Abramovich Immigration Law presents weekly updates on Canadian immigration regulations and policies. Stay informed by following our official social media platforms for prompt updates. 

IRCC Conducted Dual Express Entry Draws, Inviting 3,503 Candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted two Express Entry draws in late June 2025. On June 23, the 352nd draw issued 503 invitations to Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a reduced cut-off score of 742 points. Following this, a larger Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on June 26 invited 3,000 candidates with a minimum score of 521 points. These latest rounds bring Canada’s 2025 total to 41,845 invitations across 23 draws, demonstrating the country’s continued commitment to meeting immigration targets through its Express Entry system.

These back-to-back draws highlight Canada’s strategic use of the Express Entry system to meet evolving immigration goals while addressing labour market needs. The significant drop in the CRS cut-off for CEC candidates signals an effort to prioritize individuals already integrated into Canadian society and the workforce. Meanwhile, continued invitations through the PNP reflect ongoing collaboration with provinces to fill critical regional shortages. Contact Abramovich Immigration Law today to navigate the complex Express Entry process with confidence and maximize your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Canada’s Immigration Department Unveiled A Strategic Departmental Plan For 2025-26 With A Focus On Sustainable Immigration Levels

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published its detailed 2025–26 Departmental Plan, outlining a renewed approach to immigration policy. The document emphasizes the importance of maintaining immigration at levels that are both economically viable and socially sustainable. A central focus of the plan is a marked policy shift: Canada intends to gradually reduce the number of temporary residents to no more than 5% of the national population and limit annual permanent resident admissions to under 1% beyond 2027. This adjustment is designed to ensure that immigration continues to support the country’s labour market while remaining in line with available infrastructure and essential services.

Under the direction of newly appointed Minister Lena Metlege Diab, IRCC will focus on balancing immigration needs with community capacity, addressing housing and service pressures, and enhancing integration services. The plan emphasizes transitioning temporary workers to permanent residence, supporting rural and Northern communities, and increasing targets for Francophone newcomers outside Quebec. Additionally, IRCC is advancing its Digital Platform Modernization programme to create a seamless online experience with improved client support and real-time application status updates.

McGill University Overtakes The University Of Toronto As Canada’s Top Institution In The 2026 Qs Rankings

Four Canadian universities have secured positions among the world’s top 100 educational institutions, according to the newly released 2026 QS World University Rankings. In a notable development, McGill University has overtaken the University of Toronto to become Canada’s top-ranked institution in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. McGill now holds the 27th position globally, earning a strong overall score of 88.9. Close behind, the University of Toronto ranks 29th, continuing to demonstrate academic excellence on the world stage. Meanwhile, the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta round out Canada’s presence in the top 100, securing the 40th and 94th spots, respectively. 

The rankings highlight McGill’s exceptional performance in key areas, including sustainability, employment outcomes, and academic reputation. Meanwhile, the University of Toronto maintained its global leadership in sustainability, achieving a perfect score of 100, despite dropping four positions from last year’s standings. Other Canadian institutions featured in the global rankings include the University of Waterloo (119th), Western University (151st), and Université de Montréal (168th). The QS World University Rankings evaluate institutions based on multiple factors, including academic reputation, employer feedback, faculty-student ratios, research impact, and international diversity.

Surge In Canadian Immigration Refusals: IRCC Errors Contribute To Application Denials

Canadian immigration authorities have sharply increased refusal rates across several visa categories, with recent data indicating a 61% surge in application denials for individuals from countries deemed high-risk. This concerning trend affects visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and permanent residency applications. Investigation reveals that many refusals stem from errors made by immigration officers, resulting in substantial hardship for applicants who have invested time, money, and hope in their Canadian immigration journey.

The surge in rejections has been attributed to several factors, including overwhelmed IRCC systems that process nearly 2 million applications simultaneously, recent policy changes that implement stricter requirements, and inconsistent decision-making among visa officers. Applicants facing refusals have multiple options, including reapplying with corrected documentation, requesting reconsideration through IRCC’s webform, or pursuing judicial review through the Federal Court of Canada. However, each pathway presents its challenges and success rates.

Canada Updated PGWP Eligibility, Adding 119 New Fields Of Study To Support Key Industries

The Government of Canada has expanded the list of eligible fields of study for post-graduation work permits (PGWP), aligning with the 2025 Express Entry priorities. The updated list now includes 119 additional fields in critical sectors, such as healthcare, education, and trades, while removing 178 fields that are no longer associated with long-term labour shortages. This strategic adjustment brings the total number of eligible fields to 920, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to addressing workforce gaps in priority industries.

International students who applied for study permits before June 25, 2025, will maintain their PGWP eligibility if their field of study was included on the previous list, even if subsequently removed. This grandfathering provision ensures policy continuity for current applicants while the new requirements direct future international students toward educational programs that support Canada’s evolving economic needs, particularly in healthcare, social services, education, and skilled trades sectors.

Canada Ranked Among The Top 10 Nations For Work-Life Balance

Canada has secured the seventh position globally for work-life balance according to the “Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025.” With an impressive score of 73.46 out of 100, Canada stands as the only nation from the Americas to place in the top 10, which is predominantly dominated by European countries. This prestigious ranking demonstrates Canada’s commitment to fostering environments where professionals can thrive both at work and in their personal lives.

The stark contrast between Canada and the United States, which ranked 59th with a score of 31.17, highlights Canada’s exceptional approach to work-life integration. Remote’s comprehensive analysis evaluated ten key indicators, including average weekly work hours, safety metrics, and statutory leave allowances. The report specifically notes that “Canadian workplaces tend to value punctuality and dependability, but employees typically maintain a healthy separation between work and family life,” reinforcing why Canada remains a premier destination for international talent seeking improved quality of life.

Study Reveals Citizenship Alone Does Not Boost Economic Outcomes For Canadian Immigrants

A groundbreaking study by IRCC and Statistics Canada challenges long-held assumptions about citizenship benefits. While immigrants who become Canadian citizens consistently demonstrate higher earnings and employment rates than non-citizens, the research finds this correlation is not directly caused by citizenship acquisition itself. Rather, immigrants who pursue citizenship already possess characteristics – including unmeasured skills and motivations – that naturally lead to better economic integration.

The comprehensive analysis examined data from immigrants admitted between 2003 and 2012 using sophisticated fixed-effects regression models. Though naturalized immigrants showed 21% higher earnings than non-citizens after controlling for observable factors, these differences largely disappeared when accounting for individual fixed effects. This suggests that citizenship itself doesn’t transform economic outcomes, though it continues to provide numerous non-economic benefits, including enhanced legal status, expanded rights, increased political engagement, and a stronger sense of belonging.

Abramovich Immigration Law specializes in helping you achieve your Canadian immigration objectives. Whether you are pursuing permanent residency through Express Entry, family reunification, educational opportunities, or business establishment in Canada, our experienced team provides customized immigration strategies tailored to your specific circumstances. Leveraging our comprehensive knowledge of Canadian immigration regulations and dedication to client outcomes, we effectively manage complex legal procedures on your behalf. Do not let administrative requirements and regulatory changes hinder your Canadian aspirations. Schedule a consultation with Abramovich Immigration Law today.