The changes from IRCC, the BC PNP and ESDC that matter most for students, workers, families and employers, explained in plain language. Every update links to the official source.
Official announcements, updated automatically
From the Government of Canada news feed. Links open the full release on canada.ca.
IRCC is adding a Labour Market Integration factor. Job offers in high-wage occupations earn 50 to 100 points again, with no LMIA needed, and Canadian experience in a high-wage job earns up to 70 extra points.
Students applying from September 1, 2026 must show $23,448 for living costs (one person, outside Quebec), plus first-year tuition and travel.
BC's 2026 allocation rises to 6,254 nominations. BC plans to use them for its Care, Build and Innovate priorities by December 31, 2026.
For LMIAs received from July 17, 2026, a job is high-wage in BC if it pays at least $38.40 an hour (the provincial median wage plus 20%).
IRCC won't accept new Interest to Sponsor forms or send invitations until further notice. It will keep processing existing applications, and the Super Visa remains open.
ESDC reports that penalties under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program doubled compared with the year before. Fines can reach $1 million a year, with bans from the program.
BC now invites workers in priority health, childcare, education and veterinary jobs (Care), certified trades (Build) and high-impact talent (Innovate). The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream is closed, and no new student streams will launch.
Hosts can now meet the income requirement in either of the two tax years before applying, and the visiting parent's or grandparent's income can help cover a shortfall.
The application fee for BC PNP Skills Immigration went up from $1,475 to $1,750. Registering is still free.
Students starting a master's or doctoral degree program at a public designated learning institution don't need a provincial attestation letter.
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