Last Updated On 1 September 2026, 9:36 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
September 2026 brings a slate of Canadian immigration developments that touch nearly every category of applicant, from international students and temporary foreign workers to permanent residence seekers and employers.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is moving ahead with compliance investigations targeting higher-risk study permit extension cases linked to the former Student Direct Stream while also implementing a centralized Letter of Acceptance fraud-detection function that had been in development since early 2026.
The study permit proof-of-funds requirement rises to $23,448 for a single applicant, and Canada’s special permanent residence pathways for eligible Hong Kong residents are no longer accepting new applications.
At the provincial level, Nova Scotia introduces application fees for its nominee program for the first time, Manitoba makes its updated temporary foreign worker employer-registration form mandatory, and Saskatchewan opens one of its two remaining capped-sector intake windows.
British Columbia’s West Kootenay region holds its final 2026 Rural Community Immigration Pilot intake, the Northwest Territories schedules its last Employer-Driven Stream draw of the year, and Canada extends its Ebola-related immigration and travel restrictions.
Advanced federally funded language training under the LINC and CLIC programs also continues its phase-out, concentrating Settlement Program resources on foundational instruction.
Table of Contents
IRCC Begins Higher-Risk Study Permit Compliance Investigations
IRCC’s official management response and action plan, presented to the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on April 20, 2026, outlines a timeline for launching compliance investigations on study permit extension applications identified as higher risk.
The department’s planning documents specifically reference cases where the initial study permit was processed under the now-cancelled Student Direct Stream.
The Student Direct Stream, which ended on November 8, 2024, had previously offered expedited processing for applicants from 14 countries.
A 2026 audit linked the former SDS to a disproportionate share of confirmed fraud cases in the study permit system.
Under the action plan timeline, IRCC was scheduled to identify volumes for higher-risk investigations by June 2026 and launch those investigations by September 2026.
This does not mean that every international student or every study permit extension is being investigated.
The department is using an advanced analytics model, launched in November 2025, to triage study permit extension applications by risk and complexity and assign them to officers with the appropriate level of expertise.
Separately, IRCC is implementing a centralized Letter of Acceptance verification function.
By September 2026, the department planned to update standard operating procedures, implement the centralized verification unit, and begin monitoring results.
The centralized function is responsible for issuing procedural fairness letters in cases where the LoA verification returns a “no match” result, which may lead to a refusal on misrepresentation grounds.
IRCC has stated that it entered over 1,274 information alerts on immigration files as of the action plan’s publication date, with case reviews underway and scheduled for completion by September 2026.
The department also committed to publishing new Program Delivery Instructions on misrepresentation by September 2026.
For international students, the practical takeaway is that compliance enforcement is intensifying, particularly for those who originally entered through the Student Direct Stream.
Designated learning institutions should expect continued engagement with IRCC’s LoA verification system.
Applicants who received a procedural fairness letter related to LoA verification should respond within the stated deadline with supporting documentation, as failing to do so can result in a finding of misrepresentation with serious immigration consequences.
Study Permit Proof-of-Funds Increases
Study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, are subject to a higher minimum financial requirement for living expenses.
A single applicant applying to study outside Quebec must now demonstrate at least $23,448 in available funds for living costs, up from the previous $22,895 threshold.
This represents an increase of $553.
IRCC ties the study permit financial requirement to 75% of Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off, a measure that is recalculated annually each spring and applied to study permit applications each September 1.
The updated amounts by family size are as follows:
| Family Size | Minimum Living Expense Requirement |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,448 |
| 2 people | $29,192 |
| 3 people | $35,888 |
| 4 people | $43,572 |
| 5 people | $49,419 |
| 6 people | $55,736 |
| 7 people | $62,054 |
| Each additional family member | Add $6,318 |
These amounts cover living expenses only and are separate from tuition fees and transportation costs.
Applicants must show sufficient funds to cover all three categories: tuition, living expenses, and transportation to and from Canada.
The application submission date determines which threshold applies.
If you submit your study permit application before September 1, the previous $22,895 amount applies.
If you submit on or after September 1, the new $23,448 threshold applies.
Quebec maintains its own separate financial requirements through the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec system, and the figures above do not apply to applicants studying in that province.
Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathways Closed
Canada’s special temporary permanent residence pathways for eligible Hong Kong residents stopped accepting new applications after August 31, 2026.
IRCC confirmed this in an official notice published on August 28, 2026, reaffirming the previously communicated deadline.
The two pathways, Stream A for in-Canada graduates and Stream B for applicants with Canadian work experience, were introduced in 2021 under a public policy that recognized the contributions of Hong Kong residents while supporting democratic values.
The policy was extended and expanded in 2023 to reach additional eligible applicants.
