Employers that want to bring a foreign national to Canada usually think first of the Labour Market Impact Assessment, or LMIA. Canada also has a second route, the International Mobility Program (IMP), that lets an employer hire certain workers without one. It is a common choice for companies moving staff across borders,...
Category: Canada Immigration Blog
Canada Express Entry 2026: New 70-Point CRS Boost for Eligible Skilled Workers
Canada's upcoming Express Entry changes could provide a significant advantage to certain skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residence. Beginning November 3, 2026, eligible candidates with at least 12 months or 1,560 hours of qualifying Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may receive 70 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Eligibility depends...
Canada Express Entry 2026: Skilled Workers May Qualify for 40 Extra CRS Points
Canada's Express Entry system is introducing new opportunities for skilled foreign workers beginning November 3, 2026. Candidates with at least 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may be eligible for 40 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Eligibility depends on the applicant's National Occupational Classification (NOC) code,...
Canada Immigration Update 2026: New Express Entry CRS Points for Skilled Workers
Canada is introducing changes to its Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) on November 3, 2026, that may benefit certain skilled foreign workers with Canadian work experience. Eligible applicants working in designated high-wage occupations could receive 20 additional CRS points, potentially improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for...
Canada Options for U.S. Employers: Intra-Company Transfers and the Global Talent Stream
U.S. employers that sponsor skilled foreign workers are watching several changes at once, including the proposed OPT fee and the October 8 announcement that Microsoft, Adobe, and others are suspended from PERM, which we cover separately. Some are asking whether part of a team could work from Canada. Here are the main...
Canada for Skilled Workers After the PERM Suspension: Express Entry and the H-1B Pathway
On October 8, 2026, the administration announced that it was suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and other employers from PERM, the labor certification step in many employment-based green card cases. ABC News reports that Vice President Vance said the suspension will last as long as needed. TechCrunch adds that Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata,...
Studying in Canada After the Proposed OPT Fee: Study Permits and the PGWP
On October 8, 2026, DHS published a proposed rule that would add a fee of $70,000 for a student's initial OPT. It is only a proposal, and we explained it in our earlier post. Even so, some F-1 students and prospective students are now comparing U.S. study with study in Canada....
Working in Canada as a CUSMA Professional: What Officers Check on a T36 Work Permit Application
A U.S. or Mexican citizen with a Canadian job offer in one of 63 listed professions can obtain a Canadian work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is Canada’s counterpart to TN status in the United States. Our earlier post on CUSMA work permits covers the four categories...
IRCC Updates Guidance for Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals Under CETA, CUKTCA, and CKFTA
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its internal Program Delivery Instructions covering contractual service suppliers and independent professionals under three trade agreements: the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA), and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). The update, dated September 21,...
Can Work Permit Holders Study in Canada Without a Study Permit? New 2026 Rules
A new temporary Canadian immigration policy gives eligible work permit holders more flexibility to pursue short-term education and training without obtaining a separate study permit. Under the measure, workers with a valid work permit may study in a qualifying program lasting up to six months, subject to important conditions involving permit validity,...