Immigration News

January 21 - SPECIFIC QUEBEC SELECTION CERTIFICATE (CSQ) HOLDERS CURRENTLY IN QUEBEC – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

The instructions on Specific Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) holders currently in Quebec have been updated.

The following changes have been made:

*Changed the LMIA-exemption administrative code from A75 to A73

*Clarified that the applicant must be the principal applicant on the permanent residence application. Proof showing that they are the principal applicant is required.

*Clarified that the applicant must hold a CSQ that was issued under a specific program or pilot for Quebec.

January 20 - CANADA DOUBLES IMMIGRATION PROGRAM FOR OUT-OF-STATUS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that IRCC is extending and expanding the pilot program, doubling its scope to 1,000 out-of-status construction workers in the GTA.

This program is one of a number of new measures implemented to address labour shortages in Canada.

The program promotes greater stability in the construction industry and ensures that skilled workers in Canada continue to address critical housing development needs.

Eligible individuals have until January 2, 2024, to apply for permanent residence and can include their spouses, partners and dependent children in their application. Potential applicants will continue to submit their names to the CLC, who will determine their eligibility before referring them to IRCC.

January 12 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT

Instructions have been updated to provide additional information, including the following:

*Intake sub-caps have been introduced for each pilot:

*The Gaining experience category will accept 60% of the intake (1,650 applications).

*The Direct to permanent residence category will accept 40% of the intake (1,100 applications).

*The Home Child Care Provider Pilot has been allocated 250 spaces for alternate-format applications, to be divided 60/40 between the 2 categories.

January 11 - THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS IN 2023

A report from U.K.-based global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners reveals that for the fifth year running Japan has the world’s most powerful passport, with Canada also near the top of the list.

The report, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (ITATA), ranks all the world’s 199 passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.

Ranked number 7 are Belgium, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the U.S., tied on 186 destinations, while Australia, Canada, Greece and Malta ranked eighth with 185 visa-free destinations.

January 10 - QUEBEC SELECTION CERTIFICATE – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

Instructions have been updated to emphasize that applicants who have an offer of employment having a different occupation other than what is stated in their CSQ are not eligible.

Foreign nationals selected by Quebec under its Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), its Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québéc experience program) and its permanent immigration pilot programs (PP), who currently reside in the province of Quebec, may be able to have their work authorizations extended with their current employer or renewed with a new employer without having to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

January 10 - NEW IRB RULES FOR IMMIGRATION APPEALS

Making an immigration appeal? New IAD Rules for immigration appeals have now come into force.

There are 2 key changes that impact the requirements for the parties.

*Time limit to provide an appeal record.

*Time limit to disclose documents in support of an appeal.

January 9 - BIOMETRICS UPDATE

Permanent residence applicants

Temporary resident to permanent resident: Valid biometrics provided to support a temporary residence application cannot be reused to support a permanent residence application.

Permanent resident to permanent resident: Biometrics provided to support a permanent residence application cannot be reused to support a subsequent or new permanent residence application. Applicants applying for permanent residence are required to enrol their biometrics to support every permanent residence application.

January 9 - INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE CANADA 2023 NOW OPEN

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the International Experience Canada (IEC) season is now open to international youth who have expressed interest in gaining work and travel experience in Canada.

If you're 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries), come work and travel in Canada through International Experience Canada (IEC)! It's a government program designed to help you

gain valuable international work experience
improve your language skills in English and French
work in Canada and fund the trip of a lifetime

NEW OCCUPATIONS ADDED

For Category B of the Global Talent Stream, applications will be accepted from firms in Canada that need to hire highly skilled foreign workers for occupations found on ESDC's Global Talent Occupations List, which have been determined to be in-demand and for which there is insufficient domestic labour supply.

For occupations with wage floors, note that employers must offer the hourly wage rate at minimum. Annual wage floors are provided for illustrative purposes only.

January 7 - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES A TEMPORARY NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENT FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG OR MACAO

As of 12:01 a.m. EST on January 5, all air travellers who are two years of age and older, arriving on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong or Macao, will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than two days before their departure, to the airline prior to boarding. The test could be either a negative molecular (such as a PCR test), or a negative antigen test that has documentation to show that it has been monitored by a telehealth service or an accredited laboratory or testing provider. Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before their departure flight, but no more than 90 days, can provide the airline with documentation of their prior positive, in place of a negative test result.

December 22 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT

There are changes for the 2023 HCCP and HSWP application process.

Changes to the pilot caps

IRCC will only accept a certain number of applications each year. In 2023, IRCC will accept the number of applications below.

Home Child Care Provider Pilot

*Gaining experience category: 1,650 applications

*This includes 1,500 online applications and 150 alternate format applications.

*Direct to permanent residence category: 1,100 applications

*This includes 1,000 online applications and 100 alternate format applications.

Home Support Worker Pilot

*Gaining experience category: 1,650 applications

*This total includes both online and alternate format applications.

*Direct to permanent residence category: 1,100 applications

*This total includes both online and alternate format applications.

December 13 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP)

The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) combines refugee resettlement and economic immigration. It’s a pathway that:

*helps skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs

*gives employers access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill job openings.

November 30 - STUDY PERMITS – OFF-CAMPUS WORK

The instructions have been updated to reflect the off-campus work hours public policy for certain students that are permitted to work off campus more than 20 hours per week during an academic session if IRCC has received their study permit application on or before October 7, 2022.

This applies to eligible international students who meet all of the off-campus work eligibility requirements, as long as they hold a valid study permit and the study permit application associated with their study permit.

November 30 - CANADA IMMIGRATION: INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY

As part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced how investments in our immigration system will allow Canada to grow and prosper. An investment of $74.6 million over 5 years, and $15.7 million ongoing, will boost Canada's application processing capacity both domestically and in the Indo-Pacific region—including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad and Manila. These new resources will bolster ongoing efforts to process the high volume of visa applications from the region, contribute to improved processing times, and support people-to-people ties, all with the goal of bringing more people to Canada—whether to visit, study, work or immigrate permanently—and doing it faster.

International students make immense social and economic contributions to Canada. In recent years, the Indo-Pacific region has accounted for nearly two thirds of the international students Canada welcomes.

November 17 - INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM (IMP) - WORK PERMIT

Program delivery update: Federal-provincial agreements [R204(c) – T13] – Agreements and arrangements – International Mobility Program (IMP)

November 17, 2022

The instructions for work permits issued under the Federal-Provincial Agreements (labour market impact assessment [LMIA] exemption code T13) have been updated.

Changes include

*The instructions have been split into 3 individual sections with a landing (overview) page:

*Foreign nationals nominated by a province

*Exceptional and unforeseen events

*Significant investment projects

*The work permit duration for provincial nominees has been extended from 2 to 3 years to reduce the burden on workers, employers and processing officers.

*The Significant investments projects: British Columbia foreign workers annex section has been merged under Significant investment projects.

November 16 - NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION

Starting November 16, 2022, Employment and Social Development Canada programs are migrating to the NOC 2021 version 1.0. For more information on the NOC 2021 version 1.0, you can consult the "Hierarchy and Structure", "NOC Versions" or “NOC 2021” sections, further down on this Web page. The "About the NOC" section will be updated over the coming months, in order to better reflect the features of this new version of the NOC.

November 16 - FIND YOUR NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC)

On November 16, 2022, IRCC switched to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

IRCC uses the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) system to classify jobs (occupations). Jobs are grouped into training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) categories based on the type of

*job duties

*work a person does

November 16 - PNP CANDIDATES - NEW TEER

Do you have a PNP application? As the new TEER is being implemented, your NOC code will depend on the date your application was received by the province.

How the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) works,

November 16 - NEW YOUTH MOBILITY AGREEMENT WITH ITALY

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the new Canada-Italy Youth Mobility Agreement. Under this agreement, Canadian and Italian youth now have more options when applying for international work and travel experience through the International Experience Canada Program.

This new agreement allows youth, aged 18 to 35 years old, to work and travel for up to 12 months, and participate twice in the program, for a total of 24 months. As part of the expansion, 2 new streams—International Co-op and Young Professionals—will help youth gain professional work experience abroad.

November 15 - NEW YOUTH MOBILITY AGREEMENT WITH ITALY

November 12 - NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION 2021 - TEER

On November 16, 2022, IRCC is moving to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This entails:

*the current NOC 2016 skill type and skill level structure (NOC 0, A, B, C and D) will be replaced with a 6-category system representing the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation

*4-digit occupation codes will become 5-digit codes

* IRCC will update the eligibility criteria for all programs that use the NOC

November 12 - TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS (TFW) PROGRAM WILL ADOPT NEW NOC (TEER)

the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program will be adopting the new 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) as of November 16, 2022.

The redesign of the NOC is a move from a 4-digit NOC code format to a 5-digit NOC code format and replaces the “skill level” categorization with a new one referred to as Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER). The new TEER categorization contains six categories, one more category compared to the former skill level categorization, to distinguish formal training and educational requirements across occupations, to create consistency in occupational groups within the NOC. The new TEER categorization places technical occupations and specialized trades (requiring 2 years or more of formal education) into a different TEER than other occupations that usually require the completion of a short college or vocational program (of less than 2 years). Hence, the vast majority of occupational groups formally associated with skill levels B and C are now reclassified according to three TEER categories (TEER 2, TE ER 3, and TEER 4).

The user experience will be seamless for TFW Program applicants, as the information available on Job Bank webpages will be updated to reflect the new NOC 2021. Moreover, Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application processing will not be affected by the transition. Decision letters will display both NOC 2016 and NOC 2021 codes until the internal system is updated for 5-digit NOC 2021 inputs.

November 7 - PUBLIC POLICY ALLOWING CERTAIN VISITORS IN CANADA TO APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT

The instructions have been updated to remove the information that a person approved for an interim authorization to work may continue working until a final decision is made even if they have left Canada. To be eligible under this public policy, the foreign national must remain in Canada throughout the period during which their work permit application is being processed.

In addition, these instructions are being moved from the section ‘Work permit: COVID-19 program delivery’ to the section ‘Functional guidance on temporary residents: Table of contents’.

November 7 - FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL IMMIGRATION PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHED

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial and federal governments today announced a new immigration stream called the New Brunswick Critical Worker Pilot to attract skilled workers into occupations that are difficult to fill.

The new stream provides more flexibility by allowing participating employers to provide skills and language training as well as guidance and support to the newcomers they bring into the province.

The five-year pilot program will be monitored and evaluated regularly so that it remains responsive to immigration needs and delivers the highest possible outcomes for the province.

“New Brunswick’s Critical Worker Pilot is an innovative approach that will help employers across New Brunswick meet their specific labour market needs.”

NOVEmber 1 - IRCC 2023-2025 IMMIGRATION LEVEL PLAN : SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Canada (IRCC) has published its Supplementary Information for the 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan.

November 1 - IRCC APPLICATIONS AT A GLANCE: INVENTORIES AND BACKLOGS

IRCC is taking action to reduce the backlogs of applications that have been submitted. IRCC's goal is to process 80% of applications within the service standards.

October 27 - The Canadian census: A rich portrait of the country's religious and ethnocultural diversity

More than 450 ethnic or cultural origins were reported in the 2021 Census. The top origins reported by Canada's population, alone or with other origins, were "Canadian" (5.7 million people), "English" (5.3 million), "Irish" (4.4 million), "Scottish" (4.4 million) and "French" (4.0 million).

In 2021, "Canadian" was the top origin reported, alone or with other origins. Nearly one in six people (15.6%) or 5.7 million persons in Canada reported this origin.

In the 2021 Census, approximately 2.2 million people reported Indigenous ancestry, alone or with other ancestries, representing 6.1% of the population of Canada.

Of these, approximately 1.4 million people reported at least one of 104 First Nations (North American Indian) ancestries, more than half a million (560,000) reported "Métis" ancestry, and 82,000 people reported "Inuit" ancestry.

In 2021, three racialized groups represented 16.1% of Canada's total population: South Asians (2.6 million people; 7.1%), Chinese (1.7 million; 4.7%) and Black people (1.5 million; 4.3%), with each population topping 1 million. In 2016, these groups represented 13.6% of Canada's total population.

October 26 - LMIA – ANNUAL UPDATE TO MEDIAN WAGES ON JOB BANK

The week of November 14, 2022, Service Canada will be performing the annual update to the median wages on the Job Bank.

The wage being offered for the position will determine if you need to apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment under the Stream for High-wage Positions or the Stream for Low-wage Positions, each with their own requirements.

If you are offering a wage to a temporary foreign worker that is:

at or above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, you must apply under the Stream for high-wage positions
below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage, you must apply under the Stream for low-wage positions

October 20 - TRANSITIONING TO ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

As part of IRCC efforts to modernize Canada’s immigration system and improve client service, IRCC is transitioning to 100% online applications for most permanent immigration programs.

This online option gives individuals more flexibility to apply from their devices and allows them to receive immediate confirmation that they have successfully submitted their application. The portal has been expanded and is currently open to most permanent residence program applicants.

Categories will transition to digital applications on the dates below.

October 20 - IRCC: PGP 2022 IMMIGRATION LOTTERY COMPLETED

IRCC invited sponsors for the 2022 intake

For the 2022 intake, IRCC invited sponsors from the pool who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. IRCC sent 23,100 invitations to apply to reach the goal of accepting up to 15,000 complete applications.

Between October 12 and 20, 2022, IRCC invited the sponsors to apply.

If you were invited to apply, IRCC must receive your application by the deadline shown on your invitation to apply letter.

For the 2022 intake, IRCC emailed applicants only if they were invited to apply. To make sure you don’t miss IRCC email:

• Look for IRCC invitation in the same email account you used to submit your interest to sponsor form in 2020.

• Check your junk and spam folders for our invitation.

• If IRCC couldn't send the invitation by email, IRCC sent it by mail to the address used to submit your interest to sponsor form in 2020. Check your mailbox.

• If the tool below says you were invited, but you still don't have the invitation, you can ask for a copy of it using this online form. You should get an answer within 10 business days.

October 20 - Renew work and study permits or request confirmation of permanent residence

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has implemented service hours for processing work and study permit renewal applications at the POE.

If you meet those criteria, you may apply for a renewed work or study permit at the identified ports of entry.

October 19 - PLANS FOR TOUCHLESS BORDER FOR FIVE EYES CITIZENS

A statement from the US Office of Information and Technology this year showed the B5M5's 2020-2024 technology strategy's "efforts to provide scalable, efficient, cost-effective technology that enables continuous and secure access to data across members".

"The forum continues to work together to develop a Five Eyes Technology Collaboration Strategy to leverage each other's investments, develop fit-for-purpose emerging technologies, and build information-sharing capabilities on the six technologies. These include digitalisation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, biometrics, data analytics, augmented and virtual reality, and distributed ledger (blockchain) technology.

October 18 - CONFIRMATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE (COPR)

Has your permanent resident application been approved; you must travel to Canada before your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) document expires. If your CoPR expires before you enter Canada, you need to apply again.

October 12 - IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Ottawa, October 12, 2022—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a temporary public policy that exempts certain low-risk, in-Canada, foreign nationals from submitting an immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their application when their previous IME has expired. This supports faster processing of applications to help eligible foreign nationals quickly obtain temporary or permanent resident status.

This exemption applies to foreign nationals who have

*a new or pending application for permanent or temporary residence or a permanent resident visa, made from within Canada

*completed an immigration medical exam within the last 5 years and posed no risk to public health or safety, or reported to public health authorities for monitoring, as required

October 11 - EXCESSIVE DEMAND ON HEALTH SERVICES AND ON SOCIAL SERVICES

The application processing instructions have been updated to include instructions on processing applications assessed under the previous Temporary Public Policy Regarding Excessive Demand on Health and Social Services.

October 9 - EXCESSIVE DEMAND ON HEALTH SERVICES AND ON SOCIAL SERVICES

September 1 - National Occupational Classification 2021

On November 16, 2022, IRCC is moving to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This entails:

*4-digit occupation codes will become 5-digit codes

*IRCC will update the eligibility criteria for all programs that use the NOC.

September 1 - IRCC: A stronger immigration system that better serves newcomers

Today, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, visited an IRCC application processing centre in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, and announced new online services to help to improve client experience and reduce the backlogs.

Reducing wait times

To help further reduce wait times and hiring of 1,250 new employees to handle the backlogs and increase processing capacity, permanent and temporary residence applicants who are already in Canada and meet certain criteria are exempted from the immigration medical examination requirement (IME).

Expanding online applications for permanent residence

IRCC is also taking measures to modernize the delivery of services to applicants for various permanent residence programs. As announced in January 2022, access to the online application portal for clients has been expanded to most of the permanent residence applicants.

Providing better information to clients

In February 2022, IRCC launched a new application status tracker that allowed permanent residence applicants, sponsors and their representatives in the spouse, partner, and dependent child categories to more easily check their application status online.

Modernizing the citizenship program

Since the beginning of Covid-19, IRCC has been offering more online service options for citizenship applicants, including virtual ceremonies and online citizenship tests. A new tool was launched in August 2021 that allows most citizenship applications to be submitted online.

August 31 - WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM (IMP) : UPDATE

Foreign nationals may work in Canada without a work permit; IMP allows employers in Canada to hire overseas workers on a work permit that is temporary without obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Employers can also hire foreign nationals for short term work under the Global Skills Strategy policy.

August 31 - LMIA – TFWP/IMP CHANGES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Effective September 16 the Temporary Foreign Workers Policy and the International Mobility Policy changes become mandatory and require employer compliance. Employers will have to pay the prevailing wage for a LMIA, purchase health insurance until provincial coverage starts…

August 30 - Permanent resident program – Landing Pages Updated

The landing pages for content on the permanent resident program have been updated for improved organization and visibility …

August 30 - BLENDED VISA OFFICE-REFERRED PROGRAM

Guidance on the Blended Visa Officer Referred Program has been updated to clarify current procedures on selection and referral of BVOR cases…

The BVOR program facilitates the matching of refugees who have been identified by designated referral organizations and deemed eligible and admissible for resettlement to Canada.

Cases are selected by the Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa (ROC-O) and converted to the BVOR program. These cases are then sent to the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) to be matched with a refugee sponsorship group. If matched, the refugee receives financial support from both the Government of Canada and the sponsorship group, as well as settlement support from the sponsorship group for the duration of the sponsorship period, typically 1 year after the individual or family has arrived in Canada.

August 30 - CIMM – STUDENT APPROVAL RATES BY COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE

Number of Study Permits Applications (excluding Extensions) Processed and Approval rate by IRCC between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2021 broken down by year and Country of Residence (in person).

August 30 - IRCC - RESETTLEMENT: LEGAL REFERENCES

IRCC has created legal references to provide the authority for carrying out processing steps for the resettlement program in Canada.
Read more

August 30 - WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

Direction on various situations about the authorization to work without a work permit whilst the overseas individual stays in Canada.

There is no work permit or LMIA-exemption for dependent children of principal foreign nationals authorized to work without a work permit by Regulation.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/work-without-permit/general-information-imp.html

August 30 - CANADA : ADDRESSING IMMIGRATION BACKLOGS TO HELP CANADIAN BUSINESSES GROW

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, spoke about the ongoing work to strengthen Canada’s immigration system and reduce application backlogs, with a focus on addressing labour shortages, improving client experience, and reuniting families. As part of this plan, he announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will have hired up to 1,250 new employees by the end of the fall to increase our processing capacity and tackle the backlogs in the short term.

IRCC target for 2022 is to welcome 431,000 permanent residents and has already welcomed approximately 275,000 admissions from January 1 to July 31. IRCC issued over 349,000 new work permits from January 1 to July 31, compared to around112,000 issued in 2021. For International Students almost 360,000 study permits were finalized between January 1 and July 31, 2022, compared to about 306,000 finalized in the same period in 2021.

August 29 - RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT (RNIP)

IRCC announced the expansion of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), increasing the benefits of immigration in the 11 participating communities. A number of new improvements will be implemented this fall and will support community partners, employers and candidates by:

*expanding the geographic boundaries of the following participating communities, so more employers are able to participate: North Bay (Ont.), Sudbury (Ont.), Timmins (Ont.), Thunder Bay (Ont.), Moose Jaw (Sask.), West Kootenay (BC) and Vernon (BC)

*making it easier to fill labour market needs in the health care and trades sectors, by expanding the range of job offers available to candidates, with specific work experience

IRCC will continue to take steps to increase the proportion and retention of French-speaking newcomers in welcoming Francophone communities outside Quebec.

August 26 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS : TRANSITION PERIOD

During the pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allowed international students to pursue their studies online from abroad while remaining eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). As the new school year approaches, IRCC is creating a transition period to encourage international students to come back to Canada. Distance learning measures have been extended to August 31, 2023. But they are being reduced in scope.

International students studying online from abroad or who submit a study permit application by August 31, 2022, will continue to be able to complete up to 100% of their program online without affecting their PGWP eligibility. However, study time completed from abroad starting on September 1, 2023, will be deducted from the length of their post-graduation work permit.

August 25 - IRCC APPLICATIONS : PROCESSING DELAYS AND BACKLOGS

Usually most of the time, IRCC is managing over 1 million applications in their inventories. In 2021, IRCC finalized 1.7 million decisions across all lines of business.

IRCC is taking action to reduce the backlogs of applications within their inventories. Their goal is to process 80% of applications within their service standards. This permits for expected delays in some very complex cases or when more information is needed from applicants before their files can be finalized.

August 24 - CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS

IRCC is aware that the travel restrictions have an impact on a lot people who cannot travel to Canada right now. These restrictions do not permit discretionary travel to Canada. Individuals can come to Canada only if they are eligible to travel.

August 24 - FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL IMMIGRATION MINISTERS : PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CANADA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Over the last year, immigration continued to impact population and economic growth in Canada. The ministers took account of the joint Federal / Provincial / Territorial (FPT) efforts to welcome and settle over 405,000 immigrants in 2021, a high number.

Also, from coast to coast to coast, Canada welcomed close to 17,000 Afghan Refugees.

They recognized that Canada has one of the most structured and welcoming immigration systems in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and there are opportunities for improvement.

They agreed to take steps to make sure public support for immigration remains strong, and to continue to work together to make sure that long-term FPT immigration goals contribute to Canada’s future prosperity.

August 23 -IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA (IRCC) ANTI-RACISM

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s has introduced a strategy to advance anti-racism to Canadians and newcomers through the elimination of racism in policies, programs, service delivery and people management
It provides a narrative and roadmap of the Anti-Racism initiatives by identifying both short-term priorities and the outcomes that IRCC will achieve. It identifies the specific activities that different sectors and branches will be implementing to support the achievement of this strategy.
The efforts of IRCC management and staff in making a list of Anti-Racism actions, and reporting, monitoring and systems change frameworks of the Strategy aim to mitigate these risks and take this opportunity to make IRCC as a leading inclusive organization in workplace practices.
Read more

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/anti-racism-strategy.html?fbclid=IwAR37WMHl-GI2FhMbEDkP4xyoYRPMgXIu_Dkrq3t8zSAiwFBovALGnpnk4XM

August 6 - PGWP SPECIAL MEASURE : ROUND 1 BEGINS AUGUST 2, 2022

If your post-graduation work permit expires on or after October 2, 2022, you may qualify for a special measure that makes it easier and faster for you to get an open work permit.

In most cases, IRCC will mail you a new work permit during one of 2 rounds. There are no fees for this work permit.

ROUND 1 BEGINS AUGUST 2, 2022

During the week of August 2, 2022, in most cases, IRCC will email you to tell you that you can get a work permit that allows you to work in Canada, if

*your post-graduation work permit expires on or after October 2, 2022, and

*your passport is valid for at least 18 months after the expiry date of your post-graduation work permit

What you need to do:

August 5 - IMMIGRATION CANADA HAS APPROVED A NEW LANGUAGE TEST.

Details will be release in 2023 Spring/Summer.

IRCC intends to give alpha numeric scores as A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2 similarly to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scores on a scale of one to seven.

Also, along with TCT and TEF a new French test is being added due to the increased demand for French test.

Language testing—Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)

August 5 - NEW MEASURES FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS WITH EXPIRED OR EXPIRING POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMITS AND APPLICANTS TO THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT PATHWAYS

Open work permits for individuals with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits

Foreign nationals whose post-graduation work permit expired or will expire from September 20, 2021, to December 31, 2022, will have the opportunity to work in Canada for an additional 18 months by either extending their work permit or applying for a new one. Those currently in Canada will also have the ability to work in the interim period while their permit is being extended or a new one is being issued.

These measures will affect individual applicants in different ways.
Read more
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/measures-post-graduation-work-permits-temporary-resident-permanent-resident-pathways.html

July 27 - WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING BACK TO CANADA TO RETIRE

The desire to live closer to family, lifestyle reasons, or worries about future health care costs have led many ex-pat professionals who have built their careers in other countries to choose to return to Canada for their retirement years.

But for returning retirees who have accumulated assets elsewhere, the move back home can come with complexities, advisors say. They can benefit from advanced, customized planning around investments, taxes and cost of living considerations.

“It’s important for everybody to plan ahead for their retirement, but this is much more so when people are moving back to Canada,” Mr. Heath says. “They need to crunch the numbers, do the math, understand the implications and be ready and prepared for a return.”

For returning retirees, a potential misstep can be miscalculating the cost of living in Canada after living elsewhere for years, he says.

July 27 - WORK PERMIT RESTRICTIONS EASED FOR BARBERS AND BARTENDERS

Barbers have returned to the list of open job categories in the latest update to extend a moratorium on new work permits for certain types of employment.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Economy and Labour said that the change was made because barbershops were unable to fill vacancies.

General bartenders have moved from the closed list back to the restricted list.

The spokesman said that the latest extension to the moratorium on new work permits for closed category jobs was effective from August 1 for five months, ending on December 31, 2022.

July 26 - PROVINCES DEMAND MORE CONTROL OVER IMMIGRATION TO COMBAT LABOUR SHORTAGE

Ministers from Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba are calling on Sean Fraser, Canada's minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, to allow their provinces to select more immigrants "with the skills they need most" in a letter sent Tuesday night.

"We need the ability to respond to the rapidly evolving needs of specific areas and communities, with a flexible system that we can adapt to changing economic and humanitarian needs," the letter states.

Ahead of a meeting with Fraser and their fellow immigration ministers in Saint John, N.B., they say Canada needs to do more to attract and retain workers — particularly in skilled trades. They say provinces should be allowed to recruit workers and offer them good local jobs.

July 21 - NEARLY 80% OF INT’L STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY IN CANADA BECAUSE OF SAFETY & STABILITY, SURVEY FINDS

Canada is among the world’s leading countries for international students, and every year becomes home to thousands of students.

According to the 2021 annual international student survey released lately by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), a not-for-profit organization focused on international education in Canada, one of the main reasons why international students choose Canada to study is the country’s reputation as a safe and stable place, with almost 80 percent of students mentioning this reason, Erudera.com reports.

