Canadian Language Benchmark

With the closure of BC’s main PNP graduate streams and a 50% reduction in nominations, international students in British Columbia face new challenges for permanent residency (PR).
But strong alternatives still exist if you plan carefully.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw on October 29, 2025, issuing 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with French-language proficiency.

Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 416, and only those who created their Express Entry profile before September 8, 2025, were considered.

This was the third-largest draw of the year, following two other major French-language draws held on February 19 and March 21. Altogether, candidates in the French category have received 36,000 ITAs in 2025, more than any other Express Entry category. This trend reflects IRCC’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Francophone immigration outside Quebec, consistent with the objectives of Canada’s Official Languages Act.

The October 29 draw also capped a busy month, coming right after consecutive draws for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Healthcare and social services streams.

So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 80,485 ITAs through 46 draws, distributed across key categories:

• French-language proficiency: 36,000 ITAs
• Canadian Experience Class: 22,850 ITAs
• Healthcare and social services: 9,792 ITAs
• Provincial Nominee Program: 7,249 ITAs
• Education: 3,500 ITAs
• Trade: 1,250 ITAs

These results underline Canada’s growing focus on language diversity and workforce integration, particularly in sectors facing labour shortages.

British Columbia has officially integrated the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program into its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as a permanent fixture, now named the Entrepreneur Immigration (EI) Regional Stream. This change provides aspiring business owners an additional pathway to establish themselves in the province.

As of June 25, IRCC has updated the list of non-degree programs eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), aligning with 2025 labour market needs.

Canada is preparing to introduce a new language requirement for certain open work permit applicants under the International Mobility Program (IMP), with Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWP) expected to be among the affected streams. The proposal, introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is still in development and has not yet been implemented.

If approved, applicants would need to demonstrate proficiency in English or French through language tests such as IELTS. Test results would need to meet specific Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels and be no more than two years old. While the exact requirements have not been finalized, the policy is expected to set a minimum of CLB 5 for general roles and CLB 7 for skilled positions.

IRCC says the proposed change is aimed at improving workforce integration, strengthening the integrity of the immigration system, and reducing the risk of fraud, including contract marriages.

A draft of the regulatory change is expected to be published in summer 2025, followed by a 30-day public consultation. If adopted, the new requirement could come into effect in 2026 or 2027.

While Spousal Open Work Permits are likely to be impacted, other IMP streams such as Bridging Open Work Permits, Intra-Company Transferees, and Free Trade Agreement professionals are expected to remain exempt.

IRCC has not yet confirmed the full scope of the policy or which applicants will be required to meet the new language standards. Further details are expected following consultations throughout 2025.

Recent reports show a noticeable increase in Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) refusals, even though the process is usually straightforward. Applicants often underestimate how small errors or missing documents can lead to a rejection.

Canada’s immigration system is full of opportunities for those who plan ahead, especially through Express Entry. Many temporary residents, including international students and work permit holders, are actively using smart strategies to strengthen their profiles and achieve permanent residency, such as:

An Iranian home renovation manager's work permit was denied by the Canadian Federal Court due to her IELTS score of 5.

To qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, international students must:

The temporary expansion of Canada’s Francophone Mobility Program officially expired yesterday, June 16, 2025, unless IRCC announces a last-minute extension.

Applicants with French language test result of CLB 7 or B2 level who have minimum of 6 months work experience in the last 3 years regardless of any specific occupations my apply for Permanent residency under the Express Entry program.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just announced that it will accept language test results from four new tests for Student Direct Stream (SDS) applicants.

The Canadian government has introduced six new measures to manage the increasing number of international students and temporary workers.

Canada is set to introduce new caregiver pilot programs, replacing the current Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot, which expire on June 17. The new programs will grant permanent resident status to home care workers upon arrival, eliminating the need for prior Canadian work experience.

In January 2025, British Columbia will introduce three new PNP streams for international graduates, aimed at providing clearer pathways to permanent residence and improving employment prospects.

More details have been released regarding permanent residency for Home Caregivers (HCWP). This immigration program, which does not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), will allow home caregivers to submit their permanent residency applications starting March 31, 2025.

Ontario issued 725 letters of interest to candidates in the Master’s Graduate stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

As of January 30th, 2024, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core test will now be accepted for all immigration pathways.

On August 30, Saskatchewan introduced two new Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) pathways, targeting healthcare and agriculture workers.

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is the standard for assessing English proficiency in Canada, essential for immigration and citizenship applications.