Weekly Digest | April 26, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Case Law

Study Permit – Akaya v. Canada, 2026 FC 546: Study permit refused based on insufficient financial resources and concerns regarding intent to leave Canada. The Court found the officer made a veiled credibility finding by rejecting the applicant’s claimed familial relationship with the sponsor without an opportunity to respond. This procedural fairness breach was central to the assessment of financial support and rendered the decision unreasonable. Judicial review granted. Read more

Spousal Sponsorship – Boothe v. Canada, 2026 FC 530: Sponsorship refused on the basis that the marriage was not genuine and entered into primarily for immigration purposes. The Court found the IAD reasonably assessed the record, including the sponsoree’s immigration circumstances, rapid progression of the relationship, and deficiencies and inconsistencies in the evidence, and was entitled to find the marriage lacked genuineness despite the existence of a child, a positive but non-determinative factor. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Start-Up Visa – Work Permit – Hasan v. Canada, 2026 FC 351: Work permit refused under the Start-Up Business Class due to insufficient evidence that the applicant could perform the proposed work. The Court found the officer reasonably determined that the applicant’s resume and supporting documents did not provide sufficient objective corroboration of claimed experience and ability, and declined to reweigh the evidence. No procedural fairness issues arose given the low duty owed. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Start-Up Visa – Permanent Residence – Majidifard v. Canada, 2026 FC 538: PR applications refused based on alleged failure to establish ownership structure requirements within the required timeframe. The Court found the officer unreasonably refused to consider clarifying information submitted in response to a procedural fairness letter, adopting an overly restrictive interpretation of the regulatory framework. The evidence showed the applicants met the ownership requirements, which the decision failed to assess. Judicial review granted. Read more

Mandamus – Spousal Sponsorship – Naeemi v. Canada, 2026 FC 550: Application for mandamus brought due to delay in processing an inland spousal sponsorship. The Court found the delay, although lengthy, was justified by ongoing and substantiated security screening concerns tied to the applicant’s profile, with evidence of continued processing and no implied refusal to act. The threshold for mandamus was not met. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

LMIA-Work Permit – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 539: Work permit refused for failure to meet LMIA language requirements to work as a long-haul truck driver in Alberta. The Court found the officer reasonably concluded that the evidence provided, including training documents, did not demonstrate language proficiency, as it lacked meaningful information regarding the applicant’s ability. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Spousal Open Work Permit – Singh v. Canada, 2026 FC 544: Spousal open work permit refused for insufficient evidence of the spouse’s qualifying employment. The Court found the officer ignored extensive documentary evidence, including employment letters, pay stubs, and tax documents, and unreasonably relied on the absence of bank statements without explanation. The decision lacked justification, transparency, and intelligibility and was contrary to the record. Judicial review granted. Read more

IRCC – Express Entry Reforms Consultations – April 23, 2026: IRCC launched consultations (open until May 24, 2026) on proposed reforms, including replacing the three programs with a single program (minimum CLB 6, high school education, and 1 year of TEER 0–3 experience), updating CRS factors based on economic outcomes, and introducing points for high-wage occupations. Read more

Citizenship – Travel Documents for Adopted Persons – April 24, 2026: IRCC updated instructions to include electronic citizenship certificates (e-certificates), confirming applicants who opt for an e-certificate may apply for a full validity passport without requiring a limited validity passport. Read more

International Mobility Program – Performing Arts (C23) – April 21, 2026: IRCC updated instructions to revise structure and format, including expanded guidance on eligibility, documentary evidence, application assessment, and decision-making, and aligned content with current IMP program delivery standards. Read more

Temporary Public Policy – Gaza TRV Holders – April 23, 2026: IRCC introduced a public policy facilitating entry for foreign nationals with approved TRVs under Gaza special measures who were unable to travel before prior policy expiry, including exemptions from IRPA ss. 20(1)(b), 22(2), and 39, effective until March 31, 2028. Read more

Temporary Public Policy – Quebec Work Permits (PSTQ Candidates) – April 21, 2026: IRCC introduced a time-limited public policy facilitating employer-specific work permits under the IMP for temporary foreign workers in Quebec invited under the PSTQ and who have submitted a DSP, including exemptions from select IRPR requirements to support continued employment during PR processing, effective until December 31, 2026. Read more

Citizenship Week – Ministerial Statement – April 20, 2026: IRCC marked Citizenship Week with over 80 ceremonies welcoming approximately 6,000 new citizens from 40 countries, highlighting civic participation, belonging, and the role of newcomers in Canada’s future. Read more

British Columbia – Provincial Nominee Program – April 23, 2026: BC PNP updated priorities under its “Look West” strategy to focus on care, construction, and innovation sectors, including targeted occupation lists, closure of the ELSS stream, no new student streams, and a time-limited initiative to retain up to 250 health authority workers in rural and remote communities. Read more

Ontario – OINP Enforcement – Misrepresentation Conviction – April 21, 2026: Brampton immigration company fined $20,000 following a guilty plea for submitting false employment information in an OINP application and failing to disclose representation, contrary to the Ontario Immigration Act. Read more

April 30, 2026: Permanent residence fees increase. Read more Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 14:: Read more

May 1, 2026: Interim Federal Health Program introduces co-payments of $4 per prescription and 30% for supplemental benefits, while basic health care remains fully covered. Read more