Close to 70 percent of students choose Canada as their study destination because of the quality education it offers, whereas 50.2 percent claim that they like the country as there is a tolerant and not discriminatory society.

Other reasons are:

June 30 - GOVERNMENT EXPANDS CANADA WORKERS BENEFIT TO SUPPORT ONE MILLION MORE CANADIANS

Low-income workers are now eligible for a tax refund of up to almost:

*$1,400 for workers who are single and without children (a group that does not receive many benefits); and
*$2,400 for workers with families.
This expansion includes a new provision which allows secondary earners in couples, most of whom are women, to exclude up to $14,000 of their working income when calculating the benefit, allowing them to access a more generous tax refund.
Read more

June 30 - POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT PROGRAM (PGWPP):APPLY WITHOUT FINAL TRANSCRIPT

You can submit an application for PGWP without your letter of completion or final transcript.

When IRCC processes the application, the documents will be requested by the processing officer as per the procedures for requests for additional documents on open applications.

Foreign nationals who study in Quebec are not required to have a valid Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) when submitting a PGWP application. As the PGWP is an open work permit and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt, a valid CAQ or study permit is not required at the time of PGWP issuance.

If foreign nationals are applying for a PGWP and their study permit has expired, they are permitted to apply to restore their status as a student without a CAQ and apply for the PGWP at the same time, as the CAQ is not required for the PGWP.
Read more

June 29 - OINP 2022 NOMINATION ALLOCATION

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) 2022 allocation is 9,750 nominations. This is an increase of 750 nomination from 2021.
OINP Streams
Read more

June 29 - OINP APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMES : UPDATE

Average application processing times as of June 28, 2022.
Processing times vary depending on the stream. Applications that require clarification or more information take longer to process.

If your application is taking longer than the estimated processing time, there is no need to contact the program. We will contact you if more information is required.
Read more

June 23 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: APPLICATIONS UNDER FAMILY CLASSES – ASSESSING THE SPONSOR

All sponsors must:

meet the legislative requirements
submit complete sponsorship applications containing all necessary forms and supporting documents listed in the Document Checklist for the applicable family class program or category [R10]
sign an IMM 1344 Application to Sponsor, Sponsorship Agreement and Undertaking
not be subject to a sponsorship bar [R133(1)]

Sponsors must indicate in Q1 on the IMM 1344 whether they wish to proceed with the sponsorship even if they do not meet the requirements to sponsor. If not, a sponsor may withdraw the sponsorship application and receive a refund of all but the sponsorship processing fee. If, however, the sponsor indicates that they wish to proceed, the applications will be sent to the processing office for assessment and final decision.

June 21 - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Offices

Looking for an IRCC office inside Canada or outside Canada, click here

June 21 - IMPLEMENTATION OF A MEASURE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM IN QUEBEC

June 7, 2022—Ottawa, ON—Jean Boulet, Quebec Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Solidarity, Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration and Minister Responsible for the Mauricie Region, and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, announced a new measure to restrict access to the post-graduation work permit for certain graduates of unsubsidized private learning institutions.

This measure consists of making post-graduation work permits available only to graduates of a subsidized program of study. The goal is to take the corrective action needed to address gaps brought to light in an investigation by Quebec’s Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur regarding certain unsubsidized private colleges.
Read more

June 21 - Program delivery update: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

June 14, 2022

Updates were made to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) instructions as Peru ratified their requirements on September 9, 2021.

In addition, the instructions have been updated as follows:

*Reference links to the Business visitors [R186(a)] instructions were added.
*Links to the CPTPP were added and countries specified.
*Suggestions for specific fields to review in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) with explanations for specific fields were added to the instructions on investors, intra-corporate transferees and professionals and technicians.
Read more

June 7 - CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS

Travel restrictions have an impact on many people who can’t travel to Canada right now. These restrictions stop most discretionary travel to Canada. At this time, you can come to Canada only if you’re eligible to travel.
Find out if you can enter Canada

June 7 - ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SUPER VISA PROGRAM FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WILL HELP REUNITE FAMILIES MORE EASILY AND FOR LONGER

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced enhancements to Canada’s super visa program. These enhancements will make it easier for Canadians to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada and will allow super visa holders to stay for a longer period of time. These changes, which come into force on July 4, 2022, will

*increase the length of stay for super visa holders to 5 years per entry into Canada
*People who have a super visa also have the option to request to extend their stay by up to 2 years at a time while in Canada.
*allow the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to designate international medical insurance companies to provide coverage to super visa applicants in the future
*Currently, only Canadian insurance providers can provide the necessary medical coverage that super visa applicants are required to have. Information about any designated medical insurance companies located outside of Canada will be communicated on IRCC’s website at a later date.
Read more

June 6 - Public policy allowing certain visitors in Canada to apply for a work permit – COVID-19 program delivery

The instructions have been updated to include information that a person approved for interim authorization to work may continue working until a decision is made even if they have left Canada.
In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria for the work permit, a former work permit holder who converted to visitor status may also be eligible for interim authorization to work if they meet all the following:

*have valid temporary resident status at the time of work permit application submission and have remained in Canada with status since;
*held a valid work permit in the 12 months preceding the date on which they submitted their application for a work permit under this public policy, even though they are now only a visitor;
*intend to work for the employer and occupation specified by the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer of employment included in their work permit application submitted under the public policy;
*have applied to IRCC for the interim authorization to work as per this public policy using the IRCC Web form; and
*have requested that the authorization to work be applicable until a decision is made on their work permit application.
Read more

June 6 - ABANDONMENT PROCEDURE - UPDATE

If an event invitation or request for documents is sent to an applicant by email, abandonment techniques may be invoked without the need to re‑send all correspondence via physical mail.
New procedures allow for abandonment procedures to be invoked following non‑compliance following email communication. A number of decision-making tools and examples were provided to minimize the likelihood of extended delays in processing.
Read more

June 6 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

To apply under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, the following eligibility requirements must be satisfied:
Citizenship and residency
Age
Passport validity
Sufficient financial resources, including transportation to depart from Canada
Travel or health-care insurance
Previous participation or discontinuous stay
Applicant not accompanied by dependants
Medical examinations
Police certificates
Read more

June 4 - Extend or change the conditions on yoEXTEND OR CHANGEur work permit: Changing jobs or employers

If you have an employer-specific work permit and you want to change jobs or employers in Canada, you must apply for a new work permit.
* International Experience Canada (IEC) participants must first check that they can change employers with an IEC work permit.

Who’s eligible
You must meet 2 conditions:
*you applied for a new employer-specific work permit in Canada
*a new application for an open work permit does not make you eligible
*you currently either
*have an employer-specific work permit or
*are a worker who can work without a work permit
*this does not include
*business visitors or
*short-term workers under the Global Skills Strategy

How to Apply?
Fill out the IRCC Web form

June 4 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

June 3, 2022

The intake of applications for phase 2 of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) started in December 2021. Operational measures are in place to receive applications to facilitate the arrival of up to 500 skilled refugees and their family members over the next 2 years.

The EMPP is Canada’s model for refugee labour mobility, and it aims to address Canadian labour shortages while providing durable solutions for refugees with the skills and qualifications that Canadian employers need.

Read more

May 16 - How a single company ‘silently’ took over the world of visa processing in an age of record migration

VFS GLOBAL DOMINATES THE INTERNATIONAL VISA OUTSOURCING MARKET.
The company, whose acronym stands for Visa Facilitation Services, has grown from being the first of its kind with a single visa office in Mumbai, India two decades ago to a global juggernaut with more than 3,500 visa application centres in 141 countries representing the interests of 65 “client governments.”
VFS Global’s website says it has processed more than 240 million visa applications since 2001 and collected close to 110 million sets of biometric data (fingerprints and photos) since 2007.
One hundred and sixty-two Canadian visa centres in 109 countries run by VFS Global handle millions of visa applications each year. A 2018 press release from the company said Canada had the “most extensive” network of visa centres in the world.
That all changed in 2001 when Indian entrepreneur Zubin Karkaria persuaded the U.S. government to let him run a pilot project handling the administrative side of visa processing at its Mumbai consulate.
Read more

April 29 - NOTIFICATIONS OF INTEREST ISSUED FOR ONTARIO’S EXPRESS ENTRY FRENCH-SPEAKING SKILLED WORKER STREAM

On April 28, 2022, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program issued notifications of interest to potential candidates who may qualify for Ontario’s French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream with a comprehensive ranking system score between 460 and 467.
Read more

April 28 - NWT NOMINEE PROGRAM BUSINESS STREAM REOPENS

The Business Stream is an option for foreign nationals seeking the opportunity to purchase or open a business in the NWT. Applicants must make an in-person visit to the community of interest to ensure they are aware of the region and its opportunities and challenges. These visits were impossible during the height of the pandemic, causing a temporary program pause on application intake. The application process is a substantial commitment, and the exploratory visits are critical in understanding the NWT business environment.

The NTNP is the immigration program used by the Government of the Northwest Territories in cooperation with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is administered by the departments of Industry, Tourism and Investment, and Education, Culture and Employment.

Between 2015-2020, 17 foreign nationals have opened businesses in the Northwest Territories.

April 22 - CANADA WILL RESUME EXPRESS ENTRY DRAWS IN JULY

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Express Entry draws will soon resume and that invitations for candidates to apply for permanent residence will begin in early July.
As a result of the temporary pause, the federal high-skilled processing inventory has been cut by more than half, decreasing from approximately 111,900 people in September 2021 to just 48,000 people by March 2022. This inventory will be further reduced by July 2022.
Starting in summer 2022, former international students who are in Canada and have a post-graduation work permit expiring between January and December 2022 will qualify for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months.
Taking effect this summer, the policy changes announced today include:

*Applicants will no longer be required to remain in Canada while their application is being processed.
*Applicants who apply for an open work permit while waiting for their permanent residence application to be finalized will be able to get work permits valid until the end of 2024.
*To support family reunification, immediate family members who are outside Canada and who were included in a principal applicant’s permanent residence application will be eligible for their own open work permit.
Read more

April 22 - ONTARIO NEW ENTREPRENEUR PILOT

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced that the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC) has been selected to deliver the Entrepreneur Pilot for two-years.

The Entrepreneur Pilot will help 100 immigrant entrepreneurs to establish and grow businesses across the province outside of the Greater Toronto Area. The jobs and investments these businesses generate will help to support soon to be selected regions needing the most help recovering from COVID‑19.
Many new immigrants are looking for business opportunities, while smaller communities are looking for investment. To help create more jobs in smaller communities, Ontario is investing $6 million over three years for a pilot program to expand opportunities for foreign investors to establish new, or purchase and expand existing businesses in Ontario outside of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

February 9 - PGP 2022 SPONSORSHIP INCOME REQUIREMENTS - IRCC

Temporary public policy concerning applications for permanent residence as a member of the family class whose sponsor must meet a minimum income requirement in 2021

Given the challenges faced by current and future sponsors, and the impact this will have on applicants during this time, this public policy will ensure that applicants whose sponsors would have otherwise been approved are not unfairly impacted by these unprecedented events. The public policy will exempt certain permanent residence applicants from the requirement that their sponsor must meet all of the requirements of the Regulations for the 2021 taxation year. As a result, foreign nationals applying for permanent residence as parents and grandparents, members of the family class, will be exempted from the requirement to have a sponsor who meets the requirement to have the minimum necessary income plus 30%, as long as the sponsor meets the minimum necessary income.
In addition, sponsors of all family class applicants whose sponsor must meet income requirements will be able to count regular Employment Insurance benefits in their income calculations rather than just special Employment Insurance benefits for the 2021 taxation year.
Read more

April 6 - INCREASE IN PERMANENT RESIDENCE FEES EFFECTIVE APRIL 30, 2022

Ottawa, April 5, 2022 – On April 30, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is increasing fees for all permanent residence applications. This includes economic, permit holder, family and humanitarian classes.
Permanent residence fees have not increased since 2002. As such, they do not reflect the rise in inflation over the last 18 years and the increasing cost of permanent residence operations and processing.

The increase on April 30 will affect applicants to most economic permanent residence immigration programs, except caregivers. The fees will then be automatically adjusted for inflation every 2 years for all permanent residence applications, including the economic, family and humanitarian programs, beginning in 2022.

The Government of Canada supports a cost-effective approach to financing government programs, where most of the costs are borne by those who receive the services and benefit directly from them.

The changes ensure that Canada remains competitive and in line with fees charged by other immigrant-receiving countries. In most cases, Canada’s fees are considerably less expensive than countries with similar migration systems, such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Read more

March 16 - CHANGES TO THE MEDICAL INADMISSIBILITY POLICY

Ottawa, March 16, 2022—The Government of Canada is taking steps to better align the medical inadmissibility policy with Canadian values on diversity and the inclusion of people with disabilities. We recognize the important contributions newcomers make to Canada.

The changes to the medical inadmissibility policy of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) have been in effect through a temporary public policy since 2018. They strike a balance between welcoming newcomers into Canadian society through a fair and compassionate immigration system, while also protecting publicly funded health and social services.

March 15 - HUMANITARIAN AND COMPASSIONATE (HC) CIRCUMSTANCES FOR SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNER

Applicants in the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class can submit an H&C application under A25(1) to avoid most of the criteria or obligations under the Act. Some requests will be processed under this category while others will be sent to the CH Requests queue for processing.

Applicants can submit an H&C application at any time before a final decision is made on their application. They must provide all the information they wish to be taken into account. The onus is on the claimant to satisfy the decision maker that the H&C factors relevant to their case warrant an exception to any criteria or requirements under the Act.
Read more

March 14 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

The EMPP is focused on pathways via regional economic immigration programs – such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) and, more recently, the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) – where a local delivery partner (i.e. a province, territory, community-based economic development organization, or employer), together with settlement service provider organizations, helps ensure the successful settlement and integration of the newcomers and their families.

The goal of the EMPP is to provide durable solutions for refugees with the skills and qualifications that Canadian employers need.
Read more

March 10 - NEWCOMER SETTLEMENT SERVICES

If you are a French-speaking newcomer to Canada you can find Newcomer settlement services to help you and your family adjust to life in a Welcoming Francophone Community.
Read more

February 28 - PERMITTING VISITORS TO APPLY IN CANADA FOR A WORK PERMIT

If you’re a visitor who is applying for a work permit in Canada and held a valid work permit in the last 12 months
You can ask to be allowed to work while IRCC process your application.

Who’s eligible
You must

*be physically present in Canada when you apply
*be a visitor with valid status when you apply for the work permit
*if your visitor status has expired, you’ll need to restore your visitor status before you apply for a work permit
*applied for an employer-specific work permit between August 24, 2020, and February 28, 2023
*have held a work permit that was valid in the 12 months before you applied for a new work permit
Read more

February 21 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: REVOCATION OF CITIZENSHIP

New instructions have been published for the process to revoke Canadian citizenship, and the instructions for general information on revocation of citizenship have been updated. This information assists the Case Management Branch (CMB) in processing cases where an individual’s citizenship is being considered for revocation on the grounds of false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances.
Read more

February 16 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT – CORRECTION OF NATIONAL OCCUPATION CODE (NOC) VERSION

Applicants will be assessed in the below criteria, based on the information and documents provided in the application. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be approved:

*education
*official language proficiency
In addition, applicants must provide proof of either of the following:

*at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience, or
*a job offer and the ability to perform the work
Read more

February 9 - Launching a new online case status tracker for family class permanent residence applications

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the launch of a new digital case status tracker that will allow some family class permanent residence applicants, sponsors and their representatives to more easily check their application status online. This builds on the Government of Canada’s recent announcement on modernizing Canada’s immigration system to support economic recovery and improve client experience.

For the initial launch, the tracker will be available for permanent residence applicants in the spouse, partner and dependent child categories. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working on providing similar solutions to additional applicant groups.
Read more

February 9 - ADVANCED DATA ANALYTICS TO HELP IRCC OFFICERS TRIAGE TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA APPLICATIONS AND FACILITATE PROCESSING

Ottawa, January 24, 2022 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is improving the efficiency of its Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) application process by expanding the use of advanced data analytics, which will now help IRCC officers to triage and process all TRV applications submitted from outside Canada. Officers will continue to make final decisions on all applications, and only an IRCC officer can refuse an application . The system never denies requests, nor does it recommend their denial .

Using advanced data analytics is part of IRCC's commitment to finding new ways to improve its client service and processes. It should help manage the growing volume of TRV applications from IRCC. The analysis system speeds up IRCC's work by identifying simple applications that may benefit from streamlined processing, such as those submitted by some clients who have already been approved to visit Canada in the last 10 years.
Read more

February 8 - Canada Entry/Exit Program Updates

The Entry/Exit Program is a joint Canada-US initiative based on the Beyond the Border Action Plan.
The instructions have been updated to reflect the most recent changes to the Entry/Exit Program and policies, and to provide a broader range of information and guidance regarding the Entry/Exit Program.

IRCC will obtain accurate and objective entry and exit information from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to support the administration of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Citizenship Act and the Canadian Passport Order.

IRCC may directly query the CBSA's Entry/Exit Information System through the Global Case Management System (GCMS) to:

*verify residency requirements to process applications for a grant of citizenship or a permanent resident card ;
Read more

February 4 - MODERNIZING CANADA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND IMPROVE CLIENT EXPERIENCE

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced measures to improve client experience and modernize the immigration system. These measures are part of a broader process to address key challenges faced by individuals, and achieve the more predictable processing times that they expect and deserve.
In the Economic and Fiscal Update 2021, the Government of Canada proposed $85 million in new funding to reduce application inventories. The investment will support additional staff, allowing Canada to welcome people who can help address labour shortages and to return to processing service standards in various programs by the end of this year, including for study permits, work permits and permanent resident card renewals. IRCC is also working to reduce processing times for visitor visas and proof of citizenship.
Read more

February 4 - THE ASYLUM SYSTEM IN CANADA

Making a refugee claim in Canada
Individuals can make a refugee claim in Canada at a port of entry upon arrival or online if already in Canada. CBSA or IRCC officials will determine if an individual is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a hearing. Factors determining an individual’s eligibility to make a refugee claim include whether the claimant has committed a serious crime, made a previous claim in Canada, or received protection in another country.

Refugee claimants are different from resettled refugees. Asylum seekers make a refugee claim in Canada at a port of entry or online. These claims are governed in part by international treaties that Canada has promised to uphold.

Read more

February 4 - CANADA INTRODUCES NEW IMMIGRATION APPLICATION TRACKER FOR SPOUSAL AND CHILD SPONSORSHIP

You can now view your immigration application status online for spousal, common-law, and dependent child sponsorship.

Register for your permanent residence tracker account here

January 31 - CANADA SPENDING $85 MILLION TO SPEED UP IMMIGRATION PROCESSING

Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced measures to improve client experience and modernize the immigration system. These measures are part of a broader process to address key challenges faced by our clients, and achieve the more predictable processing times that our clients expect and deserve.
These improvements will build on what Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already done to reduce wait times, such as hiring approximately 500 new processing staff, digitizing applications, and reallocating work among our offices around the world.

To help accelerate our processing work, we are expanding the use of advanced data analytics in helping officers sort and process visitor visa applications submitted from outside Canada.
Read more

January 21 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: STUDENTS – PROCESSING: COVID-19 PROGRAM DELIVERY

The instructions have been updated to instruct officers to refer to the General processing measures: COVID-19 program delivery instructions for study permit applications, and the recently updated Visa-Exempt Study Permit Abroad (VESPA) instructions for foreign nationals who are both citizens and residents of a visa-exempt country or territory and are applying from overseas to study in Canada.

These updates also clarify that if an applicant has a valid visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) prior to applying for a study permit, or their study permit is still in progress, they are able to change designated learning institutions (DLIs) by submitting their new letter of acceptance via the IRCC web form.
Read more

January 21 - CANADA PAUSING INTAKE OF HIGHLY SKILLED IMMIGRANT WORKERS AMID HEAVY BACKLOG

OTTAWA — Canada’s immigration system for high-skilled workers is severely backlogged and even amidst a labour shortage, the government is pausing new invitations because the department simply can’t process them quickly enough, according to a briefing document.
With travel bans in place, high-skilled worker applications from overseas have been on pause since September 2021. Last year, the government still managed to hit its record-high immigration targets, but did so mostly by inviting people already in Canada on temporary permits or as students to become permanent residents through a new temporary resident to permanent resident program (TR2PR).
Read more

January 15 - COVID-19 – TRAVEL RESTRICTION MEASURES: JANUARY 15, 2022

The Government of Canada continues to adjust its border measures due to the evolving epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 15, 2022, Canada has limited travel restriction exemptions for unvaccinated persons to a small proportion of IRCC’s clients. Notable exemptions are included for unvaccinated new permanent residents, refugees, temporary foreign workers in agriculture or food-processing occupations, asylum claimants, and some minors under the age of 18. Travellers who are unvaccinated, do not meet the definition of fully vaccinated, or do not meet an exemption will not be permitted to enter Canada.
Read more

January 15 - IRCC PORTAL ACCOUNT

What you can do in the portal
Through this portal

*you can declare you’re in Canada
*you can confirm your address
*you can submit a recent photo we will *use to make your PR card
*you can get access to your proof of permanent resident (PR) status
*you can share personal information safely
The portal is separate from your IRCC secure account.
Get an IRCC portal account

January 14 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – TEMPORARY WORKERS

The COVID-19 work permit program delivery page has been divided into smaller sections to assist officers in finding information faster.

Updates have also been done to remove biometric, family reunification and general traveller instructions. These sections now hyperlink to one instruction to avoid duplication and ensure that instructions are updated all at the same time.

Instructions relating to fully vaccinated applicants versus non or partially vaccinated applicants have also been included.
Read more

January 14 - CANADA: VACCINE MANDATORY FOR CERTAIN TRAVELLERS

The Government of Canada is also announcing that as of January 15, 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter the country if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada. These groups include:

*individuals travelling to reunite with family (unvaccinated children under 18 years of age will retain exemption if travelling to reunite with an immediate or extended family member who is a Canadian, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act);
*international students who are 18 years old and older;
*professional and amateur athletes;
individuals with a valid work permit, including temporary foreign workers (outside of those in agriculture and food processing); and
*essential service providers, including truck drivers.
Read more

January 14 - CANADA COULD QUICKEN FAMILY REUNIFICATION PROCESS

According to the latest published data by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Canada has a backlog of nearly 1.8 million immigration applications, including 112,392 refugee applications as of last October. As of November 5, 2020, there were more than 50,000 spousal sponsorship applications in the backlog.

Frustrated at the delays, many applicants have taken to social media to voice their frustrations. One of the groups is the Canada Spousal Sponsorship Support Group, which has over 20,000 members.

NDP Immigration Critic Jenny Kwan has called upon the IRCC to prioritize family reunification and create a special temporary resident visa as part of the family reunification process.

The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) is also calling for a change of policies and attitudes related to spouses of Canadian citizens.

“Foreign national spouses of Canadians are not only ineligible for a work permit but may not even be able to enter Canada,” the Association told NCM.
Read more

January 12 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: OPEN WORK PERMIT – GENERAL PROCESSING AND ISSUANCE – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

The title has changed from “Open work permit” to “Open work permit – General processing and issuance” to reflect the instructions more accurately. In addition, the instructions have been updated to clarify that the open work permit holder fee cannot be charged for open work permits in certain situations.
An open work permit can only be issued to a foreign national under one of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemptions.
Read more
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2022-work-permit-processing.html

January 10 - POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime.

To obtain a post-graduation work permit, the applicant must currently hold valid temporary status or have left Canada. They must have graduated from an eligible designated learning institution (DLI). They must also submit clear evidence that they meet all of the following criteria:

*They have completed an academic, vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
*They have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or programs of study they have completed and submitted as part of their post-graduation work permit application. Exceptions can be made only for the following:
Read more

January 6 - ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Full-time post-secondary students may work without a work permit on the campus of the university or college at which they are a full-time student. This authorization is valid for the period for which they hold a study permit at the institution and during which they are enrolled in full-time studies.
On-campus work is defined as occurring at employment facilities within the boundaries of the campus. The students are only allowed to work on the campus of the educational institution at which they are registered in full-time studies. If an institution has more than one campus, the student can work at different locations on those campuses provided they are within the same municipality. If an institution has campuses in different cities, the student is restricted to working on the institution’s campus where they are registered as a full-time student.

Students may work on campus as teaching or research assistants and may be located at a library, hospital, or research facility affiliated with the institution but located outside the physical boundaries of the institution’s campus.
Read more

January 6 - EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN FOREIGN NATIONALS IN CANADA FROM REQUIRING ANOTHER IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAM EXTENDED

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is renewing a temporary public policy exempting some foreign nationals in Canada from having to complete an additional immigration medical exam as part of their application for permanent residence, if they already recently completed one and were found to pose no risk to public health. Originally set to expire on December 28, 2021, the exemption will be extended until March 31, 2022.

When applying for permanent residence or for a permanent resident visa, applicants must provide an immigration medical exam or a unique medical identifier number from their previous medical exam. IRCC will contact individuals who are not eligible for the exemption to discuss next steps.

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January 5 - NEW IMMIGRATION STREAM FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES OF PRIVATE CAREER COLLEGES

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Opportunities NB is piloting a new immigration stream to help support the province’s increasing labour needs, in collaboration with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Starting April 1, 2022, international students who graduate from one of four long-standing New Brunswick private career colleges, and who have studied in one of 19 identified occupations, will be able to apply to the Provincial Nominee Program, allowing them to work and live in the province while they wait for permanent residency.

This stream will be accessible to new graduates from the designated institutions who are not currently eligible for the federal Post-Graduation Work Permit program. This stream will limit participation to New Brunswick Designated Learning Institutions that have held this designation for at least five years and that offer eligible programs of study in education and social development, heath care, information technology and cyber security, business administration, and supply chain and logistics. Other streams are available for international students graduating from publicly funded New Brunswick post-secondary institutions.

January 5 - CANADA’S NEXT WAVE OF IMMIGRATION SET TO ADD MORE FUEL TO OVERHEATED HOUSING MARKET NEWS

The federal authorities has elevated its annual immigration targets to the very best ranges on report, creating the circumstances for a surge of new everlasting residents, which Canada desperately wants to fill job vacancies. These new immigrants will add to the nation’s inhabitants and instantly increase the necessity for housing in main job centres and close by cities.

This will ramp up competitors for houses at a time when nationwide actual property costs have jumped 40 per cent up to now two years.

“Canada’s strong population growth is a factor driving our home prices upward at a faster pace than in many other economies,” stated Bank of Montreal chief economist Douglas Porter, who analyzed the connection between inhabitants progress and residential costs in 18 developed nations.

