Weekly Digest | March 2, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Immigration Case Law
Canada launches new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots
2025 Express Entry category-based draws
Canada extends temporary measures for Ukrainians
Pre-arrival services help newcomers prepare for work in Canada
Canada extends temporary immigration measures for Iranian nationals
Citizenship – Application stage
Excessive demand on health and social services
B.C. Labour Market Outlook forecasts over 1 million job openings
Ontario updates OINP eligibility for self-employed physicians
PEI implements first phase of Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act
PEI limits Atlantic Immigration Program applications to key sectors
Quebec caps International Student Program applications for 2025-2026
Important upcoming dates

Recent Case Law

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Andalon Zaragoza v. Canada, 2025 FC 325: Mexican citizen applied for permanent residence on H&C grounds, citing establishment in Canada, hardship upon return, and the best interests of children she babysat. The officer refused the application, emphasizing her non-compliance with immigration laws and giving little weight to her mental health concerns. The Court found no basis for judicial intervention. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Jafari v. Canada, 2025 FC 296: Iranian citizen applied for a temporary resident visa to visit his sister in Canada. The officer refused the application, citing weak family and employment ties and concerns about financial sustainability. The Court found the decision unreasonable, noting that the officer failed to consider evidence of financial support from the applicant’s sister and employment stability, including long-term employment and approved leave. Judicial review granted. Read more

Misrepresentation – Kaur v. Canada, 2025 FC 351: Indian family was found inadmissible for misrepresentation after the principal applicant falsely claimed employment experience in her permanent residence application. The Immigration Appeal Division upheld exclusion orders, determining that all family members were equally liable despite differing levels of involvement. The Court found the decision unreasonable, as the IAD failed to assess individual circumstances and the best interests of a child. Judicial review granted. Read more

Express Entry – Kaur v. Canada, 2025 FC 360: Indian citizen’s Express Entry application was refused after the officer determined that her job offer was not genuine, resulting in a 50-point deduction from her CRS score. The Court found the decision unreasonable, noting that the officer failed to properly assess the procedural fairness response and did not adequately consider the legitimacy of the employment. Judicial review granted. Read more

Study Permit – Mohseni v. Canada, 2025 FC 357: Iranian applicant’s study permit application was refused due to concerns about the program’s relevance to her career and financial ability. The officer determined that the applicant failed to demonstrate how the studies would benefit her career and found the cost of the program disproportionate to its potential advantages. The Court upheld the refusal, concluding that the officer’s assessment was reasonable and supported by the record. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Musa v. Canada, 2025 FC 367: Bangladeshi applicant sought permanent residence on H&C grounds, citing risks as a gay man. The officer rejected the claim, finding insufficient proof of his sexual orientation and downplaying the risks faced in Bangladesh. The Court found the decision unreasonable for failing to properly assess the applicant’s evidence and for mischaracterizing the risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Bangladesh. Judicial review granted. Read more

IRCC News Updates

Canada launches new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots on March 31, 2025: Home care workers will be eligible for permanent residence in one step, with lower language (CLB 4) and education (high school diploma) requirements. No prior Canadian work experience is needed, but applicants must have recent relevant experience or caregiver training (6+ months) and a full-time home care job offer outside Quebec. Initially, only the Workers in Canada stream will accept applications. Read more

2025 Express Entry category-based draws: Canada will prioritize Canadian work experience (CEC) and invite candidates with strong French language skills or work experience in health care (e.g., physicians, dentists, pharmacists), trades(e.g., carpenters, plumbers), and education (e.g., teachers, child care educators). A new education category has been introduced to address long-term labour shortages. Read more

Canada extends temporary measures for Ukrainians: Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under CUAET on or before March 31, 2024, can apply until March 31, 2026, for a new open work permit (valid up to three years), renew an existing work permit, or apply for a study permit, subject to standard fees. Free settlement services remain available until March 31, 2025. Read more

Pre-arrival services help newcomers prepare for work in Canada: Various online programs assist with job searching, resume writing, workplace culture, credential recognition, and mentorship. Industry-specific programs support careers in construction, skilled trades, engineering, finance, IT, and healthcare, including nursing registration guidance. Read mor

Canada extends temporary immigration measures for Iranian nationals: Iranian temporary residents who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025, can still apply for work permits, work permit extensions, or initial study permits under the special measures until February 28, 2026, but fee exemptions were only available for applications submitted by February 28, 2025. As of March 1, 2025, standard application fees apply, and extensions for visitor and study permits must now be done through the regular process. Read more

Program Delivery Updates

Citizenship – Application stage: IRCC has corrected the identity document requirements for Minor 5(1) and Minor 5(2) applications and added accepted identity documents for Canadian Armed Forces applications. Read more

Excessive demand on health and social services: IRCC has updated excessive demand instructions to reflect the 2025 cost threshold changes and clarify processing guidelines for officers. Read more

Provincial Government News

B.C. Labour Market Outlook forecasts over 1 million job openings: The 2024 Labour Market Outlook (LMO) projects 1.12 million job openings in B.C. over the next decade, with 449,000 due to economic growth and the rest from retirements. The 2025 LMO will consider U.S. tariff impacts and federal immigration caps. Key sectors include health care (178,100 jobs), professional services (150,300), retail (123,700), construction (99,600), and education (79,800). Read more

OINP eligibility for self-employed physicians: Physicians under NOC 31100, 31101, and 31102 can now apply to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream without a job offer if they hold an eligible CPSO certificate and can receive OHIP payments. Self-employment now also counts toward work experience for Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams under these NOCs. Changes took effect January 27, 2025. Read more

PEI implements first phase of Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act: Starting April 1, 2025, foreign worker recruiters must be licensed, with eligibility limited to lawyers, notaries, or registered immigration consultants. A $100 fee and a $10,000 security deposit are required for licensing. The Act aims to enhance worker protections and ensure fair treatment in the workplace. Read more

PEI limits Atlantic Immigration Program applications to key sectors: Due to high application volumes and reduced federal allocations, PEI is now only accepting new endorsement applications for workers in healthcare, construction, and manufacturing as of January 24, 2025. Transport Truck Driver (NOC 73300) applications are not accepted. Candidates in other sectors should apply through the Provincial Nominee Program. Read more

Quebec caps International Student Program applications for 2025-2026: Quebec has set a maximum number of study applications for vocational and college programs from February 26, 2025, to February 26, 2026, while university applications remain stable. Exemptions apply to those with a valid CAQ or those already studying in primary, secondary, or vocational training programs. Read more

Important Upcoming Dates

March 6, 2025: The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) intake period closes after accepting 90 new applications. Read more

March 24, 2025: Public consultation closes on proposed regulatory amendments to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which aim to streamline processing by removing federal duplication in assessing a nominee’s economic establishment and intent to reside. Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 8: Read more

March 31, 2025: Launch of the new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. Read more

April 1, 2025: Expired Refugee Protection Claimant Documents (RPCDs) will no longer be valid, and asylum claimants must submit renewal applications or request replacements for lost, destroyed, or stolen RPCDs using IRCC’s web form. Read more