining in Canada.

This provides additional flexibility for individuals who may need time to:

Apply for restoration
Explore new immigration options
Transition to another status
Avoid immediate departure from Canada

However, applicants should still act quickly, as restoration timelines and eligibility requirements remain important.

International Student Changes Continue

Canada continues to tighten oversight of the international student system.

Recent updates include:

Increased scrutiny of institutions and compliance
Adjustments to temporary resident targets
Ongoing changes to study permit policies
Simplified processes for some co-op work permits

Students should carefully verify the eligibility and reputation of schools before applying.

Immigration Fees Have Increased

IRCC has increased several government fees in 2026, including:

Permanent residence application fees
Citizenship-related fees
Some sponsorship and processing costs

Applicants should review the latest fee schedules before submitting applications to avoid delays or incomplete filings.

What These Changes Mean for Applicants

Overall, Canada’s immigration system is becoming:

More selective
More economically targeted
More focused on in-demand skills
More cautious about temporary resident growth

Applicants with strong labour market alignment, Canadian experience, or regional opportunities may have stronger prospects moving forward.

At the same time, compliance, accurate documentation, and working with licensed immigration professionals are becoming more important than ever.

Need Help Finding a Licensed RCIC?

TrustImmi helps applicants discover and compare licensed Canadian immigration consultants across Canada.

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