Last Updated On 18 November 2022, 1:00 PM EST (Toronto Time)
November 18, 2022 – Today, Manitoba PNP draw (MPNP) sent 518 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA) under three different categories of its provincial nominee program. Most of the LAAs; 198 sent to International Education Stream (IES).
177 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA) were sent to Skilled Workers In Manitoba (SWM) having a cut off score of 797. This cut off score increased by 184 points as compared to previous MPNP draw. Lowest cut off score was 459 in January 2022 MPNP draw.
Additionally, 143 LAAs went to Skilled Worker Overseas applicants having a score of 686 or above, under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. This cut off reduced by 40 points as compared to last MPNP Draw. Out of 518 LAAs, 125 were issued to the valid Express Entry profiles (FSW, FST, or CEC candidates).
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Skilled Workers in Manitoba
This category offers permanent residency to individuals who demonstrate that a Manitoba company has offered them a long-term, full-time job. This job offer needs to be after they have completed at least six months (continuous) full-time employment with that company as a temporary foreign worker or international student working graduate.
Self-employed individuals, business owners, owner-operators and individuals providing services as independent contractors are not eligible.
If you graduated from a post-secondary program in another Canadian province, must first have been working for a Manitoba employer for at least one year before applying.
International Education Stream:
- The Graduate Internship Pathway which need a doctoral or master’s degree program from Manitoba in the last 3 years. But, job offer is not mandatory.
- The Career Employment Pathway which needs to be graduated in the past 3 years from a DLI. But, 1-year full time job offer is required.
- The International Student Entrepreneur Pilot which needs a full-time post-secondary program from Manitoba. It must be at least two years in duration. It requires the applicant to be 51% owner in a Manitoban business and actively working as a senior manager for last 6 months before applying.
Language proficiency of CLB 7 is required to apply.
Skilled Workers Overseas:
To apply under this category, candidates must demonstrate an established connection to Manitoba through:
- the support of family members or friends
- previous education or work experience in the province
- an Invitation to Apply received directly from the MPNP as part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.
Apart from this, you must score at least 60 points based on the five selection factors.
Click here to calculate your score.
Who cannot apply to the Manitoba PNP?
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE MPNP:
- Refugee claimants, or individuals involved in a federal appeal or removal process
- Live-in Caregivers currently living in Canada
- Temporary foreign workers currently working and residing in a province other than Manitoba
- Spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Individuals who have been refused by the MPNP within the last six months and who are not able to address the reason(s) for refusal
How to Apply for Manitoba PNP:
Manitoba PNP does not necessarily requires an Express Entry profile, but need an Expression of Interest to be submitted with Manitoba. If you are eligible under one of the above mentioned programs, then click here to create an Expression of Interest with Manitoba.
- 10 New Canada Immigration Changes & Updates In September 2026
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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- Latest Express Entry Draw On August 31 Sent 562 Invitations For PR
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 562 invitations to apply for permanent residence through a Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw on August 31, 2026.
The Comprehensive Ranking System cutoff for the lowest-ranked candidate invited was 697 points.
That score marks the lowest PNP cutoff recorded in any Express Entry draw conducted in 2026.
The previous lowest PNP threshold this year was 708, recorded in the first Express Entry draw of July on July 6.
A CRS cutoff of 697 means the lowest-ranked invited candidate held a base score of approximately 97 before the 600-point provincial nomination bonus was applied.
This is the third PNP draw of August 2026, following the August 4 PNP round at CRS 768 and the August 17 PNP round at CRS 760.
The cutoff has now fallen 71 points from the August 4 round and 63 points from the previous PNP draw on August 17.
Table of Contents
August 31 Express Entry Draw Results
The table below presents the complete details of the latest Express Entry draw conducted by IRCC on August 31, 2026.
Detail Value Draw Category Provincial Nominee Program Date and Time of Draw August 31, 2026, at 10:42:13 UTC Number of Invitations Issued 562 CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate 697 Rank Required 562 or above Tie-Breaking Rule April 12, 2026 at 04:32:26 UTC IRCC conducted this draw at 10:42:13 UTC on August 31, 2026, selecting 562 candidates who held valid provincial nominations in their Express Entry profiles.
How The Tie-Breaking Rule Determined This Draw
When multiple candidates share the same lowest Comprehensive Ranking System score at the cutoff, IRCC uses profile submission timestamps to determine who receives an invitation.
For this draw, candidates with exactly 697 points only received invitations if they submitted their Express Entry profiles before April 12, 2026, at 04:32:26 UTC.
Anyone with a CRS score above 697 received an invitation regardless of when their profile was submitted.
Why A CRS Cutoff Of 697 Changes The PNP Picture In 2026
Every candidate who holds a provincial nomination receives an automatic 600-point boost to their Express Entry CRS score.
A cutoff of 697 means the lowest-ranked invited candidate needed only 97 base CRS points before that bonus was applied.
For context, PNP cutoffs in 2026 have ranged from a high of 805 on May 25 down to today’s record low of 697.
The June 22 PNP draw stood out earlier this year by issuing 955 invitations at CRS 730, which was then the lowest PNP cutoff since late 2024.
Today’s draw surpasses that milestone by 33 points, setting a new floor for PNP competitiveness in the current invitation cycle.
This shift likely reflects a surge in fresh provincial nominations entering the Express Entry pool, driven in part by Ontario’s new Workforce Priority stream that opened its expression of interest portal on August 4.
Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan have also remained active with nomination allocations throughout the summer, as tracked in the mid-2026 review of provincial nominee programs.
When provinces release a larger batch of nominations between draws, more candidates hold scores above 601 in the Express Entry pool.
That increased supply allows IRCC to fill the invitation round at a lower CRS threshold, which is exactly what happened today.
All Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Draws In 2026
The following table shows every PNP Express Entry draw conducted in 2026 through August 31, illustrating how both invitation volumes and CRS cutoffs have shifted throughout the year.
# Date Invitations issued CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited 438 August 31, 2026 562 697 435 August 17, 2026 442 760 431 August 4, 2026 507 768 427 July 20, 2026 511 744 423 July 6, 2026 534 708 419 June 22, 2026 955 730 416 May 25, 2026 334 805 415 May 11, 2026 380 798 412 April 27, 2026 473 795 409 April 13, 2026 324 786 406 March 30, 2026 356 802 403 March 16, 2026 362 742 399 March 2, 2026 264 710 395 February 16, 2026 279 789 393 February 3, 2026 423 749 391 January 20, 2026 681 746 389 January 5, 2026 574 711 The trend across this year reveals two distinct phases for PNP Express Entry draws.
The spring period from March through May saw CRS cutoffs climb steadily from 710 to a peak of 805, as provinces processed their early-year nomination allocations at a measured pace.
The summer reversal began in June, when a large batch of nominations pushed the cutoff down to 730 and invitation volumes rose sharply.
The August 31 draw confirms that this downward trajectory in cutoffs has accelerated, with 697 now sitting 108 points below the May 25 peak.
Latest CRS Score Distribution In The Express Entry Pool
The table below presents the full CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 30, 2026, one day before this draw was conducted.
The numbers reflect the total number of candidates in the pool overall, captured a few days before this invitation round.
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates 601-1,200 559 501-600 19,542 451-500 74,105 491-500 12,952 481-490 13,273 471-480 16,981 461-470 16,099 451-460 14,800 401-450 60,413 441-450 13,463 431-440 13,233 421-430 11,811 411-420 11,183 401-410 10,723 351-400 46,824 301-350 17,495 0-300 7,735 Total 226,673 What The Pool Numbers Reveal
The Express Entry pool contained 226,673 candidates as of August 30, 2026.
That figure represents a net decline from the 229,100 recorded on August 3, continuing the gradual pool contraction that has been underway since mid-summer.
The 601-1,200 CRS band held 559 candidates as of August 30, yet IRCC issued 562 invitations in this draw.
That discrepancy indicates that at least 3 new nominations entered the pool between the August 30 snapshot and the August 31 draw itself.
Candidates in the 501-600 range number 19,542, a band that primarily determines cutoffs for Canadian Experience Class rounds.
The 451-500 range remains the most populated bracket in the pool with 74,105 profiles, a concentration that has been consistent across multiple pool snapshots throughout 2026.
For PNP candidates specifically, the key metric is the 601-1,200 band because it reflects how many nominees are actively waiting in the pool at any given time.
When this band is smaller relative to the number of invitations IRCC issues, the CRS cutoff drops because IRCC reaches candidates with lower base scores to fill the round.
What Draws Are Expected After This Round
IRCC has followed a consistent cluster-based invitation strategy throughout 2026, typically opening each cluster with a PNP draw and following up with a Canadian Experience Class round within one or two business days.
Based on that pattern, a CEC draw is likely to follow within the first few days of September if the trend holds.
IRCC may also conduct a category-based draw targeting French-language proficiency, healthcare occupations, or other priority groups, as the department has done in previous draw clusters this year.
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan set the annual permanent residence admission target at 380,000, and IRCC has been issuing invitations at an aggressive pace to stay on track.
New IRCC data released in August confirmed that Canada admitted approximately 155,800 permanent residents from January through June 2026, leaving roughly 224,200 admissions to reach the annual target of 380,000.
How The Provincial Nominee Program Works Inside Express Entry
The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates who meet their specific labour market and economic priorities for permanent residence.
When a candidate receives a provincial nomination and adds it to their Express Entry profile, IRCC automatically applies a 600-point CRS boost.
That boost has been sufficient to receive an invitation in every PNP Express Entry draw conducted in 2026.
Provinces across Canada operate their own selection streams with independent eligibility criteria, as detailed in the mid-2026 review of provincial nominee programs.
Ontario launched its redesigned Workforce Priority stream this summer, replacing all eight former OINP streams with a single unified pathway.
Alberta and British Columbia have both conducted active PNP draw schedules throughout 2026, with remaining nomination allocations available for the second half of the year.
Candidates exploring the PNP pathway should review eligible provincial streams carefully because each province sets its own occupation targets, minimum score thresholds, and intake windows.
What Invited Candidates Need To Do Now
Candidates who received an invitation to apply through this Express Entry draw have exactly 60 calendar days to submit a complete permanent residence application to IRCC.
The 60-day deadline is firm and cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Log in to your IRCC account and check your Express Entry profile status immediately.
If you received an invitation, your status will display as “Invited to Apply” and a countdown timer will appear showing the remaining days to submit.
Gather all required supporting documents, including police certificates, medical examination results, proof of funds, educational credential assessments, and language test results.
Ensure that your language test results and any other expiring documents remain valid through the date you submit your application.
Incomplete applications or submissions made after the 60-day window will result in the invitation being forfeited.
IRCC’s public consultations for the 2027-2029 Immigration Levels Plan closed on June 30, 2026, and the new plan is expected to be tabled in fall 2026.
The department is expected to table the new plan before November 2026.
PNP admission targets increased from 55,000 in 2025 to 91,500 in 2026 under the current plan, and how the next plan adjusts those allocations will directly shape the volume and frequency of future PNP Express Entry draws.
Follow Immigration News Canada for verified draw results, CRS score analysis, and provincial nominee program updates as they are released by IRCC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does a CRS cutoff of 697 mean for PNP candidates?
A CRS cutoff of 697 means that candidates who held a valid provincial nomination and a base CRS score of at least 97 before the 600-point nomination boost were eligible for an invitation in this draw. This is the lowest base score required of any PNP nominee in a 2026 Express Entry draw, which means the barrier to entry through the PNP pathway is currently at its most accessible point this year.
Can candidates apply to multiple provincial nominee programs at the same time?
Candidates can submit expressions of interest or applications to multiple provincial nominee programs across different provinces simultaneously. Each province operates its own independent selection criteria and nomination process, so there is no restriction on exploring several provinces at once. However, a candidate can only accept and hold one provincial nomination at a time in their Express Entry profile.
Why did the PNP CRS cutoff drop from 760 to 697 in just two weeks?
PNP cutoffs are driven by the volume and timing of provincial nominations entering the Express Entry pool rather than by changes in individual candidate quality. When provinces release a larger batch of new nominations between draws, more candidates in the 601-1,200 CRS band become available for selection. The increased supply of nominees allows IRCC to fill the draw at a lower threshold, which explains the significant drop observed between August 17 and August 31.
How many Express Entry invitations has IRCC issued in 2026 so far?
IRCC has issued 120,427 Express Entry invitations across 50 draws in 2026 as of August 31. That total has already surpassed the 113,998 invitations issued across all 58 Express Entry draws conducted in 2025.
What happens if multiple candidates have the same CRS score at the cutoff?
IRCC uses the date and time each candidate submitted their Express Entry profile to break ties among candidates who share the same lowest CRS score. In this draw, the tie-breaking timestamp was April 12, 2026, at 04:32:26 UTC. Candidates with exactly 697 points who submitted their profiles after that timestamp were not selected in this round and remain in the pool for future draws.
Fact-Checked: All data in this article has been verified against the official Express Entry rounds of invitations page published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 31, 2026, the CRS score distribution data released by IRCC for the pool snapshot dated August 30, 2026, and the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan published by IRCC.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. Immigration rules, draw patterns, and provincial program criteria can change without notice. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or licensed immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
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- 10 New Canada Laws and Rules Taking Effect In September 2026
New Canada Laws and Rules in September 2026: Next month brings one of the heaviest clusters of federal changes Canadians have seen in a single month.
New counter-tariffs on American goods, the return of gasoline taxes, an expanded disability benefit, and modernized rules for broadcasting and controlled substances all arrive within the same four weeks.
Whether you fill up at the pump, run a small business, manage a farm, or drive a truck across the border, many Canadians will be affected by at least one of these changes.
Here is a breakdown of 10 major federal laws, rules, program changes, and deadlines taking effect in September 2026.
Table of Contents
1. New Canadian Counter-Tariffs on U.S. Goods
Canada will impose new counter-tariffs on approximately $27.6 billion worth of goods imported from the United States starting September 8, 2026.
The federal government announced the measures on August 25, 2026, in direct response to U.S. tariffs of 50% on Canadian exports that took effect on August 22 under U.S. Section 338 and Section 232 authorities.
The Canadian counter-tariffs will apply at three rates: 15%, 25%, and 50%. Each product’s rate matches the corresponding U.S. tariff on that same good.
The Department of Finance has published a complete product list at the tariff-item level, covering more than 700 individual items across multiple sectors.
The highest rate of 50% will apply to categories including steel and aluminum products, furniture, and clothing and apparel.
A 25% rate covers appliances, dairy products such as cheese, fish and seafood, and certain steel and aluminum derivatives.
A 15% rate applies to additional product categories drawn from the U.S. Section 338 tariff schedule.
Consumer prices could rise across several categories if importers and retailers pass the new tariff costs through to Canadian buyers.
American-made appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators may see significant price increases at retail.
Steel and aluminium products used in construction and manufacturing could become more costly for Canadian businesses, potentially flowing through to finished goods.
Imported American furniture, clothing, dairy items, and seafood may also carry higher shelf prices depending on how supply chains adjust.
The counter-tariffs do not apply to U.S. goods already in transit to Canada on September 8.
Importers uncertain about classification or remission eligibility should consult with their customs broker before the effective date.
The government has stated that the tariff selections were made, where possible, to target goods for which Canadian alternatives are available.
The counter-tariffs were announced alongside a $7.5 billion federal support package for workers and businesses affected by the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade disruption.
2. Canada Disability Benefit Regulations and $150 Supplemental Payment
Amendments to the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations take legal effect on September 1, 2026, establishing a new supplemental-payment framework for CDB recipients.
The amended regulations were published in Part II of the Canada Gazette on July 1, 2026, following commitments made in Budget 2025.
The core change creates a $150 supplemental payment that the government will issue to eligible CDB recipients.
This payment is designed to help offset out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining or renewing the Disability Tax Credit certificate, a prerequisite for receiving the monthly benefit.
The $150 supplement is a fixed amount paid as a one-time lump sum. It is not income-tested, meaning every eligible recipient receives the full $150 regardless of their regular monthly benefit amount.
