Abramovich Immigration Law presents comprehensive weekly news reviews about Canadian immigration news. We break down important changes in immigration rules and processes to help you understand them better. Follow us to get helpful updates and expert advice for your journey to Canada!

IRCC halted low-wage LMIA processing in 24 high-unemployment regions

The Canadian Federal Government has announced a significant update to its Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing policy, affecting 24 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) from April 4 to July 10, 2025. In regions where unemployment rates exceed 6%, authorities will cease processing low-wage LMIA applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This policy notably impacts major urban centers, including Toronto (8.6%), Montreal (6.7%), and Vancouver (6.6%).

Several alternatives exist for employers and foreign workers affected by these changes. Employers can either raise wages to qualify for the high-wage TFWP stream or wait for the next quarterly update. Workers in impacted areas can redirect their job search to eligible regions or apply for visitor status if their work permits cannot be extended. Notable improvements in some regions, such as Regina (5.9%) and London (5.5%), have resulted in their removal from the restricted list this quarter.

Trump’s Immigration Policies Could Trigger a New Border Crisis for Canada

As the United States prepares to invalidate the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) parole program on April 24, over 530,000 legal residents face an uncertain future. The program, initiated by the Biden administration in October 2022, allowed individuals from these nations to live and work in the U.S. for two years with proper sponsorship and background checks. This sweeping change, coupled with the termination of Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Haitians and Venezuelans, signals a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy.

The impact is already visible at Canada’s borders, with asylum claims at Quebec’s Lacolle crossing point showing a significant surge: 560 claims in January rose to 1,356 in March, with 557 claims in just the first week of April. Despite the renegotiated Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S. in 2023, which closed previous loopholes, asylum seekers continue to find ways to enter Canada through family connections or alternative means. This developing situation presents a mounting challenge for Canadian immigration authorities, compounding existing pressures from international student issues.

Recent Policy Change Impacts Points Allocation for Over 37,000 Express Entry Candidates

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has significantly changed the Express Entry system by eliminating points for job offers. Data reveals that 37,170 candidates in the Express Entry pool, as of March 19, 2025, previously held between 50-200 points for arranged employment. This policy shift particularly affects applicants from the top source countries, including India, the Philippines, China, Mexico, and South Korea.

Analysis suggests that despite this substantial change, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off scores will likely remain above 500 points through June 2025. Even with regular draws of 3,000-4,000 candidates, the pool still maintains approximately 20,000 candidates with scores above 500 points. Many of these candidates qualify under the Canadian Experience Class, suggesting continued competitive selection rounds. Experts anticipate potential score decreases after June 2025, though increasing French language proficiency among candidates could keep scores elevated.

IRCC Reports a Shift in Canadian citizenship Ceremonies: Virtual vs In-Person

Recent data from IRCC reveals a significant transformation in how new Canadians receive their citizenship. While in-person ceremonies have increased to represent over 40% of all ceremonies in 2024, virtual ceremonies continue to dominate the landscape. This hybrid approach emerged from pandemic-era adaptations, with virtual ceremonies accommodating larger groups of approximately 135 participants compared to 79 in traditional in-person events.

Transitioning back to in-person ceremonies remains a priority for immigrant integration and citizenship meaningfulness. Statistics from early 2023 showed an average of 50 in-person ceremonies versus 224 video ceremonies monthly. Despite offering applicants the choice of ceremony format, virtual ceremonies persist as the primary method of conferring citizenship, a trend that future government policies aim to address through continued efforts to increase in-person participation.

Canada Increases Citizenship Application Fee to $119.75

The Canadian Government has changed citizenship application fees, raising the right of citizenship fee for adult applicants from $100.00 to $119.75, effective March 31, 2025. This mandatory fee, separate from the processing fee, applies exclusively to applicants aged 18 and older, while children under 18 remain exempt. The increase reflects the government’s ongoing adjustments to immigration-related costs and services.

The government has established clear guidelines for those who submitted applications around the transition period. Online applicants who paid the old fee on or after March 31 must pay the $19.75 difference, while mailed applications sent before March 31 with the old fee will be accepted but require additional payment. The government has implemented a straightforward process for paying the difference through the online payment portal under the “make an additional payment” category.

Canadian Provinces Revolutionize Permanent Residency Selection with New EOI Systems

Canadian provinces increasingly adopt Expression of Interest (EOI) systems for selecting permanent residency nominees. This transformation moves away from traditional direct application methods, with Yukon becoming the first territory to implement this change, joining numerous provinces, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Alberta, who have recently embraced the EOI model. The new system requires candidates to submit profiles highlighting their qualifications before receiving invitations to apply.

The transition to EOI systems comes as provinces face new challenges in immigration management, particularly following the Federal Government’s 50% reduction in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) targets for 2025. This strategic shift allows provinces to better align immigration with regional labour market needs by creating qualified applicant pools, streamlining processing for in-demand skills, and maintaining year-round candidate consideration. The system represents a departure from the previous “first-come, first-served” model, offering more flexibility in selecting candidates who best match provincial economic needs.

Provincial Immigration Delays Spark Concerns as Canada Slashes Newcomer Targets

Canada’s provincial immigration system faces unprecedented challenges as processing times soar following the Federal Government’s decision to reduce new permanent resident targets by 25% to 395,000 for 2025. The Provincial Nominee Program, designed to distribute skilled immigrants across Canada beyond major metropolitan areas, has been particularly impacted, with its allocation halved to 55,000 spaces annually through 2027. Immigration lawyers and applicants alike are expressing growing concern over these significant policy changes.

The delays primarily affect “non-express entry” stream applicants, who now face processing times of up to 21 months compared to just seven months for express entry candidates. The situation highlights a growing tension between provincial immigration needs and federal processing capabilities, potentially undermining efforts to address regional labour shortages across Canada. The delays threaten to exacerbate existing labour market challenges and could force some businesses to postpone expansion plans or relocate to larger urban centers.

Abramovich Immigration Law provides comprehensive immigration services to individuals seeking to make Canada their new home. We guide clients through various pathways to Canadian immigration, handling complex documentation, preparing applications, and offering personalized strategies tailored to each client’s unique circumstances, ensuring a smooth and efficient immigration process. Contact us today for a consultation, and let us help you achieve your Canadian immigration goals.