IRCC Policy Update — October 5, 2026
Monday, October 5, 2026
Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan targets a reduction in temporary residents to under 5% of the 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 new bridge work permit measure launched March 13, 2026 allows eligible foreign workers in Quebec who are awaiting a CSQ (Quebec Selection Certificate) to extend their employer-specific work permit for up to 12 months; applications are accepted until December 31, 2026.
As of April 1, 2026, Canadian passport applicants benefit from a new '30 days or free' processing guarantee, and fees have increased slightly (e.g., 10-year adult passport now $163.50, up from $160).
What You Should Do
- If you are a foreign worker in Quebec who has submitted a permanent selection application under Quebec's Skilled Worker Selection Program and received a DSP request, and your employer-specific work permit expires between March 13 and December 31, 2026, apply for the bridge work permit on IRCC's website (canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship) before your current permit expires to avoid a work gap. Deadline: December 31, 2026.
- If you are applying for a Canadian passport, note the new fees: 10-year adult passport is now $163.50 (up from $160) and 5-year adult passport is $122.50 (up from $120). Submit a complete application to qualify for the 30-business-day processing guarantee; if IRCC exceeds this, you receive a full fee refund automatically. Check full fee schedule at canada.ca.
- If you are planning to apply for permanent residence as a temporary resident, review the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/corporate-initiatives/levels to understand new admission targets and which economic streams are being prioritized.
- If you are a foreign national employed in Yukon and have applied to the Yukon Nominee Program (YNP), confirm with your Yukon-based employer that you meet the eligibility criteria for the temporary work permit measure (valid work authorization + YNP application submitted) and contact IRCC for next steps at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.
Sources
Topics Covered
LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Expansion: IRCC introduced a bridge work permit under the International Mobility Program (IMP) for eligible Quebec-based foreign workers awaiting a CSQ, allowing up to 12 months of continued employer-specific work authorization. A similar measure was previously applied in Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon through their respective PNP streams.
2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan: The 2026-2028 Levels Plan sets temporary resident arrival targets at 385,000 in 2026 and 370,000 in 2027 and 2028, with the goal of reducing Canada's temporary population to under 5% of the total population by end of 2027. Economic immigration is prioritized to fill labour gaps.
Service Fee Adjustments: Canadian passport fees increased on March 31, 2026 for the first time since 2013, with a 10-year adult passport now costing $163.50. A new 30-business-day processing guarantee with automatic refunds also took effect April 1, 2026.
PNP Federal-Provincial Authority Transfer: IRCC launched targeted temporary work permit measures for Yukon Nominee Program participants, continuing a pattern of federal support for provincial nominee streams in Alberta, Manitoba, and now Yukon to address local labour shortages while PR applications are processed.
How these topics connect
Employers and workers should recognize that the shift toward LMIA-exempt permits is a top-down federal strategy embedded in the Levels Plan, meaning it is unlikely to reverse in the near term and signals where hiring flexibility will grow.
As federal targets push more immigration volume through provincial channels, the authority transfer to provinces becomes operationally essential — applicants should expect provinces to play an increasingly gatekeeping role in their Express Entry outcomes.
More IRCC Policy Updates
IRCC Policy Update — October 1, 2026
Oct 1, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — September 24, 2026
Sep 24, 2026
IRCC Policy Update — September 17, 2026
Sep 17, 2026
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