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Canada latest Express Entry
July 10, 2026
July 10, 2026

Canada’s French-Language Express Entry draw sends 5,000 invitations as CRS hits 420

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada is still betting big on French-speaking newcomers, and the numbers from this week prove it. On July 9, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 5,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through a French-language proficiency draw and the score needed to get one just reached its highest point all year.

For anyone who’s been improving their French to boost their Express Entry chances, this draw is proof that the strategy is paying off. But it also comes with a catch: getting in now takes a stronger profile than it did just a few months ago.

Details of July 9 draw

Draw Date: July 9, 2026

Category: French-Language Proficiency 2026-Version 2

CRS Cutoff Score: 420

No. of Invitations Issued: 5,000

Tie-Breaking Rule: May 15, 2026

This wasn’t a standalone event either. It’s the third Express Entry draw in just four days, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round on July 6 and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) round on July 7. Together, these three draws pushed out 7,534 invitations in the first nine days of July alone.

Why the cutoff keeps climbing

Here’s the pattern worth paying attention to: French-language cutoffs bottomed out at 393 back in March, then started a steady climb. IRCC also increased the invitation count in this round; up from 4,500 in the previous French draw in May, yet the score requirement still jumped 11 points, from 409 to 420.

That combination (more invitations and a higher cutoff) tells its own story. A wave of stronger-scoring French-speaking candidates has joined the pool since May, while everyone who had scores between 409 and 419 already got invited and left the pool. The floor keeps rising because the competition at the top keeps getting tougher.

This is the seventh French-language draw of the year, and IRCC has now issued 35,500 invitations through this category alone in 2026 which is a clear sign that Francophone immigration remains a national priority, not a one-off initiative.

Summary of Express Entry draws in 2026

This was IRCC’s 37th Express Entry draw of the year, bringing the 2026 ITA total to 96,601 across every category.

Date Draw Type CRS Cut-off Score ITAs Issued
July 9 French-Language proficiency 420 5,000
July 7 Canadian Experience Class 517 2,000
July 6 Provincial Nominee Program 708 534
June 25 Healthcare and social services 475 4,000
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223 271
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 516 4,000
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 730 955
May 28 French-Language proficiency 409 4,500
May 27 Canadian Experience Class 518 3,000
May 25 Provincial Nominee Program 805 334
May 11 Provincial Nominee Program 798 380
April 29 French-Language proficiency 400 4,000
April 28 Canadian Experience Class 514 2,000
April 27 Provincial Nominee Program 795 473
April 15 French-Language proficiency 419 4,000
April 14 Canadian Experience Class 515 2,000
April 13 Provincial Nominee Program 786 324
April 2 Trades 477 3,000
March 31 Canadian Experience Class 509 2,250
March 30 Provincial Nominee Program 802 356
March 18 French-Language proficiency 393 4,000
March 17 Canadian Experience Class 507 4,000
March 16 Provincial Nominee Program 742 362
March 5 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 429 250
March 4 French-Language proficiency 397 5,500
March 3 Canadian Experience Class 508 4,000
March 2 Provincial Nominee Program 710 264
February 20 Healthcare and social services 467 4,000
February 19 Physicians with Canadian work experience 169 391
February 17 Canadian Experience Class 508 6,000
February 16 Provincial Nominee Program 789 279
February 6 French-Language proficiency 400 8,500
February 3 Provincial Nominee Program 749 423
January 21 Canadian Experience Class 509 6,000
January 20 Provincial Nominee Program 746 681
January 7 Canadian Experience Class 511 8,000
January 5 Provincial Nominee Program 711 574

Looking at the year as a whole, PNP and CEC draws have made up the bulk of Express Entry activity, but French-language draws aren’t far behind and continue to offer some of the most accessible cutoffs on the board, even at a “high” of 420, it’s still well below what most CEC and PNP rounds demand.

What this means if you’re building your profile

If your French isn’t strong yet, this is your sign to start working on it. A recognized test like the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, mapped to the NCLC benchmarks IRCC uses, can unlock category-based draws with far friendlier cutoffs than the general pool ever offers. And if you’re already bilingual, make sure both your French and English results are current in your profile as that bonus can be the difference between watching from the sidelines and getting your invitation.

Ready to Turn This Draw Into Your Invitation?

Numbers and cutoffs only mean something once they’re applied to your actual situation; your CRS score, your language results, your work history, and the pathway that fits you best. Whether you’re looking at Express Entry through French-language proficiency, aiming for a provincial nomination, applying for a work permit or postgraduate work permit, sponsoring a spouse, planning a visit or a super visa application, working toward citizenship, or exploring school admissions in Canada, the right guidance now can save you months of guesswork later.

Book a one-on-one consultation with our team at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s map out exactly where you stand and what your next move should be.

