There have been 10 key changes to Canadian Immigration effective April 1, 2026, and more are expected before the month is over. This includes permanent residency, citizenship and passport fee increases and more flexible income requirements for those seeking to sponsor their parents or grandparents through the Supervisa. As Bill C12 takes full effect, we can expect new programs to open up, and it is also possible for older programs to close. Again, more announcements will be made over April and May 2026.
The changes coming into effect will directly impact temporary foreign workers, permanent residence applicants, asylum seekers and passport holders. This month will see a major federal law take force, the opening up of a new massive program for permanent residence, and tighter rules around asylum eligibility. There will be sweeping fee increases, extension of humanitarian measures for Ukrainians, and new rural community foreign worker increases all at the same time. These changes are a reset to how Canada will select new immigrants, including the temporary residence classes. With the advent of additional delegated powers to the provinces, processing times will shift and wait times will hopefully decrease.
We are breaking down the changes for you, and helping you navigate the process for Canada
Bill C-12 becomes law and reshapes Canada’s immigration system
The largest change that we saw this month is called Bill C-12, “Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act”. The Act received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, allowing the Canadian Government to make sweeping changes quickly to the Canadian immigration system. Firstly, it revamped eligibility rules for asylum seekers, that apply retroactively to anyone who entered Canada after June 24, 2020. Anyone who waits more than one year to complete their claim will not have their case referred to the Immigration Refugee Board of Canada. Secondly, irregular arrivals along the US border will not be able to make a claim if 14 days have passed since arriving at a non-port-of-entry crossing. Bill C-12 also gives the Canadian Government new authorities to share personal information between their own departments, and as well if special permission is given, to share information with foreign governments. IRCC and the CBSA will be able to cross check information that was normally more difficult to obtain prior to the passing of the Act. The new Act also gives broad powers of authority to cancel, suspend, or pause immigration documents, including permanent resident visas, in situations where the public interest is at stake. There are some safeguards in place in order to use these new powers, as the Government will have to get Cabinet approval and publish any changes/amendments in the Canada Gazette publication. Asylum seekers are already receiving procedural fairness letters and as their claims are now deemed to be ineligible.
TR to PR Pathway for 33,000 Temporary residents
This new pathway is expected to go public this month, April 2026 and the new portal is expected to open no later than May 15, 2026. This pathway will grant permanent residency to 33,000 temporary foreign workers over the next two years. Minister Metlege Diab already confirmed that the program has been “soft launched”, she said in an interview on March 6, 2026. Full criteria and program specific details however have not been made public at the time of writing. We have been told that operational guidelines will be made available in April, and that the target applicants will be people who are working in sectors that are facing shortages, rural areas, and as well healthcare, construction, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and essential services. This program operates separately from Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Programs, making it a unique offering from the Government of Canada. Applicants should begin to prepare their documents, including but not limited to, a valid work permit, language test results, educational credential assessments, employment records for 1 year of work in Canada, including T4 slips, pay stubs and community ties, so that they are ready to go when the portal for new applications opens.
New Passport fees increase, with a guarantee
Canadian citizens will now be paying more for their passports through Service Canada. New passport fees took effect on March 31, 2026. This is the first increase in passport fees not seen in 13 years, ending a long freeze on fees. The fee reflects inflation and rising costs associated with producing travel documents according to the Department. Starting in 2026, there will be regular fee increases, and a guarantee that your passport will be processed in no more than 30 days or you are entitled to a full refund. The refund is automatic if the processing center takes longer than 30 days to process your travel documents.
Permanent residence fees are also increasing
The Canadian government officially confirmed that PR fees will increase across every PR category starting April 30, 2026. The updated fee schedule is posted on IRCC’s webpage and applies to all applications submitted on or after that date. The Right of Permanent Residence Fee is going up from $575 to $600. You must prepare to pay this amount when it is requested, not when you applied. Many people defer this fee until later in the processing of their application. Those individuals and families will be subject potentially to the increase and must make sure they pay the right amount, or face processing delays and in the worst case scenario a refusal if the proper fees are not received by IRCC. Anyone submitting a PR application should look at upcoming fee structures prior to submitting their application.
Citizenship Application Fee Increases
The Government of Canada has decided to also increase the fees for Citizenship applications. Effective March 31, 2026, the Right of Citizenship fee goes from $119.75 to $123.00 for adult applicants. All applicants who submit their citizenship applications after March 31st are subject to increase. If you mailed your Citizenship application, as long as it was sent prior to March 31st, it will be accepted and put into processing. If there is a shortfall, IRCC will get in touch with you in order to request a new fee payment and will refund the other fee payment for you. This change will directly affect many permanent residents in Canada and outside Canada who wish to become citizens. It’s important to check for any updates on fee structures prior to sending any application to IRCC.