The supplemental payment is separate from the regular monthly CDB payment, which has a maximum of $204.20 per month for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year.
Eligibility is automatic for anyone who holds an approved DTC certificate and is entitled to receive any amount of the CDB.
This includes individuals whose monthly benefit amount is $20 or less and who receive their benefit as a lump-sum payment. The eligibility also extends retroactively.
Anyone who received a CDB payment before September 2026 remains eligible for the supplement, even if they no longer receive regular monthly payments.
Canadians do not need to submit a separate application for the supplemental payment. Service Canada will deliver the supplement automatically once it begins distributing the payments.
The next regular monthly CDB deposit is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, per the official benefits payment calendar.
However, the government has indicated the $150 supplemental payment will begin in fall 2026 and has not confirmed whether it will be included with the September 17 deposit or issued on a separate date.
Budget 2025 allocated $115.7 million over four years and $10.1 million per year ongoing to fund the supplement.
3. Federal Fuel Excise Tax Suspension Ends
The federal fuel excise tax holiday that has been in place since April 20, 2026, is scheduled to end after Labour Day.
The suspension remains in effect through and including September 7, 2026.
Starting September 8, 2026, the federal excise tax on gasoline is scheduled to return to its full rate of 10 cents per litre.
Diesel fuel is set to return to 4 cents per litre.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the temporary suspension on April 14, 2026, in response to global oil supply disruptions connected to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Bill C-30, which contains the legislative amendments to the Excise Tax Act, received Royal Assent on June 19, 2026.
The suspension has also covered unleaded aviation gasoline, aviation fuel, and, following a June 18 expansion, leaded aviation gasoline.
The government estimated the tax holiday would provide over $2.4 billion in total relief to Canadian consumers and businesses.
When the full excise tax returns on September 8, the statutory increase will be 10 cents per litre on gasoline and 4 cents per litre on diesel.
Actual pump-price movements will also depend on wholesale fuel costs, retailer inventory, local competition, and applicable GST/HST recalculations.
The GST/HST is calculated on top of the excise tax, so the total retail impact could be slightly more than the face value of the excise tax alone.
There is significant political pressure to extend the suspension.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has publicly asked the Prime Minister to extend the pause until at least January 1, 2027, or to consider making it permanent.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has also called for an extension.
As of this article’s publication date, the federal government has not officially confirmed whether it will table legislation to extend the zero rate beyond September 7.
A last-minute extension remains possible given the sustained public and political pressure and the fact that fuel prices remain elevated due to ongoing geopolitical instability.
4. New Federal Chemicals Reporting Requirements Take Effect
New mandatory information-gathering notices under Section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, took effect on August 29, 2026.
This technically launched during the final days of August, but it is one of the newest federal regulatory requirements that Canadian businesses enter September with.
Phase 1 of the notice covers 184 substances identified as priorities under the federal Chemicals Management Plan.
The notice applies to qualifying manufacturers, importers, and users who meet the specific federal thresholds and criteria set out in the notice.
This is not a blanket requirement for every Canadian business that handles chemicals. Only those who meet the defined reporting triggers for the listed substances are legally required to respond.
Covered businesses may need to report information concerning quantities manufactured, imported, or used in Canada, along with details about commercial activities, facilities, products, uses, and other prescribed data.
Phase 1 submissions are due by March 3, 2027.
All responses must be submitted through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window online reporting system.
The information collected will support Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada in making prioritization decisions, conducting risk assessments, and developing risk management measures where warranted.
A separate Phase 2 covers 16 additional substances and begins on a later timeline.
Businesses that manufacture, import, or use chemical substances commercially in Canada should review the full notice in the Canada Gazette to determine whether they meet the reporting criteria for any of the 184 listed substances.
5. New CRTC Canadian-Content Rules
New regulations governing what qualifies as a certified Canadian program in the audio-visual sector are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026, or on the day they are registered if registration occurs after that date.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission published the proposed regulations following Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-299.
That policy established a modernized definition of Canadian content and an updated certification framework for both traditional broadcasters and online streaming platforms.
The updated framework is part of the CRTC’s broader effort to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system following the Online Streaming Act, which amended the Broadcasting Act.
Key changes include an expanded list of key creative positions that earn production points toward Canadian-content certification.
The new system also introduces bonus points for productions that include Canadian cultural elements and a more flexible copyright-ownership policy.
Under the previous system, productions needed to earn 6 out of 10 points based on Canadians in key creative roles.
The new system uses a percentage-based threshold that ranges from 60% to 80% depending on the level of Canadian copyright ownership in the production.
Where Canadians hold more than 50% of copyright, the minimum threshold is generally 60% of total possible creative-role points.
Where Canadian copyright ownership falls between 20% and 50%, the threshold rises to 80%, with additional Canadian creative requirements.
The CRTC has also addressed the use of artificial intelligence in production.
While it recognizes AI as a legitimate production tool, key creative positions must be filled by human beings for a production to qualify for Canadian-content certification.
Programs already certified as Canadian under the previous framework will continue to qualify after the new rules take effect.
The modernized framework applies to all new certification applications received after the regulations come into force.
Applicants who submitted their applications before the effective date will be assessed under the older framework unless they specifically request assessment under the new rules.
Broadcasting undertakings with annual Canadian broadcasting revenue of $25 million or more will also be required to publicly disclose certain financial information.
6. Health Canada Section 56 Controlled-Substances Exemption Expires
A temporary class exemption issued by Health Canada under subsection 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act will expire on September 30, 2026.
The exemption has been in place since March 2020, when it was first introduced as a pandemic-era measure to reduce regulatory barriers and ensure continuity of care for patients relying on controlled substances.
It was extended in 2021 with a new expiry date of September 30, 2026.
The exemption has allowed pharmacists and practitioners expanded flexibility in prescribing and providing controlled substances.
This includes the ability for pharmacists to extend and transfer prescriptions for narcotics, controlled drugs, and targeted substances such as benzodiazepines.
The expiry is not a gap in coverage but rather a planned transition.
On October 1, 2026, Health Canada’s new consolidated Controlled Substances Regulations will come into force.
Published in Part II of the Canada Gazette in December 2025 following public consultations in 2024, the new framework merges multiple existing federal regulations and exemptions into a single modernized set of rules.
The authorities currently granted by the temporary exemption will be permanently established under the new regulations.
For patients, this transition should be seamless.
However, pharmacists and health-care practitioners should familiarize themselves with the new regulatory framework before October 1 to ensure their dispensing and prescribing practices align with the consolidated rules.
7. CBSA Ends the Commercial Driver Registration Program
The Canada Border Services Agency will discontinue the Commercial Driver Registration Program on September 1, 2026.
The agency cited low participation and duplication with the Free and Secure Trade program as the reasons for the decision, announced on July 30, 2026.
The CDRP was a Canada-only trusted-trader program that allowed pre-approved commercial drivers to receive expedited processing when entering Canada.
It was designed primarily for drivers working for carriers in the Customs Self-Assessment program.
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the CDRP received just 158 applications, compared with roughly 12,000 annual applications for the FAST program.
Applications submitted on or before September 1, 2026, will continue to be processed.
Existing CDRP membership cards remain valid until their printed expiry date, so current cardholders do not need to take immediate action.
Commercial drivers who wish to continue receiving trusted-trader benefits after their CDRP cards expire are being encouraged to apply for FAST.
FAST is jointly administered by the CBSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, giving approved members access to dedicated lanes and faster border clearance at participating ports of entry in both countries.
Approved FAST applicants pay a one-time fee of $50 USD, and membership is valid for five years.
The key practical difference is that CDRP offered expedited entry only into Canada, while FAST provides benefits in both directions.
Drivers who previously used CDRP because they could not qualify for FAST due to U.S. admissibility issues should be aware that FAST membership requires approval from both countries.
8. Regional Tariff Response Initiative Expands
The federal government will add $1.5 billion in new funding to the Regional Tariff Response Initiative beginning in September 2026.
This expansion is part of the broader $7.5 billion support package announced on August 25, 2026, in response to the escalating Canada-U.S. trade conflict.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is delivered through Canada’s seven Regional Development Agencies and is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises adapt to tariff pressures.
The program was already in operation before September, but the new funding significantly expands its scope and the size of individual contributions available.
Under the expanded terms, the maximum non-repayable contribution available to eligible businesses will increase from $1 million to $3 million.
This higher cap now includes support for demonstrated liquidity needs, in addition to existing support for capital investment plans or business-pivot strategies.
Separately, businesses may access liquidity support of up to $2 million.
This is a program expansion, not a new law or regulation.
Specific eligibility criteria and application procedures for the expanded funding are expected to be released by the Regional Development Agencies in the coming weeks.
Overall, the Regional Tariff Response Initiative is backed by $3.45 billion over four years.
Businesses directly affected by U.S. tariffs and looking for support to adapt operations, invest in new equipment, or manage short-term cash-flow challenges should monitor their Regional Development Agency’s website for updated application details.
9. AgriInvest Final Filing Deadline
September 30, 2026, is the final deadline for agricultural producers to submit their 2025 AgriInvest program forms and file their 2025 Canadian income tax returns reporting eligible farming income or losses.
This is a program deadline, not a new law, but it reflects a significant change to the AgriInvest filing calendar that took effect starting with the 2025 program year.
Previously, the AgriInvest initial deadline was September 30 of the year following the program year, and the final deadline with penalty was December 31.
Starting with the 2025 program year, both deadlines moved earlier. The new initial deadline to file without penalty was June 30, 2026.
The final deadline to file with penalty is September 30, 2026, which is now the absolute last day to participate in AgriInvest for the 2025 year.
Producers who file after June 30 but before September 30 face a 5% reduction to their matchable deposit for each month or partial month that their form is submitted late.
Filing after September 30 means the producer will not be eligible for AgriInvest participation for the 2025 program year.
AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Eligible producers can deposit up to 100% of their Allowable Net Sales into an AgriInvest account, and the government matches the first 1%.
The maximum annual government contribution is $10,000.
An additional requirement for 2025 is that farms with average Allowable Net Sales of $1 million or more for the previous three program years must have a valid agri-environmental risk assessment in place.
Producers who have not yet filed should visit their My AAFC Account or contact Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at 1-866-367-8506.
10. Canada-U.K. CPTPP Trade Rules Enter Into Force
The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership officially enters into force between Canada and the United Kingdom on September 1, 2026.
Canada ratified the U.K.’s CPTPP Accession Protocol on July 3, 2026, completing the process that began when the U.K. signed the protocol at the 7th CPTPP Commission Meeting in July 2023.
The U.K. officially became a CPTPP party on December 15, 2024. It is the first economy to successfully complete the CPTPP accession process.
With the agreement fully implemented in the U.K., the CPTPP bloc will encompass over 598 million people and represent 14.4% of global GDP.
Canada and the U.K. already trade under the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement, which eliminates tariffs on 99% of U.K. tariff lines.
The TCA will remain in force alongside the CPTPP.
Canadian businesses will be able to choose which agreement to trade under depending on which set of rules best suits their needs for any given transaction.
The CPTPP adds several trade benefits that the TCA does not provide.
These include additional duty-free tariff rate quota volumes for certain Canadian meat exports and immediate duty-free, quota-free access for sweetcorn.
Canadian exporters can also qualify for preferential tariff treatment using the CPTPP’s broader rules of origin.
Under CPTPP rules, inputs from any CPTPP member country can count toward originating status for duty-free imports, creating more flexible supply-chain options than the bilateral TCA allows.
The agreement also extends enforceable investment protections and access to investor-state dispute settlement arbitration mechanisms.
The U.K. was Canada’s largest trading partner in Europe and fourth-largest merchandise trading partner globally in 2025, with bilateral merchandise trade valued at approximately $56.6 billion.
The U.K. is also the second-largest source of foreign direct investment in Canada, and total bilateral direct investment stock reached $97 billion in 2024.
Summary of All September 2026 Changes
Change Type Effective Date Who Is Affected Counter-tariffs on U.S. goods (15%, 25%, 50%) New tariff regulation September 8, 2026 Importers, businesses, consumers buying U.S. products Canada Disability Benefit $150 supplemental-payment framework Regulatory amendment September 1, 2026 CDB recipients with approved Disability Tax Credit Federal fuel excise tax suspension ends Scheduled tax return September 8, 2026 All drivers and fuel consumers Federal chemicals reporting requirements (Phase 1) New Section 71 CEPA notice August 29, 2026 Qualifying manufacturers, importers, and users of listed substances CRTC Canadian-content certification framework Scheduled new regulation September 1, 2026, or registration date if later Broadcasters, streaming platforms, producers Health Canada Section 56 controlled-substances exemption expires Exemption expiry September 30, 2026 Pharmacists, practitioners, patients on controlled substances CBSA ends Commercial Driver Registration Program Program discontinuation September 1, 2026 Commercial drivers using CDRP for border crossings Regional Tariff Response Initiative expansion Program expansion September 2026 Tariff-affected small and medium-sized enterprises AgriInvest final filing deadline Program deadline September 30, 2026 Agricultural producers enrolled in AgriInvest Canada-U.K. CPTPP trade rules Trade agreement entry into force September 1, 2026 Exporters, importers, and investors trading with the U.K. September 2026 is a month that touches nearly every corner of Canadian economic life.
The combined effect of new counter-tariffs and the return of fuel taxes could increase costs for households and businesses alike.
Expanded support programs and new trade agreements aim to cushion the impact and open new opportunities.
Canadians should review how these changes apply to their personal finances, business operations, or professional obligations and take action before the relevant effective dates.
Staying informed about evolving federal policy will be essential as Ottawa continues to respond to a rapidly shifting trade and geopolitical environment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the new counter-tariffs on U.S. goods apply to items already in transit before September 8?
The federal government has confirmed that the new counter-tariffs will not apply to U.S. goods already in transit to Canada when the measures take effect on September 8, 2026. Importers and consumers with shipments moving around the implementation date should consult the latest CBSA guidance for detailed customs administration and tariff treatment.
If the federal fuel excise tax comes back on September 8, how will it affect gas prices?
The statutory change is the return of the 10-cent-per-litre federal excise tax on gasoline and the 4-cent-per-litre tax on diesel, effective September 8. However, actual retail pump-price movements depend on several factors beyond the excise tax alone. Wholesale fuel costs, existing retailer inventory purchased at the zero-rate, local competition, and applicable GST/HST recalculations all play a role. The excise tax is levied at the wholesale or distributor level, not directly at the pump. Gas stations set retail prices based on the wholesale cost of fuel they receive, so the timing of any price adjustment will vary by station and region.
Can I receive the $150 Canada Disability Benefit supplement more than once?
Yes, in certain circumstances. The $150 supplemental payment is issued for each approved Disability Tax Credit certificate that qualifies you for a monthly CDB payment. If your DTC certificate has an expiry date and you need to reapply and are re-approved, you would be eligible for another $150 supplement at that time. If your DTC certificate does not have an expiry date, you will not need to reapply unless the federal government specifically asks you to, meaning the supplement would be issued once. The payment is entirely separate from your regular monthly CDB amount and does not reduce it.
How does the CPTPP with the U.K. differ from the existing Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement for exporters?
The TCA already eliminates tariffs on 99% of U.K. tariff lines, so the CPTPP does not replace it. Instead, it adds a parallel set of rules that may be more advantageous for certain products or supply-chain configurations. The most significant practical difference is in accumulation of origin. The CPTPP provides broader accumulation across all CPTPP member economies, meaning materials sourced from Japan, Australia, Mexico, and other members can contribute toward originating status for Canadian goods exported to the U.K. Global Affairs Canada explicitly identifies this broader CPTPP accumulation as an important new supply-chain advantage over the bilateral TCA framework. A Canadian exporter who sources components from multiple CPTPP countries may find it easier to qualify for preferential U.K. access under the CPTPP than under the TCA alone. The CPTPP also provides new tariff-rate quotas for certain meat products that the TCA does not cover.
What happens to pharmacists’ ability to transfer and extend controlled-substance prescriptions after September 30?