As of June 30, 2026, IRCC had received approximately 30,315 applications representing 48,560 people under the public policy.
More than 8,600 applications covering 13,485 people had been approved, and approximately 13,370 people had obtained permanent residence status.
Applications submitted on or before August 31 will continue to be processed under normal procedures.
The August 31 date was the submission deadline, not a decision deadline.
Applicants who filed before the pathways closed can apply for open work permits under a separate public policy that took effect on May 27, 2024, and remains in effect until May 2029, allowing them to maintain status and work while awaiting a decision.
This closure does not automatically end every Canadian immigration measure relating to Hong Kong residents.
The open work permit policy and ongoing processing of already-submitted applications both continue.
Advanced LINC and CLIC Language Training Is Being Phased Out
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has been scaling back Stage Two federally funded language instruction under the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada program and its French-language counterpart, Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada.
Stage Two covers Canadian Language Benchmark levels 5 through 8, corresponding to higher-intermediate and advanced instruction.
Multiple service providers across Canada have confirmed that IRCC announced, earlier in 2026, that LINC Stage II classes would no longer be offered, with registrations ceasing after April 2026 at some locations.
Federal Settlement Program resources are being concentrated more heavily on Stage One programming, which covers foundational and lower-intermediate language skills at CLB levels 1 through 4.
Canada’s entire LINC and CLIC program is not ending.
Beginner and lower-intermediate classes remain available to eligible newcomers, including permanent residents and protected persons.
However, newcomers seeking advanced federally funded English or French instruction will find fewer options available through the Settlement Program.
Those affected may need to explore alternative language-training pathways, including provincially funded programs, community college ESL offerings, or self-funded courses.
Manitoba Makes Its New Temporary Foreign Worker Employer Form Mandatory
As of September 16, 2026, Manitoba’s Employment Standards Division will no longer accept the previous version of the employer-registration application form required under the Worker Recruitment and Protection Act.
Employers recruiting temporary foreign workers in Manitoba must use the updated form from that date forward.
Manitoba’s WRAPA requires employers recruiting foreign workers to register with Employment Standards and obtain a Certificate of Registration before recruiting internationally, including before applying for an LMIA or making a job offer as part of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program process.
Submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment application to the federal government without a valid Certificate of Registration will result in a referral back to Manitoba Employment Standards.
Recruiting without registering can result in fines of up to $25,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a corporation.
This is a provincial compliance requirement under Manitoba law, not a change to the federal LMIA process itself.
Employers currently holding a valid Certificate of Registration should confirm that their registration is current and should use the new form for any future applications or renewals after September 16.
Nova Scotia Introduces New PNP Application Fees
Nova Scotia is introducing application fees for the Nova Scotia Nominee Program for the first time, effective September 1, 2026.
The Government of Nova Scotia announced the new fee structure on August 6, 2026, through its NSNP updates page.
$1,000 applies to the NSNP worker streams, which include the Skilled Worker, Nova Scotia Graduate, and Nova Scotia Express Entry pathways.
$2,000 applies to entrepreneur-stream applicants, including candidates starting a new business, purchasing an existing business, and eligible International Graduate Entrepreneur applicants.
There is no fee to submit an Expression of Interest. Fees apply only after a candidate’s EOI is selected for assessment.
Worker-stream candidates must pay within seven calendar days of receiving their selection notification.
Entrepreneur-stream candidates have longer payment windows, ranging from 90 to 180 calendar days depending on the specific pathway.
Candidates who received their selection letter before September 1, 2026, are not required to pay the new fee, regardless of when they submitted their EOI.
Candidates whose EOI is selected on or after September 1 must pay, even if the EOI itself was submitted before that date.
The fees are non-refundable except where required by law or in cases of administrative error.
The Atlantic Immigration Program is separate from the NSNP and is not affected by these provincial application fees.
Saskatchewan Opens Its Next Restricted SINP Intake
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program has scheduled its next capped-sector intake window for September 14, 2026.
This is one of only two remaining intake opportunities in 2026 for employers and workers in Saskatchewan’s three capped sectors: accommodation and food services, retail trade, and trucking.
Saskatchewan restructured the SINP in late 2025, introducing a three-tier system that limits capped sectors to a maximum of 25% of the province’s total nomination allocation of 4,761 for 2026.
Demand has been strong throughout 2026, with several capped-sector intake limits filling quickly. During the July intake, all available position limits were reached on their respective opening days.
Employers in capped sectors can only submit Employer Position Assessment applications during scheduled intake windows.
Workers applying through these intakes must hold a valid work permit with six months or less remaining before its expiry date.
This restriction is designed to prioritize workers at the most immediate risk of losing their status.
This is not a reopening of the entire Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
Priority-sector and other-sector applications remain open year-round with no work-permit timing restrictions.