Janaury 4 - NEW ONLINE APPLICATION FOR SOME PERMANENT IMMIGRATION PROGRAMS

You can sign in or create a Permanent Residence online application portal account.
You can apply online for some immigration programs:

*Provincial nominee program (non-Express Entry)
*Rural and northern immigration pilot
*Agri-food pilot
*Atlantic immigration program
*Start-up visa
*Self-employed people (federal and Quebec)
*Quebec-selected skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors
*Sponsoring a spouse, partner, dependent child or other family
*Sponsoring a parent or grandparent
*Adopting a child through the immigration process
*Protected persons and convention refugees in Canada
*Humanitarian and compassionate grounds
*Temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence
*Home Support Worker Pilot
*Home Child Care Provider Pilot

January 4 - EXCESSIVE DEMAND ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES - UPDATE

The annual cost threshold figure for excessive demand on health and social services has been updated. The average Canadian per capita health and social services cost has increased from $7,266 to $8,019, and 3 times that average has been updated from $21,798 to $24,057.

IRCC reviews immigration medical examination (IME) results shows that the foreign national (principal applicant, accompanying family member or non accompanying family member) is potentially inadmissible on health grounds, responsibility for final assessment of the IME is transferred to the MHB Centralized Medical Admissibility Unit (CMAU) in Ottawa.
Once the IME is accepted for continued processing by the CMAU, MHB medical officers completes all medical assessments, based on the definition of excessive demand.

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January 3 - HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT (HSWP) AND HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT (HCCP) 2022

Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot 2022 is now open and accepting applications.
Applicants should be assessed against the pass and fail selection criteria below, based on the information and documents provided in the application. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be approved:

*education
*official language proficiency
In addition, applicants must provide proof of either of the following:

*at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience, or
*a job offer and the ability to perform the work
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Apply online

December 21 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT - UPDATE

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot are two economic pilot programs for foreign national caregivers who:

*have a qualifying job offer or Canadian work experience for work in an eligible caregiver occupation
*meet minimum education and language proficiency requirements
Initial applications to the new pilots have a 12-month target processing time. A 6-month target processing time applies for finalizing an application after the caregiver submits proof that they have met the work experience requirement.

December 16 - UPDATED STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS TO CHANGE “IMPLIED STATUS” TO “MAINTAINED STATUS”

The former term “implied status” has been updated to the correct term “maintained status”.

Information regarding the interim proof of work letter issued to post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applicants automatically by the Global Case Management System (GCMS) has been added to the PGWP instructions below.
*Students – Eligibility: COVID-19 program delivery
*Study permits: Making an application
*Study permits: Assessing study permit conditions
*Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) validity and application
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December 18 - NEW ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PROGRAM-2022

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the launch of the Atlantic Immigration Program. This new permanent program will officially open on January 1, 2022.
The permanent program retains the 3 features that made the pilot such a success: a focus on employers, enhanced settlement support and a collaborative approach across all Atlantic provinces.
Candidates with a valid endorsement can begin submitting applications for permanent residence under the new program on March 6, 2022.
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December 16 - PRIME MINISTER RELEASES NEW MANDATE LETTER FOR MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP

As Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, you will prioritize ongoing work to strengthen Canada’s immigration and refugee system, including bringing in more newcomers to all regions of Canada who will support Canada’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. You will also act with urgency to provide resettlement opportunities for people under threat, including Afghan citizens and human rights defenders. As well, you will continue to strengthen family reunification and reduce application processing times, especially those impacted by COVID-19.

To realize these objectives, I ask that you achieve results for Canadians by delivering the following commitments.
Continue to bring newcomers to Canada to drive economic growth and recovery, as set out in the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan.

Expand the new immigration stream for human rights defenders and work with civil society groups to provide resettlement opportunities for people under threat.
With the support of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continue to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of vulnerable people from Afghanistan, with an emphasis on individuals who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, women, LGBTQ2 people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities and increase the number of eligible refugees from 20,000 to at least 40,000.

Reduce application processing times, including to address delays that have been impacted by COVID-19.
Work to strengthen family reunification by introducing electronic applications for family reunification and implementing a program to issue temporary resident status to spouses and children abroad while they wait for the processing of their permanent residency application.
Make the citizenship application process free for permanent residents who have fulfilled the requirements needed to obtain it.
With the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, establish a Trusted Employer system for Canadian companies hiring temporary foreign workers and, as part of improving the Global Talent Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, simplify permit renewals, uphold the two-week processing time and establish an employer hotline. Continue to work with provinces, territories and regulatory bodies to improve foreign credential recognition.
Build on existing pilot programs to further explore ways of regularizing status for undocumented workers who are contributing to Canadian communities.
Continue working with Quebec to support the French-language knowledge of immigrants in Quebec, respecting provincial jurisdiction and complementing existing measures, and continue to implement an ambitious national strategy to support Francophone immigration across the country.
Lead the Government’s work on irregular migration, including continued work with the United States to modernize the Safe Third Country Agreement.
Expand pathways to Permanent Residence for international students and temporary foreign workers through the Express Entry system. With respect to pathways for agricultural temporary foreign workers, you will be supported in this work by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Building on the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, work with employers and communities across Canada to welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill labour shortages in high-demand sectors such as health care.
Ensure that immigration better supports small- and medium-size communities that require additional immigrants to enhance their economic growth and social vibrancy. This will include expanding the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, moving forward on the Municipal Nominee Program and making the successful Atlantic Immigration Pilot a permanent program.
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December 16 - CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PLEDGES $85M TO CLEAR IMMIGRATION BACKLOG

OTTAWA - Opposition critics are still skeptical the federal government will be able to quickly plow through the massive backlog in immigration applications after Trudeau's Liberals promised to put $85 million toward that goal.

The pandemic put serious pressure on the immigration system, which was further stressed by the government's efforts to bring Afghan refugees to Canada after their country fell to the Taliban.

The immigration minister has pointed to those two factors as the reasons applications have piled up.

The government's fiscal update shows the government plans to put $85 million toward processing those permanent resident and temporary resident applications in 2022.

"We are adopting a modern, digital immigration system that is welcoming people faster and we are on pace to welcome the most newcomers in Canada’s history this year," Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in a statement Wednesday.
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December 16 - CANADA RELEASES INFOGRAPHICS DEMONSTRATING NEW COVID-19 TESTING PROTOCOL FOR TRAVEL

The federal government has released four infographics that demonstrate what protocol vaccinated versus unvaccinated travellers must follow to enter Canada. Two of the four images provide guidance for travellers returning from the 10 countries with entry prohibitions.

The federal government advises that all passengers entering Canada, except those from the United States, need to be tested on arrival and isolate until they get their results. Additionally, travellers coming from the 10 African countries with entry prohibitions face further restrictions following the initial detection of the Omicron variant in South Africa, despite its prevalence in more than 50 countries.
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December 16 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CANADA'S NEW TRAVEL RULES

Are you rethinking your holiday travel plans due to Canada's new travel advisory?

While Canadians are still permitted to travel outside of the country over the holiday season, the federal government stresses that the rapid spread of the recently discovered Omicron variant poses an imminent threat to public safety.

The Government of Canada now advises against all non-essential travel outside of the country until further notice, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos told reporters in a press briefing Wednesday (Dec. 15) in Ottawa.

"To those who were planning to travel, I say very clearly: now is not the time to travel," he said. "The rapid spread of the Omicron variant on a global scale makes us fear the worst for Canadians that may think of travelling.
The new advisory takes a stronger stance than the one published shortly after the emergence of the Omicron variant, urging Canadians to be aware that travel to an area with Omicron could hamper their ability to return to Canada.
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December 15 - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA RELEASES ECONOMIC AND FISCAL UPDATE 2021 : IMMIGRATION

The Economic and Fiscal Update provides information on the current state of the economy and the Government of Canada’s continued support for Canadians and Canadian businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ongoing Recovery Accompanied by Strong Demand for Workers
The resurgence in economic activity has created challenges for Canadian businesses in certain parts of the country that need to hire more workers to meet increasing demand. Employers are actively recruiting for more than one million job vacancies at the start of September and demand for labour has remained strong through November with online job postings in Canada at least 50 per cent above the level in February 2020.
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December 15 - IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA (IRCC) PUBLISHES EXPRESS ENTRY YEAR-END REPORT 2020

COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge for Canadians, newcomers, and Canada’s immigration program – including Express Entry. In 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) pivoted quickly to adapt its Express Entry system to new conditions presented by the pandemic. The validity period of an invitation to apply for permanent residence was increased from 60 to 90 days to provide clients with additional time to prepare their applications, in response new pandemic-related challenges in acquiring the necessary documentation. As well, IRCC targeted its invitations to apply at Canadian Experience Class- and Provincial Nominee Program-eligible candidates, who are more likely to be physically located in Canada and therefore less impacted by border restrictions. Despite the severe and prolonged impacts of COVID-19, 2020 saw more invitations to apply issued via Express Entry than in any previous year.
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December 14 - ONTARIO TO ACCEPT 100 IMMIGRANTS AFTER EACH PERSON INVESTS $200,000 IN LOCAL COMPANIES

Ontario is planning to accept 100 immigrants in the next two years under a program allowing foreign entrepreneurs to apply for immigration to the province after they invest a minimum of $200,000 in its economy.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton says the government will focus on attracting international entrepreneurs to Ontario communities outside the Greater Toronto Area.

He says these entrepreneurs will be nominated for immigration under the province's economic immigration program after they start a new business or purchase an existing one in Ontario.

McNaughton says the new initiative will cost the government $6 million, but it will be recovered through fees paid by immigrants who are coming to the province to start or buy businesses.

He says the province is expecting at a minimum $20 million in business investment generated through this immigration stream.
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December 9 - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 2022

Tougher Requirements to Be Fully Vaccinated in Order to Travel to Canada

Effective January 15, 2022, certain groups of travellers, who are currently exempt from entry requirements, will only be allowed to enter Canada if they are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved for entry into Canada. These groups include the following:

*Individuals travelling to reunite with family. Children under 18 who are not fully vaccinated will continue to qualify for an exemption if they are travelling to Canada to reunite with an immediate or extended family member who is a Canadian, permanent resident, or person registered under the Indian Act;
*International students who are at least 18 years old;
*Professional and amateur athletes;
*Individuals with a valid work permit, including temporary foreign workers. There is an exception for temporary foreign workers working in agriculture or food processing; and
*Essential service providers, including truck drivers.
Foreign nationals who have their permanent resident applications approved will be exempt from the vaccination requirement. This means that they do not need to be fully vaccinated in order to travel to Canada. However, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days and to complete a COVID-19 test upon arrival and on day 8.

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December 7 - CANADA LAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE TO PROTECT VULNERABLE WOMEN AND GIRLS IN CENTRAL AMERICA

December 7, 2021—Ottawa (Ontario)
With a commitment of $10 million over the next 4 years, Canada will work with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to assist women and girls affected by irregular migration and forced displacement in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The project will provide support to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, countries from which many migrants originate. It will focus on the most urgent and high-impact requirements identified in the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (known as MIRPS) national priorities to reduce the drivers of high-risk migration and forced displacement and facilitate return or international protection for women and girls.
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December 7 - ONGOING IMMIGRATION-PROCESSING DELAYS LEAVE MANY IN LIMBO IN CANADA AND OVERSEAS

IRCC says it has experienced processing delays amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But nearly two years into it, most of the department's in-person offices remain closed. And many applicants told CBC News they feel stuck in limbo, with no clear way to check on their files.

According to data received from IRCC, Canada had a backlog of nearly 1.8 million immigration applications as of Oct. 27, including:

*548,195 permanent residence applications, including 112,392 refugee applications.
*775,741 temporary residence applications (study permits, work permits, temporary resident visas and visitor extensions).
*468,000 Canadian citizenship applications.
Before the pandemic, processing times for PR applications averaged six months.

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December 3 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT- PHASE II

Ottawa, December 3, 2021— Applications are now open for the second phase of the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP).
The pilot also serves to level the playing field by removing barriers unique to refugees. In this second phase, new measures will help to:

*more quickly process permanent residence applications for EMPP applicants so that, in the majority of cases, they can start working within 6 months of applying
*allow EMPP applicants to use a loan to demonstrate they have settlement funds
*waive fees for permanent residence applications
*simplify the application process by allowing scanned copies of documents
*provide pre-departure medical services to assist with immigration medical exams
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December 3 - CANADA OVERTAKES US, UK & AUSTRALIA AS TOP STUDY DESTINATION

Canada has become the most popular study destination for international students, according to a new study by IDP Connect, an education company focusing on student marketing and recruitment.

The “New Horizons” research conducted in late August and early September has involved 3,650 students from a total of 55 countries worldwide, Erudera.com reports.

39 percent of students participating in the study have mentioned Canada as their first choice for post-secondary studies, followed by 17 percent choosing the United States and the United Kingdom both, and 16 percent rating Australia as their first choice for higher education.

Furthermore, the study reveals that Canada is the most considered country to study for some 69 percent of students, followed by the UK.
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December 3 - ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PILOT - CLOSING ON DECEMBER 31, 2021

As of December 31, 2021, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot is closing, and provincial endorsements will no longer be issued. If you have a valid provincial certificate of endorsement, you can still apply for permanent residence under the Atlantic Immigration Pilot until March 5, 2022. The pilot will be replaced with a new program, with details to come.

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December 2 - STUDENTS FROM 10 COUNTRIES BANNED FROM ENTERING CANADA FOLLOWING OMICRON SCARE

Canada has already recorded several Omicron cases. As of November 30, six cases of the Omicron have been confirmed in the country. The country has since banned travel into the country from several African nations, including South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt.

Canada announced that foreign nationals who have been in any of these countries within the previous 14 days will not be permitted entry into Canada:

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November 29 - APPLY ONLINE FOR YOUR PROOF OF CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP OR SEARCH OF CITIZENSHIP RECORDS

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now accepting online applications to request proof of citizenship and search citizenship records. Applicants can submit their applications, pay the related fees, and send any required supporting documents online using the secure portal. Online applications can be used to

*request a replacement citizenship certificate (proof) that does not require changes to the information on the certificate (such as name, date of birth)
*submit straightforward claims for proof of citizenship by descent, as defined under the Citizenship Act
*request a search of citizenship records for an applicant
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November 29 - CANADA OFFERS NEW STUDY DESTINATIONS TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

While Ontario remains the most popular province to study and work in Canada, international students are becoming increasingly aware of opportunities that exist outside of Canada’s most populous province. In particular, Canada’s Atlantic provinces — Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick — have begun to receive serious consideration from newcomers to Canada.

According to recent reports from QS, cost of living and post-graduation work opportunities remain top of mind for students looking to further their education abroad. The Atlantic provinces deliver on this promise, with a low cost of living and regional programmes designed to help newcomers obtain permanent residency (PR) faster.

Nova Scotia has been a particularly popular target. The number of former international students granted PR in Nova Scotia already this year was nearly three times the total in 2016.
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November 26 - HOW CAN CANADIAN HELP REFUGEES SETTLE IN CANADA

Many refugees need extra help getting settled in Canada. How Canadians can help
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November 26 - LABOUR MARKET IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMES

IRCC has updated the LMIA processing time. Some of the streams have longer processing times for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
IRCC takes into consideration many factors before they issue an LMIA decision.

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November 26 - IMMIGRATION LOANS PROGRAM (ILP)

The new immigration loan cap is $15,000 (previously $10,000) when travel is booked through the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and to refer to the new Resettlement and Asylum Strategic Operations Branch (RASO).
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November 26 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - STUDY ONLINE FROM MARCH 2020 UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2022

The Government of Canada ahas extended the time International students can study online from outside Canada and have it counted toward their Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility: They can:
*count their online study time from March 2020 until August 31, 2022.
*complete 100% of their studies online and be eligible for a PGWP.
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November 26 - CANADA'S IMMIGRATION MINISTER SAYS HE WANTS TO LOOK INTO 'ISSUE' OF DISCRIMINATION AND BIAS WITHIN DEPARTMENT

OTTAWA – Canada’s immigration minister says he wants to look into the “issue” of discrimination and unconscious bias within the department tasked with triaging and approving immigration requests to Canada.

Article content

“Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve become aware of this issue, and it’s something that I personally want to look into,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser told reporters Wednesday as he entered a Liberal caucus meeting.

“There’s no secret that over the course of Canada’s history, unconscious bias and systemic racism have been a shameful part of Canada’s history over different aspects of the government’s operations. One of the things that we want to do is make sure that … this kind of unconscious bias doesn’t discriminate against people who come from a particular part of the world.”

https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/canadas-immigration-minister-says-he-wants-to-look-into-issue-of-potential-discrimination-and-bias-within-department

November 24 - CANADA ANNOUNCES NEW IMMIGRATION 'PATHWAY' FOR AFGHAN INTERPRETERS' EXTENDED FAMILIES

TORONTO -- The federal government has announced “new pathway” for the extended family members of Afghan interpreters to arrive in Canada and join them.

Under the new program, extended family members of Afghan interpreters will be eligible for immigration into Canada if they:

* are an Afghan national;
* are staying outside of Canada at the time of the application;
* were in Afghanistan on or after July 22;
* are a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent or sibling of someone who has already been granted permanent residency in Canada under the previous immigration platforms;
* can provide a “statutory declaration” from their family member already in Canada;
*can provide identification; and,
*filled out the online forms for entry.
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November 23 - COLLEGE OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP CONSULTANTS

Today is the formal launch of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

The College was created by an act passed by the Canadian Parliament in June 2019, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act (Canada) (“the College Act”). Pursuant to an order of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council was continued as the College on November 23, 2021.

For many newcomers to Canada, working with a professional immigration or citizenship consultant is a step toward a better future.

Belonging to a self-regulated profession that helps so many people is a privilege. With that privilege comes the responsibility to know and meet the professional and ethical obligations demanded of an immigration and citizenship consultant.

Effective regulation builds public trust. It also strengthens the profession by ensuring that licensees meet the educational, ethical and professional standards required of trusted, regulated professionals.
Press Release
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/23/2339621/0/en/New-Beginning-in-Regulation-of-Canada-s-Immigration-Consulting-Profession.html

November 19 - PUBLIC POLICY EXEMPTING CERTAIN OUT-OF-STATUS FOREIGN NATIONALS IN CANADA FROM IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

The temporary public policy to exempt certain foreign nationals in Canada from certain requirements ended on August 31, 2021.

The instructions have been removed to reflect this.
Read more
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2021-covid-exemption-requirements.html

November 19 - POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT ELIGIBLE PROGRAMS AND INSTITUTIONS

IRCC has made changes to the list of post-graduation work permit eligible programs and institutions. Public secondary and post-secondary institutions in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diploma of vocational studies or an attestation of vocational specialization are now included in the eligible institutions.
Students are ineligible for a post-graduation work permit if they have completed the following:

*an English as a second language or French as a second language course or program of study
*general interest or self-improvement courses
*a course or program of study at a private career college
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November 16 - CANADA IS REFUSING MORE STUDY PERMITS

Canada is refusing more study permits. Is new AI technology to blame?

Sohail Moghadam applied twice for a study permit for a postgraduate program in Canada, only to be refused with an explanation that read like a tentative reply.

Immigration officials “were not satisfied that you would be leaving Canada at the end of your stay,” he was told.

After a third unsuccessful attempt, Moghadam, who already has a master’s degree in electronics engineering from Iran, challenged the refusal in court and the matter was settled. He is now studying energy management at the New York Institute of Technology in Vancouver.

His Canadian lawyer, Zeinab Ziyi, said that over the years, he has seen an increasing number of people being denied study permits, like Moghadam. Internal notes made by officials reveal only general analysis based on cookie-cutter language and often have nothing to do with specific evidence presented by the applicant.
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November 16 - FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO ARE IN CANADA WITH A LETTER OF INTRODUCTION (LOI) AFTER APPROVAL OF A STUDY OR WORK PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESSED OUTSIDE OF CANADA

Foreign nationals who are physically in Canada with temporary resident status but have received a positive decision letter (letter of introduction [LOI]) on their study or work permit application [IMM 1294 or IMM 1295] processed outside of Canada may request the examination and document issuance from within Canada using the IRCC Web form.
Foreign nationals who received a LOI under International Experience Canada (IEC) are also eligible to have their relevant permit(s) issued from within Canada.
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, these foreign nationals can’t leave and re-enter Canada to present their LOI for examination. This pilot process is extended from March 31, 2021 until November 22, 2021.
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November 16 - WHO MAY PERFORM AN IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Only physicians authorized by IRCC may carry out immigration medical examinations.

Technical instructions that define the actions and management of the authorized physicians who perform the immigration medical examinations are located on the Panel Physician Program webpage.
Using an alternate medical practitioner
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may not be in a position to access a panel physician. In Canada, due to IRCC’s obligations under the Official Languages Act, the Migration Health Branch may temporarily authorize a non-panel physician to perform an immigration medical examination (known as “dispensation”) for in-Canada applicants.
Read more
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/medical-requirements/exam/who-may-perform-immigration-medical-examination.html

November 15 - PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS APPLICATIONS UPDATE

The Intake process for family class applications for parents and grandparents has been updated by IRCC today, November 15, 2021.

To ensure all applications are received by the end of the 2021 calendar year, the 2021 program will select potential sponsors from the remaining 2020 interest to sponsor forms rather than conducting a new interest to sponsor form submission period. As a result, applications from both the 2020 and 2021 intake processes will be received in the 2021 calendar year.
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November 1 - PROGRAM FOR REFUGEES ABROAD - COLLECTIVE SPONSORSHIP

The next submission period for undertaking applications under the Program for Refugees Abroad (Collective Sponsorship) will run from January 18 to February 16, 2022.

A maximum of 825 applications will be received by random draw from individuals and groups of 2 and 5 persons. They can submit up to 2 applications.
In the event the number of applications submitted and admissible exceeds the maximum number of applications receivable for one or more groups of sponsors (applicants), one or more random draws will be held under the supervision of an external auditor in the presence of witnesses.
Read more
https://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/humanitarian-immigration/collective-sponsorship/index.html

October 21 - CANADA HAS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS IN THE WORLD

The Canadian passport has been ranked among the most powerful in the world, according to a new report.

Henley & Partners has released its October 2021 Henley Passport Index ranking and the passport from the Great White North was included in the top 10 countries.

Each quarter, the Henley Passport Index presents its ranking of passports according to the number of countries their holders can enter without the bother of applying for a visa in advance. The renowned London-based consultancy, which helps governments develop citizenship-by-investment programs, bases the ranking on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and additional in-house research.

The index also shows many countries "with high-ranking passports have enforced some of the most stringent inbound COVID-19-related travel restrictions, while many countries with lower-ranking passports have relaxed their borders without seeing this openness reciprocated."

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October 20 - OVERSEAS PROCESSING OF FAMILY MEMBERS OF IN-CANADA APPLICANTS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

The Overseas Processing Manual (OP 24) has been updated and converted to program delivery instructions. The new instructions provide guidance on how to process family members residing outside of Canada for the following in-Canada applicants for permanent residence:

*spouse and common-law partner in Canada class
*live-in caregiver class
*protected persons in Canada
*protected temporary residents
*temporary resident permit holder class
*applicants for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate considerations who applied in Canada
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October 4 - N.S. PREPARES $2.5M CAMPAIGN AIMED AT ATTRACTING NEW RESIDENTS

The Nova Scotia government is taking the first steps toward a goal of doubling the province's population by 2060.

The Labour, Skills and Immigration Department announced plans this week for a $2.5-million marketing program aimed at provincial immigration and migration.

The department will work with officials at the Communities, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Department to develop the promotional plan.

Labour, Skills and Immigration Department Minister Jill Balser said there is an opportunity to promote the province and its way of life. Details on the campaign, including who will design it, are still in the works.

"This campaign is just the start to be able to reach that ambitious goal," said Balser.

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October 4 - PERMANENT RESIDENCE - COVID-19 UPDATE

Expedited processing
The decision to expedite an application due to special circumstances remains at the discretion of IRCC, including the migration program manager of the responsible IRCC office and the manager of the responsible processing office in Canada.

Requests for additional documents on open applications
The COVID-19 facilitation, where request letters for additional information or documents were issued with 90-day extensions, applies until April 11, 2021. On April 12, 2021 and later, an officer will send a final request letter with a 30-day deadline to the affected applicants, to allow for either of the following to be provided by the applicant:

*the submission of the missing documents or information, or
*a request for extension to submit documents at a later time with a reasonable explanation and proof of the explanation that would allow the application to remain open
Read more

October 1 - ELIGIBILITY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF QUÉBEC’S HEALTH COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS' IMMIGRATION STATUS IS PRECARIOUS

Changes to the healthcare coverage of certain children
New provisions change the eligibility of children for the Québec health insurance and basic prescription drug insurance plans.

As of September 22, 2021, all children are eligible for the Québec health insurance and basic prescription drug insurance plans provided that they are present in Québec for more than 6 months per year, whether they were born here or not. This includes:

*Children temporarily living in Québec, for example, those of foreign workers or students
*Children without legal status in Canada
Moreover, the 3-month period during which people who settle in Quebec are not eligible for health insurance (also called “waiting period”) is abolished for all children.
Read more

October 1 - QUEBEC: SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS DURING THE COVID-19 PERIOD HAS ENDED

In order to recognize the contribution of asylum seekers who provided direct care to the population during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Québec government has introduced the Special program for asylum seekers during the COVID-19 period (SPASCP), effective December 14, 2020.
The period to submit SPASCP applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) ended on August 31, 2021. If IRCC has confirmed your eligibility, then you can submit your application to the Ministère after that date.

You must have acquired the necessary work experience by August 31, 2021 at the latest, but you can subsequently send proof of this work experience to the Ministère.
Read more

October 1 - PERMANENT RESIDENCE ONLINE PORTAL

Family class applications: Initial review and file creation

IRCC launched a permanent residence online intake portal, enabling applicants who apply for select permanent resident programs to submit their applications online, including certain family class applications. The instructions have been updated to reference online applications.

An online application submitted via the permanent residence online application portal is date stamped when it is submitted and this can be viewed in the portal dashboard. The date that the application is received in the portal is proof that an application has been made online.
Read more

October 1 - DIRECT PASSENGER FLIGHTS FROM INDIA RESUME AS CANADA LIFTS BAN

In a post on Twitter, Transport Canada said direct flights from India can land in Canada, but travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test from an approved laboratory at the New Delhi airport no more than 18 hours before their departure.
"Travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test from the approved Genestrings Laboratory at the Delhi airport taken within 18 hours of the scheduled departure of their direct flight to Canada."
Read more

September 30 - Parents and GrandParents Program 2021

IRCC is now sending out invitations to sponsor parents and grandparents

This year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be accepting a record number of up to 30,000 applications under the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program, the largest ever single intake. IRCC is now sending invitations to apply to selected potential sponsors who submitted their interest in sponsoring their parents and grandparents last year.

Potential sponsors who submitted interest to sponsor forms in the fall of 2020 are encouraged to check the email account they provided on the form, as invitations to apply will be sent via email.
Those invited to apply as part of this process will have 60 days to submit their application, and must do so by using IRCC’s new Permanent Residence Portal.

