Weekly Digest | March 22, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Study Permit – Alademomi v. Canada, 2026 FC 380: Study permit refused due to insufficient available funds despite prepaid tuition and a GIC. The Court found the officer misapprehended the evidence by failing to account for immediate access to a portion of the GIC and did not adequately justify the finding of insufficient funds. Judicial review granted. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Erhun v. Canada, 2026 FC 364: H&C application refused despite lengthy establishment and complex immigration history. The Court upheld the refusal for the principal applicant but found the BIOC analysis unreasonable for the child, including failure to address educational disruption, level of establishment in Canada, and improper reliance on inadmissibility. Judicial review granted in part. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Gabayan v. Canada, 2026 FC 355: TRV refused with a finding of misrepresentation after the officer questioned the credibility of the applicant’s travel documents. The respondent conceded the decision was unreasonable due to an erroneous reliance on the applicant’s employment background as a material factor. The refusal and misrepresentation finding were set aside and remitted for redetermination. Judicial review granted. Read more

Restoration of Status – Kohli v. Canada, 2026 FC 381: Restoration refused where the applicant sought restoration to a work permit despite previously holding a study permit. The Court upheld the officer’s interpretation of IRPR s.182(1) that restoration applies to the prior authorization held, not a new one, and found no reviewable error in the assessment of the evidence or procedural fairness. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Mai v. Canada, 2026 FC 363: H&C application refused where the officer gave limited weight to establishment, drew a negative inference from prolonged non-compliance, and found insufficient hardship despite some positive BIOC and family ties. The Court found the officer reasonably assessed and weighed the evidence and declined to reweigh the factors. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Start-Up Visa – Rezaie v. Canada, 2026 FC 369: Permanent residence refused where the applicants failed to demonstrate a qualifying business, including lack of active management in Canada, insufficient evidence of operations, and failure to establish a credible intention to conduct essential business activities in Canada. The Court upheld the officer’s assessment of the evidentiary record and interpretation of IRPR s.98.06 requirements. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Rusakov v. Canada, 2026 FC 370: Sponsorship appeal dismissed by the IAD for lack of jurisdiction where a prior misrepresentation finding triggered the statutory bar under IRPA s.40(3), rendering the underlying application ineligible and removing the right of appeal. The Court upheld the IAD’s interpretation of its jurisdiction and treatment of conflicting jurisprudence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Work Permit Restoration – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 352: Restoration refused where the applicant, previously holding an open work permit, submitted a restoration application supported by a SINP nomination for an employer-specific position. The applicant alleged representative incompetence, but the Court found no prejudice as there was no evidence the outcome would have been different and declined to assess the merits of the refusal. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Study Permit – Verma v. Canada, 2026 FC 371: Study permit extension refused based on non-compliance with study conditions and lack of progression. The applicant argued the officer failed to consider IRPR s.221, but the Court held there was no obligation to consider that provision where it was not raised and found the decision reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Super Visa – Income Requirement Changes – March 20, 2026: IRCC updated how family income is calculated for super visa eligibility, allowing income to be assessed over either of the two preceding taxation years and permitting the inclusion of the visiting parent or grandparent’s income to meet the requirement. Read more

Express Entry – Category-Based Selection – March 16, 2026: IRCC updated instructions to standardize occupational requirements for category-based selection in Express Entry. Read more

Temporary Resident – Business Visitors – March 19, 2026: IRCC updated instructions to include eligibility criteria for business visitors. Read more

Public Policy – Quebec Work Permits for Prospective Permanent Residents – March 19, 2026: IRCC introduced instructions for a temporary public policy to facilitate access to employer-specific work permits under the International Mobility Program for select temporary foreign workers in Quebec. Read more

Francophone Immigration – New Investments and Initiatives – March 20, 2026: IRCC announced approximately $1.5 million in funding for new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program and additional funding to support francophone immigration initiatives outside Quebec. Read more

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program – Regulatory Changes – March 16, 2026: Ontario amended O. Reg. 421/17 to authorize the Minister to create or remove selection streams, streamline application processing, update draw determination processes, and strengthen program integrity, including expanded notice delivery methods and administrative monetary penalties for non-compliance. Read more

Saskatchewan – Immigration Services Act Enforcement – March 20, 2026: The Ministry of Immigration and Career Training issued a $96,000 compensation order against an unlicensed immigration consultant for fraudulent services, marking the first paid compensation order under the Act. Read more

March 25, 2026: Northwest Territories Nominee Program first EOI draw expected to begin for the Employer-Driven stream. 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 work permit eligibility extension expires under the updated program guidelines. Read more

April 1, 2026: IRCC limits federally funded settlement service eligibility for economic class permanent residents to 6 years after obtaining permanent residence. Read more