Canada Latest Immigration Rule Changes 2025

Canadian government periodically announced and implemented Canada Immigration Rule changes and updates to streamline the Canadian Immigration and permanent residency process.

These changes will have a crucial impact on the applicants applying Canada PR this year.

The government of Canada release and employ the immigration rule changes and updates periodically. If you apply for Canada PR, you must confirm the latest process and updates to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Before you apply Canada PR, get the updated and latest Canada immigration procedure.

You may visit our page Impact of Covid-19 on Canada Immigration for the latest update regarding the Travel update issued by IRCC in view of the Covid-19.

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Latest Canada Immigration Rule Changes & Updates- 2025 

Find below few recent Canada immigration rule changes, that will impact immigration to Canada in 2025:

• Express Entry Changes:
  • Temporary Removal of Job Offer Points: In spring 2025 (March-May), IRCC will temporarily remove the extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points awarded to Express Entry candidates with valid job offers.1
  • In-Canada Focus Category: This new category prioritizes Express Entry candidates already residing in Canada as temporary residents, aligning immigration with the Canadian economy's needs.2
  • Federal Economic Priorities: This stream focuses on attracting skilled workers in high-demand sectors like healthcare, skilled trades, and French-speaking professionals.3
• Student-Related Changes:
  • Increased Off-Campus Work Hours: International students can now work off-campus for up to 24 hours per week, providing greater financial flexibility and work experience opportunities.4
  • Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP): This pilot program offers a pathway to permanent residence for French-speaking international students graduating from select Canadian institutions.5
• Provincial Programs:
  • Quebec Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ): This new program emphasizes French language proficiency and aligns with Quebec's values.6 It includes four streams and is currently suspended until June 30, 2025.
  • PEQ Graduates Stream: This stream for Quebec graduates has been amended to include a French language requirement and is also suspended until June 30, 2025.
  • Alberta Law Enforcement Pathway: This pathway within the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program allows individuals with Alberta law enforcement job offers to apply for permanent residency.7
  • BC's Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot: This pilot program has become permanent, supporting eligible newcomers who establish businesses and contribute to regional economic growth.
• Other Initiatives:
  • Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative Expansion: Ten new communities have been added to this program, which provides funding and support services to help French-speaking immigrants settle in Francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec.
• Key Immigration Pathways for 2025

Canada is preparing to welcome a significant number of immigrants in 2025 through the introduction of several innovative immigration programs. These new initiatives focus on addressing critical labor market needs, strengthening rural communities, and supporting the growth of Francophone communities across the country.

Immigration Rule Changes & Updates- 2024 

Community Immigration Programs Launched

• On May 21, 2024, the Canadian immigration minister announced the opening of the community application process for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot.

Pathway to Permanent Residency

• Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, unveils a transformative plan to convert more temporary residents to permanent status, aiming to enrich society and address labour market needs.

Accelerated Citizenship Processing

• Canada is now processing proof of citizenship applications at a record pace—down to just three months!

Improved Processing Time Estimates

• IRCC introduces a new method for estimating processing times for select applications, providing projected durations online with forward-looking processing times.

Parents and Grandparents Program Reopens

• Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announces the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starting May 21, 2024, planning to send out 35,700 invitations to approve 20,500 complete applications.

Updated Express Entry Funds Requirement

• The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will revise the Express Entry proof of funds requirement from May 28, 2024. All Express Entry applicants must update their profiles accordingly by May 27, 2024.

Saskatchewan's Updated Occupation List

• Effective May 1, 2024, the Saskatchewan PNP has updated its Excluded Occupation List for the Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry subcategories, crucial for applicants seeking a Canadian PR visa through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) - ISW category.

New ECA Authority for Architects

• Canada introduces a new Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) authority for architects in the Express Entry system.

CACB Authorized for ECA

• Starting May 20, 2024, the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) will be authorized to grant ECAs to individuals whose primary profession falls under the NOC of Architects (code 21200).

Canada PR fees Updated

• The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently updated the fees for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) Visas, including the right of PR fees and dependent child fees, as of April 30, 2024.

• Alberta and British Columbia are issuing the PAL

Key Canadian provinces, i.e. Alberta and British Columbia  are now issuing Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the international students as per the instruction by IRCC in January 2024.

• Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL)

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made the Provincial Attestation letter compulsory along with all Study permit applications by the international students.

• New AAIP stream

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has launched a new immigration stream on March 1, 2024, to help the province’s tourism and hospitality industry address labour gaps and challenges. This stream new stream is, AAIP- Tourism and Hospitality Stream.

Ontario PNP updates- Ontario has released two important updates in February 2024:
•    With effect from 26 February 2024, Ontario has made the ‘Applicant Consent Form’ compulsory to submit with all new OINP nomination applications.
•    In accordance with recent changes to the policy of IRCC, Ontario PNP will also be accepting the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core from Pearson Canada. 

International Student Program Reforms Applicable in 2024
•    Canada is improving its International Student Program and hence, announced some key reforms applicable in 2024. A few of these changes are:

• Cap and provincial attestation letter
• Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) update for graduates of master’s degree programs 
• Changes to open work permit eligibility for spouses

IRCC sustaining the six existing Express Entry categories
As per the latest declaration, IRCC has admitted sustaining the six existing categories for category-based selection in Express Entry draws in the year 2024.

Canada is now accepting PTE Language test
The IRCC has expanded its approval of language proficiency tests for Canadian immigration by including the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core test with effect from January 30, 2024. You may chose PTE Core when applying for a migration or work visa to Canada