 

July 8, 2026
July 8, 2026

Canada invites 2,000 candidates in first CEC draw of July

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s immigration department wasted no time getting July’s Express Entry activity going. Barely a day after inviting Provincial Nominee Program candidates on July 6, IRCC turned around and issued 2,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) on July 7, 2026.

If you’ve been refreshing your Express Entry profile hoping for good news, this is the breakdown of what happened, why the score moved the way it did, and what it should tell you about your own next move.

See below details of the July 7 CEC Express Entry draw

  • Draw Date: July 7, 2026
  • Program: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • CRS Cutoff Score: 517
  • No. of Invitations: 2,000
  • Tie-Breaking Rule: December 29, 2025

This marks a small uptick from the previous CEC draw held on June 23, where the cutoff sat at 516 and IRCC invited a much larger group of 4,000 candidates. So why did the score creep up by just one point this time around, even though fewer people got invited?

The answer is simpler than it looks. When IRCC shrinks the invitation pool which in this case, cutting it in half from 4,000 to 2,000 – the system only reaches deeper into a shorter list of top-ranked candidates. Fewer invitations issued means the bar naturally sits a bit higher, since only the strongest-ranked profiles within that smaller batch make the cut. It’s not a sign that competition among CEC candidates has intensified; it’s simply a function of how many seats were on offer this round.

Why This Matters If You’re Eyeing the CEC Route

The Canadian Experience Class exists for one core group: people who already have at least a year of skilled work experience gained in Canada, in jobs classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Unlike the Federal Skilled Worker Program, there’s no need to prove education credentials or arranged employment through a separate points grid, your Canadian work history does the heavy lifting.

That’s exactly why CEC draws tend to produce friendlier cutoff scores than general or provincial nominee rounds. You’re only competing against others in the same category, not the entire Express Entry pool. If you’re a temporary resident already working in Canada, or an international graduate who’s since built up Canadian work experience, this remains one of the more realistic paths to permanent residence.

How 2026 Has Looked So Far

To put July 7 into context, here’s how every Express Entry round this year has played out:

Date Draw Type CRS Cut-off Score ITAs Issued
July 7 Canadian Experience Class 517 2,000
July 6 Provincial Nominee Program 708 534
June 25 Healthcare and social services 475 4,000
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223 271
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 516 4,000
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 730 955
May 28 French-Language proficiency 409 4,500
May 27 Canadian Experience Class 518 3,000
May 25 Provincial Nominee Program 805 334
May 11 Provincial Nominee Program 798 380
April 29 French-Language proficiency 400 4,000
April 28 Canadian Experience Class 514 2,000
April 27 Provincial Nominee Program 795 473
April 15 French-Language proficiency 419 4,000
April 14 Canadian Experience Class 515 2,000
April 13 Provincial Nominee Program 786 324
April 2 Trades 477 3,000
March 31 Canadian Experience Class 509 2,250
March 30 Provincial Nominee Program 802 356
March 18 French-Language proficiency 393 4,000
March 17 Canadian Experience Class 507 4,000
March 16 Provincial Nominee Program 742 362
March 5 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 429 250
March 4 French-Language proficiency 397 5,500
March 3 Canadian Experience Class 508 4,000
March 2 Provincial Nominee Program 710 264
February 20 Healthcare and social services 467 4,000
February 19 Physicians with Canadian work experience 169 391
February 17 Canadian Experience Class 508 6,000
February 16 Provincial Nominee Program 789 279
February 6 French-Language proficiency 400 8,500
February 3 Provincial Nominee Program 749 423
January 21 Canadian Experience Class 509 6,000
January 20 Provincial Nominee Program 746 681
January 7 Canadian Experience Class 511 8,000
January 5 Provincial Nominee Program 711 574

That brings IRCC’s total to 36 Express Entry rounds so far in 2026, issuing 91,601 invitations to apply in all. Looking at the pattern, one thing stands out clearly: this year has leaned heavily toward candidates already established in Canada, whether through Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination. If either applies to you, the odds have genuinely been in your favour.

What You Should Do With This Information

Scores move up and down for reasons that have nothing to do with how “competitive” you personally are. As this draw shows, a shift of one point can simply come down to how many invitations IRCC decided to hand out. What actually moves the needle for your own application is having a profile that’s accurate, current, and positioned to take advantage of every point available to you, including a provincial nomination, which can add a substantial boost to your CRS score.

Whether you’re building your Express Entry profile from scratch, trying to figure out why your score isn’t where you’d hoped, or wondering whether a provincial nomination, work permit, or study pathway might get you to Canada faster, having the right guidance from the start can save you months of guesswork and costly mistakes.

Ready to Turn This Draw Into Your Opportunity?

Every Express Entry update is a reminder that timing and preparation go hand in hand. Whether your goal is permanent residence through Express Entry, a provincial nomination, a work permit, a postgraduate work permit, spousal sponsorship, a visitor visa, a super visa, citizenship, or getting into a Canadian school, the details of your application matter just as much as the draw itself. Book a consultation with us today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s map out the pathway that fits your situation, so you’re ready the moment your invitation comes.

