Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is experiencing widespread processing delays, affecting not only work permits but also study permits, visitor visas, and permanent residency applications.
Canada is launching a new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot Program in 2025, offering a streamlined pathway to permanent residence for qualified caregivers. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for home care workers, providing valuable opportunities for immigrants seeking stable and rewarding careers in Canada.
As part of broader policy updates announced in September 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is revising eligibility criteria for family open work permits (OWPs) for spouses of international students and foreign workers.
In November 2024, Canada revised its visitor visa policies, notably affecting multiple-entry visas. Previously, multiple-entry visas were commonly issued with a validity of up to 10 years, allowing travelers to enter and exit Canada multiple times without reapplying. Under the new guidelines, immigration officers now have increased discretion to determine whether to issue single-entry or multiple-entry visas and to set their validity periods based on individual circumstances. This means that multiple-entry visas may now be issued with shorter validity periods, tailored to the specific needs and profiles of applicants.
The recent changes to Canada’s Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) policies have created significant challenges for new immigrants seeking employment through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Introduced in late 2024, these adjustments aim to prioritize Canadian workers, reduce reliance on foreign labor, and address unemployment in high-impact areas.
As of November 2024, Canada has implemented significant changes to its work permit regulations, making it easier for some foreign workers to enter the country while tightening restrictions for others. These adjustments are aimed at addressing the labour shortage while maintaining security and fair labour practices.