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.

On April 2, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the year's first category-based Express Entry draw targeting Trades Occupations, issuing 3,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 477. The draw marks a significant milestone as the first Trades selection since IRCC raised the minimum work experience requirement from six months to one year in February 2026, and represents the twentieth Express Entry draw of the year. Notably, the 3,000 ITAs issued in this single draw already exceed the 1,250 total issued under the Trades category throughout all of 2025, underscoring IRCC's growing emphasis on skilled tradespeople. With 58,830 ITAs issued across all categories in 2026 so far, the Canadian Experience Class and French-language proficiency categories continue to account for the largest share.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year for trade occupations on September 18, 2025. A total of 1,250 candidates received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score soared to 505, significantly higher than the previous draw for this category. The primary reason for the score increase is the long interval between draws, which led to an accumulation of high-scoring candidates. Additionally, internal documents suggest IRCC plans to issue more invitations to trade candidates in the second half of the year.

On September 17, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the second-ever Express Entry draw targeting candidates in the "education" category. A total of 2,500 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 462. Compared to the inaugural draw for this category, this round featured a significantly lower cut-off score and a larger number of invitations, reflecting the flexibility and strategic focus of Canada's immigration policy on attracting professionals from specific fields.