#ircc

Processing times for Canadian immigration applications have reached unprecedented lengths — up to 50 years under some permanent residency programs — stunning applicants and lawyers who say the system has become unviable.

[...]

Families who recently applied for permanent residence (PR) under Canada’s humanitarian and compassionate stream face waits of 12 to 600 months, according to the new immigration minister’s May 2025 "transition binder".

Other economic immigration programs list similar waits:

Up to 108 months (nine years) for the caregivers pathway.

Up to 228 months (19 years) for the agri-food stream.

Up to 420 months (35 years) for entrepreneurs under the startup visa stream.

Lawyers say these skyrocketing processing times published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are unheard of, and some fear mass cancellation of applications if the Liberal government passes its strong borders bills, which would grant the minister sweeping new powers.

Asked if the government plans to do this, a spokesperson for Minister Lena Metlege Diab told CBC: "We can’t presuppose any future policy decisions."

Full article

Ilya is a generational talent. Ottawa could write in the LMIA that no Canadian hockey player available at the time was as good as him. And IRCC (Inmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) would likely agree. The other best player in Ilya’s position is Shane. Who already has a contract with Montreal and thus isn’t available to Ottawa.

LMIAs with permanent residency (thus, leading to citizenship) are almost as rare as unicorns, but they do happen occasionally. My dentist is an American whose family moved to Vancouver during the first Trump administration. Her husband was a STEM professor at an Ivy League university, doing cutting edge research.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) argued in their LMIA for him that this American researcher was someone whose job simply couldn’t be filled by a Canadian. His job was simply too specialized. And it worked. the paperwork took a long time to come through, but she, her husband, and their kids were given permanent residency so he could take the UBC job. And I believe they are now citizens.

Whatever contract Ilya negotiated with Ottawa would’ve been contingent on him becoming a permanent resident, not just a temporary foreign worker with no path to citizenship. Ottawa would have lobbied IRCC like hell to get him PR.

Anyway, IRCC doesn’t advertise that you can get PR through an LMIA. There are far too many corrupt immigration consultants out there who convince desperate would-be immigrants out there to bribe them for it. And of course, the paperwork they get is fake. Because people don’t understand that getting an LMIA approved with PR is only for very exceptional cases. Usually an LMIA is only for a temporary foreign worker permit. And that has no path to citizenship.

But the real thing does happen from time to time. IRCC would approve permanent residency for a world-class hockey player willing to move to a thoroughly mediocre Canadian team. There would be paperwork and it would take a while, but they’d do it.

Explanatory note:

After two years of immigration cuts, including caps on the total number of international students who will be granted student visas, Canada’s international student intake has dwindled to what they were in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, preliminary data from Statistics Canada shows. Between the academic years 2003-2004 and 2023-2024, the number of full-time international students in public post-secondary institutions in Canada increased eightfold. But after the federal government pumped the brakes with a student cap in January 2024, the numbers started to dwindle, data shows, falling by one-third. According to new estimates, the number of full-time international students in public post-secondary institutions decreased four per cent for the academic year 2024-2025 and 26 per cent in 2025-26, Statistics Canada said.

Read more.

Super–Kamiokande | Kamioka Observatory Chamber [Japan, 1996] University of Tokyo | Institute for Cosmic Ray Research [ICRR,1976]

Title: Understanding Income Proof Requirements for a Student Visa in Canada

Introduction: When applying for a student visa in Canada, providing the necessary income proof is a crucial step. The specific type of income proof required may vary based on individual circumstances. In this blog post, we will explore the common types of income proof accepted and shed light on the financial requirements set by the Canadian government for international students.

Types of Income Proof:

Bank Statements: Submitting bank statements for the past 4 months showing a minimum balance of CAD 10,000 (or the equivalent in your home currency) is often accepted.

Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC): A letter from a financial institution confirming a GIC with a minimum value of CAD 10,000 can serve as proof of financial resources.

Scholarship or Financial Aid: A letter from your school stating that you have been awarded a scholarship or financial aid covering your tuition and living expenses is another form of income proof.

Employment Letter: If you plan to continue working while studying, a letter from your employer stating your intent and income can be considered.

Alternative Evidence of Financial Resources: In cases where the above documents are not available, you may provide alternative evidence, such as property ownership documents, investment statements, tax returns, or letters of financial support from family members or friends.

Considerations: The amount of income proof required may depend on the duration of your study program. Shorter programs may require less documentation than longer-term programs. It is important to note that each province or territory in Canada may have specific financial requirements for international students.

Submission and Application Process: Once you have gathered the necessary income proof, you can submit it with your study permit application either online or by mail. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will review your application and determine whether to grant you a study permit.

Conclusion: Understanding the income proof requirements for a student visa in Canada is essential for a successful application. By providing the requested income proof and meeting the financial requirements, you increase your chances of obtaining a study permit and pursuing your educational journey in Canada.

Remember to refer to the official website of IRCC for the most up-to-date information regarding financial requirements for student visas.

As per the Henley Passport Index of 2023, Canadian passport becomes one of the strongest in the world.