The authorities granted under the temporary Section 56 exemption will not disappear on September 30. They will be permanently established under Health Canada’s new consolidated Controlled Substances Regulations, which come into force on October 1, 2026. The new regulations consolidate multiple existing federal regulations and exemptions into a single framework. Pharmacists will continue to be able to extend, renew, and transfer prescriptions for controlled substances under the new permanent rules. The transition is designed to be seamless for both practitioners and patients. Pharmacists should review the new regulatory text to confirm their specific practices are fully covered under the consolidated framework.
Fact-Checked: All information verified against official Government of Canada sources including canada.ca releases, the Canada Gazette, CBSA, CRTC, Global Affairs Canada, ESDC, Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada publications as of August 29, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Readers should verify all details with the relevant federal department or agency before making decisions based on this information.
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- New Canada Study Permit Proof of Funds Increase Effective September 1
Canada’s study permit proof of funds requirement is rising to $23,448 for a single applicant effective September 1, 2026.
The increase means international students submitting applications on or after that date must show at least $553 more in living-expense funds than the current $22,895 threshold.
The University of Toronto now explicitly tells prospective international students that applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, will require a minimum of $23,448 CAD for first-year living expenses.
The University of Windsor has also updated its official international-student guidance to reflect the same figure, stating that students with no dependants need proof of at least $23,448 in addition to tuition and other costs.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has previously confirmed that the international-student financial requirement is tied to 75% of Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off, known as LICO.
IRCC has also confirmed that another annual increase to the study permit financial requirement takes effect on September 1, 2026.
As of the time of writing, IRCC’s main public proof of financial support page still displays the previous $22,895 amount for one applicant. The department has not yet published its complete updated family-size table on that page.
Table of Contents
New Canada Study Permit Funds Requirement From September 1
The new $23,448 living-expense threshold applies to all study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026.
This amount covers living expenses only and does not include tuition or transportation costs.
A study permit applicant must demonstrate enough funds, without relying on employment in Canada, to cover three separate categories.
Those three categories are first-year tuition, the required living-expense amount for the student and any accompanying family members, and transportation to and from Canada.
A single applicant submitting on or after September 1 does not simply need $23,448 in total financial resources.
They generally need first-year tuition plus at least $23,448 in living expenses plus return transportation costs.
For most international students, the combined total will be well above $40,000 depending on the institution and program.
This distinction matters because study permit refusal for insufficient funds remains one of the most common reasons IRCC declines applications.
The national proof of funds table applies to all provinces and territories except Quebec.
Quebec has its own financial-capacity requirements for study permit applicants through the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec process.
Major Canadian Universities Already Showing $23,448
Two of Canada’s most prominent institutions have already incorporated the new September 2026 amount into their official student guidance.
The University of Toronto’s Centre for International Experience states that applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026, require minimum first-year living-expense funds of $23,448 CAD.
U of T’s guidance also notes that additional funds are required for applicants bringing a spouse, common-law partner or children.
The university has incorporated the $23,448 amount across several immigration-related pages, including guidance for study permit applications, study permit extensions and information for students entering Canada.
The University of Windsor’s official guidance, updated on August 21, 2026, also reflects the new threshold.
Windsor states that international students with no dependants require proof of at least CAD $23,448 in addition to tuition, books, health insurance and compulsory incidentals.
The fact that major designated learning institutions are already publishing the $23,448 amount shows that Canadian universities are preparing international students for the September 1 change even though IRCC’s main public table has not yet been updated.
New Canada Study Permit Proof Of Funds Table For September 2026
The table below shows the current study permit living-expense requirement alongside the calculated requirement taking effect September 1, 2026.
The $23,448 single-applicant figure is already corroborated by major Canadian universities.
The remaining family-size figures are calculated using IRCC’s officially stated 75% LICO methodology and Statistics Canada’s latest LICO table released on April 29, 2026.
Number of family members including applicant Current requirement from September 1, 2025 Calculated requirement from September 1, 2026 Increase 1 $22,895 $23,448 +$553 2 $28,502 $29,192 +$690 3 $35,040 $35,888 +$848 4 $42,543 $43,572 +$1,029 5 $48,252 $49,419 +$1,167 6 $54,420 $55,736 +$1,316 7 $60,589 $62,054 +$1,465 Each additional family member beyond 7 $6,170 $6,318 +$148 *Important: The $23,448 single-applicant requirement is already being published by major Canadian universities for applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026. The family-size amounts above are Immigration News Canada calculations using IRCC’s stated 75% LICO methodology and Statistics Canada’s latest LICO figures released April 29, 2026. IRCC had not yet published its complete updated family-size table at the time of writing.
How The New $23,448 Requirement Is Calculated
IRCC ties the study permit cost-of-living financial requirement to 75% of Statistics Canada’s LICO.
Statistics Canada released the latest LICO figures on April 29, 2026. The LICO amount for one person in a large urban centre in the latest table is $31,264.
Multiplying $31,264 by 75% produces $23,448, which matches the amount now appearing on U of T and Windsor guidance pages. This same formula applies across all family sizes.
For two family members, the latest LICO of $38,922 multiplied by 75% gives $29,192 after rounding to the nearest whole dollar.
For seven family members, the latest LICO of $82,739 multiplied by 75% gives $62,054. The increment between the six-person and seven-person LICO amounts is $8,424.
Applying the same $8,424 increment for each additional family member beyond seven and then applying the 75% factor produces $6,318 per additional person.
IRCC sets the living-expense threshold at 75% of LICO. Applicants must separately demonstrate that they can cover first-year tuition and transportation expenses.
An IRCC parliamentary briefing from April 2026 confirmed that the financial requirement reflects 75% of LICO.
How Much More International Students Will Need
The dollar increase varies by family size, ranging from $553 for a single applicant to $1,465 for a family of seven.
A single student who applied under the current requirement needed $22,895 in living-expense funds on top of tuition and transportation.
From September 1, that same student will need $23,448, a 2.4% increase.
For a student bringing a spouse and one child, the living-expense threshold rises from $35,040 to $35,888, an increase of $848.
The largest absolute increase applies to the seven-member family category, which jumps by $1,465 from $60,589 to $62,054.
These increases are modest on a percentage basis but still add to the growing financial burden facing international students in Canada.
Students who are still gathering their financial documents should target the September 2026 amounts to avoid complications at the application stage.
Tuition Is Not Included In The $23,448 Requirement
The $23,448 amount covers living expenses only and is entirely separate from tuition obligations.
International tuition fees at Canadian universities and colleges vary widely but commonly range from $20,000 to $45,000 per year depending on the institution and program.
A single applicant attending a program with $30,000 in annual tuition would need to demonstrate at least $53,448 in combined resources, plus transportation costs, for a September 2026 application.
That total does not account for books, supplies, health insurance premiums or other mandatory institutional fees that some schools charge separately.
Students who rely on a Guaranteed Investment Certificate to satisfy the living-expense component should ensure the GIC amount meets or exceeds the new $23,448 threshold.
International students preparing to arrive in Canada for the first time should also review our guide for new international students for practical preparation advice beyond the financial requirements.
A GIC alone will not satisfy the full funds requirement because tuition and transportation evidence must also be provided.
Applicants should review their specific institution’s cost estimates and add the living-expense minimum on top of those figures.
What Counts As Proof Of Financial Support
IRCC accepts several forms of documentation to demonstrate that an applicant has enough financial resources.
Acceptable proof includes a GIC from a participating Canadian financial institution or documentation of a Canadian bank account in the applicant’s name with transferred funds.
A bank statement from a financial institution outside Canada showing liquid and available funds is also accepted.
Other acceptable forms include a letter from a person or institution providing the applicant with money, proof of a student loan from a bank, evidence of a scholarship or funding from a Canadian institution, and funds paid from within Canada if the applicant holds a Canadian-funded scholarship.
All financial documents should clearly show the account holder’s name, the balance and the currency. Documents must be in English or French, or the applicant must provide certified translations.
IRCC does not access or use these funds directly. The money is intended for the student’s own use after arriving in Canada to cover basic living costs.
Applicants Bringing A Spouse Or Children Need More Funds
Applicants who plan to bring a spouse, common-law partner or dependent children must demonstrate additional living-expense funds for each family member.
The study permit funds table calculates the total required amount based on the number of family members including the principal applicant.
A student arriving with a spouse would fall into the two-person category, which rises from $28,502 to $29,192 on September 1, 2026.
A student with a spouse and two children would need the four-person threshold of $43,572 in living-expense funds, plus first-year tuition and travel costs for the entire family.
Applicants must include accompanying family members in the proof-of-funds calculation.
A student arriving with a spouse, common-law partner or dependent children must therefore use the applicable family-size amount.
Understanding these requirements before applying is especially important given the heightened refusal rates that have marked the international student program in recent years.
Does The New Requirement Apply To Study Permit Extensions?
Yes, the updated living-expense threshold also applies to study permit extension applications submitted on or after September 1, 2026.
Students who are already studying in Canada and need to extend their study permit must meet the financial requirements in effect at the time they submit their extension application.
If a student submits an extension application on September 2, 2026, the $23,448 living-expense amount applies to that submission.
An extension submitted before September 1 would be assessed against the current $22,895 requirement.
Students planning to extend should check IRCC’s proof of financial support page close to their submission date to confirm the amount in effect.
The University of Toronto has already updated its study permit extension guidance to reflect the $23,448 figure for applications submitted from September 1 onward.
Does The New Requirement Apply In Quebec?
No, the national study permit funds proof table does not apply to applicants studying in Quebec.
Quebec operates its own financial-capacity assessment for international students through the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec process.
Applicants to Quebec institutions must satisfy the province’s separate financial requirements, which are set independently from the federal LICO-based table.
Students applying to institutions in any other province or territory are subject to the national proof of funds amounts outlined in this article.
If a student transfers from a non-Quebec institution to a Quebec institution, they would need to obtain a CAQ and meet Quebec’s financial standards for their new program.
What Happens If You Apply Before September 1, 2026?
Applications submitted before September 1, 2026 are assessed against the current $22,895 living-expense requirement for a single applicant.
The date that matters is when IRCC receives the completed study permit application, not the program start date or the date of the letter of acceptance.
A student who submits their application on August 31, 2026 would need to meet the $22,895 threshold.
The same student submitting one day later on September 1 would need to meet the higher $23,448 threshold.
Students who are ready to apply and have sufficient funds under the current requirement may want to submit before September 1 to lock in the lower amount.
However, submitting early should not come at the cost of application quality, since incomplete or weak applications carry a high refusal risk regardless of when they are filed.
Why Canada Increases Study Permit Funds Every Year
IRCC changed its methodology for the study permit cost-of-living requirement in January 2024 because the previous fixed amount had failed to keep pace with actual living costs in Canada.
Before 2024, the living-expense threshold had been set at $10,000 for roughly two decades, a figure that bore no resemblance to the real cost of housing, food and transportation in Canadian cities.
In late 2023, IRCC announced a major overhaul that more than doubled the requirement to $20,635 effective January 1, 2024.
At the same time, IRCC announced it would tie the requirement to 75% of Statistics Canada’s LICO going forward and update the amount annually.
IRCC uses 75% of LICO for the living-expense threshold, while tuition and transportation must be demonstrated separately.
The annual update mechanism means the threshold automatically adjusts as Statistics Canada publishes new LICO figures each spring.
Since the overhaul, the living-expense requirement has risen from $20,635 in 2024 to $22,895 in September 2025 and now to $23,448 from September 2026.
IRCC has stated that these annual increases are intended to protect international students by ensuring they arrive in Canada with realistic financial resources.
The department’s April 2026 parliamentary briefing confirmed this approach by stating that the financial requirements reflect 75% of LICO.
Preparing Your Study Permit Application For September 2026
Students planning to apply for a Canadian study permit on or after September 1 should budget based on the higher $23,448 living-expense minimum.
The total financial package should include first-year tuition as quoted by the institution, at least $23,448 in accessible living-expense funds and documented return transportation costs.
If bringing family members, use the applicable figure from the September 2026 proof of funds table above.
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate from a participating financial institution is one of the most straightforward ways to demonstrate the living-expense component.
Bank statements should show consistent account activity over the previous four months and clearly indicate the account holder’s name and available balance.
Applicants relying on a financial sponsor should include the sponsor’s bank statements, a signed letter of support and evidence of the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant.
All documents must be in English or French, with certified translations where necessary.
Students should also confirm they are applying to a designated learning institution that is eligible to host international students under IRCC’s rules.
IRCC is expected to update its public proof of financial support page with the complete September 2026 table before the new amounts take effect.
Applicants should check that page directly before submitting to confirm the exact figures in effect on their application date.
The funds increase arrives during a period of significant change for international students in Canada.
Study permit caps introduced in 2024 and reduced further for 2026 mean that fewer new study permits are being issued than in previous years.
IRCC’s 2026 national allocation allows for approximately 408,000 study permits in total, including both new arrivals and extensions for current students.
Approval rates have declined sharply, and IRCC is applying greater scrutiny to financial documentation, academic intent and ties to the applicant’s home country.
Students who are exploring pathways to permanent residence after graduation should familiarize themselves with the latest PGWP to PR options available in 2026.
The co-op work permit exemption that took effect on April 1, 2026 is one of the few recent simplifications in the international student program.
Students already in Canada should also be aware of the latest IRCC compliance rules affecting study permits and post-graduation work permit eligibility.
Those considering study options with a built-in permanent residence pathway may want to explore the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot intake that opened in August 2026.
Maintaining valid immigration status throughout a study program remains essential, and tips for maintaining student status can help avoid costly compliance issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If I submit my study permit application before September 1 but IRCC processes it after September 1, which amount applies?
The amount in effect on the date IRCC receives your completed application is the one that applies.
IRCC assesses financial eligibility based on the submission date, not the date an officer reviews or decides the application.
An application received on August 31, 2026 is assessed against $22,895 even if the decision comes weeks or months later.Can I use my parents’ bank account to satisfy the proof of funds requirement?
Yes, but only if your parents provide a signed letter of financial support along with their own bank statements showing sufficient funds.
IRCC treats this as a sponsorship arrangement rather than the applicant holding funds directly.
The letter should confirm the sponsor’s relationship to the applicant, the amount they are committing and their willingness to cover living expenses throughout the study period.
Bank statements from the sponsor should show consistent balances over several months rather than a single recent large deposit.Can I combine multiple funding sources to reach the $23,448 living-expense threshold?
Yes, IRCC allows applicants to combine different forms of financial proof to meet the total requirement.
For example, a student could present a Guaranteed Investment Certificate covering part of the living-expense amount along with personal bank statements and a scholarship letter covering the remainder.
Each document must independently meet IRCC’s formatting and evidence standards, and the combined total must equal or exceed the required threshold for the applicant’s family size.Will a border officer check my finances again when I arrive in Canada?
A Canada Border Services Agency officer can ask you to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds when you arrive at a Canadian port of entry.
This check is separate from the financial assessment that took place during your study permit application.
Students should carry proof of their GIC, bank statements or sponsorship letter when travelling to Canada, even after their study permit has been approved.
Arriving without accessible evidence of financial support could lead to additional questioning or, in rare cases, denial of entry.Will the $23,448 living-expense amount stay the same for the entire 2026–2027 academic year?
The $23,448 threshold applies from September 1, 2026 until the next annual adjustment, which is expected to take effect on September 1, 2027.
IRCC has stated that it updates the study permit financial requirement every September 1 based on the latest Statistics Canada LICO figures.
The amount will not change mid-year, so students applying at any point between September 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027 can rely on the $23,448 figure for planning purposes.Fact-Checked: All figures, source references and methodology in this article have been verified against official IRCC publications on canada.ca, Statistics Canada Table 11-10-0241-01 released April 29, 2026, and the University of Toronto and University of Windsor’s published international-student guidance as of August 28, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant or immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
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- New IRCC Processing Times As Of August 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its latest processing time data on August 26, 2026, and the headline number is impossible to ignore.
Citizenship certificate processing has now reached 25 months, climbing by another six months in a single reporting cycle, while the queue added 22,300 applicants to reach approximately 121,800 people.