July 7, 2026
July 7, 2026

IRCC issues 534 ITAs in first Express Entry draw of July 2026

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Express Entry system kicked off July with another round of invitations, this time targeting candidates with a provincial nomination. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 534 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a draw for Provincial Nominee Program candidates on July 6.

See below draw details

  • Draw Date: July 6, 2026
  • Program: Provincial Nominee Program
  • CRS Cutoff Score: 708
  • No. of Invitations : 534
  • Tie Breaking Rule: June 4, 2026

If you’re wondering why 708 still sounds like a high number even though it’s the “lowest” one this year, the simple explanation is a provincial nomination automatically adds 600 points to a candidate’s CRS score. So a cut-off of 708 really just means candidates needed a base score of roughly 108 before that nomination boost pushed them over the line. Without a provincial nod, reaching a score anywhere near that range through core factors like age, education, and work experience alone is extremely rare.

Draw details in 2026 so far

This was IRCC’s 35th Express Entry round of the year, and the department has now handed out 89,601 invitations to apply across every draw category combined. See below how the full year has looked, draw by draw:

Date Draw Type CRS Cut-off Score ITAs Issued
July 6 Provincial Nominee Program 708 534
June 25 Healthcare and social services 475 4,000
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 223 271
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 516 4,000
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 730 955
May 28 French-Language proficiency 409 4,500
May 27 Canadian Experience Class 518 3,000
May 25 Provincial Nominee Program 805 334
May 11 Provincial Nominee Program 798 380
April 29 French-Language proficiency 400 4,000
April 28 Canadian Experience Class 514 2,000
April 27 Provincial Nominee Program 795 473
April 15 French-Language proficiency 419 4,000
April 14 Canadian Experience Class 515 2,000
April 13 Provincial Nominee Program 786 324
April 2 Trades 477 3,000
March 31 Canadian Experience Class 509 2,250
March 30 Provincial Nominee Program 802 356
March 18 French-Language proficiency 393 4,000
March 17 Canadian Experience Class 507 4,000
March 16 Provincial Nominee Program 742 362
March 5 Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience 429 250
March 4 French-Language proficiency 397 5,500
March 3 Canadian Experience Class 508 4,000
March 2 Provincial Nominee Program 710 264
February 20 Healthcare and social services 467 4,000
February 19 Physicians with Canadian work experience 169 391
February 17 Canadian Experience Class 508 6,000
February 16 Provincial Nominee Program 789 279
February 6 French-Language proficiency 400 8,500
February 3 Provincial Nominee Program 749 423
January 21 Canadian Experience Class 509 6,000
January 20 Provincial Nominee Program 746 681
January 7 Canadian Experience Class 511 8,000
January 5 Provincial Nominee Program 711 574

Looking at the bigger picture, most of this year’s invitations have gone to candidates already established in Canada, particularly those with Canadian work experience or a provincial nomination in hand. By category, the Canadian Experience Class leads the way with 41,250 ITAs issued in 2026, followed by French-language proficiency draws at 30,500, healthcare and social services at 8,000, PNP candidates at 5,939, trades at 3,000, physicians with Canadian experience at 662, and senior managers with Canadian work experience at 250.

What This Means for Candidates

If your CRS score currently sits in the 400s or 500s, that’s actually where the vast majority of the Express Entry pool lives too, so you’re not behind, you just need the right strategy. That could mean targeting a specific provincial stream that matches your occupation, boosting your language test scores, or exploring whether your work experience qualifies you for a category-based draw instead.

The frustrating part for many applicants is not knowing which pathway actually fits their profile, and guessing wrong can cost months. This is exactly the kind of decision that benefits from a second, expert set of eyes before you commit to a strategy.

Ready to Turn This Draw Into Your Invitation? Let’s Discuss Your Best Path Forward

Every Express Entry draw tells a story about where the opportunities currently sit, and this one makes it clear that provincial nomination is opening doors faster than almost any other route right now. Whether you’re trying to boost your CRS score, figure out which province is the best fit for your background, or simply want a clear, honest read on where you stand, we’re here to help you make sense of it.

At @eseumohimmigration, we support clients across the full range of Canadian immigration pathways, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Book a one-on-one consultation with us at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s build a plan that actually works for your situation.

Canada
July 6, 2026
July 6, 2026

Manitoba invites 77 candidates in latest MPNP draw

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

On July 2, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) rolled out its 13th selection round of 2026, sending out 77 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) through its Skilled Worker Stream. These invitations went to candidates the province had directly recruited under its strategic outreach initiatives, rather than through a general pool draw.

Who got picked, and why

Manitoba pulled candidates from both of its Skilled Worker pathways:

  • Skilled Worker in Manitoba
  • Skilled Worker Overseas.

