Canada Weekly Immigration Briefing

Dates Covered: March 02–08, 2026

A weekly summary of Canada immigration news for March 2–8, 2026, including Express Entry draw results, provincial nominee program invitations, policy updates for Iranian nationals, Federal Court immigration cases, and important upcoming immigration deadlines.

Below is a breakdown of the most important immigration updates across Canada.

March 02, 2026

• Canada Unveils New Five-Year RCIP and FCIP Work Permit Pilots to Support Rural and Francophone Growth
• Quebec Issues Permanent Selection Invitations to Over 2,500 Skilled Workers
• How Canada’s Growing Tech Sector is Redefining Modern Migration Pathways
• Ottawa Ends Special Priority Processing for Iranian Work-Permit Program
• Federal Court Affirms IRCC Authority to Pause Start-Up Visa Processing for Suspended Incubators
• Experts Warn of Potential Pitfalls in New ‘Boutique’ Immigration Points System
• Essential Guidance: How to Effectively Protect Yourself Against Fraud via Canada.ca
• Jason Kenney Explores the Complexities of Canadian Immigration on CBC’s Front Burner
• Alberta Kickstarts 2026 Immigration Strategy with Nearly 900 Invitations in First Sector-Focused AAIP Draws
• Canada Issues Key Clarifications on Open Work Permit Regulations for TR-to-PR Pathway Applicants

Read more

March 03, 2026

• Facing Immigration Fraud Allegations: Applicants Finally Share Their Counter-Narrative
• Canada Invites 264 Candidates in Latest Provincial Nominee Express Entry Draw
• Immigration Update: Government of Alberta Publishes January 2026 Checklist for AAIP Worker Streams
• Quebec Overhauls Immigration Program, Prioritizing Youth and Education for New Applicants
• Ontario Launches Innovative Language Pathway Program Pilot
• Subtle Shift Alters Express Entry’s Skilled Trades Landscape
• New Travel Rules Leave Dual Canada-U.K. Citizens Stranded and Confused
• Canada Refines Rules for Reciprocal Employment Under International Mobility Program

Read more

March 04, 2026

• Supreme Court to Rule on Asylum Seekers’ Access to Childcare Friday
• Expert Warns: Immigration Poised to Become Sole Driver of Canadian Population Increase
• Artificial Intelligence Deployed: Immigration Department Pilots AI Tool to Guide Newcomer Settlement
• Canada’s Express Entry Issues 5,500 Permanent Residency Invitations in Latest March 4 Draw
• B.C. Premier Denies Knowledge of Indian Government Involvement in Provincial Extortion Cases
• Matthew Lau Asserts Government, Not Immigration, Is the Core Problem
• Global Shift: Nations Worldwide Tighten Work Visa and Hiring Regulations
• Canada’s Soaring Immigration Targets Create Fertile Ground for Savvy Investors

Read more

March 05, 2026

• Canada Issues Massive Invitation Round Targeting French-Speaking Immigrants
• Labor Crisis Looms: Canadian Businesses Struggle as Foreign Worker Exodus Intensifies
• Canada Revitalizes Work Permit Extensions for Iranians Amidst Evolving Immigration Policies
• CBA Issues Urgent Plea: Senate Must Slow Down on Bill C-12
• Canada Prepares to Announce New Deputy Minister of Immigration
• Analysis: Which Stakeholders Supported the Liberals’ Controversial Immigration Expansion?
• Major Milestone: Express Entry Draw #400 Targets 4,000 CEC Candidates for Permanent Residency
• Record Enrollment Signals Hope Amidst Critical Shortage of French Teachers

Read more

March 06, 2026

• Canada Targets Senior Managers in Latest Express Entry Draw: Lowest Score Yet – Are You Eligible?
• Claresholm Reveals Priority List for Permanent Residence Under the RCIP
• Canada Unveils Major Pathway: 33,000 Foreign Workers Eligible for Permanent Residence
• Systemic Bias Exposed: Examining the Racism Within Canada’s Immigration Detention
• Scrutiny on Canada’s Federal Ban: Only One Senior Iranian Official Removed by CBSA
• Nova Scotia Revamps Provincial Nominee Program, Consolidating into Four Key Streams
• Quebec’s Immigration Dilemma: A Recruited Professional Faces Ousting Under New Rules
• Express Entry Competition Eases, Improving Prospects for Applicants

Read more

Case Law Trends

Recent Federal Court decisions continue to reinforce important legal principles regarding procedural fairness, officer reasoning, and application delays.