That figure stood at just three months in March 2026, meaning this category has added roughly 22 months of processing time in barely five months.
On the other side of the ledger, the Federal Skilled Worker Program improved to six months for the first time this year, and the CEC queue shrank by 1,800 applicants even as the processing time held steady at six months.
The most alarming reversal in the weekly data is visitor record extensions, which spiked to 416 days, 3 days less from the last week’s update and 268 days above January 28.
IRCC calculates these timelines using actual applicant outcomes, reporting the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision.
Monthly categories like citizenship, permanent residency, and family sponsorship were refreshed on August 10.
Weekly categories like visitor visas, study permits, work permits, and PR cards were last updated on August 26.
The August data arrives amid a busy month for Canadian immigration, including the opening of the Ontario Workforce Priority stream on August 4 and a new Express Entry draw cluster that began the same week.
Applicants who submit incomplete documentation remain one of the leading refusal reasons across all the immigration categories, making thorough preparation essential during these processing windows.
Below is a full breakdown of every processing time in the August 2026 release.
Table of Contents
Citizenship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Application Type People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Citizenship grant ~328,200 (+2,000) 12 months No change Citizenship certificate* ~121,800 (+22,300) 25 months +6 months Resumption of citizenship Not available Not enough data No change Renunciation of citizenship Not available 4 months -3 months Search of citizenship records Not available 17 months No change IRCC is currently sending acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) notices for citizenship applications that were submitted on or around March 19, 2026.
* Applicants residing outside Canada or the United States may face longer processing windows.
Permanent Resident Card Processing Times (Updated weekly)
Application Type Processing Time (August 26, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 21 New PR card 40 days No Change -22 days PR card renewal 40 days -1 day +11 days Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Spouse/common-law outside Canada (non-Quebec) ~58,000 (+3,900) 17 months No change Spouse/common-law outside Canada (Quebec) ~19,000 (+400) 33 months No change Spouse/common-law inside Canada (non-Quebec) ~56,800 (-100) 27 months No change Spouse/common-law inside Canada (Quebec) ~14,000 (+300) 32 months No change Parents/grandparents (non-Quebec) ~39,000 (-1,400) 29 months -1 month Parents/grandparents (Quebec) ~10,400 (-100) 64 months -1 month Humanitarian and Compassionate And Protected Persons (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month H&C outside Quebec ~55,800 (+1,300) More than 10 years No change H&C in Quebec ~20,100 (+400) More than 10 years No change Protected persons inside Canada (outside Quebec) ~92,200 (-6,100) About 13 months -1 month Protected persons inside Canada (in Quebec) ~41,900 (+1,000) More than 120 months No change Dependents of protected persons (outside Quebec) ~60,700 (-100) About 40 months +2 months Dependents of protected persons (in Quebec) ~22,400 (+300) More than 10 years No change Canadian Passport Processing Times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change 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 Permanent Residency Processing Times (Updated monthly)
Category People Waiting (Change) Processing Time (August 10, 2026) Change Since Last Month Canadian Experience Class (CEC) ~59,700 (-1,800) 6 months No change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) ~52,400 (-3,400) 6 months -1 month Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) Not available Not enough data No change PNP (Express Entry) ~11,800 (-300) 7 months No change Non-Express Entry PNP ~102,400 (-1,400) 13 months +1 month Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) ~21,200 (-1,000) 11 months No change Quebec Business Class ~3,700 (No change) 75 months No change Federal Self-Employed ~8,000 (-100) More than 10 years No change Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) ~12,100 (-200) 26 months No change Start Up Visa ~47,600 (+100) More than 10 years No change Temporary Visa Processing Times (Updated weekly)
IRCC updates temporary residence processing times on a weekly basis, and the figures below reflect data as of August 26, 2026.
We will update this section as soon as IRCC publishes new weekly data, so check back regularly for the latest numbers.
Visitor Visas From Outside Canada
Country Processing Time (August 26, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 32 days +1 day -50 days United States 21 days No change -4 days Nigeria 78 days +2 days +38 days Pakistan 77 days +2 days +21 days Philippines 20 days -1 day +4 days Visitor Visa From Inside Canada
Visitor visa applications filed from inside Canada now take 12 days, similar to last week.
Visitor Record Extension
Visitor record extensions continue to remain high at 416 days, but 3 days fewer compared to last week.
These high wait times signal renewed processing pressure for visitors who have applied to extend their stay in Canada.
Super Visa Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 26, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 61 days +5 days -189 days United States 123 days -15 days -64 days Nigeria 55 days +2 days +17 days Pakistan 176 days -14 days +38 days Philippines 104 days -3 days -12 days The super visa timeline for India remains 189 days below its January 2026 level, continuing the strongest sustained improvement in any temporary category this year.
Study Permit Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 26, 2026) Change since last week Change Since January 28, 2026 India 5 weeks No change No change United States 5 weeks No change No change Nigeria 9 weeks No change +4 weeks Pakistan 7 weeks No change +3 weeks Philippines 4 weeks No change -1 week Study Permit From Inside Canada: Inland study permit applications take 7 weeks; no change since the last week.
Study Permit Extension: Study permit extensions take 64 days, same when compared to the last update and 40 days less than January 28, 2026.
Work Permit Processing Times
Country Processing Time (August 26, 2026) Change Since July 23, 2026 Change Since January 28, 2026 India 9 weeks No change No change United States 2 weeks No change -1 week Nigeria 9 weeks No change +2 weeks Pakistan 8 weeks +1 week -12 weeks Philippines 5 weeks -1 week -1 week Work Permit From Inside Canada (Initial and Extension): Inland work permits, including extensions, have dropped to 115 days, 2 days lower than the last week, 89 days fewer than the May 20 update, 135 days below March 31, and 119 days below January 28, 2026.
The sustained decline in this category continues to be one of the most significant positive trends in the 2026 processing data.
Other Work Permit Categories
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is now at 99 days, 5 days higher than the last week and 83 days higher than the May 20 update.
International Experience Canada (IEC) work permits sit at 6 weeks, 1 week less since the last week, but 4 weeks above March 31.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) approvals continue to arrive within roughly 5 minutes for most travellers, with up to 72 hours required for applicants flagged for additional screening.
The August 2026 IRCC processing times paint a system making steady gains in economic immigration while citizenship certificate processing spirals further out of control.
Inland work permits at 115 days, FSWP improving to six months, CEC queues shrinking, and parents and grandparents sponsorship declining for the fourth straight month are all encouraging signs that IRCC is clearing backlogs in targeted categories.
However, the 416-day visitor record extension spike and the citizenship certificate queue approaching 122,000 applicants suggest that capacity constraints are deepening in several high-volume streams, a pattern that first emerged in the May data and has accelerated since.
August also brings a new CRA benefit payment cycle and the launch of Ontario’s redesigned immigration pathway, adding both financial and policy dimensions to the landscape for newcomers and permanent residents.
Applicants should file early, submit complete documentation, and check their IRCC portals regularly to stay ahead of any requests that could extend their wait.
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 has citizenship certificate processing jumped to 25 months when it was only 3 months in March 2026?
Citizenship certificate processing climbed by six months in a single reporting cycle to reach 25 months overall, up from just three months in March 2026, an increase of roughly 22 months of processing time in barely five months. Over the same period the queue grew by 22,300 applicants to reach approximately 122,000 people, one of the sharpest single-category swings in the entire August release.
What’s happening with visitor record extensions?
Visitor record extensions now stand at 416 days, down 3 days from the previous week’s update. Even with this small weekly dip, the article flags this category as one to watch closely, since it remains one of the longest processing timelines of any temporary residence category in the entire release.
Is it actually getting faster to immigrate through Express Entry right now?
Yes, on the economic side, the data points that way. The Federal Skilled Worker Program improved to six months for the first time this year (down one month from last month), with its queue shrinking by 3,400 applicants to about 52,400. The Canadian Experience Class held steady at six months while its queue also shrank by 1,800 applicants to roughly 59,700, both signs that the IRCC is finalizing more applications than it’s receiving in these streams.
How does IRCC actually calculate these processing times?
IRCC calculates its published timelines using actual applicant outcomes, reporting the window within which 80% of applicants received a decision, so the figures reflect real recent processing history rather than official service standards or estimates.
Will IRCC update temporary visa processing times again this week?
IRCC updates temporary residence processing times on a weekly basis, typically releasing new data on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The figures in this article reflect the August 26 data release, and we will update the temporary visa sections as soon as IRCC publishes the next weekly refresh. Weekly updates cover visitor visas, study permits, work permits, super visas, electronic travel authorizations, PR cards, and all related sub categories like inland applications and extensions. Monthly categories like citizenship, family sponsorship, humanitarian and compassionate claims, and permanent residency through economic programs are updated once per month and will next be refreshed in September 2026. Save this page and check back regularly to see the latest weekly numbers as they become available.
Fact-checked: All processing times, queue figures, and comparison data in this article are sourced directly from the official IRCC processing time tool updated on August 10, 2026 (monthly categories) and August 26, 2026 (weekly categories).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a regulated immigration professional for guidance on your specific case.
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- Canada’s Spousal Open Work Permit Loophole Raises Concerns
A little-known provision in Canada’s immigration rules for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) has become the centre of an intensifying online debate on social media platforms.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada confirms on its Help Centre page that a spousal open work permit normally remains valid for its full authorized period even if the principal applicant’s circumstances change after the permit is issued.
Specifically, IRCC states that the work permit will stay valid for the entire period even if the principal spouse or common-law partner loses their job, completes their studies early, or if the couple divorces or separates after the work permit has been issued.
That policy has attracted growing scrutiny across social media, immigration forums, and online communities where some users characterize it as a loophole that could be exploited by ingenuine applicants.
The concern centres on a fundamental question: if eligibility is assessed only when the permit is issued and certain later changes do not terminate the authorization already granted, what stops someone from engineering a qualifying arrangement, obtaining the permit, and then deliberately unwinding the arrangement while the permit remains active?
Table of Contents
What Is The Spousal Open Work Permit Loophole Concern?
The spousal open work permit in Canada allows the spouse or common-law partner of a qualifying international student or foreign worker to work for any employer in Canada without a job offer.
Eligibility depends on the principal applicant’s circumstances at the time the permit is assessed, not on whether those circumstances continue throughout the permit’s duration.
The perceived gap arises because IRCC explicitly confirms that the permit survives certain post-issuance changes.
Social media posts in immigration discussion groups have described scenarios in which an applicant allegedly arranges a qualifying situation and secures the spousal open work permit, and then the principal applicant deliberately alters their circumstances shortly afterward.
Some posts frame this as a strategy, while others express alarm that it could undermine the integrity of the temporary residence system.
It is critical to distinguish between this kind of alleged pre-planned arrangement and a genuine case where circumstances change unexpectedly after a legitimate application.
These are legally and factually different situations, and they carry very different consequences under Canadian immigration law.
How Ingenuine Applicants Are Allegedly Targeting This Loophole
The alleged exploitation follows a recognizable sequence that immigration discussion groups have described in growing detail.
In the most commonly cited scenario, a principal applicant enrols in a qualifying program or accepts a job in an eligible occupation with no genuine intention to complete the studies or remain in the role.
The enrolment or employment serves a single purpose: to create the qualifying circumstances that make the spouse eligible for an open work permit.
Once IRCC issues the spousal open work permit based on those qualifying circumstances, a later change in the principal applicant’s circumstances does not automatically invalidate the spouse’s already-issued permit.
The principal applicant then withdraws from the program, leaves the job, or allows the relationship to dissolve, often within weeks or months of the spouse receiving the permit.
Because IRCC confirms that an already-issued spousal open work permit normally remains valid even after these changes occur, the spouse retains full work authorization in Canada for the remaining duration of the permit.
The spouse can continue working for any employer in Canada while the original basis for the permit no longer exists.
In some reported arrangements, the couple was never in a genuine relationship to begin with, and the entire application was built around manufactured documents and a coordinated story designed to satisfy officer review.
The Role Of Influencers And Unauthorized Agents
The concern has been amplified by immigration influencers on social media platforms and unauthorized agents who are actively promoting this perceived gap as a viable strategy.
Some of these individuals present the sequence described above as a straightforward path to Canadian work authorization, framing it as a feature of the rules rather than a potential act of misrepresentation.
Videos and posts circulating on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook-based immigration groups describe step-by-step approaches to obtaining a spousal open work permit under artificially created circumstances.
Several of these posts come from individuals who are not authorized immigration representatives under Canadian law and who face no immediate accountability for the advice they distribute.
IRCC has repeatedly warned that applicants are responsible for all information in their applications, even if a representative or adviser completed the application on their behalf.
Following advice from an unauthorized agent or a social media influencer does not shield an applicant from a misrepresentation finding if the information submitted to IRCC was false or misleading.
Canada is also preparing to introduce administrative penalties of up to $1.5 million for paid representatives who break immigration rules, including by advising clients to misrepresent themselves. IRCC says the new penalty regime will be introduced later in 2026.
Applicants who rely on these online recommendations risk serious consequences including refusal, a five-year ban from Canada, a permanent fraud record with IRCC, and removal from the country.
What IRCC Actually Says About An Already-Issued SOWP
IRCC’s Help Centre page on spousal open work permit duration states that the work permit is normally valid for the same period as the principal applicant’s study permit or work permit.
The page then confirms that the work permit will stay valid for that entire period even if the principal applicant’s situation changes.
IRCC specifically identifies three examples of changes that do not automatically terminate the already-issued permit: the principal applicant losing their job, the principal applicant completing their studies early, and the couple divorcing or separating after the work permit is issued.
However, IRCC also states clearly that if these situations apply, the work permit holder will not be able to extend that same work permit when it expires.
The holder may be eligible for another type of work permit at that point, but the original spousal open work permit itself cannot simply be renewed if the qualifying circumstances no longer exist.
This distinction between initial eligibility and continued validity is at the core of the perceived loophole.
When A Spousal Open Work Permit Can Remain Valid
IRCC’s policy reflects a practical reality: circumstances change for many spousal open work permit holders in ways that are entirely outside their control.
A foreign worker whose spouse holds an open work permit could be laid off during an economic downturn.
An international student might complete a thesis-based master’s program several months ahead of schedule.
A couple whose relationship was genuine at the time of the application could separate after experiencing difficulties in their personal lives.
In each of these situations, the spouse who holds the already-issued work permit did nothing improper.
They applied under valid circumstances, met the eligibility requirements at the time, and received a lawful authorization.
Automatically cancelling a work permit every time the principal applicant’s situation shifted would create severe instability for families who relocated to Canada in good faith and made financial, employment, and personal commitments based on a valid permit.
The continuing validity of the permit in these circumstances is therefore an explicit and deliberate feature of IRCC policy, not proof that any individual holder has done something wrong.
Why The Rule Is Raising Concerns
The policy concern is that the principal applicant’s qualifying circumstances can disappear entirely while the spouse’s work permit remains valid until its printed expiry date.
In a scenario where the principal student drops out of a qualifying program or the principal worker leaves their eligible occupation, the original basis for the spouse’s work authorization no longer exists.
Yet the spouse retains full open work permit privileges in Canada, potentially for 1-2 years or even more in some cases, depending on the remaining duration on the permit.
This gap in the enforcement framework has been characterized in online discussions as a vulnerability that ingenuine applicants are being advised by unauthorized agents to target.
The concern intensifies when viewed alongside IRCC data showing that open work permits issued to spouses of international students surged from approximately 16,020 in 2018 to 72,240 in 2023, a 351% increase documented in IRCC’s own parliamentary committee disclosures.
While that volume increase does not itself indicate fraud, it illustrates the scale at which the policy operates and why even a small proportion of ingenuine applications could have a significant aggregate effect.
Where The Line Between A Rule And Misrepresentation Begins
The legal distinction between a legitimate post-issuance change in circumstances and potential misrepresentation is precise.
A genuine change in circumstances means that the applicant truthfully represented all material facts at the time of the application and that the change occurred afterward for reasons that were not pre-planned to manipulate the immigration process.