Read more

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 - EXPRESS ENTRY ROUNDS OF INVITATIONS

Express Entry system #206– September 29, 2021
Provincial Nominee Program

Number of invitations issued: 761Footnote*

Rank required to be invited to apply: 761st or above

Date and time of round: September 29, 2021 at 13:17:49 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 742

Tie-breaking rule: July 29, 2021 at 09:45:29 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021-SASKATCHEWAN IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM (SINP)

International Skilled Worker EOI System
*Occupation in Demand ITA-239, lowest score -71
*Express Entry ITA 152, lowest score 71
Read more for NOC details

September-PUBLIC POLICY TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

The EMPP is focused on pathways via regional economic immigration programs – such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) and, more recently, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) – where a local delivery partner (i.e. a province, territory, community-based economic development organization, or employer), together with settlement service provider organizations, helps ensure the successful settlement and integration of the newcomers and their families.

The goal of the EMPP is to provide durable solutions for refugees with the skills and qualifications that Canadian employers need.
Read more

September 28-CANADA DOUBLES ITS AFGHAN REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT TARGET TO 40,000 PEOPLE

The official announcement was made by Canada’s foreign minister on Monday evening, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly.
Canada has doubled to 40,000 the number of Afghans fleeing the Taliban that it plans to take in, the Canadian foreign minister said Monday, fulfilling a campaign pledge made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The announcement, which came a week after Mr. Trudeau’s party won re-election, was certain to be welcomed by humanitarian groups in Canada. They had been pressing the government to do significantly more when it initially committed last month to take in 20,000 refugees after the Taliban swept into power.
Read more

September 28-NEW TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM INDIA TO CANADA

Direct flights from India to Canada have resumed.

Passengers eligible to enter Canada and travelling on those flights must:

*obtain a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from the Genestrings Laboratory, located above the metro station in the Airport Connect Building (ACB) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport
*perform this test within 18 hours before their scheduled departure
*present the test report with a QR code issued by this laboratory to the air operator before boarding

Alternatively, travellers who have previously tested positive for COVID-19 can present a positive molecular test issued by a certified laboratory in India. The date of collection must have been between 14 and 180 days before their scheduled departure to Canada.

Airlines will refuse boarding to any traveller who’s unable to meet these requirements.

Indirect flights
Passengers who travel from India to Canada via an indirect route still need to provide a pre-departure negative COVID-19 molecular test result from a third country before continuing their journey to Canada.
Read more

September 28-COVID-19 TRAVEL: CHECKLISTS FOR REQUIREMENTS AND EXEMPTIONS

Who can come to Canada
*Canadian citizens (including dual citizens), people registered under the Indian Act, permanent residents of Canada, or protected persons (refugee status) are allowed to enter Canada.
*Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed enter Canada for discretionary travel.
Foreign nationals who don't qualify as fully vaccinated will only be allowed to enter in specific circumstances:

Find out if you can enter Canada
Read more

SEPTEMBER 27: OPEN SPOUSAL WORK PERMIT PROGRAM UPDATE- IRCC

Public policy, competitiveness and economy [R205(c)(ii) – C41, C42, C43, C44, C45] – Canadian interest – International Mobility Program

[C42] Spouses or common-law partners of study permit holders
Spouses or common-law partners of certain foreign nationals who hold a study permit and study on a full-time basis in post-graduation work permit- eligible study programs and institutions may apply for an open work permit under the LMIA exemption category C42, as work designated by the Minister.

This LMIA exemption category is intended for spouses who are not, themselves, already study permit holders actively engaged in full- time studies. Allowing spouses to enter Canada and work is designed to increase the competitiveness of Canada’s academic institutions or economy in Post-graduation work permit eligible study programs and institutions.
Read more

September 26-WILL THE REMOVAL OF THE CANADIAN CITIZENSHIP PREFERENCE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Giving permanent residents equal consideration in the hiring process should increase diversity among the public service ranks.
In recent employment equity reports, the federal government has provided disaggregated representation for visible minorities, Indigenous people and persons with disabilities to help assess how well the public service represents the public it serves. Previously, disaggregated data for visible minority and Indigenous groups in public administration was available only through census data every five years.
A recent Public Service Commission study on the “citizenship of applicants and external appointments” highlighted the impact of this policy: while visible minority citizens were 17.2 per cent of all applicants and 19.5 per cent of all hires, visible minorities who are only permanent residents formed 5.1 per cent of all applicants and only 1.2 per cent of all hires in 2018-19.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 22, 2021-OINP DRAW - Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

Invitations to apply issued for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream

On September 22, 2021, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to apply to candidates in the Expression of Interest system pool who may qualify for the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream.
The OINP targeted candidates registered for the Regional Immigration Pilot, and in a separate draw, targeted candidates under this stream with work experience in the national occupational codes (NOC) below:
Read more

September 22-PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS PROGRAM 2021

Invitations to sponsor parents and grandparents are now being sent out

This year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be accepting a record number of up to 30,000 applications under the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program, the largest ever single intake. IRCC is now sending invitations to apply to selected potential sponsors who submitted their interest in sponsoring their parents and grandparents last year.

Potential sponsors who submitted interest to sponsor forms in the fall of 2020 are encouraged to check the email account they provided on the form, as invitations to apply will be sent via email.
Those invited to apply as part of this process will have 60 days to submit their application, and must do so by using IRCC’s new Permanent Residence Portal.

September 22-CANADA ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF FLIGHT BAN FROM INDIA AS IT PREPARES FOR THE RETURN OF DIRECT FLIGHTS

As Canada prepares for the return of direct flights from India to Canada, Transport Canada is announcing an extension of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India until September 26, 2021, at 23:59 EDT.

Once the restriction on direct flights expires, travellers eligible to enter Canada will be able to board direct flights from India to Canada with the following additional measures:

*Travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test from the approved Genestrings Laboratory at the Delhi airport taken within 18 hours of the scheduled departure of their direct flight to Canada.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021-BC PNP TECH DRAW

In a new draw on September 21, 2021, BC PNP invited 74 candidates who had in-demand tech skills.

All applicants invited required to have a minimum of one year full-time job offer from any employer.

Read more

September 22, 2021-TEMPORARY RESIDENT TABLE OF CONTENTS AND LABOUR MARKET IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LMIA) EXEMPTION CODE TABLE

The table of contents for temporary residence program delivery instructions (PDIs) has been updated to reflect some name changes of the PDIs and to add in new PDIs that were recently developed.

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemption code table has been updated to add in LMIA exemption codes that were developed in the last year.
International Mobility Workers Unit (IMWU): POE assistance
The IMWU supports Canada Border Services Agency officers with enquiries related to LMIA exemptions and work permit exemptions and provides opinions to employers seeking to hire foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries currently outside of Canada.

The IMWU is available during business hours. Enquiries sent outside business hours will be answered on the next business day.
General visa requirements
Intake
*Temporary resident status
*Visa-required countries
*Visa exemptions by purpose of entry
*Transit Without Visa Program
*China Transit Program
*Countries designated for the purposes of the Visiting Forces Act
*Fee requirements
*Place of application

September22-Today is the first day of FALL in the Northern Hemisphere

Twice a year, everyone on Earth is seemingly on equal footing -- at least when it comes to the distribution of light and dark.

On Wednesday, September 22, we enter our second and final equinox of 2021. If you reside in the Northern Hemisphere, you know it as the fall equinox (or autumnal equinox). For people south of the equator, this equinox actually signals the coming of spring.
Folks really close to the equator have roughly 12-hour days and 12-hour nights all year long, so they won't really notice a thing. But people close to the poles, in destinations such as the northern parts of Canada, Norway and Russia, go through wild swings in the day/night ratio each year. They have long, dark winters and then have summers where night barely intrudes.
There's a good explanation (SCIENCE!) for why you don't get precisely 12 hours of daylight on the equinox. More on that farther down in the article.
Read more (CNN)

The Farmer's Almanac-Read more
https://www.almanac.com/content/first-day-seasons

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021-OINP PNP DRAW: INVITATIONS TO APPLY ISSUED FOR THE EMPLOYER JOB OFFER: FOREIGN WORKER AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT STREAMS

On September 21, 2021, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued targeted invitations to apply to candidates registered for the Regional Immigration Pilot in the Expression of Interest system pool who may qualify for the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and International Student streams.
*Foreign Worker Stream - 406 invited. Minimum score 37.
* International Student Stream – 523 invited. EOI score of 61.
* Regional Immigration Pilot - 66 invitations. (36 issued to foreign workers; 30 to international students)
Read more

September 21-CANADA TO RESUME FLIGHTS FROM INDIA NEXT WEEK WITH ADDITIONAL COVID-19 MEASURES

Canada will begin allowing direct flights from India early next week while requiring additional COVID-19 measures for those travellers, the federal government said Tuesday.
Transport Canada said the ban on all private and commercial passenger flights from the country, which was set to expire Tuesday, will be extended until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 26.

After that, travellers eligible to enter Canada will need to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 18 hours of departure from India. Travellers will also have to upload their vaccination information to the ArriveCAN app prior to boarding.
Read more

September 21-SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNERS IN CANADA CLASS PILOT EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 2023

Pilot program to exempt permanent residence applicants in the family class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class from paragraph R117(9)(d) or R125(1)(d) exclusion

Foreign nationals applying to immigrate to Canada are required to both declare and have all of their family members (spouse or common-law partner and children) examined, even if those family members are not accompanying the principal applicant.
Failure to have a non-accompanying family member examined results in a lifetime exclusion in being able to sponsor that person under the family class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada (SCLPC) class, per paragraph R117(9)(d) or R125(1)(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
To address potential concerns about the impact this provision may have on families, the Government of Canada introduced a 2-year pilot project via a temporary public policy to facilitate the immigration of certain sponsored foreign nationals excluded under paragraph R117(9)(d) or R125(1)(d).
The pilot has been extended this policy for another two years and will be in effect from September 10, 2021 to September 9, 2023.

September 21-SASKATCHEWAN (SINP) ISSUES 51 INVITATION FOR INTERNATIONAL GRADUATES

The SINP is accepting 1,000 applications under the temporary measure. As of September 20, 2021, the SINP is accepting another 491 applications through this temporary measure. The remaining number of applications to be accepted will be updated every Monday.
This sub-category is for students who:

*Have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada.
*Want to apply for nomination by the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).
*Meet the sub-category criteria. Criteria can change at any time, but we will use what was on this website when we got your application.
Read more

September 21-CANADA RESUMES DIRECT FLIGHTS TO INDIA

After five months Canada has finally resumed direct flights to India.

Read more

September 21-U.S.EASING FOREIGN AIR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

The U.S. said Monday it will ease airline restrictions this fall on travel to the country for people who have proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test, replacing rules that had kept out many non-citizens and irritated allies in Europe and beyond where virus cases are far lower.

The new rules will replace a hodgepodge of restrictions that had barred non-citizens who had been in Europe, much of Asia and certain other countries in the prior 14 days from entering the U.S. The changes will allow families and others who have been separated by the travel restrictions for 18 months to plan for long-awaited reunions.

The White House also indicated that restrictions on non-essential travel from Canada and Mexico through land borders will remain in place through Oct. 21.

Read more

September 18-HERE’S HOW THE FEDERAL ELECTION COULD CHANGE CANADA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Jhoey Dulaca isn’t eligible to vote in the upcoming election, but the migrant worker from the Philippines is keeping an eye out for the political parties’ immigration plans.

The Toronto woman says she feels migrants’ voices have once again been muted and lost as the issue that matters most to them — ballooning backlogs and endless processing times as a result of the pandemic — have drawn little attention or debate from party leaders.

“No one is talking about the immigration backlog and long wait times,” says Dulaca, who came as a live-in caregiver in 2016 and just received her permanent residence in Canada on Aug. 18 after two long years of processing.

The 41-year-old single mother is unsure how long it will now take to reunite with her two daughters, Tess, 19, and Thea, 16, whom she has not seen for five years.

Read more

September 18-ASSISTANCE FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES: RESETTLEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP

Read more (FAQ Brief from The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL))

Article acknowledgement-CARL

September 17-PARENTS GRANDPARENTS SPONSORSHIP 2021

Beginning September 20, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will be have a lottery inviting 30,000 individuals to submit a sponsorship application.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will accept applications from individuals who submitted an 'Interest to Sponsor" form between October 13 and November 3, 2020.
Read more

September 17-AMEND VALID TEMPORARY RESIDENT DOCUMENTS OR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE CONFIRMATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE

What documents may be corrected?
The following documents may be amended only if they are valid (have not expired):

*visitor record (IMM 1442)
*work permit (IMM 1442)
*study permit (IMM 1442)
*permit to come into or remain in Canada (IMM 1263)
*temporary resident permit (IMM 1442)
Read more

September 17-HOW TO WITHDRAW YOUR EXPRESS ENTRY PROFILE

To cancel or withdraw an online application, use a web form.

Include in the form:
*your name
*your Unique Client Identifier (UCI) (if you have one)
*your date of birth
*your country of birth
*your application type
*the date you submitted your online application
*your application number (if you know it)
*your payment receipt number (if you know it)
Read more

September 17-PILOT PROGRAM TO EXEMPT PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICANTS IN THE FAMILY CLASS OR THE SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNER IN CANADA - EXTENDED TO 2023

Foreign nationals applying to immigrate to Canada are required to both declare and have all of their family members (spouse or common-law partner and children) examined, even if those family members are not accompanying the principal applicant.
Instructions have been added that the current pilot program, set to expire on September 9, 2021, has been extended for 2 years. The impact of COVID-19 on the processing of applications, as well as the results of an analysis of the pilot, has warranted extending the pilot by implementing a subsequent public policy that will be in effect from September 10, 2021 to September 9, 2023.

Read more

September 16, 2021-BRIDGING OPEN WORK PERMITS FOR CERTAIN ECONOMIC CLASS PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICANTS – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

The instructions for the bridging open work permit (BOWP) have been updated to add the Quebec skilled worker class (QSWC). Applicants who have a permanent residence application under this class may now obtain a BOWP if they have passed a completeness check under section 10 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) and meet other eligibility requirements.

In addition, clarifications have been added to the Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) section.

More information has also been added throughout the instructions, and the format and flow of the information has been updated to make it easier for officers to follow for processing.
Read more

September 16 - VANCOUVER BUSINESSES NEED MORE SKILLED IMMIGRANTS

A new elections-issues survey shows most businesses in the Greater Vancouver area — the most populous in British Columbia — support increasing efforts to attract highly skilled immigrants.

The survey, conducted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) in collaboration with Mustel Group, found that a significant majority (72 percent) of businesses support increasing efforts to attract highly skilled immigrants, while an even larger proportion (76 percent) would like to see the next federal government increase efforts to improve credential recognition for the same.

“Businesses are calling for a plan to find workers focused on developing skills in our local market and offsetting what we don’t have by welcoming skilled immigrants,” said Bridgitte Anderson, President & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

Read more

September 15 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS STRUGGLE TO COME TO CANADA AMID COVID-19 VARIANT CONCERNS

The number of international students may rise this year compared to 2020, but travel restrictions related to COVID-19 variants may be a roadblock, according to Universities Canada president Paul Davidson.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 - BC PNP INVITATIONS TO APPLY

Periodically, IRCC invites the highest scoring registrants in each category to apply to the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). IRCC then nominate successful applicants to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 15, 2021-EXPRESS ENTRY ROUNDS OF INVITATIONS- PNP DRAW

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #205– September 15, 2021

See full text of Ministerial Instruction

Provincial Nominee Program

Number of invitations issued: 521

Rank required to be invited to apply: 521th or above

Date and time of round: September 15, 2021 at 14:59:17 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 732

Tie-breaking rule: February 24, 2021 at 10:46:54 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
Read more

September 7 - AINP - EXPRESS ENTRY STREAM SELECTION DRAW

The AINP regularly reviews available candidates in the federal Express Entry pool. Based on available profile information in the portal, the AINP draws to select candidates from the pool, inviting them to submit a completed application to the AINP. Information on Alberta Express Entry Stream Notification of Interest factors is included on the eligibility page.
Read more

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021- ONTARIO IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAM DRAW

Invitations to apply issued for the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams
On September 14, 2021, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to apply to candidates in the Expression of Interest system pool who may qualify for the the Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams.

You may apply to these streams if you received an invitation to apply on September 14, 2021.
If you received an invitation to apply, you don’t need to contact the program.
Read more

September 14 - EXPRESS ENTRY ROUNDS OF INVITATIONS

IRCC ranks candidates in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). IRCC selects the highest-ranking candidates from the pool and invite them to apply for permanent residence.

Each invitation round has a set of instructions that are:

*posted online at the time of the invitation round
*used by the Express Entry system to invite candidates from the pool
Read more

September 14 - INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE CANADA - ROUNDS OF INVITATIONS

Working Holiday applicants
If you’ve applied for the Working Holiday program, you don’t need to send IRCC a job offer to get an invitation to apply (ITA) anymore. IRCC has resumed random weekly draws beginning September 13, 2021.

If you’re in a pool and there are spots left, you’re eligible for an ITA.

IRCC regularly invites eligible candidates from the IEC pools to apply for a work permit. These are called rounds of invitations.

The number of candidates invited to apply during each round varies. Rounds will take place until there are no more spots available or the IEC season closes.

Read more

September 13 - CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AND VISITORS TO CANADA: VISITOR VISA APPLICATIONS

If you applied before September 7, 2021, and you already advised IRCC that you qualify for a COVID-19 exemption
You do not need to submit a new application or write to IRCC again.
IRCC will process the application you submitted before September 7, 2021.
• It doesn’t matter if you applied via the IRCC Portal, via your IRCC secure account, or on paper.
IRCC will send you an email if IRCC need more information from you or when IRCC has reached a decision.
Read more

September 13 - C-14 LMIA EXEMPTION FOR FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION WORKERS

C14 is the administrative LMIA exemption code that covers the work of certain essential foreign workers in the production stage (filming) of a live-action television or film project being filmed in whole or in part in Canada

Eligibility
Cumulatively, the following factors, established as a result of extensive consultation with representatives of the industry and labour organizations, demonstrate that work at the production stage of a live-action television or film project would likely create or maintain significant social, cultural or economic benefits or opportunities for Canadian citizens or permanent residents and thus qualify for an LMIA exemption using the administrative code C14. The work must be:

*essential to a live-action TV or film project in the production stage (filming): Essential positions are those where the physical presence of foreign workers on location in Canada is required to generate the expected benefit.
*high wage: Evidence of high-wage work is meant to establish that Canada will reap a significant economic benefit (for example, tax revenue) from hiring a foreign national and to protect the Canadian labour market from wage suppression.
Read more

September 10 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – TRAVEL RESTRICTION MEASURES

Instructions have been modified to align with the coming into force of Phase 3 of the Border Reopening plan on September 7, 2021.This includes an operational plan to process temporary resident visas.

The border measures:
*keep the existing travel restrictions for entry
*permit discretionary travel from foreign nationals who meet the fully vaccinated exemption
Read more

September 9 - BRIDGING OPEN WORK PERMIT FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE APPLICANTS

A bridging open work permit (BOWP) lets you keep working while you wait for the results of your permanent residence application.

You may be eligible if you applied to one of the permanent residence programs below.

Which permanent residence program did you apply for? (required)
*Permanent residence using Express Entry
*Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
*Quebec skilled workers
*Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home *Support Worker Pilot
*Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class
*Agri-Food Pilot
Read more

September 8 - PUBLIC POLICY EXEMPTING CERTAIN VISITORS IN CANADA FROM IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS

The public policy allowing certain visitors to work is being extended until February 28, 2022.

Eligibility requirements for visitors to apply for an employer-specific work permit
The foreign national

*is in Canada with valid temporary resident status as a visitor, including status extensions under subsection 183(5) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), that is, maintained status, at the time of work permit application submission
*has submitted an employer-specific work permit application using the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker [IMM 5710]
Read more

September 8 - VISITOR VISA APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

If you’re waiting for a decision and need to travel to Canada
If you submitted your application before September 7, 2021, we recommend you submit a new application via the IRCC Portal if you’re travelling for one of the following reasons:

*to unite with an immediate family member who is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada
*to unite with an immediate family member who is in Canada temporarily
*to unite with an extended family member who is a Canadian citizen, person registered under Canada’s Indian Act or permanent resident of Canada.
*to visit on business (meeting, special event, training)
*to attend an end-of-life ceremony or funeral
Read more

September 8 - TRAVEL ADVISORY: ON SEPTEMBER 7, NEW MEASURES FOR FULLY VACCINATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS TO CANADA HAVE COME INTO FORCE

Beginning at 12:01 am EDT on September 7, 2021, fully vaccinated foreign nationals will be eligible to enter Canada for discretionary (non-essential) reasons, such as tourism; however, these individuals must:

1.be fully vaccinated: a traveller must have received, and show proof of, the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada
2.Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)
Read more

September 8 - CANADA EASES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR FULLY VACCINATED INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS

The federal government has added fully vaccinated foreign nationals to the ranks of travellers who are once again welcome on Canadian soil.

As of midnight Monday night, quarantine requirements were eased for non-essential international travellers who have had a full course of a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine.

To be eligible, travellers must have allowed at least 14 days to pass since their last vaccine shot and show proof of a negative molecular test for COVID-19 that’s no more than 72 hours old.
Read more

August 29 - CANADA SUSPENDING ALL DIRECT COMMERCIAL AND PRIVATE PASSENGER FLIGHTS FROM MOROCCO UNTIL SEPTEMBER 29

Canada has some of the strictest travel and border measures in the world, and is prioritizing the health and safety of Canadians by continuing to take a risk-based and measured approach to re-opening its borders.
Based on the latest public health advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada is issuing a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from Morocco from August 29, 2021, at 00:01 EDT until September 29, 2021, at 00:00 EDT. All direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from Morocco are subject to the NOTAM. Cargo-only operations, medical transfers or military flights are not included.

To ensure aviation safety and to reduce operational interruptions, flights from Morocco that are already in transit at the time of the publication of the NOTAM will be allowed to proceed to Canada.
Read more

August 29 - WHY CANADA HAS RECENTLY BEEN DENYING VISAS TO SEVERAL INDIAN STUDENTS

For the past two weeks, a large number of student visa applications have been refused by the Canadian High Commission, and even the students with high scores in IELTS and those who are already enrolled for online study in Canadian colleges, are facing refusal. Now, these students will have to re-apply for student visas.

The Indian Express explains why are these visas being refused, and what these students need to do next.
The number is in thousands, informed consultants who deal with student visas particularly for Canada. Almost every consultant’s students have faced refusal, some less in number and some more. Even students who are taking online classes after getting Visa Approval in Principle (AIP), which means meeting the conditions for admission including clearing of IELTS and submitting a year’s fee, last year, are being refused, said consultants. Due to Covid, visa approval was divided into two parts — AIP and biometrics.
Read more

August 29 - CANADA ASSISTANCE IN THE AFGHAN CRISIS

Canada’s response to the situation in #Afghanistan and how to contact us for assistance:

http://ow.ly/cAFG50G094u

August 26 - EDMONTON AGENCIES GETTING READY TO RESETTLE AFGHAN REFUGEES

Local social agencies are preparing to welcome dozens of Afghan refugees to Edmonton over the next few weeks.

Plans are in flux, but national settlement co-chair Fariborz Birjandian, who is also CEO of the Calgary Catholic Immigrant Society, told CBC News on Tuesday night that 40 refugees from Afghanistan are expected to arrive in Edmonton over the next 10 days.

Canada's federal government has said it would accept up to 20,000 vulnerable Afghans threatened by the Taliban.

Edmonton organizations that resettle refugees are getting ready to help the new arrivals find housing, employment and language training if needed.

Catholic Social Services (CSS) is lining up staff who speak Dari and Pashto, the two main languages spoken in Afghanistan, and the agency plans to meet with schools and employment groups next week.

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August 26 - PROGRAM UPDATE: SPECIAL MEASURES FOR AFGHANISTAN

Effective August 23, 2021, processing networks must prioritize processing family class applications, applications from protected persons in Canada and their dependants overseas, and applications from dependants of resettled Afghan refugees.

The instructions on special measures for Afghanistan provide general guidance to officers who process these types of applications.

Prioritized populations include
*Afghan citizens outside Canada who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Indian Act, or Canadian permanent residents and have made or will make
*a family class application for permanent residence or
*an application for temporary residence
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August 25 - TRAVELLERS TO CANADA DOUBLED AFTER BORDER REOPENED TO AMERICANS

The number of people crossing the land border into Canada more than doubled in the first week fully vaccinated Americans were once again allowed to enter the country for non-essential travel.

According to Canadian government statistics, 218,732 non-commercial travellers entered Canada by land from Aug. 9-15. The number, which includes both Canadians and Americans, was a 111 per cent increase from 103,344 travellers the week before, when the border was still closed to Americans, and a nearly 200 per cent increase over the 74,562 people who crossed during that same week in 2020.

It pales, however, in comparison to the 1.4 million travellers who entered Canada that week in 2019, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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August 25 - PERMANENT RESIDENTS FORCED TO WAIT MONTHS FOR PROOF OF STATUS

These immigrants sometimes waited more than two years to obtain their permanent residence, often after several years of working or studying on temporary permits. While they finally believed to see the outcome of their efforts, these permanent residents of the country now find themselves waiting for the card proving this status for months, in a blur on the deadline.

They also denounce a two-tier system, since their request would be processed after others, more recent. A new portal to confirm residency was put online at the end of May and ensures receipt of the card in just a few weeks.

Nearly twenty people confided in Le Devoir about their frustration and disappointment at having to wait for this permanent residence card for three to six months. Furthermore, they cannot obtain information on the progress of these procedures from the Federal Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).
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August 24 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: GUIDANCE FOR SPECIAL MEASURES TO SUPPORT HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO COME TO CANADA

The following updates have been made to the program delivery instructions:
*New Organization ID for dependants of Open Work Permit applicants.
*Update to IEC instructions.
*Additional instructions for the national interest exemption letter section.

While most applications will be processed by the HK office, all offices must follow the instructions in order for applications to be processed in a consistent manner.

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August 24 - IRCC PROGRAM UPDATE: APPLICANTS WITH NO OTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT AND HUMANITARIAN REASONS

The instructions for applicants with no other means of support (refugee claimants and persons under an unenforceable removal order) have been updated to modernize the page and add guidance on fees, medical examinations, work permit duration and examples of applicants who may be under unenforceable removal orders.
Under section 206 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), work permits may be issued to foreign nationals who cannot support themselves without working and who are

*refugee claimants whose claim has been referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) but not been determined [R206(1)(a)] or
*subject to an unenforceable removal order [R206(1)(b)]

As per R202 of IRPR, applicants who are issued a work permit under section R206 do not, by reason only of being issued a work permit, become temporary residents.
Read more
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2021-no-support-humanitarian-reasons.html

August 24 - PUBLIC POLICY TO FACILITATE THE IMMIGRATION OF CERTAIN SPONSORED FOREIGN NATIONALS EXTENDED - IRCC

Conditions (Eligibility Requirements)

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the provisions of the Regulations listed below to a foreign national who meets all of the following conditions (eligibility requirements):

*The foreign national has applied as a spouse or a common-law partner in the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada class or as a spouse, a common-law partner, a conjugal partner or a dependent child in the Family Class;

*The foreign national has a sponsor who applied for and was granted permanent residence status:

**As a Convention refugee or a person in similar circumstances; or,

August 24 - FAMILY’S IMMIGRATION APPLICATION WAS ‘IN PROCESS’ FOR 57 MONTHS

Abdulrhman Taskia had been kept in the dark by immigration officials for almost five years, not knowing why his family’s permanent residence application was taking so long.

