Canada Immigration Updates September 2025: Express Entry PNP Record Draw, SAH Guidelines, Bill C-3 Proposals, PGWP 30% Drop

September 2025 Canada updates: IRCC issues 291 PNP ITAs with record 855 CRS, new SAH status guidelines, Bill C-3 time limit calls, PGWP approvals drop 30%. Go Canada Services offers expert immigration support.

Canada September 2025 Immigration Updates: Express Entry PNP Record Draw, SAH Guidelines, Bill C-3 Proposals, and PGWP 30% Drop

Express Entry PNP Record Draw, SAH Guidelines Introduction

September 2025 concludes with major immigration updates in Canada, aligned with the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan (395,000 permanent residents, 673,650 temporary residents).

IRCC issued 291 PNP ITAs with a record-high CRS cut-off of 855, released new Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) status guidelines, experts proposed time limits for Bill C-3 citizenship residency, and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) approvals are projected to drop 30%.

This article refines the provided digest, integrating prior updates (e.g., Express Entry skilled trades draw, Manitoba MPNP, immigrant healthcare access, EI growth, education draw, Toronto rally, Alberta immigration control, 2026 World Cup visas, NBPNP draws, IFHP funding surge, job market contraction, refugee claims backlog, Express Entry PNP draw, AAIP nominations, pragmatic leadership poll, Alberta digital ID, Quebec study permits, economic precarity, NLPNP/AIP, TFWP tensions, international arrivals, IRCC processing times, IEC invitations)

and initial search topics, ensuring accuracy for September 28, 2025. Go Canada Services, a trusted immigration firm since 2004, offers expert guidance, leveraging web and X sources.

IRCC Issues 291 ITAs in PNP-Targeted Express Entry Draw

IRCC conducted a high-cut-off PNP draw. Key details:

• Details: On September 29, 2025, IRCC held Express Entry draw #369, issuing 291 ITAs to PNP candidates with a CRS cut-off of 855—the highest of 2025, up 109 points from the previous PNP draw. The tie-breaking rule was April 08, 2025, at 01:25:29 UTC. As of September 28, 2025, 250,993 profiles were in the pool, with 65,838 ITAs issued in 2025, including 7,238 for PNP candidates.
• Context: The high cut-off reflects competitive PNP nominations, following a September 15 PNP draw (228 ITAs, CRS 746) and a September 18 skilled trades draw (1,250 ITAs, CRS 505). X posts from @IRCCEng note 901,700 pending applications. Web sources highlight PNP’s role in regional needs, with Alberta’s 6,403 nominations and Manitoba’s 5,796 invitations.
• Impact: PNP candidates should secure nominations (e.g., AAIP, MPNP) and boost CRS scores with CLB 9+ and job offers in high-demand NOCs (e.g., 33102, 72100). Those below 855 can explore Express Entry category-based draws.

For Express Entry support, contact Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment.

IRCC Announces New SAH Status Guidelines

IRCC updates refugee sponsorship processes. Key points:

• Details: On September 29, 2025, IRCC released guidelines on Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) agreement actions, outlining impacts on refugee sponsorship processing. The three-tier framework includes Check-in Period (collaborative, no restrictions), Not in Good Standing (limits new applications), and Cancellation (affects current and future cases). IRCC may apply tiers non-sequentially in serious cases.
• Context: The guidelines address 294,423 pending refugee claims (August 2025) and $1.5B provincial support. X posts from @IRCCEng note procedural fairness for private sponsorships. Prior updates highlight 8,785 new claims in August and IFHP’s $456M surge.
• Impact: SAH sponsors should maintain compliance to avoid status changes. Applicants should monitor sponsorship status and prepare alternative documents if needed.

For refugee sponsorship support, contact Go Canada Services’ Family Sponsorship Services.

