Canada immigration policy changes in 2026: study permits, PGWP, low-wage LMIA, Express Entry and BC PNP

• The federal goal: bring the temporary population below 5% of Canada's population by the end of 2027.
• IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026.
• From 2026-01-01, master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions do not need a provincial attestation letter (PAL); they count toward the 408,000 national target.
• Programs a private college delivers on behalf of a public college (curriculum licensing) are not PGWP-eligible in most cases; if you began one in the same province on or before 2024-05-15, you may be eligible.

Source: IRCC: Immigration levels plan 2026-2028; IRCC: 2026 allocations under the international student cap; IRCC: PGWP, who can apply, checked 2026-10-17.

Field of study: graduates with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree have no field of study requirement. Other graduates need a field (by CIP code) on IRCC's list, which has 6 categories: agriculture and agri-food, education, healthcare and social services, STEM, trade, and transport. You are exempt if you applied for your study permit, or submitted your PGWP application, before 2024-11-01.

Language: CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all four skills for degree and other university programs; CLB 5 or NCLC 5 for college, polytechnic and other non-university programs. Results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. PGWP applications submitted before 2024-11-01 need no language results.

If you are in a non-degree program, check your program's CIP code against the list before you finish.

Source: IRCC: PGWP, who can apply; IRCC: Field of study requirement; IRCC: PGWP, get the right documents, checked 2026-10-17.

• Since 2024-09-26, LMIA applications are not processed for positions paid below the provincial or territorial wage threshold in a census metropolitan area (CMA) with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
• Low-wage positions are capped at 10% temporary foreign workers per work location; temporary measures may apply in rural areas.
• The low-wage stream allows hiring for a maximum of 1 year.

Source: ESDC: Low-wage stream, program requirements; ESDC: Low-wage stream, checked 2026-10-17.

From 2026-01-05 to 2026-10-16 IRCC held 62 rounds, none of them for all programs. French, healthcare and trades rounds:

There was no STEM round in 2026.

Source: IRCC: Express Entry rounds of invitations, checked 2026-10-17.

• Area of employment: Metro Vancouver 0 points; Squamish, Abbotsford, Agassiz, Mission and Chilliwack 5; all other areas 15. With a job outside Metro Vancouver, regional experience or regional alumni adds up to 10, for a maximum of 25.
• Tech: the last draw for priority technology occupations was on 2024-12-03. Occupations on the former tech list still qualify; draws now target categories such as Care, Build and Innovate.
• Early childhood educators: Care: Childcare draws invite early childhood educators only; the 2026-10-08 draw closed at 99 points.

Source: BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide, section 8.5; WelcomeBC: News; WelcomeBC: Invitations to apply, checked 2026-10-17.

• A paid representative must be authorized: a lawyer or paralegal in good standing with a provincial or territorial law society, a Quebec notary, or a member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).
• If you use an unauthorized paid representative, IRCC may return or refuse your application.
• You appoint a representative with the Use of a Representative form (IMM 5476).
• Directly or indirectly misrepresenting or withholding material facts makes you inadmissible for 5 years (IRPA section 40).

IRCC explains how to check whether a representative is authorized.

Source: IRCC: Learn about representatives; IRCC: IMM 5476; IRPA section 40, checked 2026-10-17.