Axos Immigration Reviews

Canadian permanent residents foreign nationals living in Canada, and certain Canadian citizens will soon face an additional cost when applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas. Under the newly passed H.R.1 Act, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, applicants will be required to pay a $250 USD Visa Integrity Fee. Although the U.S. government has not yet confirmed the official start date, the fee is expected to come into effect by late 2025. This fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist and business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange (J) visas. Citizens of non-waiver countries such as India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Brazil will be required to pay this fee in addition to existing visa application charges. The policy change will directly impact Canadian permanent residents and temporary residents who hold passports from countries requiring a U.S. visa to enter.  According to the H.R.1 Act, the newly introduced $250 USD Visa Integ...

  A leading authority on global travel, Travel + Leisure, has released its list of the best cities in Canada for 2025, as voted by its readers in the annual World’s Best Awards survey. This ranking considers factors like sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and overall value. Topping the list once again is Quebec City, Quebec, which has now held the top spot for an impressive 10 consecutive years. Readers praised its charming French architecture, narrow winding streets, vibrant food and shopping scene, and the historic atmosphere of Vieux-Quebec, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town. Many travellers recommended visiting Quebec City as an alternative to Paris, while others emphasized that the city’s winter experience is something not to be missed. Montreal, Quebec, continues to rank among the best cities in Canada and was even recognized as one of the top ten global cities for international students in 2025. Visitors are drawn to Montreal’s unique blend ...

  Processing times for various immigration applications to Canada have changed notably over the past year. According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Express Entry applications have remained relatively stable, experiencing the least fluctuations in processing times compared to other temporary and permanent residence categories. However, IRCC has not provided updated processing times for Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) applications, both for the current period and for July 24, 2024, citing insufficient data. Additionally, processing times for Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) applications remain undefined, as the department does not publish service standards for this stream. Notably, AIP applicants are eligible to receive special work permits valid for up to two years, allowing them to work in Canada while their permanent residence applications are under review.

  Intake to open for Parents and Grandparents Program The Canadian government will issue 17,860 invitations over a two-week period as part of its efforts to accept 10,000 complete applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) this year. All invitations will be sent to individuals who submitted an interest to sponsor form back in 2020. The PGP serves as a key family reunification pathway, allowing eligible Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and registered Indians to sponsor their parents or grandparents for permanent residency. Due to high demand and limited spots, invitations are issued through a randomized lottery system. Only those who receive an invitation can submit an application under the PGP. Meanwhile, potential sponsors who do not receive an invitation still have the option of reuniting with their loved ones through the Super Visa program, which grants visitor status for up to 10 years. The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) has not reopened for ne...

  If you plan to work in Canada after graduating as an international student, it’s important to plan ahead to ensure you’re eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). For certain levels of study, eligibility may depend on meeting specific field-of-study requirements. This means you’ll need to correctly link your educational program to the appropriate title and code under the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) system. It’s essential to confirm that your program’s CIP code and title are included among those recognized as eligible for a PGWP. This article will guide you through the necessary steps to ensure your study program meets all the required criteria for PGWP eligibility. In late 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced new restrictions on the availability of Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) for international student graduates at certain levels of study. This move was part of a broader effort to reduce Canada’s temporary resid...

  On July 7, Statistics Canada introduced a new data visualization tool designed to provide detailed insights into the income and financial outcomes of immigrants residing in Canada. This tool allows users to view both average and median employment incomes, filtered by various factors such as immigration status. According to the tool’s data, immigrants in Canada had an average employment income of CAD $49,160 in 2021, which includes earnings from wages, salaries, tips, commissions, and self-employment for individuals aged 15 and older. The median employment income was reported at $36,800, indicating that half of the immigrant population earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less. Certain characteristics and conditions have been shown to contribute to higher earnings for newcomers in Canada. According to 2022 data from Statistics Canada, key factors influencing long-term income outcomes include pre-landing Canadian work experience, age at the time of arrival, and...

  Manitoba invites international student graduates and skilled workers in latest selection round The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has conducted two new draws on July 10, issuing a total of 67 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA) for provincial nomination. These draws targeted candidates through the International Education Stream (IES) and the Skilled Worker Stream (SWS). Preference was given to applicants who had completed their education within Manitoba and to foreign workers with skills that meet the province’s current labor market needs. This initiative aims to support Manitoba’s economic growth by prioritizing candidates most likely to integrate successfully into the local workforce. The province invited international student graduates from Manitoba institutions through its Graduate Internship Pathway (GIP). Candidates received a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) if they declared meeting all GIP eligibility requirements, which include completing a master’s or doctoral d...

  The Canadian government has updated its list of Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) where employers and foreign nationals are restricted from obtaining or renewing work permits under the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The latest update now includes 26 CMAs—an increase from 24 in the previous quarter (April 4 to July 10). As a result, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will not process low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications in these regions until the next update, scheduled for October 10, 2025. This restriction is part of a federal policy introduced in 2024, which aims to reduce reliance on low-wage foreign labour in areas with high unemployment. Under this policy, ESDC no longer processes low-wage LMIA applications in CMAs with unemployment rates at or above 6%. The department releases an updated list of affected regions every three months, based on current labour market data. For employers and foreign workers using...