But there was a catch. To even be considered, applicants needed to show in their Expression of Interest profile that they had been invited through a recruitment mission, or through the now-expired Temporary Public Policy that once made it easier for prospective nominees to get open work permits.

See below how those 77 invitations broke down by recruitment channel:

Strategic recruitment initiative Invitations
Employer Services 36
Temporary Public Policy (TPP) 31
Francophone Community 8
Regional Communities 2

TPP refers to the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Work Permits for Prospective Provincial Nominee Program Candidates.

Employer Services led the pack, making up close to half of all invitations, with the TPP close behind. Interestingly, 15 of the 77 candidates also held a valid Express Entry profile, meaning they could eventually see their Manitoba nomination boost their federal ranking too.

Why some applicants got left out

Not everyone who seemed to fit the bill made the cut. Manitoba flagged two common reasons candidates missed out despite appearing eligible: language test numbers that were missing, invalid, or tied to expired results, and invitation numbers that were left out or incorrect for those claiming a strategic recruitment invite. Small paperwork slips, big consequences.

A bigger pattern taking shape

Back on May 1, Manitoba announced it would start running targeted draws for people holding Support Letters under the TPP, starting with those approved between April 22 and June 30, 2025. Since then, the province has issued 579 invitations to this group, with the bulk of them (74%) going out in the very first draw that followed in May.

Manitoba has now issued 1,910 invitations to apply for provincial nomination so far in 2026. The province was allocated 6,239 nomination spots this year by the federal government, and by May 30 had already nominated 2,165 skilled workers.

A closer look at Manitoba’s 2026 numbers

The MPNP publishes monthly stats for its Skilled Worker Stream, and the latest figures run from January through May.

EOIs drawn (candidates issued an LAA):

Month EOIs Drawn
January 102
February 101
March 60
April 340
May 1,002
Total 1,605

Nominations issued:

Month Nominations
January 484
February 425
March 389
April 445
May 422
Total 2,165

Of these, 696 were enhanced nominations, spread fairly evenly across the five months.

Nomination applications received:

Month Applications
January 292
February 237
March 104
April 109
May 554
Total 1,296

Applications in assessment or pending assessment:

Month Applications
January 2,605
February 2,355
March 2,030
April 1,575
May 1,634
Total 10,199

Application refusals:

Month Refusals
January 95
February 38
March 35
April 95
May 55
Total 318

That last table is worth sitting with for a second. Refusals happened every single month, and they weren’t small numbers. Whether it’s a missing document, an expired test result, or a technicality in how an invitation was claimed, small errors are clearly costing real candidates their shot at nomination.

What this means if you’re considering Manitoba

Manitoba’s draws are becoming increasingly targeted rather than open to everyone in the pool. If you’ve been invited through an employer, a recruitment mission, or previously held a Support Letter under the TPP, your chances are notably better right now. But the fine print matters just as much as eligibility. Getting a language test number wrong, or forgetting to include a valid invitation reference, can knock an otherwise qualified applicant out of the running entirely.

Ready to make your move? Let’s discuss!

Provincial nomination programs like Manitoba’s reward candidates who get the details exactly right, and that’s where a lot of applications quietly fall apart. Whether you’ve already been contacted through a recruitment initiative, hold an Express Entry profile, or are just starting to explore your options for provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions, getting professional guidance early can save you from the small mistakes that lead to refusals. Book a one-on-one consultation with Ese Umoh Immigration today and let’s put together a plan that actually works for your situation: https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes

July 6, 2026
July 6, 2026

Thinking of building a business in Canada? BC’s Entrepreneur program might be your way in

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Got a business idea and dreaming of building it in Canada? British Columbia just gave entrepreneurs another reason to pay attention. On June 30, the province ran a fresh selection round through its Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) category, reaching out to business owners who want to either start something new in BC or take over and grow an existing business there.

This wasn’t a one-off. It’s actually the seventh time this year that BC has specifically targeted entrepreneurs through this program, and it’s already the second EI draw this month alone, a noticeably faster pace than the roughly one-a-month rhythm the province had been keeping through most of 2026.

See below draw details

BC’s Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) invited candidates from both of its EI streams, though not equally. The province leaned harder into its Base Stream this time:

Stream Minimum score Invitations issued
Base Stream 118 14
Regional Stream 113 Fewer than 5

Worth noting: aside from the February 10 round, this draw produced the highest Base Stream cutoff score and the lowest Regional Stream cutoff score of the year so far.

BC has now held 12 EI draws in 2026, seven Base Stream and five Regional Stream – issuing at least 78 invitations to apply for provincial nomination in total.

Base Stream or Regional Stream – which one fits you?

Both pathways lead to the same destination (permanent residence), but they ask different things of you along the way.

