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📍 Editor’s Note
👋 Hey there,
You've sent 50 applications. Heard back from 3. Got 1 interview. No offer.
Sound familiar?
Here's what's actually working in 2026: people are getting jobs through conversations, not applications. It's called an informational interview, and it's basically a 20-minute chat with someone who already does the job you want.
And somehow, this simple approach is landing more jobs than the spray-and-pray application method ever did.
This week: how to set up these conversations (and why they work), new study permit rules that just dropped, how reporting your rent can finally build your credit score, and why renewing your passport online just got harder.
Let's go.
— Dami
💼The Job Search Hack That Actually Works
Informational Interviews: The Secret to Landing a Job in Canada in 2026
Stop me if this sounds familiar: You apply to 20 jobs. Customize your resume. Write cover letters. Hit submit. Then... crickets.
Meanwhile, someone else gets hired through a conversation they had over coffee. No formal interview. No application portal. Just a 20-minute chat that turned into "hey, we should talk about that role we're hiring for."
That's the power of informational interviews.
Want to learn:
What it actually is
How to set one up
What happens after
Why this works better than mass applications?
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🎓 Study Permit Updates (Again)
New Rule: Prerequisite Courses Now Get You 90 Days, Not a Year
Canada just changed the rules for international students taking prerequisite courses before starting longer programs.
What changed:
Old rule: If you came to Canada for a 4-month ESL course before starting a bachelor's program, you'd get a study permit for 4 months + 1 year = 16 months total.
New rule (effective February 19, 2026): You now get a study permit for the prerequisite course length + 90 days only. So that same 4-month ESL course now gets you a permit valid for 4 months + 90 days = ~6.5 months.
Example:
Celina is conditionally accepted to a 4-year bachelor's program, but first needs to complete a 4-month ESL course (May 6 - September 6, 2026).
She applies for a study permit before traveling to Canada. Upon arrival, she's issued a permit valid until December 5, 2026 (September 6 + 90 days).
She completes ESL in September, then applies from within Canada for a new study permit for her bachelor's program.
Because she's in Canada with maintained status, she can continue studying while the new permit is processed.
Why this matters:
If you're taking prerequisites, you now need to plan for a second study permit application sooner. The 90-day buffer gives you time to apply for the next permit, but you can't coast for a full year anymore.
💳 Your Rent Can Finally Build Your Credit Score
How Reporting Rental Payments Helps Newcomers Boost Credit
For the longest time, paying rent on time did absolutely nothing for your credit score. Only mortgage payments counted. Renters got no credit for being responsible.
That's finally changing; and it's huge for newcomers who arrive in Canada with zero credit history.
Why this matters for newcomers:
You land in Canada with no credit score. Most lenders won't accept your credit history from your home country (though this is slowly changing). Building credit from zero is a challenge when traditional credit products require... existing credit.
Rent reporting gives you a way to build credit using payments you're already making. It levels the playing field.
The bigger picture:
87% of Canadian renters think their payments should count toward credit scores. The government agrees and is pushing the industry to make this easier. For newcomers, especially, this is one of the most accessible ways to start building financial credibility in Canada.
🛂 Passport Renewal Just Got Harder
Canada Is Now Capping Online Passport Applications
Planning to renew your Canadian passport online? You might hit a daily cap and get locked out.
What's happening:
Canada is now limiting the number of online passport renewal applications accepted each day. You can create an online account anytime, but if the cap is reached, you won't be able to start your actual application.
This cap is frustrating, especially for people who prefer the convenience of online applications. But if you're flexible and can apply by mail or in-person, you'll avoid the daily cap entirely.
Just plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to renew, especially if you have travel coming up.
💬 The Final Word
Job searching? Identify 3 people on LinkedIn who have the job you want. Send each a polite message asking for a 20-minute informational interview. Just one response could change everything.
One conversation at a time,
The New Local Team