Potential immigration misrepresentation begins when an applicant, at the time of submitting the application, misrepresented or withheld material facts about the genuineness of the relationship, the principal applicant’s true intentions regarding their studies or employment, or any other relevant matter that could influence the decision.
Under section 40(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a person is inadmissible for directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts relating to a relevant matter that induces or could induce an error in the administration of the Act, and stricter enforcement measures for immigration consultants have further raised the stakes for anyone who facilitates such misrepresentation.
If a couple entered a relationship arrangement primarily to obtain immigration status, or if the principal applicant enrolled in a program or accepted a job with no genuine intention to complete it, the information provided to IRCC at the application stage may have been false or misleading.
However, each case depends on its specific facts, on what was actually represented to IRCC, and on the applicant’s circumstances and intentions at the relevant time.
No hypothetical scenario automatically constitutes misrepresentation without an examination of the actual evidence.
IRCC’s official consequences of immigration fraud page warns that submitting false or altered documents, providing false information, or misrepresenting facts can result in an application being refused, a ban from Canada for at least five years, a permanent record of fraud with IRCC, loss of temporary or permanent resident status or citizenship, a ban from applying for citizenship for five years, and removal from Canada.
Canada Already Tightened Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility
Canada has already enacted sweeping changes to spousal open work permit eligibility, particularly through restrictions that took effect on January 21, 2025.
The Government of Canada announced that effective January 21, 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers would be eligible for a family open work permit.
For Spouses Of International Students
Eligibility is now restricted to spouses of international students enrolled in master’s degree programs of 16 months or longer, doctoral programs, or select professional degree programs at universities and certain eligible pilot programs.
Professional programs that qualify include Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, nursing, education, and engineering degrees, among others specified by the IRCC.
Spouses of students in regular bachelor’s programs, college diplomas, or certificate programs generally no longer qualify for new spousal open work permits under the current rules.
For extensions of an existing spousal open work permit, IRCC requires the principal student to remain a full-time student in a PGWP-eligible program and not be in the final term of their study program.
For master’s programs, proof of enrollment must clearly show the program is at least 16 months long, with the minimum end of any stated range meeting that threshold.
For Spouses Of Foreign Workers
Under the general high-skilled worker measure, spousal open work permits are limited to spouses of foreign workers employed in TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations or select TEER 2 and TEER 3 occupations in sectors linked to labour shortages or government priorities.
For this measure, the principal worker generally needs at least 16 months remaining on their work authorization when the spouse applies.
Spouses of workers in TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupations generally do not qualify under this particular high-skilled-worker measure.
However, separate eligibility rules continue to exist for certain workers on pathways to permanent residence, workers covered by some free-trade agreements, and other specific IRCC measures.
Dependent children stopped qualifying under the general January 2025 high-skilled-worker family OWP measure, although separate measures may still provide eligibility to family members of certain workers transitioning to permanent residence.
Open work permits that were already approved under the previous, broader criteria and had not yet expired remained valid after the January 2025 changes.
What Happens When The Existing Spousal Work Permit Expires?
The continued validity of an already-issued spousal open work permit does not create an entitlement to renewal.
When the existing permit expires, the holder must meet whatever eligibility requirements apply at the time of the new application.
If the principal applicant has lost their job or dropped out of their program, or if the couple has separated, the spouse will generally not be able to extend the same type of open work permit.
They may be eligible for a different type of work permit depending on their individual circumstances, or they may need to maintain their status through another immigration pathway.
IRCC’s program delivery instructions also specify that in-Canada spouses of students may seek open work permit renewals under the criteria that existed when their current work permit was processed, but only if they are requesting a duration that aligns with the study authorization the principal applicant received to complete their current program.
This means that even where a renewal pathway exists, it is not unlimited, and the underlying qualifying circumstances must still support the request.
Are Genuine SOWP Applicants Affected?
Genuine applicants who meet the applicable eligibility requirements should not assume that online controversy around this alleged loophole means their legitimate pending applications are somehow fraudulent or automatically at risk.
Eligibility for a spousal open work permit continues to be determined under the current IRCC rules and the specific facts of each individual application.
Meeting the published eligibility criteria, providing truthful documentation, and being in a genuine relationship with a qualifying principal applicant remain the foundations of a sound application.
However, increased public attention to this issue could lead to closer scrutiny of new applications.
Officers who are aware of discussions about potential exploitation may examine relationship evidence, principal applicant intentions, and supporting documentation with greater attention to detail.
Applicants with genuinely qualifying circumstances should ensure their applications are thorough, well-documented, and consistent with the facts they have represented to IRCC.
Could IRCC Close The Perceived Loophole?
IRCC has not announced any specific policy change targeting the continued validity of already-issued spousal open work permits.
However, several policy options would be available to the department if it determined that the current approach was creating an unacceptable integrity risk.
Possible measures could include closer verification of the principal applicant’s circumstances at the time of the spousal open work permit application, including more rigorous checks on relationship genuineness and the principal applicant’s enrollment or employment intentions.
IRCC could revise the validity rules so that a spousal open work permit is explicitly tied to the continuing validity and compliance of the principal applicant’s study or work permit.
Enhanced post-issuance compliance checks could verify that the principal applicant continues to study or work in the qualifying capacity.
Future regulatory or policy amendments could also require the spouse to report material changes in the principal applicant’s circumstances and make the open work permit subject to review on that basis.
These are analytical possibilities, not announced measures, and any changes would need to balance program integrity against the legitimate interests of genuine families whose circumstances may change for reasons beyond their control.
Canada has already demonstrated willingness to tighten spousal open work permit rules significantly, and further adjustments remain a realistic possibility if the perceived gap continues to attract public concern.
The controversy around Canada’s spousal open work permit rules exposes an unusual feature of the current system: eligibility is assessed when the permit is issued, while certain subsequent changes in the principal applicant’s circumstances do not automatically terminate the authorization already granted.
That structure serves a legitimate purpose by protecting genuine families from losing a spouse’s work authorization every time an unexpected life event occurs.
It does not, however, provide permission to misrepresent facts to IRCC.
Anyone who arranges a qualifying situation through false or misleading information, enters a relationship primarily for immigration purposes, or submits documentation that does not reflect their true circumstances faces serious consequences under Canadian immigration law, including a potential five-year ban, loss of status, and removal from Canada.
Genuine applicants should continue to follow the current eligibility requirements published by IRCC, provide truthful and complete documentation, and apply based on a genuine relationship and qualifying circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does a spousal open work permit remain valid if the principal applicant loses their job?
Yes, according to IRCC’s Help Centre, an already-issued spousal open work permit normally remains valid for the full period even if the principal applicant loses their job after the permit was issued.
What happens if the principal student finishes studies early?
The spouse’s already-issued work permit normally remains valid for the full period, but the holder may not be able to extend the same type of permit when it expires if the qualifying enrolment no longer exists.
Does a SOWP remain valid after divorce or separation?
IRCC confirms that the work permit stays valid for its authorized period even if the couple divorces or separates after the permit was issued, but extension eligibility may be affected.
Can an existing SOWP be extended after the principal applicant stops qualifying?
Generally no, IRCC states that if the qualifying circumstances no longer exist, the holder will not be able to extend that same work permit, though they may be eligible for a different type of work permit.
Can IRCC cancel a work permit for misrepresentation?
If IRCC determines that material facts were misrepresented in the original application, consequences can include refusal, a five-year ban from Canada, a permanent fraud record, loss of status, and removal from Canada.
Are genuine pending SOWP applications affected by this controversy?
Genuine applicants meeting the current eligibility criteria should not assume their applications are at risk, though heightened public attention to this issue may result in closer scrutiny of new applications by processing officers.
Who currently qualifies for a spousal open work permit in Canada?
For international students, eligibility is generally limited to spouses of students in master’s programs of at least 16 months, doctoral programs, and specified professional or eligible programs.
For foreign workers under the general high-skilled-worker measure, spouses may qualify where the worker is in TEER 0 or TEER 1, or a select TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupation, and generally has at least 16 months of work authorization remaining.
Separate rules and exceptions apply to some workers on permanent residence pathways, workers covered by certain free-trade agreements, and other specific IRCC measures.Fact-Checked: All policy statements in this article have been verified against the IRCC Help Centre page on spousal open work permit duration (Question 1522); Government of Canada notice on changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents (January 14, 2025); IRCC program delivery update for spouses and common-law partners of study permit holders (January 23, 2025); Government of Canada guidance on consequences of immigration and citizenship fraud; IRCC eligibility pages for open work permits for family members of foreign workers; and IRCC parliamentary committee disclosures on spousal open work permit issuance data.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change, so applicants should verify current requirements directly with IRCC before applying.
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- 2 New Canada LMIA Rules and Updates In August 2026
Canada’s LMIA system saw two important rule changes in August 2026, alongside growing practical emphasis on work location and business legitimacy requirements that affect how employers hire temporary foreign workers through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) changed the low-wage workforce cap calculation for employers with fewer than ten employees at a given work location on August 18, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada extended the concurrent processing grace period from sixty to ninety days for certain in-Canada work permit applicants whose employer’s LMIA is still pending, effective August 21, 2026.
Alongside these two dated rule changes, current LMIA requirements continue to place increasing practical weight on the specific work location, the workforce at that location, and the genuineness of the employer’s business operations.
This article explains each development in detail, compares the old and new rules, walks through practical examples, and answers the most common employer questions about LMIA eligibility in 2026.
Table of Contents
1. New Low-Wage LMIA Cap Calculation
ESDC updated the Program Requirements for Low-Wage Positions page on August 18, 2026, introducing a variation that applies the low-wage cap calculation at the work-location level for employers with fewer than ten employees at a given work location.
Under this variation, Service Canada uses a workforce size of ten for the purpose of calculating the cap, even when the actual headcount at that location is smaller.
The result is that eligible employers may hire a maximum of one low-wage temporary foreign worker at a location subject to the standard 10% cap or two low-wage temporary foreign workers at a location subject to the 20% cap that applies to construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, and specified in-home caregiver occupations.
Who Counts Toward the Workforce at a Location
ESDC defines the total workforce size at a given work location to include all full-time and part-time employees working at that location, including Canadians, permanent residents, temporary foreign workers employed through the LMIA process, workers holding other types of work permits, and employees who are on leave but expected to return.
A full-time employee is a worker who works an average of 30 or more hours per week.
A part-time employee is a worker who works an average of less than 30 hours per week and counts as 0.5 of an employee for cap calculation purposes.
The workforce count also includes vacant positions for new temporary foreign workers requested on the LMIA application and temporary foreign workers on previously approved LMIAs who have yet to start their employment.
Why This Matters for Multi-Location Businesses
Before this update, the alternative calculation for employers with fewer than ten employees was generally based on the employer’s total workforce nationally.
The shift to a per-location calculation is especially significant for businesses that operate multiple small locations, such as a restaurant chain with several outlets each staffed by seven or eight employees.
Previously, a multi-location employer whose total national workforce exceeded ten would not qualify for the small-employer variation at any individual site.
Under the August 18 update, each location with fewer than ten employees is now independently eligible for the alternative calculation, potentially allowing one or two low-wage TFWs at each qualifying site.
Practical Example: How the New Cap Works
Consider a cleaning company that operates three locations in Ontario with seven full-time employees at each site, for a total national workforce of twenty-one.
Under the previous interpretation, this employer would not have qualified for the small-employer variation because the total workforce exceeded ten.
Under the August 18 update, each location independently qualifies because each has fewer than ten employees.
Assuming the position pays below the provincial wage threshold and falls under the standard 10% cap, the employer could apply for one low-wage TFW at each of those three locations, for a potential total of three low-wage positions across the company.
If the employer operates in a 20% cap sector such as construction, food manufacturing, or nursing and residential care, each location could support up to two low-wage TFWs, for a potential company-wide total of six.
Cap Calculation Comparison Table
Factor Before August 18, 2026 After August 18, 2026 Unit of measurement Employer’s total national workforce (for the small-employer variation) Workforce at each individual work location Threshold for variation Fewer than 10 employees overall Fewer than 10 employees at a given work location Cap calculation uses A deemed workforce of 10 (applied once to the employer) A deemed workforce of 10 (applied independently per location) Max low-wage TFWs (10% cap) 1 across the employer 1 per qualifying location Max low-wage TFWs (20% cap) 2 across the employer 2 per qualifying location Multi-location employer with 7 staff per site (3 sites, 10% cap) Did not qualify if total exceeded 10 Up to 1 low-wage TFW per site (3 total) Part-time employee counting 0.5 of an employee 0.5 of an employee (unchanged) Note: positions that are cap-exempt, such as on-farm primary agriculture, certain caregiving positions, short-duration positions of 120 days or less, and seasonal industry positions of up to 270 days, remain unaffected by this change.
2. IRCC Extends Processing Grace Period to 90 Days
IRCC updated its officer instructions on the Labour Market Impact Assessment Review page on August 21, 2026, extending the concurrent processing window from sixty days to ninety days.
Concurrent processing allows certain foreign nationals who are inside Canada to submit a Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permit application before their employer’s LMIA has been decided, provided specific eligibility conditions are met.
Under the updated instructions, IRCC will hold the work permit application for ninety days from the date of submission, giving the applicant that window to provide proof of a positive or neutral LMIA.
Eligibility Conditions: This Is Not a Blanket Rule
This extended grace period applies only when all of the following conditions are met simultaneously:
The foreign national’s current work permit is set to expire in two weeks or less at the time they submit their new work permit application.
The employer has already submitted a complete LMIA application to ESDC.
The application was submitted with sufficient lead time, meaning the employer filed it far enough in advance of published LMIA processing times that a decision could reasonably have been made.
No decision on the LMIA application has been made yet at the time the work permit application is submitted.
Critical warning from IRCC: Employers should not submit the application immediately prior to the work permit application and expect that IRCC will allow concurrent processing.
IRCC’s officer instructions explicitly state that requests where the LMIA was filed at the last minute will be assessed on an exceptional basis only.
How Concurrent Processing Works in Practice
When a qualifying in-Canada work permit application is submitted under concurrent processing, the IRCC officer reviewing the file puts the decision on hold for the ninety-day period.
During that window, the applicant can update their application with proof of the employer’s positive or neutral LMIA.
After the ninety days elapse, the officer returns to the application and renders a final determination on the work permit.
If the applicant has not provided a positive LMIA by the end of the ninety-day window, the application will be assessed based on whatever documentation is on file, which will typically result in a refusal because the LMIA is a mandatory document under paragraph R10(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
IRCC also notes that applicants who need concurrent processing should enter CPTS2026 in the Job Title field of IMM 5710 when completing their application, though the code is for tracking purposes only and does not affect the officer’s decision.
Concurrent Processing Comparison Table
Detail Before August 21, 2026 After August 21, 2026 Grace period length 60 days from submission 90 days from submission Applies to In-Canada work permit applications under R199 In-Canada work permit applications under R199 (unchanged) Work permit expiry requirement 2 weeks or less remaining 2 weeks or less remaining (unchanged) Application filing requirement The employer must have submitted a complete LMIA with sufficient lead time The employer must have submitted a complete LMIA with sufficient lead time (unchanged) Last-minute LMIA filing Assessed on an exceptional basis Assessed on an exceptional basis (unchanged) LMIA decision status No decision yet made No decision yet made (unchanged) Quebec applicants Must also provide CAQ if required Must also provide CAQ if required (unchanged) Practical Example: When Concurrent Processing Helps
An employer in British Columbia files a complete application in early May 2026 for a low-wage food-service position.
The employee’s current work permit expires on September 5, 2026, and ESDC has not yet issued a decision.
On August 25, the employee submits an in-Canada work permit renewal application, providing proof that their permit expires within two weeks, that the employer filed the LMIA well in advance of published processing times, and that no decision has been made.
IRCC holds the application for up to ninety days, giving the applicant until late November to provide the positive LMIA.
If ESDC issues a positive LMIA in October, the applicant submits the proof, and the officer can proceed to finalize the work permit.
Under the previous sixty-day window, this same applicant would have had until late October, thirty days less breathing room in a period when LMIA processing times have been trending upward.
