Late November 2025 Developments: Suspension of the OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream – New Study Permit Extension Eligibility Model – New US H1-B Visa Holder Stream – New Francophone Immigration Projects
OINP Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Cancelled
Citing systemic representation and fraud relating to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP’s) Express Entry (EE) Skilled Trades Stream, the OINP has suspended receiving all EE Skilled Trades Stream applications and has returned all outstanding EE Skilled Trades Stream applications which were under processing. This has led to protests from applicants who have insisted that they have followed all rules and procedures, and demanded that the OINP demonstrate that their applications actually contained misrepresentation or fraud. If the evidence in applicants’ applications was not considered, the blanket cancellation may be challenged in Court on the grounds of violating procedural fairness. However, the Ontario government provided a different reason during question period on November 24, 2025, citing the federal government’s cut of the province’s allocation of provincial nominees by half for 2025. As the drama continues, we will continue to keep an eye on the OINP EE Skilled Trades Stream and other OINP updates.
New Study Permit Extension Eligibility AI Model
The federal government is seeking to reduce the size of the public service and expedite the processing of applications by using advanced analytics tools such as machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence (AI). The government is developing a tool for in-Canada study permit extension applications which is to use a mix of rules developed by IRCC officers and rules generated by machine learning from previous IRCC decisions. The tool is to make recommendations for positive decisions on routine applications, and forward non-routine applications to officers to be processed manually. It will provide case annotations, notes, and summaries for officers. Human IRCC officers are to make the final decisions on whether to approve or refuse applications.
New H-1B Visa Holder Stream To Be Announced
Although no specifics have been provided yet, the federal government announced in its 2025 Budget that it will launch an accelerated pathway for United States H1-B visa holders. In 2023, there was a stream that is now closed for 10,000 H1-B visa holders to apply for an open work permit for up to 3 years. It remains to be seen if the new pathway will be based on this stream.
New Francophone Immigration Projects from the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration
In continuing its focus on increasing the number of Francophone immigrants outside of Québec, the government has announced $3.6 million to support further efforts by introducing 4 new projects. These are:
- Attracting International Talent in Eastern Ontario project to meet the labour needs of rural communities in Eastern Ontario, where many communities and residents are French-speaking, in which 80 candidates will be selected.
- Strengthening the Capacity of Nurses Trained Outside Canada Pilot Project which will target Moroccan professionals trained outside of Canada to leverage their nursing education that is comparable to that of New Brunswick. The project will aim to assist in the recognition of their professional qualifications and help them gain permanent residence.
- Supporting and Integrating International Students at Université Sainte-Anne project to support 45 international students studying at the Pointe-de-l’Église and Halifax campuses in joining local events, mentoring, volunteering, interning, and working part-time.
- Community of Practice on International Students in minority Francophone Postsecondary Institutions project by the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne to improve collaboration between Francophone universities and colleges outside of Québec and help international students transition to permanent residency.
A full list of the projects funded by the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/cifi.html.
Recent Express Entry Draws
Recent Express Entry draws for PR have continued to have high score cut-offs. The most recent one for the Canadian Experience Class occurred on November 26th with a cut-off of 531 points. Targeted draws with lower scores continue to occur for healthcare and social services occupations and French language proficiency. The most recent French language draw of November 28 saw a cut-off of 408 and invitations to 6,000 profiles.
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Exemptions for FIFA Employees
As the FIFA World Cup, to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, draws closer, the government has announced that employees of FIFA will be exempt from work permits so that they can perform their duties in Canada.
Given that policies and programs are constantly changing, navigating Canadian immigration processes can be confusing. If you, an employee, or your employer have any questions about any aspect of immigration, you can reach out to us for assistance. Our Canadian immigration legal professionals can be reached by phone (416-368-1111) or via email: caruso@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; mukherjee@cilf.ca; garciafialdini@cilf.ca; traister@cilf.ca.
