News. For Newcomers | December 2, 2025

With IRCC taking a tougher stance on study permits, where you apply to study matters more than ever. Thanks to freshly released data, we can see that approval rates varied widely across Canada’s Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), and some stood out for achieving high study-permit success rates.

In this breakdown, we highlight the DLIs with the highest approval rates in 2025, and why choosing the right institution can significantly improve your chances of getting a study permit approved.

Canada launches its first digital visa pilot, as part of its push to modernize immigration services. For now, the pilot applies to a small group of approved Moroccan visitor-visa applicants, who will receive a digital visa alongside the physical counterfoil. The goal is to make travelling to Canada faster, safer, and more convenient by reducing passport mailing, improving security, and streamlining verification with airlines and partners.

It’s a small test, but a major step toward smoother, fully digital travel to Canada in the years ahead.

We’ve just updated our snapshot of the current Express Entry pool, and last week brought something a bit out of the ordinary: IRCC updated the numbers twice. Normally, we only see a single update before the first draw of the week, so this extra data gave us a clearer (and slightly unusual) view of how the pool is shifting.

If you’re planning your next steps, or simply keeping an eye on how competitive the pool is getting, this breakdown will help you understand what’s changing and what it could mean for your chances.

A new wave of emerging education destinations is pulling international students away from Canada. With rising competition from Europe and Asia, tougher study-permit rules, and growing affordability concerns, Canada’s once-dominant appeal is slipping. Students are increasingly choosing countries that offer clearer pathways, lower costs, and more predictable visa processes. ApplyBoard’s insights help explain what’s behind this shift and how it could affect students exploring their options in 2026.

This newsletter is sponsored by our partner, CurrencyFair, with a simple, online interface and affordable rates CurrencyFair are a highly recommended option to transfer your money between your Canadian bank and accounts in another country. Plus you can get 10 transfers fee free transfers!

Giving Tuesday can feel like a breath of fresh air after the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – a little pause where people remember that generosity still has a place in the mix. It’s a global movement with a simple idea: take one day to support something meaningful, whether that’s a charity you trust, a community project that’s close to home, or even a neighbour who could really use a hand.

For newcomers settling into life in Canada, Giving Tuesday can be a thoughtful way to connect with your new community. It’s also a chance to support causes that resonate with you and take part in a movement rooted in compassion and social good.

Volunteering in Canada is often framed as a way to “gain Canadian experience,” but for newcomers, it does so much more. It’s one of the easiest, most meaningful ways to build real friendships, boost your confidence, practise English or French, and feel rooted in your new community. As we explore in our guide to the power of volunteering in Canada, these experiences can shape your entire newcomer journey – not just your career.

Learning English or French is one of the best steps you can take as a newcomer, and Canada offers many free programs to help you get started. In Quebec, newcomers with temporary or permanent status can join Francization Québec, a free French-learning program that may even provide financial support while you study. In other provinces, most free English or French classes become available once you obtain permanent residency, usually through federally funded programs like LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) or CLIC for French.

You can find official information and check eligibility on the Government of Canada’s website, or through your provincial immigration office. Local community centers, public libraries, and settlement agencies also offer free conversation circles and beginner classes. These resources make language learning more accessible and help you feel more confident in your new life in Canada.