Employers Face Greater Scrutiny Over Work Locations
The concepts of business legitimacy and genuine work location have historically been part of the LMIA assessment process.
ESDC’s business legitimacy assessment has long required all employers to demonstrate four factors: that the business is providing a good or service in Canada; that the job offer is consistent with reasonable employment needs; that the employer can fulfill the terms of the job offer, including wages; and that the employer has no unresolved compliance issues.
What has changed in recent enforcement cycles is the practical emphasis that Service Canada places on the specific work location, the workforce attached to that location, and the supporting documentation employers must provide.
Why the Work Location Now Carries More Weight
Several interconnected rules have made the work location central to multiple parts of the LMIA assessment.
Low-wage caps are calculated based on the workforce at a specific work location, as confirmed by the August 18 update discussed above.
Prevailing wage varies by occupation and local Job Bank region, while whether an LMIA falls under the high-wage or low-wage stream is determined by comparing the offered wage with the applicable provincial or territorial wage threshold.
Employers can be asked to submit payroll records to verify the workforce count claimed at a particular location.
The employer compliance inspection regime, which saw penalties more than double in the most recent fiscal year, can include on-site verification of the workplace.
What Employers Should Be Prepared to Substantiate
Merely providing an address on the LMIA application does not establish that the proposed workplace and employment are genuine.
Employers should be prepared to substantiate where the employee will actually perform the work, the workforce associated with that work location, why the position is required, and that the employer is genuinely operating and providing goods or services in Canada.
Business Legitimacy Documentation
Employers who have not had a positive LMIA issued within the past two years must submit supporting documents to demonstrate business legitimacy.
The primary document ESDC requests is a valid municipal business licence, or any applicable permit or licence required to operate the business.
If a municipal business licence is not required in the employer’s area, alternatives include a T4 Summary of remuneration paid, T2 Schedule 100 and Schedule 125 for corporations, a PD7A statement of account for current source deductions, or other appropriate documents that clearly demonstrate the business is in operation and provides a good or service in Canada.
Service Canada will consider alternative documents on a case-by-case basis.
Employers who have received a positive LMIA within the past two years are not required to re-submit these documents, though Service Canada retains the right to request additional documentation at any time.
The key principle is genuineness: the employer must accurately identify where the worker will perform the job, demonstrate that the position represents a genuine labour need, and show that the business is legitimately operating and providing goods or services in Canada.
Canada’s August 2026 LMIA changes give some employers more flexibility, but they also reinforce the importance of accurate work-location information and proper planning before filing an application.
Employers and foreign workers should review the latest ESDC and IRCC requirements carefully, particularly when dealing with low-wage positions, pending assessments, or multiple work locations.
With LMIA rules and processing policies continuing to evolve, applicants should verify the most current federal requirements before submitting an assessment or related work permit application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Apply for a Work Permit Before My LMIA Is Approved?
Yes, but only under the specific conditions of IRCC’s concurrent processing measure, and only if you are applying from inside Canada. The LMIA is normally a mandatory document required for a complete work permit application under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Concurrent processing creates a narrow exception: if your current work permit expires in two weeks or less, your employer has already submitted a complete application with sufficient lead time, and no LMIA decision has been made, IRCC will accept your application and hold it for up to 90 days while you wait for the LMIA result. If you are applying from outside Canada, concurrent processing does not apply, and you must have a positive LMIA before submitting your work permit application.
How Long Can IRCC Wait for a Positive LMIA?
Under the updated officer instructions effective August 21, 2026, IRCC will hold a qualifying in-Canada work permit application for ninety days from the date of submission. This is the maximum window, not a guarantee of approval.
If the positive LMIA is not provided within those ninety days, the officer will render a decision based on the documents on file, which will typically lead to a refusal because the requirement has not been met.
The grace period does not extend the validity of a positive LMIA itself, which is generally valid for up to six months from the date ESDC issues the approval letter.Can a Company With Fewer Than 10 Employees Get an LMIA?
Yes, employers with fewer than ten employees at a given work location can apply for and receive an LMIA under either the low-wage or high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The small-employer variation described above applies specifically to the low-wage stream cap calculation.
Under the high-wage stream, there is no cap on the proportion of temporary foreign workers, and the employer must instead submit a transition plan outlining steps to reduce reliance on the program over time.
An employer with only two or three employees can still apply for an LMIA, provided they meet all program requirements, including recruitment, business legitimacy, wages, and the ability to fulfill the terms of the job offer.How Many Low-Wage Foreign Workers Can a Small Employer Hire?
An employer with fewer than ten employees at a given work location can hire a maximum of one low-wage TFW under the standard 10% cap, or two low-wage TFWs if the position falls in a sector subject to the 20% cap, such as construction, food manufacturing, hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, or specified in-home caregiver occupations. These limits apply per location.
An employer operating multiple locations, each with fewer than ten employees, could potentially qualify for one or two low-wage TFWs at each qualifying site, as described in the August 18 update.
Positions that are exempt from the cap, such as on-farm primary agriculture or certain seasonal positions, do not count against these limits.Does an LMIA Employer Need a Physical Office in Canada?
The program does not contain a blanket rule requiring every employer to maintain a commercial physical office. What ESDC does require is that the employer demonstrate the business is providing a good or service in Canada, the job offer is consistent with reasonable employment needs, and the employer can fulfill all terms of the offer. The positive LMIA letter includes a Location of Employment field that specifies the physical address where the work will be performed.
Service Canada can request documentation to verify that real business activity occurs at the stated address, and employer compliance inspections may include an on-site component.
The practical takeaway is that the employer needs to provide a genuine and accurate location of employment and be able to substantiate where the worker will actually perform their duties.Can a Home-Based Business Get an LMIA?
ESDC’s program framework does not automatically disqualify home-based businesses from the process.
Private household employers are explicitly recognized in the low-wage program requirements, and caregiver positions in a private household are specifically listed among the sectors subject to the 20% cap variation.
For non-caregiver positions, a home-based employer would need to clearly demonstrate that the business genuinely operates from that address, that the role represents a real employment need, and that the employer can meet all wage, housing, transportation, and insurance obligations.
A home-based bakery producing goods for commercial sale, for example, is a different proposition from a residential address with no visible business activity, and each application is assessed on its own facts.Can an Employer Use a Virtual Office Address for an LMIA?
The LMIA application requires a work location where the temporary foreign worker will actually perform their duties, and the positive LMIA letter specifies this address in the Location of Employment field.
A virtual mailing address alone does not prove a genuine work location.
Employers must accurately identify where the foreign worker will perform the employment and be able to substantiate the business and job offer.
A virtual-office arrangement is not expressly prohibited and must be assessed on the facts of the application.
An employer whose workers perform duties at client sites or in the field rather than at a central office has a different situation entirely, and the work location on the assessment application should reflect where the work is actually performed.Does Service Canada Verify an Employer’s Work Location?
Yes, Service Canada has the authority to verify the information provided on an LMIA application, including the work location.
This verification can occur during the assessment process, when officers may request additional documents such as a lease, utility bills, or photos of the workplace.
It can also occur after a positive LMIA is issued, through the employer compliance inspection regime.
ESDC can inspect any employer who has hired a temporary foreign worker for up to six years after the worker’s first day of employment.
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, ESDC finalized 1,488 compliance inspections, found 12% of employers non-compliant, issued over $10.2 million in penalties, and banned 30 employers from the program.Can One Company Apply for LMIAs at Multiple Locations?
Yes, a single employer can apply for LMIAs at different work locations across Canada. Each application is assessed based on the specific work location, the prevailing wage for that location and occupation, the workforce count at that location, and the local labour market conditions.
The low-wage cap is calculated independently for each work location, which is the core change introduced by the August 18, 2026 update for employers with fewer than ten employees per site.
Employers should note that the refusal-to-process policy for census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher applies based on the location of the job, so a company could have one location eligible for a low-wage LMIA and another location in a high-unemployment CMA where the application would not be processed.What Documents Prove That an LMIA Business Is Legitimate?
The specific documents depend on the employer’s history with the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Employers whose most recent positive LMIA was issued within the past two years are generally not required to re-submit business legitimacy documents.
All other employers must provide a valid municipal business licence, or if one is not required in their area, at least one alternative document such as a T4 Summary, T2 Schedule 100 and Schedule 125, a PD7A statement, or other documentation that clearly demonstrates the business is operational and provides a good or service in Canada.
To demonstrate the ability to fulfill terms of the job offer, employers must provide the most recently assessed CRA document applicable to their business structure, such as T2 schedules for corporations, T2042 for farming operations, T2125 for sole proprietorships, T3010 for registered charities, or T5013 Schedule 1 for partnerships.
When these CRA documents are unavailable, an attestation from a financial institution is an acceptable alternative, though Service Canada may contact the institution to verify it.
Trucking employers must always submit a current carrier profile, National Safety Code certificate, and fleet insurance, regardless of their program history.Fact-Checked Against: ESDC Program Requirements for Low-Wage Positions (updated August 18, 2026); IRCC Officer Instructions for LMIA Review (updated August 21, 2026); ESDC Business Legitimacy Assessment (updated February 19, 2026).
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Consult a licensed immigration professional for advice on your specific situation.
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- New Minimum Wage In 5 Canadian Provinces Coming In October 2026
5 Canadian provinces are raising their minimum wage on October 1, 2026, reshaping what hundreds of thousands of workers across the country will earn for every hour on the job.
Ontario leads the group with a 2.0% bump to its general minimum wage rate, while Manitoba delivers the steepest percentage jump at 2.5%.
Saskatchewan follows with a 2.3% increase, and Prince Edward Island adds 1.8% to its already highest-in-Atlantic-Canada rate.
Nova Scotia rounds out the group with a 1.5% October increase, its second raise of 2026 after an earlier April 1 adjustment.
Inflation and other economic indicators play a major role in setting minimum wages across these provinces.
The combined effect puts more money into the pockets of minimum wage earners at a time when grocery bills, rent, and utility costs continue to run above the levels workers saw just two years ago.
Here is the complete breakdown of every October 1, 2026 minimum wage change, including the exact new rates, the special wage categories most workers never hear about, the overtime calculations that change alongside the base rate, and what these new floors mean for your annual paycheque.
Table of Contents
New Ontario Minimum Wage In October
Ontario’s general minimum wage increases from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour on October 1, 2026, as confirmed by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
The $0.35 increase is approximately a 2.0% increase in the posted wage rate and reflects Ontario’s 1.9% CPI adjustment, with the final minimum wage rounded to the nearest five cents.
The Ontario Ministry of Labour released the confirmed figures on April 1, 2026, following the standard schedule that has governed minimum wage announcements in the province for years.
Provincial law requires the government to publish confirmed rates by April 1 each year, giving businesses a full six-month runway to update payroll systems before the new rates take effect.
For a full-time worker logging 40 hours per week across 52 weeks, the new rate translates to $37,336 in annual gross earnings before taxes and deductions.
That is $728 more per year compared to the current $17.60 rate, or roughly $60.67 more per month.
Ontario’s weekly gross at the new rate works out to $718 for a standard 40-hour week.
Ontario Special Minimum Wage Rates for October 2026
Ontario operates four minimum wage categories, and all four adjust simultaneously on October 1.
The student minimum wage rises from $16.60 to $16.90 per hour, a $0.30 increase.
This rate applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours per week or less when school is in session or who work during a school break or summer holidays.
A student can work more than 28 hours during a school break or summer holiday and still qualify for the student rate, as long as they are under 18.
The homeworker minimum wage increases from $19.35 to $19.70 per hour, a $0.35 increase that maintains this category as the highest hourly minimum wage rate in Ontario.
Homeworkers are employees who do paid work from their own homes for an employer, and they are not independent contractors.
Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guide rates also increase on October 1, 2026.
Guides who work fewer than five consecutive hours in a day will earn $89.75 per day, up from $88.05.
Guides who work five or more hours in a day will earn $179.50 per day, up from $176.15, regardless of whether the hours are consecutive.
Ontario eliminated the separate liquor server minimum wage in 2022.
All servers and bartenders now earn the full general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour starting October 1, and tips and gratuities remain entirely separate from the base wage.
Employers cannot count tips toward the minimum wage obligation under Ontario law.
Ontario Overtime at the New Rate
Ontario’s overtime threshold is 44 hours per week for most employees.
At the new general rate, overtime pay works out to 1.5 times $17.95, which is $26.93 per hour for every hour beyond 44 in a work week.
For a worker who logs 50 hours in a single week, the gross pay calculation is 44 regular hours at $17.95 ($789.80) plus 6 overtime hours at $26.93 ($161.58), for a total weekly gross of $951.38.
Employees in federally regulated sectors in Ontario follow the federal minimum wage of $18.15 per hour, which took effect on April 1, 2026.
Federally regulated employees must receive at least the $18.15 federal minimum wage, but if the applicable provincial or territorial general minimum wage is higher, the higher rate applies.
All five October rates covered in this article remain below $18.15, so the federal rate governs for federally regulated workers in these provinces.
Federally regulated industries include banking, telecommunications, airlines, and interprovincial transportation.
Ontario has also introduced several new laws and rules taking effect in 2026 that affect workers and employers beyond the minimum wage changes.
Manitoba’s Minimum Wage Is Largest Percentage Increase
Manitoba’s minimum wage rises from $16.00 to $16.40 per hour on October 1, 2026, as confirmed by the provincial government through Manitoba Labour and Immigration.
The 40-cent increase is the largest percentage jump among the five provinces at 2.5%, reflecting Manitoba’s 2025 inflation rate rounded up to the nearest five cents under the Employment Standards Code.
Manitoba announced the increase on April 1, 2026, following its standard annual adjustment schedule that has delivered October 1 rate changes consistently for nearly a decade.
A full-time minimum wage worker in Manitoba will earn $34,112 in annual gross income at the new rate, based on 2,080 hours of work across 52 weeks.
That is $832 more per year than the current $16.00 rate, making Manitoba’s increase the most valuable in raw dollar terms among the five provinces covered here.
The weekly gross at the new rate works out to $656 for a standard 40-hour work week.
Manitoba Overtime and Exemptions
Manitoba’s standard hours of work are 40 hours per week and 8 hours per day.
Employees who work beyond those standard hours must be paid at the overtime rate of 1.5 times their regular wages.
At the new minimum wage, the overtime rate works out to 1.5 times $16.40, which is $24.60 per hour.
For a worker who logs 48 hours in a single week, the gross pay is 40 regular hours at $16.40 ($656.00) plus 8 overtime hours at $24.60 ($196.80), totaling $852.80.
Manitoba applies its minimum wage to most workers, including part-time and commission-based employees.
Workers specifically excluded from the provincial minimum wage include domestic workers who work fewer than 12 hours per week, participants in approved provincial or federal training programs, and election officials, enumerators, and temporary staff under The Elections Act.
The construction industry in Manitoba also has separate wage regulations that apply to heavy construction and ICI sectors.
Manitoba does not maintain a separate student minimum wage or a separate server minimum wage.
Saskatchewan Also Raises Minimum Wage
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage increases from $15.35 to $15.70 per hour on October 1, 2026, as announced by the provincial government on June 29, 2026, through Saskatchewan Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
The $0.35 increase represents a 2.3% adjustment, calculated using Saskatchewan’s indexation formula that gives equal weight to changes in the Consumer Price Index and the average hourly wage in the province.
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Ken Cheveldayoff stated that the increase balances workers’ needs with business growth and economic stability.
A full-time worker earning the new Saskatchewan minimum wage will gross $32,656 per year, based on 2,080 hours worked.
That is $728 more per year than the current rate, the same dollar increase as Ontario despite the lower base rate, because both provinces added $0.35 per hour.
Saskatchewan’s weekly gross at the new minimum wage is $628 for a standard 40-hour work week.
Since 2008, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage has increased by more than 90%, rising from $8.25 to $15.70 per hour by October 1, 2026.
Saskatchewan Overtime and Structure
Saskatchewan does not maintain separate minimum wage categories for students, servers, or homeworkers.
Every covered employee earns the same $15.70 per hour regardless of age, occupation, or employment status.
