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 the routes it affects. 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: