2026 has started with a major “reset” in Canadian immigration. If you are applying for Permanent Residence (PR), a Study Permit, or a Work Permit this year, the landscape looks very different than it did just twelve months ago.
As we approach the end of January, here is a summary of the confirmed changes, the latest draw trends, and what is proposed for the rest of the year.
1. The “New Normal” Numbers for 2026
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan is now in full swing, and the focus has shifted from “growth” to “stability and selectivity.”
- Permanent Residence Target: Canada aims to welcome 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026. This is a slight decrease from last year’s 395,000 target, signaling harder competition.
- Temporary Residents (Students & Workers): The biggest cuts are here. The target for new temporary residents has been slashed to 385,000 (down drastically from over 670,000 in 2025).
- International Students: The cap for 2026 allows for only 155,000 new study permits—a 49% reduction compared to 2025. With approval rates dropping (especially for applicants from India, where refusal rates hit ~74% late last year), having a perfect application is more critical than ever.
2. Express Entry: January 2026 Draw Recap
Express Entry has started the year with a clear preference for candidates already in Canada. If you are waiting for a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) draw, you might be waiting a while.
Recent Draws:
- January 21, 2026 (CEC): A massive draw inviting 6,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class. The CRS cutoff was 509.
- January 20, 2026 (PNP): A targeted Provincial Nominee Program draw inviting 681 candidates with a CRS cutoff of 716.
- January 7, 2026 (CEC): The first big draw of the year invited 8,000 CEC candidates with a score of 511.
What this means: IRCC is prioritizing the “In-Canada” inventory to meet its goal of transitioning temporary residents to permanent status.
3. New Categories: Physicians & Innovation
Late in 2025, IRCC announced a dedicated category for Physicians with Canadian work experience. We expect the first draws for this category to begin in February or March 2026.
Proposed Categories for Later in 2026: The government is currently considering three new categories for category-based selection:
- Leadership (Senior Managers)
- Research & Innovation (Scientists)
- National Security & Defence
4. Ontario Removes the “Canadian Experience” Barrier
In a huge win for newcomers, effective January 1, 2026, Ontario has banned employers from including “Canadian work experience” as a requirement in job postings and application forms.
Additionally, the new “As of Right” framework is now live. This allows professionals in regulated fields (like engineers and architects) who are certified in other provinces to get work authorization in Ontario within 10 business days, removing months of red tape.
5. Work Permit Tightening
- Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP): As of this month, eligibility remains restricted mostly to spouses of students in doctoral or master’s programs (and select high-skilled professional programs). Spouses of college and undergraduate students are largely no longer eligible.
- Start-Up Visa (SUV): IRCC stopped accepting new SUV applications on December 31, 2025. If you missed this window, watch for the announcement of a new Entrepreneur Pilot Program, expected to launch mid-2026.
Why Refusals Are Rising (and What To Do)
With the study permit cap cut in half and PR targets lowered, officers are using much stricter discretion. We are seeing a spike in refusals for “generic” reasons like purpose of visit or financial assets, even for strong candidates.
If you have received a refusal in late 2025 or early 2026, do not re-apply blindly.
Order your GCMS Notes at gcmsapply.com.
- See the Officer’s logic: GCMS notes reveal the exact notes the immigration officer typed into your file.
- Fix the real problem: Was it a missing document? A misunderstood bank statement? Or a suspected “non-genuine student” flag?
- Save time: Re-applying without addressing the specific refusal reason often leads to a second refusal.
Stay tuned to our blog for updates on the upcoming “Physician” draws and the new Entrepreneur Pilot!
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