Abramovich Immigration Law on key Canadian immigration changes for the first week of September. Follow us on social media for news, expert insights, and deadline alerts.

IRCC conducted three Express Entry Draws: PNP, CEC, and Francophone candidates invited

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted three consecutive Express Entry draws from September 2-4, 2025. The series began with draw #363 for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, issuing 249 invitations with a cut-off score of 772 points. The following day, 1,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates received invitations in draw #364 with a 534-point threshold. The final draw targeted Francophone candidates, inviting 4,500 individuals with scores as low as 446 points. These three draws bring Canada’s 2025 invitation total to 61,569 across 35 Express Entry draws, reflecting the country’s ongoing commitment to skilled immigration.

Express Entry is Canada’s primary immigration system for skilled workers seeking permanent residency. Introduced in 2015, it uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on factors like age, education, experience, and language skills. Applicants enter a candidate pool, and those with the highest scores are invited to submit a complete application for permanent residence through regular draws. Thanks to this system, processing times have become faster, and Express Entry has become one of the most efficient routes for qualified immigrants to settle in Canada. Contact Abramovich Immigration Law today for expert guidance tailored to your unique situation and increase your chances of a successful Express Entry application.

Canadian study permit applications decreased by 50% in 2025 as approval rates continue to remain below target

Canada’s international education sector faces continued challenges as new IRCC data reveals a dramatic 50% decline in study permit applications during the first half of 2025. With only 143,485 applications processed between January and June compared to 290,635 in the same period last year, the downward trend that began with the 2024 enrolment cap appears to be intensifying. If current approval rates of approximately 48% persist, Canada could fall significantly below its official 2025 enrolment targets.

Rising rejection rates stem primarily from immigration concerns, with visa officers increasingly citing doubts about applicants’ intentions to leave Canada post-study and insufficient financial resources as key reasons for refusal. Recent financial requirement increases – from CDN$10,000 to CDN$20,635 in January 2024, with a further increase to CDN$22,895 scheduled for September 2025 – have compounded these challenges. However, institutional differences are emerging, with universities (45-59% approval) significantly outperforming colleges (23-33% approval), suggesting that focused application quality may yield better outcomes despite the restrictive environment.

Ontario issues 4,536 ITAs in healthcare, early childhood educators and priority occupation draws

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted significant immigration draws on September 2-3, 2025, issuing a total of 4,536 invitations to apply across multiple streams. The September 2 draws targeted healthcare professionals and early childhood educators, with 1,305 invitations under the Foreign Worker Stream, 1,105 under the International Student Stream, and 233 under the In-Demand Skills Stream. The following day, Ontario held additional draws focusing on other priority occupations, issuing 1,893 ITAs to candidates currently residing in Canada. Ontario has now invited a total of 8,799 candidates in 2025.

The OINP is a provincial program allowing Ontario to nominate skilled individuals who can contribute to its economy. In partnership with IRCC, it offers various streams for skilled workers, students, entrepreneurs, and in-demand occupations. Nominees receive provincial endorsement that boosts their permanent residence application. The program addresses Ontario’s labour market needs with federally set annual nomination targets. OINP conducts frequent targeted draws focusing on sectors with shortages, especially healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. Contact Abramovich Immigration Law today for expert guidance on the OINP and maximize your chances of receiving an invitation to apply!

Conservatives called on the government to end the TFWP

The Conservatives have called for the elimination of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), citing its detrimental impact on Canadian youth employment opportunities. According to a recent Desjardins report, the substantial increase in non-permanent residents has created an oversupply of labour that exceeds demand, directly contributing to rising youth unemployment rates. The report confirms that this imbalance has placed significant upward pressure on unemployment figures, with student summer job seekers facing a 17.5% unemployment rate, while teenagers aged 15-16 experience an alarming 31.4% rate.

While program defenders support industry groups who claim TFWP recruitment costs up to $8,600 per worker, critics argue these funds could better serve domestic workforce mobility initiatives. Statistics Canada data reveal that 30% of working-age Canadians would relocate interprovincially for suitable employment, with over 306,000 Canadians already moving between provinces in 2023/24. Conservatives emphasize that Canada’s immigration system should prioritize opportunities for domestic workers rather than enabling wage suppression that benefits large corporations at the expense of young Canadians entering the workforce.

Canadian Immigration Minister unveils data showing progress on reduced immigration targets

In a direct response to Conservative criticisms, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab released comprehensive data demonstrating that Canada is on track to meet its reduced immigration targets for 2025. The minister emphasized that of the 246,300 new permanent residents welcomed between January and July 2025, over 100,000 were already in Canada as temporary residents. This positions Canada to achieve its target of 395,000 new permanent residents this year—a substantial 21% reduction from 2024 levels.

The data also highlights significant decreases in temporary resident arrivals, with 125,903 fewer temporary workers and 88,617 fewer new students entering Canada in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Minister Diab underscored the government’s commitment to transparency by launching a new webpage that allows Canadians to track immigration numbers. She affirmed the government’s continued focus on balancing sustainable immigration levels while attracting global talent to strengthen Canada’s economy.

Ontario penalizes 77 for OINP violations, imposes over half a million in fines

Ontario has levied $509,100 in penalties against 77 employers and legal representatives for breaches of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Since new enforcement rules came into effect in 2018, the fines have targeted 55 employers, 21 immigration consultants, and one lawyer. The penalties coincide with the rapid expansion of the OINP, which grew from just 6,000 nomination spaces in 2018 to 21,500 in 2024. This growth has fueled debate about program integrity and oversight.

A December report from the Auditor General flagged major weaknesses in program management and enforcement. Investigators found recurring instances of falsified work histories, fraudulent job offers, and fake language test results. Despite these issues, only 3% of applications (out of 17,970 submitted in 2023) were inspected, and most checks (72%) took place after approval had already been granted. Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has stated that new compliance measures are now being introduced to address these vulnerabilities and reinforce trust in the system.

Chinese STEM students file Federal Court case over study permit delays, alleging discrimination

A group of 25 Chinese graduate students has taken legal action against IRCC over extended delays in processing their study permits. These students, accepted into prestigious STEM programs at universities including UBC, McGill, and Waterloo, claim their applications have been unfairly stalled in security screening, with some waiting over a year despite the standard four-week processing time for Chinese applicants.

The delays have caused significant financial and psychological hardship, with students reporting financial losses after quitting high-paying jobs in anticipation of studying in Canada. While IRCC maintains its commitment to “fair and non-discriminatory” procedures, former CSIS director Ward Elcock defended the extended vetting process, noting that security checks for Chinese STEM students reflect legitimate security concerns.

Abramovich Immigration Law provides comprehensive guidance for individuals and families navigating the Canadian immigration process. We assist clients with various immigration pathways, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, family sponsorship, work permits, and citizenship applications. We conduct thorough assessments of each client’s unique circumstances to formulate strategic approaches that optimize chances for success. Contact us today to initiate your Canadian immigration process with our expert legal support.