Criteria Base Stream Regional Stream
Business type Launch new or take over and grow existing Launch new business outside Metro Vancouver
Business experience 3 years as owner-manager in the last 10 years 3 years as owner-manager in the last 5 years
Education Post-secondary credential* Post-secondary credential*
Minimum language level CLB 4 CLB 4
Minimum net worth $600,000 $300,000
Minimum investment $200,000 $100,000
Minimum ownership stake 31.33% 51%
Community referral needed? No Yes
Exploratory visit needed? No Yes
Minimum registration score 115/200 105/200
Co-applicant on registration? Yes No

If you don’t have a post-secondary credential, you’ll need at least three of the past five years as an active, fully-owning business owner-manager instead.

The Regional Stream asks for a lower net worth and investment, but it comes with two extra steps:

  • finding a participating community that fits your business, and
  • completing an exploratory visit to secure a referral

The Base Stream skips those, but demands deeper pockets and a bigger investment.

From there, the path looks similar either way:

  • Develop your business proposal
  • Register and get scored on your human capital and economic factors
  • Wait for an invitation
  • Submit your nomination application within four months of getting that ITA
  • Apply for a work permit once approved
  • Get your business up and running in BC, and finally
  • Receive your nomination for permanent residence once you’ve met the program’s conditions. After that, you apply directly to IRCC for PR.

Let’s Map Your Path to Business Immigration in Canada

Numbers like these tell a bigger story, BC is actively looking for entrepreneurs, and the door is open right now. But getting from “I have a business idea” to “I have my PR” involves a lot of moving parts: choosing the right stream, building a proposal that actually scores well, and staying on top of tight deadlines once your ITA lands. A single misstep can cost you months, or the opportunity altogether.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help entrepreneurs, workers, families, and students find their best route into Canada whether that’s provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions. If BC’s entrepreneur streams sound like your kind of opportunity, let’s talk it through together. Book your consultation here and let’s get your business and your future moving in the right direction.

July 3, 2026
July 3, 2026

IRCC processing times improve for Temporary Residence applicants

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada

Dear future neighbour,

If you’ve been checking IRCC’s website every week hoping for good news about your work permit application, this update is for you.

On July 2, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time figures, and there’s real reason to feel encouraged if you’re applying for a work permit from inside Canada. Processing times dropped by another 15 days, bringing wait times to their shortest point so far this year. Applicants in Nigeria also got a welcome break, with an improvement of about one week.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing across the board, though. While some categories improved, others slowed down. This is a full breakdown of what changed between June 24 and July 2, 2026.

Work Permits: Faster processing for In-Canada and Nigerian applicants

If you applied for your work permit from within Canada, you’re now looking at roughly 129 days, down from 144 days just a week earlier. That’s a solid improvement for anyone anxiously refreshing their application status.

Applying from Current (July 2) Previous (June 24)
Canada 129 days 144 days
India 9 weeks 9 weeks
Pakistan 5 weeks 5 weeks
Nigeria 8 weeks 9 weeks
United States 4 weeks 4 weeks
Philippines 8 weeks 8 weeks

IRCC’s official service standards are 120 days for in-Canada submissions (both initial applications and extensions) and 60 days for applications submitted from outside Canada.

Study Permits: A slight step backward

Unlike work permits, study permit wait times moved in the wrong direction this week. Both in-Canada and India-based applicants saw processing times stretch by a week. No categories saw improvement in this round.

Applying from Current (July 2) Previous (June 24)
Canada 7 weeks 6 weeks
India 5 weeks 4 weeks
Pakistan 6 weeks 6 weeks
Nigeria 5 weeks 5 weeks
United States 5 weeks 5 weeks
Philippines 4 weeks 4 weeks

The service standard here mirrors the work permit category: 120 days for in-Canada submissions and 60 days for those filed abroad.

Visitor Visas: Mixed results depending on where you’re applying from

Visitor visa applicants from Canada, India, and Pakistan enjoyed shorter waits this round, while those applying from Nigeria and the United States saw a small uptick.

Applying from Current (July 2) Previous (June 24)
Canada 38 days 42 days
India 21 days 22 days
Pakistan 38 days 43 days
Nigeria 56 days 54 days
United States 32 days 31 days
Philippines 17 days 17 days

For context, IRCC’s service standard for visitor visas submitted from outside Canada is 14 days, though there’s no set standard for those applying from within the country.

Super Visas: A big win for Indian applicants, a setback for Americans

This is where the numbers shifted the most. Applicants from India saw their wait times drop by more than two weeks, landing at 50 days. On the flip side, applicants in the United States now face an almost three-week increase, pushing their processing time to 123 days, well above the standard.

Applying from Current (July 2) Previous (June 24)
India 50 days 66 days
Pakistan 102 days 95 days
Nigeria 32 days 34 days
United States 123 days 104 days
Philippines 52 days 42 days

The service standard for super visas is 112 days. Worth noting: super visa applications can’t be submitted from within Canada, so this table only reflects overseas applicants.