Finally, in February 2020, the Toronto man asked the Federal Court to do something about it and push Ottawa to expedite his case.

Last month, in a rare ruling, the court agreed the 57-month wait in the queue was “unreasonable” and ordered Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to render a decision in 30 days and to pay Taskia’s family $1,500 in costs.

“Even in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has slowed IRCC processing times, I find the delay in question is prima facie longer than the nature of the process required,” wrote Justice Shirzad S. Ahmed, referring to the normal processing time of just 21 months.
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August 23 - COVID FLIGHT BAN FORCES INDIAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO COME TO CANADA VIA THIRD COUNTRY

With the start of the fall university semester fast approaching, international students from India are struggling to find routes to get into Canada after the government suspended all flights from the country over a surge in COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Delta variant.
Earlier this month, the federal government extended the ban until Sept. 21, the day after the federal election. Some students say they believe, at this point, with case counts coming down in India, the federal policy is discriminatory.

Travelling via a third country is time consuming and stressful — potentially even dangerous — says one student who hopes to study in Alberta come September.
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August 23 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TRAVEL HURDLES

HOW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HEADING TO CANADA ARE NAVIGATING PANDEMIC TRAVEL
After over a year of mostly virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Canadian colleges and universities are preparing to open their doors for in-person classes this fall.

Some international students say they are overcoming huge hurdles to get back to campus amid travel restrictions tied to the pandemic. They say online learning was a necessary solution in the interim but fell short of what they expected from a university experience in Canada.

CBC News spoke with four international students whose journeys to pursue post-secondary education in Canada have been anything but ordinary.
There is no specific rule on how early an international student can arrive before classes start, said a spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

But a Canada Border Services Agency officer could view a student arriving far in advance of the start of their program as a non-essential traveller, the spokesperson said, referring to the IRCC's response to a question on Twitter on the issue.
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August 23 - TEMPORARY FARM WORKERS - CANADA

A 4AM TAXI, A KFC, AND A THREE-DAY TRIP: HOW A WORKER ESCAPED AN ALBERTA FARM AFTER ALLEGATIONS OF ‘ABUSIVE’ CONDITIONS

The leak started with a taxi at 4 a.m. and a worker fleeing a rural Alberta farm with little more than the clothes he was wearing. The target was southern Ontario; the driver was a Mennonite truck driver concerned about workplace abuse.

It was the start of a three-day trip from Redcliff to Leamington, one of several cross-country trips by seven migrant workers who escaped from one of western Canada’s largest vegetable growers, alleging mistreatment.

The claims are part of a series of open work permit applications through a federal program for vulnerable workers launched in 2019. While migrant workers’ right to be in Canada is generally tied to a single workplace, the program allows them to find alternative work. .

To date, the government has approved two of those permits for former employees of El Dorado Vegetable Farms; Three more are currently being processed, said Santiago Escobar of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, who provided support through the application process.
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August 20 - U.S. EXTENDING LAND BORDER RESTRICTIONS WITH CANADA, MEXICO FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS

Canadians won’t be able to drive into the United States for vacation for another month, American officials say.

A spokesperson with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Global News Friday America’s land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico will be closed until at least Sept. 21.

“To minimize the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant, the United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at our land and ferry crossings with Canada and Mexico through September 21, while continuing to ensure the flow of essential trade and travel,” they wrote.
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August 18 - CANADIAN HURDLES KEEP AFGHAN REFUGEE OFFER OUT OF REACH

As the confusion continues, planes are starting to arrive carrying people from Afghanistan. Trudeau confirmed that 92 people arrived on Canadian soil last night alone — and more will be coming.
The 20,000 vulnerable Afghans who will be welcomed into the country “in the coming months,” Cohen added, will be those “who’ve been forced to flee their country.” The focus, he said, will be placed on “women and girls, religious minorities, LGBTQ individuals and others.”

“This is not an evacuation, but rather a major refugee resettlement initiative,” Cohen explained.
The initiative is totally separate from other plans the government had already announced to expand the number of refugees they’d bring into Canada this year, he added.
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August 18 - CRS SCORE DISTRIBUTION OF CANDIDATES IN THE EXPRESS ENTRY POOL AS OF AUGUST 16, 2021

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers not in bold are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above.

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August 16, 2021-PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT (RNIP)

Instructions have been added that officers are to add visible remarks that work permits must be issued for a full 1-year duration from the date of entry to Canada, or until the passport’s expiry date, whichever comes first.

Eligibility
Foreign nationals who have submitted a complete application for permanent residence under the RNIP Program and received an acknowledgement of receipt may apply for a 1-year employer-specific Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt work permit, under paragraph 205(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
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August 16 - CANADA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS OPERATIONS AT EMBASSY OF CANADA TO AFGHANISTAN

“The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving and poses serious challenges to our ability to ensure the safety and security of our mission.

“After consulting with Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, the decision was made to temporarily suspend our diplomatic operations in Kabul.

“As always, our priority in these situations is ensuring the safety and security of Canadian personnel. They are now safely on their way back to Canada.

“The Canadian embassy will resume its operations as soon as the security situation in Afghanistan allows us to guarantee appropriate service and adequate security for our staff.

“Our ongoing work to bring Afghans to safety in Canada under the Special Immigration Measures will continue and will remain a top priority. We will continue to work in close coordination on this commitment.
Read more

August 14 - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INVESTS $100 MILLION TO SUPPORT NEWCOMERS’ INTEGRATION

August 12, 2021—Ottawa—Settlement services are crucial to a newcomer’s success in Canada. They help new Canadians get work, learn English or French, find a place to live and, more broadly, succeed in this country. With the pandemic exacerbating the already challenging process of beginning a new life in a new land, settlement services have never been more critical.

To help ensure that all newcomers have access to the support they need, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced an investment of $100 million over the next 3 years to improve the way newcomers access settlement services through the service delivery improvements (SDI) process.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the SDI 2020 funding process in 2020 to 2021. As a result of this process, 78 projects have been selected. These projects will explore how to better integrate newcomers in their new communities and support the settlement sector as it recovers from the pandemic.
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August 14 - CANADA ON TRACK TO MEET AMBITIOUS 2021 IMMIGRATION TARGET

OTTAWA -- Canada is on track to meet its goal of 401,000 new permanent residents this year after adding record numbers in June and July, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said on Friday.

Canada counted 39,500 new permanent residents in July - a number that has not yet been published officially - after 35,700 in June, both monthly records, the minister said. That brings the 2021 total so far to more than 184,000.
The last time Canada attracted more than 400,000 people in one year was in the early 1900s.
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August 14 - HOW ARE ONTARIO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES DEALING WITH COVID-19 VACCINES? CHECK OUT OUR CHART TO FIND OUT

Ontario’s public post-secondary institutions are unveiling their vaccination policies for the upcoming fall semester, with some mandating that students, staff and faculty provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, and others requiring students to self-disclose on an honour system basis.

A surge of universities and colleges announcing new vaccine plans comes amid province-wide debate over vaccine passports, lower immunization rates for young adults and amid a fourth wave of COVID-19.
Which Ontario post-secondary schools have mandated COVID-19 vaccines on campus?
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August 14 - LONG LINEUPS AT PEARSON AS PASSENGERS SAY THEY’RE WAITING HOURS ON PARKED PLANES OR IN CROWDED ROOMS WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING

Travellers are sharing pictures and video on social media of long lineups at customs at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Some say they waited hours upon arrival, often in a crowded room full of hundreds of other travellers.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency said it is working closely with airport authorities to minimize wait times, but cautioned that travellers can continue to expect delays at the airport.
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August 13 - CANADA EXPANDS RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM TO BRING MORE AFGHANS TO SAFETY

Ottawa, August 13, 2021—The Government of Canada continues to be deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the risks it poses for many vulnerable Afghans. Canada’s special immigration program has already brought many Afghans to Canada—and our teams there, here and across the world are working around the clock to bring as many people as possible to safety.

As the Taliban continues to take over more of Afghanistan, Afghans’ lives are under threat—and many have already fled the country. To help address the growing humanitarian crisis, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada will resettle 20,000 vulnerable Afghans threatened by the Taliban and forced to flee Afghanistan.
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August 13 - DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
COLLEGE OF IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP CONSULTANTS

The College Act provides for a new self-regulatory body for immigration and citizenship consultants with strengthened authorities and significant Government oversight mechanisms. With the establishment of the new College, for the first time, the regulator will be equipped with a statutory framework that provides for the responsibilities and authorities required to govern the profession and hold licensed consultants to high standards of professional and ethical conduct. The purpose of the College, once established, is to regulate consultants in the public interest and to protect the public from unscrupulous and fraudulent consultants.
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August 11 - EXTENSIONS TO PROJECTS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING RACIALIZED NEWCOMER WOMEN

The Government of Canada is committed to the full and equal participation of all women and girls, which is essential to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. That’s why Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is making it easier for racialized newcomer women to find a job by providing the support and services they need to succeed.

As part of the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot, IRCC provided support for 21 projects dedicated to improving access to employment and career advancement for racialized newcomer women. Now, the government is providing $2.1 million to extend support for 11 of those projects to continue helping newcomer women as they settle in Canada:
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August 11 - ONLINE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS

Ottawa, August 11, 2021 – Today, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a new website tool that allows citizenship applications to be submitted online.

IRCC had already been developing and testing this new tool, as part of a citizenship modernization initiative, with the goal of making the application process more efficient. The new online application is user-friendly. For example, you can now save partially completed applications and resume them at a later time, upload supporting documents and proof of payment, print a PDF and ask for confirmation of receipt.

Please note that if an applicant has applied on paper, they should not reapply online.

August 11 - GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES TO HELP RACIALIZED NEWCOMER WOMEN SUCCEED IN CANADA

Ottawa, ON—The Government of Canada is committed to helping every woman and girl in Canada reach her full potential. A central part of this is addressing and overcoming the unique barriers that can sometimes stand in their way. These barriers can be particularly significant for racialized newcomer women, and have increased since the onset of the pandemic and its disproportionate impact on women.

To help address these challenges and create more opportunities for racialized newcomer women, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced support for 11 innovative projects through the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot with $2.1 million in federal funding. This work began in 2018, when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada initially supported 21 projects to help racialized newcomer women find work, develop their skills and more. Now, the government is extending support for 11 of those projects to continue helping newcomer women.
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August 11- CANADA GETTING VACCINE PASSPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

Canada is getting a vaccine passport for international travel, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced on Wednesday.

“We are working actively with the provinces and territories on a secure, pan-Canadian proof of vaccination for international travel,” he said.

The vaccine certificate will be common across all provinces, and will include the holder’s vaccination history, the date they got it, the type of jab they received and the location where they received their shot. It will be available to all citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents living in Canada who are fully vaccinated.
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August 10 - NEW PERMANENT RESIDENCE ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL FOR AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES

Ottawa, August 10, 2021 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will launch a new Permanent Residence Online Application Portal (PR Online Application Portal), enabling authorized (paid) immigration representatives to submit permanent residence applications (non-Express Entry) online on behalf of their clients. Following the soft launch and initial testing of the minimal viable product for clients only in March 2021, the PR Online Application Portal will be available to authorized representatives by September 2021.

Representatives will be able to use the PR Online Application Portal to manage online applications from a single account for multiple clients for permanent residence application streams, which have been paper-based. Paper applications will remain available for those who need an accommodation. The PR Online Application Portal will not be connected to the Authorized Paid Representative Portal.

To create a PR Online Application Portal account, representatives will need to provide information, including their membership ID number, business address and name, and they will need to upload a valid copy of an identity document (a valid passport, driver’s license or permanent residence card).

August 10- CANADA PROPOSES CHANGES TO PROTECT TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS

The federal government is looking to provide better protections for temporary foreign workers.

The government has announced proposed new regulations to help prevent the mistreatment or abuse of these workers during their stay in Canada.

“The health and safety of temporary foreign workers continues to be a key priority for the government of Canada. While we have made progress, there continues to be gaps. We know that temporary foreign workers need better information about their rights, and better health and safety protections,” says Carla Qualtrough, minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion.

“Workers also need to be protected from reprisal if they come forward with a complaint, and bad actors need to be prevented from participating in the program. Through these enhanced regulatory amendments, the government is working towards providing stronger worker protection and ensuring greater employer compliance.”
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August 9, 2021-IRCC SEX AND GENDER CLIENT IDENTIFIER POLICY

The new IRCC Sex and Gender Client Identifier Policy has now been published. This policy is based on the Treasury Board Secretariat’s Policy Direction to Modernize the Government of Canada’s Sex and Gender Information Practices. The purpose of this policy is to set out how a client’s sex or gender information should be collected, recorded and displayed in the administration of IRCC programs, namely, immigration, citizenship and passport lines of business.

August 5 - PERMANENT RESIDENCE PATHWAYS FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS- UPDATE

All applications for permanent residence under the Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents are to be submitted by epost. For those who have a disability, or if there is a problem with the online application, a paper option is available.

Applications must be submitted using the applicable forms provided by the department in the application package for this public policy.

Completeness check
Applicants are required to submit their complete application, including all mandatory forms, fees, information and supporting documents.

Applications are first checked for completeness according to the document checklist (PDF, 926 KB) requirements.
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August 4 - USE ARRIVECAN TO ENTER CANADA

How to use ArriveCAN
All travellers, with limited exceptions, whether entering Canada by air or land, must use ArriveCAN. You’ll need to submit your information within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

ArriveCAN is available to download as a mobile app or you can create an account and sign in online.
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August 4 - EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CLIENTS’ IMMIGRATION PLANS

Ottawa, August 4, 2021 – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited some clients to answer questions to understand how COVID‑19 has impacted their plans to come to Canada.

About the questions
Questions focus on if and how COVID‑19 has influenced clients’ plans to immigrate to Canada. Responses will help IRCC better understand the situations that clients are in and the influence that different factors may have on when they will come to Canada.

Participation is voluntary, and feedback will be kept confidential.
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August 1 - CANADA FACES A STAGGERING IMMIGRATION BACKLOG. WITH THE BORDER REOPENING AND APPLICANTS ANXIOUS TO GET HERE, HOW SHOULD OTTAWA PRIORITIZE?

Thanks to COVID-19, Linda Shaji and Canada have had what you might call a bad romance.

After a lengthy vetting process, the 29-year-old from India was approved for permanent residence here on March 20, 2020 — two days after this country’s border was closed.

Now, 16 months later, her Canadian immigration visa has expired and Shaji is still home at her parents’ house, waiting to be admitted into this country.
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July 30 - CANADA IMMIGRATION - RESETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (RAP)

Updates have been made to a number of pages within the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Income Support PDIs based on recommendations resulting from recent audits of the program. The updates clarify and enhance existing instructions for officers administering the program, specifically as related to
*Secondary Migration
*One Year Window of Opportunity Program
*Overpayments
*File Preparation
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July 29 -HOW THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) IS AFFECTING IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES, CITIZENSHIP AND PASSPORT SERVICES

Upcoming border changes
Fully vaccinated foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Canada for discretionary travel on the following dates if they meet specific criteria:

*Effective August 9: American citizens and permanent residents of the United States, who currently reside in the United States, who meet specific criteria to qualify as fully vaccinated
*September 7 (intended start date): All other foreign nationals who qualify as fully vaccinated
*The 3-night hotel stopover requirement will be eliminated for all travellers arriving by air after 12:01 A.M. EDT on August 9.
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July 29 - IMMIGRATION MINISTERS FOCUS ON LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR A MORE RESPONSIVE AND COLLABORATIVE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

July 28, 2021 – The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration (FMRI) met virtually today to discuss the future of immigration in Canada as the country looks towards growth and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the pandemic created some disruptions to Canada’s immigration system, Ministers in attendance had an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and to reaffirm their commitment to a federal-provincial/territorial (FPT) relationship that supports timely and meaningful partnership and collaboration.

Over the last year, FPT governments have implemented a number of facilitative measures and innovations to adapt the immigration system to challenges posed by the pandemic, including offering virtual services for clients and adjusting programming for provincial nominees and international students.
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July 29 - Immigration to Canada

WE MUST MAINTAIN CANADA’S STATUS AS AN IMMIGRATION NATION

Canada has emerged as the only developed country in the world that continues to embrace high levels of immigration. Is it time for a rethink?

Increasing worry over housing costs and suppressed incomes have some some analysts urging a cutback in immigration levels. Others, including this writer, continue to champion immigration as the best means to counter societal aging, promote growth and boost social dynamism.

Right now, all major national parties support high levels of immigration. That consensus has kept Canada from descending into the polarizing fights over newcomers that plague other countries. To preserve that consensus, the time may have come for a commission on the future of immigration.

The annual migrant intake in Canada rose to more than 313,000 in 2019, from 250,000 in 2001; during that time, levels in the United States remained flat, at slightly more than one million legal newcomers annually, even though polls show more Americans want immigration increased than want it decreased.

July 28 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT PROGRAM (PGWPP): STUDENTS GRADUATING OUTSIDE OF CANADA

IRCC has updated instructions to clarify that students who graduate outside of Canada are not required to hold or have held a valid study permit within 180 days of applying for the post-graduation work permit, and that only the time they spent studying online after their study permit application was received will count toward the length of their post-graduation work permit.

July 28 - SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP - APPLY ONLINE

Some immigration applicants can now apply online
IRCC is testing a new online application for some permanent immigration programs:

*Provincial nominee program (non-Express Entry)
*Rural and northern immigration pilot
*Agri-food pilot
*Atlantic immigration program
*Start-up visa
*Self-employed people (federal and Quebec)
*Quebec-selected skilled workers, entrepreneurs and investors
*Sponsoring a spouse or partner from outside Canada
*Adopting a child through the immigration process
*Protected persons and convention refugees in Canada
*Humanitarian and compassionate grounds
*Temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence
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July 27 - EDUCATION AGENTS PERFORMING UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Many educational agents or unauthorized consultants claim that they are able to help for free or a recovery administrative fee basis because they are not being paid immigration service-related fees directly by the client. This unfortunately is an overly narrow reading of s. 91 IRPA.

If the application’s success (i.e. student getting a seat at the school) pays you, you are receiving consideration (albeit on what we often call ‘contingency’). Furthermore, even if you do not actually sign a Use of Representative Form but are contributing (i.e. advising) as it pertains to immigration advice on a study permit application – you are advising with respect to an application.

It is also not simply good enough to have a ghost-signing RCIC on your contact list, or hire one internally for your organization. While the former might squeak by on ethical standards or not get caught, the second clearly does not change the issue of consideration. Furthermore, in most cases if you try and seek remuneration or some benefit back, that too could constitute consideration.

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July 27 - RETURNING TO CANADA

All travellers irrespective of vaccination status, who are returning to Canada from out of the country, must have a negative COVID-19 test from up to 72 hours before departure and will have to take a COVID-19 test at the airport when they land.

July 26 - OPEN WORK PERMIT

JULY 27, 2021 - TOMORROW -LAST DATE TO APPLY
Eligible current, and former PGWP holders and students who changed their status or lost their status can apply online for an open work permit for a period up to 18 months.

Due to COVID-19, you may be eligible to apply for a one-time open work permit of up to 18 months if you apply online by July 27, 2021.

How to apply
You must apply online by July 27, 2021, for this open work permit.

You can only get this open work permit once, and it cannot be extended. If your passport is valid for 18 months or longer, then you’ll be issued an open work permit for 18 months.
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July 22, 2021-INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR PNP, START-UP BUSINESS CLASS, AIPP, RNIP, SELF-EMPLOYED CLASS

Offices have the ability to be facilitative where warranted when reviewing applications for completeness. The instructions were updated to provide clarification around how to handle incomplete permanent residence applications made under the following economic programs and classes:

*Non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
*Start-up business class
*Self-employed persons class
*Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP)
*Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) Program
The Guidelines on incomplete applications section has been made internal only.
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July 21 - The U.S. land border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Aug. 21, according to a renewal order issued by the American government Wednesday.

In a notice pre-published in the U.S. Federal Register, the government says while vaccination rates have improved, opening the land border to non-essential travel still poses too high a risk.

"Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing "specific threat to human life or national interests," the government wrote.

The new order expires one minute before midnight on Aug. 21.'
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July 20 - Parent Grandparents Program 2021

IRCC to accept a record number of applications for the 2021 Parents and Grandparents Program
Building on the success of the PGP Program in recent years, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite a record number of people to apply under the 2021 intake of the Program. IRCC will accept up to 30,000 additional applications, giving more Canadians and permanent residents than ever before the opportunity to bring their loved ones to Canada.

Using the same random selection process as used in previous years, IRCC will send invitations to potential sponsors who have already submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. This will give additional interested sponsors the opportunity to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Invitations to apply will be sent over the course of 2 weeks, starting the week of September 20, 2021.

Do you need help with your application? Contact us today. We will assist and guide you +1 416 904 3815 / info@onecanadavisa.com

July 19 - Who may enter Canada to study

To be able to enter Canada as a student, you need to

*have a valid study permit or letter of introduction that shows you have been approved for a study permit
*be attending a designated learning institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory
It is also important to check if restrictions are in place for your country that may affect your ability to travel. For example, the Government of Canada has suspended flights from India until August 21, 2021.
Read more

July 19 - Study Permit: Making an Application

Foreign nationals wishing to study in Canada must apply for a study permit before coming to a Canadian port of entry, unless they are in one of the following situations:

*exempt from the obligation to obtain a study permit [ R188 ];
*eligible to apply for a study permit upon entering Canada [ R214 ];
*eligible to apply for a study permit after entering Canada [ R215 ].
Read more

June 15 - MAKING ROOM FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES

The Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association urges Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to address the serious and systemic issue of legal representative exclusion.

The problem, the Section says, “is particularly pronounced in recent program changes and policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic including implementation decisions and online filing procedures that did not appropriately build in a role for representatives.”

The Section’s submission lists several recent examples of exclusion of representatives in new digital platforms, including the initial versions of the online citizenship grant, permanent residence card renewal and other portals and platforms that do not allow representatives to submit applications on behalf of their clients. This is concerning for many reasons.
Read more

June 15 - REVEALING MORE ABOUT RECONSIDERATION

A. What We Know To-Date

We know that a reconsideration request is a written request to an officer to ask them to reconsider a decision. These are often sent in through case-specific enquiry or to a visa-office supported method of communication.

The main instructions, which *in large part* represent present day instructions, are found below in my breakdown of the H&C and Family Class program delivery instructions (“PDIs”). I have quoted the instructions and will add some commentary as I discuss throughout.
Read more

Courtesy:Will Tao

June 14 - DID THE PARTIES HAVE A VERBAL AGREEMENT?

18. Pacifica says that in October 2020 Ms. Kun and RN hired it to assess Ms. Kun’s eligibility for a new US visitor visa, and to assist RN in travelling to Canada in December 2020 while pandemic-related travel restrictions were in force. Pacifica says it also provided Ms. Kun information about changing her immigration status in Canada to avoid paying tuition for her daughter to attend public school. It says the parties agreed to a $2,100 flat fee for its services.

19. Ms. Kun says her only interest in Mr. Shirazi’s services was to help her apply for a US visitor visa which she ultimately decided not to pursue. She denies that she or RN asked Pacifica to assist RN with visiting Canada or to provide any other services. She says she never agreed to pay Pacifica for its services, and she did not learn that Mr. Shirazi was not a lawyer until October 31, 2020.

20. A binding contract requires a “meeting of the minds” between the parties on all of the essential terms of their agreement. The existence of a binding contract is determined by an objective test of the parties’ outward expressions of intent. It is not enough for one party to believe there is a contract. (see Hodder Construction (1993) Ltd. v. Topolnisky, 2021 BCSC 666, at paragraph 114). For the following reasons, I find Pacifica has not established that there was a binding contract between the parties.
Read more

June 14 - REGULATIONS AMENDING THE IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION REGULATIONS (ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION CLASS)

There are also many qualitative benefits of the proposal, including increased retention of immigrants to Atlantic provinces and employers in these regions, and benefits to newcomers due to the increased support provided via mandatory settlement plans. More broadly, the regulatory proposal benefits Canada by bringing immigrants with valuable skills to areas of the country that have traditionally been underserved by migration. The proposed program would also help to support Canada's reputation both as a leader in immigration and as a country that maintains a welcoming and inclusive society that values cultural diversity.
Read more

June 11 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: VULNERABLE WORKERS

The instructions have been updated to add guidance on abuse specific to the context of COVID-19 (more specifically movement limitations imposed by employers).

Additional information has been added under the following sections:

Examples of abuse
Examples of abuse or risk of abuse in the context of employment
Applying for an open work permit in situations of abuse (including a link to the new form Letter of *Explanation – Open Work Permit for Vulnerable Workers [IMM 0017])
*Eligibility requirements
Read more

June 11 - ESDC - FAKE WEBSITE

"FRAUD ALERT"

The following site is a fake ESDC website. DO NOT utilize the site or use the contact methods listed.

ttp://canadaesdc.com/?fbclid=IwAR0Bb6JSaDu3Q_uJSgJOKKHUlb8urq9evUE8dNecN6-AXooBvUiHGYQ2kRY

June 11 - UPDATED GUIDELINES ON RETURNING INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS

Offices have the ability to be facilitative where warranted when reviewing applications for completeness. The following instructions provide updated guidelines on when to return incomplete spousal applications.
Read more

June 11 - UNJUSTIFIED RULES FOR ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM WORKERS

According to the latest National Occupations Classification, an NOC 00 “comprises of senior management occupations. It includes legislators and senior managers in the public and private sectors.”

