September 17, 2025 Edition
Hi there,
We’re getting into the groove with these daily emails, and even found the time to design (big thanks to Andre, our designer!) and add a new logo for our newsletter. What do you think?
In today’s update, we cover:
How to use processing time data to plan your move,
Key takeaways from IRCC’s Red Tape Review, and
Whether $100k is still a good salary in Canada!
Plus, Indira from our marketing team shares what it’s really like to have a drawn-out PR application — and the stress that comes with it.
Let’s dig in,
Rebecca and Stephanie
Your Immigration Update
IRCC has updated its estimated processing times for visas and immigration programs, but simply knowing how long an application might take isn’t enough.
We break down how processing times are calculated, why they change, and what you can do with this information to plan your studies, career, or family move with confidence.
Read the full article to understand what’s behind the estimates, and how to use them to your advantage.
Canada’s immigration system is undergoing a major review. As part of the Red Tape Reduction Initiative, IRCC’s Red Tape Review reports significant progress in cutting delays and modernizing the way newcomers come to Canada.
We’ve taken a closer look at IRCC’s Red Tape Review Progress Report to uncover
Which reforms are already in place
What’s changing next as IRCC rolls out new updates
How these improvements will make your immigration journey easier and faster
You can review our findings here.
It takes a lot to surprise us these days — but we were genuinely shocked to learn that one IEC-recognized organization has already opened and closed its waitlist for the 2026 season due to overwhelming demand. That’s why we felt it was important to break down exactly what you need to do to secure your IEC-recognized organization spot for 2026. Read more here.
Immigration in The Media
On Monday, we reported on data showing that more people are leaving Canada than ever before. But new research from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC), with support from the University of Toronto, suggests there are ways to curb this trend. While affordability and housing remain top concerns for newcomers, the study finds that newcomers are far more likely to stay in Canada when they feel connected to their communities and hopeful about their future.
You can read the full report here.
Did Somebody Say Draw?!
Express Entry Draw on September 17
Today’s Express Entry draw issued 2,500 ITAs to applicants with work experience in education occupations. This brings the total number of ITAs issued in the education category to 3,500 for 2025. Based on the latest IRCC data, this could be the last education-focused draw of the year. We cover all the draw details here.
Money Matters
The Bank of Canada is dropping the interest rate to 2.5%, in the first cut since March 2025. You can watch the announcement on YouTube.
The interest rate has an impact on job creation and inflation in Canada, and it can impact interest rates for home mortgages too (directly for variable rate and indirectly for fixed rate mortgages). In other words, this can have a real impact on how far your salary goes in Canada. We recently covered whether $100k is still a good salary in Canada, and how where you live impacts your lifestyle based on your $100k salary. Check it out.
Today’s Tip: Waiting for Your PR Application
Team member Indira recently shared her experience as she waits for IRCC to assess her permanent residence application (which has already been submitted). She notes:
The initial peace [of clicking submit] didn’t last long. Did I forget a document? Did I make a mistake on the forms? Could a tiny error ruin my entire process? It’s easy to spiral into those thoughts.
But after more than a year of waiting, I learned that patience and learning to enjoy the life you are already building in Canada is just as important as the application itself.
Keen to read more about how Indira is managing her stress while she waits? Read her full account here (also available in Spanish)
Thanks for reading! We hope you found this helpful.
Talk to you tomorrow,
Rebecca and Stephanie