Why these numbers matter (and why they can change)

It helps to understand what these figures actually represent. IRCC publishes two types of processing estimates: historical estimates, which reflect how long it has typically taken to finalize 80% of past applications, and forward-looking estimates, based on current application volumes and how much capacity the department has right now.

These numbers are meant to guide your expectations, not guarantee an outcome. Your application could be processed faster or slower depending on factors like backlogs, missing documents, or other case-specific issues.

It’s also useful to know the difference between processing times and service standards. Service standards are IRCC’s internal targets, essentially the timeline they aim to hit for 80% of applications under normal conditions. Processing times, on the other hand, reflect what’s actually happening right now. Temporary residence processing times are refreshed weekly, so keeping an eye on updates like this one can help you plan ahead with more confidence.

Let’s Take the Guesswork Out of Your Application

Immigration timelines can shift from one week to the next, and knowing exactly where you stand, or how to strengthen your application before you submit, makes all the difference. Whether you’re applying for a work permit, a postgraduate work permit, a study permit, a visitor visa, a super visa, or you’re navigating Express Entry, provincial nomination, spousal sponsorship, citizenship, or school admissions, we are here to guide you through it with clarity and confidence. Book a consultation today at https://euiacademy.selar.com/60minutes and let’s map out the fastest, most reliable path to Canada for you.

July 1, 2026
July 1, 2026

Saskatchewan has already used over half its 2026 immigration quota: What does this mean for you?

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada, Provincial nomination

Dear future neighbour,

Saskatchewan has been moving fast this year. As of June 30, the province had issued 2,628 provincial nominations, about 55% of its total 2026 allocation of 4,761 spaces, the same number it worked with in 2025.

If you’re hoping to land a Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) nomination this year, here’s where things stand and what’s coming up next.

Saskatchewan splits its nominations across three categories: priority sectors, capped sectors, and everything else.

Sector Number of allotted spots Nominations issued Percentage of provincial allocation used to date
Priority sectors 2,380 1,466 62%
Capped sectors 1,190 718 60%
Other sectors 1,191 444 37%

That leaves roughly 2,133 spaces still up for grabs before the year ends. Priority and capped sectors are moving quicker than “other sectors,” which still has plenty of breathing room.

Saskatchewan named seven priority sectors for 2026:

  • Healthcare
  • Agriculture
  • Skilled trades
  • Mining
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy, and
  • Technology

Out of that allocation, 750 spots are reserved specifically for graduates of Saskatchewan-based schools now working in priority occupations, so it’s a solid opportunity if you studied in the province and stayed on to work in one of these fields.

One thing worth knowing: the 50% target for priority sectors isn’t fixed. If demand stays strong, that share could grow, leaving less room for other categories. The province plans a mid-year review to decide if targets need adjusting.

Capped sectors work differently

Capped sectors, accommodations, food services, retail trade and other services, and trucking, only accept applications during set intake windows, and spots fill on a first-come, first-served basis. The next round opens July 6 and 7, and for the first time, accommodations and food services are being split into two separate categories instead of one.

Category Date of intake opening Number of available spots
Trucking July 6 25
Retail trade July 6 50
Accommodations July 6 50
Food services July 7 50

Saskatchewan is also holding a webinar on July 2 covering these intakes, worth attending if your employer falls into one of these categories. Two more capped-sector windows are already scheduled after that: September 14 and November 2.

One key detail: employers in capped sectors can only apply during these specific windows, and only for workers with six months or less left on their work permit. Priority and other sector employers don’t face that restriction and can apply any time.

If you’re working in Saskatchewan or hoping to, this is really about timing. Capped-sector spots disappear fast once a window opens, sometimes within minutes. Waiting until the last minute rarely works in your favour, so the sooner you know which category applies to you, the better your chances of being ready the moment a window opens.

Let’s Get You Ready Before the Next Intake Opens

Provincial nomination can move fast, and Saskatchewan’s current pace is proof of that. Whether you’re eyeing a spot through a priority sector, trying to catch the next capped-sector intake, or just trying to figure out where you fit into all of this, having the right guidance early on makes a real difference.

At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate every stage of the Canadian immigration journey, including provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. If Saskatchewan’s SINP program looks like your path forward, don’t leave it to chance. Book a consultation with us today and let’s map out the best route for your situation before the next intake window closes.

July 1, 2026
July 1, 2026

IRCC finally explains the citizenship certificate reviews and the numbers are smaller than you think

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada

Dear future neighbour,

If you’ve been worried about the recent news on Canada asking some citizenship by descent applicants to return their certificates, this is some relief: IRCC has finally explained what happened, and it’s a smaller issue than it seemed.

On June 30, 2026, IRCC confirmed that only about 1% of applicants processed under Bill C-3 have been affected. Out of roughly 6,500 applications reviewed under Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules, a routine check in early June flagged 100 certificates that lacked strong enough supporting documentation of which some relied on open-source records instead of certified proof.

