IRCC Policy Update — August 13, 2026

What You Should Do

• -If you are a temporary foreign worker or international student planning to come to Canada, check whether you are still within the 2026 temporary resident arrival targets (385,000 for 2026) at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels.html — lower targets mean increased competition for spots.
• -If you are applying for a Canadian passport on or after March 31, 2026, budget for the new fee: $163.50 for a regular adult 10-year passport or $122.50 for a 5-year passport. Find the full fee table at canada.ca before submitting your application.
• -If your passport application is submitted on or after April 1, 2026, track your processing time. If it exceeds 30 business days from the date your complete application is received, you are entitled to a full fee refund under the '30 days or free' initiative — no action needed to claim it as it is automatic.
• -If you are a refugee student or hold a PGWP and are concerned about field-of-study eligibility changes, monitor IRCC's official announcements page at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news.html for the new PGWP framework and the potential refugee student PR pathway, both expected during 2025-2026.
• -If you are a spouse of a foreign worker or international student relying on a spousal open work permit (SOWP), check IRCC's updated eligibility requirements at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/permit/temporary/extend/eligibility.html before submitting or renewing your application, as eligibility criteria are changing.
• -If you are an Express Entry candidate, look out for IRCC's new GeoMatch algorithm tool (developed with Stanford University) when it launches via your IRCC online account — it is designed to help you identify the best region to settle in Canada and could influence your settlement strategy.