Spousal Sponsorship – Alam v. Canada (2026 FC 311)
The Federal Court upheld a decision of the Immigration Appeal Division that refused a spousal sponsorship after concluding the marriage was not genuine and appeared primarily intended for immigration purposes. The tribunal pointed to inconsistencies in testimony, limited personal knowledge between the spouses, and insufficient evidence demonstrating compatibility or shared future plans. The Court determined that the credibility findings were reasonable and supported by the record. The Judicial review was dismissed.

Express Entry – Green v. Canada (2026 FC 315)
A permanent residence application under Express Entry was rejected as incomplete because the applicant’s passport was missing from the submission. The representative mistakenly uploaded the spouse’s passport twice. The Court concluded that this professional error amounted to ineffective assistance, which created procedural unfairness. Because the application likely would have proceeded without the mistake. The Judicial review was granted.

Entrepreneur Work Permit (C11) – Hosseini v. Canada (2026 FC 298)
A C11 work permit was refused after the officer determined that the proposed business did not demonstrate sufficient economic or social benefit to Canada. The business plan lacked critical operational details, including staffing plans and regulatory considerations. Additionally, the officer questioned whether the stay would remain temporary and noted concerns about the applicant’s language proficiency. The Court upheld the refusal. The Judicial review was dismissed.

Humanitarian and Compassionate Application – Ibrahimi v. Canada (2026 FC 265)
A permanent residence application under the One-Year Window of Opportunity program was refused because the applicant had not been declared as a family member before the spouse’s landing in Canada. The Court ruled that the officer failed to properly assess the humanitarian consequences of separating the family and improperly compared the applicant’s situation with other individuals in Afghanistan. The Judicial review was granted.

Temporary Resident Visa – Khani v. Canada (2026 FC 285)
A visitor visa refusal was upheld after the officer raised concerns about the applicant’s financial documentation and ties outside Canada. Bank statements showed irregular balances and unexplained deposits, which led the officer to question whether the funds were genuinely available for travel. The Judicial review was dismissed.

Entrepreneur Work Permit (C11) – Misaghi v. Canada (2026 FC 283)
Another C11 work permit application was refused due to doubts about the business’s ability to generate significant economic benefit. The officer cited concerns about limited business management experience, uncertainty in hiring plans, and lack of confirmed partnerships supporting the proposed venture. The Court found the assessment reasonable. The Judicial review was dismissed.

Study Permit – Misrepresentation – Ndigui v. Canada (2026 FC 281)
A study permit was refused and inadmissibility for misrepresentation was imposed after verification with the designated learning institution confirmed that the submitted letter of acceptance was not authentic. Although a procedural fairness letter was issued, the applicant failed to properly submit a response through the online portal. The Court upheld the decision. The Judicial review was dismissed.

Provincial Nominee Program – Patel v. Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (2026 FC 302)
Applications challenging the revocation of provincial nominations under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program were dismissed. The Federal Court determined that the AAIP is a provincial authority rather than a federal administrative tribunal and therefore falls outside the Court’s jurisdiction under the Federal Courts Act.

Note: If a client’s AAIP/PNP nomination has been revoked, any judicial review must be filed in the provincial superior court (e.g., Alberta Court of King’s Bench) — not the Federal Court. Filing in the wrong court will result in the application being struck without leave to amend, as happened here, with costs awarded against the applicant and potential deadlines lost.

Temporary Resident Visa – Singh v. Canada (2026 FC 305)
A visitor visa refusal was upheld after the officer was not convinced that the applicant would leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay. Concerns included unclear financial sources and inconsistencies regarding the purpose of the visit. The Court confirmed that humanitarian factors are generally not considered in TRV assessments under IRPR section 179(b). The Judicial review was dismissed.

IRCC Program Delivery Updates

Several Program Delivery Instructions (PDIs) were updated this week affecting work permits, immigration pilots, and refugee sponsorship programs.

Citizenship Revocation Procedures Updated — March 5, 2026

IRCC updated its operational guidance regarding the revocation of Canadian citizenship. Citizenship may be revoked when it is determined that it was obtained through fraud, false representation, or the concealment of material facts, based on the balance of probabilities standard.

The revised instructions clarify investigation procedures, notification steps, and decision-making processes. In most cases, revocation decisions are made by the Federal Court, unless the individual requests that the Minister of Immigration make the decision. Individuals remain Canadian citizens until a final revocation decision is issued.

