January 28, 2026 Edition
Today’s newsletter is brought to you by our trusted partner, Borrowell
Your Immigration Updates
Getting an Express Entry ITA is exciting, but you may want to slow down before you accept. In some cases, accepting can lead to a refusal if your points or eligibility don’t hold up when IRCC reviews your full application.
In this article, we explain when declining an ITA might be the safer move. For example:
if your CRS score drops
your work experience doesn’t fully qualify
or key documents expire
We also cover what happens after you decline and when it makes sense to speak with a licensed immigration professional.
If you’ve ever checked your IRCC account late at night and a deadline didn’t seem to match your local time, it may be because IRCC uses UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) for many deadlines and timestamps.
Important details:
UTC does not change for daylight saving time.
Deadlines can arrive earlier than expected in your local time zone.
Permits may expire earlier in the evening locally, even if the date looks the same.
Submit at least one day early and save your proof of submission.
It’s a small detail, but it can make a big difference. When in doubt, convert the time, submit early, and don’t leave anything for the last night.
Immigration In The Media
Manitoba is changing how it uses its Provincial Nominee Program because there are fewer PR spots available. The program used to process about 9,500 nominations a year, but that dropped to 6,400 in 2025, with 6,239 planned for 2026.
Immigration Minister Malaya Marcelino says Manitoba is now focusing more on temporary residents who are already in the province. The goal is to help employers keep workers whose permits may expire. As she put it, “It’s in our interest to absorb them… because they’re already here, they’re already contributing.”
Manitoba also wants more overseas workers with ties to the province because they tend to stay. Marcelino says retention for that group is over 90%. But with around 80,000 temporary residents in Manitoba, there are not enough nominations to go around.
For newcomers, this means your ties to Manitoba matter more than ever. Things like an employer-backed pathway, living outside Winnipeg, or family connections can make a big difference.
Money Matters: Build Credit in Canada Starting With Your Score
Your credit score matters more in Canada than you may expect. It can affect whether you’re approved for a credit card, phone plan, car loan, rental, or even insurance.
The good news? You can check your credit score and credit report for free with Borrowell. It takes about 3 minutes, doesn’t require a SIN or credit card, and won’t hurt your score. You can also track changes over time and get simple tips on how to improve your credit as you settle into life in Canada.
Career Moves: Tough-Love Job Search Tips
In this episode of The Newcomers Podcast, Ruairi Spillane (founder of Moving2Canada and Outpost Recruitment) shares clear, no-fluff advice on finding a job in Canada as a newcomer.
With over 10 years of recruiting experience in Canada, he breaks down:
Common job-search mistakes newcomers make.
What Canadian employers really look for in interviews.
Why updating your resume and approach matters.
How to job hunt with a clearer plan.
Today's Tip: Could You Be Eligible for the New Grocery Benefit?
The Canadian government has proposed a new Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit by boosting the existing Goods and Services Tax (GST) credit. The goal is to provide additional financial support to lower-income households, while the government works on longer-term plans to improve grocery affordability.
The proposal would increase the GST credit amount by 25% for five years, starting July 2026.
Temporary residents may qualify if they’re eligible for the GST/HST credit and file their taxes.
Could you be eligible? Most benefits are paid through the tax system, so filing a tax return is key.
