Canadian Immigration News This Week: October 26–31, 2026
It was a busy week. IRCC held three Express Entry draws in three days (provincial nominees, French speakers and transport workers), likely the last before new scoring rules take effect on November 3. BC invited 772 candidates in one provincial round, processing times for in-Canada work and study permit extensions got shorter, and IRCC removed a time limit that was causing some work permit refusals while employers waited for LMIAs.
Express Entry: three draws in three days
| Date | Draw type | Invitations | CRS cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26 | Provincial Nominee Program | 792 | 761 |
| Oct 27 | French-language proficiency | 5,000 | 407 |
| Oct 28 | Transport occupations | 150 | 477 |
That's 5,942 invitations this week, bringing 2026 to 65 rounds and about 149,400 invitations. The French draw's cut-off was 28 points lower than the previous French round on October 16. Read our breakdowns of the October 26 draw and the October 27 and 28 draws.
IRCC's latest pool snapshot (October 25) showed 228,724 candidates, with about 21,300 scoring above 500.
The countdown to November 3
On November 3, Express Entry adds new points for Canadian work experience and job offers in high-wage occupations, and job offers no longer need an LMIA. IRCC will then recalculate every profile and pause draws for up to two weeks.
Action this weekend: if you have a genuine job offer, IRCC asks you to add it to your profile before November 3. Our step-by-step guide shows exactly how, including IRCC's temporary LMIA entries. Then check whether your occupation is on the high-wage list.
Provincial nominee programs
- British Columbia (October 29): 772 invitations in the Skills Immigration – Innovate: High Economic Impact stream. 524 went to candidates with job offers paying at least $49 an hour ($99,000 a year), with no minimum score, and 248 went to the highest registration scores (minimum 131).
- Newfoundland and Labrador (October 29): 85 invitations were reported: 75 through the provincial nominee program and 10 through the Atlantic Immigration Program.
- Alberta: no new AAIP draws were reported this week. The most recent large round, on October 20, invited 386 Express Entry candidates in priority sectors at a minimum score of 60. See how to get an Alberta nomination.
Work permits: two changes that help workers
- No more 90-day limit while waiting for an LMIA (October 28). IRCC updated its instructions so officers no longer refuse an in-Canada work permit application just because the employer's LMIA is taking longer than 90 days. Officers now wait for the LMIA decision. Workers who applied before their permit expired keep working on maintained status meanwhile.
- Haiti and Sudan measures extended (October 27). Temporary work permit measures for eligible Haitian and Sudanese nationals were extended, with the extension reported to run until December 30, 2027.
Processing times: extensions are getting faster
| Application (inside Canada) | October 21 | October 29 |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit extension | 12 weeks | 11 weeks |
| Study permit extension | 8 weeks | 6 weeks |
Processing times change weekly. Always check IRCC's processing times tool before you plan around them.
What to watch next week
- November 3: new Express Entry points take effect and the recalculation pause begins.
- The 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan: expected in November. The Immigration Minister has signalled that levels could rise. We'll break it down as soon as it's released.
- Provincial draws: AAIP and other provinces may continue to invite candidates even while federal Express Entry draws are paused.
Mistakes to avoid this week
- Waiting until November 3 to add a job offer. IRCC asks candidates to update before the change.
- Holding an ITA to wait for new points. Invitations are assessed under the rules on the day you were invited.
- Letting a permit expire while waiting. Apply to extend before expiry to keep maintained status.
Every situation is different. GLC Immigration Consulting can help in three ways:
- Consultation: a one-on-one session with Osaro Ezomo, RCIC, to review your situation and your options.
- Full representation: we prepare and submit your application and act as your authorized representative with IRCC, from start to finish.
- Pre-submission review: you prepare your own application, and we review it for errors, gaps and risks before you submit.
To request full representation or a pre-submission review, or for any other question, email us at hello@gradlifecanada.ca.
Frequently asked questions
How many Express Entry draws were there the week of October 26, 2026?
Three: a Provincial Nominee Program draw on October 26 (792 invitations, CRS 761), a French-language draw on October 27 (5,000, CRS 407) and a transport draw on October 28 (150, CRS 477).
Will there be Express Entry draws in early November 2026?
IRCC has said it will pause invitations after November 3 while it recalculates every profile under the new rules, which it estimates could take up to two weeks.
How long does a work permit extension take in Canada right now?
IRCC's processing times on October 29, 2026 showed about 11 weeks for an in-Canada work permit extension and 6 weeks for a study permit extension. Times change weekly.
When will Canada's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan be released?
It's expected in November 2026.
How many invitations did BC issue on October 29, 2026?
772 in the Skills Immigration – Innovate: High Economic Impact stream: 524 based on wage and 248 based on registration score.
Fact-checked: Express Entry results from IRCC's rounds of invitations page; November 3 changes from IRCC's October 16 news release and changes page; BC results from WelcomeBC. Pool data, processing times, the LMIA instruction change and the Haiti and Sudan extension as reported by CIC News (pool, processing times, LMIA, Haiti and Sudan), based on IRCC updates. Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta figures as reported from the provinces' official pages. Verified October 31, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration rules change often. For advice on your situation, speak with a licensed immigration professional.
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC), licence #R711785. Osaro is the principal consultant at GLC Immigration Consulting in Calgary, Alberta, helping clients with Express Entry, provincial nomination, work and study permits and family sponsorship.
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