Those 100 certificates were temporarily suspended while IRCC took a closer look. The update: 33 have already been reinstated automatically, since the documentation on file turned out to be sufficient. The remaining 67 are being resolved within days, either reinstated or followed up with a request for more information.

IRCC also admitted the mix-up partly came down to unclear internal guidance, not applicant error. That guidance has now been tightened, with clearer instructions on what documentation is actually required.

What this means going forward: if you’re applying for citizenship by descent, you’ll need certified documents proving your Canadian lineage not informal sources. If something isn’t available, you’ll need to explain the steps you took to try to find it. With the review now complete, final processing of citizenship certificates may resume soon, though IRCC hasn’t set an official restart date.

Documentation standards are tightening, and getting it right from the start matters more than ever.

Let’s Get Your Citizenship Application Right, the First Time

Applying for citizenship by descent (or any other immigration pathway) shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help clients navigate citizenship applications, Express Entry, provincial nomination, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, and school admissions with accuracy and confidence. Book a 30-minute or 60-minute consultation today at and let’s set your application up for success.

June 29, 2026
June 29, 2026

Ontario’s immigration rules just changed completely: Does your profile still qualify?

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Canada

Dear future neighbour,

Ontario has made the most sweeping change to its immigration program in its history. As of June 26, 2026, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) looks completely different and if you were planning to use it to get your permanent residence, you need to know what changed.

All eight of the old OINP streams are gone. Every single one. In their place, Ontario has launched one unified program called the Ontario Workforce Priority stream, built around three distinct pathways. Whether you’re a skilled professional, an essential worker, or a self-employed physician, there’s now one front door but different rooms once you get inside.

This what each pathway looks like.

1. The TEER 0–3 Pathway (Skilled Workers)

This one is for people working in skilled occupations; management roles, engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers, and similar fields at TEER levels 0 through 3.

To qualify, you need a full-time, permanent job offer from an Ontario employer, plus one of the following work experience options:

Requirement Details
Work Experience (Option A) 6 months consecutive in the last 12 months in the same role with your job offer employer
Work Experience (Option B) 3 months consecutive in the last 12 months, available to recent Ontario graduates
Work Experience (Option C) 2 years cumulative in the last 5 years in the same NOC occupation
Licensed Applicants Exempt from the work experience requirement
Language CLB 6 minimum (CLB 5 for certain occupations)
Education Post-secondary degree or diploma

One thing worth noting: if you recently graduated from an Ontario institution and your employer is the one offering you the job, you only need 3 months of experience instead of 6. That’s a real advantage for newer graduates already working in their field.

2. The TEER 4–5 Pathway (Essential Workers)

This pathway covers workers in entry-level and essential occupations which includes manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, caregiving, and similar roles. It replaces the old In-Demand Skills stream that many people were using before.

Requirement Details
Work Experience 9 months cumulative in the last 2 years in the same role with your job offer employer
Language CLB 4 minimum
Education Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent

One important change here: workers who previously had no language requirement under the old In-Demand Skills stream will now need to meet at least CLB 4 across all four language skills. If that’s you, now is the time to book or renew your language test.

3. The Self-Employed Physicians Pathway

This is the only track in the new program that does not require a job offer at all. To qualify, a physician must simultaneously meet all three of the following conditions:

  • Be a member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
  • Hold a valid certificate of registration (independent, academic, or provisional class)
  • Be eligible to bill through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

Rural Ontario employers get an extra advantage

If you’re working for, or running a business in a rural Ontario community (defined as a census division with a population under 150,000), you may benefit from reduced gross annual revenue thresholds. This was introduced to help smaller regional employers compete with larger urban companies in Toronto and other cities.

All eight former OINP streams are now closed

This is the part that catches a lot of people off guard. These are the streams that no longer exist:

Former OINP Stream Status
Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Closed
Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Closed
Employer Job Offer: International Student Closed
Master’s Graduate Closed
PhD Graduate Closed
Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Closed
Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker Closed
Express Entry Skilled Trades Closed

The Expression of Interest (EOI) system is also currently closed to new registrations. Ontario has said it plans to reopen the new EOI platform later this summer, but no exact date has been confirmed yet.

Already in the old system? This is what happens to your file

If you had an active EOI that didn’t result in an invitation to apply, it will be automatically withdrawn over the coming weeks. You’ll receive a direct notice from the OINP about your specific situation.

The good news for those who already submitted a full application under a former stream; those will continue to be processed under the rules that were in place when you submitted. The closure doesn’t affect applications already in the queue.

Employers registered on the OINP Employer Portal don’t need to create a new registration, but they will need to submit a new job offer and new employment position approval when the portal reopens.

Why does this matter for your PR journey?

Ontario received 14,119 nomination spots for 2026; a 31% increase compared to 2025. That’s a bigger pool of nominations. And if you receive an Ontario nomination, you also get a 600-point boost in Express Entry, which practically guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence at the federal level.