Super Visa Income Rules Become More Flexible
Families hoping to obtain a supervisa for their parents or grandparents to visit them in Canada have more flexibility with showing income to support the visit in two ways. Effective March 31, the sponsor child and their cosigner can qualify by submitting two taxation years instead of the year prior to the application filing. Previously, IRCC would only assess the visa on the most recent taxation year only, and no other previously earned income was taken into consideration. The second change is allowing income from the parent/grandparent to be able to meet household income thresholds, and to make up for any shortfalls in the calculations. Prior to this change, families in Canada had to stand on their own to meet income thresholds without any additional outside help from their family members. This measure is a welcome relief for families affected by career changes, parental leave or small business fluctuations, because they can now still qualify and reunite their families.
Provinces and Territories Gain More Power Over Nominee Assessments
Ottawa has delegated more authority to the provinces in assessing their permanent residency files, effective March 20, 2026. Prior to this change, IRCC officers would conduct independent evaluations of the provincial nominated candidates, including intent to reside, and whether or not the applicants were able to economically establish themselves in Canada. Under the new rules, the assessments are now the responsibility of Provincial officers. However, if IRCC has a concern with a particular file, they are allowed to consult the province where the applicant intends to reside. IRCC officers have 60-90 days to contact the province and to have their concerns addressed. The province however, retains the right to either maintain the nomination certificate or to revoke it, as it is no longer under the authority of IRCC. Provinces will be implementing changes as needed, in order to ensure that the assessments are completed properly. But it is expected that this change will lead to faster processing times for the Provincial Nominee Programs nationwide.
Canada Extends Work Permit Measures for Ukrainians Until 2027
The Minister, Metlege Diab, announced on March 31, 2026 that Ukrainians who originally arrived under the Canada Ukraine Emergency Travel measures and subsequent measures, will have the ability to extend their work permits for one year. The deadline has been extended to March 31, 2027. They are permitted only one work permit extension which can be issued for up to three years. Eligible applicants must have arrived by March 31, 2024 and must have valid temporary status at the time of the application. Those who wish to extend their stay by visitor or study permit can also do so under the new measure. This measure is expected to help nearly 300,000 Ukrainians and their families fleeing violence in the Ukraine.
Settlement Services for Economic Immigrants Now Subject to Limitations
Beginning April 1, 2026, the economic class of permanent residents will be subject to restrictions in accessing immigrant settlement services nationwide. They will be able to avail of settlement services assistance for a maximum of 6 years after becoming a permanent resident. It is important that permanent residents understand that the change is effective immediately but is also retroactive. If you landed four years ago, you now only have two years left to avail of immigrant settlement services before your access to this assistance is cut-off. Please also note that April 1, 2027, the access to settlement services decreases to a maximum of five years after landing (retroactive). This is the first time that Canada has put limitations on access to settlement services for permanent residents. It is also an incentive to have more permanent residents apply for their citizenship. In doing so, you will have unlimited access to essential services of any kind that are accessible to the general public. Applicants may wish to pursue their citizenship as soon as possible to be able to avoid limitations and restrictions that are coming into force. Settlement services includes language training, employment assistance, community activities and connections, and other integral supports that are funded by IRCC. Refugees and asylum seekers are not affected by these changes and will receive unrestricted access to services.
Rural Low-wage TFW Program Cap Expanded, But Provinces Push Back
Service Canada announced on March 13, 2026 that they would open the door for targeted rural employers to expand their caps from 10% to 15% to support the Agriculture and Agri-food sector by addressing workforce challenges for the sector through the use of the TFWP. This measure comes into effect on April 1, 2026 and will be in effect until March 31, 2027. However, there has been criticism and disagreement amongst the provinces, and for that reason, the measure is not fully in force across the country. While rural employers are crying out for assistance in order to keep their well-trained agricultural workers, a province or territory must first request the measure from the federal government before it can take effect in that jurisdiction. So far, the Maritime provinces are supporting this new measure, whereas the western provinces by and large have voted against the measure and have taken issue with the federal government that they were not consulted. BC is firmly against the measure with the Premier, Mr. David Eby making public announcements that he will not support an increase in the cap for rural employers. Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador have endorsed the program and will begin participation mid-April. Quebec has fully endorsed the measure effective April 1. Employers should check their province’s participation status before assuming they qualify for the increased cap. Sector-specific exemptions remain regardless of provincial participation in the new measure. Employers in healthcare, construction, and food processing continue to avail of a 20% cap on their workforces through the TFWP and the seasonal sector such as fish and seafood processing and tourism continue to avail of cap exemptions.
Conclusion and final thoughts
The combined effect of all ten measures over the coming months will ultimately create a different immigration system than what existed prior to April 2026. Asylum seekers face harsh statutory deadlines that they did not have before. Temporary workers have to prepare well in advance if they want to be successful with their career aspirations and their permanent residency goals. Even citizens must make sure that they are aware of fee structure changes, as many are subject to the changes or have family members who are subject to the changes. It’s important to be prepared in advance in order to create the most successful outcome. Even Provincial Nominee applicants must be prepared for provincial changes as the provinces begin to further scrutinize their applications. Being prepared will enable you to avoid being blind-sighted by the changes. Doing your homework prior to any contact with IRCC will enable you to navigate the changes with ease.
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