Zoe Immigration Consulting Inc.

06/03/2026

Many people assume that every asylum claim made in Canada automatically proceeds to a refugee hearing. In reality, every claim must first undergo an eligibility assessment.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are responsible for reviewing asylum claims to determine whether they meet the legal requirements to be referred to the IRB.

If a claim is found eligible, it is referred to the IRB, which will decide whether the claimant qualifies as a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection. However, if a claim is determined to be ineligible, it will not be referred to the IRB, and the claimant may be referred to the CBSA for removal proceedings.

Some of the reasons an asylum claim may be found ineligible include:
🔹 The claimant has already been recognized as a Convention refugee by another country to which they can return.
🔹 The claimant already has protected person status in Canada.
🔹 The claimant made the asylum claim more than one year after first entering Canada.
🔹 The claimant is subject to a removal order.
🔹 The claimant has previously made an asylum claim in Canada that was rejected, abandoned, withdrawn, or previously determined to be ineligible.
🔹 The claimant has made a prior asylum claim in another country.
🔹 The claimant is inadmissible to Canada on grounds of security, serious criminality, or human rights violations.
🔹 The claimant entered Canada from the United States through a land border crossing and does not qualify for an exception under the Safe Third Country Agreement.
🔹 The claimant entered Canada between ports of entry along the Canada–U.S. border and made the asylum claim more than 14 days after entry.

Understanding the distinction between eligibility and refugee protection is essential. Before the merits of a refugee claim can be considered, the claim must first satisfy Canada's eligibility requirements.

With recent legislative changes under Bill C-2, the timing of an asylum claim has become increasingly important. Individuals who wait too long after entering Canada may find that their claim is no longer eligible for referral to the IRB.

Contact us for your asylum cases:
📧 [email protected].
📞 709-853-0302.

05/29/2026

French-Speaking Skilled Workers Gain Priority in Canada’s 2026 Express Entry Draws.

Through its Express Entry immigration system, Canada has already conducted six French-language proficiency draws in 2026, inviting tens of thousands of candidates to apply for permanent residence.

These draws are part of the federal government’s broader strategy to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec and address labour shortages across the country.

The trend has become impossible to ignore. In February 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted one of the largest French-language Express Entry draws ever, issuing 8,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score as low as 400.

Since then, Canada has continued prioritizing French-speaking candidates through repeated category-based draws. In March alone, IRCC held multiple French-language draws, including one that invited 5,500 candidates with a CRS cut-off of 397 and another with 4,000 invitations at a record-low CRS score of 393.

The momentum continued into April and May. On April 29, 2026, Canada invited another 4,000 French-speaking candidates with a CRS score of 400. Most recently, on May 28, 2026, IRCC issued 4,500 invitations to French-speaking applicants with a CRS cut-off of 409.

These repeated draws highlight a major shift in Canada’s immigration priorities. The federal government is increasingly using category-based Express Entry selections to attract workers who can help meet economic and demographic goals.

French-speaking immigrants are now one of the most heavily targeted groups under the system.

For skilled workers around the world, especially those with bilingual abilities, Canada’s 2026 immigration strategy presents a major opportunity. French is no longer just an additional asset in the Express Entry system — it has become one of the strongest pathways to Canadian permanent residence.

05/28/2026

Canada Announces a 90-Day Immigration Suspension for High-Ebola Regions.

05/26/2026

US bonus package for the illegal immigrants voluntarily leaving the US.

05/26/2026

05/24/2026

Canada announces a temporary public policy to exempt unaccompanied minors in Canada from the new refugee claim ineligibility rules.

05/23/2026

New U.S. Directive Requires Immigrants to Return Home for Green Card Applications.

Going forward, green card applications must be submitted through a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

05/22/2026

International Students: Before You Drop Courses, Hear This: Your PGWP May Be at Risk.

05/20/2026

Canada’s Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP): A Unique Study-to-PR Pathway for French-Speaking International Students.

Canada continues to expand immigration pathways for French-speaking newcomers through the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) — an innovative program that offers not only a study permit opportunity, but also a direct pathway to permanent residence for eligible students and their families.

This is a special pathway that aims to strengthen Francophone minority communities in Canada by making it easier for eligible French-speaking students from selected countries to study in Canada and build a pathway to permanent settlement.

Who can apply?
To qualify, applicants must be citizens of specific Francophone countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Key eligibility requirements-
Applicants must:
• Be a citizen of one of the eligible countries.
• Live outside Canada at the time of application.
• Obtain a letter of acceptance from a participating Canadian designated learning institution (outside Quebec) specifically confirming admission under the FMCSP.
• Enroll in a full-time post-secondary program of at least 2 years, leading to a diploma or degree.
• Study in a program where more than 50% of instruction is in French.
• Demonstrate French proficiency of at least NCLC 5 in all language abilities.
• Show proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses.
• Meet medical and police clearance requirements where applicable.

Permanent Residence Opportunity-
This pilot is more than a study route — it is designed as a long-term immigration pathway. Students who complete an eligible program may qualify for permanent residence (PR) under a dedicated public policy if they:
• Graduate from a participating institution.
• Complete at least a 2-year eligible program.
• Study primarily in French.
• Hold a valid temporary resident status in Canada when applying.
• Reside outside Quebec at the time of PR application.

Importantly, the public policy also extends PR eligibility to accompanying spouses/common-law partners and dependent children, creating a strong family-centred