December 23, 2025 Edition
Today’s newsletter is brought to you by our trusted partner, Scotiabank
Your Immigration Update
2026 is going to see some big changes to Canada’s immigration system outside of Express Entry, including:
Increased Provincial Nominee Program allocations;
Provincial Nominee Program allocations for physicians;
No caps for international students pursuing Masters and PhD programs in Canada.
An accelerated program for H1-B visa holders.
We’ve outlined what you need to know about these changes in a detailed article. Check it out to learn more!
Canada’s immigration system now has more than one million applications in backlog (again). That said, the system is still moving. Hundreds of thousands of applications are being finalized, and new permanent residents, students, and workers continue to arrive. The main change right now is timing. Some files are moving quickly, while others are taking longer than planned.
The takeaway? Longer waits are becoming more common, but progress hasn’t stopped. If you’re applying or waiting, staying informed, submitting complete applications, and planning for your application to take longer can make the process feel much more manageable.
Canada is slowing down some immigration programs because there are too many applications in the queue, and IRCC needs time to catch up.
Here’s what’s changing:
Study permits: In 2026, Canada will process about 310,000 study permit applications, with a goal of approving 155,000 students.
Home care workers: The home care worker pilots are paused for now because demand was higher than the number of spots available. Some applicants are facing waits of two years or more.
Entrepreneurs: The Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed programs are also paused due to large backlogs, with waits of four years or longer in some cases.
The positive news is that Canada is slowing things down to reduce delays, and new programs may launch in 2026.
Immigration In The Media
There’s been a lot of coverage in the media about how newcomers — especially temporary residents — put pressure on Canada’s resources. Most of the focus has been on housing and health care, and has been negative. But the full picture is more complex, and it’s not all bad.
A Canadian Immigrant report published today shares one example. In Brampton, Ontario, the city is seeing lower transit revenue because fewer international students are using public transportation. This drop is linked to the federal government’s plan to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada.
This shows how changes to immigration levels can have wider effects. Lower immigration may help ease housing pressure in the short term. But it can also create new challenges across the economy. Labour shortages may grow, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. Cities may also lose important sources of income, like transit fares.
Our takeaway for you: don’t let negative headlines about immigration in Canada get you down. The reality is more balanced than it seems. Newcomers don’t just use services — they help support communities, local economies, and public systems across the country.
Did Someone Say Draw?!
P.E.I. squeezed in a surprise mini-draw on December 23, issuing 13 invitations to people working in priority occupations. We’ll have more coverage on this draw in tomorrow’s newsletter.
Scotiabank is here to support you through your journey.
Sign up to receive emails from Scotiabank, Moving2Canada's trusted banking partner, to provide you with the right tools, resources, and advice to guide you through your banking journey as you settle into your new life.
Money Matters: Bad Money Habits Newcomers Should Avoid
Moving to a new country means learning a lot, including new money habits. Some common spending patterns can quietly drain your budget without you even noticing. Stuff like relying on credit cards, skipping a budget, or not setting financial goals might seem small at first, but over time, they add up.
That’s why breaking or avoiding bad money habits matters early on. If you want ideas that feel doable (not overwhelming), we’ve published a detailed guide that goes through smart ways to cut bad habits and start spending more mindfully. These small shifts can add up to big relief in your monthly budget and big steps towards your brighter financial future.
Career Moves: Top Resume Keywords Canadian Employers Look For
Finding a job in Canada now means getting past more filters than ever. With fewer openings and more applicants, many employers use software to scan resumes before a person reads them. That’s why keywords matter.
In this article, we explain how resume screening works in Canada and why there’s no single list of “magic” keywords. Instead, the best keywords come straight from the job posting itself. By matching the skills, tools, and language employers use, you make it easier for both software and hiring managers to see you’re a good fit for the role.
Before you apply:
Read the job posting and circle words that appear more than once
Use those same words in your resume, especially in your skills and job descriptions
Only include keywords you actually have experience with
This makes your resume easier to spot, easier to understand, and more likely to move forward, without sounding fake or robotic.
Today's Tip: Set Clear Immigration Goals for 2026
The transition into a new year is an ideal moment to evaluate progress and set focused immigration goals. Here’s how:
First, define 3 to 5 targets across employment, education, finances, or language improvement.
Then, ensure each goal is realistic, easy to measure and especially aligned with the immigration path you chose.
Next, break the goals down into monthly steps.
Finally, review your progress regularly and adjust your goals when you need to.
Clear goals give your settlement journey direction and purpose and can help you stay motivated and optimistic over time. They help you make better decisions and adjust your plans when needed.
If you’re hoping to live and work in Canada in 2026, we encourage you to set some goals for yourself. Then see if it helps you move forward with confidence in Canada.
