Canada’s immigration system underwent major shakeups in 2025, with a number of permanent residence programs, pilot initiatives, and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams either closed or put on indefinite pause. But even with these closures, there are still viable alternatives for foreign nationals aiming to settle in Canada. CIC News
Below, we break down the key PR pathways that were shut down or suspended in 2025 — and what options you can pursue instead. CIC News
🧑🌾 1. OINP: Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream — Closed
- What happened: Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream was halted on November 14, 2025 due to systemic misrepresentation and fraud concerns. Applications were no longer accepted, and submitted files were returned. CIC News
- Who it impacted: Skilled trades workers planning to obtain a provincial nomination for PR via Ontario.
- Best alternatives:
- Express Entry trades category draws: Federal Express Entry continues drawing trades workers with eligible occupations (lower CRS thresholds than standard draws). CIC News
- Other PNP streams: Look into other Ontario streams (like Human Capital or Employer Job Offer) or PNPs in other provinces.
🚜 2. Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP): All Entrepreneur & Farm Pathways — Ended
- What happened: As of March 27, 2025, Saskatchewan discontinued its Entrepreneur, International Graduate Entrepreneur, and Farm Owner/Operator PR pathways with no plans to reopen. CIC News
- Alternatives:
- Business investor streams in other provinces — e.g., BC, Alberta, Nova Scotia offer entrepreneur and graduate entrepreneur pathways. Canada
- Federal work-to-PR pathways: Build Canadian business experience then pursue Express Entry or PNP nomination through employer-based routes.
🎓 3. New Brunswick Nominee Program (NBNP): Express Entry Stream – NB Student Connection — Discontinued
- What happened: Early in the year, New Brunswick scrapped the Express Entry NB Student Connection pathway and also stopped accepting expressions of interest (EOIs) for its Priority Occupational streams. CIC News
- Alternatives:
📚 4. BC Provincial Nominee Program: International Student Streams — Suspended
- What happened: BC PNP closed its International Post-Graduate (IPG) stream and later indefinitely suspended proposed Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate streams due to allocation limits. CIC News
- Alternatives:
🏔 5. Yukon NDP: Community Program Pilot — Ended
- What happened: The Yukon Community Program pilot (offering 2-year open permits leading to PR eligibility) concluded as planned on June 30, 2025 after its five-year cycle. CIC News
- Alternatives:
- Express Entry or other PNP streams in Yukon or other provinces. CIC News
🇰🇪 6. Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) — Ended
- What happened: Quebec officially ended the PEQ (Quebec Experience Program) in 2025, removing a popular route to PR for Quebec graduates and temporary workers. Canada
- Who it affected: International students and workers planning to transition to PR under Quebec’s streamlined program.
- Best alternative:
- Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ): Now the primary pathway for skilled workers seeking PR in Québec via the Arrima system. Canada
🌾 7. Agri-Food Pilot — Closed
- What happened: The Agri-Food Pilot stopped accepting applications on February 13, 2025, slightly earlier than originally scheduled due to high demand. CIC News
- Alternatives:
👩⚕️ 8. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots — Paused
- What happened: On December 19, 2025, IRCC announced a long-term pause on both Child Care and Home Support worker pilots after they hit caps on their first day of acceptance. Canada
- Alternatives:
🚀 9. Start-Up Visa Program — Stopped
- What happened: IRCC officially ceased accepting new Start-Up Visa (SUV) applications as of January 1, 2026. Those with valid 2025 commitment certificates must file by June 30, 2026. VisaHQ
- Alternatives:
🔁 Best Routes to PR in 2026 and Beyond
Even with these closures, many strong pathways to Canadian permanent residence remain open:
✔️ Express Entry
A federal immigration system covering the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker, and Federal Skilled Trades programs — often with category-based draws. Canada
✔️ Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
Many PNP streams across Canada continue to nominate foreign workers, graduates, and skilled professionals for PR — including employer-specific paths. Canada
✔️ Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
For candidates with job offers from designated Atlantic employers. Canada
✔️ New and Upcoming Pilots
Entrepreneur and refugee-related pathways are expected to launch or expand in 2026 under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan. Canada
📌 Final Thoughts
2025 was a year of major transitions in Canada’s immigration landscape, with several PR pathways shutting down or pausing indefinitely. While these changes may have narrowed certain routes, they reflect a broader strategy toward targeted and efficient pathways — and there are still many robust alternatives available for skilled workers, students, entrepreneurs, and caregivers. CIC News