Bill C-3 Amendment Proposals: Experts Call for Time Limit

Experts propose residency time limits for citizenship inheritance. Key insights:

• Details: Immigration experts, including Andrew Griffith, call for a five-year time limit on Bill C-3’s 1,095-day residency requirement for second-generation citizenship, mirroring permanent resident rules. The unlimited timeframe risks “citizenship without end,” potentially affecting millions of expatriates.
• Context: X posts from @AndrewGriffith note operational challenges for IRCC. Prior updates highlight mandatory biometrics for citizenship (2026–2027, $85–$170) and 901,700 pending applications. The bill addresses the 2009 first-generation cutoff.
• Impact: Second-generation applicants should document residency within five years to avoid future restrictions. IRCC may tighten verification, affecting expatriate claims.

For citizenship support, contact Go Canada Services’ Family Sponsorship Services.

Canada Forecasts 30% Drop in PGWP for 2025

International student retention faces challenges. Key points:

• Details: ApplyBoard projects a 30% drop in Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) approvals to 143,600 in 2025, down from 2024. Approval rates fell 56% in May–June 2025, driven by language requirements, restrictions on public-private partnership graduates, and field-of-study criteria. Canada will fall below its 316,276 new student cap.
• Context: X posts from @UniversitiesCA note a 23% decline in study permit holders to 785,830 by July 2025. Prior updates highlight 50% application drop (143,485 in H1 2025) and 25 Chinese STEM students’ lawsuit over delays.
• Impact: International students should select PGWP-eligible programs and CLB 7+. Institutions face talent retention challenges, potentially reducing PR pathways.

For study permit support, contact Go Canada Services’ Study Permit Services.

Prior Updates (Context from Previous Digests)

• Express Entry Skilled Trades Draw (September 18): 1,250 ITAs, CRS 505, targeting NOC 72100.
• Manitoba MPNP (September 18): 911 skilled worker invitations, totaling 5,796 in 2025.
• Immigrant Healthcare Access: English-speaking immigrants in Quebec access English hospital care at 64% vs. 52% for non-immigrants.
• EI Growth: Core-aged women (25–54) saw 12.0% monthly increase (16,000) in July 2025.
• Express Entry Education Draw (September 17): 2,500 ITAs, CRS 462, targeting NOC 41200.
• Toronto Anti-Immigration Rally: 10 arrests at Christie Pits Park; condemned as a “hate demonstration.”
• Alberta Immigration Control: Danielle Smith seeks provincial authority, prioritizing economic migrants.
• 2026 World Cup Visas: TRV/eTA required, with early applications urged.
• NBPNP Draws: 1,052 ITAs, totaling 3,067 in 2025.
• IFHP Funding Surge: $456M in 2024, up 1,186% since 2016.
• Job Market Contraction: Q2 2025 vacancies at 505,900, down 3.6%.
• Refugee Claims Backlog: New claims dropped to 8,785 in August, backlog at 294,423.
• Express Entry PNP Draw (September 15): 228 ITAs, CRS 746.
• AAIP Nominations: 6,403 spots, including 1,528 additional nominations.
• Pragmatic Leadership Poll: 62% worry about affordability.
• Alberta Digital ID: Citizenship markers on licenses starting fall 2026.
• Quebec Study Permits (September 12): Clarified CAQ/PAL requirements.
• Economic Precarity: 62% worry about basics, 81% of 18–29-year-olds affected.
• Newfoundland NLPNP/AIP: 353 invitations, 2,604 in 2025.
• TFWP Tensions: Carney’s “focused approach” vs. Poilievre’s criticism; 44% support phase-out.
• International Arrivals: 14.9% drop in August 2025 to 6.6M.
• IRCC Processing Times (September 10): FSW (5 months), PNP (14 months), study permits (8 weeks).
• IEC Invitations: 5,532 ITAs, 94,378 in 2025.
• IRCC DNA Testing: Updated guidelines with virtual witnessing.
• BC PNP Skills Immigration: 10,876 registrants, 94 invitations in 2025.
• Immigrant Retention: 28% retention boost, per ICC report.
• Job Losses (August 2025): Ontario (-26,000), BC (-16,000), Alberta (-14,000).
• Asylum Data Risks: $68M project lacks privacy assessments.
• Minimum Wage Increases (October 2025): Ontario ($17.60), Nova Scotia ($16.50).
• Temporary Residents: 2.36M, with 100,000 PR transitions in H1 2025.
• Refugee Claims (H1 2025): India (9,770), Mexico (7,410), Haiti (6,320).
• Housing Price Impact: Immigration drove 21% price growth (2006–2021).
• Newfoundland Physiotherapist Program: $89,000 for mentorship.
• Express Entry Francophone Draw (September 4): 4,500 ITAs, CRS 446.
• Manitoba MPNP Draw (September 4): 3,347 invitations.
• Canadian Job Crisis: 106,000 job losses, 105,000 TFWP permits in H1 2025.
• Saskatchewan Job Growth: 16,500 jobs, 4.7% unemployment.
• OINP Penalties: $509,100 in fines since 2018.
• Chinese STEM Students’ Lawsuit: 25 students sue IRCC over study permit delays.

