IRCC Policy Update — May 11, 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
On May 6, 2026, Minister Diab announced new regulations to strengthen oversight of immigration consultants, taking effect July 15, 2026 — including stronger penalties, an expanded public register, and a compensation fund for victims of dishonest consultant conduct.
Eight immigration changes took effect March 31–April 1, 2026, including increased passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50), a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with a free-passport remedy if the deadline is missed, and flexible income requirements for PGP Super Visa sponsors.
IRCC's 2026-2028 Levels Plan targets reducing Canada's temporary resident population to below 5% of total population by end of 2027, with new temporary resident arrival targets set at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in both 2027 and 2028. A consultation on Express Entry reform closes May 24, 2026.
What You Should Do
- If you are working with an immigration consultant, verify their license on the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants public register at college-ic.ca before July 15, 2026 — new regulations expanding the register and increasing penalties take effect that day.
- If you need to renew or apply for a Canadian passport, budget for the new fees effective March 31, 2026: $163.50 for an adult 10-year passport from within Canada. Submit your application and track it — if it takes more than 30 business days, you are entitled to a full fee refund under the new '30 days or free' guarantee.
- If you want to provide input on proposed Express Entry reforms, submit feedback before the IRCC consultation closes on May 24, 2026 — check canada.ca or immigrationnewscanada.ca for the consultation link and details.
- If you are a temporary resident in Canada (worker, student, or visitor), be aware that IRCC is actively working to reduce the temporary population — review your current status and any pending applications at ircc.canada.ca to ensure your documents are valid and you are not inadvertently at risk of status issues.
Sources
Topics Covered
Service Fee Adjustments: Effective March 31, 2026, Canadian passport fees increased for the first time since 2013. Adult 10-year passports now cost $163.50 (up from $160) and 5-year adult passports cost $122.50 (up from $120), attributed to inflation and rising production costs.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026-2028 Levels Plan targets 385,000 new temporary resident arrivals in 2026, dropping to 370,000 in 2027-2028, as part of a commitment to reduce Canada's temporary population below 5% of the total population by end of 2027.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — June 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 8, 2026
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IRCC Policy Update — June 4, 2026
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