Country Reference
Canada
Visa news and reference for Canada — Express Entry, study and work permits, Temporary Resident Visa rules, and event-driven temporary policies including FIFA World Cup 2026 accommodations.
Last verified: May 3, 2026
Key facts
- Primary agency
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC); border admission by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Express Entry rounds
- Approximately every two weeks; cut-off CRS scores published per round on canada.ca
- FIFA World Cup 2026
- Co-host with United States and Mexico; 13 matches in Toronto and Vancouver, 11 June–19 July 2026
- FIFA-invited biometrics waiver
- Active 25 November 2025 – 20 July 2026 for TRV applicants holding a FIFA Letter of Invitation
Visa types covered
- Visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, TRV)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
- Study permit
- Work permit (LMIA-based and LMIA-exempt)
- Express Entry — Federal Skilled Worker / Canadian Experience Class / Federal Skilled Trades
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Start-up Visa Program
- Family sponsorship
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
Recent news
IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs in June 25 healthcare Express Entry draw at CRS 475
IRCC invited 4,000 Healthcare and Social Services candidates on June 25, 2026 at a CRS cut-off of 475 — its second healthcare draw of the year.
June 26, 2026
Quebec reopens family sponsorship under a 15,700-application intake cap
Quebec
June 26, 2026
IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs in Express Entry round 420 CEC draw at CRS 516
Canadian Experience Class draw conducted June 23, 2026 issues 4,000 ITAs at a CRS cut-off of 516 — the largest CEC round since March, two points below May
June 25, 2026
Quebec reopens the PEQ for two years from July 2, 2026
Quebec reactivates the PEQ from July 2, 2026 to July 2, 2028; the first uncapped intake serves candidates who met its criteria at the November 2025 closure.
June 12, 2026
Ontario revokes all nine OINP streams from May 30, 2026 ahead of phased redesign
An Ontario Regulation 421/17 amendment under the Ontario Immigration Act revokes every existing OINP stream and grants the immigration minister authority to redesign provincial nomination selection categories.
May 30, 2026
IRCC issues 4,500 ITAs in Express Entry round 418 French draw at CRS 409
The May 28, 2026 category-based draw targeted French-language Version 2 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 409 and tie-break of April 29, 2026.
May 29, 2026
IRCC issues 3,000 ITAs in Express Entry round 417 CEC draw at CRS 518
Canadian Experience Class draw conducted May 27, 2026 ends a 29-day CEC pause; ninth CEC round of the year and the highest CEC cut-off of 2026 to date.
May 28, 2026
IRCC tightens digital nomad documentation for visitors from May 26 2026
Updated program-delivery instructions require digital nomads to document foreign-earned income, foreign employer ties, and independent visitor status for family members.
May 28, 2026
Canada invokes Bill C-12 to suspend visas from Uganda, DRC, South Sudan over Ebola
First use of new mass-suspension powers; PHAC measures take effect May 27 at 11:59 p.m. EDT under Quarantine Act for 90 days.
May 27, 2026
Canada extends eTA to Indonesian and Malaysian travellers with US or prior visa
IRCC
May 26, 2026
IRCC issues 334 ITAs in Express Entry round 416 PNP draw at CRS 805
Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted May 25, 2026; 28th Express Entry round of the year and the second consecutive PNP-only round after a two-week IRCC pause.
May 25, 2026
IRCC issues 380 ITAs in Express Entry round 415 PNP draw at CRS 798
Provincial Nominee Program draw conducted May 11, 2026; 27th Express Entry round of the year, bringing the 2026 invitation total to 72,007.
May 11, 2026
IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs in Express Entry round 414 to French-speaking candidates at CRS 400
The April 29, 2026 category-based draw targeted French-language proficiency Version 2 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 400 and tie-break of April 7, 2026.
May 5, 2026
IRCC accelerates permanent residence for 33,000 In-Canada workers
Minister Diab confirmed May 4, 2026 the one-time pathway will move up to 33,000 workers in smaller Canadian communities to PR through 2027.
May 4, 2026
Canada opens consultation on merging Express Entry
IRCC
May 4, 2026
IRCC waives biometrics for FIFA-invited visitors ahead of 2026 World Cup
The temporary public policy runs from 25 November 2025 to 20 July 2026, paired with a separate work-permit exemption for FIFA-invited workers.
May 3, 2026