Weekly Digest | March 8, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Judicial Reviews
Fraud Prevention Month
Passport and Travel Document Fees
Iranian Nationals: Temporary Special Measures Extended
Spouses of Study Permit Holders: Open Work Permits
Citizenship: Revocations
Administrative Deferral of Removals: Israel and Lebanon
Northern Ontario Workforce and Immigration Initiatives
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program: Contact Process
Latest Express Entry and PNP Draws
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

Spousal Sponsorship – Alam v. Canada, 2026 FC 311: Sponsorship appeal dismissed after the Immigration Appeal Division found the marriage not genuine and entered primarily for immigration purposes. The tribunal relied on inconsistencies between testimony and the application, limited knowledge of each other, and lack of evidence explaining compatibility or future plans in the arranged marriage. The Court found the credibility findings reasonable and supported by the record. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Express Entry – Green v. Canada, 2026 FC 315: Permanent residence application rejected as incomplete after the applicant’s passport was not submitted; the representative mistakenly uploaded the spouse’s passport twice. The Court held the consultant’s admitted error constituted ineffective assistance causing procedural unfairness and that, but for the error, the application likely would have proceeded. Judicial review granted. Read more

C11 Work Permit – Hosseini v. Canada, 2026 FC 298: Work permit refused where the officer was not satisfied the proposed business would create significant benefit or that the stay would be temporary. The business plan lacked key operational details, including staffing and regulatory compliance, the applicant sought a 3-year stay without evidence the work would remain temporary, and the officer also found the applicant’s English ability insufficient. The Court found the reasoning justified. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Ibrahimi v. Canada, 2026 FC 265: One-Year Window of Opportunity permanent residence application refused due to the IRPR s. 141(1)(a) bar after the applicant was not declared as a family member before the spouse’s landing. The officer failed to meaningfully assess the severe consequences for family reunification and improperly required circumstances different from others in Afghanistan. The Court found the H&C assessment unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Khani v. Canada, 2026 FC 285: TRV refused due to concerns about financial resources, ties outside Canada, and the temporary purpose of the visit. Bank records showed fluctuating balances, repeated zero balances, and recent unexplained lump-sum deposits, leaving the officer unconvinced the funds were genuinely available. The Court found the financial analysis reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

C11 Work Permit – Misaghi v. Canada, 2026 FC 283: Work permit refused where the officer was not satisfied the proposed business would create significant economic benefit. Concerns included limited business management experience, uncertainty in the short-term hiring plan, financial stability due to asset liquidation to fund the business, and lack of confirmed partnerships supporting the business plan. The Court found the officer reasonably assessed the evidence and the applicant failed to establish eligibility under IRPR s. 205(a). Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Study Permit – Misrepresentation – Ndigui v. Canada, 2026 FC 281: Study permit refused and inadmissibility imposed after the officer determined the letter of acceptance was fraudulent following DLI verification confirming it was not issued by the institution. A procedural fairness letter raised the concern, but no response was received because the applicant failed to properly submit it through the portal. The Court found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Provincial Nominee Program – Patel v. Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, 2026 FC 302: Judicial review applications challenging revocation of AAIP nominations were struck for lack of jurisdiction. The Court held the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is provincially established and not a “federal board, commission or other tribunal” under the Federal Courts Act. The Federal Court therefore lacks jurisdiction to review AAIP decisions. Applications struck without leave to amend. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 305: TRV refused where the officer was not satisfied the applicant would leave Canada due to insufficient evidence of the source of funds and concerns the visit purpose was inconsistent with temporary residence. Arguments that humanitarian considerations relating to the spouse’s postnatal recovery and newborn child should have been considered were rejected, as H&C analysis does not apply in TRV assessments under IRPR s. 179(b). The Court found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

IRCC News Updates

Fraud Prevention Month – March 2, 2026: IRCC highlighted measures to combat immigration fraud and urged individuals to “spot, stop, and report” suspicious activity. Actions in 2025 included investigating over 95,000 fraud cases, refusing more than 95,000 applications for misrepresentation, enhanced visitor visa screening contributing to a 56% drop in asylum claims from visitor visa holders, and new penalties of up to $1.5 million for dishonest representatives. Read more

Passport and Travel Document Fees – March 3, 2026: Passport fees will increase on March 31, 2026, reflecting inflation and rising production costs. New fees include $163.50 for a 10-year adult passport, $122.50 for a 5-year adult passport, and $58.50 for a 5-year child passport. Beginning April 1, 2026, complete passport applications must be processed within 30 business days or the fee will be automatically refunded. Read more

Iranian Nationals – Temporary Special Measures Extended – March 4, 2026: IRCC introduced new targeted measures allowing eligible Iranian nationals in Canada with work permits issued on or before February 28, 2025, to apply for extensions. The measures respond to ongoing instability in Iran and will remain in effect until March 31, 2027, with standard processing fees applying. Read more Revised Policy: Read more PDI: Read more New Instructions: Read more

Spouses of Study Permit Holders – Open Work Permits [R205(c)(ii) – C42] – March 4, 2026: IRCC updated instructions for open work permits issued to spouses or common-law partners of study permit holders, adding eligibility criteria confirming the principal student cannot be in the final term of their program, linking to the list of eligible programs, and clarifying guidance for extensions and master’s program duration ranges. Read more

Citizenship – Revocations – March 5, 2026: IRCC updated instructions to incorporate new information regarding the citizenship revocation process. Read more

CBSA News Updates

Administrative Deferral of Removals – Israel and Lebanon – March 7, 2026: The CBSA issued a temporary halt on removals to Israel and Lebanon due to ongoing hostilities creating generalized risks to civilians. The Administrative Deferral of Removals under IRPR s. 230(1)(c) does not apply to individuals inadmissible for criminality, security, organized crime, or human rights violations. Removals will resume once conditions stabilize. Read more

FedNor

Northern Ontario Immigration Initiatives – March 4, 2026: FedNor announced a $1.3 million investment to support workforce expansion and population retention in Northern Ontario. Funding will enable the Northern Policy Institute to assist communities participating in immigration initiatives such as the FCIP, RCIP, and OINP through population data analysis, newcomer integration tools, and research on newcomer retention strategies. Read more

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program – Contact Process – March 2, 2026: The MPNP introduced a new webform-based inquiry system to streamline communication and improve response times. As of March 2, 2026, the program will no longer respond to inquiries sent by email, except for French inquiries from Francophone applicants. Read more