The final 2026 capped-sector intake is scheduled for November 2.
West Kootenay, B.C. RCIP Opens Its Final 2026 Intake
The West Kootenay Rural Community Immigration Pilot is opening its final scheduled 2026 intake on September 2 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
The intake window closes on September 7 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
West Kootenay RCIP received 200 community recommendation allocations from IRCC for 2026. Following the June intake, the community had issued 123 recommendations in 2026, including 70 approved from the June pool.
The program had previously indicated that approximately 75 community recommendations may be issued per major intake, subject to remaining allocations, application quality and program priorities.
Applications from the June 2026 pool that were not selected will automatically remain in the pool for the September intake.
Employers wishing to submit an updated application for the same candidate must first withdraw the existing one.
Applicants need a genuine, full-time, non-seasonal, permanent job offer from a designated employer in a locally needed occupation.
Priority sectors include health, trades and transport, manufacturing and utilities, education and community services, sales and service, and business, finance and administration.
Being in the applicant pool does not guarantee assessment or a community recommendation.
The RCIP Steering Committee has final decision-making authority, and applications are ranked by verified scores using the official scoring grid.
The September intake is significant because the community has indicated it is the final scheduled intake for 2026, and changes to the program are anticipated for 2027.
The federal Rural Community Immigration Pilot itself is not ending, but the West Kootenay community’s intake schedule and application pool structure may change.
Northwest Territories Holds Its Final 2026 PNP Draw
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program has scheduled its final 2026 Expression of Interest draw under the Employer-Driven Stream for September 25, 2026.
Candidates must have their EOI profiles submitted to the pool by September 22, 2026, to be considered.
The territory’s 2026 nomination allocation was increased to 300 in August 2026 after IRCC granted 103 additional spaces, up from the initial 197.
Following this increase, the NTNP added a supplementary draw on August 26 and confirmed that the September 25 draw would proceed as the final scheduled selection round of the year.
Under the EOI system introduced in late February 2026, candidates receive a score based on skills and experience, connections to the Northwest Territories, and likelihood of settling in the territory on a scale of up to 845 points.
Only invited employers can submit a full nomination application. Scores for the inaugural March 2026 draw ranged from 417 to 597.
Cutoff scores vary for each draw depending on the composition of the candidate pool.
The Francophone Stream and Business Stream continue to operate on a first-come, first-served basis and are not part of the EOI draw schedule.
This represents the last scheduled opportunity in 2026 for Employer-Driven Stream candidates in the Northwest Territories.
Canada Extends Ebola-Related Immigration and Travel Restrictions
Canada has extended its existing Ebola-related border measures and immigration restrictions until September 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
This is an extension of measures that were previously in effect, not a newly introduced September restriction.
The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the extension on August 28, 2026.
The immigration-document suspension applies to foreign nationals who listed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan as their last country of residence on their immigration application.
Affected temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations, temporary resident permit counterfoils, and permanent resident visas remain temporarily suspended, preventing those documents from being used to travel to Canada.
IRCC continues processing new and existing applications from people affected by the measures but will not finalize those applications while the restrictions remain in place.
Separate border rules also apply based on recent travel history.
Foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the previous twenty-one days are generally prohibited from entering Canada, while eligible travellers arriving after recent presence in the affected countries remain subject to health screening and applicable quarantine or isolation requirements.
Transit and refuelling in an affected country count as presence for these border measures.
September 28 is the currently scheduled expiry date following this extension. It does not guarantee that the federal government will lift the measures on that date.
The government may extend, modify, or end the restrictions before or after September 28 depending on the evolving public health situation.
Summary Of September 2026 Canada Immigration Changes
| September 2026 Immigration Change | Effective Date or Key Date | Who Is Affected |
|---|---|---|
| IRCC higher-risk study permit compliance investigations and LoA fraud enforcement | By September 2026 (per IRCC action plan) | International students, designated learning institutions, study permit applicants |
| Study permit proof-of-funds increase | September 1, 2026 | All study permit applicants outside Quebec |
| Hong Kong PR pathways closed to new applications | After August 31, 2026 | Eligible Hong Kong residents seeking Canadian permanent residence |
| Advanced LINC and CLIC language training phase-out | By September 2026 | Newcomers seeking higher-level federally funded language instruction |
| Manitoba’s mandatory new TFW employer-registration form | September 16, 2026 | Manitoba employers hiring temporary foreign workers |
| Nova Scotia PNP application fees introduced | September 1, 2026 | NSNP worker-stream and entrepreneur-stream applicants |
| Saskatchewan capped-sector SINP intake | September 14, 2026 | Employers and workers in accommodation and food services, retail trade, and trucking |
| West Kootenay RCIP final 2026 intake | September 2–7, 2026 | Employers and candidates in BC’s West Kootenay region |
| Northwest Territories’ final 2026 PNP draw | September 25, 2026 (EOI deadline: Sept 22) | Employer-Driven Stream candidates in the NWT |
| Ebola-related immigration and travel restrictions extended | Until September 28, 2026 | Affected foreign nationals/residents and travellers linked to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan |
September 2026 reflects several intersecting trends in Canadian immigration policy.
