Weekly Digest | June 1, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Judicial Reviews
Citizenship Week 2025
IEC Bilateral Agreement with Japan Amended
Wage Assessment Guidance for TFWP
Maintained Status for Temporary Residents
C11 Work Permit Guidelines for Business Owners
Job Changes for Foreign Workers in Canada
Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act
OINP Processing Delays Due to Reduced Federal Allocations
PEI’s Foreign Worker Protection Act
RCIP – Steinbach to Begin Candidate Intake
Latest PNP Draw
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

Study Permit – Akaram v. Canada, 2025 FC 963: The applicant was refused a study permit to attend ACCESS in Québec. The officer found the program was not a logical progression from his engineering background and gainful employment. The Court disagreed, noting the applicant clearly explained how the practical training complemented his theoretical education and aligned with his goals, including work with UNESCO-UNEVOC. Judicial review granted. Read more

Study Permit – Ameh v. Canada, 2025 FC 960: The applicant was refused a study permit to attend Royal Roads University due to limited financial evidence and concern that strong family ties in Canada, including a brother, created incentive to overstay. The officer did not address that the applicant’s spouse and children remained in Nigeria, but the Court found the decision reflected a reasonable weighing of factors. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Study Permit – Basra v. Canada, 2025 FC 961: The applicant was refused a study permit to attend BCIT for not showing sufficient funds. She demonstrated over $60,000 in liquid assets, including pre-paid tuition and a GIC, and her father pledged to fund the remainder. The Court found the officer’s assessment of financial sufficiency unintelligible and unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

Study Permit – Ikpefan v. Canada, 2025 FC 962: The applicant was refused a study permit to attend Fanshawe College due to concerns about the provenance of funds from his sponsor. The officer noted missing account holder details and an unexplained $35,000 deposit. Although the study plan analysis may have been flawed, financial concerns alone supported the refusal. The Court found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Erroa de Elias v. Canada, 2025 FC 967: The applicant, without status since 2003, sought permanent residence as her mother’s primary caregiver and due to hardship risks in El Salvador. The officer discounted her establishment, health issues, and caregiving role, treating her circumstances as ordinary. The Court held the decision lacked a proper justification. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Permit – Madu v. Canada, 2025 FC 955: Nigerian student, previously inadmissible under A41, applied to extend his study permit without requesting a TRP. The officer found he remained inadmissible and refused the application. The Court held that the applicant bore the onus to request the correct permit and found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Patel v. Canada, 2025 FC 947: Indian businessman applied to visit Canada for a family celebration. The officer cited insufficient evidence regarding financial origin and questioned the purpose of the visit. The Court found the officer failed to justify conclusions, particularly regarding intent for temporary stay. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Singh v. Canada, 2025 FC 976: The applicant sought to attend a conference and visit his sister. The officer refused the TRV, citing insufficient proof of financial means and that the trip was not consistent with a temporary stay. The Court found the officer failed to engage with detailed financial records and support letters. Judicial review granted. Read more

IRCC News Updates

Citizenship Week 2025: On May 26, 2025, Minister Lena Metlege Diab marked the start of Citizenship Week (May 26, 2025 –June 1, 2025) with a statement celebrating Canada’s diversity, resilience, and inclusive values. She encouraged Canadians to attend public citizenship ceremonies and reflected on the courage of newcomers and the collective responsibility to uphold rights, dignity, and reconciliation. Read more

Program Delivery Updates

IEC Bilateral Agreement with Japan: On May 28, 2025, IRCC updated its instructions under [R205(b) – C21] to reflect changes to the youth mobility agreement with Japan. As of April 1, 2025, Japanese participants in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program may now participate twice instead of once. Read more

Wage Assessment Guidance for TFWP: On May 28, 2025, IRCC released updated instructions to ensure a consistent approach in assessing wages under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Officers must confirm that offered wages align with prevailing wage rates. Read more

Maintained Status for Temporary Residents: On May 28, 2025, IRCC updated its instructions to clarify when individuals benefit from maintained status (formerly “implied status”) and removed reference to applying for new work or study permits at the port of entry while on maintained status. Read more

C11 Work Permit Guidelines for Business Owners: On May 27, 2025, IRCC updated its instructions under [R205(a) – C11], adding a definitions section, requiring proof of sufficient support and business funds, setting a 51% minimum ownership threshold, limiting work permits to 18 months, and clarifying that experience gained is ineligible for Canadian Experience Class. New guidance also covers documentary evidence, significant benefit assessment, temporary/seasonal stays, application method, and extension/refusal procedures. Read more

Temporary Public Policies

Job Changes for Foreign Workers in Canada: Effective March 4, 2025, IRCC introduced a temporary public policy allowing eligible foreign nationals in Canada to begin working for a new employer or in a new occupation while their work permit application is pending. This applies to those on maintained status, with closed work permits, or needing a permit to switch roles. Conditions include valid status, a submitted work permit application, and a request for the exemption. The policy replaces the COVID-19 measure and aims to reduce employment gaps and better utilize the existing workforce. Read more

Provincial Government News

Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act: On May 28, 2025, Ontario introduced the Working for Workers Seven Act, proposing key changes affecting foreign workers. These include new powers to require in-person OINP interviews, streamline or revoke streams based on labour needs, return misaligned applications, and launch a new OINP employer portal by Summer 2025. The Act also targets workplace abuse, strengthens enforcement, and proposes broader employment protections tied to layoffs, training, and job postings. Read more

OINP Processing Delays Due to Reduced Federal Allocations: On May 30, 2025, Ontario announced that the federal government has reduced the province’s nomination allocation by 50% for 2025. As a result, applicants to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) should expect longer processing times. Read more

PEI’s Foreign Worker Protection Act: On May 27, 2025, Prince Edward Island launched public consultations on the second phase of the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act, which proposes an employer registry and administrative penalty regulations. The Act’s first phase, effective April 1, 2025, introduced worker protections and recruiter licensing. Feedback on the second phase is open until July 21, 2025. Read more

RCIP – Steinbach to Begin Candidate Intake June 1, 2025: Steinbach, Manitoba has launched its participation in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a permanent residence pathway for skilled foreign workers. Employer designation is now open, with monthly intake periods starting June 1. Only 5 recommendations will be issued per intake, prioritizing listed sectors and NOC codes. Designated employers must meet specific criteria, complete intercultural training, and support candidate settlement. RCIP – Steinbach does not match candidates with jobs. Read more

Latest Draws

Important Upcoming Dates

June 28, 2025: Alberta’s 13-member advisory committee will submit its report on improving foreign credential recognition to the Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism. Read more

June 30, 2025: Temporary suspension of new applications under the Québec Graduate stream and invitations under the Regular and Skilled Worker Selection Programs remains in effect until this date. Read more

July 11, 2025: Updated unemployment rates for census metropolitan areas (CMAs) take effect and will be used to assess Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) refusals for low-wage positions in regions with unemployment rates at or above 6%. Read more

July 31, 2025: Temporary public policy ends for Israeli nationals and Palestinian passport holders in Canada, allowing fee-exempt applications for status extensions, study permits, or open work permits. Read more

July 31, 2025: Temporary public policy ends for eligible family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories on or after October 7, 2023, allowing fee-exempt applications for status extensions, study permits, or open work permits in Canada. Read more

July 31, 2025: Temporary special measures end for eligible Lebanese nationals in Canada and family members of Canadians or permanent residents who left Lebanon, allowing fee-exempt applications for open work permits, study permits, or status extensions. Read more