May 27, 2026 Edition
Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Moving2Canada’s Immigration Services
Your Immigration Update
A new Statistics Canada study found that only about 1 in 5 newcomers in Canada end up working in the exact job they trained for, and the income gap is huge for those who don’t.
Key findings from the report:
Newcomers working in their intended field earned a median income of $65,600, compared to $44,000 for those working outside their field.
Canadian work experience before permanent residence was the biggest factor linked to better job matches.
Newcomers without prior Canadian work experience were much more likely to move into lower-skilled jobs.
Nurses, software engineers, and tech workers had some of the strongest job match rates.
The study highlights how difficult it can be for newcomers to transfer their skills into the Canadian job market. It also shows why researching licensing requirements, job demand, and career pathways before moving to Canada can make a big difference.
International students in Canada can work off campus while studying, but they must stay under the 24-hour weekly work limit during school terms. IRCC has now clarified how those hours may be counted for students doing gig work through apps like Uber, DoorDash, or Instacart.
According to IRCC, work hours include time spent earning wages or collecting commission. This means that simply being logged into an app may not automatically count toward the weekly limit if the student is not being paid during that time.
The update is especially important for students balancing gig work with a regular part-time job. Students are responsible for carefully tracking all work hours and maintaining records of paid work time, unpaid time, and on-call hours. Exceeding the 24-hour limit could affect a student’s immigration status.
In Other News
Canada is introducing temporary Ebola-related travel restrictions for residents of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, suspending some Canadian immigration documents for 90 days and requiring certain returning travellers to quarantine for 21 days.
Several CRA benefit payments are coming in June 2026, including a one-time Groceries and Essentials Benefit top-up on June 5 for people who qualified for the GST/HST credit.
Did Someone Say Draw
IRCC held a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draw, issuing 3,000 ITAs with a CRS cut-off score of 518 – the highest CEC cut-off seen so far this year.
Immigration In The Media
Canada is considering whether asylum seekers should be distributed more evenly across the country, rather than mostly settling in Ontario and Quebec. MPs recently discussed a proposal based on Germany’s system, in which asylum seekers are assigned to regions based on factors such as population and tax revenue.
Supporters say the idea could reduce pressure on large cities facing housing shortages and strained social services. However, settlement organizations warned that simply relocating people is not enough. Communities also need available housing, jobs, healthcare, and support services to help newcomers settle successfully.
As of September 2025, Ontario and Quebec received 83% of Canada’s refugee claimants, despite accounting for a smaller share of the country’s population.
Money Matters: Rising Costs Are Reshaping Summer Spending Plans
More Canadians are planning a quieter summer as everyday costs stay high. A new survey found that 35% of Canadians plan to spend less this summer, while 44% say fuel costs are affecting their travel plans.
Many people are cutting back by choosing cheaper activities, using loyalty points, and staying closer to home. In fact, 76% of Canadians planning to travel say they intend to stay within Canada this summer.
With groceries, rent, fuel, and travel costs all competing for space in your budget, planning ahead matters. Try our free budget calculator to estimate your monthly costs in Canada and see where your money may go before summer spending adds up.
Career Moves: Why More Canadians Are Starting Side Hustles
Nearly one in three Canadians now has a side hustle, but for most people, it’s not about following a passion – it’s about keeping up with rising costs. A new report found that 85% of Canadians with side hustles started them for financial reasons, including paying bills, covering groceries, managing debt, or dealing with job insecurity.
Selling products online is the most common side hustle in Canada, especially through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and eBay. Freelancing, food delivery, and content creation are also popular ways to earn extra income.
While most side hustlers earn less than $500 a month, many say the extra income helps. But it’s important to remember that side-hustle income is still taxable in Canada, and temporary residents must ensure their permit allows them to engage in additional work or self-employment.
Today's Tip: Don’t Rely on AI Alone for Immigration Advice
AI Overviews can be helpful for quick searches, but they can also get Canadian immigration information wrong. In some cases, AI tools may present outdated information, such as outdated CRS points for job offers or incorrect LMIA guidance. For newcomers, this can lead to costly mistakes, wasted time, and extra stress.
Before making immigration decisions, always check official sources and ensure the information is up to date. Immigration rules change often, and relying on an AI answer could put your application at risk.
Book a consultation with Moving2Canada to get personalized immigration guidance.
