IRCC issued over 7,300 Express Entry invitations in late October
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada conducted three consecutive Express Entry draws between October 27 and October 29, 2025, distributing a total of 7,302 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The selection rounds targeted specific immigration streams, beginning with 302 invitations for Provincial Nominee Program candidates at a minimum score of 761 points, followed by 1,000 invitations for Canadian Experience Class applicants with a 533-point threshold, and concluding with 6,000 invitations extended to French-speaking candidates who met a 416-point requirement. These draws reflect Ottawa's continued emphasis on attracting skilled workers and francophones through category-specific selection processes within the Express Entry system.
The recent activity brings Canada's 2025 Express Entry total to 81,485 invitations issued across 46 draws, with the Express Entry pool standing at 248,253 registered profiles as of late October. The Express Entry system remains Canada's primary pathway for economic immigration. If you are considering Canadian immigration through Express Entry or other pathways, VisaVerse provides expert guidance to help you navigate the application process and maximize your chances of success. Contact VisaVerse today to start your journey toward Canadian permanent residence with personalized immigration support tailored to your unique circumstances.
IRCC reports 2.2 million immigration applications in inventory
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the data on immigration inventories and backlogs. According to the last update, there were 2,199,400 applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship approvals in all IRCC inventories. According to the new data, 56.4% of applications in the inventory are within service standards. IRCC aims to process 80% of applications within its service standard; however, some complex cases may require a more comprehensive assessment. Currently, 42% of temporary residence requests, including those for visiting, studying, or working, and 52% of permanent residency applications are in backlog. Additionally, 50% of citizenship applications also fail to meet service standards.
Canada's Budget 2025 opens doors for skilled immigrants through foreign credential recognition investment
Canada's upcoming federal budget will allocate $97 million over five years to establish a Foreign Credential Recognition Action Fund, marking a significant step toward integrating internationally trained professionals into the Canadian workforce. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is set to present Budget 2025 on November 4, which aims to address critical labour shortages in sectors like healthcare and construction by working with provincial and territorial governments to streamline the credential recognition process. The initiative seeks to make the system fairer, faster, and more transparent for qualified foreign-trained professionals seeking to contribute their expertise to Canada's economy.
This investment comes as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Canada's workforce amid global trade uncertainties and economic shifts. By removing barriers that have historically prevented skilled immigrants from practicing in their fields, the government hopes to tap into the full potential of Canada's diverse talent pool. The measure complements other Budget 2025 initiatives, including expanded apprenticeship training, enhanced support for personal support workers, and amendments to the Canada Labour Code that will promote greater labour mobility. Together, these policies represent a comprehensive approach to building a resilient, inclusive economy that leverages both domestic and international talent to address the nation's evolving workforce needs.
CFIB debunks five common myths about Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has released a comprehensive analysis addressing widespread misconceptions about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, representing over 100,000 small and medium-sized business owners nationwide. The report systematically refutes claims that businesses are addicted to foreign workers, that TFWs displace Canadians, suppress wages, strain public services, or facilitate worker abuse. CFIB emphasizes that temporary foreign workers constitute less than 1% of Canada's labour force and fill critical gaps when qualified Canadian candidates are unavailable. The organization has also submitted detailed recommendations for the federal government's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, advocating for streamlined processes, enhanced retention pathways, and alignment with genuine labour market requirements.
Immigrant youth reported higher community belonging in Canada, new statistics show
Recent data from Statistics Canada reveal that immigrant youth and non-permanent residents in Canada demonstrate stronger community ties than their non-immigrant counterparts. Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 54% of young immigrants aged 15 to 29 reported feeling a strong sense of belonging to their local communities, compared with 50% of Canadian-born youth. The findings, drawn from the Canadian Social Survey, highlight how newcomers to Canada are successfully integrating into their communities despite the challenges that often accompany relocation. Among racialized youth, the sense of belonging was even more pronounced, with 55% reporting strong community connections. Arab and South Asian youth showed particularly high levels of belonging at 69% and 64% respectively.
The data also uncovered notable geographic differences in how immigrant youth experience community integration. While rural areas generally foster stronger belonging across all demographics, the study found that both immigrant and non-immigrant youth benefit from the close-knit nature of smaller communities. However, urban centers—where the majority of newcomers settle—present unique challenges for young adults aged 20 to 29, who reported weaker community ties at just 41% compared to 53% in rural settings. Housing affordability emerged as a critical factor, with many young immigrants being pushed to suburban communities on the city outskirts, potentially affecting their ability to establish roots. The research underscores that strong community belonging correlates with better mental health outcomes, with 86% of well-connected youth reporting positive mental health compared to only 59% of those feeling disconnected.
Statistics Canada study reveals significant skill underutilization among internationally educated immigrant nurses in Canada
A comprehensive Statistics Canada study released on October 22, 2025, highlights critical challenges facing immigrant women with nursing credentials in Canada's healthcare workforce. The research reveals that while immigrant women constitute 27% of Canada's nursing-educated population, many internationally educated nurses face substantial barriers to appropriate employment. The 2021 Census data analysis shows that only 50-72% of foreign-educated immigrant nurses work in health occupations, with significant variation across racialized population groups. Regulatory recertification difficulties and credential non-recognition contribute to this underutilization, even though Canada faced 21,000 registered nurses and 10,000 licensed practical nurse vacancies in early 2025.
University of Toronto leads Canada in 2026 global rankings as three institutions secure top 50 spots
The University of Toronto has maintained its position as Canada's premier academic institution, ranking 21st globally in the newly released Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. McGill University and the University of British Columbia follow as the nation's top contenders, securing positions at 41st and 45th, respectively, among the world's leading universities. The rankings, which evaluate over 2,100 institutions across 115 countries using five key performance indicators, highlight Canada's continued strength in research excellence, innovation, and international collaboration. Canadian universities are expanding rapidly in artificial intelligence, data science, and climate technology programs while strengthening industry partnerships and attracting diverse international talent.
Canada experiences a shift in cross-border travel patterns with increased overseas visits and decreased US travel
Statistics Canada reported changes in international travel patterns for August 2025, with overseas visitor arrivals to Canada increasing 9.2% year-over-year, driven primarily by growth from European and Asian markets. In contrast, US resident trips to Canada declined 1.4%, marking the seventh consecutive month of year-over-year decreases. Canadian travel to the United States dropped significantly by 29.7%, resulting in a rare occurrence where more US residents visited Canada than Canadians travelled south. The data reflects shifting tourism dynamics, with the United Kingdom, France, and Germany leading overseas arrivals, while automobile travel between Canada and the US experienced the steepest declines at 32.6% for Canadian outbound trips.