2025 End of Year Announcements – End of Multiple Programs, Focus on Doctors

To wrap up 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) has announced the end or the continued pause of some programs in line with the government’s targeted reduction in the number of new permanent residents. It has also announced a new Express Entry category to help alleviate the shortage of physicians in Canada and bolster the healthcare sector.

5,000 Express Entry Permanent Residence Spaces for Doctors

To help alleviate Canada’s shortage of health care professionals and in this case, physicians, the government has announced that it will launch an Express Entry category which will target doctors and that in 2026, 5,000 spaces will be allocated for these doctors so that they can apply for permanent residence (“PR”). International doctors who have at least one (1) year of Canadian work experience in an eligible occupation in the last three (3) years will be eligible for this stream. Further, doctors who are invited to apply under this stream and who submit work permit applications to stay in status while their PR applications are being processed will also receive expedited 14-day processing of their work permit applications.

Start-Up Visa Program Closing

IRCC has announced that beginning December 31, 2025, it will no longer accept new Start-Up Visa (“SUV”) Program applications for permanent residence except for those who already have a valid commitment from a designated organization in 2025 but haven’t applied yet. Further, as of December 19, 2025, the optional work permit available to SUV Program applicants is no longer available except for those already in Canada applying to extend their current SUV work permit. This cancellation of the SUV Program follows other measures to reduce the number of PRs as part of the government’s reduction in overall PR numbers.

Continued Pause of the Self-Employed Persons Program

The government has also announced that it will continue the pause of the Self-Employed Persons PR Program which was targeted at those with experience in cultural activities or in athletics/sports. Currently, there is no planned date for this program to begin accepting applications again.

Continued Pause of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs for PR have been paused since Juny 17, 2024. IRCC has announced that in line with its Immigration Levels Plan, it will not be re-opening these pilot programs and accepting new applications in 2026.

International Experience Canada Working Holiday Open Work Permit Program for 2026 Now Open

IRCC has opened the intake for the 2026 International Experience Canada (“IEC”) Working Holiday program for young people aged between 18 and 35 to apply for open work permits. Candidates must be a citizen of an eligible country or have an invitation from a Recognized Organization. Those interested should create their profile to get themselves in the pool for potential selection by IRCC as soon as possible to maximize their chances of being selected. They can do so on this webpage: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/become-candidate.html.

Large Express Entry Draws Ending the Year

To close the year, IRCC has conducted Express Entry draws which are some of the largest conducted all year. It continues to focus on those with French language proficiency, those with Canadian work experience, and those who have been nominated under a Provincial or Territorial Nominee Program. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (“CRS”) score for the Canadian Experience Class draw on December 16th was 515 and on December 10th, it was 520. These represent some of the lowest scores we’ve seen all year. However, many still do not have the requisite points to be selected since the government removed the points for a Canadian job offer earlier this year.

The government continues its focus on increasing the use of the French language through French proficiency draws. On December 17th, 6,000 people were invited to apply for PR with a CRS cut-off of 399 points and on October 29th, 6,000 people were also invited to apply for PR with a CRS cut-off of 416 points.

On December 8th, a Provincial/Territorial Nominee Program draw was conducted with a cut-off score of 731 (600 points are allocated for a provincial or territorial nomination) and with 1,123 people invited to apply for PR. On December 15th, another draw was conducted with a cut-off score of 731 and 399 candidates invited to apply for PR.

Navigating constantly changing Canadian immigration programs, processes, and understanding one’s best options for permanent or temporary residence can be challenging. If you, an employee, or your employer have any questions about any aspect of Canadian 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.