Immigration Update

Canada’s refugee protection claims reach nearly 300,000 pending cases as the immigration system faces growing pressure

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada has released the latest monthly statistics, revealing that pending refugee protection claims hit 298,588 cases by October 2025.

This represents a steady climb from 139,540 pending cases in October 2023, marking a significant increase in backlog over the two-year period.

While monthly intake has fluctuated between roughly 7,500 and 19,800 new claims, finalizations have consistently lagged, averaging around 6,500 decisions per month.

The data, published on the IRB's statistics portal, also shows growth in both refugee and immigration appeals, with pending refugee appeals reaching nearly 4,000.

#canada_immigration, #refugee_protection_claims, #irb_statistics, #immigration_backlog, #refugee_appeals, #asylum_seekers

IRCC updated study permit rules for protected persons and their families

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that protected persons and their family members can now apply for study permits from within Canada, regardless of whether they have submitted permanent residency applications.

This policy update, effective November 13, 2025, expands access for various groups, including students at all educational levels, work permit holders, temporary residents, refugee claimants, and families of foreign government officials.

The change aligns with section R215 of immigration regulations and aims to provide greater flexibility for foreign nationals already in Canada who wish to pursue educational opportunities at designated learning institutions.

#canada_immigration, #study_permits, #protected_persons, #ircc, #international_students, #refugee_rights, #temporary_residents, #immigration_canada_2025

The Express Entry pool sees a dramatic shift as the number of high-scoring candidates surges

Canada's Express Entry system has experienced a notable transformation in recent weeks, with approximately 11% of all candidates now holding CRS scores exceeding 500 points.

While the overall pool contracted by 2,547 profiles between late October and early November, the competitive landscape has intensified significantly.

The number of candidates in the highest scoring bracket (601-1,200) more than doubled from 306 to 696, while the 501-600 range expanded by 417 profiles.

This shift suggests a growing concentration of provincial nominees and highly qualified applicants, making the pathway to permanent residence increasingly competitive for mid-range candidates.

#express_entry, #canada_immigration, #crs_score, #provincial_nominee_program, #immigration_canada, #permanent_residence, #ircc

Ottawa and Quebec find common ground on immigration reform after years of discord

The federal and Quebec governments have aligned their immigration policies under Prime Minister Mark Carney's leadership. After years of disagreement over reception levels and provincial concerns, both now acknowledge the system needs fixing.

Ottawa admits immigration rates have outpaced Canada's capacity to integrate newcomers, while Quebec moderates its reduction plans. Despite this convergence, political tensions persist. Quebec criticizes federal delays on regional exemptions for low-wage workers, though both sides privately agree on protecting these positions.

The reality behind the rhetoric reveals creative accounting on both sides—Ottawa's "stabilization" actually increases permanent resident targets to 380,000 annually, while Quebec's modest cuts mask economic pressures from businesses dependent on temporary workers.

#immigration_canada, #quebec_immigration, #temporary_workers, #permanent_residency, #economic_immigration