Canadian Immigration Law
Weekly Digest | August 9, 2026
Key Highlights:
- Start-Up Visa – Punjwani v. Canada, 2026 FC 1033
- Humanitarian and Compassionate – Bao v. Canada, 2026 FC 1029
- Express Entry Category-Based Selection Consultations
- Employer Compliance Inspections
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program Application Fees
- Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Public Policy
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program Allocation Increased
- Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Portal Opens
- Updated Forms and Checklists
- Latest Draws: Express Entry and British Columbia
- Important Upcoming Dates
Recent Case Law
- Start-Up Visa – Punjwani v. Canada, 2026 FC 1033: Three applicants proposed a reverse-osmosis business. Essential applicant: only two 2023 visits; no office, partnerships or municipal contacts. Other company’s product image used; social-media activity largely post-PFL; no relevant technical expertise or outsourcing plan. Officer reasonably found commitment primarily for immigration status. Related refusals mandatory. Judicial review dismissed. Read more
- Humanitarian and Compassionate – Bao v. Canada, 2026 FC 1029: 79-year-old applicant from Vietnam; 23 years in Canada without status; lived with and depended on sister. Claimed physical and cognitive decline, inability to live independently and no support or adequate elder care in Vietnam. No supporting medical evidence; limited evidence family could not assist financially. Officer’s global assessment reasonable. Judicial review dismissed. Read more
IRCC News Updates
- Express Entry Category-Based Selection Consultations – August 4, 2026: IRCC opened public consultations on its proposed economic priorities and categories for 2027. The department is considering continued attention to long-term labour shortages, highly skilled international talent and Francophone immigration outside Quebec, while potentially narrowing some occupation-based categories. Responses are due by September 1, 2026. Read more
- Employer Compliance Inspections – August 7, 2026: IRCC updated and reposted its employer compliance inspection instructions, broadening the former COVID-19 guidance to address employer conditions related to the Emergencies Act and Quarantine Act more generally. The instructions are now located under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program delivery guidance. Read more
Provincial Government News
- Nova Scotia Nominee Program Application Fees – August 6, 2026: Effective September 1, 2026, Nova Scotia will charge non-refundable application fees of $1,000 for NSNP worker streams and $2,000 for the Entrepreneur stream. There remains no fee to submit an Expression of Interest; fees apply only when an EOI is selected for assessment on or after September 1, 2026. The Atlantic Immigration Program remains fee-free. Read more
- Manitoba Workforce Transition Bridge Public Policy – August 5, 2026: IRCC introduced a temporary public policy allowing up to 2,700 skilled workers identified by Manitoba to obtain open work permits while being considered for permanent residence. Eligible applicants generally require a Manitoba support letter confirming placement in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Expression of Interest pool by December 31, 2025, and a letter from their current employer. The policy expires December 31, 2027. Read more PDU: Read more News Update: Read more
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program Allocation Increased – August 7, 2026: The Northwest Territories received 103 additional nominations, increasing its 2026 allocation to 300. An additional Employer-Driven Stream Expression of Interest draw will be held on August 26, 2026, with profiles due by August 24, 2026. The final 2026 draw remains scheduled for September 25, 2026, with a September 22, 2026 submission deadline. Read more
- Ontario Workforce Priority Stream Portal Opens – August 4, 2026: Ontario opened the Expression of Interest portal for the new Ontario Workforce Priority Stream. The stream offers pathways for candidates with job offers across all TEER categories and for eligible self-employed physicians. Read more
Updated Forms and Checklists
- IMM 5355: Immigration Loans Program – Assistance Loan Agreement: Read more
- IMM 0503: Immigration Loans Program – Right of Permanent Residence Fee Loan Agreement: Read more
- IMM 0500: Immigration Loans Program – In-Canada Transportation Loan Agreement: Read more
IMM 0500: Immigration Loans Program – In-Canada Transportation Loan Agreement: Read more
Latest Draws
Important Upcoming Dates
- August 31, 2026: Deadline to register for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program’s Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative. Read more
- September 25, 2026: Scheduled Northwest Territories Employer-Driven Stream Expression of Interest draw. Read more
- October 31, 2026: Closing date for Quebec’s temporary reopening of the Quebec Experience Program for eligible Quebec graduates and temporary foreign workers. Read more
