Immigration.ca - Colin Singer, Canada Immigration Lawyer

10/16/2026

Waiting on a Canadian citizenship certificate? Here's the latest from IRCC.

On October 9, the estimated processing time for proof of citizenship rose to about 34 months, even though the number of people in the queue dropped to roughly 130,700. It's the first time the queue has shrunk since June, but the wait is still climbing.

If you live outside Canada and the U.S., IRCC says to add another three to four months for mailing. We break down what this means for Bill C-3 applicants and who may qualify for urgent processing.

https://immigration.ca/proof-of-canadian-citizenship-processing-time-34-months/

IRCC's estimate for proof of Canadian citizenship rose to 34 months on October 9, 2026, even as the queue fell to about 130,700. What it means for Bill C-3 applicants.

10/14/2026

Holding a provincial nomination? Here's what the latest Express Entry round looked like.

On October 13, Canada invited 752 Provincial Nominee Program candidates to apply for permanent residence, with a minimum CRS score of 772. That's the biggest PNP round since June.

Don't let the 772 scare you - a nomination is worth 600 points on its own, so the people invited had base scores of around 172. If you don't have a nomination, general and category-based draws are your route, and their cut-offs are much lower.

https://immigration.ca/canada-invites-752-provincial-nominees-express-entry-october-13-2026/

Canada issued 752 invitations in a Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry draw on October 13, 2026, at a CRS cut-off of 772 — the largest PNP round since June and the 60th round of 2026.

10/13/2026

Did you do an immigration medical exam while living in Canada, then move back home? Here is something important to know.

IRCC has confirmed that you must be living in Canada to reuse a medical exam from the past five years. If you have moved abroad, you will need to go through the normal medical exam process, even if your earlier exam was recent.

If you are still in Canada and qualify, you can include your previous IME or UMI number in your new application and may not need to book another exam. The exemption currently runs until October 5, 2029.

https://immigration.ca/ircc-clarifies-who-can-avoid-a-new-canada-immigration-medical-exam/

IRCC clarifies who qualifies for Canada's immigration medical exam exemption, confirming applicants must live in Canada to reuse medical results from five years ago.

10/12/2026

Good news for candidates in the Newfoundland and Labrador EOI pool! After a two-week pause, the province issued 131 Invitations to Apply on October 9, 2026 - 130 through the NLPNP and one through the Atlantic Immigration Program. It is the largest round since late August and brings the province's 2026 total to 2,826 invitations across seventeen rounds.

Thinking about building your future in Newfoundland and Labrador? Our full breakdown explains how the EOI pool works and what an NLPNP Express Entry nomination can mean for your CRS score.

https://immigration.ca/newfoundland-and-labrador-issues-131-invitations-october-9-2026/

Newfoundland and Labrador issued 131 Invitations to Apply on October 9, 2026 — 130 under the NLPNP and one through the AIP — its largest round since late August.

10/09/2026

Thinking about asking a chatbot to polish your refugee claim story? Here is what you need to know first.

Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board now bars the use of AI to draft or rewrite personal evidence, including Basis of Claim narratives, affidavits, witness statements, and photos or videos. Spellcheck and grammar fixes are still fine, but other AI use has to be disclosed and verified. Breaking the rules can hurt the credibility of your case.

The good news: this applies to IRB hearings, not to everyday IRCC applications like work permits or study permits.

https://immigration.ca/canada-bans-ai-generated-personal-evidence-in-immigration-and-refugee-hearings/

Canada bans AI-generated personal evidence in immigration and refugee hearings, while allowing limited AI use with disclosure and verification rules.

10/07/2026

Started a refugee claim in the IRCC Portal but haven't submitted it yet? Pay attention to this date.

From November 3, 2026, Canada changes how refugee claims are submitted online, with new questions and a required review of earlier answers for unfinished applications. If you submit through the IRCC Portal by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 2, 2026, you will generally not need to provide the new information unless IRCC asks for it.

If you or someone you know has a draft claim, it is worth checking it soon and getting qualified advice on next steps. Full details here:
https://immigration.ca/canada-changes-refugee-claim-application-process-from-november-3/

Canada changes its refugee claim application process on November 3, 2026. Learn the deadline, portal changes and what asylum claimants need to do before then.

10/06/2026

Good news for Express Entry candidates working in Canada: the Canadian Experience Class cut-off has dropped again. IRCC invited 2,000 CEC candidates in the September 29 draw with a minimum CRS score of 518, one point lower than the September 15 round and the third straight decline. If you are close to the line, a stronger language test result or another year of Canadian work experience could make the difference. Full details here: https://immigration.ca/canada-invites-2000-canadian-experience-class-express-entry-september-29-2026/

Canada invited 2,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates in the September 29, 2026 Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score of 518, the third straight CEC cut-off decline.

10/05/2026

Skilled trades workers, this one is for you. Canada invited 3,500 trades candidates to apply for permanent residence in the October 1 Express Entry draw, with a minimum CRS score of 476. It's only the second trades-focused round this year, and it was 500 invitations larger than the one in April, with a cut-off one point lower. If you work in a designated trade, now is a good time to check your CRS score and see what could move it up before the next round. Full breakdown here:
https://immigration.ca/canada-invites-3500-trades-occupations-express-entry-october-1-2026/

Canada invited 3,500 trades occupations candidates in the October 1, 2026 Express Entry draw with a minimum CRS score of 476, the second trades round of 2026.

10/02/2026

Good news for French-speaking workers eyeing Atlantic Canada: Ottawa is investing $349,684 over two years in a Newfoundland and Labrador project to recruit Francophone and bilingual talent, especially in education, early childhood education and health care.

One thing to know - this isn't a new immigration pathway. Candidates would still need to qualify through an existing route. It's part of Canada's wider push to grow Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

Full details here:
https://immigration.ca/canada-funds-newfoundland-and-labrador-push-to-recruit-francophone-workers/

Canada funds a Newfoundland and Labrador project to recruit French-speaking workers as Ottawa expands Francophone immigration outside Quebec in key sectors.

10/01/2026

Sometimes the hardest part is finding the right documents. That's exactly where we come in:

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https://immigration.ca/