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Important Update: Service Eligibility

The federal government’s new budget will be cut by 15% which will affect 12,000 full-time positions across all departments in the federal government, including IRCC.

As per new IRCC rules for every settlement agency across Canada:

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Starting April 1, 2026, clients who became permanent residents more than six years ago through certain economic immigration programs may no longer be eligible for all of our services.

 

See the table below for who is and isn't affected:

Affected

If you are a permanent resident who arrived in Canada more than six years ago under one of these programs, your eligibility has changed.

  • Express Entry

    • Federal Skilled Worker Program​

    • Federal Skilled Trades Program

    • Canadian Experience Class

  • Provincial Nominee Program

  • ​Quebec Skilled Worker Program

  • Atlantic Immigration Pilot

  • Business Immigration Program

    • Startup Visa Program​

    • Self-employed Program

Not Affected

If you are in any of these categories, your eligibility has not changed.

  • Any Permanent Resident who has been in Canada for LESS than 6 years​

  • Permanent Residents from non-economic programs:

    • Family Sponsored PR​

    • Humanitarian PR

    • Privately Sponsored Refugees

    • Government Assisted Refugees

  • Temporary Residents/Temporary Permit Holders (except for adult visitor visas)

  • Naturalized Citizens (Canadian citizens born outside of Canada)​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Eligibility criteria for naturalized citizens (Canadian citizens born outside of Canada) and temporary permit holders (except adult visitors) has not changed. Naturalized citizens and temporary permit holders are still eligible for services under provincial funding.

 

For more information on IRCC’s eligibility changes, click here:

Eligibility for newcomer services for economic PRs - Canada.ca

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