Weekly Digest | January 18, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Work Permit – Asad v. Canada, 2026 FC 40: The applicant sought judicial review of a work permit refusal despite holding a positive LMIA and CAQ. The Court found the officer reasonably concluded the applicant failed to demonstrate required language ability and financial establishment, and owed no duty to seek further evidence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Study Permit – Bajo v. Canada, 2025 FC 1409: The applicant challenged a study permit refusal based on financial establishment and temporary intent. The Court found the officer misapprehended third-party sponsorship evidence and failed to meaningfully assess key push and pull factors. Judicial review granted. Read more

LMIA – 11043277 Canada Inc. v. Canada (ESDC), 2026 FC 54: The employer sought judicial review of a negative LMIA decision. The Court upheld findings that the job offer was not genuine and that recruitment efforts imposed excessive requirements, undermining labour market impact. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Parents and Grandparents Program – Kuznetsov v. Canada, 2026 FC 57: The sponsor challenged IRCC’s return of a PGP application as incomplete. The Court found the incompleteness determination reviewable but reasonable, as required information remained missing despite a clear deficiency notice. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Work Permit – Singh v. Canada, 2020 FC 801: The applicant challenged a work permit refusal based on misrepresentation relating to marriage documents. The Court found the officer failed to meaningfully engage with the response to the procedural fairness letter and provided inadequate reasons given the serious consequences of misrepresentation. Judicial review granted. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Family Class – Williams v. Canada, 2026 FC 62: IRCC refused a spousal sponsorship based on concerns about relationship genuineness, including age difference, relationship timeline, and perceived inconsistencies. The Court found the officer relied on unfounded assumptions and untested credibility findings, creating gaps in the reasoning. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Ataollahi v. Canada, 2026 FC 69: A visitor visa was refused due to insufficient evidence of temporary intent, with the officer finding limited family ties outside Canada. The Court held the officer reasonably weighed family connections and applied the applicant’s burden of proof. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Super Visa – Ali v. Canada, 2026 FC 64: A parent and grandparent super visa was refused due to concerns about temporary intent, including prior immigration non-compliance and strong family ties to Canada. The Court held the officer reasonably assessed the medical purpose and overall circumstances and declined to reweigh the evidence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian & Compassionate – Mangmeesri v. Canada, 2026 FC 68: An H&C application was refused after the officer gave little weight to establishment, hardship, and the best interests of the child. The Court found the BIOC analysis unreasonable for failing to assess the impact of family separation, despite evidence the child could remain in Canada without the applicant. Judicial review granted. Read more

Ukrainian Family Reunification – Temporary Residence Extensions – January 16, 2026: Canada extended access to temporary residence for Ukrainians who applied under the family reunification permanent residence pathway, allowing eligible applicants and their family members to apply from within Canada until March 31, 2027 for open work permits, work permit extensions, study permits, or extensions or restoration of temporary resident status, even without an acknowledgement of receipt; standard fees apply. Read more Public Policy: Read more

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot – January 12, 2026: IRCC confirmed implementation steps for the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, launched January 30, 2025, aimed at increasing French-speaking permanent residents in Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. Selected communities, through local economic development organizations, will identify labour gaps, designate employers, and recommend candidates, with IRCC training underway and community-specific timelines for employer and applicant participation to follow. Read more

Rural Community Immigration Pilot – January 13, 2026: IRCC confirmed implementation steps for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, launched January 30, 2025, to address labour shortages in rural communities. Local economic development organizations will identify labour gaps, designate employers, and recommend candidates for permanent residence, with IRCC training underway and community-specific timelines for employer and applicant participation to be announced. Read more

Intra-Corporate Transferees – CUFTA – January 13, 2026: IRCC updated the International Mobility Program instructions for CUFTA intra-corporate transferees under R204(a), revising language and links and correcting category references from F75 to F74, with updated guidance now in effect. Read more

IL 3 – Designation of Officers and Delegation of Authority – January 16, 2026: IRCC updated the Instrument of Designation and Delegation effective December 15, 2025, expanding and redistributing decision-making authority across roles and branches, updating DLI-related authorities, adding new delegations for Quebec selection refusals, medical exam country designations, and refugee claim eligibility, and removing obsolete roles while streamlining structures to align with IRCC’s current operations. Read more

Family Class Permanent Residence – January 16, 2026: IRCC added a new section to the permanent residence assessment instructions setting out the interview referral process for family class and spouse or common-law partner in Canada applications, including updated guidance for overseas family class files where the applicant is residing in Canada and cannot attend an interview abroad. Read more

Saskatchewan – Unlicensed Immigration Consultant Charged – January 15, 2026: Saskatchewan laid charges for the first time under The Immigration Services Act, 2024 against an unlicensed individual alleged to have provided immigration and recruitment services without a licence in Saskatoon between January 20, 2025 and July 4, 2025, contrary to the Act’s licensing and offence provisions. Read more

Yukon Nominee Program – January 12, 2026: Yukon received 282 nominations for 2026 and will use a points-based Expression of Interest system with two intake periods (January 19–30; July 6–17). Priority applies to health care professionals, rural employers, and candidates with Yukon ties, including prior Yukon work, Yukon University graduation, Francophone ability, or a Temporary Measure Letter of Support issued in 2024 or 2025. Holders of Temporary Measure Letters are exempt from submitting an Expression of Interest and will be contacted directly. Read more