Canada immigration policy changes
By Sam Parks · Most recent change:
Every change to Canada immigration rules we track, most recent first. Each entry links to its primary government source and links to affected routes where mapped. Also available as RSS.
·material·in-force
Canada raises LMIA high-wage stream hourly wage thresholds (17 July 2026)
ESDC raised the hourly wage thresholds that determine whether an employer's LMIA application falls under the high-wage or the low-wage stream. For LMIAs received as of 17 July 2026 the threshold rises in every province and territory except the Northwest Territories — for example Ontario from CA$36.00 to CA$36.92 per hour and British Columbia from CA$36.60 to CA$38.40 per hour. Employers hiring temporary foreign workers, and workers whose permits rely on an LMIA, are affected.
Full detailsPrimary source
ESDC — Hourly wage threshold by province or territory ↗ · Employment and Social Development Canada
Link last verified:
·significant·in-force
Canada: PR fees rise (30 Apr 2026), category-based Express Entry, Start-up Visa closed, arranged-employment points removed
A run of IRCC changes through 2025-26 reshaped Express Entry economics and closed the Start-up Visa to new applicants.
Full detailsPrimary source
IRCC — Permanent residence fees increasing (30 April 2026) ↗ · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Link last verified:
·significant·in-force
Canada tightens Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility
IRCC introduced significant changes to PGWP eligibility, including field-of-study restrictions for most programmes and new language-test requirements.
Full detailsPrimary source
IRCC — Post-Graduation Work Permit Program ↗ · Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Link last verified: