IRCC updated Express Entry funds requirement table that shows how much money you need to settle in Canada. Furthermore, this came into effect on June 9, 2022. Existing Express Entry profiles updated their settlement funds before June 8, 2022 to stay eligible for upcoming draws. Additionally, IRCC has mentioned that updating proof of funds did not effect original date and time of profile creation.
Proof of funds are required for Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, applicants under these categories don’t need proof of funds if they have authorization to work in Canada with a valid job offer.
How to Calculate Settlement Funds
Settlement funds for express entry depends upon the size of the applicant’s family. Size of the family must include:
- Applicant
- Spouse or partner of applicant
- Dependent children and
- Spouse’s dependent children
For calculation of settlement funds spouse or dependent children must be included even if they are permanent residents/Canadian citizen or not accompanying the applicant to Canada
New Express Entry Funds Requirement
| Number of family members | Funds required (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,310 |
| 2 | $16,570 |
| 3 | $20,371 |
| 4 | $24,733 |
| 5 | $28,052 |
| 6 | $31,638 |
| 7 | $35,224 |
| For each additional family member | $3,586 |
Express Entry Funds Requirement – Effective June 9
Acceptable Proof Of Funds For Express Entry
As per IRCC website, proof of funds must be an official letters from any banks or financial institutions. And, it must be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead. It should also include
- their contact information (address, telephone number and email address)
- Applicants name
- list of outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans
- for each current bank and investment account, the
- account numbers
- date each account was opened
- current balance of each account
- average balance for the past 6 months
Source: IRCC Website
Latest Canada Immigration News & Articles
- 2 New Ontario OINP Draws On April 30 Sent 997 PR Invitations For GTA
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program issued 997 invitations to apply for permanent residence today, April 30, 2026, through two Employer Job Offer streams targeting candidates with valid job offers in the Greater Toronto Area.
This draw covered the Foreign Worker stream and the International Student stream only.
Unlike the April 23 regional draws that included the In-Demand Skills stream across four regions outside the GTA, today’s draw was limited to two streams and focused exclusively on Canada’s largest metropolitan area.
Candidates must currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit and have a job offer in the GTA, which includes the Census Divisions of Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York.
The Foreign Worker stream required a minimum Expression of Interest score of 57, while the International Student stream set the cutoff at 81.
Both thresholds are notably lower than the regional draw cutoffs recorded on April 23, where Foreign Worker scores ranged from 60 to 63 across Eastern, Northern, Southwestern, and Central Ontario.
Ontario PNP Draw April 30, 2026 – GTA Details
The following table summarizes the key details of today’s Ontario immigration draw for the Greater Toronto Area.
Detail Foreign Worker International Student Date Issued April 30, 2026 April 30, 2026 Invitations Issued 720 277 Profiles Created July 2, 2025 – April 28, 2026 July 2, 2025 – April 28, 2026 Minimum EOI Score 57 81 Draw Type Targeted draw for the Greater Toronto Area Targeted draw for the Greater Toronto Area The combined total of 997 invitations is the first GTA-specific Employer Job Offer draw since the March 25 regional draws, which included the GTA and sent 431 invitations to the region.
Greater Toronto Area Coverage
The Greater Toronto Area for the purposes of this draw includes the following Census Divisions: Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York.
These five Census Divisions encompass the City of Toronto and all surrounding municipalities, including Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa.
Candidates with job offers from employers located outside these five Census Divisions were not eligible for today’s draw.
The April 23 regional draws covered Eastern Ontario, Northern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario, and Central Ontario (excluding GTA) separately.
Foreign Worker Stream (Minimum Score: 57)
Candidates with an Expression of Interest score of 57 and above received an invitation under the Foreign Worker stream. The following NOC codes were eligible:
- NOC 00012 – Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services
- NOC 00013 – Senior managers – health, education, social and community services and membership organizations
- NOC 10011 – Human resources managers
- NOC 10019 – Other administrative services managers
- NOC 12100 – Executive assistants
- NOC 12102 – Procurement and purchasing agents and officers
- NOC 20010 – Engineering managers
- NOC 20011 – Architecture and science managers
- NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21200 – Architects
- NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
- NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
- NOC 21233 – Web designers
- NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
- NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
- NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
- NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
- NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
- NOC 31200 – Psychologists
- NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
- NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
- NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
- NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- NOC 40021 – School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
- NOC 41302 – Ecclesiastical occupations
- NOC 41321 – Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
- NOC 51111 – Authors and writers
- NOC 70010 – Construction managers
- NOC 70012 – Facility operation and maintenance managers
- NOC 72310 – Carpenters
The Foreign Worker stream NOC list for this GTA draw spans technology, healthcare, management, construction, and education occupations.
The inclusion of general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 31102) continues the pattern of Ontario targeting physician recruitment through every available stream.
International Student Stream (Minimum Score: 81)
Candidates with an Expression of Interest score of 81 and above received an invitation under the International Student stream.
The following NOC codes were eligible:
- NOC 10019 – Other administrative services managers
- NOC 10021 – Banking, credit and other investment managers
- NOC 12013 – Supervisors, supply chain, tracking and scheduling coordination occupations
- NOC 12102 – Procurement and purchasing agents and officers
- NOC 13100 – Administrative officers
- NOC 20010 – Engineering managers
- NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
- NOC 21200 – Architects
- NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
- NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
- NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
- NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
- NOC 21233 – Web designers
- NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
- NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
- NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians
- NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
- NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
- NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
- NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
- NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
- NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
- NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
- NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
- NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
- NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
- NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
- NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
- NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
- NOC 70010 – Construction managers
- NOC 70011 – Home building and renovation managers
- NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
- NOC 73201 – General maintenance workers and building superintendents
The International Student stream for this GTA draw includes a strong mix of healthcare, technology, and construction management occupations.
The presence of home building and renovation managers (NOC 70011) and telecommunications technicians (NOC 72205) reflects the ongoing labour demand in Ontario’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
No In-Demand Skills Stream in This Draw
Unlike the April 23 regional draws and the April 15 In-Demand Skills draw, today’s GTA draw did not include the In-Demand Skills stream.
This means candidates with job offers in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations such as shippers, home support workers, machine operators, and labourers were not eligible for today’s round in the GTA.
The last time the GTA received In-Demand Skills invitations was March 25, 2026. Candidates in these occupations should keep their profiles active and monitor the OINP Program Updates page for future draw announcements.
Key Eligibility Conditions
All candidates invited in today’s Ontario PNP draw must meet the following requirements:
- Must currently reside in Canada with a valid work or study permit
- Must have a job offer from an employer located in the GTA (Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, or York)
- Must have an active Expression of Interest profile created and attested to by April 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Must meet all eligibility requirements specific to the Foreign Worker or International Student stream
- The employer must be registered through the OINP Employer Portal and the job offer must meet all stream requirements
- The job offer must be in one of the eligible NOC codes listed for the relevant stream
What Candidates Should Do Next
Candidates who received an invitation today must act immediately because the application deadlines are firm and cannot be extended.
- Review the Employer Job Offer stream page on the Ontario government website to confirm you meet all eligibility requirements and have all mandatory documents
- Your employer must review the employer guide and submit their application within 14 calendar days of the invitation date
- Log in to the OINP e-Filing Portal and click the newly created file number with the prefix JOXX
- You must submit your complete application and payment within 17 calendar days from the date the invitation was issued
- Do not confuse the new application file number with the original EOI file number, as the EOI profile will appear greyed out in the portal once the invitation has been issued
- Contact your employer immediately to coordinate the dual-track submission process
Why This Draw Matters
The GTA is the most competitive labour market in Ontario, and candidates with job offers in Toronto and surrounding municipalities have historically faced higher score requirements and less frequent draws compared to regional candidates.
Today’s Foreign Worker cutoff of 57 is one of the lowest GTA-specific Foreign Worker scores recorded in 2026, which suggests Ontario is actively working to clear its GTA backlog before the anticipated program redesign on May 30, 2026.
The inclusion of senior managers, healthcare professionals, tech workers, and construction managers reflects the GTA’s diverse employment base and the province’s continued reliance on employer-driven immigration to fill critical vacancies.
With Express Entry CRS cutoffs holding at 514 in the latest Canadian Experience Class draw on April 28, the OINP Employer Job Offer streams remain one of the most accessible permanent residence pathways for candidates who have secured employment in the GTA but lack the CRS score to compete federally.
April 2026 OINP Cumulative Activity
Today’s 997 invitations bring the total number of OINP invitations issued in April 2026 to well over 8,000, making it the busiest single month in the program’s history.
Ontario has now conducted draws on April 1 targeting the mining sector, April 8 covering healthcare and regional development, April 15 under the In-Demand Skills stream, April 22 under the Masters and PhD Graduate streams, April 23 across four regional Employer Job Offer draws, and now April 30 for the GTA.
This pace confirms that Ontario is working to maximize its 14,119 nomination allocation for the year before the OINP program redesign revokes all nine existing selection categories on May 30, 2026.
GTA Score Comparison Across April 2026 Draws
The following table compares today’s GTA-specific score thresholds against the regional scores from the April 23 draws.
Region / Date Foreign Worker Stream Score International Student Score In Demand Skills Score GTA (Apr 30) 57 81 Not included Eastern (Apr 23) 63 87 34 Northern (Apr 23) 60 87 35 Southwestern (Apr 23) 60 84 34 Central excl. GTA (Apr 23) 60 85 34 The GTA Foreign Worker cutoff of 57 is lower than every regional Foreign Worker threshold from April 23, which ranged from 60 to 63.
The International Student cutoff of 81 is also lower than the 84 to 87 range recorded across the four regional draws.
Key Takeaways
- Ontario issued 997 invitations on April 30, 2026, under the Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker and International Student streams for the Greater Toronto Area
- The Foreign Worker stream required a minimum EOI score of 57
- The International Student stream required a minimum EOI score of 81
- The In-Demand Skills stream was not included in this draw
- The GTA includes the Census Divisions of Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York
- Eligible profiles must have been created and attested to by April 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Employers must submit their application within 14 calendar days and candidates within 17 calendar days
- Both GTA score cutoffs are lower than the regional thresholds from the April 23 draws
- April 2026 has now produced well over 8,000 OINP invitations, making it the busiest month in OINP history
The employer deadline of 14 calendar days and the candidate deadline of 17 calendar days are the most critical steps in the process and cannot be extended for any reason.
Candidates should contact their employers immediately to ensure both sides are aware of the timelines and have all mandatory documents ready for submission through the OINP e-Filing Portal.
With the OINP program redesign set to revoke all nine existing selection categories on May 30, 2026, today’s GTA draw could represent one of the final opportunities to secure a provincial nomination through the current Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker and International Student streams for the Greater Toronto Area.
Candidates in the Expression of Interest pool should keep their profiles updated and monitor the OINP Program Updates page daily, as Ontario has shown it can issue new draw announcements without advance notice at any point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why was the In-Demand Skills stream not included in this GTA draw?
Ontario selects which streams to include in each draw based on labour market needs and program strategy. The In-Demand Skills stream was not included in this GTA draw, which means candidates with job offers in TEER 4 and TEER 5 occupations were not eligible. Ontario has included the In-Demand Skills stream in previous GTA draws, most recently on March 25, 2026, so candidates in these occupations should continue monitoring the OINP Program Updates page for future rounds.Can I apply if my employer is headquartered in the GTA but my work location is outside the GTA?
No, the OINP determines eligibility based on where you will physically perform your work, not where the employer’s head office is located. Your job offer must be for a position located within the Census Divisions of Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, or York. If your actual workplace is outside these boundaries, you would need to be considered under a regional draw for that specific area instead.How does the GTA Foreign Worker cutoff of 57 compare to previous GTA draws?
The Foreign Worker cutoff of 57 is one of the lower GTA-specific scores recorded in 2026. GTA draws typically produce slightly lower Foreign Worker cutoffs compared to some regional draws because the GTA candidate pool is larger and more diverse. However, score thresholds vary from draw to draw depending on the number of invitations issued, the eligible occupations, and the composition of the Expression of Interest pool at the time.Will the Employer Job Offer streams for the GTA continue after the OINP program redesign on May 30, 2026?
Ontario has confirmed that nine categories of applicants currently eligible for provincial nomination will be formally revoked on May 30, 2026. The proposed redesign plans to merge the three existing Employer Job Offer streams into a single unified stream with two tracks, one for TEER 0 to 3 skilled workers and one for TEER 4 to 5 essential workers. The final structure has not been confirmed, and candidates should monitor official Ontario government announcements for updates on how the GTA will be treated under the new program design.Is today’s GTA draw aligned with Express Entry?
No, the Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker and International Student streams are not aligned with Express Entry. Candidates nominated through these streams apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for permanent residence outside the Express Entry system. Processing times for non-Express Entry PNP applications are typically longer than Express Entry applications and can range from 12 to 18 months depending on IRCC processing volumes at the time of submission.Fact-checked: All information in this article has been verified against official Ontario government sources, including the OINP Program Updates page, as of April 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration professional for guidance specific to your situation.
- New TD Visa Card Warning Every Canadian Must Know
I recently went through a TD Visa credit card experience that I believe Canadian cardholders need to know about.
This is not a general claim that every TD Visa customer will face the same issue.
This is a first-person experience based on my call timeline, support messages, card replacement experience, and written correspondence from TD.
The issue started after I clicked an ad on X (formerly Twitter) for a SaaS (Software as a Service) website offering a free trial.
After entering my Visa card details, I could not access my account on that SaaS website to cancel the trial, so I called TD the same day to stop any future charge.
TD’s solution was to cancel my card and issue a replacement with a new card number and CVV.
But what happened next raised serious questions about replacement cards, merchant billing, and backend payment tokens that many Canadians may not fully understand.
Here’s what happened, what TD later told me, and what Canadian credit cardholders should ask before assuming a replacement card will stop future charges.
How The Issue Started With A SaaS Free Trial
The situation began on April 8, 2026, after I clicked an ad on X, formerly Twitter, for a SaaS website.
The website advertised a business plan with a 3-day free trial, followed by a discounted monthly subscription using the code.
The offer looked straightforward: try the service for 3 days, then pay the discounted monthly price if the trial continued. I was interested in testing the platform.
However, once I entered my TD Visa card details, the process did not work as expected.
There was no option to apply the promotional code at checkout, and after the payment details were entered, the onboarding screen got stuck.
The “next” button did nothing. I could not move forward. I could not access a regular profile or account area.
Most importantly, I could not clearly cancel the trial or manage the subscription because I could not access the account properly.
That changed the situation from a normal software trial into a credit card concern.
I Contacted The SaaS Website And TD On The Same Day
At 10:32 p.m. GMT on April 8, I messaged the SaaS website’s support team and told them I was unable to proceed because clicking the next button did nothing.
At 10:38 p.m. GMT, I sent another message saying I was cancelling my payment because it seemed they were not responding.
I then called TD’s Visa credit card department the same day. This is a critical part of the timeline.
I clearly told TD that the website was tied to a 3-day free trial, that the transaction would be charged after the trial period, and that I did not want the charge to go through.
I also explained why I was calling TD instead of simply cancelling through the website: I could not access my account or profile on the SaaS website to cancel the subscription myself.
According to my call log, the April 8 call lasted about 20 minutes.
TD’s solution was to cancel the card and issue a new card with new details through expedited delivery so the transaction would not go through.
From a consumer perspective, that sounded like the right safety step.
I had contacted the merchant, contacted TD before the future charge date, explained the 3-day trial, explained that I could not cancel through the merchant’s website, and followed the solution TD provided.
The SaaS Website Later Confirmed A Technical Bug
On April 9, the SaaS support team responded and said they were checking and fixing the problem.
On April 10, they followed up and said the onboarding bug had been fully fixed and deployed.
According to their message, the problem was that the form was not accepting URLs without an https:// prefix, which caused the onboarding process to get stuck.
They then offered to set up a fresh trial so I could test the service now that the issue had been fixed.
I agreed because, at that point, I believed TD had already taken the necessary step to prevent any future charge connected to the original card.
TD had cancelled the card on April 8 and was sending a replacement with new details.
That assumption turned out to be wrong.
First Replacement Card Arrives With A Missing-Name Error
On April 13, the replacement TD Visa card arrived.
But the card itself had another issue. Instead of displaying the expected cardholder name, the card showed the wording “MISSING C NAME” along with an additional internal-looking code.
For a replacement card issued by one of Canada’s Big 5 banks, this was alarming.
In an era where Canadians are constantly being warned about digital fraud, suspicious transactions, and account security, receiving a replacement card with a missing-name error does not inspire confidence.
I called TD again on April 13 to report the card issue. According to my call log, that call lasted about 26 minutes.
During that call, I asked TD to explain why a replacement card had been sent with incorrect name details.
I also told TD that I considered the issue serious enough to report publicly and asked for TD’s official explanation so it could be included in this consumer-warning article.
TD personnel reassured me that a corrected card would be sent within 5 to 10 business days.
TD Later Sent An Apology Letter
On April 14, TD sent a written apology letter about the replacement-card issue.
In that letter, TD acknowledged the concern about the TD Business Credit Card and the error experienced.
TD also acknowledged the confusion caused by the incorrect name on the replacement card.
TD described the wording issue as resulting from a system error during card production.
That letter mattered because it confirmed that the missing-name issue was not simply my interpretation. TD acknowledged the issue and apologized.
But the card-production problem was only one part of the broader concern.
The more serious issue came later, when the SaaS charge still went through after the original card had already been cancelled.
The SaaS Charge Still Went Through
On April 17, the SaaS website proceeded with the transaction. On April 20, the transaction posted. The amount was about $140.
This transaction was the part that raised the biggest consumer-protection concern for me.
I had called TD on April 8. I had clearly explained the future trial charge. I had explained that I could not access the SaaS account to cancel the subscription myself.
TD’s solution was to cancel the card and issue a new one with totally new details. Yet the transaction still went through 9 days later.
I called TD again on April 20 and asked how the transaction could go through when the original card had already been cancelled on April 8.
TD personnel initially said I should have cancelled the subscription directly with the merchant.
That general position is consistent with TD’s public guidance on pre-authorized credit card payments, which says customers must contact the merchant directly to cancel or discontinue pre-authorized bill payments.
TD’s credit card dispute page also says customers should first try to resolve a purchase dispute with the merchant before TD acts on their behalf.
However, in this case, that explanation did not address the central issue. I had already contacted the merchant. I had already contacted TD before the future charge.
I had already explained that I could not access the merchant account to cancel. TD had already offered card cancellation and replacement as the solution.
TD Later Said A Token Was Not Removed
On April 30, TD called me again.
According to the TD personnel I spoke with, the SaaS charge went through because a backend token had not been removed when the new card was issued.
The personnel said the transaction went through at the request of the SaaS website’s system because that token remained connected and rolled over to the new visa card.
As a solution, TD said the newly issued card would now also be cancelled, and another card with a new number and CVV would be issued so future transactions would not go through.
This was the most concerning part of the entire experience.
The original card had already been cancelled. A replacement card arrived with a missing-name error. TD apologized for that card-production issue.
A corrected replacement card later arrived. Then TD called again and said even that newer card would need to be cancelled and replaced because the token had not been removed.
For one of Canada’s Big 5 banks, this handling is concerning because consumers are constantly told to move fast when they suspect fraud or unwanted charges.
I did move fast. I called the bank before the charge. I followed the bank’s solution. Still, the transaction went through.
Why “Cancel With The Merchant” Was Not Enough In This Case
In a normal subscription case, telling customers to cancel with the merchant makes sense.
If someone signs up for a streaming service, gym membership, software plan, or recurring subscription and later wants out, the merchant is usually the first place to cancel.
But this was not a normal cancellation case.
I contacted the SaaS website immediately. I contacted TD the same day. I told TD the trial charge was expected after 3 days.
I explained that I could not access my account to cancel. I told TD I did not want the future transaction to go through. TD’s solution was to cancel the card and issue a new card with new details.
That distinction matters.
The later suggestion that I should have cancelled directly with the merchant does not explain why TD’s own proposed card-replacement solution did not prevent the charge that I had called about.
A bank can reasonably say customers should cancel subscriptions with merchants.
But if a customer cannot access the merchant account, contacts the bank before the charge, and follows the protection step the bank recommends, then the replacement-card process should be clear, reliable, and complete.
In my case, TD later said a token had not been removed. That is not a small technical detail. For consumers, it is the whole issue.
What Canadians Need To Know About Card Replacement
Many Canadians likely assume that if a credit card is cancelled and replaced with a new card number and CVV, future charges connected to the old card will stop.
That assumption can be incomplete.
Visa Account Updater documentation says participating merchants, through their acquirers, can send inquiries on credentials on file and receive updated card information if available when participating issuers reissue cards.
Visa says the system helps maintain continuity of payment relationships for credential-on-file merchants.
That can be useful for legitimate recurring payments because it may prevent bills from failing when a card expires or is replaced.
But for consumers trying to stop a problematic merchant charge, it also shows why card replacement can be more complicated than many people realize.
I am not saying Visa Account Updater was definitely the exact mechanism used in my case. TD would need to confirm the technical path.
What TD told me was that a token had not been removed.
That is enough for Canadian cardholders to ask more specific questions when they replace a card to stop a future charge.
A new card number is one part of the solution. Removing or blocking the relevant merchant token may be another.
What TD Visa Cardholders Should Ask
If you are replacing a TD Visa card because of a suspicious merchant, failed checkout, free trial, subscription issue, card-on-file concern, or unwanted recurring charge, do not only ask for a new card number.
Ask TD these questions directly (Save these):
- Has the merchant token been deleted? (many might not know about this backend token)
- Has the merchant been blocked from future charges?
- Are any card-on-file credentials still active?
- Was the transaction linked to a recurring billing credential?
- Was a network token involved?
- Was Visa Account Updater or a similar updater service involved?
- Are digital wallet tokens still connected to the old card?
- Will future charges from the same merchant be declined?
- Can TD confirm the action in writing?
- Was the transaction authorized before or after the original card was cancelled?
- Was the replacement card linked to any previous merchant credentials?
The most important question may be this: if I am replacing this card to stop a merchant charge, will every token, card-on-file credential, updater link, and recurring billing connection tied to that merchant be removed or blocked?
These are not questions consumers should have to answer on their own. These are questions banks should be able to answer clearly when a customer calls about a future charge and asks for protection.
What Canadians Should Do If This Happens
If a merchant charge goes through after a credit card is replaced, act quickly and document everything.
Contact the merchant in writing and ask for cancellation, refund confirmation, and confirmation that no future charges will be attempted.
Contact the credit card issuer and ask whether the transaction was processed through a token, card-on-file credential, recurring billing setup, digital wallet token, or account updater.
Ask whether all merchant tokens and updater links have been deleted or blocked. Also ask whether the merchant can be blocked from charging the account again.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says consumers should notify their financial institution or credit card issuer immediately if they believe there is an unauthorized transaction or a risk of one and should continue monitoring their account.
FCAC also says that if a bank issued the credit card, the maximum amount a consumer is responsible for in unauthorized credit card transactions is generally $50 unless the consumer demonstrated gross negligence in safeguarding the credit card, account information, or authentication information.
That protection is explained in FCAC’s guidance on unauthorized credit and debit transactions, which is why consumers should keep detailed records when disputing a charge.
TD’s own credit card dispute guidance says customers should respond promptly if more information is required because there is a limited amount of time to continue a dispute under payment network rules.
If the complaint is not resolved through the bank’s process, FCAC explains that consumers may be able to ask an external complaints body to review the matter after the bank’s complaint process has been followed or once 56 days have passed since the bank received the complaint.
That process is outlined in FCAC’s guidance on external complaint bodies for banks.
Why I Am Sharing This As A Consumer Warning
I am sharing this because Canadian consumers are expected to trust their financial institutions when they report a payment concern.
In my case, I contacted TD several days before the future charge happened.
I explained that I could not cancel through the SaaS website because I could not access my profile. I followed TD’s solution to cancel the card and issue a replacement.
Then the first replacement card arrived with a missing-name error. TD later apologized and described that as a system error during card production.
Then the SaaS charge still went through. TD later told me this happened because a token had not been removed when the new card was issued, which apparently I should have known about how the backend works.
Then TD said the newer replacement card would also need to be cancelled and replaced so future transactions would not go through.
For consumers, that sequence is not reassuring.
This is especially concerning because Canadian consumers are not only dealing with banking security issues.
They are also managing CRA account access, refund delays, benefit deposits, immigration fraud warnings, and digital identity risks.
The Bigger Question For All The Banks
The bigger question is not whether subscription customers should normally cancel with merchants. In many cases, they should.
The bigger question is what happens when a customer cannot access the merchant account, calls the bank before the charge, explains the future billing risk, and is told that cancelling and replacing the card is the solution.
If a merchant token or card-on-file credential can still remain active after that, consumers need to be told clearly.
This is not only a TD issue in theory. Any bank or card issuer using modern digital payment systems needs to explain how replacement cards interact with recurring payments, tokens, digital wallets, merchant credentials, and account updater services.
Canadians already compare banks based on fees, account features, credit card offers, and newcomer banking packages. But card security and transparency should be just as important as fees and rewards.
A replacement card should not leave customers guessing whether a merchant can still charge them.
TD initially told me that customers need to cancel subscriptions directly with merchants. In a normal subscription case, that may be fair.
But this was not a normal subscription case.
I contacted the SaaS website immediately. I contacted TD on the same day. I told TD the charge would happen after the 3-day trial.
I explained that I could not access my account on the SaaS website to cancel the trial myself. TD’s solution was to cancel the card and issue a new card with new details.
Despite that, the charge still went through.
TD later told me it happened because a token had not been removed when the new card was issued.
That is the warning Canadians need to know.
Reiterating, replacing a credit card may not always be enough if merchant tokens, card-on-file credentials, digital wallet tokens, recurring billing links, or updater connections remain active.
If you are replacing a TD Visa card or any other credit card to stop a future merchant charge, do not only ask for a new card number and CVV.
Ask whether the bank has removed or blocked the merchant token connected to the old card.
That one question could be the difference between believing your card is protected and finding out later that a charge still went through.
- New British Columbia In-Demand Jobs List For Immigration
British Columbia has overhauled its provincial nominee program priorities to focus on three strategic objectives that will shape immigration selection for the rest of 2026 and beyond.
On April 23, 2026, the BC Provincial Nominee Program announced that it would now guide all nominations by three core sectors: Care, Build, and Innovate.
Under Care, British Columbia is prioritizing workers who strengthen healthcare delivery, education, childcare, and veterinary services across the province.
Under Build, the province will target certified tradespeople who are essential to delivering major infrastructure projects and supporting construction activity in communities throughout B.C.
Under Innovate, the BC PNP will continue issuing High Economic Impact invitations that attract top professionals and entrepreneurs across all sectors as part of the province’s Look West strategy.
These changes represent a significant shift in how British Columbia selects immigrants, moving away from broad-based draws toward highly targeted nominations that directly address the province’s most urgent workforce needs.
At least 35% of all BC PNP nominations are anticipated to go to candidates working in regional communities outside Metro Vancouver, a commitment that underscores the province’s focus on distributing immigration benefits beyond the Lower Mainland.
36 In-Demand Occupations in Healthcare, Education, Childcare, and Veterinary Care
The Care priority includes 36 occupations spanning health care, education, childcare, and veterinary care that British Columbia considers essential to maintaining public services and community well-being.
Eligibility for BC PNP streams is based in part on the federal government’s 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, and candidates should verify their NOC code before registering.
The program will also nominate workers in select healthcare occupations employed in the broader health sector, extending opportunities beyond those directly employed by a health authority.
Certified early childhood educators, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists who are working toward Canadian certification will be prioritized under the Care objective.
British Columbia will also leverage additional federal allocations available for francophone recruitment by prioritizing French-speaking teachers working in the province’s public K-12 school system.
Health Care Occupations
NOC Code Occupation 30010 Managers in health care 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 31101 Specialists in surgery 31102 General practitioners and family physicians 31110 Dentists 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists 31120 Pharmacists 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists 31200 Psychologists 31201 Chiropractors 31202 Physiotherapists 31203 Occupational therapists 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 31302 Nurse practitioners 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 32101 Licensed practical nurses 32102 Paramedical occupations 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists 32112 Dental technologists and technicians 32120 Medical laboratory technologists 32121 Medical radiation technologists 32122 Medical sonographers 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates* 41300 Social workers *For the purposes of the BC PNP, only registered health care assistants and aides are eligible under NOC 33102. To receive a targeted invitation to apply, workers in NOC 33102 must be registered with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry.
Veterinary Care Occupations
NOC Code Occupation 31103 Veterinarians 32104 Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians Education Occupations
NOC Code Occupation 41220 Secondary school teachers (French-speaking only)¹ 41221 Elementary and kindergarten teachers (French-speaking only)¹ 42202 Early childhood educators and assistants² ¹ To receive a targeted invitation to apply, French-speaking teachers under NOC 41220 or NOC 41221 must be employed in B.C.’s public K-12 system and must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 or higher in French.
² To receive a targeted invitation to apply, workers in NOC 42202 must hold an Early Childhood Education (ECE) One Year or Five Year Certificate.
Temporary Initiative for Health Authority Cleaning and Security Workers
The BC PNP will deliver a time-limited, one-time initiative to retain up to 250 workers already employed by a health authority in a cleaning or security role in a rural or remote community who meet program criteria.
This initiative will open in June 2026 to registrations using the BC PNP’s expression of interest system.
Additional details will be provided before intake opens, making this a critical development for temporary workers in B.C.’s healthcare infrastructure who support hospital and care facility operations in smaller communities.
9 Certified Skilled Trades for Construction and Infrastructure
To support construction delivery and major infrastructure projects, the BC PNP will prioritize certified workers in nine key in-demand skilled trades.
British Columbia faces acute labour shortages in the construction sector, and this targeted approach ensures that nominations go to workers who can directly contribute to building homes, roads, transit systems, and public infrastructure across the province.
Construction Trades Occupations
NOC Code Occupation 72106 Welders and related machine operators 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system) 72201 Industrial electricians 72300 Plumbers 72301 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers 72310 Carpenters 72400 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 72402 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics To receive a targeted invitation to apply, workers in construction trades must hold a valid trade certificate issued by SkilledTradesBC that corresponds with the job they have been offered.
Applicants can verify their trade certification eligibility through the official SkilledTradesBC website.
Innovate: High Economic Impact Invitations Across All Sectors
The Innovate priority will continue to drive High Economic Impact invitations to apply that target top talent across all sectors.
This includes highly qualified professionals and experienced entrepreneurs who can be nominated to support economic growth as part of B.C.’s Look West strategy.
Unlike the Care and Build objectives, Innovate does not operate from a fixed occupation list.
Instead, the BC PNP will assess candidates based on their overall economic contribution, wage levels, and the strategic value they bring to the province’s long-term competitiveness.
Major Program Changes Effective in 2026
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Stream Officially Closed
The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream is officially closed. The last invitations under this stream were issued on December 10, 2024.
ELSS will soon be removed from the registration system and the BC PNP Program Guide.
Individuals who were planning to apply under the ELSS stream may wish to explore alternative pathways to immigrate to British Columbia through existing BC PNP Skills Immigration streams.
No New Student Streams
The BC PNP will not be launching new student streams in 2026.
International student graduates may wish to explore existing BC PNP streams as alternative pathways to permanent residence in British Columbia.
Completion of studies in B.C. or Canada will continue to receive additional registration points under the BC PNP, which means graduates still benefit from their Canadian education credentials when registering in the Skills Immigration system.
Technology-Occupation Draws Replaced by High-Economic-Impact Invitations
The final BC PNP priority technology occupation draw occurred on December 3, 2024.
All occupations on the previous technology occupations list remain eligible for the BC PNP, but targeted tech-only draws are being replaced by broader High Economic Impact invitations that capture top talent across all sectors, including technology.
This means technology workers are no longer competing in a dedicated pool but will instead be assessed alongside professionals from every sector based on their overall economic contribution to the province.
Expanded List of Ineligible Occupations and Employers
The BC PNP will expand the list of ineligible occupations and employers to focus nominations on its stated priorities, strengthen program integrity, and ensure that British Columbians have opportunities in these roles.
More details about these changes will be included in an updated BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide, which will be posted on the WelcomeBC Documents page.
BC PNP’s Track Record
Since 2022, the BC PNP shifted to a more strategic selection model by prioritizing key occupations aligned with government priorities.
The program has nominated 3,887 healthcare professionals during this period, including 475 doctors and 1,228 nurses and nurse practitioners.
British Columbia also nominated 2,957 licensed childcare workers, addressing one of the province’s most persistent workforce gaps in early childhood education.
The program nominated 826 construction and trades workers after targeting select certified trades, along with 26 veterinarians and 116 veterinary technologists, many of whom are working outside Metro Vancouver.
More than 38% of Skills Immigration nominees are working in regional communities, supporting both population growth and economic development across B.C.
Why This Update Matters for Workers and Employers in British Columbia
British Columbia’s updated BC PNP framework arrives at a time when the province faces severe labour shortages across healthcare, construction, education, and childcare.
Hospitals across B.C. are operating with chronic staffing gaps, particularly in nursing, family medicine, and allied health professions.
The construction industry faces vacancy rates above the national average, and the province’s aging workforce in the trades means that retirements will continue to outpace new entrants without targeted immigration into skilled trades.
Childcare access remains a defining issue for British Columbia families, and the province’s push to expand the $10-a-day childcare system depends on recruiting and retaining certified early childhood educators.
For immigration applicants, the message is clear: candidates whose occupations align with the Care, Build, and Innovate priorities will have the strongest chances of receiving an invitation to apply through the BC PNP in 2026.
Workers in occupations that fall outside these priorities will face significantly higher competition and may need to explore alternative immigration pathways through federal Express Entry or other provincial nominee programs.
Looking Ahead On Federal Allocations and Future Opportunities
B.C. continues to advocate to the federal government for increased provincial nominee allocations in 2026 and future years to support public services, major projects, economic growth, and regional communities across the province.
The full April 23, 2026 update is available on the official BC PNP news page.
The province received a 2026 allocation of 5,254 nominations from Ottawa, significantly lower than the 9,000 it requested under the federal Provincial Nominee Program.
If the federal government responds to B.C.’s advocacy with additional allocations later in the year, as it did in 2025 when the province received a supplemental boost of 960 nominations, candidates in priority occupations could see expanded opportunities.
Until then, every available nomination will be directed toward the occupations and workers that British Columbia has identified as essential under Care, Build, and Innovate.
British Columbia’s updated BC PNP framework makes the province’s immigration priorities unmistakable.
Healthcare workers, certified tradespeople, early childhood educators, and high-impact professionals are the candidates B.C. wants, and the province is structuring its entire nomination system to find them.
For workers already in B.C. or considering a move to the province, aligning your occupation, credentials, and location with the Care, Build, and Innovate objectives is now the most direct path to permanent residence through the BC PNP.
Stay informed with INC – Immigration News Canada for the latest BC PNP draw results, priority occupation updates, and Canadian immigration news as 2026 continues to unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can international graduates still apply through the BC PNP even though no new student streams will launch?
Yes, international graduates can still explore existing BC PNP Skills Immigration streams for permanent residence. Completion of studies in B.C. or Canada will continue to earn additional registration points under the program, giving graduates a scoring advantage when competing for invitations.What happens to technology workers who previously relied on BC PNP tech-specific draws?
All occupations on the previous BC PNP technology list remain eligible for the program. However, targeted tech-only draws have been replaced by broader High Economic Impact invitations that assess candidates across all sectors based on their economic contribution, wage levels, and strategic value to British Columbia.How does the temporary initiative for health authority cleaning and security workers differ from the regular BC PNP streams?
This is a one-time, time-limited initiative that will open in June 2026 specifically for up to 250 workers already employed by a health authority in a cleaning or security role in a rural or remote B.C. community. Unlike regular streams, this initiative uses the expression of interest system and targets a specific group of workers who are already contributing to healthcare facility operations.Do construction trades workers need both a job offer and a trade certificate to receive a BC PNP invitation?
Yes, workers in the nine eligible construction trades must hold a valid trade certificate issued by SkilledTradesBC that corresponds with the specific job they have been offered. A matching job offer alone is not sufficient without the corresponding trade certification from SkilledTradesBC.Will B.C. receive additional federal nomination allocations beyond the initial 5,254 for 2026?
B.C. is actively advocating for increased allocations from Ottawa. In 2025, the province received a supplemental boost of 960 nominations beyond its initial allocation. Whether a similar increase materializes in 2026 depends on federal decisions, but the province has made clear that it considers its current allocation insufficient to meet workforce needs.Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official BC PNP priorities update published on April 23, 2026 and the WelcomeBC website as of April 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal immigration advice. Candidates should consult with a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer for guidance specific to their situation.
- Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of April 2026
On April 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest round of weekly processing time data, and the April numbers tell a story of sharp contrasts.
Citizenship grants are now processing faster than at any point since late 2025, with the queue finally shrinking for the first time this year.
But Quebec parents’ and grandparents’ sponsorship exploded by 21 months in a single update, and visitor record extensions have blown past the 325 day mark.
This April 2026 IRCC processing times update covers every major stream, from work permits and family sponsorship to economic immigration and temporary visas.
IRCC bases these estimates on real applicant outcomes rather than internal targets.
The department publishes the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision.
Most permanent residency and citizenship categories receive monthly refreshes, while temporary resident streams like visitor visas, work permits, study permits, and PR cards are updated weekly.
Individual outcomes can still vary widely based on security screening requirements, country of origin, document completeness, background verification timelines, and IRCC’s internal capacity.
Below is a full, category by category breakdown of every processing time in the April 2026 release.
Biggest Moves In Last 2 Months
Before getting into the full data, here are the most significant shifts that have occurred since the February 2026 update, providing essential context for anyone tracking trends across multiple months.
Category February 2026 April 2026 Net Change Citizenship grant 14 months 12 months -2 months Citizenship grant queue ~313,000 ~313,200 Flat (now shrinking) Parents/grandparents (Quebec) 47 months 67 months +20 months Spouse inside Canada (non-Quebec) 21 months 24 months +3 months Spouse inside Canada (Quebec) 35 months 31 months -4 months Atlantic Immigration Program 33 months 40 months +7 months Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) 7 months 6 months -1 month CEC queue size ~34,200 ~54,600 +20,400 applicants Visitor visa (India) 78 days 25 days -53 days Visitor record extension 209 days 315 days +106 days New PR card 61 days 46 days -16 days Work permits inside Canada 246 days 227 days -19 days Several patterns emerge from this two-month comparison.
Citizenship processing is firmly improving, and for the first time in 2026 the queue is actually contracting rather than growing.
The Quebec parents’ and grandparents’ sponsorship spike of 20 months is the single largest increase in any permanent residency category this year and will require close monitoring in the months ahead.
Indian visitor visa processing has undergone a remarkable correction, falling from 78 days in February to just 23 days in April.
And visitor record extensions continue their alarming ascent, gaining 116 days in two months and now approaching the 325 day barrier.
The CEC queue has ballooned by over 20,000 applicants since February despite steady processing times, pointing to an imbalance between incoming applications and completed decisions that could eventually push timelines higher.
Citizenship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
The citizenship category is delivering the most sustained good news of any stream in the April 2026 update.
Application Type People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (April 7, 2026) Change Since March 2026 Citizenship grant ~313,200 (-7,100) 12 months -1 month Citizenship certificate* ~56,300 (+5,400) 10 months No change Resumption of citizenship Not available Not enough data No change Renunciation of citizenship Not available 10 months No change Search of citizenship records Not available 17 months No change At the time of publishing, IRCC is sending acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) notices for citizenship applications that were filed on or around December 5, 2025.
* Applicants residing outside Canada or the United States may face longer processing windows.
Permanent Resident Card Processing Times (Updated weekly)
Application Type Processing Time (April 29, 2026) Change Since Last Week Change Since March 31 Change Since January 21 New PR card 44 days -2 days -7 days -18 days PR card renewal 28 days +2 days +1 day -3 days PR card turnaround continues to be one of the strongest performers in the entire IRCC system.
Since February, new PR card processing has shaved off 18 days, making this one of the few categories where improvement has been both consistent and substantial across multiple months.
These processing times are updated on a weekly basis and will be refreshed once IRCC publishes its next round of figures.
Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (April 7, 2026) Change Since March 2026 Spouse/common-law outside Canada (non-Quebec) ~49,200 (+1,000) 15 months No change Spouse/common law outside Canada (Quebec) ~18,700 (-200) 32 months -3 months Spouse/common-law inside Canada (non-Quebec) ~53,900 (+1,500) 24 months +3 months Spouse/common law inside Canada (Quebec) ~12,700 (+400) 31 months -5 months Parents/grandparents (non-Quebec) ~44,900 (-1,700) 34 months No change Parents/grandparents (Quebec) ~11,200 (-500) 67 months +21 months Compared to February’s 35 months, this stream has shed three months of processing time.
This is a notable jump from the 21 months reported in both February and March.
Inside Canada, Quebec spousal sponsorship delivered the best news in the family class, plunging five months to 31 months from 36 months in March.
Compared to February’s 35 months, that represents a four-month improvement.
The Quebec parents and grandparents stream, however, produced the single most alarming figure in the entire April dataset.
Processing rocketed from 46 months in March to 67 months in April—a 21 month increase in one reporting cycle.
To put that in perspective, this stream sat at 47 months as recently as February.
Humanitarian and Compassionate And Protected Persons (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (April 7, 2026) Change Since March 2026 H&C outside Quebec ~51,800 (+1,300) More than 10 years No change H&C in Quebec ~18,700 (+200) More than 10 years No change Protected persons inside Canada (outside Quebec) ~103,700 (+2,900) About 16 months No change Protected persons inside Canada (in Quebec) ~38,000 (+900) About 114 months +2 months Dependents of protected persons (outside Quebec) ~58,100 (+1,100) About 32 months -7 months Dependents of protected persons (in Quebec) ~21,200 (+100) More than 10 years No change This group of categories continues to represent the most severe bottleneck in the Canadian immigration pipeline.
The most positive movement came from dependents of protected persons outside Quebec, where processing fell by seven months to about 32 months.
Since February, when this stream sat at 37 months, the reduction totals five months. The queue grew by 1,100 to about 58,100 despite the faster processing.
Canadian Passport Processing Times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change Since March 2026 New passport (in person, Canada) 10 business days No change New passport (mail, Canada) 20 business days No change Urgent pickup Next business day No change Express pickup 2–9 business days No change Passport mailed from outside Canada 20 business days No change Passport services continue their streak of absolute reliability.
Key takeaway: Passport services remain rock solid and are easily the most dependable segment of IRCC’s operation.
Permanent Residency Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (April 7, 2026) Change Since March 2026 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) ~54,600 (+10,300) 7 months No change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) ~44,100 (-1,200) 6 months -1 month Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Not available Not enough data No change PNP (Express Entry) ~13,700 (+700) 7 months No change Non-Express Entry PNP ~108,100 (+100) 13 months No change Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) ~25,700 (-1,200) 11 months No change Quebec Business Class ~3,800 (-100) 78 months -2 months Federal Self-Employed ~8,100 (No change) More than 10 years No change Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) ~13,200 (-300) 40 months +7 months Startup Up Visa ~46,200 (+300) More than 10 years No change Canada’s economic immigration pathways show a largely frozen picture in April 2026, but the underlying queue dynamics tell a more complex story.
Since February, the CEC queue has added over 20,400 people — an extraordinary surge that has not yet translated into longer processing times but almost certainly will if the trend continues.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is the bright spot in this section, dropping to six months from seven—its first improvement since early 2025.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) took a sharp turn in the wrong direction, jumping seven months to 40 months from 33 months in March.
The AIP had been stable at 33 months since at least February, making this sudden spike a significant development for applicants in that stream.
Temporary Visa Processing Times (Updated weekly)
The temporary visa landscape for April 2026 spans visitor visas, super visas, study permits, and work permits across the five most commonly tracked countries of origin.
Because these figures refresh weekly rather than monthly, they offer a more granular view of how rapidly conditions are shifting.
These processing times are updated on a weekly basis and will be refreshed once IRCC publishes its next round of figures.
Visitor Visas From Outside Canada
Country Processing Time
(April 29, 2026)Change Since
last weekChange Since
January 28, 2026India 27 days +2 days -55 days United States 22 days +2 days -3 days Nigeria 45 days +1 day +5 days Pakistan 48 days No change -8 days Philippines 17 days +1 day +1 day - Visitor visa inside Canada: 11 days (+1 day since last week, but -3 days since Dec 31, 2025)
- Visitor record extension: 306 days (-9 days since last week, but +145 days Since January 28, 2026)
Anyone planning to extend their visitor status should file well in advance to preserve implied status while IRCC adjudicates the request.
Super Visa Processing Times
Country Processing Time
(April 29, 2026)Change Since
last weekChange Since
January 28, 2026India 168 days -1 day -46 days United States 115 days -14 days -72 days Nigeria 37 days +2 days -1 day Pakistan 102 days -12 days -22 days Philippines 34 days -2 days -75 days Study Permit Processing Times
Most countries held steady on study permit timelines this week, but one glaring exception dominates this category.
Country Processing Time
(April 29, 2026)Change Since
last weekChange Since January 28, 2026 India 4 weeks +1 week No change United States 6 weeks +1 week -2 weeks Nigeria 5 weeks No change No change Pakistan 9 weeks -2 weeks +5 weeks Philippines 4 weeks -1 week -1 week - Study permit inside Canada: 8 weeks (+1 week since March 31)
- Study permit extension: 86 days (-7 days since last week and -18 days Since January 28, 2026)
Work Permit Processing Times
The work permit picture is largely calm, though a pair of sharp outliers demand attention.
Country Processing Time
(April 29, 2026)Change Since
last weekChange Since
January 28, 2026India 9 weeks No change +1 week United States 6 weeks -1 week -4 weeks Nigeria 7 weeks -6 weeks -2 weeks Pakistan 8 weeks No change -12 weeks Philippines 7 weeks -1 week +1 week - Work permits inside Canada including extensions: 217 days (-10 days since last week, -36 days since March 31, -24 days since January 28, 2026, but still +7 days since Dec 31, 2025)
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program: 7 days (+1 day since last week and -3 days since Dec 31)
- International Experience Canada (IEC): 5 weeks (+1 week since last week, +2 weeks since March 31, but -1 week since Dec 31, 2025)
- Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA): 5 minutes for most applicants; up to 72 hours for additional screening
The April 2026 IRCC processing times capture a system pulling in multiple directions at once.
Citizenship is firmly on the mend with faster processing and a shrinking queue for the first time this year.
