Canadian provinces face significant challenges in their immigration nomination programs as federal cuts lead to extended processing delays. The federal government’s decision to reduce new permanent residents by 25% to 395,000 in 2025, with further reductions planned, has particularly impacted provincial nominees. The program’s allocation has been halved to 55,000 spaces annually from 2025 to 2027, affecting economic immigrants seeking settlement outside major urban centers. Non-express entry applicants now face processing times of up to 21 months, compared to seven months for express entry streams.
Provincial immigration processing times soar as Canada cuts permanent residency numbers
