Weekly Digest | August 3, 2025

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Mandamus – Family Class Sponsorship – Arman Moghadam v. Canada, 2025 FC 1339: Iranian family’s PR application under the family class remained in process for 52 months. Although IRCC argued that no clear prior demand for action had been made, the Court held the delay was unreasonable given timely submission of all required documents and the importance of family reunification. Ongoing security screening did not justify the prolonged inaction. Mandamus granted; IRCC ordered to finalize processing within 90 days. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Ineffective Counsel – Lin v. Canada, 2025 FC 1344: Chinese family’s H&C PR application was refused due to insufficient evidence of hardship. The Court found that their former immigration consultant failed to raise key hardship factors, depriving the applicants of a fair opportunity to present their case. Despite procedural non-compliance with the Federal Court’s Protocol on raising ineffective assistance claims, the Court accepted the record, citing no prejudice to the fact-finding process. Judicial review granted. Read more

Work Permit – LMIA – Evidence – Mohammad v. Canada, 2025 FC 1343: Indian applicant’s LMIA-based work permit was refused for insufficient evidence of prior work experience. Although reference letters and training certificates were submitted, the officer relied on missing bank statements and tax documents without addressing the evidence provided or explaining why it was inadequate. The Court found the decision unreasonable for lacking transparency and justification. Judicial review granted. Read more

Officer Notes with Refusals – July 29, 2025: IRCC now includes officer decision notes with refusal letters for certain applications to improve transparency. As of July 29, 2025, this applies to refusals (including extensions) for TRVs (excluding eTAs and TRPs), visitor records, study permits, and work permits. More categories will follow. Notes are sent with the refusal letter unless the application was submitted via the IRCC Portal – New version. Portions may be withheld for security, privacy, or other concerns. Read more

Palestinian Measures Extended – August 1, 2025: Canada extended temporary measures for Palestinians in Canada unable to return to Gaza. Introduced in December 2023, the measures allow eligible individuals, including certain family members who left Gaza after October 7, 2023, to apply for fee-exempt study permits, open work permits, TRPs, or status extensions. As of July 8, 2025, over 1,750 have been approved to come to Canada, with 860+ arrivals. Applications from extended family continue to be processed, and fee-exempt permits remain available upon arrival. Read more

Quebec Physicians Work Permit Update – July 31, 2025: As of July 31, 2025, foreign physicians coming to work in underserved regions of Quebec no longer need two separate work permits for the assessment/adaptation period and clinical practice. A single C10 employer-specific work permit, valid for up to five years, now covers both the 13-week adaptation period and the practice period, if eligibility is met. Read more

Work Permits – July 30, 2025: IRCC updated guidance for Occupation-Restricted (C90) and Bridging (A75) Open Work Permits following June 2024 MIs for the HCCP and HSW pilots—reducing required experience from 12 to 6 months, accepting experience abroad, allowing experience within 36 months before applying, and clarifying applicants have one chance to submit proof. Updates also clarify that non-Express Entry PNP applicants do not receive a Stage 1 decision letter and add Quebec investor applicants with completeness letters to skilled worker eligibility. Read more

Yukon Community Program Pilot Concludes – July 29, 2025: The Yukon Community Program pilot ended June 30, 2025, as the agreement between Yukon and IRCC expired. Launched in 2020 and extended in 2023, the pilot let applicants combine up to three part-time jobs to meet full-time YNP eligibility. Employers and candidates can still access YNP streams, including Business Nominee, Critical Impact Worker, Skilled Worker, and Express Entry. Read more

IMM 5748: Income Sources for the Sponsorship of Parents and Grandparents: Read more
IMM 5771: 2025 Document Checklist: For Parents and Grandparents: Read more

August 5, 2025: Manitoba to reopen intake for Employer Services applications, following a pause that began on July 4, 2025. Read more

August 17, 2025: Public consultations close on Canada’s 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan. Read more

September 1, 2025: Study permit financial requirements increase, now necessitating proof of CAD $22,895 for one applicant (excluding tuition) and higher amounts for accompanying family members. Read more