Indian visitor visas have been halved since February. PR cards and the Federal Skilled Worker Program are both trending positively.
But Quebec parents’ and grandparents’ sponsorship has spiralled to 67 months, the Atlantic Immigration Program jumped seven months, the CEC queue continues to swell at an unsustainable pace, and visitor record extensions are closing in on 300 days.
Applicants should track these updates closely, submit complete documentation at the earliest opportunity, and consult qualified professionals when navigating complex or time-sensitive situations.
For the latest developments on Canadian immigration news, evolving policy landscapes, and IRCC processing times, save this page and return regularly as new weekly and monthly data drops throughout 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Quebec parents’ and grandparents’ sponsorship jump from 46 to 67 months in one update?
A 21 month increase in a single reporting cycle typically signals a change in how IRCC calculates or assigns processing estimates for that specific stream rather than a sudden slowdown in officer output. Quebec sponsorship applications go through a two-stage process involving both the provincial government and IRCC, and a policy or procedural adjustment at either level can cause the published estimate to recalibrate sharply. Applicants already in the queue should not assume their individual case has been pushed back by 21 months. The published figure reflects the 80th percentile of completed cases, which can shift significantly when a batch of older cases skews the data.How accurate are IRCC processing time estimates for planning purposes?
IRCC processing times represent the window within which 80 percent of applicants in that category received a decision. That means roughly one in five applicants will wait longer than the stated estimate. Accuracy also varies by category. Stable streams like passport services and PR cards tend to be highly predictable, while categories experiencing rapid queue growth or policy changes can see estimates shift dramatically from one month to the next. Applicants should treat the published figures as directional guidance and build a buffer of several weeks or months into their personal planning timelines.Can I withdraw my IRCC application and reapply under a faster stream?
Yes, you can withdraw a pending IRCC application at any time by submitting a withdrawal request through your online account or via the IRCC web form. However, application fees are generally not refundable after processing has begun, and withdrawing does not guarantee eligibility for a different stream. Before withdrawing, confirm that you meet all requirements for the alternative pathway and that the expected processing time would genuinely improve your situation. Consulting a regulated immigration professional is advisable before making this decision, as withdrawing and reapplying resets your queue position entirely.Does applying online versus paper affect how fast IRCC processes my application?
Online applications are generally processed faster than paper submissions. Digital applications enter the IRCC system immediately upon submission, whereas paper applications must be physically received, opened, scanned, and manually entered into the processing system before review can begin. IRCC has also increasingly prioritized digital workflows and automated preliminary checks for online submissions. For categories that accept both formats, choosing the online route can save days or even weeks at the intake stage alone.What should I do if my IRCC application has been processing longer than the published estimate?
If your application has exceeded the published processing time, you can submit a case inquiry through the IRCC web form to request a status update. IRCC generally only accepts inquiries after the published estimate has passed. Before contacting IRCC, check your online portal to ensure there are no outstanding document requests or messages you may have missed. If the delay is significant and causing hardship, a regulated immigration consultant or lawyer can submit a formal inquiry on your behalf and, in some cases, escalate the matter through the appropriate channels. - New Express Entry Draw Just Sent 4,000 Invitations For Permanent Residence
On April 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out 4,000 more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a new Express Entry draw under the French language proficiency category (Version 2).
This draw announces the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff at 400 and delivers our expectation posted yesterday that Francophone selection will continue to dominate.
The cutoff of 400 also indicates that category-based French selection continues to open the door wide for eligible candidates inside and outside Canada with high French proficiency.
Full Details Of The Express Entry Draw On April 29
- Category: French language proficiency Version 2
- Date and time: April 29, 2026 at 11:02:27 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 400
- Number of invitations issued: 4,000
- Rank required: 4,000 or above
- Tie-breaking rule: April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC
The CRS cutoff score has dropped by 19 points as compared to the previous French category draw just 14 days ago.
A cutoff score of 400 renders this selection one of the most accessible category-based rounds in recent years, particularly for candidates who have dedicated efforts to enhancing their French language proficiency.
Tie-breaking rule explained
Tie-breaking becomes relevant when there are more candidates at the cut-off score than invitations remaining.
IRCC then uses a timestamp rule to decide which candidates at the cut-off receive invitations.
For this draw:
- The cut-off CRS is 400.
- If your CRS is higher than 400, a tie-break typically does not impact you.
- If your CRS is exactly 400, you receive an ITA only if your Express Entry profile submission time is earlier than April 07, 2026 at 20:13:59 UTC
Practical implication: candidates serious about French-category draws should aim to enter the Express Entry pool as soon as they are eligible, because profile submission timing can be decisive at the margin.
How to qualify for the French language proficiency category (practical criteria)
A French-language category draw does not mean “anyone who speaks French.”
It applies only to Express Entry candidates who formally meet IRCC’s defined French-language proficiency thresholds and are simultaneously eligible under at least one of the three economic programs managed through Express Entry.
You must demonstrate strong ability in French through an approved IRCC-recognized language test:
- Accepted French tests:
- TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada)
- TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)
- Minimum scores required:
- An NCLC 7 (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien) or higher in all four language abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
IRCC determines your NCLC level by converting your raw TEF Canada or TCF Canada results using official equivalency tables.
You cannot self-declare; you must have a valid test report number in your profile.
Key reminders:
- The test must still be valid on the date of draw and when you submit your PR application (validity: two years from the test date).
- If your test expires before you receive an ITA, you must retake it; expired scores make a profile ineligible for category selection.
- You can also include English test results (IELTS General Training or CELPIP-G) for additional CRS points, but the category requirement is tied only to your French test.
This fifth French-language proficiency category round of 2026 confirms a clear trend: French-category selection remains one of IRCC’s most active Express Entry lanes this year.
With 4,000 invitations and a CRS cutoff of 400, the April 29 round created another major opportunity for candidates with strong French test results who are also eligible under one of the three Express Entry-managed programs.”
If you are invited, treat the ITA as a documentation deadline, not a celebration, because the fastest approvals come from applications where every claim is clean, provable, and consistent.
If you miss the cut, the smartest response is not guesswork about the next Express Entry draw date—it is tightening your profile so that the next selection round becomes an execution moment, not a scramble.
Candidates who received an ITA should now focus on submitting a complete, accurate, and well-documented permanent residence application before the deadline, while those still waiting in the pool should use this round as a signal to strengthen their language scores, update their profiles, and stay ready for the next IRCC invitation round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I submit my profile in French and list French as my first language, does that automatically put me in the French category?
No, Category consideration is based on your validated French test results and eligibility factors in your Express Entry profile, not the language you type in or the language you choose for forms. Profiles without qualifying test results are not treated as French-category eligible.Can I get selected in a French category draw even if my work experience is not in demand or not related to a targeted occupation list?
Yes, French category selection is not tied to a specific occupation list the way some category rounds are. The main constraint is that you still must be eligible under an Express Entry program and your work experience must be assessed under that program’s rules and NOC requirements.Does a spouse’s French test result help me qualify for French-category draws?
A spouse’s French can help your overall CRS in some cases, but it does not “convert” the principal applicant into French-category eligibility. If you want to be considered for French category selection, the principal applicant’s profile must meet the French proficiency requirement.If I retake my French test to improve scores, do I lose my original tie-break timestamp in the pool?
Not necessarily; your tie-break position is tied to when you submitted your Express Entry profile, not when you improved test results. However, certain profile actions can create confusion if the profile becomes ineligible at any point (for example, if old results expire before new ones are entered). The safest approach is to ensure there is no gap where your profile lacks valid language results.If I decline an ITA from a French-category draw, will IRCC penalize my profile or block me from future Express Entry draws?
Declining an ITA does not automatically penalize you or block you from being invited again, as long as your profile remains eligible and accurate. The practical downside is opportunity cost: your score may not remain competitive, the next cut-off could rise, and your language test validity clock continues running. - New Bank of Canada Rate Decision, What It Means For Your Money
The Bank of Canada announced today that it will maintain the overnight policy rate at 2.25%, keeping the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%.
