IRCC Policy Update — June 18, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Several new temporary public policies were issued in spring 2026, including work permits for prospective Quebec PR candidates and their spouses (June 5), open work permits for certain refugee claimants (March 26), and measures for foreign nationals affected by domestic natural disasters (April 1).
Eight immigration changes took effect April 1, 2026, including increased Canadian passport fees (adult 10-year passport now $163.50), a new 30-business-day passport processing guarantee with automatic fee refund if the deadline is missed, and flexible income requirements for super visa sponsors.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan increased the IMP admissions target to 170,000 and reduced the TFWP target to 60,000, reflecting a broader policy shift toward LMIA-exempt pathways and skilled worker admissions.
What You Should Do
- If you are a prospective permanent residence candidate in Quebec or their spouse, check eligibility for the new temporary public policy work permit announced June 5, 2026 at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies.html.
- If you are applying for a Canadian passport, note the new fee structure: $163.50 for an adult 10-year passport from within Canada. Apply at a passport office or Service Canada location and expect processing within 30 business days — or receive a full refund under the 'free if late' guarantee effective April 1, 2026.
- Review the full list of active IRCC temporary public policies (updated regularly) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies.html to check if any apply to your situation.
Sources
Topics Covered
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan set the IMP admissions target at 170,000 (up 32%) and the TFWP target at 60,000 (down 27%), with a total of 230,000 temporary worker admissions targeted for 2026.
Service Fee Adjustments: Canadian passport fees increased on March 31, 2026 for the first time since 2013. Adults applying for a 10-year passport inside Canada now pay $163.50. A 30-business-day processing guarantee with automatic refund also took effect April 1, 2026.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — June 25, 2026
Jun 25, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 22, 2026
Jun 22, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — June 15, 2026
Jun 15, 2026
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