Weekly Digest | July 20, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Judicial Reviews
IRCC to Issue 10,000 Invitations for PGP 2025
CUAET Measures Extended to March 31, 2026
Recognized Employer Pilot
Work Permit Invitations End for CSQ Holders Outside Quebec
Marine and Transport Workers
Forward Regulatory Plan: 2025–2027
B.C. Streamlines Licensing for International Doctors
Manitoba Mosaic Awards Now Open
Quebec Reaches Cap on Family Sponsorship Applications
Latest PNP Draws
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Anaraki v. Canada, 2025 FC 1263: Iranian couple sought PR citing close family ties in Canada and hardship upon return. Officer gave little weight to female Applicant’s Christian conversion and estrangement from family, misapplying s. 25(1.3) IRPA. Court found failure to assess conversion-linked hardship. Judicial review granted. Read more

SOWP – TRV – Bahmani v. Canada, 2025 FC 1254: Iranian national residing in UAE applied for an open work permit to reunite with spouse in Canada. Officer found insufficient evidence she would leave Canada under IRPR s. 200(1)(b), citing strong ties in Canada, weak ties abroad, lack of employment, and Iran’s conditions. Court upheld the decision as reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Intra-Company Transfer – Balaei Pakdehi v. Canada, 2025 FC 1269: Applicant’s C61 ICT work permit refused for lack of qualifying affiliate relationship between Iranian and Canadian companies. Officer found ownership did not meet the shared control threshold in IRCC’s affiliate definition. Procedural fairness claim dismissed. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Dhaliwal v. Canada, 2025 FC 1249: Indian applicant sought PR citing elderly PR parents’ reliance after family tragedies. Officer concluded parental care could be replaced by siblings or social services. Court found failure to assess financial and emotional interdependency. Judicial review granted. Read more

PNP – Incomplete Application – Fashina v. Canada, 2025 FC 1237: PR application under PNP refused for omitting required documents for newborn. Court confirmed an incomplete submission is not a valid application under IRPA or IRPR and does not preserve lock-in. Procedural fairness argument rejected. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Startup Business Class – Work Permit – Khan v. Canada, 2025 FC 1282: Applicant applied for a work permit under the Startup Business Class. Officer found key documents missing, including the Letter of Support, language test results, and proof of PR application by the team. Court upheld the refusal as reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

IRCC News Updates

IRCC to Issue 10,000 Invitations for PGP 2025: Starting July 28, 2025, IRCC will invite up to 10,000 potential sponsors from the 2020 interest to sponsor pool to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program. No new intake will open. Those not selected may consider the super visa as an alternative. Read more

CUAET Measures Extended to March 31, 2026: Ukrainians and their family members in Canada with valid temporary resident status who arrived under the CUAET program on or before March 31, 2024, may apply for or renew open work or study permits until March 31, 2026. Applications submitted under CUAET by July 15, 2023, will be processed to completion. Approved visa holders can travel to Canada during their visa validity and receive work permits at the port of entry if eligible. Read more

Recognized Employer Pilot: On July 16, 2025, IRCC released updated guidance to support consistent processing of work permits under the Recognized Employer Pilot, which streamlines hiring for repeat employers in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program who have a record of compliance. Read more

Work Permit Invitations End for CSQ Holders Outside Quebec: As of January 16, 2025, Quebec’s MIFI no longer issues invitation letters for CSQ holders outside Quebec applying under R205(a) – A76. IRCC will continue processing applications with invitation letters dated up to January 15, 2025, provided they are submitted within 90 days. Read more

Marine and Transport Workers: On July 18, 2025, IRCC released extensive updates clarifying when marine and other transport workers can work without a permit under R186(s) or require one under TFWP or IMP. Operational Bulletin 649 was added for Seaspan retrofit workers under R205(a) – C10. Minor updates were also made for air and land transport roles, with further revisions forthcoming. Read more

Forward Regulatory Plan: 2025-2027

Biometrics in Citizenship Processing: IRCC plans to introduce biometric collection for citizenship grant applications to improve identity verification and processing. Read more
Expanded Authority to Cancel Immigration Documents: Proposed changes would allow officers to cancel or suspend TRVs, eTAs, and other documents to protect program integrity. Read more
Clarifying Examination Requirements for Document Holders: IRCC will define when foreign nationals must comply with examination under IRPA. Read more
Extension Rules for Certain TRP Holders: Aimed at ensuring eligible TRP holders can lawfully extend their stay in Canada. Read more
Biometric Requirements for eTA Applicants: Facial biometrics will be required for visa-exempt travellers to enhance identity security. Read more
Work Authorization While Changing Employers: IRCC proposes formalizing work authorization for workers changing employers before permit issuance. Read more
Language Testing for IMP Applicants: IRCC to require designated language test results for select IMP streams to support integration and retention. Read more

Provincial Government News

B.C. Streamlines Licensing for International Doctors: As of July 2025, British Columbia has received nearly 780 U.S. job applications through its targeted health-care recruitment campaign. New CPSBC bylaw changes now allow U.S.-certified doctors to become fully licensed in B.C. without further exams or training. The Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada is no longer required for most international applicants, reducing costs and delays. Additional pathways are proposed for doctors from jurisdictions such as the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and others. Read more

Manitoba Mosaic Awards Now Open: On July 14, 2025, the Manitoba government launched nominations for the new Mosaic Awards, recognizing the contributions of newcomers, immigrants, and refugees to a more inclusive province. Five award categories will honour individuals, youth, changemakers, businesses, and community champions. Nominations are open until August 29, 2025. Read more

Quebec Reaches Cap on Family Sponsorship Applications: As of July 18, 2025, Quebec has stopped accepting new undertaking applications to sponsor parents, grandparents, or other family members until June 25, 2026. Applications received beyond the cap will be returned without processing or fee deposit. Limited exceptions remain for dependent children, including minors and those with disabilities. Read more

Latest Draws

Important Upcoming Dates

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