All Immigration for This Week: Exclusive Summary & Insight

Key Immigration Updates of the Week

 (Aug 11–14, 2025)

• Express Entry competition intensifies — profiles scoring 501–600 increased by 2,817.

• Mandatory upfront medical exams begin August 21 for Express Entry applicants.

• Settlement funds for Rural and Francophone streams increased by 32%, raising the bar.

• New Express Entry categories proposed for 2026 — leadership, innovation, and defence.

• QuestJobs just reached 26,000 PR - eligible jobs listing with 21 PR Pathways

1. Express Entry Pool Tightens — Higher CRS Congestion

Between late July and early August, candidates with CRS scores between 501–600 increased dramatically by 2,817 profiles, while lower-score brackets shrank

QuestJobs Take: If your CRS score falls in this range, competition is heating up. Consider improving your score or targeting category-based draws (e.g., CEC, healthcare).

2. IRCC Requires Medical Exams Upfront — Effective August 21

Starting August 21, all Express Entry applicants must complete medical exams before submitting their PR applications.

QuestJobs Take: This shift speeds up processing but requires better planning—an early medical exam becomes part of your PR prep checklist.

3. Bigger Settlement Fund Required for Rural & Francophone Streams

IRCC raised the minimum funds required for the Rural and Francophone Pilots from $7,963 CAD to $10,507 CAD, a 31.9% increase, as of July 29Why

It Matters: This makes these streams more financially demanding, potentially excluding newcomers with limited capital. Budget accordingly before applying.

4. Express Entry 2026 Overhaul — New Categories Target High-Tier Talent

Canada is seeking feedback on proposed new immigration categories under Express Entry, focusing on leadership, research & innovation, and national security.

What It Signals: Canada is preparing for a future that rewards high-impact professionals. If you excel in these areas, this is one stream to watch.

5. 26,000 PR Eligible Jobs with Questjobs. 

The top three PR Pathways with the most jobs for the week are BC PNP Skilled Worker Stream with 4430 PR jobs, Ontario International Student Stream with 6,555 PR jobs, and Ontario In Demand Skills Tream with 2400 PR jobs. 

A recent review from one of QuestJobs subscriber says, 

"Outstanding Support for International Graduates! I couldn’t be happier with QuestJob! As an international graduate from NBCC, finding an employer willing to sponsor my work permit felt overwhelming—but QuestJobs made the process seamless. Their team understood my unique needs, connected me with employers who actively support work permits, and guided me through every step. Thanks to their targeted job matches and expert advice, I landed a role in my field quickly and without stress. If you’re a student or graduate needing visa sponsorship, I highly recommend QuestJobs. They truly care about your success! -Tin J, Lead, IT Infrastructure Engineer"

A Unique Perspective on This Week’s Shifts

This week’s policies reflect a thoughtful balancing act,

• Speed vs. Planning: Mandatory early medicals streamline PR processing—but only for those who plan ahead.

• Access vs. Affordability: Raising fund requirements may narrow the candidate pool for rural pathways.

• Global Talent Overhaul: The proposed Express Entry categories aim to attract top-tier global talent, not just volume.

Opportunity Insight for Job Seekers: If you’re targeting streams like healthcare, rural, or leadership categories, use QuestJobs to filter job postings aligned with your strengths—and jump on jobs tied to your preferred stream. You can also increase your chances of landing a PR jobs by using the portal's job matching and CV analyzer features. 

Quick Recap Table

Connect the Dots with QuestJobs
Looking for the jobs tied to these streams? Whether it’s rural community listings, healthcare roles, or high-value leadership positions, QuestJobs helps you find PR-eligible opportunities aligned with emerging policies.