A regulatory proposal that would introduce language testing for certain International Mobility Program (IMP) work permit applicants is moving closer to formal publication, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The department's Forward Regulatory Plan, in a page update dated April 7, 2026, now sets a target of spring or summer 2026 for pre-publication of the proposed amendments in Part I of the Canada Gazette, to be followed by a 30-day public comment period. The initiative was first listed in the Forward Regulatory Plan on July 2, 2025, and has since cleared two rounds of stakeholder engagement — consultations with provinces and territories in February 2025 and with private-sector stakeholders in November 2025 — meaning it is no longer a preliminary entry in a federal planning document. The proposal would amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to authorize IRCC to require applicants to submit language proficiency test results from a designated third-party organization, with the stated aim of improving the reliability, transparency, and efficiency of language assessments under the IMP. The amendment is not yet in force, no regulatory text is public, and IRCC has not confirmed which IMP streams will be affected, which tests will be accepted, what minimum scores will apply, what exemptions may exist, or when the rule would take effect. Spousal open work permits (SOWPs) are not named by IRCC but are widely regarded by immigration practitioners as the category most likely to be affected. Until the regulatory text is published, no applicant is required to take a language test as a result of this proposal.

Canada's federal government announced on May 6, 2026 that a sweeping overhaul of the regulatory framework governing the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) will come into force on July 15, 2026 — the most significant regulatory upgrade since the CICC succeeded the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) on November 23, 2021. The new rules give the College stronger disciplinary teeth, allow the federal government to step in and take over the College's board if it fails to protect the public, and establish, for the first time, a dedicated compensation fund to provide redress to clients who suffer financial losses because a CICC-licensed consultant engaged in theft, fraud, misappropriation of funds, misrepresentation, or refusal to cooperate with professional liability insurance; at the same time, the College's public register will be expanded with additional disclosures about each licensee, making it easier for the public to verify a consultant's licensing status, good standing, and disciplinary history — and squeezing the operating space of so-called "ghost consultants."

On February 24, 2026, the Government of Quebec released its annually updated list of occupations eligible for expedited Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) processing under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Marking a significant shift from previous years, the total number of eligible occupations has been scaled back from 76 to 60, with a notable removal of various Information Technology (IT) and engineering professions. Designed to reflect the evolving needs of the provincial labour market, this updated list will remain in effect until February 23, 2027. To ensure a smooth transition for employers and applicants, Quebec has implemented a 30-day grace period—running from February 24 to March 26, 2026—for previously eligible occupations that have been cut from the new roster. Additionally, the province reiterated crucial guidelines regarding the TFWP approval process and recently implemented French-language proficiency requirements.

On August 28, 2025, Quebec's Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) issued 231 invitations to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) through its Regular Skilled Worker Program (PSTQ). This round of invitations primarily targeted two specific categories of candidates: highly skilled individuals with work experience outside of regulated professions and those with exceptional talent. The draw takes place against the backdrop of comprehensive immigration policy reforms being developed by the province, highlighting Quebec's current preference for applicants who are already in the province and possess advanced education and specialized skills.

On July 17, 2025, the province of Quebec launched its new Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) with its first invitation round since the program's reform in 2024. A total of 238 candidates were invited, with a precise focus on individuals already residing in Quebec who possess French language skills, local educational credentials or work experience, and are in occupations that address labour shortages. This inaugural draw targeted the "Highly qualified and specialized skills" and "Exceptional talent" streams, signaling a definitive policy shift towards prioritizing candidates already integrated into Quebec society.