Regardless of the Owner-Operators or Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) programs, even though NOC 00 workers are eligible to obtain 200 additional CRS points for their arranged Canadian employment, they seem not to be eligible for the CEC, based on the [R87.1(3)(b)] rule of, “any period of self-employment shall not be included in calculating the period of qualifying work experience under the CEC.”
Read more

June 9 - STUDY PERMITS: OFF-CAMPUS WORK

Clarifications have been made to the instructions regarding students who only require a part-time course load in their final academic session in order to complete their program of study. These students are allowed to work full-time during the regularly scheduled break before their last semester and are allowed to work off campus up to 20 hours per week during their final academic session, provided they have maintained full-time status for the duration of their program of study.
Read more

June 8 - 2 NEW PATHWAYS TO PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS

Minister Mendicino announced today that the other 2 streams are now open, offering a path to permanent residence for eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada who are workers or recent graduates. Eligible applicants must have valid temporary resident status and be in Canada both when they submit their application and when their permanent residence is granted. They must also meet the specified language, education, work and eligibility requirements, and they are subject to Canada’s regular immigration application and screening processes and admissibility requirements.
Full details are as follows:

Stream A – Applicants must have completed one of the following educational credentials at a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada in the last 3 years, and they must have done at least 50% of their program of study (in person or online) while in Canada:

How to apply

June 7 - PANDEMIC LIKELY TO DRIVE A SURGE IN IMMIGRATION FRAUD, BORDER AGENCY WARNS

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to drive an increase in immigration fraud and human smuggling as desperate migrants try to get into Canada, says a strategic intelligence report prepared by the Canada Border Service Agency.

The report warns that economic downturns and increased poverty abroad caused by the pandemic will prompt more people to resort to irregular methods to come to Canada.

"With more people looking to immigrate, there is likely to be an increase in fraud in all immigration streams via the use of fraudulent supporting documentation to bolster visa or permanent resident applications, fraudulently acquired travel documents to be able to board flights to Canada and misrepresentation," says the report, dated June 2020.
Read more

June 4 - DO YOU WANT TO COME TO CANADA, OR EXTEND YOUR STAY?

Find out if you are eligible to apply
Do you want to work, study, visit, travel through or live permanently in Canada?

Answer a few questions to find out what immigration programs you can apply for. Each immigration program has different application and eligibility requirements. You will need about 10-15 minutes to complete the form.

You may be asked questions about your:

nationality
age
language ability
family members
education
work experience
income and/or net worth
details on any job offer
Based on your answers, you will get a list of what programs you may be eligible for, so be as accurate as you can.

If you are eligible, you will get a detailed list of instructions on what to do next.
Read more

June 4 - IRCC’S ‘ARBITRARY’ AUTOMATIC EXTENSIONS ON INFORMATION REQUESTS CREATED ‘UNFAIR PLAYING FIELD,’ SAY IMMIGRATION AGENTS

Some immigration agents filing numerous access to information requests on behalf of their clients are feeling burned by a recently phased-out Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada practice that they say was “arbitrary” and akin to institutional targeting, harming their companies’ reputations and the confidence clients placed in them.

Five unnamed people were highlighted in a recent special report by Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard, who were identified by the department to be subject to automatic delays in requests they made through Canada’s access to information laws. The report, tabled in Parliament on May 25, found the IRCC was out of step with access to information rules. While the Office of the Information Commissioner’s (OIC) probe was triggered by an influx of requests to the department between 2017 to 2020, it learned that five individuals—consultants, agents, or lawyers specializing in immigration—were identified as frequent requesters by the department, which then “automatically” decided an extension was needed on their files.
Read more

June 2 - UPDATED: TEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICY TO FURTHER FACILITATE ACCESS TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR OUT-OF-STATUS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA)

Providing an opportunity to become permanent residents addresses the vulnerability of this undocumented population and allows them to continue to contribute to the construction sector with legal status. Many undocumented construction workers may be unaware of their employment rights or are hesitant to exercise them. These workers may not benefit from workplace regulations, such as health and safety inspections.

Given certain challenges encountered by this group of workers in the last year, issuing a more facilitative public policy would further incentivize this population to regularize their status in Canada.

Read more

June 2 - WHY THE SAFE THIRD COUNTRY AGREEMENT MUST GO

Last July, Canada’s Federal Court judged as unconstitutional the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), which allows Canada to send refugee-claimants at the Canada–U.S. border back to the United States, despite the risk they will be detained and eventually returned to their countries of origin without their refugee claims being assessed.

The Canadian government appealed to the Federal Court of Appeal, which, this April, ruled in the government’s favour. It found “no evidence” that the treatment of returnees at the Canada-U.S. border “shocks the conscience,” a term referring to the legal test under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to determine whether a deportation is contrary to the principles of fundamental justice.
Read more

June 2 - PORTAL EXPANDS TO MEET IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT’S RISING ACCESS TO INFORMATION REQUESTS

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a management action plan to streamline and modernize access to information and privacy systems, processes and digital infrastructure, in order to adapt to recent increases in requests and to advance openness and transparency.

The access to information and privacy (ATIP) management action plan aims to expand the capacity of the MyAccount portal to provide users with more information regarding the status of their individual case files and to give a clear and concise explanation of why a particular application has been rejected.

With such changes, the federal government intends to promote proactive communications to address client matters and to improve processing efficiency by implementing automated processes, said the news release.
Read more

June 1 - MEDICAL EXAMS FOR EXPRESS ENTRY

Special temporary measures due to COVID-19
If you are unable to get an IME appointment before the deadline, you may may instead submit proof that your IME appointment with an IRCC panel physician has been scheduled. When you submit your application online, include an explanation letter with the name of the physician and the date and time of your appointment.

When you complete your IME, use the web form to submit the documents your physician gives you.
Read more

May 31 - COMPASSIONATE ENTRY FOR TRAVELLERS AND LIMITED RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE

CANADIANS APPLYING FOR A LIMITED RELEASE FROM QUARANTINE

We understand that you're arriving under difficult circumstances, but all travellers entering Canada, regardless of citizenship, must follow testing and quarantine requirements. This is to keep everyone safe, particularly given the new COVID-19 variants in Canada and around the world.

Use the requirements checklist for your method of entry to follow all other requirements for entering Canada:

Flying to Canada requirements checklist
Driving to Canada requirements checklist
Read more

May 30 - STUDY IN CANADA AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

How to apply to a school, college or university
Once you choose a school, college or university, you must apply to go there. Every school has different rules on how to apply.

Make sure you apply at least:

six months in advance if you want to study at a primary or secondary school,
a year in advance for a post-secondary program at a university, college, etc.
Contact the school where you want to study to learn how to apply. They will give you the list of all the documents you need to send them. Your school will be able to tell you about:

the cost to apply
tuition fees
health insurance
rent and how much it costs to live in Canada
language tests.
Fill out the application forms for the school or schools of your choice. Follow their instructions to submit them.

If the school admits you as a student, they will send you an acceptance letter. You need this letter to apply for a study permit.
Read more

May 28 - TEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICIES: TEMPORARY RESIDENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT PATHWAY

IRCC has issued an update on May 26, 2021, for the new Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway.
Application needs to meet all of the below criteria to be processed and have:

• a legal status in Canada and are temporary residents
• current work experience
• the necessary work experience
• education requirements - are international graduates from a Canadian institution
• the required language proficiency
• an intention to live outside of Quebec

Read more

May 27 - IRCC LAUNCHES EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE AND MODERNIZE ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND PRIVACY SYSTEM

May 26, 2021—Ottawa—Openness, transparency and accountability are guiding principles of the Government of Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is incorporating these principles as we improve and modernize our systems, processes and digital infrastructure to better serve our clients. IRCC takes its responsibilities and obligations under the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act very seriously.

The annual number of access to information and privacy (ATIP) requests made to IRCC has increased dramatically in recent years, going from 63,333 in 2016–2017 to 132,891 in 2019–2020. IRCC now receives more requests than all other federal institutions combined, the majority of which are linked to individual case files.

In the interest of openness and transparency, IRCC is adapting to these recent increases and providing an overall improved ATIP client experience by enhancing readily accessible information, offering faster response times and streamlined systems. To that end, we are announcing IRCC’s ATIP Management Action Plan.
Read more

May 26 - TEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICIES: TEMPORARY RESIDENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT PATHWAY

The Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway is a limited-time pathway to permanent residence for qualifying temporary residents and their families. Certain numbers of applicants who have work experience in Canada in an essential occupation or the health or health services field, or have recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution, are able to apply for permanent residence. Graduates and workers must be present in Canada and currently working (with authorization) at the time of their application, have proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages and meet general admissibility requirements to qualify.
Read more

May 25 - INFORMATION COMMISSIONER URGES IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA TO CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO IN ITS HANDLING OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION REQUESTS

GATINEAU, QC, May 25, 2021 /CNW/ - The Information Commissioner of Canada's special report, Access at Issue: Challenging the Status Quo, was tabled today in Parliament. The report details the results of her investigation into systemic issues affecting Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) handling of access to information requests.

While complaints against IRCC have historically represented a significant majority of the complaints investigated by the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC), primarily due to their receiving the highest volume of requests of any government institution, these trends have accelerated in recent years. In 2019-20, IRCC received almost three times more access requests than all other government institutions combined.
Read more

May 25 - WATCHDOG SAYS IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS NEED EASIER ACCESS TO INFO ON THEIR FILES

OTTAWA -- The federal information watchdog says the Immigration Department needs to provide easier access to information for immigration applicants seeking more than a bare-bones outline of their files.

In a new report today, information commissioner Caroline Maynard is calling for readier transparency as aspiring Canadians frequently have to resort to requests under the Access to Information Act.

Maynard says the recurring complaint to her office revolves around a lack of available information on details such as application status or the reasoning behind decisions, which can be hard to obtain through the department's online account portal.
Read more

May 18 - Guidance for special measures to support Hong Kong residents to come to Canada

A new Org ID has been created specifically for open work permit applications to ensure accurate statistics. In addition, clarification on the open work permit fee has been added. This fee cannot be collected from applicants applying for an open work permit under a public policy. The open work permit program delivery instructions will be updated soon.
Read more

May 18 - Protected persons applications for permanent residence go digital

On May 13, 2021, IRCC expanded the launch of the Permanent Residence Portal to enable applicants who apply for permanent residence as protected persons in Canada to submit their applications online.

The instructions have been updated to include references to applications submitted online. Additional information on intake and application completeness has been added.

The photo requirements have changed from 2 passport-sized photographs of each applicant and family member to 1 passport-sized photograph, for both online and paper applications.
Read more

May 18 - Ontario PNP Employer Job Offer: International Student stream draw

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to apply to candidates in the Expression of Interest system pool who may qualify for the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream.

OINP invited 138 candidates who had an Expression of interest (EOI) minimum score of 77 and also had a job offer.
Do you want to apply for the OINP? You need to have an EOI profile on the Ontario web portal.
Read more

Do you need help? Contact JM Immigration Consultancy at info@onecanadavisa.com. +1 416-904-3815

May 13 - Express Entry - Canadian Express Class Draw - may 13, 2021

Ministerial Instructions respecting invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system #187 – May 13, 2021

Canadian Experience Class

Number of invitations issued: 4,147

Rank required to be invited to apply: 4,147th or above

Date and time of round: May 13, 2021 at 16:50:04 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 401

Tie-breaking rule: April 29, 2021 at 11:48:14 UTC

If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

May 7 - MIFI name change

May 6, 2021

References to the “Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion (MIDI)” and “Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)” have been replaced with “Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI)” and “IRCC”, respectively.

To facilitate the study permit application process, IRCC accepts confirmation letters issued by the MIFI in lieu of a CAQ (including a downloaded, unsigned version of the confirmation letter). These approval letters are issued prior to the issuance of the CAQ and include all of the CAQ information. As such, MIFI approval letters 705, 733, 300 and 310 are to be treated as equivalent to the CAQ.
Read more

May 6 - Temporary public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residence for caregivers who applied under the Home Child Care Provider Class or Home Support Worker Class in 2020

The Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots opened for applications on June 18, 2019 and will run until June 17, 2024. The caregiver pilots are designed to provide a clear, direct pathway to permanent residence for foreign in-home caregivers. The skills, abilities, and experience of those working in these occupations are essential to Canada’s economic immigration objectives and will continue to support the country’s long-term economic recovery, growth, and prosperity.

Read more

May 6 - The temporary resident to permanent resident pathway stream is now live

The new immigration pathways accepting 90,000 applications from temporary residents in Canada opened today, May 6th, at 12:00 noon EDT. Applications will be accepted until November 5th, or until they have reached their limit.

The online portal is available at the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website: https://trprpath-voiertrp.apps.cic.gc.ca/en/landing

To find out how many people have already applied click this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway.html

Applications are being under the following 3 streams:

20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care
30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
40,000 applications for international students who graduated from a Canadian institution

To find out if you are eligible to apply click this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/tr-pr-pathway/how-to-apply.html

Need help! Contact JM Immigration Consultancy: info@onecanadavisa.com.

May 5 - Temporary public policies: Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway – Who can apply

The temporary resident to permanent resident pathway is a limited-time pathway to permanent residence. It is for certain temporary residents who are currently working in Canada and their families.
You may be eligible for permanent residence if
*you have work experience in Canada in an essential occupation or the health or health services field
OR
*you recently graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution
Streams and application limits
Read more

May 4 - TR to PR Online Portal

Eligible applicants can submit their applications through IRCC’s online portal starting May 6, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. EDT time. To be eligible, workers must have at least 1 year of Canadian work experience in a health care profession or another pre-approved essential occupation. International graduates must have completed an eligible post-secondary program in Canada within the last 4 years, and no earlier than January 2017.

The portal will remain open until November 5, 2021, or until we have reached the maximum number of applications:

*20,000 applications for temporary workers in health care
*30,000 applications for temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
*40,000 applications for international students who graduated from an eligible Canadian institution
Read more

April 4 - Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway

Become a permanent resident
As an international graduate from a Canadian institution, or a temporary foreign worker in a hospital, in a long-term care home, or on the frontlines, you are driving the Canadian economy of tomorrow and helping with our economic recovery.

In recognition of your contribution, Canada is creating a new pathway to permanent residence for over 90,000 essential workers and international graduates from a Canadian institution.
Read more

April 20 - FILE TRANSFERS TO THE CENTRE OF EXPERTISE IN SECURITY CASES FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN NON-ECONOMIC CLASSES

The instructions have been updated to instruct Stage 2 decision makers to transfer applications to the Domestic Network’s Centre of Expertise in Security Cases if an application has passed eligibility, but results from partner agencies have raised admissibility concerns under one of the following sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA):

*34
*35
*37
Read more

April 9 - SUICIDE DEATHS AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN CANADA INCREASED DURING 2020 DUE TO PANDEMIC, REPORT SAYS

Ever since it erupted, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on international students worldwide, leaving the majority of them under so much stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Most recently, it has been reported about an increase in death cases by suicide among international students in Canada, a report by the nonprofit organization One Voice Canada has unveiled.

One Voice Canada, co-founder, and director at Agrihotri Immigration Consulting in Surrey, told the Global News that most international students experience culture shock, a totally different education system as well as differences in the social aspect, Erudera.com reports.

April 8 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: TEMPORARY RESIDENTS: CHANGING LANGUAGE AROUND IMPLIED STATUS

Implied status is a carry-over term from previous legislation. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), an applicant’s status is extended by operation of law while their application is being processed. Since this is legal status, the term “implied” causes much confusion amongst officers, applicants and stakeholders.

Therefore, the department is replacing “implied” with “maintained” in our public pages and program delivery instructions.

The instructions were updated to clarify that clients who have applied to extend their status benefit from an extension of their period of authorized stay by law.

The procedures for reviewing extension applications have been moved to Eligibility for extending temporary resident status.

To provide more clarity around the authorization to work without a permit during the processing period, the instructions referring to paragraph R186(u) have been extensively updated.
Read more

April 8 - International Students - Universities scramble for enrollment

Canada suffered a year-on-year drop of between 20% and 30% in international student enrolment between the 2019-20 academic year and the 2020-21 academic year because of the COVID crisis.

The absence of 65,000 international students is already affecting local economies, university budgets and research in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.

But university and college administrators, and non-governmental organisations involved with bringing international students to Canada are concerned that travel rules introduced in February 2021 to restrict the spread of COVID-19 will further depress the numbers of international students coming to Canada, both this spring and in September.

April 8 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: PAPER-BASED ECONOMIC CLASS APPLICATIONS GO DIGITAL

On April 1, 2021, IRCC launched an online permanent residence application portal enabling applicants who apply for select economic permanent resident programs to submit their applications online. These programs include

Non-Express Entry (base) Provincial Nominee Program
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Pilot
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
Quebec Selected Investor Program
Quebec Entrepreneur Program
Quebec Self-Employed Persons Program

The instructions for the Provincial Nominee Program have been updated to replace references to “paper-based” applications with “non-Express Entry” applications. For all other programs and pilots listed above, instructions have been updated to include references to applications submitted online.

April 8 - FEARS THAT INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTAKE WILL KEEP FALLING

April 6 - The Future of Canadian Immigration

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global migration patterns, generally, and on Canadian immigration laws specifically, can’t be overstated. Canada is a country whose population growth is dependent on immigration, and the plans announced in October 2020 by Canadian Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino underscored the Liberal government’s commitment to immigration.

Mendicino announced that Canada aims to bring in more than 400,000 new permanent residents each year over 2021-2023: 401,000 in 2021; 411,000 in 2022; and, 421,000 in 2023. Most of these immigrants will be in the economic class. For 2021, the breakdown is as follows:

232,000 immigrants in the economic class
103,500 in the family class
59,500 refugees and protected persons
5,500 on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.

Since then, additional initiatives have been announced and we have seen a massive Express Entry draw allowing immigrants with a significantly lower CRS score to apply for permanent residence.

April 6 - Lawfirms advise clients to have profile in Express Entry System

Law firms are urging their clients to get in Canada’s express pool of immigration candidates as soon as possible after the federal government invited a record number of people in that system to apply for permanent residency to help hit ambitious targets.

Owing to the pandemic, Canada has just had an exceptionally weak year for immigration. About 184,000 new permanent residents were added in 2020, well short of the 341,000 target. To make up for that, Immigration Canada raised its targets for the next three years, starting with an intake of 401,000 in 2021.

With border restrictions still in place, Ottawa is focused on foreign workers and students already here. Most of the invitations issued on Feb. 13 were to people in Canada, the federal government said.

April 5 - LMIA Application Processing Times

Employment and Social Development Canada Update

ESDC is currently experiencing a high number of Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications which is resulting in longer processing times for some streams of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It is providing recent processing times by stream to help you estimate how long it will take us to assess your application. Please account for these when planning for your employment needs.

Many factors must be evaluated before we can issue an LMIA decision. You can help reduce delays in processing your application by:

Read more

April 5 - Calgary has over 2,000 Tech Jobs

A young, well-educated and globally connected workforce is Calgary’s most important asset and those workers get to take on some of the world’s biggest and most important challenge. The pool of highly qualified workers has made Calgary a global talent hub that is home to innovators and entrepreneurs.

Calgary is a city of opportunity that attracts people from around the world seeking a great place to make a living and a life. More than 29 per cent of the population immigrated from elsewhere in the world and Calgary is home to people with 240 different ethnic origins.
Read more

April 1 - Medical Examination Validity Date - Program Delivery Update-Covid-19

A note on medical examination validity has been added to the temporary resident program delivery instructions. Some foreign nationals may be unable to travel before the expiry of their medical examination. Until the letter of introduction is changed to include the medical examination expiry date, officers may use the port of entry facilitation letter and include the expiry date as a means of informing applicants of their medical examination expiry date.
Read more

April 1 - TRAVELLING TO CANADA:COVID-19 UPDATE

If you leave Canada, you will face a 14-day quarantine, pre- and post-arrival COVID-19 testing, and other strict border measures upon your return.
Read more

March 31 - NEW POLICY ON REMISSIONS WHEN SERVICE STANDARDS ARE NOT MET IN SOME IRCC PROGRAMS

According to the Service Fees Act, when an individual pays for a government service and the service standard is not met, the department involved must return a portion of the fee to the fee payer. In such cases, remissions (partial refunds) will be issued to complete applications received on or after April 1, 2021, for the Right of Citizenship fee, the International Experience Canada program participation fee, and certain fees related to passports and other travel documents.

The remission will be

25% of the fee for less than 4 months past the service standard, and
50% of the fee, if for more than 4 months past the service standard

March 31 - CANADA'S SCHOOLS DRAW FEWER INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS DUE TO PANDEMIC TRAVEL RULES

Even before the new entry restrictions were imposed, the total number of all international students in Canada had already declined by about 17 per cent last year, to 531,000 students at the end of 2020 from 639,000 in 2019, according to an analysis of Statistics Canada data.

Paul Davidson, the chief executive officer of Universities Canada, said the overall enrolment of international students at Canadian universities has declined by 2.1 per cent this year compared to last.

"It's against a backdrop where typically the number of international students at universities has grown at over 10 per cent in each of the last five years, so it is quite a setback," he said.

March 30 - CANADA LOOKS TO IMMIGRATION TO BOOST ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Canada is betting on a sharp increase in immigration beginning this year as a way to boost the country's economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government plans to significantly increase the number of new permanent residents it accepts over the next three years, and officials have taken steps in recent months to increase the pace of permanent resident approvals, largely by drawing on residents already in Canada on a temporary basis.

"History teaches us that when we grow our immigration levels, we grow our economy," Canadian immigration minister Marco Mendicino said earlier this year.

March 30 - UPDATED: TEMPORARY PUBLIC POLICY TO EXEMPT CERTAIN VISITORS IN CANADA FROM IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC

Many foreign nationals may be in Canada without the ability to seek employment as visitors. This includes former temporary foreign workers who transitioned to visitor status upon the expiry of their work permits, visitors who had their plans disrupted by COVID-19 impacts such as international border restrictions, job loss, or illness, and visitors who continue to travel to Canada for non-discretionary and/or compassionate reasons.

Allowing visitors to apply for work permits associated with a job offer while in Canada would give foreign nationals with visitor status the ability to support themselves during their time in Canada while also addressing employer needs.

This public policy will:

permit eligible foreign nationals with valid temporary resident status to apply for a job offer-supported work permit from inside Canada;
exempt eligible foreign nationals from the requirement that a work permit not be issued if they have not complied with certain temporary resident conditions; and
allow eligible former temporary foreign workers to work while a decision on their work permit application is pending.

March 29 - EXTENSION OF PUBLIC POLICY ALLOWING VISITORS TO APPLY FOR WORK PERMITS INSIDE CANADA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Effective April 1, 2021, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must

have valid status in Canada as a visitor on the day they apply
have remained in Canada with valid status
have a valid job offer
submit an in-Canada application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, no later than August 31, 2021
meet all other standard admissibility criteria

This temporary public policy also provides the opportunity for applicants who meet these criteria and who had a valid work permit in the past 12 months to begin working for their new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved. To do so, they need to follow the steps on how to get authorization to work while they wait for approval.

March 27 - PERMANENT IMMIGRATION PILOT PROGRAM FOR WORKERS IN FOOD PROCESSING

This pilot program allows you to settle in Québec permanently if you are a temporary foreign worker in Québec’s food processing sector.

This pilot program has come into effect on March 24, 2021, and will close on January 1, 2026.

If you meet the program’s conditions, you can submit an application for permanent selection and obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ). Among other requirements, you must:

be proficient in spoken French
have work experience in Québec in an eligible job and sector
and
hold an eligible job in an eligible sector in Québec at the time of submission of your application

This pilot program allows for the selection of 550 workers in the food processing sector per year and their family members.

March 26 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:STUDY PERMITS-DUAL CREDITS PROGRAM

Transition between levels of study (primary, secondary and post-secondary)

As of April 11, 2019, students transitioning between levels of study (primary, secondary and post-secondary) are no longer required to apply for a new study permit, provided their current study permit is still valid.

Dual-credit programs

Students do not need to change their study permit when participating in a dual-credit program if they have both of the following:

a valid study permit authorizing them to attend any secondary school
registered and enrolled at only a secondary school.

Changing post-secondary institutions

Students engaging in post-secondary studies in Canada may transfer between institutions (both public and private) or change their course or program of study without applying for a change to the condition of their study permit, as long as the receiving institution is a DLI. Students attending a DLI may not transfer to a non-DLI.

March 26 - MEDICAL INADMISSIBILITY REGULATIONS TO BE EASED

The original policy on excessive demand on health and social services, as currently reflected in the Regulations, is not aligned with the Government of Canada’s position that inclusion and diversity benefit Canadian society. The assessment of costs for certain services (including special education, social and vocational rehabilitation services, and personal support services) creates a barrier to immigration for persons with disabilities. The policy treats these costs as a burden to society, rather than as investments that enable participation, inclusion, and positive contributions. As a result, the current Regulations may unintentionally exclude persons with disabilities, who with the support of these services, might otherwise contribute to Canadian society, for example, by attending school, obtaining employment or volunteering their talents.
Read more

March 25 - INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK PERMIT: BUSINESS IMMIGRATION

Are you looking to immigrate to Canada? Although Canada has travel restrictions, one of the ways to come to Canada is with an Intra-Company Transfer Work Permit application.

Intra-company transferees may apply for work permits under the general provision if they

are currently employed by a multi-national company and seeking entry to work in a parent, a subsidiary, a branch, or an affiliate of that enterprise;
are transferring to an enterprise that has a qualifying relationship with the enterprise in which they are currently employed, and will be undertaking employment at a legitimate and continuing establishment of that company (where 18–24 months can be used as a reasonable minimum guideline);

March 18 - U.S.-CANADA LAND BORDER RESTRICTIONS EXTENDED FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH

Toronto: The Canada-U.S. land border restrictions will remain in place one year later as the U.S. Homeland Security announced on Twitter that the restrictions for non-essential travel will not be lifted for at least another month.
Read more

March 17 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – HIGH-PERFORMANCE AMATEUR ATHLETES

The entry prohibition and mandatory isolation orders in council have been amended to create an exemption that will facilitate the entry of high-performance amateur athletes into Canada.

Foreign nationals who are authorized high-performance athletes, trainers or coaching personnel will require a letter of authorization from the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage (PCH) to participate in international single-sport events (ISSEs).

Travellers are expected to self-identify to airlines at the point of boarding that they are exempt under this provision by presenting documentation to establish their family member’s Canadian citizenship, status as a person registered as an Indian or permanent resident status, as well as their relationship to that family member.

For more information on the extended family member process, refer to Extended family members departing from the U.S. or countries other than the U.S.

March 17 - BUSINESS VISITORS: AUTHORIZATION TO WORK WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM (IMP)

The business visitor work permit exemption facilitates entry to Canada for foreign nationals who intend to engage in international business activities in Canada. These activities are considered to be work as the foreign national may receive wages or commission even though they are not directly entering the Canadian labour market.

Business visitors should have all relevant documents on hand to present to the officer when seeking entry to Canada, including letters of support from the business visitor’s employer and a letter of invitation from the Canadian host business.

The onus is on the applicant to provide all relevant documentation that would support a request for a work permit exemption in the business visitor category.

The foreign national is not entering the Canadian labour market (e.g., they are not engaging in a business activity that is competitive in the marketplace).

