🎄 Hello December!

Hello December! It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the final month of 2025—this year truly flew by. As the holiday season approaches, all of us at R&R Law LLP would like to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. We hope your Christmas is filled with joy, peace, and meaningful moments with family and friends, and that the New Year brings health, success, and new opportunities. As always, Immigration Canada has some important updates to share, keeping you informed about the latest developments in our immigration landscape

Express Entry Update: Encouraging News for CEC Candidates

December brought positive momentum for candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). On December 10, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) with a CRS cut-off score of 520. This represents a notable improvement compared to the previous CEC draw on November 26, 2025, where 1,000 ITAs were issued and the cut-off score stood at 531.

This increase in invitations and decrease in CRS scores is an encouraging sign for skilled workers currently in Canada. It offers renewed hope that permanent residence may become more accessible in the coming months, particularly if IRCC continues with high-volume CEC draws. We remain optimistic that this trend will continue into the new year.

Visa-Free Travel Announced for Qatari Citizens

In a major development for global mobility, Canada has officially lifted the visa requirement for Qatari citizens. This change makes travel to Canada easier than ever for tourism, business, work, and family visits.

The decision reflects the growing relationship between Canada and Qatar and is expected to enhance business collaboration, tourism, and professional exchange between the two countries. With simplified travel requirements, professionals, students, and families can now more easily explore Canada’s diverse opportunities.

This is a positive step forward for international relations and global movement. If you or someone you know is considering visiting or working in Canada, this update may open the door to new possibilities.

Citizenship Update: Bill C-3 Receives Royal Assent

Another important milestone this month is the passage of Bill C-3, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act (2025), which has officially received Royal Assent.

This legislation significantly expands citizenship by descent, potentially benefiting individuals who were previously ineligible due to the first-generation limit. Under the new framework, Canadian citizenship may now be passed on to children born abroad beyond the first generation, provided eligibility criteria are met.

For children born outside Canada after the Bill comes into force, parents will need to demonstrate a substantial connection to Canada prior to the child’s birth. Following the Bjorkquist et al. v. Attorney General of Canada decision, implementation is expected soon, with certain provisions extended by the courts until January 20, 2026.

This update is particularly meaningful for families with Canadian roots living abroad and may open pathways to citizenship that were previously unavailable. We encourage anyone who may be affected to seek advice to better understand their eligibility under Bill C-3.

As Canada’s immigration and citizenship landscape continues to evolve, staying informed is key. Thank you for your continued trust in R&R Law LLP. We look forward to supporting you in the

🎄 Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ✨

Regards,

Rema and Rebecca