Overtime in Saskatchewan is paid at 1.5 times the employee’s regular wage rate.
At the new minimum, that works out to $23.55 per hour for overtime hours.
Certain employees are exempt from minimum wage requirements, including individuals who have a physical or mental disability or impairment and work for a non-profit organization or institution in programs that are educational, therapeutic, or rehabilitative.
The province calculates new minimum wage rates each year using the indexation formula, with changes typically announced on or before June 30 and taking effect on October 1.
Nova Scotia’s Second Increase of 2026
Nova Scotia’s minimum wage rises from $16.75 to $17.00 per hour on October 1, 2026, completing the second stage of a two-step increase announced on December 2, 2025, by the provincial government through Nova Scotia Labour Standards.
The province already raised the rate from $16.50 to $16.75 on April 1, 2026, making this the fourth minimum wage change in Nova Scotia in just two years.
The combined effect of both 2026 increases is a $0.50 lift from the January rate, spread across two dates to give businesses additional time to adjust after 2025’s larger increases.
The October 1 increase of $0.25 represents a 1.5% jump from the $16.75 April rate.
Nova Scotia’s formula for adjusting minimum wage adds 1% on top of the national Consumer Price Index, making it one of the few provinces where the minimum wage grows faster than inflation by design.
Following these special increases, the province will return to its legislated formula for adjusting minimum wage by the change in the rate of inflation plus an additional 1%, starting with the April 1, 2027, adjustment.
A full-time minimum wage worker earning $17.00 per hour will gross $35,360 per year at the October rate, based on 2,080 hours worked.
The weekly gross at $17.00 per hour is $680 for a standard 40-hour week.
Nova Scotia Call-In Pay and Piecework Rules
Nova Scotia maintains separate minimum wage orders for workers in construction and property maintenance, as well as workers in logging and forest operations.
Employers in these sectors should contact Labour Standards directly for the applicable rates.
Nova Scotia’s call-in pay rule requires employers to pay workers who are called into work outside their regular hours for a minimum of three hours at the minimum wage rate.
At the new $17.00 rate, that minimum call-in payment works out to $51.00, even if the employee only works one or two hours.
The overtime threshold in Nova Scotia is 48 hours per week for most workers.
At the new rate, overtime pay is calculated at 1.5 times $17.00, which is $25.50 per hour.
Employers who pay workers on a piecework basis must ensure that total piecework earnings equal or exceed what the worker would have earned at the minimum wage for all hours worked.
If the piecework earnings fall short, the employer owes the difference.
PEI’s Highest Minimum Wage In Atlantic Canada
Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage increases from $17.00 to $17.30 per hour on October 1, 2026, maintaining the province’s position as the highest minimum wage jurisdiction in Atlantic Canada, as outlined by PEI Employment Standards.
The $0.30 increase represents a 1.8% adjustment and continues a structured pattern of steady rate increases that brought the province from $16.00 to $16.50 in October 2025 and then to $17.00 on April 1, 2026.
A full-time worker earning the new PEI minimum wage will gross $35,984 per year based on 2,080 hours of work.
That is $624 more per year compared to the current $17.00 rate.
The weekly gross at $17.30 per hour is $692 for a 40-hour work week.
PEI has also confirmed a further increase to $17.60 per hour on April 1, 2027, giving workers and employers clear visibility into the next scheduled rate change.
PEI Overtime and Board Deduction Rules
Prince Edward Island’s standard work week was reduced from 48 hours to 44 hours under the new Employment Standards Act that took effect on June 30, 2026.
Overtime now applies after 44 hours in a work week and is paid at 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay.
At the new minimum wage, the overtime rate works out to 1.5 times $17.30, which is $25.95 per hour.
PEI regulates the maximum amounts that employers can deduct from wages when they furnish board and lodging to employees.
These deduction limits are set out in the Minimum Wage Order and are particularly relevant in industries like tourism, agriculture, and seasonal work where employer-provided housing and meals are common.
The province does not maintain a separate student minimum wage, a server minimum wage, or a training wage.
If training is required by the employer and counts as hours of work, those hours must be paid at least the applicable minimum wage.
How the 5 Provinces Compare After October 1
Once all five increases take effect, the provincial ranking from highest to lowest minimum hourly wage among these provinces will be: Ontario at $17.95, Prince Edward Island at $17.30, Nova Scotia at $17.00, Manitoba at $16.40, and Saskatchewan at $15.70.
Saskatchewan’s $15.70 rate will remain one of the lowest provincial minimum wages in Canada, even after the 2.3% increase.
Ontario’s $17.95 rate is the highest among the five but still falls below the federal minimum wage of $18.15 per hour that took effect on April 1, 2026, for workers in federally regulated industries.
Federally regulated employees must receive at least the $18.15 federal minimum wage, but if the applicable provincial or territorial general minimum wage is higher, the higher rate applies.
All five October rates remain below $18.15, so the federal rate governs for federally regulated workers in these provinces.
Manitoba’s 2.5% increase is the steepest by percentage among the five, and its $832 annual boost for full-time workers is the largest in absolute dollar terms.
Nova Scotia stands out as the only province in this group implementing two minimum wage increases in a single calendar year, with the combined 2026 effect adding $0.50 per hour and $1,040 per year for full-time workers compared to the January rate.
PEI’s strategy of positioning itself as Atlantic Canada’s highest minimum wage province continues with the October increase, keeping a $0.30 per hour lead over Nova Scotia.
These October minimum wage increases will put more money into workers’ paycheques across five provinces starting October 1, 2026.
Employees should check their provincial employment standards rules to confirm the new rate, overtime requirements, and any special wage category that applies to their job.
Workers should also review their first paycheque after October 1 to ensure the updated minimum wage has been applied correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When exactly do the new minimum wage rates take effect?
All five provinces implement their new rates on October 1, 2026, with the exception of Nova Scotia, which already raised its rate once on April 1, 2026, and raises it again on October 1. Employers must apply the new rates to hours worked on and after October 1, 2026. Where a pay period spans October 1, hours before the effective date can remain subject to the previous rate.
Does the provincial minimum wage apply to workers at banks and telecom companies?
Federally regulated employees must receive at least the $18.15 federal minimum wage, but if the applicable provincial or territorial general minimum wage is higher, the higher rate applies. All five October rates covered in this article remain below $18.15, so the federal rate governs for federally regulated workers in these provinces.
Can an employer in Ontario pay a student worker the lower student rate if the student is 18 years old?
No, the student minimum wage of $16.90 in Ontario applies only to students who are under the age of 18. When school is in session, the student must also work 28 hours or fewer per week to qualify for the lower rate. During a school break or summer holiday, students under 18 can qualify for the student rate regardless of how many hours they work. A student who turns 18 must be paid the full general rate of $17.95.
What happens if a Nova Scotia employer misses the October 1 payroll update?
The employer owes back pay at the $17.00 rate for every hour worked from October 1 onward at the old rate. The employer remains liable for the wage shortfall, and Labour Standards can investigate and issue an order requiring the amount owing to be paid.
Will any of these five provinces raise minimum wage again before the end of 2026?
No additional increases have been announced for the remainder of 2026 in any of these five provinces. The next scheduled changes are Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba on October 1, 2027; Nova Scotia returning to its annual formula on April 1, 2027; and PEI on April 1, 2027, at $17.60 per hour.
Fact-Checked: The October 1, 2026 minimum wage rates, effective dates, percentage increases, special wage rates, overtime rules, and related employment standards referenced in this article have been verified against official federal and provincial government sources as of August 23, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, employment, payroll, or financial advice. Minimum wage and overtime rules may vary depending on occupation, industry, employment status, exemptions, and whether a workplace is provincially or federally regulated. Workers and employers should consult the applicable provincial employment standards authority or federal Labour Program for guidance specific to their circumstances.
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- Canada Benefit Payments In August 2026
The final week of August 2026 is delivering one of the busiest stretches of benefit payments in the entire month for millions of Canadians from coast to coast.
Federal pensions, provincial disability support, and income assistance programs are all scheduled to deposit between August 25 and August 31, putting a combined total of billions of dollars into Canadian bank accounts before September arrives.
Service Canada will issue CPP, OAS, GIS, and Allowance payments on August 27, continuing the quarterly rates from the 1.2% OAS increase that took effect in July.
This is the eighth month under the 2% annual CPP indexation that began in January, and the second month at the elevated July-to-September 2026 OAS rates.
Provincial governments across Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are also issuing disability and income assistance payments this week.
Earlier in August, the Canada Child Benefit and Ontario Trillium Benefit were already delivered through the CRA, while Service Canada issued the Canada Disability Benefit on August 20.
This article focuses on the major federal and provincial benefit payments with published payment dates still scheduled before August ends, including exact dates, current maximum amounts, how those maximums are calculated, and the remaining payment dates through December 2026.
Table of Contents
CPP Payments
The next Canada Pension Plan payment is confirmed for Thursday, August 27, 2026, verified against the official benefits payment calendar published by the Government of Canada.
CPP amounts for 2026 reflect a 2% annual indexation that took effect with the January 28 deposit and applies to every monthly payment throughout the calendar year.
This indexation was calculated by comparing the average Consumer Price Index for the 12 months ending October 2025 against the same period one year earlier.
Unlike OAS, which adjusts quarterly, CPP adjusts only once each January.
Maximum New CPP Benefit Amounts Beginning January 2026
CPP Benefit Type Maximum Monthly Amount Retirement pension (starting at age 65) $1,507.65 Disability benefit $1,741.20 Survivor’s pension (age 65 and older) $904.59 Survivor’s pension (under age 65) $803.54 Children’s benefit $307.81 Post-retirement benefit (at age 65) $54.69 Death benefit (one-time lump sum, up to $5,000 in limited cases) $2,500 Source: Government of Canada CPP pensions and benefits monthly amounts These are the published maximums for new benefits beginning in January 2026, though maximum new-benefit amounts can increase during the year as the CPP enhancement phases in.
The $1,507.65 maximum applies only to individuals who begin a new CPP retirement pension at age 65 with a full contribution history at the maximum pensionable earnings level for approximately 39 years.
Most Canadians receive closer to the $877.01 average for new beneficiaries at age 65 because contribution gaps from school, unemployment, caregiving, or part-time work reduce the calculated amount.
The Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings for 2026 is $74,600, and the Year’s Additional Maximum Pensionable Earnings sits at $85,000 for the CPP2 second additional contribution tier.
Workers earning above $74,600 also contribute to CPP2, which will eventually increase future benefit amounts as the enhancement continues phasing in.
Remaining CPP Payment Dates In 2026
Payment Date Notes September 25, 2026 Ninth month at 2% indexed rate October 28, 2026 Tenth month at 2% indexed rate November 26, 2026 Eleventh month at 2% indexed rate December 22, 2026 Early December deposit before holidays OAS, GIS, And Allowance Payments
The next OAS deposit arrives on Thursday, August 27, 2026, on the same day as CPP, reflecting the July-to-September 2026 quarterly rates confirmed by the Government of Canada.
OAS benefits are adjusted quarterly in January, April, July, and October to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index.
The 1.2% July increase followed a 0.3% January adjustment and a 0.1% April adjustment, and was the largest quarterly increase at the time it was applied.
The Government of Canada has already confirmed a 1.4% increase for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, which will push OAS and GIS rates even higher starting with the October 28 deposit.
Maximum OAS And GIS Amounts For July To September 2026
Benefit Maximum Monthly Amount Key Eligibility OAS pension (age 65 to 74) $751.97 40 years Canadian residence after age 18 OAS pension (age 75 and older) $827.17 Includes 10% enhancement since July 2022 GIS (single, widowed, or divorced) $1,123.17 Annual income below $22,800 excl. OAS GIS (spouse receives full OAS) $676.09 Combined income below $30,096 Allowance (age 60 to 64) $1,428.06 Spouse receives OAS and GIS Allowance for the Survivor $1,702.34 Widowed, age 60 to 64, income below $30,696 A single senior aged 65 to 74 with no other income could receive a combined OAS and GIS payment of approximately $1,875.14 per month ($751.97 plus $1,123.17).
A single senior aged 75 and older with no other income could receive approximately $1,950.34 per month ($827.17 plus $1,123.17), representing the highest combined monthly amount the program has reached.
For a single recipient, GIS generally declines as countable income rises, with the supplement reaching zero once annual income other than OAS exceeds $22,800. The exact reduction rate and income threshold vary by marital situation, and employment or self-employment earnings receive partial exemption treatment in the calculation.
Published OAS rates do not decrease solely because the CPI falls, though an individual’s payment can still change due to income, residency, or eligibility factors.
The OAS recovery tax begins when 2025 net world income exceeds $93,454 for the July 2026 to June 2027 repayment period.
Remaining OAS, GIS, And Allowance Payment Dates In 2026
Payment Date Quarterly Rate Period September 25, 2026 July to September 2026 rates (1.2% increase) October 28, 2026 October to December 2026 rates (1.4% increase) November 26, 2026 October to December 2026 rates December 22, 2026 October to December 2026 rates All The Provincial Benefit Payments In August 2026
ODSP Payments For Ontarians
The next ODSP payment is confirmed for Monday, August 31, 2026, the last business day of the month.
This is the second ODSP payment at the higher rates following the 1.9% inflation-based adjustment that took effect on July 1, 2026.
The 1.9% increase pushed the single-person maximum to $1,436 per month in combined basic needs and shelter support.
Ontario has formally exempted the federal Canada Disability Benefit from ODSP income calculations, meaning eligible recipients can collect both the maximum $204.20 CDB and full ODSP without any provincial reduction.
A single ODSP recipient who also qualifies for the maximum CDB can receive up to $1,640.20 per month from those two programs combined.
Ontario Works recipients will also receive their payment on August 31, covering September 2026 living expenses under the standard provincial schedule.
A single person on Ontario Works receives up to $733 per month at maximum, and Ontario Works rates have remained frozen since 2018, with no inflation indexation applied.
Ontario Works families with children may also receive the Ontario Child Benefit separately, which adds up to $1,759.92 per child per year through the CRA.
ODSP and Ontario Works payment dates are published by the Ontario government on the official Ontario Disability Support Program page, while federal benefits follow separate federal payment calendars.
Recipients should bookmark their MyBenefits account to track individual payment status and confirm deposit amounts before each scheduled date.
British Columbia Income And Disability Assistance
B.C.’s income and disability assistance payment for September 2026 is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
A single person with the Persons with Disabilities designation receives up to $1,483.50 per month, combining the support allowance and shelter allowance into one deposit.
B.C. maintains an Annual Earnings Exemption of $16,200 for single PWD recipients, and employment income up to that amount does not reduce provincial benefits.
B.C. has confirmed that federal Canada Disability Benefit payments are fully exempt from PWD income calculations, allowing recipients to collect both without any reduction.
A single PWD recipient also receiving the maximum $204.20 CDB can collect up to $1,687.70 per month from provincial and federal disability support combined.
Recipients can verify their payment information through the My Self Serve portal or by calling the Ministry phone line at 1-866-866-0800.
Alberta’s AISH, ADAP, Income Support, And ACFB
Alberta’s next AISH, ADAP, and Income Support payment is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, 2026, covering the September 2026 assistance period.
AISH payments are issued four business days before the first of each month, covering the following month’s living expenses.
The maximum monthly AISH living allowance remains $1,940 for a single recipient.
In July 2026, existing AISH clients transitioned to the Alberta Disability Assistance Program, commonly known as ADAP, except for specified groups that remained on AISH unless they chose ADAP.
ADAP provides $1,740 per month as the base rate, and clients who transitioned from AISH receive a $200 monthly transition benefit that maintains their payments at the $1,940 level through December 31, 2027.
AISH and ADAP child benefit rates are $300 for the first child, $117 for the second, $88 for the third, $59 for the fourth, and $30 for each additional child.
Starting with the August 2026 benefit period, households where two adults both receive disability income assistance will each receive 88% of the maximum individual benefit.
Alberta claws back CDB payments dollar-for-dollar from AISH and ADAP, meaning the federal $204.20 CDB does not result in additional net income for Alberta disability recipients.
