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Canada Immigration Shake-Up: New Rules for 2026
6 Jan
Summary
- Graduate students are now exempt from attestation letter requirements.
- The Start-Up Visa program has been paused for new applicants.
- Ontario mandates faster credential validation for certified professionals.
Canada has enacted sweeping immigration and labor policy reforms effective January 1, 2026. These changes impact study permits, the Start-Up Visa program, and employment regulations across major provinces, aiming to enhance workforce mobility and introduce new pilot initiatives.
Graduate students pursuing master's or PhD degrees at public institutions are now exempt from Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters, removing them from provincial study permit caps. Simultaneously, the Start-Up Visa permanent residence program has been paused for new applicants until June 30, 2026, to transition to a new entrepreneur pilot.
In Ontario, a new 'As of Right' framework expedites credential validation for certified professionals, enabling them to work within 10 business days. Additionally, Ontario employers can no longer specify 'Canadian work experience' in job postings, benefiting newcomers. Alberta, however, has tightened eligibility for its Rural Renewal Stream, requiring applicants to hold a valid work permit and reside in Alberta.