The opportunity is real. But the transition period right now requires careful navigation especially if you’re deciding whether to wait for the new EOI system, explore another province’s PNP, or pursue a federal pathway like Express Entry in the meantime.

Your Next Step Toward Canadian Permanent Residence Starts Here

Ontario’s immigration overhaul is significant, and figuring out where you fit in the new system or whether a different pathway might serve you better right now, isn’t something you have to work out alone. We help people at exactly this kind of crossroads: when the rules have changed, the options feel overwhelming, and the stakes are too high to guess. Whether you’re looking at provincial nomination, Express Entry, work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, or school admissions, we’re here to map out the clearest path forward for your specific situation. Book a consultation with us today at and let’s figure out your next move together.

June 26, 2026
June 26, 2026

Canada just held its biggest healthcare draw since february inviting 4,000 candidates

Author By EUIC Admin Categories Express Entry

Dear future neighbour,

On June 25, 2026, Canada’s immigration department sent out 4,000 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a Healthcare and Social Services Express Entry draw. The minimum CRS score to qualify was 475, and only candidates who had created their Express Entry profile before May 21, 2026 were considered for selection.

See below details from the draw:

Draw Detail Value
Category Healthcare and Social Services Occupations (2026 – Version 3)
Date and Time June 25, 2026
Invitations Issued 4,000
Minimum CRS Score 475
Tie-Breaking Date May 21, 2026

This was the third healthcare draw of the year and the largest since the first one back in February which also sent out 4,000 invitations. This is how all three healthcare draws in 2026 compare:

Draw Date Version Invitations CRS Cutoff
February 20 Version 1 4,000 467
April 15 Version 2 3,000 430
June 25 Version 3 4,000 475

Why this draw matters more than you might think

The 475 CRS cutoff is significant because it reaches into one of the most crowded parts of the Express Entry pool. As of June 21, there were 75,938 candidates sitting between 451 and 500 CRS points with about 17,318 of them clustered specifically between 471 and 480.

The Canadian Experience Class draw held just two days earlier on June 23 had a cutoff of 516. That’s a 41-point gap. What that means practically: a nurse, pharmacist, or social worker with a CRS of 475 would have received an invitation through this healthcare draw but would have needed at least 516 to get in through CEC. For thousands of healthcare professionals who have been waiting in the pool, this draw offered a route that simply wasn’t available to them any other way.

Four draws in four days: a burst of activity after a long wait

The June 25 draw was actually the fourth in a row after IRCC went 25 days without holding a single draw. Between June 22 and June 25, a total of 9,226 invitations went out across four different categories:

Date Category Invitations CRS
June 22 Provincial Nominee Program 955 730
June 23 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 516
June 24 Physicians with Canadian Work Experience 271 223
June 25 Healthcare and Social Services 4,000 475

IRCC has now issued a total of 89,067 Express Entry invitations since January 1, 2026.

Who qualifies for the healthcare draw?

To be eligible, candidates must have at least 12 months of full-time work experience, gained in the past three years in one of 37 eligible occupations. That 12-month requirement was updated earlier in 2026 from the previous 6-month threshold. The experience can have been gained inside or outside Canada, as long as it falls within the three-year window.

Eligible occupations span a wide range, including:

Occupation NOC Code
General practitioners and family physicians 31102
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 31100
Specialists in surgery 31101
Dentists 31110
Optometrists 31111
Audiologists and speech-language pathologists 31112
Veterinarians 31103
Pharmacists 31120
Dietitians and nutritionists 31121
Psychologists 31200
Chiropractors 31201
Physiotherapists 31202
Occupational therapists 31203
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 31209
Nursing coordinators and supervisors 31300
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 31301
Nurse practitioners 31302
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 31303
Social workers 41300
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies 41301
Social and community service workers 42201
Licensed practical nurses 32101
Paramedical occupations 32102
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32103
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians 32104
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 32109
Dental hygienists and dental therapists 32111
Medical laboratory technologists 32120
Medical radiation technologists 32121
Medical sonographers 32122
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists 32123
Pharmacy technicians 32124
Other medical technologists and technicians 32129
Massage therapists 32201
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33101
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 33102
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants 33103

Your Canadian Dream Doesn’t Have to Wait: Let’s Make It Happen

Whether you’re a nurse, pharmacist, social worker, or any other healthcare professional looking at permanent residence in Canada, the path forward is clearer now than it’s been in months. But navigating Express Entry, understanding your CRS score, or figuring out which category gives you the best shot can be overwhelming on your own. That’s where we come in. At Ese Umoh Immigration, we help people like you take confident, informed steps toward their Canadian goals, from Express Entry and provincial nomination to work permits, postgraduate work permits, spousal sponsorship, visitor visas, super visas, citizenship applications, and school admissions. Send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

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