Weekly Digest | February 22, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Work Permit – Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Bumanglag v. Canada, 2026 FC 232: Work permit refused based on concerns a housekeeping role was in fact caregiving and not genuine, and that the applicant would not leave Canada. The officer failed to address key evidence in response to the procedural fairness letter, including affidavits, a revised contract, and detailed job duties, and relied on undisclosed concerns about similarities to caregiver contracts. The Court found the decision unreasonable and procedurally unfair. Judicial review granted. Read more

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program – Misrepresentation – Ju v. Canada, 2026 FC 236: Work permit and PR applications refused for misrepresentation based on a non-genuine job offer, citing concerns with the employer’s financial and HR capacity. The officer relied on post-interview employer documents without disclosure or opportunity to respond, and no procedural fairness letter was issued. The Court found a breach of procedural fairness. Judicial review granted. Read more

Open Work Permit – Study Permit – Temporary Resident Visa – Nguyen v. Canada, 2026 FC 225: Applications refused for failure to establish temporary intent based on insufficient funds, lack of a stable and legitimate source of funds, and family ties in Canada. The Court upheld the officer’s discretion, finding it reasonable to assess financial sufficiency and employability in determining ability to support themselves and leave Canada, even if not explicit program requirements. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Self-Employed Persons Class – Shiri v. Canada, 2026 FC 224: PR application refused based on concerns with the business plan, language ability, and ability to make a significant contribution. The officer failed to explain deficiencies, did not meaningfully engage with the record, and did not apply or articulate the statutory framework. The Court found the reasons lacked a rational chain of analysis and were unintelligible. Judicial review granted. Read more

Start-Up Visa – Mandamus – Zheng v. Canada, 2026 FC 245: Mandamus sought following a five-year delay. The applicant argued all substantive steps, including security screening, were complete. The Court found no public legal duty to act, as IRCC lawfully paused processing under IRPR s. 98.03(4) following suspension of the designated entity, which applies even to applications supported by commitment certificates. Delay did not override the lawful pause, and mandamus is assessed at the time of hearing. Application dismissed. Read more

Temporary Residents – Students and Workers Data – February 17, 2026: IRCC reported significant declines in new arrivals in 2025, including 53% fewer combined student and worker arrivals, 61% fewer international students, and 47% fewer workers compared to 2024, reflecting policy measures to reduce temporary resident levels below 5% of the population and ease pressures on housing and infrastructure. Read more

Federal Business Programs – February 16, 2026: New Ministerial Instructions update MI72 by pausing new Start-up Visa Program applications (except for applicants with a valid 2025 designated organization commitment), adjusting prioritization to include applicants already in Canada on SUV-linked work permits, and extending the pause on PR applications under the Self-Employed Persons Program; measures remain in effect until further notice. Read more

Express Entry – 2026 Category-Based Selection – February 18, 2026: IRCC announced new 2026 categories, including foreign medical doctors with Canadian work experience, researchers and senior managers, transport occupations, and foreign military applicants in key roles; draws will continue for candidates with strong French proficiency and experience in health care and social services and trades, with a continued focus on addressing labour shortages and supporting economic priorities. Read more Speaking Notes: Read more Backgrounder: Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – FIFA 2026 Public Policy – February 16, 2026: Public policy exempts certain FIFA-invited applicants, including those holding official invitation letters or diplomatic/official passports, from the biometrics requirement for TRV applications submitted between November 25, 2025 and July 20, 2026, provided admissibility criteria are met; measure implemented to facilitate processing for World Cup participants and delegates. Read more

Study Permits – Who Needs a Study Permit – February 19, 2026: PDIs updated to clarify who may study in Canada for less than six months and applicable timeframes, along with minor wording updates concerning family members of foreign representatives. Read more

Work Permits – Reciprocal Employment [R205(b) – C20] – February 20, 2026: PDIs updated to revise title, integrate Port of Entry guidance into the main content, align with International Mobility Program formatting, expand guidance on application review, approval, and refusal, and add a section addressing family members. Read more

Northwest Territories Nominee Program – Expression of Interest System – February 18, 2026: GNWT announced the introduction of an Expression of Interest system for the Employer-Driven Stream, with ranked candidate selection and invitation rounds beginning March 25, 2026, while confirming 197 nomination allocations for 2026 and that Francophone and Business streams will continue on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more

British Columbia – International Education Legislation – February 19, 2026: B.C. introduced proposed legislation to formalize the Education Quality Assurance (EQA) framework in law, establish inspection and enforcement powers over designated institutions, and prohibit non-designated institutions from enrolling international students requiring study permits, aimed at strengthening oversight and protecting students from non-compliant providers. Read more

February 24, 2026: Final committee report due on Bill C-12 – Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act following Senate second reading and committee review, after which the bill proceeds to third reading. Read more

February 28, 2026: Temporary Public Policy for Iranian nationals in Canada ends. Read more and Read more

March 31, 2026: Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) temporary public policy expires. Read more and Read more and Read more

March 31, 2026: Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) work permit eligibility extension expires under the updated program guidelines. Read more