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The Canadian government is implementing temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus entering and spreading within Canada, including suspending certain immigration documents and requiring certain travelers to quarantine.
Key takeaways:
Immigration documents are suspended for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan as of May 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Any Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act and foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days and do not have symptoms will be required to quarantine for 21 days.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a regulatory amendment to modernize Canada’s Express Entry system. The proposed reform would introduce a new federal high-skilled immigration class, replacing the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Class.
Currently, applicants must meet criteria under these classes to enter the Express Entry pool and be considered to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
According to the regulatory initiative, the proposed changes would streamline requirements for skilled workers applying for permanent residence by consolidating the three existing classes into a single new class.
IRCC will open the regulatory proposal for public consultations in spring 2026.
Additional information: All information reflects proposed changes according to the government announcement. The final scope, timeline and procedures may differ from the current proposal. BAL will continue to monitor related developments and provide updates.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that eligible postsecondary international students no longer need a separate work permit to participate in co-op placements and internships required by their program.
This change is in effect as of April 1, 2026. All pending co-op work permit applications will be automatically withdrawn by IRCC.
To be eligible, students must be full-time students at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) with a valid study permit. Students are required to obtain a letter from their DLI confirming the work placement is a requirement of their study program.
Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent and became law as of March 26, 2026.
The new law includes tighter eligibility requirements for asylum claims and updates to the asylum claim process, intending to reduce pressure on the asylum system and make it more efficient and sustainable.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can now share certain personal information within the department and with domestic government partners to improve service delivery and collaboration between programs.
Using new immigration document management tools, IRCC has the authority to cancel, suspend or change a large group of immigration documents, pause application intake or cancel or suspend application processing on grounds of “public interest” — meaning fraud, administrative errors or concerns for public health, safety or national security.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada published its annual fee increases for certain citizenship and immigration applications, including those for permanent residence and right of citizenship.
Fees for all permanent residence applications will increase on April 30, 2026:
The right of citizenship fee for adult applicants will increase to CA$123 (about US$88) on March 31, 2026. The adult citizenship grant application processing fee remains unchanged at CA$530 (about US$381).
Removal fees for people removed on or after April 1, 2025, are increasing April 1, 2026. The fee for those with escorted removal by air (except medical escort) will increase to CA$13,098.96 (about US$9,408). The fee for other types of removal will increase to CA$3,905.28 (about US$2,805).
Applications received on or after the indicated dates will be subject to the new fees.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced a new, temporary work permit to help the Quebec government retain skilled workers while reviewing their eligibility for permanent residence.
The employer-specific work permit allows eligible workers to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 months while the Quebec government reviews their eligibility to apply for permanent residence.
To be eligible for the work permit, employees must have submitted a permanent selection application under the province’s new Skilled Worker Selection Program and have received a request from Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente.
The initiative is open only to those holding an employer-specific work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program that expires between March 13 and Dec. 31, 2026.
This new measure supports Quebec’s policy to make sure immigration efforts are targeted where they are most effective, including transitioning long-term foreign skilled workers to permanent residents.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued new guidance on how it determines whether certain Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)- exempt work permits can be issued under the reciprocal employment category.
Key highlights:
Under R205(b) – C20, work permits may be issued without an LMIA when a foreign national’s employment creates reciprocal (similar) job opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents in other countries.
IRCC’s updated guidance clarifies what reciprocal employment is and tightens certain administrative details. Key changes include:
IRCC published the updated guidance on Feb. 20, 2026, and it applies moving forward.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the 2026 Express Entry categories, which enable Canada to invite skilled, experienced candidates to fill critical labor gaps.
Express Entry is an online system used to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. Candidates who fall under specific categories are invited to apply for permanent residence.
The new categories for 2026 include:
The renewed categories include those with a strong French-language proficiency and those with work experience in healthcare, social services, education, science, technology, engineering, math and trade occupations.
The minimum work experience required for all renewed categories is now 12 months rather than six months.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a temporary public policy exempting certain FIFA-invited applicants attending the 2026 World Cup from the biometrics collection requirement.
Applicants eligible for the biometrics exemption must apply for a temporary resident visa to enter Canada between Nov. 25, 2025, and July 20, 2026, hold a letter of invitation from FIFA and not be associated with adverse information held or received by IRCC.
Eligible applicants may also include diplomats and government officials traveling on diplomatic or official passports.
This temporary public policy intends to safely simplify processing for FIFA delegates and invitees and expires on July 20, 2026.
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced its nomination allocation for 2026.
The Canadian government set 14,119 nominations for Ontario to allocate in 2026, an increase from 10,750 nominations in 2025.
Provincial nominations allow foreign national workers to apply for permanent residency in Canada.