News. For Newcomers | November 4, 2025

The latest Immigration levels plan is here. This year’s Immigration Levels Plan landed a little differently, alongside Budget 2025, and although it’s only partial, we do know students are set to take more of a hit, but things might be looking up for work permit holders.

IRCC quietly released the 2024 Express Entry Year-End Report last night. It’s going to be a busy week for Canadian immigration news, but this report deserves some of the spotlight. Our biggest takeaway? 99% of all candidates who received an ITA in 2024 had at least one year of foreign work experience. That’s a significant finding, especially for candidates currently in Canada who may not have any foreign work experience to claim.

ChatGPT updated its usage policy last week, so we asked it to create an article to outline what it can and cannot do when it comes to Immigration advice. The article surprised us. Read more to see why.

Before making a complete 180° change to your immigration strategy because of the new Levels Plan, consider booking a consultation with a regulated Canadian immigration consultant. Yes, it’ll likely cost a few hundred dollars, but a reputable consultant can walk you through your options, help you avoid costly mistakes, and bring clarity to your next steps.

Consultation fees vary depending on the consultant’s experience, expertise, and familiarity with complex cases, so don’t just pick the cheapest option. Choose the one who feels like the right fit for your situation.

And if you need guidance on building a brighter financial future in Canada, a Scotiabank Advisor can help. Book a free appointment below to get started.

According to IRCC’s Express Entry 2024 Year-End Report, 99% of all candidates who received an ITA had at least one year of foreign work experience, and that includes those selected through CEC draws.

So what does that mean? If you’re a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidate, it’s looking like foreign work experience is becoming essential to stay competitive.

In documents released by RCIC Burcu Akyol, IRCC confirmed that work performed abroad for a Canadian employer doesn’t count as Canadian experience, but it can qualify as foreign experience if it meets the right criteria.

So if you’re worried about losing your Canadian job or plateauing in your CRS score, it might be worth having a conversation with your employer about the possibility of working remotely from abroad for a year, if it makes sense for your situation.

And just like today’s tip states, don’t jump in without a plan. Taking time to map and consider all the pros and cons could make all the difference. And remember, these are 2024 numbers. They offer valuable insight, but may not fully reflect the trends we’ll see in 2025. This kind of move needs to be carefully planned, and you should always speak with a licensed immigration representative before making any decisions to make sure it’s the right fit and done correctly.

Before jumping to conclusions about the Immigration Levels Plan, let the dust settle. There’ll be plenty of chatter, opinions, and information swirling around. Take a moment to absorb it all before drawing conclusions or setting an action plan.