Weekly Digest | March 1, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Study Permit – Akbar Pour Shandiz v. Canada, 2026 FC 255: Study permit refused based on concerns the applicant would not leave Canada and that the proposed studies were not reasonable given her background. The officer failed to engage with key evidence, including career trajectory, employer-supported promotion tied to the MBA, and the study plan, and did not assess relevant pull factors. Reasons lacked a rational chain of analysis. Judicial review granted. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Amin v. Canada, 2026 FC 252: H&C refused for insufficient establishment, BIOC, and hardship. The officer focused on missing documents instead of assessing an employer affidavit and income evidence, and failed to engage with country conditions and children’s access to education, misapplying BIOC. Decision lacked justification under Kanthasamy. Judicial review granted. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Begum v. Canada, 2026 FC 261: H&C refused despite accepted medical needs, with insufficient evidence that treatment was unavailable abroad. The Certified Tribunal Record omitted key documents, including a physician’s letter. It was unclear whether the evidence was before the officer, engaging Togtokh. Breach of procedural fairness found; merits not assessed. Judicial review granted. Read more

Parents and Grandparents Program – Ferreria v. Canada, 2026 FC 267: Sponsorship returned as incomplete due to an allegedly deficient resume following a procedural fairness request. No explanation was provided and the basis could not be discerned from the record. The matter was justiciable and the decision lacked transparency and intelligibility. Judicial review granted. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Jabeen v. Canada, 2026 FC 250: Sponsorship refused under IRPR s. 117(9)(d) with insufficient H&C grounds. The officer emphasized reunification abroad and limited Canadian ties. The Court found the H&C analysis unreasonable for the spouse, as it prioritized reunification outside Canada contrary to IRPA objectives, but upheld refusal for the adult child. Judicial review granted in part. Read more

Labour Market Impact Assessment – Next Alutech Ltd. v. Canada, 2026 FC 262: LMIA refused based on concerns the employer could not meet job offer terms. The officer failed to engage with alternative financial evidence and effectively treated a bank attestation as mandatory. This constituted fettering of discretion and rendered the decision unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Rahimi v. Canada, 2025 FC 1304: TRV refused based on insufficient ties and concerns with purpose of visit. The officer failed to engage with key evidence of family ties and caregiving responsibilities, including support of a paraplegic family member, directly contradicting the finding. Decision unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Singh v. Canada, 2025 FC 1388: TRV refused due to insufficient financial documentation, including missing transaction history to verify funds. The officer reasonably found financial capacity and temporary intent were not established. Applicants must put their best foot forward; no duty to request missing evidence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Temporary Resident Permit – Walker v. Canada, 2026 FC 256: TRP refused in the context of intercountry adoption. The officer found circumstances did not justify exceptional relief and that the matter should proceed through proper immigration pathways. Concerns included invalid guardianship and safeguards against improper adoption. No fettering; BIOC analysis reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Start-Up Visa – Mandamus: Yim v. Canada, 2026 FC 254: Mandamus sought after a 46-month delay. Delay justified by Ministerial Instructions under IRPA s. 87.3 prioritizing applications and limiting admissions. The application did not meet priority criteria and remained in queue. No clear right to immediate processing; no unreasonable delay under Conille. Mandamus denied. Read more

Rural and Francophone Community Pilots – Work Permits [R205(a) – C15, C17] – February 24, 2026: New 5-year RCIP and FCIP pilots introduced, allowing eligible candidates to obtain employer-specific work permits (C15) valid up to 2 years, with accompanying spouses/common-law partners eligible for open work permits (C17) and dependent children eligible under C49. Read more

Work Permits – Significant Benefit [R205(a) – C10] – February 24, 2026: PDIs updated to reorganize and clarify guidance on assessing “significant benefit to Canada,” with more specific direction on when foreign nationals’ activities create or maintain social, cultural, or economic benefits for Canadians or permanent residents. Read more

Work Permits – International Mobility Program (Unique Work Situations): Rail Track Maintenance Workers – February 25, 2026: PDIs updated to improve structure and readability, including reorganized sections (eligibility, evidence, assessment, decisions), detailed GCMS issuance steps, and added guidance on validity, refusals, and changes between the offer of employment and work permit application. Read more

Joint Assistance Sponsorship – February 23, 2026: PDIs updated to expand and clarify guidance on joint sponsorship arrangements between sponsoring groups and IRCC for refugees with special needs requiring enhanced settlement support. Read more

CBSA Enforcement – Unauthorized Foreign Workers – February 27, 2026: Charges laid against Camping Havana Resort (9267-1551 Québec Inc.), its directors, and an employee for hiring 21 unauthorized foreign workers and inducing unauthorized work, contrary to IRPA ss. 124(1)(c) and 131, following a CBSA investigation (May 2022 to April 2024); court appearance scheduled for March 26, 2026. Read more

British Columbia PNP – Fraud Prevention Month – February 26, 2026: BC PNP highlights March as Fraud Prevention Month, focusing on helping employers and prospective immigrants identify, avoid, and report immigration scams, with updated resources including awareness materials and educational tools. Read more

Saskatchewan – Employer Enforcement – February 23, 2026: Charges laid under FWRISA and the Immigration Services Act against an employer for alleged exploitation of foreign workers, including misrepresentation of employment terms, false payroll records, and abuse of vulnerability, with offences occurring between 2022 and 2024 near Weyburn. Read more

CIT 0403: Application for Canadian citizenship – Minors (under 18 years of age) applying under Subsection 5(1): Read more
CIT 0003: Application for Canadian Citizenship – Minors: Read more
CIT 0002: Application for Canadian Citizenship – Adults: Read more