Immigration Update

Surge in CSIS immigration security screenings creates multi-year processing delays

Surging immigration security screening volumes have caused significant backlogs, leaving thousands of citizenship and permanent residence applicants facing multi-year delays.

According to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), screening requests rose from 356,200 in 2019 to a peak of 538,100 in 2024, then eased to 438,600 after federal intake reductions.

The Canada Border Services Agency currently manages tens of thousands of active files. At the same time, the Immigration Department estimates projected completion timelines of 64.8 months for permanent residence screenings and 30.3 months for temporary residence cases.

#canada_immigration, #csis, #security_screening, #citizenship_delays, #ircc, #cbsa, #permanent_residence, #immigration_backlog

IRCC allows work permit holders with subsequent permits to study for up to six months without a study permit

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy allowing foreign nationals with valid work permits to pursue short-term studies of six months or less without a study permit, including those who received a subsequent work permit while already in Canada.

The ability to study for up to six months without a study permit already exists under section 188(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, but the program must normally be completed within the period authorized upon entry to Canada.

The new policy exempts valid work permit holders from this requirement, including workers who extended their permits from within Canada. No separate application is required to benefit from the measure.

IRCC says the policy can help temporary workers, including tradespeople, nurses and laboratory technicians, obtain additional training, skills or professional licensing needed in the Canadian labour market. The temporary public policy is in effect until December 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier.

#ircc, #canada_immigration, #work_permit_canada, #canada_work_permit, #study_permits, #temporary_foreign_workers

Over 250 organizations demand investigation after CBSA issues removal orders to student protesters in Calgary

More than 250 Canadian organizations, including Amnesty International Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, have signed an open letter calling for an investigation into immigration enforcement during an August 12 protest in Calgary.

Ten international graduates facing Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) rejections were issued exclusion orders by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) after Calgary police initiated status checks during a peaceful demonstration.

The coalition argues that enforcing deportation at a rally violates Charter rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. The dispute stems from recent federal clarifications excluding non-credit programs from PGWP eligibility, leaving hundreds of graduates ineligible despite prior assurances from educational institutions.

#calgary_protest, #cbsa, #pgwp_refusals, #international_students, #canada_immigration, #migrant_rights, #post_graduation_work_permit, #ircc, #deportation_orders

Saskatchewan expanded rural health care recruitment incentive to 12 additional communities

The Government of Saskatchewan has expanded its Rural and Remote Recruitment Incentive (RRRI) program to include 12 new communities, effective September 1, 2026.

The expansion allows designated rural centers to offer financial packages of up to $50,000 in exchange for a three-year return-in-service commitment from new, permanent full-time health care workers. Backed by an $8.7 million allocation in the 2026–27 provincial budget,

the program now encompasses 94 participating communities to help address ongoing staffing pressures across rural and northern regions.

#saskatchewan_health_care, #rrri_program, #rural_recruitment_incentive, #saskatchewan_immigration, #saskatchewan_jobs, #nursing_incentives, #health_care_recruitment, #rural_saskatchewan