If citizenship is revoked due to misrepresentation, the individual may revert to permanent resident status or foreign national status, depending on the circumstances. Persons whose citizenship is revoked for fraud are barred from reapplying for citizenship for 10 years.

Read more

Temporary Public Policy for Iranian Nationals — Updated Operational Guidance — March 4, 2026

Spouses of Study Permit Holders – Open Work Permits (C42) — March 4, 2026

IRCC updated operational instructions for open work permits issued to spouses or common-law partners of study permit holders under the International Mobility Program.

The updated guidance clarifies eligibility requirements, including confirmation that the principal student must not be in the final term of their program, and provides additional direction on eligible study programs, extension applications, and master’s program duration requirements.

These work permits remain available only to spouses or common-law partners of eligible international students, while dependent children are not eligible under this category.

Read more

IRCC Notices & News Updates

Passport and Travel Document Fees Increasing — March 3, 2026

The Government of Canada announced that passport and travel document fees will increase starting March 31, 2026, marking the first adjustment since 2013. The change reflects inflation and rising costs associated with producing secure travel documents and maintaining passport services.

New fees for applications submitted in Canada will include:

• 10-year adult passport: $163.50 (previously $160)

• 5-year adult passport: $122.50 (previously $120)

• 5-year child passport: $58.50 (previously $57)

Beginning April 1, 2026, the government will also introduce a service guarantee, meaning complete passport applications will be processed within 30 business days, or the application fee will be automatically refunded.

Read more

Fraud Prevention Month: IRCC Strengthens Efforts Against Immigration Fraud — March 2, 2026

IRCC marked Fraud Prevention Month by highlighting ongoing efforts to combat immigration and citizenship fraud and protect the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The government is encouraging applicants to “spot, stop and report” potential fraud, including warning signs such as guarantees of visas, pressure to act quickly, or requests for large cash payments.

In 2025, IRCC reported significant enforcement actions, including over 95,000 fraud investigations, 95,000 application refusals for misrepresentation, and enhanced screening measures that contributed to a 56% reduction in asylum claims from visitor visa holders. The government also introduced stronger penalties for dishonest immigration representatives, including fines of up to $1.5 million.

IRCC indicated that additional measures will continue in 2026, including stronger enforcement tools, expanded fraud prevention initiatives, and new legislative reforms aimed at improving the integrity of the immigration system.

Read more

CBSA News Updates

Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) — Israel and Lebanon — March 7, 2026

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced a temporary halt on removals to Israel and Lebanon due to ongoing hostilities and the resulting risks to civilian populations. This measure, known as an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR), is implemented under section 230(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations when conditions in a country pose generalized safety risks.

The ADR does not apply to individuals inadmissible for criminality, serious criminality, security concerns, organized crime, or human rights violations. Removals to these countries will resume once conditions stabilize and the safety risks to civilians are reduced.

Read more

Latest Draws (EE & Provincial Nominee Programs)

Express Entry

Several Express Entry draws were held during the week of March 2–5, 2026, targeting different categories of candidates:

• March 5, 2026 – Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience (Category-Based Draw)
  250 invitations issued with a CRS cut-off score of 429.

• March 4, 2026 – French-Language Proficiency Draw
  5,500 invitations issued with a CRS cut-off score of 397.

• March 3, 2026 – Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  4,000 invitations issued with a CRS cut-off score of 508.

• March 2, 2026 – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
  264 invitations issued with a CRS cut-off score of 710.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Draws

New Brunswick (March 3–6, 2026)
New Brunswick invited candidates through multiple streams:

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream: 29 invitations

• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream: 279 invitations

• New Brunswick Strategic Initiative: 189 invitations

• Atlantic Immigration Program: 125 invitations

Saskatchewan (March 2, 2026)
Saskatchewan issued invitations in sector-specific draws:

• Accommodation and Food Service: 240 invitations

• Retail Trade: 80 invitations

• Trucking: 46 invitations

Important Upcoming Dates

• March 9, 2026 – Northwest Territories Nominee Program EOI system opens.

• March 25, 2026 – First NTNP draw expected

• March 31, 2026 – Several immigration policies expire:

  • Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET )

  • Northwest Territories Nominee Program work-permit eligibility extension

  • Gaza temporary resident visa facilitation policy

Assessment Form: Click here