Canada Immigration Weekly Update: Top Changes & Key Events (April 28–May 04, 2025)

Canada Immigration Weekly Update: Top Changes & Key Events (April 28–May 04, 2025)

Program Delivery Updates

Canada Immigration | Weekly Update

• May 02, 2025: Study Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) – CETA & CUKTCA Updates

  Key Updates:

  • Clarifications on length of stay and eligibility under CETA and CUKTCA pathways.

  • The term “senior” has been removed when referring to manager positions.

  • Applies to ICTs and their spouses/common-law partners under the International Mobility Program.

  Source: IRCC

• April 29, 2025: PRRA Remote Hearings – Implied Consent Introduced

  Key Updates:

  • Implied consent is now assumed for participation in remote PRRA hearings.

  • No signed consent form or waiver of liability is required.

  • Applicants may opt out by requesting an on-site virtual or in-person hearing.

  • On-site virtual hearings will be provided on request, no longer treated as accommodations.

  Source: IRCC

• April 29, 2025: Study Permits – Scholarship and Award Recipients

  Key Updates:

  • The list of Global Affairs Canada international scholarship programs has been updated.

  • PAL/TAL exemption: Scholarship recipients do not need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their study permit application.

  • New financial assessment guidance provided for scholarship and award recipients.

  Source: IRCC

IRCC Updates Forms and Checklists

These are the latest versions and should be used for any new applications submitted after May 2025 to ensure compliance.

Midweek Summary – Canada Immigration Weekly Update

As part of this week’s Canada Immigration Weekly Update, we’ve seen notable changes in Express Entry draws, targeting both healthcare and education professionals. Below is a breakdown of the latest invitations and CRS scores.

Express Entry Latest Draws

🩺 May 2, 2025 – Healthcare & Social Services Category

• Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued: 500

• Minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: 510

• Tie-breaking rule: Profiles submitted before July 21, 2024, at 04:31:17 UTC

• Details: This draw targeted candidates with experience in healthcare and social services occupations.

🎓 May 1, 2025 – Education Occupations Category

• ITAs issued: 1,000

• Minimum CRS score: 479

• Tie-breaking rule: Profiles submitted before August 10, 2024, at 10:35:55 UTC

• Details: This was the first draw focusing on education professionals, including teachers and early childhood educators.

🏙️ April 28, 2025 – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws

• ITAs issued: 421

• Minimum CRS score: 727

• Tie-breaking rule: Profiles submitted before September 9, 2024, at 17:11:19 UTC

• Details: This draw invited candidates nominated by provinces under the Express Entry system.

For a full list of past invitation rounds and CRS scores, visit our page on Express Entry Draws.

Latest Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws

• 🌽 Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

  📅 Date: May 1, 2025
  🗂️ Stream: Skilled Worker Overseas
  🎯 Focus: Candidates directly invited under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative

  • Total LAAs issued: 26

  • Lowest ranking score: 727

  • Express Entry-linked invitations: 7 candidates had valid Express Entry profile numbers and job seeker validation codes.

• Source – Manitoba Immigration

Some Important Upcoming Dates and Events in Canada – May 2025

Federal & Political Events

• May 12, 2025: Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to announce a gender-balanced cabinet. (Source: The Guardian)

• May 27, 2025: King Charles III will open Canada’s Parliament in Ottawa—the first royal opening since 1957. (Sources: Financial Times, The Guardian, Reuters)

🧳 Immigration & Citizenship Events

• May 14–16, 2025: The National Citizenship and Immigration Conference will take place in Lake Louise, Alberta, celebrating CAPIC’s 20th anniversary. (Sources: CAPIC Connect, ncic-cnci.ca)

• May 14, 2025: An Immigration Fair will be held in Vancouver, offering resources for newcomers. (Source: Eventbrite)

• May 26–29, 2025: The 16th Annual CARFMS Conference will be hosted by Toronto Metropolitan University, focusing on responses to forced migration. (Source: TMU)

• May 27, 2025: A Job Fair for Canadian Immigrants & Networking Event will take place at Toronto City Hall. (Source: Eventbrite)

🍁 Public Holidays

• May 19, 2025: Victoria Day – A statutory holiday celebrated nationwide across Canada.

📰 Mark Carney’s Immigration Policy Updates – May 2025

1. Stabilizing Permanent Resident Admissions

• Target: Maintain annual permanent resident admissions at less than 1% of Canada’s population beyond 2027.

• Rationale: Address concerns about housing shortages and strain on public services.

2. Reducing Temporary Resident Levels

• Goal: Lower the proportion of temporary residents (including international students and temporary foreign workers) to below 5% of the population by the end of 2027.

• Approach: Encourage transitions to permanent residency or plan for departures as permits expire.

3. Enhancing Francophone Immigration

• Objective: Increase francophone immigration outside Quebec to 12% by 2029, up from 8.5% in 2025.

• Purpose: Support French-speaking communities and address labor needs in minority francophone regions.

4. Implementing Data-Driven Immigration Planning

• Method: Conduct quarterly reviews of housing availability, public service capacity, and labor market demands to inform immigration targets.

• Benefit: Align immigration levels with Canada’s infrastructure and economic capacity.

5. Strengthening Economic Integration for Skilled Immigrants

• Measures: Enhance language proficiency requirements, streamline credential recognition, and offer incentives for settlement in rural areas.

• Aim: Improve employment outcomes and support regional development.

🔗 Sources for More Information:

• NDTV: How Mark Carney’s Government Plans To Change Canada’s Immigration Policies

• CIC News: What the Liberals have in store for Canada’s immigration policy

• Immigration.ca: Mark Carney Wins Canadian Election: What It Means for Immigration

This Canada Immigration Weekly Update is based on official IRCC releases and reliable news sources.

👉 Stay informed by regularly checking IRCC and provincial government updates. For personalized advice, consult a licensed immigration professional.