From Far and Wide Immigration Consultancy

In a recent news release, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced pivotal changes to Canada's international student immigration system. The measures aim to address challenges posed by unsustainable growth, revenue-driven intakes by some institutions, and the resulting pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services.  International Student Permit Cap One of the key announcements is the introduction of an intake cap on international student permit applications for a two-year period. For 2025, the intake cap on study permits issued to international students was reducedc to 437,000 - down from 485,000 in 2024. The cap will then be stabilized for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025. Provinces and territories will have individual caps based on their population, leading to more significant reductions in areas experiencing unsustainable growth. However, study permit renewals, master's and doctor...

Canada has long been recognized as a welcoming destination for international students, offering world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. If you're considering studying in the True North, you'll need to obtain a study permit, a crucial document that allows you to pursue your educational dreams in Canada.  Applying for a Study Permit A study permit is a legal document issued by the Canadian government that authorizes foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. It's essential to note that not all foreign students need a study permit. Some exceptions apply, such as short-term courses or family members of foreign representatives to Canada.  The general steps of applying for a study permit are as follows: Obtain a letter of acceptance from a  DLI  in Canada. Create an account on the  Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website . Complete the study permit application and pay the required fee. Submit y...

Immigration minister Marc Miller has announced new restrictions for open work permits (OWP) in order to address labour shortages in Canada. Family members of foreign workers and international students in Canada are only eligible to apply for their own work permits in specific situations. Time to look at these options in more detail! Terminology Foreign nationals, who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of Canada, require a valid work permit to legally work in Canada. There are generally two options to obtain a work permit: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), wherein the Canadian employer applies for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in order to hire a foreign worker, and the International Mobility Program (IMP), which covers various exemptions that let employers hire a foreign worker without an LMIA. LMIA-based work permits and most LMIA-exempt work permits are employer specific. This means that the foreign national can only work for the employer named on thei...

Citizenship is the culmination of an immigration journey and a major highlight for those who made it to the finish line. Did you know that Canada's passport ranked 8th most powerful in the world? As of 2022, Canadian passport holders can visit 185 countries visa-free. Eligibility In order to apply for Canadian citizenship, you need to become a permanent resident (PR) first. After living in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days to be exact) within the past 5 years, you can submit your citizenship application. Typically, you will also need to have filed your taxes, pass a citizenship and prove your language skills in English or French. Canada allows multiple citizenship but it will depend on your home country's policies if you're able to keep your citizenship and become a dual citizen. Application Process As Canada is modernizing its immigration system, applications for adults can now be submitted online. If you want to apply with a minor, you can only apply on paper at the...

Transition to online applications for most PR pathways Over the coming weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will gradually move most permanent immigration programs to a completely digital application process in an effort to improve client service and modernize the Canadian immigration system. The new Permanent Residence Portal  has been online since March 2021, allowing some clients to apply online for certain immigration programs and confirming their permanent resident (PR) status through virtual landings once their application has been approved. IRCC has been expanding the portal over the past months and it is currently open to most PR applicants. Following the schedule below, IRCC will begin the transition to 100% online applications on September 23, 2022 . While there will be an alternative submission process for applicants who are unable to apply online and require accommodations, such as for a disability, all other applications received after the stated...

What is maintained status? Foreign nationals that entered Canada legally  have temporary resident status. Temporary residents  must leave Canada at the end of their authorized period of stay . However, a temporary resident may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend their period of authorized stay before it ends. In this case, they are considered to have legal status as a temporary resident d uring the processing period  and may still be able to study and/or work in Canada  until a decision is made on their application . This is known as maintained status (previously called implied status ). When do I need to apply? The date and time the application was received are important for determining if status is maintained. You can only benefit if the new application was submitted before the current status expired. For online applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for al...

Settlement funds required to immigrate to Canada increase as of July 28, 2025. These numbers are updated every year, based on 50% of the low income cut-off totals. The table below shows how much money you need to settle in Canada. If you are invited to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system, written proof is required that these funds are readily available to you.  Number of family members Funds required (CAD) 1    $ 15,263 2    $ 19,001 3    $ 23,360 4    $ 28,362 5    $ 32,168 6    $ 36,280 7    $ 40,392 For each additional family member    $ 4,112 Family Size The minimum settlement funds required depends on the size of your family that you support. To determine your family size, you must count: yourself, your spouse or common-law partner, your dependent childr...