The decision comes as Canada faces two simultaneous economic threats that are pulling the economy in opposite directions.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is pushing energy prices sharply higher, while US trade tariffs continue to suppress Canadian exports and business investment.
Governor Tiff Macklem and the Governing Council chose to hold steady rather than cut or raise rates, signalling that both risks require careful monitoring before any further policy action.
This marks a pause after the Bank’s cumulative rate cuts from 4.75% to 2.25% over the past 18 months that were designed to support a slowing Canadian economy.
Why The Bank of Canada Held The Rate
The central bank faced a difficult balancing act at today’s announcement.
Cutting rates further would risk fuelling inflation that is already being pushed higher by surging gasoline prices tied to the Iran war.
Raising rates would punish an economy that contracted in the fourth quarter of 2025 and is only beginning to show signs of modest recovery in early 2026.
The Bank’s April Monetary Policy Report assumes that tariffs remain unchanged and the global benchmark price of oil declines to US$75 per barrel by mid-2027.
That assumption is critical because it underpins the forecast that inflation will return to the 2% target by early next year.
If oil prices remain elevated beyond that timeline, the Bank may be forced to respond with tighter monetary policy to prevent inflation from becoming entrenched.
Iran War Drives Oil Prices And Inflation Higher
The war in Iran has sent energy prices sharply upward and disrupted global transportation networks.
For oil-importing countries, these price increases are reducing growth prospects and pushing inflation higher simultaneously.
Canada occupies an unusual position in this crisis because it is a large net exporter of oil.
Higher crude prices increase Canada’s national income through energy exports even as consumers feel the squeeze of elevated gasoline prices at the pump.
CPI inflation climbed to 2.4% in March 2026, driven primarily by sharply higher gasoline prices after several months of slowing inflation data.
The Bank expects inflation to rise further to approximately 3% in April before easing back toward the 2% target early in 2027 as oil prices moderate.
Core inflation has held steady at just above 2%, and the proportion of CPI basket components rising above 3% has declined in recent months.
The Governing Council stated that it is looking through the war’s immediate impact on inflation but will not allow higher energy prices to become persistent inflation.
How US Tariffs Are Weighing On Canada’s Economy
US trade policy continues to reshape global trade patterns and remains a significant source of uncertainty for Canadian businesses.
Tariffs have suppressed Canadian exports and discouraged business investment, creating drag on an economy that was already dealing with weak demand.
The full list of US goods affected by tariffs shows how broadly the trade conflict is affecting cross-border commerce.
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs on US imports have added further complexity to the economic picture for both countries.
The Bank noted that the labour market has recorded job losses in sectors specifically targeted by US tariffs, compounding the broader weakness in hiring.
Business investment remains cautious as companies wait for greater clarity on trade policy before committing capital to expansion or new projects.
What This Means For Canadian Mortgage Holders
The rate hold means that variable-rate mortgage holders will see no change in their borrowing costs for now.
Canadians with variable-rate mortgages tied to the prime rate will continue paying the same monthly amount they have been paying since the last rate adjustment.
Fixed mortgage rates, which are driven by bond yields rather than the Bank’s policy rate, have been rising modestly since January due to elevated inflation expectations.
Canada’s fixed mortgage rates increased in April as bond yields reflected global uncertainty from the Iran war and shifting expectations about future rate cuts.
Housing activity declined in the fourth quarter of 2025 and continues to be held back by slow population growth, economic uncertainty, and ongoing affordability challenges.
The Bank’s forecast does not project any additional rate cuts in the near term, which means mortgage holders should not expect further relief on borrowing costs through the spring and summer.
Canadians approaching mortgage renewal should compare offers from multiple lenders and consider locking in rates before bond yields move higher if inflation remains persistent.
Canada’s Labour Market Remains Soft
The unemployment rate remains in the 6.5% to 7% range, reflecting both weak hiring and fewer people actively seeking work.
Employment growth has been subdued over the past year, with particularly sharp declines in sectors that are exposed to US tariff actions.
The latest unemployment rates by Census Metropolitan Area show that several major Ontario and Alberta cities remain above the 6% threshold that restricts low-wage hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
For job seekers, the most in-demand jobs in Canada for 2026 remain concentrated in administrative, healthcare, logistics, and skilled trades roles.
The top employers in Canada for 2026 continue to be found in government, banking, and healthcare sectors that are less exposed to trade disruptions.
Canada’s brain drain among highly skilled immigrants adds another layer of concern, as a soft labour market accelerates the departure of professionals who face underemployment.
The Bank expects the labour market to recover gradually as GDP growth picks up through 2027 and 2028, but the pace will depend heavily on trade policy outcomes.
Where Inflation Is Heading Next
Near-term inflation expectations have moved upward because of higher gasoline prices and persistently elevated food costs.
However, longer-term inflation expectations have remained anchored around the Bank’s 2% target, which is a key reason the Governing Council held rates rather than raising them.
The Bank stated that there is little evidence so far that oil price increases have fed through more broadly to goods and services prices, but this requires close monitoring.
The new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is timed to provide affordability relief starting with a one-time top-up deposit on June 5, 2026, followed by enhanced quarterly payments from July.
The federal government also reduced the lowest income tax rate to 14%, saving individual Canadians up to $420 per year in an effort to offset the impact of rising consumer prices.
If the Bank’s oil price assumptions hold, CPI inflation should decline from its expected April peak of approximately 3% back to the 2% target by early 2027.
Canada’s GDP Outlook For 2026 To 2028
The Bank projects GDP growth of 1.2% in 2026, rising to 1.6% in 2027 and 1.7% in 2028 as exports and business investment gradually resume along a lower trajectory.
After the economy contracted in the fourth quarter of 2025, growth is forecast to have resumed in early 2026 supported by consumer spending and government expenditures.
The global economy is expected to grow at about 3% per year through 2028, with US growth remaining solid due to AI-related investment and consumption gains.
China’s economy is being supported by robust exports, while the euro area faces headwinds from higher oil and natural gas prices.
Financial conditions remain volatile, with bond yields modestly higher since January and equity markets recovering after sharp declines at the start of the Iran war.
The US dollar has appreciated against most major currencies since the conflict began, though the Canada-US exchange rate has been relatively stable.
Canada’s reduced immigration levels for 2026 through 2028 are contributing to slower population growth, which is dampening both housing demand and consumer spending.
What The Bank of Canada Is Watching Next
The Governing Council is closely monitoring the impact of the Middle East conflict and how the Canadian economy responds to US tariffs and trade policy uncertainty.
The Bank stated that it stands ready to respond as needed and is committed to maintaining Canadians’ confidence in price stability through this period of global upheaval.
The next scheduled interest rate announcement is expected in June, and the Bank will publish an updated economic outlook at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Bank of Canada interest rate as of April 29, 2026?
The Bank of Canada held its overnight policy rate at 2.25% on April 29, 2026, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%.When is the next Bank of Canada interest rate announcement?
The next scheduled Bank of Canada interest rate announcement is expected in June 2026, when the Bank will also release an updated economic forecast.Will the Bank of Canada cut rates again in 2026?
The Bank has not signalled any imminent rate cuts and is focused on monitoring whether oil-driven inflation remains temporary or becomes persistent before making further adjustments.How does the Iran war affect Canadian interest rates?
The Iran war is pushing oil and gasoline prices higher, which increases inflation and makes the Bank of Canada more cautious about cutting rates further even though the economy is growing slowly.How do US tariffs affect the Canadian economy and interest rates?
US tariffs are reducing Canadian exports, suppressing business investment, and causing job losses in targeted sectors, which weakens economic growth but also limits the Bank’s ability to raise rates in response to inflation.Fact-Checked: All interest rate figures, GDP projections, CPI inflation data, and labour market statistics cited in this article are sourced directly from the Bank of Canada’s April 29, 2026 press release and the accompanying Monetary Policy Report.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.