The foreign national is not directly entering the Canadian labour market if

· the primary source of the remuneration for the business activity remains outside Canada

· the principal place of business of the foreign national is located outside Canada

the accrual of profits remains outside Canada

March 16 -BACKGROUNDER: NEW MEASURES TO PROTECT FOREIGN WORKERS AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 FOR THE 2021 SEASON

The Government of Canada will be moving forward with a two-pronged approach to quarantine requirements for TFWs after March 21, 2021. This will apply to TFWs with work visas in agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood sectors based on their final destination:
• Asymptomatic TFWs will be able to travel directly to their place of quarantine after getting a COVID-19 test at the airport provided they travel by private transportation and are accompanied only by others who travelled with them to Canada.
• TFWs who will need to travel by public means of transportation to a secondary location upon arrival in Canada will be required to stay in a GAA and await the results of their COVID-19 test.
Read more

March 11 - AVOID THE SCRAMBLE: PREPARE IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS IN ADVANCE

On February 13, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued its largest Invitation to Apply (ITA) in its Express Entry application intake management system. Previously, the Department had invited on average around 3,000–4,000 people to apply for permanent residency. The February 13 invitation was for 27,332 people in the Canadian Experience Class. According to IRCC, over 90 per cent of those invited resided in Canada. Those invited have 90 days to submit their permanent residence applications.
Read more

March 10 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT PROGRAM (PGWPP)

All students who were enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program in progress in March 2020 or who started a program of study from spring 2020 up to and including the fall 2021 semester are not required to complete 50% of their program (or programs) of study in Canada. Up to 100% of their program can be completed online from outside Canada.

Time spent studying outside of Canada can be counted towards the overall length of the post-graduation work permit until December 31, 2021. Any time spent studying outside of Canada after December 31, 2021 should be deducted from the length of the post-graduation work permit.

Note: The minimum length of time a PGWP should be issued for is 8 months.

March 5 - IS CANADA'S NEW PUSH FOR PERMANENT RESIDENTS AS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION?

TORONTO -- Canada's recent move to offer permanent residency to more foreigners living and working in the country is a short-term solution to the economic problems spurred by a pandemic-related immigration slowdown, analysts say, while critics argue the strategy excludes too many vulnerable people.

With travel restrictions in place, visa offices closed and immigration applications stalled, the Canadian government finds itself on the back foot as it attempts to reach its target of attracting a record 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021.

March 5 - FAMILY AND SPOUSAL SPONSORSHIP UPDATE

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is improving the processing capacity to reunite families sooner and has added more staff to the Sydney processing centre to support overseas family class and spousal applications.

March 2 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: COVID-19 – EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS: NEW FORM FOR MINORS

Updates have been made to the COVID-19 travel restriction instructions to align with the intent of the extended family member exemption by providing an alternative statutory declaration form for minors (under the age of 18) wishing to reunite with their extended family members. The new form must be used by the minor’s parent to solemnly declare the relationship between the parent, child and extended family member abroad.
Read more

March 1 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: ASSESSING THE ABILITY TO ESTABLISH IN CANADA

When assessing the ability to establish, focus on the economic sufficiency and adaptability of the entire family unit, including those accompanying the applicant and those already in Canada.

Factors for assessment include:

*resourcefulness and similar qualities that assist with integration in society
*presence of relatives, including the relatives of a spouse or a common-law partner, or a sponsor in the expected community of resettlement
*potential for employment, given education, work experience and skills
*ability to learn to communicate in one of the official languages of Canada.
Read more

February 27 - IEC - WORKING HOLIDAY - JOB OFFER REQUIRED

Only IEC participants with a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction and a valid job offer are eligible to travel to Canada right now. You must also be able to start your job as soon as you complete your quarantine. Check the start date on your job offer before you travel.
Due to current travel restrictions, Working Holiday candidates will have to provide proof of a valid job offer to receive an invitation to apply for the 2021 season.
Read more

February 27 - IEC 2021 SEASON POOL OPENING ON MARCH 01, 2021

International Experience Canada (IEC) provides youth with the opportunity to travel and work in Canada.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be placed into one or more pools of International Experience Canada (IEC) candidates. You’ll get a message in your account that confirms you are in the pool(s).
Read more

February 20 - CANADA NEEDS AN AGGRESSIVE IMMIGRATION PLAN

If you are studying or working in Canada on a visa, if you are here as an asylum claimant, even if your visa has expired and you are an undocumented resident, the odds have never been better that you could soon be on the path to citizenship.

In order to maintain immigration targets, the federal government is aggressively courting non-Canadians who are living here to apply to become permanent residents.
Read more

February 19 - COVID-19 – WORK PERMIT UPDATE

Foreign nationals entering from countries other than the United States will not be able to apply for a work permit at the POE since they are required to present proof to the air carrier that they have either a valid work permit or a letter of introduction, unless they are exempt from the travel restrictions under a different category such as being an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen.
Read more

February 12 - CITIZENSHIP - YOU CAN NOW COMPLETE THE APPLICATION ONLINE

You can now apply for Canadian citizenship on line if you don't have a representative, you are eligible...
Read more

February 8 - TRAVEL ADVICE AND ADVISORIES

As a consequence of Covid-19 pandemic, countries around the world continue to review and implement restrictions, including curfews and lockdowns.

The Travel Advice and Advisories are the Government of Canada’s official source of destination-specific travel information. They give you important advice to help you to make informed decisions and to travel safely while you are abroad.

For the latest information make sure you check the travel advice pages frequently and follow the instructions of local authorities.

February 5 - TEMPORARY RESIDENTS IN CANADA UNABLE TO DEPART CANADA - EXTEND STAY IN CANADA

Foreign nationals who are in Canada and whose temporary resident status may soon expire can apply for an extension to maintain their temporary resident status in Canada. Applicants who are unable to depart Canada due to the COVID-19 pandemic should provide an explanation as to why they need to remain in Canada with the submission of their application. If an applicant is unable to depart Canada, the officers will take into consideration whether international airspace has been closed and whether commercial flights to the client’s country of origin or destination are available. As per current guidelines, applicants must apply online and must meet all requirements, including biometrics fees, as applicable. Applicants should apply in advance of their current temporary resident status expiring.
Read more

February 4 - Open Work Permit for Hong Kong Residences Opens on February 8, 2021

The open work permit for Hong Kong residents announced last November will launch on February 8, 2021. Read more

February 3 - Travel Restrictions - International Travel

Effective today, February 3, 2021, in addition to proof of a negative pre-departure test, Transport Canada will expand the existing international flight restrictions which funnel scheduled international commercial passenger flights into four Canadian airports: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. The new restrictions will include scheduled commercial passenger flights arriving from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, which were exempted from the previous restriction. Private/Business and charter flights from all countries will also be required to land at the four airports. Flights from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and cargo-only flights will remain exempt.

February 2 - Frontline Healthcare Workers - PR Application

This program aims to assist those awaiting their refugee hearing and failed refugee claimants.

To apply for the program, you should have a pending or failed refugee claimant residing in Canada and possessing the required work experience in specific jobs in Canada’s healthcare sector. You should have filed a claim before Mar. 13, 2020 and should have a work permit that was issued after filing such claim. You and your family members should be admissible to reside in Canada. If seeking to live in Quebec, certain immigration and work experience requirements apply.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/healthcare-workers-permanent-residence/eligibility.html

February 2 - PGWP Quebec

Clarifications have been made for post-graduation work permit (PGWP) applicants residing in Quebec.

The “Post-graduation work permit eligibility requirements” section has been renamed to “Post-graduation work permit-eligible students”.

A section has been added called “Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate the Issuance of an Open Work Permit to Former or Current Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Holders during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic”. It provides information on a facilitative measure introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Work permit duration, eligibility requirements, required documents and application submission are all included in this section.

January 29 - Citizenship Ceremonies Accessibility

IRCC has updated the accessibility at citizenship ceremonies and have added:

• links to the audio versions of the oath of citizenship and the ordering instructions for the braille version of Discover Canada to help clients with the oath taking at a citizenship ceremony

• information about when a citizenship officer should use the Accompanying Person Declaration and Interpreter’s Oath form

Citizenship staff will help any person who requires assistance or has special needs. The citizenship staff will take into consideration reasonable measures to accommodate the needs of a person who requires assistance.

January 29 - Caregiver Program - Applications Being Accepted

IRCC has now reopened the application intake for the child care provider and home support worker pilots. Canada will accept over 5,000 caregiver applications in 2021. The objective is 2,750 applications under the Home Support Worker Pilot and 2,750 under the Home Child Care Provider Pilot.

Applicants must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education, score CLB 5 in all four language skills, and acquire their educational credentials assessed. If you are in Canada on a visit visa and meet the requirement you may also qualify for this program and get a work permit. If you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing you can apply under the home support worker program. Your family members will be allowed to come to Canada.

We are ICCRC certified Immigration professionals. Do you need more information, or require to assess your eligibility? Contact JM Immigration Consultancy, WhatsApp +1.416.904.3815, 905-820-3924, email: info@onecanadavisa.com

January 27 - Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group Now Open

January 27, 2021—Ottawa—The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced the establishment of a new Canada–Ukraine Mobility Working Group, to identify and improve mobility opportunities for Ukrainians seeking to come to Canada, once COVID-19 restrictions are removed, while continuing to ensure the integrity of our respective migration and visa frameworks.

January 27 - Letter of Introduction - Covid 19 update

Program delivery update: #COVID19 – Foreign nationals who are in Canada with a letter of introduction (LOI) may request the examination and document issuance...

Foreign nationals who received a LOI under International Experience Canada (IEC) are also eligible to have their relevant permit(s) issued from within Canada.

January 27 - PGWP Application Now open for Students affected by Covid-19

Foreign students in Canada affected by Covid-19 with an expired or expiring PGWP can now apply for a one-time open work permit. This open PGWP will be valid for 18 months and allow former international students to remain in Canada and continue to seek employment.

To apply for an open work permit under the public policy, an applicant must

have a PGWP that expired on or after January 30, 2020, or a PGWP that expires in 4 months or less from the date they apply
still be in Canada
have a valid temporary status, or be applying to restore their status

Applications will be open from January 27 to July 27, 2021.

Do you need assistance with your application? Call us today and we will guide you through the entire process at JM Immigration +1 416 904 3815 / info@onecanadavisa.com

January 23 - VAC India - Covid-19 Update

Effective 20 January 2021, Canada visa applicants who have submitted applications for categories of student (SP) and family class priority – spouses, partners and children (FCP), Work permit (WP), Returning Students & workers can enrol biometrics at Canada Visa Applications Centres in India. ** Returning Students and returning Workers will need to book an appointment using their current study and work permit application number listed on the new permit document & upload the new permit document instead of the BILs.

January 17 - Restoration Exemptions for TRV Status

While all in-Canada foreign nationals who have lost their temporary resident status within the specified timeframe will be exempted from the requirement to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing their status, the authority to work while their restoration and work permit applications are being processed will be available only to those who were previously assessed as workers (that is, who held a work permit in the 12 months prior to their application for restoration of temporary resident status), have a job offer, and have submitted an employer-specific work permit application supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Foreign national restoring their temporary resident status

Individuals expected to benefit from the exemption from the requirement to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing temporary resident status are in-Canada foreign nationals who have been out of status for more than 90 days.

Foreign national seeking interim work authorization

Individuals expected to benefit from interim work authorization are temporary foreign workers who need to apply for restoration and held a work permit valid within the last 12 months.

January 17 - IEC Recognized Organizations Update

The 9 recognized organizations that offer their services to participants under specific IEC categories are listed below. All recognized organizations may offer services to and from YMA countries and territories. Conditions listed below are for inbound participation.

In some cases, recognized organizations have been granted nomination quotas for work permit categories that are not part of the negotiated arrangements of all YMA countries and territories. In these cases, the maximum validity period for a participation is 24 months.

Conditions for outbound participation are subject to the specific arrangements with YMA countries and territories, or to the immigration opportunities afforded to Canadians in non-YMA countries (if applicable).

• AIESEC Canada

• GO International Work and Travel Providers

• International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE)

• International Rural Exchange (IRE)

• Memorial University of Newfoundland

• Stepwest

• SWAP Working Holidays

• University of British Columbia

• University of New Brunswick

January 16 - COPR abd PRV Issued outside Canada - Covid-19 update

Permanent residence applicants who have an expired Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) who are ready to travel to Canada do not need to contact IRCC through the Web form or processing office email. IRCC will now be contacting these applicants once they are approved to come to Canada.

Valid COPR and PRV

Travelling from any country other than the US

If the COPR and PRV were issued on or before March 18, 2020 and are still valid, the applicant

· is exempt from the travel restrictions

· can travel to Canada for non-discretionary reasons with the COPR and PRV to settle and live in Canada as a permanent resident and

· must have an acceptable plan to quarantine for 14 days in Canada

Applicants must check the issue date in the Application Details section of their COPR to see if this applies to them.

Expired COPR and PRV

IRCC may have contacted applicants or will contact them to ask them if they are able to travel to Canada now to live and settle here. Once they are approved to come to Canada, officers will issue the applicants the documents they need to travel. Applicants should not be reaching out to IRCC.

January 15 - PR New Guidance - EE check list

In Express Entry, applicants are required to submit a complete electronic application for permanent residence (e-APR) within 90 calendar days of being issued an invitation to apply (ITA). The application and all supporting documents must be submitted electronically through the applicant’s online account.

The Express Entry 6-month processing standard begins when the application is submitted. This is based on the application received date in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). It ends when Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) makes a final decision on the application.

A complete application includes the following:

• the e-APR;

• the cost recovery fees; and

• all supporting documentation to validate information contained in the applicant’s Express Entry profile and e-APR.

Applicants and their family members must undergo upfront medical examinations and submit all required police certificates as part of their complete application. Medical results must be valid and applicants are encouraged to undergo medical examinations closer to the date their application is submitted to avoid processing delays.

January 5 - IRCC sending out Invitations to apply for the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has started sending invitations to apply for the 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program. If you have submitted interest to sponsor form in the Fall of 2020, you must check your email accounts to see if you have received an invitation.

If you receive an invitation to apply you must submit the complete application to IRCC within 60 days. In the event of a delay in providing documentation due to service disruptions caused by COVID-19, IRCC may grant you a 90-day extension upon submission of satisfactory evidence.

Do you need to complete your application? Contact us today and we will guide and assist you through the entire process at JM Immigration +1 416 904 3815 or info@onecanadavisa.com

December 22 - Parents and Grandparents 2020 Program Update

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the Parent and Grandparents (PGP) Program lottery which was scheduled to be held by the end of December has been delayed to either January or February 2021.

Currently IRCC is going through all the applications that have been received to remove the duplicate applications, hence the delay. Once this is process is complete invitations to apply will be sent out and sponsors will be invited to apply.

This year the parent and grandparent expression of interest opened from October 12th to November 3rd, and IRCC accepted only 10,000 applicants.

What’s new for the 2021 PGP Program?

IRCC announced that it will invite 30,000 applicants to sponsor and the invited sponsors will have 60 days to submit their applications to IRCC.

December 14 - Refugee Claiments working in Health care sector-PR applications

Effective December 14, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has begun accepting applications for permanent residence from refugee claimants who work in Canada’s health-care sector and provide direct care to patients.

IRCC has updated the information about individuals having their refugee claims in process when applying for permanent residence in the "Practice notice:RPD and RAD processing for individuals applying under government of Canada public policies".

December 9 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 5,000 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,000 candidates in the Express Entry pool on December 9 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 469, which was the same as the draw on November 25.

Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates from the pool are selected and invited to apply for permanent residence. To be eligible to be invited to make an application, the candidate must be ranked among the first 5,000 eligible candidates in the general ranking.

This is the sixth consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws. Total number of ITAs issued in 2020 will be over 100,000, for the first time.

December 5 - New Brunswick Currently accepting Expressions of Interests

Students do not need a job offer and do not have to complete their studies to apply.

The New Brunswick Express Entry Stream is designed for Foreign Nationals with the skills, education and work experience to contribute to New Brunswick’s economy, who are ready to live and work in New Brunswick and meet the requirements for each stage of the Express Entry Stream.

The New Brunswick Express Entry stream is currently accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) via the INB portal from individuals who meet all the following submission criteria:

a. The applicant has submitted a federal Express Entry Profile and has a valid Federal Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code.

b. The applicant is currently living in New Brunswick and is either:

• Working for a New Brunswick employer

• Enrolled in a New Brunswick publicly funded post-secondary institution.

Do you need more information about New Brunswick Express Entry System? Contact us today and we will guide you through the entire process at JM Immigration +1 416 904 3815 or info@onecanadavisa.com

December 4 - Newfoundland and Labrador introduces new immigration pathway to attract newcomers to Stay

Newfoundland and Labrador announced a new immigration pathway under the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) on November 18. The programs will launch on January 2, 2021, and is intended to attract highly educated, highly skilled newcomers with specialized experience working in the technology sector as a growing demand has outpaced local training and recruitment.

Employers in high-growth sectors requiring specific skills had been asking for the new pathway as their attempts to recruit locally had not met the growing demand for skilled and experienced workers.

Individuals who graduated with a Masters or PhD within the last 3 years and qualified individuals who have worked in a specialized, highly skilled, high-demand occupation for at least one year are eligible to apply to this Priority Skills stream.

For individuals with work experience, consideration will be given for in-demand occupations, such as the following:

Engineers and Developers:

• Software Developer

• Biomedical Engineer

• UI/UX Developer

• Electrical Engineer

• AI Developer

• Mechanical Engineer

• Python Developer

• .NET Developer

• Infrastructure Engineer

Technical Specialists:

• Security Specialist

• Cloud Specialist

• Bioinformatician

• Computer Network Support

Individuals need to have a taken an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) language test within the last twelve months and scored equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 or higher. Additionally, all candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

December 4 - Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) - New criteria for North Okanagan Immigration Pilot in British Columbia

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) for the Vernon-North Okanagan has updated its community criteria effective December 1, 2020. The criteria have been enhanced to support employers to hire more employees.

The three-year pilot began accepting applications in February 2020, with a maximum applicant limit of 100 per year. Since then, a total of 21 applications have been received and 19 forwarded to the federal government as recommended.

The changes include reduction of the minimum wage permitted to $23 from $25 dollars per hour, broadening the exemptions criteria, reducing the points for candidates with family in the community, and increasing points for working or studying in the community. Points have also changed for each age category.

This criteria does not apply to individuals who have been working, studying or living in the community for a minimum period of 6 months provided their current wage is between 18 and 22.99 dollars per hour, and they score at least 30 points on point system.

Individuals who have a minimum of six months of work experience will now get 15 points, instead of 10. Individuals who have studied in the community for two years will get 10 points, previously it was 6.

Individuals who have family will get 3 points, previously it was 2, for each adult immediate family member who lives in the community for at least six months. The total points an individual can get from having family members living in the community is now 9, previously it was 8.

There have also been point reductions in the community’s criteria. Applicants will now receive up to 10 points for work experience outside the community, instead of 15 points. There were also changes to points given for a candidate’s age. Only those under 25 will benefit from this change, as they will receive three points instead of two.

November 29 - Canadian Government announces extension of travel restrictions

Travel restrictions, including quarantine requirements, have been extended to December 21 for individuals coming from USA and January 21 for all other POEs.

The Canadian Government continues to evaluate the travel restrictions and prohibitions as well as the requirement to quarantine or isolate on an ongoing basis to ensure Canadians remain healthy and safe. The ability to align US and international travel extension dates, as well as the Mandatory Isolation Order, beginning on January 21, 2021 will enable the Government to communicate any travel extensions or changes as quickly as possible and provide certainty for Canadians, US and international travelers.

November 27 - Service Canada online biometrics enrollment scheduling tool reopening

The Service Canada appointment system for scheduling biometrics appointments will reopen online on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Since mid-September, Service Canada officers have been calling individuals to schedule biometrics appointments. But as of November 30, individuals who have not been contacted should use the online scheduling tool to schedule their own appointment, as stated in their biometrics instruction letter.

Individuals should choose the closest Service Canada office to them for their appointment. Only individuals with appointments will be able to use the service, as walk-in service is not available.

November 27 - Biometric collection is being offered in more locations in the United States

Applicants needing to give their biometrics in the United States (US) can now do so following the opening of two temporary Visa Application Centre (VAC) locations in Seattle, Washington and San Francisco, California on November 23rd.

The two new VACs will be offering biometric collection services only. All other VAC services can continue to be accessed via the Los Angeles and New York VACs.

The new VACs will be open for a period of one year, and the locations have been chosen to make it more convenient for those applicants affected by VAC and Application Support Center (ASC) closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic to provide their biometrics in support of ongoing or new applications.

Applicants in the US can also make appointments to give their biometrics at any of the 4 VAC locations or 131 ASCs located in the US, if they have already received their Biometric Instruction Letter.

More info

November 26 - Citizenship Tests To Restart Online

IRCC cancelled all citizenship tests, re-tests, hearings and interviews on March 14 due to the pandemic. Citizenship ceremonies were also halted at that time but have resumed since as virtual events.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducting a new virtual platform today for the citizenship tests, which will be offered online to a few people who had dates scheduled before the pandemic that were subsequently cancelled.

IRCC said the platform will be tested over the next few months and more people will be invited to use it — likely early in the new year — after performance monitoring proves it works reliably.

The format of the online test will be the same as the in-person test, with 20 questions and 30 minutes to complete them.

IRCC says people can take the test whenever it is convenient for them, while offering the test online will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting in-person gatherings.

NOvember 25 - Employer Job Offer: International Student stream will open on November 26

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program will accept applications to the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream on November 26. All applicants must have a current job offer and up-to-date employer form.

The stream will open some time between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Due to the significant number of users expected to access the system, if you encounter a high-volume message page or be placed in a priority queue, it is not a technical error and you don’t need to contact the program.

Once the intake limit has been met, the system will automatically prevent further registrations from being submitted.

Access the OINP e-Filing Portal directly from the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream page on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website. Click on the button ‘Submit an application’.

During registration, the correct format in the e-Filing Portal is DD/MM/YYYY. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program does not accept requests to completely change a name or date of birth, hence you need to enter the information correctly.

NOVEMBER 25 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 5,000 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,000 candidates in the Express Entry pool on November 25 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 469, which was 3 points lower than the draw on November 15.

This is the sixth consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws. Total number of ITAs issued in 2020 will be over 100,000, for the first time.

NOVEMBER 18 - BIGGEST EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 5,000 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 5,000 candidates in the Express Entry pool on November 18 in the biggest draw to date to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 472, which was 6 points lower than the draw on November 5.

This is the sixth consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws. Total number of ITAs issued is now 92,350.

November 16 - Permanent Resident Confirmation Portal

IRCC has introduced a new Permanent Resident Confirmation Portal where applicants can confirm their address and then provide their photograph to finalize their application.

November 13 - IRCC Program delivery update: COVID-19 – Facilitative measures for paper-based Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications

From September 17, 2020 to November 17, 2020, provincial and territorial jurisdictions may request that paper-based Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications be placed on hold in cases where an applicant no longer has a valid job offer as a result of COVID-19 and their application was received prior to March 18, 2020. Applications will be put on hold until March 17, 2021, or until a new job offer is received along with a confirmation from the province or territory that it continues to support the nomination, whichever comes first.

This processing pause also applies to applicants nominated in a provincial or territorial business, entrepreneur, or self-employed stream. For these streams, the province or territory will issue a confirmation that the nomination on file is maintained or issue a new nomination.

Provinces and territories are responsible for advising the applicant that IRCC will put their PNP application on hold. Following the province or territory’s request, the applicant will be contacted via email by IRCC and provided with additional instructions on how to submit additional documentation. In the event an applicant contacts IRCC directly to request that their application be put on hold, IRCC will redirect the applicant to the nominating jurisdiction.

NOvember 12 - OINP issued 443 Notifications of interest in the Human Capital Stream

On November 12, in a targeted draw OINP issued 443 NOIs to candidates in priority occupations who had a CRS score between 469-477.

Candidates who received a notification of interest had work expereince in one of the below NOC codes, and applied under the HCP stream.

0111 – Financial managers
0124 – Advertising, marketing and public relations managers
0601 – Corporate sales managers
1111 – Financial auditors and accountants
1114 – Other financial officers
1122 – Professional occupations in business management consulting
3012 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
3124 – Allied primary health practitioners
3132 – Dietitians and nutritionists

Notifications of interest issued in 2020 to date:

Human Capital Priorities stream – 6,048
French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream – 902
Skilled Trades stream – 1,464

Do you want to apply for immigration through the PNP route? Call us today +1.416.904.3815, or info@onecanadavisa.com for a free assessment.

November 5 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 4,500 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,500 candidates in the Express Entry pool on November 5 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 478, which was 7 points more that the draw on October 14.

This is the fifth consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws.

November 4 - OINP issues 726 invitations - French Speaking Skilled workers stream & Skilled Trades Steam

On November 4, OINP issued 210 Notifications of Intest (NOIs) to express entry candidates in the French-Speaking Skilled Workers Stream who had a CRS score between 453-470. Candidates received additional points for their French language skills. Todate, OINP has issued 902 in this stream.

Also, OINP issued 516 invitations to candidates in the Skilled Rades Stream who had a CRS score between 436-470. Total number of candidates invited in this stream is 1,464.

The Human Capital Stream(HCP) is a popular stream in the OINP, todate 5,605 canadidates have been issued NOIs.

Do you want to apply for immigration through the PNP route? Call us today +1.416.904.3815, or info@onecanadavisa.com for a free assessment.

November 2 - Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot: Closed for 2020

IRCC has received 2,750 applications under the Home Child Care Provider pilot, hence the pilot is closed to new applications for 2020. IRCC will return any other applications it received and refund the fees. The pilot will reopen on January 1, 2021.

IRCC has not yet reached the cap for the Home Support Worker Pilot. You can still apply under this pilot. Candidates who have submitted an application do not need to contact IRCC as applications are being processed since the offices have now opened amid Covid-19.

If your application is accepted for processing for 2020, IRCC will send you a notification letter. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may take longer than usual for you to get the letter.
Read more

October 30 - Government of Canada announces plan to support economic recovery through immigration

October 30, 2020—Ottawa—The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2021‒2023 Immigration Levels Plan today, which sets out a path for responsible increases to immigration targets to help the Canadian economy recover from COVID-19, drive future growth and create jobs for middle class Canadians.

The pandemic has highlighted the contribution of immigrants to the well-being of our communities and across all sectors of the economy. Our health-care system relies on immigrants to keep Canadians safe and healthy. Other industries, such as information technology companies and our farmers and producers, also rely on the talent of newcomers to maintain supply chains, expand their businesses and, in turn, create more jobs for Canadians.

October 26 - Ontario PNP issued invitations in the entrepreneur stream

On October 26, Ontario PNP issued 21 invitations to entrepreneur candidates to apply to the entrepreneur stream. Candidates were eligible for consideration for this round if they submitted their expression of interest between November 22, 2019 and October 16, 2020.

Candidates received an invitation to apply if their expression of interest got a score between 142 and 200.

