NK International Consultants • Weekly Newsletter • October 28, 2026
Canada Immigration: New Draws, CRS Reform & Provincial Opportunities
Latest federal and provincial immigration developments, important deadlines and a community support offer for Iranian students and eligible work-permit holders in Canada.
Express EntryOntario & BC PNPQuebec PEQWork Permits
Start Your Immigration Assessment →WhatsApp NKIC
01 · Express Entry · October 26–27
5,792 invitations in two successive federal draws
IRCC issued invitations in a French-language category round on October 27 and a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) round on October 26. Minimum CRS scores vary by invitation category and should not be compared as if the same candidate pool were eligible for both.
5,000
October 27 · French-language proficiency
CRS cut-off: 407
Down from 435 in the previous French-language round. Category eligibility and Express Entry program eligibility remain essential.
792
October 26 · Provincial nominees
CRS cut-off: 761
Nominees with an accepted Express Entry-aligned provincial nomination normally receive an additional 600 CRS points.
NCLC 7
French language category
Assess French proficiency
French-language category eligibility generally requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities, plus eligibility for an Express Entry program.
NKIC action point: Review language results, provincial nomination options, Express Entry status and CRS scores. A low score in one category does not guarantee an invitation in another.
Sources: CIC News, October 26–27 draw reporting · IRCC: Rounds of invitations.
02 · Policy Change · Effective November 3
Express Entry introduces new points for Canadian experience and job offers
Beginning November 3, 2026, IRCC’s new Labour Market Integration factor gives points for eligible Canadian work experience, including additional high-wage occupation points, or a qualifying job offer in a listed high-wage occupation. A candidate receives the higher applicable option, not both.
20–70
Additional experience points
Available to candidates with at least 12 months of eligible Canadian experience in designated high-wage occupations, depending on the occupation’s wage level.
50–100
Qualifying job-offer points
For offers in eligible high-wage occupations. IRCC determines occupation levels by national NOC wage benchmarks, not an individual’s own salary.
Nov 3
Review your Express Entry profile
Job-offer details should be complete and accurate before the change. Existing CRS scores will be recalculated, and draws may pause for up to two weeks.
Important distinction: An LMIA will no longer be required for qualifying Express Entry job offers under the updated rules, but a person may still require an LMIA for their underlying work permit. Job offers must be genuine, and points do not guarantee an invitation.
Official guidance: IRCC: November 3 CRS changes · IRCC backgrounder.
03 · Ontario Provincial Nominee Program
Ontario’s REDI initiative and updated earnings scoring
Ontario announced a new round of its Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) initiative on October 14, published October 16. It runs through the end of 2027 and allocates nomination spaces to six participating communities. There is no separate REDI application: OINP eligibility rules apply.
6 areas
Participating communities
Greater Sudbury, Kenora District, Nipissing District, Rainy River District, Renfrew County and Thunder Bay.
10 points
Ontario Workforce Priority EOI
As of October 5, $80,000 or more in qualifying Canadian earnings in a single year within the past five years may qualify for 10 earnings-history EOI points.
CRA NOA
Document earnings history
Ontario requires verification with a Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment and automatically updates existing EOIs.
NKIC action point: Ontario’s earnings-history points are provincial EOI points, not federal CRS points. Do not assume that investment income automatically satisfies the earnings factor without confirmation.
Official source: Ontario: 2026 OINP updates.
04 · British Columbia PNP · October 15–20
Invitations for rural health workers and entrepreneurs
British Columbia’s latest published invitations include both a targeted Skills Immigration initiative and Entrepreneur Immigration rounds.
16
Rural/remote health support
October 15 invitations under the Temporary Rural/Remote Health Support Initiative; minimum registration score 54.
10
Entrepreneur Base Stream
Invitations on October 20, with a minimum registration score of 118.
<5
Entrepreneur Regional Stream
Invitations on October 20, also with a minimum score of 118.
NKIC action point: BC PNP registration scores are not federal CRS scores. Entrepreneurs should review investment and business eligibility as well as the province’s selection requirements.
Official source: WelcomeBC: Invitations to Apply.
05 · Quebec PEQ · Urgent Deadline
Current PEQ intake closes October 31
Oct 31
11:59 p.m. Montreal time
Current submission period
The current reception period for eligible Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) applicants closes October 31, 2026.
Nov 19, 2025
Historical qualification cutoff
Eligibility is limited
Eligible graduates and temporary foreign workers must meet the program’s specific earlier diploma or qualifying work experience criteria, in addition to selection requirements.
NKIC action point: Do not rely on a future intake. If eligible, assemble a complete application and review the current Arrima submission requirements promptly.
Official source: Quebec: PEQ application instructions.
06 · IRCC Administrative Update · October 20
Significant Benefit Work Permits — R205(a), code C10
IRCC removed an obsolete processing notice relating to Start-Up Visa work-permit applications submitted before January 30, 2023. There are no remaining applications affected by that notice.
What remains possible
The C10 exemption category continues to support eligible employer-specific, LMIA-exempt work permits where proposed work can demonstrate significant economic, social or cultural benefits to Canada.
What has not changed
The October 20 bulletin is an administrative clarification. It does not establish a new visa program, waive other requirements or broaden C10 eligibility.
NKIC action point: Entrepreneurs, specialized professionals and employers should assess documentary evidence of significant benefit and the applicable work-permit conditions before pursuing a C10 application.
Official source: IRCC: C10 instructions update.