Compliance and enforcement are tightening in the student stream, with IRCC moving from audit findings to active investigations and centralized fraud detection.
The department’s focus on study permits originally processed under the Student Direct Stream signals that past processing gaps are being addressed retroactively.
Financial requirements continue their annual upward adjustment, and while the $553 increase to the study permit proof-of-funds threshold is modest in isolation, it compounds the doubling that occurred in 2024 and adds to the overall cost burden for prospective international students.
The closure of the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways marks the end of a five-year policy chapter, although application processing and supporting measures continue for those who filed before the deadline.
Provincial nominee programs are evolving in different directions simultaneously.
Nova Scotia is introducing fees that bring it in line with most other provinces, while Saskatchewan continues to manage intense demand for its capped-sector nominations through tightly controlled intake windows.
The Northwest Territories wraps up its first full year of EOI-based draws, and the West Kootenay region holds what may be its final intake under the current program structure.
For employers, Manitoba’s updated registration form is a straightforward compliance requirement, but the penalty for non-compliance is severe enough to warrant attention.
The extension of Ebola-related restrictions continues to affect applicants and travellers connected to three African countries, with no certainty about whether September 28 will bring an end to the measures.
Applicants across all categories should verify their eligibility against the most current official sources before the relevant September deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What immigration changes take effect in Canada in September 2026?
Ten confirmed or officially scheduled immigration developments take effect or reach key milestones in September 2026, including IRCC study permit compliance investigations, a higher proof-of-funds requirement starting September 1, the closure of the Hong Kong PR pathways to new applications, new Nova Scotia PNP fees, a mandatory Manitoba employer-registration form, the Saskatchewan SINP capped-sector intake on September 14, the West Kootenay RCIP final intake starting September 2, the Northwest Territories final PNP draw on September 25, advanced LINC/CLIC language training phase-out, and the extension of Ebola-related travel restrictions until September 28.
How much money do I need for a Canadian study permit after September 1, 2026?
A single applicant studying outside Quebec must show at least $23,448 in living-expense funds for applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026. This amount is separate from tuition and travel costs. Family sizes of two through seven require $29,192, $35,888, $43,572, $49,419, $55,736, and $62,054, respectively, with $6,318 added for each additional family member beyond seven.
Are Canada’s Hong Kong permanent residence pathways still open?
No, the temporary pathways stopped accepting new applications after August 31, 2026. Applications submitted on or before that date continue to be processed. Applicants who filed before the deadline can apply for open work permits under a separate policy that remains in effect until May 2029.
What are the new Nova Scotia PNP fees?
Nova Scotia is charging $1,000 for worker-stream applications and $2,000 for entrepreneur-stream applications, effective September 1, 2026. Submitting an Expression of Interest remains free. The fee applies only once a candidate’s EOI is selected for assessment. Candidates who received a selection letter before September 1 are exempt.
Is Saskatchewan opening the SINP in September 2026?
Saskatchewan is opening a capped-sector intake window on September 14, 2026, for employers and workers in the accommodation and food services, retail trade, and trucking sectors. This is a restricted intake with limited spaces, not a reopening of the entire SINP. Priority-sector and other-sector applications are accepted year-round.
Is Canada ending the Ebola immigration restrictions on September 28?
September 28, 2026, is the current scheduled expiry date following the most recent extension of Canada’s Ebola-related border and immigration measures. The federal government may extend, modify, or end the measures before or after September 28 depending on the public health situation. There is no guarantee the restrictions will be lifted on that date.
What is the West Kootenay RCIP September 2026 intake?
The West Kootenay Rural Community Immigration Pilot opens its final scheduled 2026 intake on September 2 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time and closes on September 7 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Applicants need a genuine, full-time, non-seasonal, permanent job offer from a designated employer in a locally needed occupation. Approximately 75 community recommendations are expected to be available, and applications not selected from the June pool will carry over automatically.
Fact-Checked: This article was fact-checked against primary federal, provincial, territorial, and community-level official sources current as of September 1, 2026. Where IRCC had not yet published an updated figure, corroborating institutional sources and IRCC’s stated methodology were used and clearly identified.
Disclaimer: Immigration News Canada provides independent reporting on Canadian immigration policy and programs. This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, immigration advice, or a substitute for consultation with a licensed immigration professional. Readers should verify all deadlines and requirements directly with the relevant government authority before acting.
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