News. For Newcomers | September 2, 2026

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Starting college or university in Canada? There’s a lot to figure out beyond classes, especially if you hope to work or stay in Canada after graduation.

Here are five things new international students should know:

Planning ahead can help you make the most of your studies while keeping your work and immigration options open.

Canada is considering a new Express Entry category for H-1B visa holders as part of its immigration plans for 2027.

If introduced, the category could make it easier for skilled workers currently or previously working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa to be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

For now, the category has not been confirmed, and there are no new application rules. H-1B holders can still enter Express Entry today if they qualify through an existing program.

IRCC has finished consulting on its 2027 Express Entry categories, so we’ll be watching to see whether the proposed H-1B category moves forward.

B.C.’s housing market is slowing, and economists say lower immigration levels are one reason why.

The number of temporary residents in B.C. has fallen, particularly international students. At the same time, thousands of new rental homes have entered the market. This combination has reduced competition for rentals and helped push rents down.

Home sales have also slowed, with economic uncertainty, affordability and a weaker job market making some buyers hesitant.

For newcomers looking for housing in B.C., the slowdown could mean more rental options and greater negotiating power, although housing costs remain high.

The Bank of Canada has held its interest rate at 2.25% for the seventh decision in a row. Rates have now been unchanged since October 2025.

For newcomers thinking about buying a home or car, or starting a business, stable rates can make borrowing costs easier to plan for. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you should make a big purchase now, or wait for rates to fall.

Instead of trying to predict the next interest rate move, consider whether you can comfortably afford the payments at today’s rates and still have savings available if your income, borrowing costs or other expenses change.

If you’re an international professional looking for work in Canada, understanding your work permit can make your job search easier.

Canadian recruiter Ruairi Spillane answers some of the immigration questions he hears most often from international candidates, including:

One key tip: make your work authorization clear to employers. Explain what type of permit you have, when you can start and whether the employer needs to complete any immigration paperwork.

Toronto rents are still expensive, but renters may have a little more choice than they did a year ago. Asking rents have fallen across the main apartment types compared with September 2025.

Here’s the median monthly asking rent in September 2026:

Prices were unchanged from August, suggesting Toronto rents may be starting to stabilize after falling over the past year.

If you’re looking for a cheaper rental, areas such as Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke can offer more affordable options than downtown Toronto.