Weekly Digest | May 10, 2026

Key Highlights:

Recent Judicial Reviews
In-Canada Workers Initiative
Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Regulation
International Migration Review Forum 2026
Sport Investments
Refugee Sponsorship Public Policy
Resettlement Travel Arrangements
Study Permits – Scholarships and Exchange Programs
New Brunswick – Skilled Worker Stream
Updated Forms and Checklists: IMM 5546
Latest Draws
Important Upcoming Dates

Recent Case Law

Express Entry – Provincial Nominee Class – Ayaz v. Canada, 2026 FC 598: PR application refused as incomplete after IRCC found the accompanying spouse’s UK police certificate had been issued before her declared last residence in the UK. The address history listed UK residence until January 2025, though the applicant said she had only transited through the UK and had been living in Pakistan. The Court found the officer could rely on the information in the application and that the consultant’s alleged error did not amount to incompetence. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Misrepresentation – Chater v. Canada, 2026 FC 588: TRV refused and applicant found inadmissible for misrepresentation after he answered “no” to prior visa refusals despite having been refused three US visas. The applicant said the omission was an unintentional lapse in memory. The Court found the officer failed to explain how the omission could have induced an error in the administration of the IRPA. Judicial review granted. Read more

Study Permit – Mandamus – Khan v. Canada, 2026 FC 591: Mandamus application filed after a study permit application had been pending since July 2023. IRCC refused the application one week before the hearing, finding the applicant inadmissible under paragraph 34(1)(d) after security screening and a procedural fairness letter. The Court found the mandamus issue was moot, the file was not dormant, and the delay did not justify costs. Application dismissed without costs. Read more

Temporary Resident Visa – Reconsideration – Gupta v. Canada, 2026 FC 604: Applicant sought reconsideration after judicial review of a TRV refusal was dismissed, arguing the Court had not addressed key arguments, evidence, and alleged post-facto justification. The Court found Rule 397 is not a route to reargue the case or appeal the result, and applies only to narrow errors such as inconsistencies between the order and reasons, omitted matters in the order, or clerical mistakes. Motion dismissed. Read more

Work Permit – Misrepresentation – Zhang v. Canada, 2026 FC 586: Work permit refused and applicant found inadmissible for misrepresentation after IRCC verified that a Saskatchewan job offer from Boston Pizza, though originally genuine, was no longer valid because the company had been sold. In response to a procedural fairness letter, the applicant maintained the offer was still valid and said she had called the employer. The Court found the officer reasonably concluded she misrepresented the offer’s validity. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

Humanitarian and Compassionate – Ghasedi v. Canada, 2026 FC 608: H&C refused for an Iranian applicant in her 60s who sought to remain in Canada with her daughter and grandson, who had been diagnosed with autism. The officer gave limited weight to establishment because the applicant had only been in Canada for three months, gave positive weight to her contribution to her daughter’s well-being, and found the child had support from parents, medical professionals, daycare, school, and community services. The Court found the officer reasonably assessed the medical evidence and best interests of the child. Judicial review dismissed. Read more

IRCC News Updates

In-Canada Workers Initiative – May 4, 2026: IRCC announced progress on the one-time initiative to accelerate permanent residence for up to 33,000 workers in Canada in 2026 and 2027, initially targeting eligible work permit holders with pending permanent residence applications through selected regional and occupation-driven programs who have lived in smaller Canadian communities for two years or more. Read more Backgrounder: Read more

Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Regulation – May 6, 2026: IRCC announced new regulations, effective July 15, 2026, to strengthen oversight of immigration and citizenship consultants, including expanded complaints and discipline tools, increased penalties, new public register information beginning April 2027, enhanced College reporting requirements, clarified misconduct investigation rules, ministerial intervention powers, and guidelines for the College’s compensation fund. Read more Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 160, Number 9: Read more

International Migration Review Forum 2026 – May 8, 2026: IRCC announced that Canada reaffirmed its support for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, committed approximately $7 million toward eight international migration capacity-building projects, and made five pledges focused on AI use in migration, labour mobility, misinformation, whole-of-government engagement, and international assistance partnerships. Read more Backgrounder: Read more

Sport Investments – May 2, 2026: IRCC announced that Minister Diab highlighted Spring Economic Update 2026 investments of $755 million to expand access to sport, including $4 million for a new accessible Mayflower Curling Club facility, with broader funding for sport organizations, athlete support, safe sport measures, and major sporting events in Canada. Read more

Refugee Sponsorship Public Policy – May 7, 2026: IRCC introduced a subsequent temporary public policy, effective for 24 months, to help certain overseas refugee applicants who lost their Sponsorship Agreement Holder sponsor due to a cancelled agreement find a new Group of Five or Community Sponsor by waiving the requirement to include a Refugee Status Determination document with the replacement sponsorship application. Read more

Resettlement Travel Arrangements – May 5, 2026: IRCC updated instructions on travel arrangements for resettled refugees, including transportation loan processes for minors travelling without a parent or intended guardian, Travel Booking Referral details for the International Organization for Migration, and cancelling transportation loan requests where clients choose to self-book travel. Read more

Study Permits – Scholarships and Exchange Programs – May 8, 2026: IRCC updated instructions for scholarships, award recipients and exchange programs, confirming that as of April 1, 2026, official scholarship letters for the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program and Study in Canada Scholarships will be issued by the receiving Canadian DLI, and removing UMAP–Canada Scholarships from the list. Read more

Provincial Government News

New Brunswick – Skilled Worker Stream – May 4, 2026: NBPNP announced that, until further notice, new ITAs under the Skilled Worker stream – New Brunswick Experience pathway will be limited to healthcare, education, and construction trades occupations due to limited remaining allocation, with candidates permitted to withdraw and submit a new EOI or create a separate INB profile with a different email address for another EOI or AIP endorsement application, if eligible. Read more

Updated Forms and Checklists

IMM 5546: Details Of Military Service: Read more

Latest Draws

Important Upcoming Dates

May 24, 2026: IRCC’s consultations on proposed Express Entry reforms close, including proposed changes to program structure, CRS factors, and points for high-wage occupations. Read more

June 22, 2026: Deadline to submit an Expression of Interest profile for consideration in the next Northwest Territories Nominee Program Employer-Driven Stream draw. Read more

June 25, 2026: Northwest Territories is scheduled to hold an Employer-Driven Stream EOI draw. Read more

June 25, 2026: Quebec’s current intake cap period for certain Family Sponsorship undertaking applications remains in effect until this date. Read more

June 30, 2026: The end of IRCC’s Start-Up Visa intake at the Centralized Intake Office, while existing applications continue to be processed and no new Federal Self-Employed Persons Class applications are accepted. Read more