Other Key Updates

• Biometrics for Citizenship: Mandatory fingerprints/facial recognition starting 2026–2027 ($85–$170).
• Afghan Refugee Crisis: 3,000 Afghans in Tajikistan face deportation.
• American Refugee Claims: 245 claims in H1 2025, driven by transgender issues.
• Poilievre’s Deportation Policy: Immediate deportation for criminal non-citizens (August 20, 2025).
• Express Entry Medical Exams: Mandatory upfront exams starting August 21, 2025 ($140–$280).

Immigration and Settlement Strategies

• TFWs: Apply for PR through CEC or PNPs like AAIP or MPNP, ensuring valid permits and job offers in priority sectors (NOC 85100, 33102).
• Newcomers: Use regulated consultants (RCICs) to ensure legal representation and avoid refusals. Monitor CILA lawsuit for process improvements.
• Job Seekers in Healthcare: Target roles in healthcare (NOC 33102) for stable earnings and leverage PNP pathways like AAIP or NBPNP for PR.
• Alberta Applicants: Secure job offers in tech (NOC 21211) or law enforcement (NOC 41310) with CLB 7+. Apply early through AOS or Express Entry streams.
• General Applicants: Start with Go Canada Services’ Free Assessment to evaluate eligibility for PR, work, or study permits.

For tailored immigration strategies, contact Go Canada Services’ Contact Page.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the public opinion on Canada’s TFWP in September 2025?
  An Angus Reid survey shows 52% view TFWP negatively, with 55% believing Canada accepts too many TFWs, citing housing and youth employment impacts. Support for citizenship pathways dropped from 36% to 30%.
• What is the CILA lawsuit about?
  CILA is suing federal ministers to ensure newcomers’ right to legal representation, challenging practices that exclude counsel from correspondence, which costs millions in litigation and disadvantages applicants.
• How much did average weekly earnings rise in July 2025?
  Average weekly earnings rose 3.3% to $1,307.86, with payroll employment up 21,600 (+0.1%), led by healthcare (+14,900) and offset by manufacturing losses (-4,600).
• How many candidates did Alberta invite in the September 2025 AAIP draws?
  Alberta invited 1,443 candidates: 1,113 (AOS, September 12), 320 (Accelerated Tech, September 16), and up to 10 (Law Enforcement, September 17), totaling 5,585 in 2025.
• What sectors saw the strongest employment growth in July 2025?
  Healthcare led with 14,900 new positions, while manufacturing contracted by 4,600 jobs.
• What is the unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio in July 2025?
  The ratio reached 3.3, the highest since January 2017 (excluding pandemic periods), with job vacancies at 469,900.
• How can TFWs transition to permanent residency?
  TFWs can apply through CEC or PNPs like AAIP, ensuring valid permits and job offers in priority sectors (e.g., NOC 85100).
• How does the CILA lawsuit impact newcomers?
  A successful lawsuit could ensure the right to counsel, reducing refusals and streamlining the 901,700-application backlog.

Why Choose Go Canada Services?

Go Canada Services excels in navigating Canada’s immigration pathways, offering solutions for Permanent Residency, Work Permits, Study Permits, and Family Sponsorship. Their regulated consultants ensure compliance with IRCC and provincial requirements. Start with a Free Assessment or contact them at Go Canada Services’ Contact Page.

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