Weekly Digest | July 6, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Judicial Reviews
Study Permit Financial Requirements Increasing
PGWP Field of Study List Updated
Wildfire Relief – IRCC Special Measures
CUAET Public Policy Extended to March 2026
PRRA Eligibility Expanded for DRC Nationals
New Travel Document Rules for Adopted Citizens
TFWP Wage Assessment Clarified
OINP Updates and Employer Portal Launch
Québec Skilled Worker Program – PSTQ Criteria Released
Manitoba Employer Services Intake Paused
Updated Forms and Checklists
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

SOWP – TRV – Ali v. Canada, 2025 FC 1184: Pakistani spouse and three children applied to join the husband/father in Canada on a work permit. Officer refused all applications citing weak ties and risk of overstay. Court found the Officer ignored key evidence, including family ties in Pakistan, bank assets, and land inheritance. Judicial review granted for the original refusal. Reconsideration via MP was dismissed as out of time. Read more

Family Class – Bayeh v. Canada, 2025 FC 1168: Ethiopian siblings applied for PR through their brother. Officer found they did not qualify as orphaned siblings—over 18 and undeclared in the sponsor’s file. Financial support claims were weak, based on two old receipts. H&C arguments were rejected, including hardship and best interests of their minor sister. Court found a reasonable assessment and fair H&C analysis. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Sukan v. Canada, 2025 FC 1151: Bosnian-Croatian applicant re-applied for PR on H&C grounds after a prior refusal was set aside. He cited work history, community ties, and fear of discrimination. Officer acknowledged some establishment but emphasized stronger ties abroad, including family and work history. Discrimination concerns were unsupported by specific evidence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Tabari v. Canada, 2025 FC 1172: Iranian parents of two Canadian daughters applied for PR under H&C after five years in Canada. Officer noted family ties but found limited establishment and dismissed hardship claims, BIOC, health concerns, and country conditions. The Officer also failed to consider their alternative TRP request. Court found the H&C refusal reasonable but held the TRP omission breached procedural fairness. Judicial review granted in part; TRP request remitted. Read more

Post-Graduate Work Permit – Taduvayai v. Canada, 2025 FC 1173: Indian applicant applied to restore status and obtain an open work permit after missing the biometrics fee on a PGWP renewal. Officer assessed the request as a standard open work permit and refused it for lack of LMIA or job offer. Applicant argued she qualified under the 2023 PGWP public policy, but provided no indication in the application. Court held the Officer was not required to infer this and found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

IRCC News Updates

Study Permit Financial Requirements Increasing: As of September 1, 2025, international students applying for study permits must show higher proof of financial support. For one person (excluding tuition), the new requirement is CAN$22,895. Updated amounts apply to all provinces and territories except Quebec, which uses its own criteria. Read more

PGWP Field of Study List Updated: On July 4, 2025, IRCC revised the PGWP eligibility list to restore study programs removed on June 25, 2025. These programs remain eligible until the next update in early 2026. Applicants must ensure their CIP code is on the list at the time of applying for a study permit or PGWP. Read more

Wildfire Relief – IRCC Special Measures: IRCC announced fee-exempt replacements for lost or damaged status documents for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents affected by 2025 wildfires. Restoration deadline waived for impacted temporary residents. Foreign emergency workers are exempt from application and biometric fees. Measures apply until November 30, 2025. Read more Policy for Foreign Nationals: Read more Policy for Emergency Personnel: Read more

CUAET Public Policy Extended to March 2026: IRCC extended the temporary public policy allowing Ukrainian nationals in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) to apply for or renew open work permits and study permits from within Canada. Applies to those who arrived on or before March 31, 2024, and hold valid temporary status. Read more

PRRA Eligibility Expanded for DRC Nationals: Due to worsening conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, IRCC now allows PRRA applications from DRC nationals who received a final asylum refusal between July 5, 2024, and July 4, 2025. Those previously denied PRRA during this period may also reapply. The 12-month bar is waived. Individuals must be under a removal order to apply. Read more PDI: Read more

New Travel Document Rules for Adopted Citizens: IRCC updated its guidance for persons granted citizenship under section 5.1 of the Citizenship Act. Facilitation visas are no longer issued; special authorizations are also not permitted. In urgent cases, a limited validity passport (LVP) may be issued instead. Read more

TFWP Wage Assessment Clarified: IRCC updated program delivery instructions confirming that officers should continue using the wage stated in the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) when processing work permit applications under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Read more

Provincial Government News

OINP Updates and Employer Portal Launch: As of July 1, 2025, changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) aim to better align with Ontario’s labour needs. A new Employer Portal now supports an employer-led model for the Employer Job Offer streams. Other changes include: authority to return applications with a full refund pre-nomination, in-person interview requirements for employers and applicants (with accommodations as needed), and exemption from minimum education for early childhood educators under HCP and FSSW if registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Read more Backgrounder: Read more

Québec Skilled Worker Program – PSTQ Criteria Released: Québec published invitation criteria and scoring for the Programme de sélection des travailleurs qualifiés (PSTQ – Skilled Worker Selection Program), replacing the PRTQ (Regular Skilled Worker Program). The PSTQ has four streams: Highly Skilled, Manual/Intermediate, Regulated Professions, and Exceptional Talent. Invitations begin July 2025, prioritizing French speakers with Québec education or work experience, especially in the regions. Applicants must update or submit a declaration of interest in Arrima. Read more

Manitoba Employer Services Intake Paused: Manitoba has paused new Employer Services applications as of July 4, 2025. Intake is expected to reopen on August 5, 2025. Read more

Updated Forms and Checklists

IMM 0263: Post-arrival RAP contribution request: Read more
IMM 0215: Risk Management Plan – SAH Caseload Oversight Report: Read more

Important Upcoming Dates

July 9, 2025: Final day to submit applications for the Northwest Territories Nominee Program’s second 2025 intake. 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 21, 2025: Deadline to provide feedback on Prince Edward Island’s proposed second phase of the Temporary Foreign Worker Protection Act, which includes an employer registry and administrative penalty regulations. 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