The Alberta Child and Family Benefit will also issue its next quarterly payment on August 27 at the newly indexed rates, administered by the CRA on behalf of Alberta.
Recipients can verify their payment information through the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 or through their local AISH office.
Manitoba’s Employment And Income Assistance
Manitoba’s Employment and Income Assistance direct deposit payment is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026.
EIA provides financial assistance for basic needs and shelter to eligible Manitoba residents who are unable to meet their essential living costs through employment or other sources.
The program serves both general assistance recipients and persons with disabilities, with higher rates available for those assessed as having a disability.
Manitoba has confirmed that federal Canada Disability Benefit payments are exempt from EIA income calculations for eligible recipients.
Recipients who receive payments by cheque should allow additional processing time beyond the August 27 direct deposit date.
Saskatchewan’s SIS And SAID
Saskatchewan direct deposits for the Saskatchewan Income Support and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability programs are scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2026.
SAID provides higher income support for eligible residents with significant and enduring disabilities, while SIS covers eligible residents who need help with basic living costs.
Mailed cheques are typically sent several business days before the direct deposit date to allow for postal delivery time.
Recipients should confirm their account details through the provincial online portal or contact their local office if their payment has not arrived within two business days.
Nova Scotia’s Income Assistance
Nova Scotia Income Assistance payments for September 2026 are expected to arrive between August 27 and August 31, 2026.
The exact deposit date within this window depends on whether recipients use direct deposit or receive payments by cheque.
Nova Scotia Income Assistance supports eligible residents who need financial help to cover basic needs including food, shelter, and personal expenses.
Recipients should contact their local Department of Community Services office if their payment has not arrived by the end of the expected window.
Newfoundland And Labrador’s Disability Benefit
The next Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit payment is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, 2026, making it the earliest provincial payment in this final August stretch.
The NLDB provides up to $400 per month, which works out to $4,800 annually, for eligible residents aged 18 to 64 who hold a valid Disability Tax Credit certificate on file with the CRA.
The full $400 per month is paid when adjusted family net income is below $29,402. A partial benefit is available from $29,402 to $42,404 for an individual or a couple where one person qualifies for the DTC, and up to $55,404 where both members of a couple qualify.
In families where both spouses qualify for the DTC, each partner can receive the NLDB, but the combined household benefit of $800 per month applies only when income is low enough to support the full amount for both recipients.
The NLDB is fully funded by the provincial government but administered and paid through the CRA. No separate application is required beyond holding a valid DTC certificate and filing your income tax return.
PEI Social Programs
PEI Social Programs payments for September 2026 are scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2026, covering the following month’s living expenses.
PEI’s social assistance program provides financial support for basic needs to eligible Island residents who are unable to meet their essential costs through other means.
Recipients receiving payments by direct deposit should see funds arrive on the morning of August 31, while cheque recipients should allow standard postal delivery time.
Summary Of Remaining August 2026 Benefit Payments
Date Benefit Program Administered By August 25 Newfoundland and Labrador Disability Benefit Provincial (paid by CRA) August 26 Alberta AISH, ADAP & Income Support Provincial (Alberta) August 26 B.C. Income Assistance & Disability Assistance Provincial (B.C.) August 27 CPP Retirement, Disability, Survivor & Children’s Benefits Federal (Service Canada) August 27 OAS, GIS, Allowance & Allowance for Survivor Federal (Service Canada) August 27 Alberta Child and Family Benefit Provincial (paid by CRA) August 27 Manitoba EIA (direct deposit) Provincial (Manitoba) August 27–31 Nova Scotia Income Assistance Provincial (Nova Scotia) August 28 Saskatchewan SIS & SAID (direct deposit) Provincial (Saskatchewan) August 31 Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Provincial (Ontario) August 31 Ontario Works (September benefit) Provincial (Ontario) August 31 PEI Social Programs (September benefit) Provincial (PEI) Direct deposit recipients will typically see funds in their bank accounts on the morning of each scheduled date listed above.
Canadians who receive payments by cheque should allow five to ten additional business days for mail delivery after each official date.
How To Verify Your Payment Amounts Before Each Deposit
Filing your 2025 income tax return was the single most important step for the July 2026 to June 2027 benefit year.
For income-tested tax-based benefits calculated using 2025 income, including the CCB, CDB, OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB, an unassessed return is the most common cause of paused or reduced payments.
CRA-administered benefits including the CCB, OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB can all be reviewed through CRA My Account.
Service Canada payments, including CPP, OAS, GIS, the CDB, and the Allowances, can be reviewed through My Service Canada Account.
Provincial disability recipients should check their respective portals: MyBenefits for ODSP in Ontario, My Self Serve for B.C., or the Alberta Supports Contact Centre for AISH and ADAP.
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit do not have scheduled payments in August.
The next CGEB quarterly deposit lands on October 5, 2026, and the next ACWB advance payment arrives on October 9, 2026, as confirmed in our ACWB payment increase guide.
OAS rates will increase again for the October-to-December 2026 quarter, with the Government of Canada already confirming a 1.4% adjustment that represents the largest quarterly increase of the year.
The first payment at October-to-December rates will arrive on October 28, 2026, applying to OAS, GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor.
Eligible CDB recipients will receive a one-time supplemental payment of $150 starting in September 2026, designed to help offset the cost of obtaining a Disability Tax Credit certification.
The next Canada Child Benefit deposit is September 18, 2026, continuing the 2% indexed rates that took effect in July with maximums of $679.75 per month for children under six and $573.58 for children aged six to 17.
Mark August 25, 26, 27, 28, and 31 on your calendar to track every remaining benefit payment this month.
Verify your payment amounts through CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account before each deposit date to confirm your calculations match expectations.
If a payment does not arrive on its scheduled date, allow normal processing time before contacting the administering agency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I receive CPP and OAS on the same day?
Yes, CPP and OAS are separate programs that deposit on the same monthly date, and most Canadian seniors receive both on August 27, 2026.
CPP is based on employment contributions during your working years, while OAS is based on years of Canadian residence after age 18, as detailed in our July 2026 benefit payments guide.
Will the October 2026 OAS increase apply to GIS as well?
Yes, the confirmed 1.4% quarterly adjustment for October-to-December 2026 applies to all OAS benefit categories, including the basic pension, GIS, the Allowance, and the Allowance for the Survivor.
The first payment at the higher rates will arrive on October 28, 2026.
Does the Canada Disability Benefit reduce my provincial disability payments?
Treatment varies by province. Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba exempt the CDB from relevant provincial income-assistance calculations, while Alberta treats the CDB as non-exempt income and deducts it dollar-for-dollar from AISH and ADAP.
Check with your province or territory to confirm how the CDB is treated under your specific income assistance program before assuming full stacking.
Why is there no CGEB or ACWB payment in August 2026?
The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit follows a quarterly schedule with the next deposit on October 5, 2026, while the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit pays three times per year with the next installment on October 9, 2026.
Both programs are administered by the CRA, and eligibility is determined automatically from your most recent income tax return.
What should I do if my benefit payment does not arrive on the scheduled date?
For CRA-administered benefits, the CRA advises waiting five working days for the CCB and ACFB, but ten working days for programs such as the OTB, CGEB, ACWB, and NLDB. For Service Canada payments including CPP, OAS, and CDB, allow several business days before calling.
Check with your bank first to confirm there are no processing delays, and then log into CRA My Account or My Service Canada Account to verify your payment status and banking details.
Fact-Checked: All payment dates, benefit amounts, indexation rates, income thresholds, and eligibility information in this article are verified against official Government of Canada sources, including the canada.ca benefits payment calendar, the OAS payment amounts page, the CPP and OAS monthly amounts page, and published provincial government payment schedules as of August 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Contact Service Canada, the CRA, or a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
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- Canada’s Family Sponsorship Special Public Policy Ends Next Month
A special public policy that has allowed eligible Canadian permanent residents to sponsor family members to Canada they never declared on their original immigration applications is set to expire on September 10, 2026.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will stop accepting applications under this public policy for undeclared family members once the deadline passes, and there is no guarantee that the federal government will issue another extension.
Eligible sponsors who have not yet submitted their applications have about three weeks to act before this pathway closes.
The stakes are high for affected families because without this policy, a lifetime ban on sponsoring those undeclared relatives snaps back into effect under federal immigration regulations.
Table of Contents
What Is This Public Policy
Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, anyone applying for permanent residence must declare all family members at the time of their application, even if those family members are not travelling to Canada.
The declared family members must also complete medical examinations and pass background and security checks before the principal applicant can receive permanent resident status.
If a permanent resident failed to declare a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child during their original application, paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) of the Regulations impose a permanent lifetime ban on ever sponsoring that person to Canada through the family class.
Stakeholders and the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration raised serious concerns about the disproportionate impact of this lifetime bar, particularly on children who had no say in their parent’s application decisions.
In response, IRCC introduced a pilot project through a public policy on September 9, 2019, creating a temporary exemption from the lifetime sponsorship bar for eligible applicants.
A second public policy followed in September 2021 to maintain the exemption during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current consecutive public policy took effect on September 10, 2023, signed by then-Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Marc Miller under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
This consecutive policy carries the same eligibility criteria as its predecessors and was designed to allow the department to gather comprehensive data on the population using the exemption while considering potential amendments to immigration legislation.
The policy applies to applications IRCC receives between May 31, 2019, and September 10, 2026, covering the full span of all three consecutive policies.
Who Is Eligible To Sponsor Under This Policy
The public policy exempts specific categories of sponsors from the lifetime bar, but it does not open the door for everyone who failed to declare a family member.
To qualify, the undeclared family member must be applying to be sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child.
The sponsor must have originally obtained their permanent residence through one of four specific pathways.
The first eligible category covers sponsors who were admitted as Convention refugees or persons in similar circumstances under Canada’s resettlement programs.
The second covers sponsors who received permanent residence after being determined to be a protected person through Canada’s asylum and refugee protection system.
The third applies to sponsors who were themselves sponsored as a spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child under the family class.
The fourth covers sponsors who came to Canada as a sponsored spouse or common-law partner under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class.
IRCC selected these categories because they represent the most vulnerable populations affected by the sponsorship bar and pose minimal risk to program integrity.
The department’s reasoning is that undeclared family members of these sponsors would not have been subject to the excessive demand provisions on health or social services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in most cases.
These family members would also generally not have been subject to income requirements, meaning their existence would have had limited impact on whether the sponsor’s original permanent residence application succeeded.
Who Cannot Be Sponsored Under This Policy
The policy draws a firm line against cases where the undeclared family member’s existence would have made the sponsor ineligible to immigrate to Canada under the program they originally used.
A sponsor who came to Canada as someone else’s spouse but was actually married to or in a common-law relationship with the undeclared family member at that time cannot use this policy.
A sponsor who arrived as a dependent child on a parent’s application but was married or in a common-law relationship at the time of that application is also excluded.
Sponsors who obtained permanent residence through a program that required them to be single with no dependents cannot sponsor previously undeclared family members under this policy either.
These exclusions exist because declaring the family member at the time of the original application would have disqualified the sponsor entirely, and the policy is not intended to override that fundamental eligibility barrier.
All standard admissibility requirements that are not specifically exempted by this policy continue to apply in full, including criminal inadmissibility, medical inadmissibility, and security screening.
How To Apply Before The Deadline
IRCC has confirmed that there is no separate or special application process for sponsoring undeclared family members under this public policy.
Eligible sponsors must submit their applications through the normal process to sponsor a spouse, partner, or child, and IRCC officers will determine eligibility for the public policy exemption during processing.
The critical factor is that IRCC must receive the application by September 10, 2026.
Spouse, partner and child sponsorship applications must generally be submitted online through the Permanent Residence Portal.
Paper applications are available only where IRCC approves an alternate-format request, including for applicants requiring accommodation. Standard family sponsorship fees apply.
The Right of Permanent Residence Fee increased to $600 on April 30, 2026, for applicants who are required to pay it, while dependent children are exempt from the RPRF.
Sponsors who reside in Quebec must also obtain a sponsorship undertaking from the provincial government, as that requirement is not waived by this federal public policy.
What Happens To Applications Already In Process
Applicants who have already submitted a sponsorship application for an undeclared family member do not need to take any additional action.
IRCC has confirmed that all applications pending on the day the policy expires will be processed in accordance with the public policy provisions, regardless of whether a final decision is reached before September 10.
This means that spousal sponsorship applications currently sitting in the processing queue will still receive the benefit of the exemption even if processing extends well beyond the expiry date.
Current IRCC processing times for spousal sponsorship outside Quebec stand at 17 months for outland applications and 27 months for inland applications, meaning many applications filed now will not receive a decision until 2028.
The fact that pending applications are grandfathered under the policy is significant because it removes the urgency of obtaining a decision before the deadline and shifts the focus entirely to getting the application filed in time.
What Happens If Your Previous Application Was Refused
Sponsors whose applications to sponsor undeclared family members were refused before the original policy took effect on May 31, 2019, are eligible to submit a new application under the current public policy.
This provision gives a second chance to sponsors who were previously barred under the lifetime ban and whose family members now meet the eligibility conditions of the public policy.
However, the new application must still be received by IRCC by September 10, 2026, or the sponsor will lose this opportunity.
Why The September 10 Deadline Matters
This public policy has been extended twice since its original launch in 2019, but there is no official indication from IRCC or the current immigration minister that a fourth consecutive policy will follow.
The federal government’s current immigration priorities are focused on reducing temporary resident numbers, tightening asylum processing under Bill C-12, and meeting the 380,000 annual permanent residence target under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan.
IRCC’s own policy document states that the department intended to use this consecutive policy period to gather data on the population utilizing the exemption and to consider potential amendments to immigration legislation.
If the government concludes that a regulatory amendment to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations is warranted, the lifetime bar under paragraphs 117(9)(d) and 125(1)(d) could be permanently modified or removed.
But if no regulatory change is made and no new public policy is issued, the lifetime ban on sponsoring undeclared family members returns in full force on September 11, 2026.
The original policy document also carries a standard clause noting that this public policy may be cancelled at any time, which means the government retains the discretion to end it even before the scheduled expiry date.
How To Succeed With Your Application Before The Deadline
The single most important step is filing your complete sponsorship application by September 10, 2026.
Confirm that you meet the sponsor eligibility requirements before submitting, because an incomplete or ineligible application will be returned and may not be resubmitted in time.
Gather all required supporting documents, including proof of your original permanent residence pathway and evidence of your relationship with the undeclared family member.
For this public policy, the critical factor is the receipt date, because IRCC must receive an eligible application by September 10, 2026.
Online submission is required for these applications unless IRCC has provided an alternate application format as an accommodation.
Sponsors in Quebec should contact the provincial immigration ministry immediately to initiate the Quebec undertaking process, as that provincial requirement runs on its own timeline independent of the federal deadline.
Consider consulting a regulated Canadian immigration consultant or lawyer if you are unsure whether your specific circumstances qualify under the policy, especially given the new regulatory framework governing immigration professionals that took effect in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the deadline to apply under the undeclared family members public policy?
IRCC must receive your sponsorship application by September 10, 2026, for it to be processed under the public policy exemption.
Will IRCC extend this public policy again after September 10, 2026?
There is no official confirmation from IRCC or the immigration minister that a fourth consecutive policy will be issued, so applicants should treat September 10 as a firm deadline.
Do I need to use a special application form to sponsor an undeclared family member?
No, you apply through the standard spousal, partner, or child sponsorship process and IRCC determines public policy eligibility during processing.
What happens to my application if it is still being processed after September 10?
Applications received before the deadline will continue to be processed under the public policy provisions even if a decision is not reached until after the policy expires.
Can sponsors who obtained permanent residence through Express Entry or the Federal Skilled Worker Program use this policy?
No, the policy only applies to sponsors who received permanent residence as refugees, protected persons, or through family class sponsorship as a spouse, partner, or dependent child.
Fact-Checked: All information in this article has been verified against the official IRCC public policy document published on canada.ca, the IRCC undeclared family members guidance page, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations as of August 20, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Immigration News Canada for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently, so verify all requirements directly on canada.ca before applying.
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