  As of July 9, 2025, Quebec has suspended the acceptance of new applications for Quebec Selection Certificates (CSQ) under the family sponsorship category for certain relatives. Specifically, individuals in Quebec can no longer sponsor spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, or dependent children aged 18 or older for permanent residency. This moratorium is effective immediately and will remain in place until June 25, 2026. Any applications received for these categories will be returned unprocessed, and application fees will be refunded. This decision comes after the Quebec government reached the cap it had set on June 26, 2024, for the two-year period ending June 25, 2026. The cap allowed a maximum of 13,000 sponsorship applications, including 10,400 for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children aged 18 or older, and 2,600 for parents, grandparents, and other relatives. The cap for spouses and adult dependent children has now been fully reached. However, Quebec...

  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through the Express Entry system in a draw specifically targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. To qualify for this round, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 518 and must have submitted their Express Entry profile before 1:48 a.m  . UTC on October 2, 2024. This draw marks the second Express Entry round in July, following a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on July 7, a previous CEC draw on June 26, and another PNP draw on June 23. As of now, a total of 45,201 ITAs have been issued through the Express Entry system in 2025. The draw pattern this year has largely centered on PNP candidates, with the remaining ITAs distributed among CEC candidates, French-speaking applicants, and those falling under specific priority occupation categories. In recent months, the IRCC has maintained a bi-weekly schedule alternating b...

  On July 7, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an update to the financial requirements for foreign nationals applying for permanent residence through certain Express Entry programs. Individuals applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) must now demonstrate at least $500 more in available settlement funds. For example, a single applicant must now show they have a minimum of $15,263, up from the previous requirement of $14,690. This increase applies to all eligible applicants, who must provide written proof of these funds. To remain eligible, candidates must update their proof of funds in their Express Entry profile by July 28, 2025 Applicants are not required to show proof of funds if they are applying under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or if they are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer, even if they are applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Fede...

  The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has conducted two additional draws, targeting candidates from specific priority sectors. These sector-based selections reflect the province's focus on attracting skilled individuals who meet Alberta’s labour market needs. As of July 2, 2025, the AAIP has issued a total of 2,688 nominations from its annual allocation of 4,875, leaving 2,187 nomination spots still available for the remainder of the year. The program has also provided detailed information regarding the selected streams in these draws, including the number of nominations allocated and issued, as well as the volume of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) currently in each stream’s candidate pool. The Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) provides a pathway to permanent residence for temporary foreign workers who are employed full-time in Alberta. To be eligible, candidates must have a full-time job offer from an Alberta employer in an occupation deemed eligible by the province. Ap...

  Canada’s immigration landscape has experienced notable changes throughout 2025, reflecting a strategic shift in how the country manages both temporary and permanent immigration. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a series of reforms that significantly affect foreign nationals seeking to study, work, or settle in Canada. These changes are part of a broader recalibration of immigration priorities, first signaled in October 2024 with the announcement of the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027. One of the key developments was the reduction of permanent resident (PR) admissions targets, accompanied for the first time by clearly defined targets for temporary resident admissions. The plan also introduced new quotas for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec and set proportional goals for temporary residents in 2025 and beyond. A major highlight of the updated policy is that over 40% of permanent residents admitted in 2025 will be individuals already...

  Foreign nationals planning to study in Canada will soon need to demonstrate significantly more financial support as part of their study permit application. On June 2, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an update to the minimum proof of financial support required. Starting September 1, 2025, international students applying for a study permit will be required to show that they have at least $22,895 available to support themselves during their first year in Canada—an increase of over $2,000 from the previous requirement of $20,635. This amount is in addition to the costs of first-year tuition and travel, and applies to a single applicant with no accompanying family members. The updated threshold is part of Canada’s broader efforts to ensure international students are financially prepared for the cost of living in the country. International students applying for a study permit to Canada must provide acceptable proof of funds to demonstrate they can su...

  Canada’s legal framework includes a mix of modern regulations and fascinating historical remnants. As the country celebrates Canada Day, it's an ideal time to reflect on some of the more curious laws that have shaped, or still influence, everyday life. Among the most intriguing was a now-repealed statute that made it illegal to frighten or alarm the Queen. Until 2018, this unusual offence was enshrined in the Criminal Code of Canada as an indictable crime, carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. The origin of this law is believed to trace back to the Treason Act of 1942, spurred by an incident in which a British man pointed, but did not fire, a gun at the Queen. Though no longer in force, this law serves as a reminder of how Canada’s legal traditions have been shaped by its ties to the monarchy and its colonial past. Canada’s legal landscape is dotted with unusual and often surprising laws that reflect the country's evolving societal values and regional priorities. ...

  In June 2025, Canada significantly increased its invitations for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, issuing a total of 7,405 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) —more than the combined total issued in April and May. This marked the highest number of Express Entry draws in a single month so far this year, with six separate draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These draws targeted candidates under three key streams: the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) , the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) , and category-based selections focused on healthcare and social services occupations . The increased focus on healthcare and social services aligns with IRCC’s earlier announcement designating these fields as Express Entry priority categories in 2025. The higher volume and diversity of draws in June highlight Canada's ongoing efforts to attract skilled talent in critical sectors to meet national labour market needs. As of June 22, 2025, a detailed...