September 16, 2026 Edition
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Your Immigration Update
IRCC issued 250 ITAs on September 16 for Senior Managers with Canadian Work Experience, at a minimum CRS score of 389, the lowest cut-off recorded for this category so far.
This was the third draw for this category since it launched in February 2026, and the cut-off has now dropped 40 points since the first round. To qualify, you need at least 12 months of Canadian work experience in the past three years in an eligible senior management occupation.
Canada admitted 32,565 new permanent residents in July, the strongest month of 2026 so far. Even so, the country is still tracking behind its overall target of 380,000 new PRs for the year.
About 188,800 permanent residents admitted through July, roughly 50 percent of the annual target
Economic immigration is furthest behind, at 46 percent of its target
Family class is actually ahead of pace, sitting at 63 percent
To catch up by December, IRCC would need to average about 38,000 admissions a month for the rest of the year, well above the pace seen so far, but not out of reach if July's jump continues.
Your work history could be worth up to 26 points under Ontario’s new Workforce Priority Stream, but foreign work experience does not earn points.
Here’s where the points come from:
Ontario work experience: up to 18 points
Canadian earnings: up to 8 points
Ontario gives the most work experience points to people who have spent more than two years working in the same Ontario job and with the same employer listed in their job offer.
Your Canadian earnings also matter. Earning at least $70,000 in a single year can give you the maximum eight earnings points.
Understanding these factors can help you work out how competitive your profile may be before applying.
Immigration In The Media
Canada has ended a temporary policy that helped some refugees sponsor family members they did not list on their original permanent residence application.
The exemption had been in place since 2019 and ended on September 10. IRCC says it allowed the policy to expire because of “potential integrity concerns,” but has not explained what those concerns are.
The Canadian Press reports that refugee advocates are calling for the policy to return. They warn its removal could make it harder for some refugees to reunite with family members in Canada. IRCC says exemptions may still be available on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
The BC PNP Online portal will be unavailable on September 22 from 7 am to 12 pm (PT) and on September 23 from 6 am to 8 am (PT). The provincial website is alerting users of the upcoming system outage. If you are unable to access the portal on these dates, or encounter an error, the province recommends trying again outside these maintenance windows.
System outages can occur at anytime. This makes it even more important to plan ahead and not wait until the last minute to submit your applications.
Money Matters: How Long Could Your Savings Last?
Nearly half of working Canadians could cover no more than two months of expenses if they lost their job, according to a new Money Mentors report.
Even among households earning $100,000 or more, over one third said their savings would last two months or less.
Rising costs for groceries, utilities and transportation were a major reason people said they felt less financially secure.
It’s a good reminder to look at your budget and, where possible, start building an emergency fund for unexpected expenses or time out of work.
Career Moves: Know What Salary to Ask For
More Canadian job postings now include salary ranges, giving you useful information before you even apply.
If you’re job hunting, don’t just focus on the highest number. Think about where your skills and experience fit within the range, research similar salaries and be ready to explain why you’re asking for a certain amount.
Already working in Canada? Check salary ranges for similar jobs. They can help you see whether your current pay is competitive.
And remember, salary isn’t everything. Vacation, benefits, bonuses and flexible work can also make a big difference to your overall offer.
Today's Tip: Here’s How Long It Can Take to Feel Settled
Moving to Canada is exciting, but feeling truly settled can take time.
In one survey of newcomers, 53% said it took around five years to feel settled, while 28% said it took closer to 10 years.
Building friendships, feeling financially secure and getting established in your career can all make a big difference.
The good news is you don’t have to achieve everything at once. Whether thats meeting new people, building savings or making progress at work small steps can help Canada gradually start to feel like home.
