Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, introduces major restrictions to Canada's refugee system:

🔴 One-Year Bar: Anyone who has been in Canada for more than one year is now barred from making a refugee claim — retroactively applied to arrivals after June 2020.

🔴 14-Day Rule Eliminated: Previously, asylum seekers crossing from the US between ports of entry could file a refugee claim after 14 days. Bill C-2 eliminates this exception entirely, effectively closing the door for most irregular border crossers from the US.

🔴 Expanded Ministerial Powers: The Minister of Immigration gains sweeping authority to cancel valid immigration documents — including permanent residency, work permits, and study permits — without individual due process.

🔴 IRB Access Restricted: Many claimants who previously had access to full IRB hearings will now be redirected to the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) process, which offers fewer procedural protections and no right to appeal.

⚠️ What This Means For You: If you have been in Canada for close to one year without filing a refugee claim, or if you entered Canada irregularly, time is critical. Contact our office immediately for a consultation.

As a licensed RCIC-IRB, Majid Rasouli is authorized to represent clients before the IRB and can advise you on how Bill C-2 affects your specific situation.

2026 Express Entry Key Updates:

🟢 New Priority Categories (Feb 18, 2026): IRCC announced new category-based selection priorities including: physicians with Canadian work experience (first draw: Feb 19, 2026 at CRS 169), senior managers with Canadian experience, STEM professionals, healthcare workers, skilled trades, and French-language proficiency candidates.

🟡 CRS Cutoffs Rising: The latest CEC draw (April 28, 2026) issued 2,000 ITAs at a CRS of 514. As of April 2026, IRCC has issued 71,627 ITAs across 27 draws in 2026.

🔵 Major Overhaul Proposed: IRCC launched a public consultation (April 23, 2026) proposing to merge FSWP, CEC, and FSTP into a single unified class. Key proposed changes include: minimum CLB 6 language requirement, new High-Wage Occupation Factor for extra CRS points, and removal of 600-point provincial nomination bonus from CRS scoring.

📊 2026 Admissions Target: Canada aims for 485,000 new permanent residents in 2026. Express Entry activity is expected to continue throughout the year.

Not sure if your score qualifies? Contact us for a free assessment — we can help optimize your CRS and identify your best pathway.

Key Immigration Updates — April/May 2026:

💰 PR Fees Increased (April 30, 2026): IRCC implemented permanent residence fee increases as part of its forward regulatory plan. If you are planning to apply, it is important to budget for the updated fee structure. Contact our office for current fee information specific to your pathway.

🏔️ BC PNP Active: British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program continues to hold regular draws in 2026 across Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC streams. A provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score — making it one of the most powerful tools for Express Entry candidates who may not qualify in general or CEC draws.

🎓 PGWP & International Graduates: Post-Graduation Work Permit holders whose permits are expiring in spring 2026 should act quickly. The current CEC draw landscape is competitive (CRS 508-515), but category-based draws continue to offer lower cutoffs for eligible occupations.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Sponsorship: Processing times for spousal sponsorship have improved in 2026. Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) intake details for 2026 are expected to be announced by IRCC later this year.

With so many changes in 2026, professional guidance is essential. Book a consultation with our licensed RCIC-IRB today.