Candidates who received an invitation to apply received two emails, one email contains login information, and the other email contains instructions on how to submit a complete application.

Candidates whose expression of interest was eligible but did not receive an invitation to apply this round are still eligible to receive an invitation to apply for future rounds for 12 months from the date they submitted it.

Please visit the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to learn more about the Entrepreneur Stream and Expression of Interest scoring criteria.

Ontario has now invited 112 candidates through this stream this year.

Required net worth:

• within the Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and Durham, Halton, York and Peel regions) the minimum net worth of 800,000 CDN.

• outside of the Greater Toronto Area the minimum net worth of $400,000 CDN.

Personal investment funds and minimum equity:

• within the Greater Toronto Area, the minimum personal investment of $600,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business

• outside of the Greater Toronto Area, the minimum personal investment of $200,000 CDN and control at least one-third of the equity in the business

Candidates must be actively involved on an ongoing basis in the management of the business and have 24 months of business experience as an owner or senior manager in the last five years. Also, candidates must demonstrate language proficiency of CLB 4.

Do you have questions about OINP Entrepreneur Stream? Contact JM Immigration Consultancy by email: info@onecanadavisa or phone: +1 416.904.3815 today!

October 20 - OINP- Employer Job Offer-Foreign Worker Stream will Open on October 21, 2020: TOMORROW, Wednesday

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will accept applications to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream on October 21, 2020. The stream will open at some point during the OINP's business hours, which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST).

Individuals must access the OINP e-Filing Portal directly from the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream page on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program website. Then click on the button ‘Submit an application’. Mobile devices, such as cell phones and tablets, are not supported by the e-Filing system.

During registration, you need to pay careful attention when entering your date of birth. The correct format in the e-Filing Portal is DD/MM/YYYY. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program does not accept complete changes to date of birth, therefore it is imperative the information is entered correctly.

Read more here

OCTOBER 15 - TECH DRAW: ONTARIO’S EXPRESS ENTRY HUMAN CAPITAL PRIORITIES STREAM

On October 15, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued targeted notifications of interest to candidates who may qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream. In all 772 candidates received a NOI.

The OINP targeted candidates with a comprehensive ranking system score (CRS) between 462 and 470, and work experience in the NOC codes noted in the program update below:

0213 Computer and information systems managers

2147 Computer engineers
2172 Database analysts and data administrators
2173 Software engineers and designers
2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers
2175 Web designers and developers

OCTOBER 14 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 4,500 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,500 candidates in the Express Entry pool on October 14 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 471, which was the same as the draw on September 30.

This draw brings the total number of ITAs issued to 82,850.

This is the fourth consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws.

TIE-BREAKING RULE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 AT 12:11:23 UTC

October 8 - Alberta PNP has new online portal and fees

Effective October 1, 2020, candidates applying to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) can apply online except for applications to the Self-Employed Farmer Stream. Candidates applying in the Alberta Express Entry Stream must receive authorization from AINP to access the portal.

The AINP portal was designed to make immigration applications easier. Candidates receive tips on how to enter data, a customized list of documents and can save a draft application to complete their application at another time. The system does an initial assessment on eligibility to make sure candidates who clearly do not meet basic criteria do not waste time and money submitting an application.

In addition, some of the other changes are:

Application fees

All applications submitted using the AINP online portal on or after October 1, 2020 will have to pay $500 as a processing fee. The application fee is non-refundable once an application has been submitted. The fee covers the cost of processing the application and is required whether a nomination certificate is issued or not.

Candidates who submitted an Alberta Opportunity Stream and Express Entry Stream application by mail on or before October 1, 2020 do not have to pay the processing fee.

Applications mailed after October 1, 2020 to the Self-Employed Farmer Stream must pay the fee.

Post-decision services fees

All requests for post-decision services must now be emailed.

The AINP is now charging a fee for post-decision services, including requests for reconsideration, nomination extensions and nominee requests for 204(c) Letters of Support. All fees are paid online.

204(c) Letters of Support will no longer be issued with a nomination and must be requested by the nominee. Nominees who have a written request from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a 204(c) Letter of Support do not need to pay the service fee.

The fee covers the cost of processing request and is required even if it is determined you are not eligible to have your decision reconsidered or that you are not eligible to receive a nomination extension or 204(c) Letter of Support. Refunds will only be provided for requests for reconsideration where the original decision to decline an application is overturned. All other service fees are non-refundable.

Changes to COVID-19 measures

AINP has made some changes to some temporary COVID-19 application and processing adjustments.

• Incomplete applications will no longer be accepted. Incomplete applications mailed on or after October 1, 2020 or submitted in the online portal will be declined.

• Alberta Opportunity Stream (AOS) and Alberta Express Entry Stream applications must be completed using the new AINP online portal. Only Self-Employed Farmer Stream applicants will continue to mail their applications. Only additional information or application updates can be submitted by email.

• All candidates who have lost their job after submitting an application to the AINP, regardless of the date they applied, as well as all nominees, will have up to 6 months (180 days) from the time their application is assessed to find employment that meets AINP criteria. Candidates must meet employment requirements at the time an application is submitted or mailed. AINP will advise by email when an application is put on hold. This change provides more opportunity to meet AINP employment criteria and extends the time to find employment by up to 4 months for candidates and nominees. Previously, nominees and select candidates were given up to 60 days to find qualifying employment.

Application updates now submitted by email

All candidates, including those who applied by mail, will send their application updates by email. This includes informing the AINP about:

• corrections or updates to information or documents in an application

• updates to employment status, immigration status, contact information, family composition

• updates to use of a third-party representative

• application withdrawal

AINP stated that the online portal is only accessible to the individual applying, they can, however, share the application with a representative by printing a copy of the preview.

October 7 - expression of interest process for service delivery improvements projects

As part of its commitment to deliver high quality settlement services to newcomers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is launching an expression of interest process for service delivery improvements (SDI) funding on October 15, 2020.

Since 2017, SDI projects have centred on developing innovative approaches to better support the settlement and integration of newcomers. As part of a government-wide response to the current pandemic, IRCC will allocate approximately $30 million in SDI funding in the first year toward settlement services for newcomers to safely and sustainably recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more here

October 7 - Program delivery update: Processing applicants with a diverse sexual orientation or gender identity or expression (SOGIE)

Read more here

SOGIE-7Oct20-Screenshot 2020-10-07 095836.jpg

October 6 - DLIs to reopen to international students

Effective October 20, 2020, designated learning institutions (DLIs) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by their province or territory will be able to reopen to international students who are at the present time outside Canada.

Read more here

October 5- Update on Minimum Income requirement for Parent Grandparent sponsorship 2020 Program

Individuals sponsoring either parents or grandparents must meet the minimum income requirements to be eligible to sponsor. Due to Covid-19 some individuals will not be able to meet the income requirements for the 2020 tax year which would result in their application being refused.

For this reason, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing a temporary public policy that will reduce the income requirement for the 2020 tax year to the minimum necessary income, instead of the minimum necessary income plus 30%.

Also, sponsors of all family class applicants whose sponsor must meet income requirements will be able to count regular Employment Insurance benefits in their income calculations rather than just special Employment Insurance benefits for 2020.

Read the temporary public policy in its entirety here

Call today to book your consultation to get your documents ready for submission when the PGP opens.

October 5 -Parent Grandparent Sponsorship Program Opening on October 13

Immigration Minister Marco Mendocino announced today details about the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program. The program is slated to open on October 13, 2020, for a period of 3-weeks. Individuals can submit the form online to express interest to bring their parents to Canada. The closing date to accept applications is on November 3, 2020. After the 3-week period ends, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will select potential sponsors and invite them to submit applications.

Individuals who are selected will have 60 days to submit their applications. Usually there are 20,000 spots available, however due to covid19, only 10,000 applications will be accepted for processing this year. In 2021, IRCC will open a new intake of interest to sponsor forms and will accept 30,000 new applications.

In 2019, IRCC moved to a first-come, first-served system, but it left scores of people frustrated and angry because they could not access the form or fill it quickly either due to slow internet connections or people having disabilities or literacy issues.

Call today to book your consultation to get your documents ready for submission when the PGP opens.

September 30 - Express Entry Draw invites 4,200 candidates to apply for PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,200 candidates in the Express Entry pool on September 30 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 471, which was one point lower than a similar draw on September 16.

This draw brings the total number of ITAs issued to 78,350.

This is the third consecutive all program draw which denotes that IRCC is slowly getting back to pre-covid-19 draws.

Tie-breaking rule: March 2, 2020 at 12:47:08 UTC

September 29 - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA STRENGTHENS PROTECTIONS FOR TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS AS NEW REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE

The new regulations will better protect TFWs and help to prevent mistreatment and abuse during their stay in Canada by:

*mandating that employers provide all TFWs with information about their rights in Canada;

*prohibiting reprisal by employers against workers, for instance against those who come forward with complaints; and,

*prohibiting employers from charging recruitment fees to workers and holding them accountable for the actions of recruiters in this regard.

In addition, employers are now required to provide reasonable access to health care services. Employers using the TFW Program, are also required to provide private health insurance when needed.

September 29 - BC Provincial Nomination Program invites 450 candidates in big draw draw

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 450 invitations. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

SI:Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 93

SI:Skills Immigration – International Graduate 94

SI:Extry Level and Semi Skilled 75

EEBC:Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 93

EEBC:Express Entry International Graduate 94

This was the largest draw the province has held in 2020 and surpassed the 430 ITAs in the September 1st draw.

To receive an invitation a candidate, needs to have their profile in the federal Express Entry system and also in BC’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

How many nominations are available?

The number of nominations depends on various program and economic factors, including B.C.’s annual allocation, the B.C. Labour Market Outlook: 2018 Edition, historic BC PNP nomination trends and existing application inventory levels. For 2019, B.C. nominated 6,550.

September 29 - Ontario Closed Application to Masters Graduate Stream

Today, September 29, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) opened and accepted applications to the Masters Graduate stream. The stream closed within an hour as it reached the registration limit of 1,215.

OINP enables international graduates with an Ontario Master’s degree the opportunity to apply to work and live in Ontario. Applicants need to apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence. After being nominated, they need to apply to the federal government through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Applicants need to access the OINP e-Filing Portal from the Masters Graduate stream page on the OINP website, then click on the button ‘Submit an application’. Applicants who successful register will receive a confirmation number by email within three business days with their file number. They need to submit their application within 14 days.

The cost to apply is CAD $1,500 and all supporting documents require to be in English or French at the time of submission.

Eligibility

• Completed at least one academic year of full-time study in Ontario, and the degree is from an eligible Ontario university

• English or French language proficiency of CLB 7

• Must have lived in Ontario for one year

• Settlement funds according to family size

• Intend to live in Ontario

The OINP Masters Graduate stream will soon transition to an Expression of Interest system. This new method will use a scoring criterion similar to the Express Entry system with the intention of targeting individuals who have the skills and experience to meet Ontario’s labour market needs.

In the current first-come-first-served application system applicants have to monitor OINP constantly to know when registration opens, and all available spots are filled up within the hour. By moving to an expression of interest system OINP hopes to avoid the uncertainty related with the streams opening and closing.

September 24: IRCC speeding up processing for spousal applications

Today, Minister of Immigration Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that spousal application processing will be fast-tracked to keep families together and help them build their lives together in Canada.

To make this happen IRCC as increased the number of decision makers on spousal applications in Canada by 66%, to process spousal applications more quickly and reduce wait times.

IRCC is now using technology in a pilot to digitize paper applications to enable processing applications more efficiently as many IRCC employees are working remotely and at different locations. Also, IRCC is implementing facilitative biometrics measures and will have interviews with applicants remotely, in following public health guidelines.

With these initiatives, IRCC aims to increase, prioritize, and finalize about 6,000 spousal applications every month from October to December 2020. This will lead to about 49,000 spousal application being approved by the end of this year.

As COVID-19 has created uncertainty for Canadians who are sponsoring spouses for permanent residence, IRCC continues to look for innovative and compassionate ways to reunite families.

SEPTEMBER 22 - BC PROVINCIAL NOMINATION PROGRAM INVITES 74 CANDIDATES IN TECH DRAW

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 74 invitations in Tech Draw. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 80

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 80

The BC Tech Pilot is geared towards international students and in-demand tech workers

To receive an invitation a candidate, needs to have their profile in the federal Express Entry system and also in BC’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

HOW MANY NOMINATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?

September 22: Biometric exemption for certain immigration candidates

Some permanent residence applicants do not need to provide their biometric as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Due to COVID-19, most biometrics collection service points and Visa Application Centres were temporarily closed, thereby affecting many permanent resident applicants, who were unable to give their biometrics. Also, it is uncertain as to when biometric collection services in Canada and overseas will reopen and operate at full capacity.

Hence permanent residence applicants are exempt from requiring to provide new biometrics along with their application for permanent residence, as long as they have given their biometrics in the last 10 years.

Eligible applicants

Candidates are exempt from submitting their biometrics whether they are inside or outside Canada if they have both

• a pending or new application for permanent residence

• previously provided their biometrics within the 10-year period before the day on which they made the current permanent residence application

Read more here

September 18 - Canada-U.S. border closure

Canada-U.S. border closure extended to Oct. 21

Read more here

September 18 - Provincial Nominee Program Applications with Job Offer Stream - New Process

IRCC’s has introduced a new facilitative measure amid covid-19 for paper-based Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applications with a job offer stream.

Effective from September 17, 2020 to November 17, 2020, enables provincial and territorial jurisdictions to request that a PNP application be placed on hold in cases where an applicant has experienced a job loss in Canada as a result of the pandemic.

This measure aims to provide applicants with time to find new employment.

Read more here

September 18 - Gradual resumption of in-person services

At the start covid-19, IRCC put operational safeguards in place to protect the health and safety of staff and those using these services. Over the past few months, IRCC has taken steps to provide virtual services where possible, but there have still been significant disruptions in services.

For services that IRCC has not been able to provide virtually, these in-person services are slowly beginning to reopen in some offices by appointment only, beginning the week of September 21, 2020.

Read more here

September 18 - Non-Priority TRV Application Processing Update

IRCC has made updates to provide additional guidance on the processing of non-priority temporary resident visa (TRV) applications. The instructions now also provide guidance with regard to travel itinerary changes and transit while en route to Canada.

Read more here

September 16: Canada Welcomed 13,645 Immigrants in July 2020

In July 2020, Canada admitted 13,645 new immigrants. As July is considered as a busy month, this figure was considerable low from an immigration perspective.

In comparison with July 2019 figures of 36,615 new PRs, the permanent residence (PR) intake for July 2020 decreased by 63 per cent.

On an average Canada admits the highest levels of immigrants in July. Some of the contributing factors are that new immigrants prefer the warm weather and to register their children in school before the academic year begins in September.

Due to covid-19 the PR intake fell as travel restrictions, and individuals not being able to travel due to lock-downs. Individuals who received their confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) before March 18, 2020, although being exempted from the travel ban, were not able to enter Canada to complete their permanent residence process due to travel restrictions.

Countries with the most number of immigrants in July 2020 are:

1) India (3,195)

2) China (870)

3) Philippines (865)

4) Pakistan (640)

5) Nigeria (555)

6) Morocco (515)

7) Iran (405)

8) United States of America (405)

9) Algeria (335)

10) France (290)

11) Syria (245)

12) Egypt (225)

13) United Kingdom (225)

14) Cameroon (220)

15) South Korea (205)

September 16 - Immigration Measures to Support Lebanon - New update

Special facilitative measures have been introduced to support Lebanese citizens impacted by the explosions that rocked Beirut.

These instructions include temporary measures, effective between September 2, 2020 and January 31, 2021, for those affected, as per the eligibility requirements by the 2 separate explosions that caused catastrophic damage to the Port of Beirut, Lebanon, on August 4, 2020.

Read more here

September 16 - Express Entry Draw invites 4,200 candidates to apply for PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,200 candidates in the Express Entry pool on September 16 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 472, which was three points lower than a similar draw on September 2.

This draw brings the total number of ITAs issued to 74,150.

Candidates from all Express Entry programs were eligible for this round of invitation.

September 15 - BC Provincial Nomination Program invites 407 candidates

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 407 invitations to skilled workers, Express Entry candidates and in the entrepreneur’s category. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 94

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 95

Entry Level and Semi-skilled - 75

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 95

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 94

To receive an invitation a candidate, needs to have their profile in the federal Express Entry system and also in BC’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

The following NOCs were excluded:

0621, 0631, 0632, 0651,3236, 6211, 6311, 6313,6321, 6322, 6341, 6421,6511, 6512, 6513, 6521,6522, 6523, 6524, 6525,6531, 6532, 6533, 6562,6564, 6611, 6621, 6711,6721, 6722, 6731.

BC PNP to date has invited over 6,000 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination.

How many nominations are available?

September 15 - Saskatchewan issues 621 invitations in PNP draw

In a new Expression of Interest draw today, September 15, Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 621 candidates for provincial nomination for permanent residence in three tech occupations from the International Skilled Worker category. All the invited candidate had created an expression of interest profile with SINP.

The breakdown of the invitations is as follows:

Express Entry – 455

Occupations in-Demand – 166

The minimum score in both categories was 68 points.

The candidates required to have work experience in any of the below three NOC codes:

Computer programming and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)

Candidates who had an EOI for the province of Saskatchewan and also had their profiles in the federal Express Entry system; and on the SINP assessment grid had 68 points were invited in this draw.

SINP limits the selection of EOIs by occupation so nominations do not exceed employment demand.

The size and frequency of EOI Selections are based on labour market need; provincial priorities, and the number of applications processed since the last EOI Selection. Selections will take place every two months, at a minimum.

September 1 - BC Provincial Nomination Program invites 430 candidates

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 430 invitations to skilled workers, Express Entry candidates and in the entrepreneur’s category. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 94

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 98

Entry Level and Semi-skilled - 76

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 98

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 94

To receive an invitation a candidate, needs to have their profile in the federal Express Entry system and also in BC’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Six candidates in the Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category were invited and the minimum score was 126. This stream is for business owners and senior managers who intend to start a business in the province.

The Regional Pilot Stream under the entrepreneur immigration also received five invitation, the minimum score was 128. This pilot is intended to draw new business ventures in regional communities.

September 2 - Express Entry Draw invites 4,200 candidates to apply for PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 4,200 candidates in the Express Entry pool on September 2 to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program, CEC and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 475, which was one point lower than a similar draw on August 5.

This is the 29th draw this year, the total number of ITAs issued are 69,950.

Candidates from all Express Entry programs were eligible for this round of invitation.

August 26 - New measures announced for Study and Work Permit Eligibility

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada today announced three new measures on post-graduation work permit eligibility for students who are starting programs online this Fall and are facing travel restrictions due to Covid-19.

These changes will provide more flexibility on eligibility guidelines for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for students who need or want to start their Canadian study program online from overseas.

The changes are being introduced are:

• Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit, provided 50% of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada.

• Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

• Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit in the future, as long as 50% of their total studies are completed in Canada.

To be eligible for these measures, students need to submit a study permit application before starting a program of study in the spring, summer, or fall 2020 semester, or the January 2021 semester. All students must however be approved for a study permit

August 26 - Ontario PNP Issues notifications of interest to 703 Candidates

On August 26, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 703 notifications of interest to candidates in the Express Entry system.

The OINP targeted candidates with a comprehensive ranking system score between 466 and 475, and had one-year work experience in the following NOC codes:

• 0111 Financial managers

• 0124 Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers

• 0601 Corporate sales managers

• 1111 Financial auditors and accountants

• 1114 Other financial officers

• 1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting

• 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

• 3124 Allied primary health practitioners

• 3132 Dietitians and nutritionists

These candidates need to apply under the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream in-order to obtain a provincial nomination and they have received a notification of interest on August 26, 2020. They also need to demonstrate their work experience was in one of the eligible National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes listed above and within the previous five years.

August 25 - Seasonal Residential Camps Camp Counsellors Exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessment Requirement

Camp counsellors working at seasonal residential camps during the summer season are exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement. Camp counsellor are individuals whose normal work consist of supervising and guiding children in summer camp activities, leading sports, crafts, games and other recreational activities. Also, where the campers and the camp counsellors stay overnight at the camp.
Applicants need to provide proof that they have met the requirements for an LMIA-exempt job offer such as:

a letter from the employer in Canada outlining the following:
- the organization’s purpose and mission and the type of camp (residential versus day camp),
- the offer of employment can have this information
evidence demonstrating that they have knowledge and skills that will support their intended position as a camp counsellor
- school transcripts, letter from a previous employer and certificates
The LMIA-exempt work permit will be issued for the period of the offer of employment or until the expiry of the travel document.
An LMIA would be required if the seasonal camp counsellor opportunity turns into a year-round one.

August 24 - Visitors Can Apply for Work Permit without leaving Canada

Effective today, August 24, temporary residents who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer will be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave Canada.

To be eligible, the temporary resident (visitor) must:

• have valid status in Canada as a visitor on August 24, 2020 and remain in Canada

• have a job offer

• submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, by March 31, 2021

• meet all other admissibility criteria

Applicants who meet these criteria and who had a valid work permit in the past 12 months can begin working for their new employer before their work permit application has been fully approved. IRCC will mail the work permit to them.

This new policy will benefit employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties finding the workers they need, and temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 23 - Visa Application Centres in Nigeria Now Open

In Nigeria, the Lagos and Abuja Visa Application Centre will re-open for business on Monday, 24th August.

Read more here

August 21 - Canada-U.S. Border closure extended to September 21

Canada and the U.S. have mutually agreed to extend the measures in place by another 30 days, until September 21st. This measure has been adopted to keep people in both countries safe - because of health and safety reasons. This is the fifth extension in a row, individuals from the U.S. can travel to Canada only for essential purpose.

Read more here

AUGUST 20 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 3,300 CEC CANDIDATES

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,300 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates in the Express Entry pool on August 20, to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 454, which was nine points higher than the last CEC draw held on July 23 and had a cut-off score of 445.

Do you want to improve your Comprehensive Ranking (CRS) score? Fill out the free assessment form for assistance.

August 19 - Canada’s New Immigration Plan

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada unveiled the federal government’s latest Immigration Levels Plan that proposes that Canada admit 341,000 immigrants this year, 351,000 in 2021 and 361,000 the year following.

Read more here

August 19 - Pathway to Permanent Residency for Asylum Claimants

Canada announced a temporary measure that will provide a pathway to permanent residency for asylum claimants working in the health-care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With this measure, asylum claimants in country who are working on the front lines providing direct care to patients in health-care institutions will be able to apply for permanent residency. This approach is to recognizes individuals with precarious immigration status who are filling an urgent need and putting their own lives at risk to care for others in Canada.

Quebec will select those qualifying for this special measure who wish to reside in Quebec.

Eligibility

• have claimed asylum before March 13, 2020

• were issued a work permit after they made a claim for asylum

• have worked in the health-care sector, in health institutions

• have worked in a designated occupation for 120 hours between March 13, 2020 and August 14, 2020. The designated occupations that are included in this special measure are orderlies, nurses, nurses’ aides and patient service associates, assistant orderlies, and certain home support workers.

• demonstrate 6 months of experience in the designated occupation before being granted permanent residence. Applicants will have until August 31, 2021 to acquire this experience.

• have a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ), if wishing to reside in Quebec

August 19 - Express Entry Draw: 600 PNP Candidates Invited to apply for Permanent Residence

The new Express Entry draw today, August 19, issued 600 invitation to Provincial Nominee Program candidates who had a Comprehensive Ranking System score of 771. Candidates who previously received a nomination through the PNP received a nomination. This draw invited 43 more candidates than the previous PNP draw.

IRCC has issued 62,450 invitation to eligible candidates to date for provincial nomination and todays CRS cutoff score of 771 was the highest so far.

This is the third draw this month that has issued ITAs for PR. The other two ITAs draws were on:

• August 5, ITAs issued 3,900, cut-off score 476, all-program draw

• August 6, ITAs issued 250, cut-off score 415, Federal Skilled Trades Program

The next express entry draw is schedule for August 20 and geared toward Canadian Experience Class candidates.

August 19 - Ontario PNP: Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream Opens and Closes Today

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) opened at 10:00 a.m. and closed application in less than 30 minutes, today, August 19.

The Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream was opened to international students who had offers of employment from an employer in Ontario and were looking for nominations for permanent residency.

Applicants needed to complete and submit the most recent version of the Employer Form, and date it as August 19, else they would not be able to submit the application, and it would be returned ‘incomplete.” Successful applicants will have 14 days to submit their application and Employer Form.

Registration for OINP

Applicants who are interested need to access the OINP e-Filing Portal from the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream page on the website. They needed to click the button “Submit an application.”

Applicants who experienced technical difficulties while registering, were required to contact OINP directly at ontarionominee@ontario.ca and include:

• a screenshot showing the time and date stamp; and

• details about how the error occurred.

Eligibility

• Permanent, and full-time job offer in a skilled occupation in NOC O, A or B

• Job offered needs to meet or be higher than the low wage level for that occupation

• Job offer must align with the employer’s existing business activities and the position must be required to maintain or grow the business.

• Job offer must be in Ontario

• Received a degree/diploma from a Canadian institution

• Intend to live in Ontario

• Have a legal status in Canada

• Apply within two years of completion of prog

August 17 - International Mobility Program: Atlantic Immigration Pilot – Work Permit Stream Update

Effective August 17, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has started accepting online Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) work permit applications. Paper applications will be continuing to be accepted until September 1, 2020.

Eligibility for temporary work permit

Foreign nationals who obtain a job offer from an employer and a referral letter from one of the Atlantic provinces, are eligible to apply for a one-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-exempt employer-specific work permit.

The referral letter will be issued once the province has:

• received the needs assessment and settlement plan as well as the job offer, provided by the employer

• received a confirmed receipt of a commitment by the applicant to submit an eligible permanent residence application within 90 days from the submission of the work permit application

• received all the documents

To be eligible to apply for a one-year employer-specific work permit, foreign nationals must submit an online work permit application. The application must include the following:

• referral letter, issued by one of the Atlantic provinces, requesting IRCC issue a work permit

• signed commitment form, undertaking for an application for a work permit exempted from a LMIA as part of the AIP, showing the foreign national will apply for permanent residence within 90 days of submitting the work permit application

• an offer of employment number

• proof of work experience

Spouses and common-law partners can apply for an open work permit.

August 16 - Citizenship Fees

Canadian government commits to waiving citizenship application fees

Read more here

August 6, 2020 – Express Entry Draw Issued Invitations To 250 Federal Skilled Trades Candidates to Apply for Permanent Residence.

The cut-off score was 415.

The Express Entry System has three immigration programs which enable skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. 1) Federal Skills Workers Class 2) Federal Skilled Trades Class 3) Canadian Experience Class.

The cut-off score was 58 points higher than the previous draw which was 357 points. To date the government of Canada has issued 61,850 invitations to apply (ITAs).

To qualify for the Federal Skills Workers Stream (FSW) applicants requires to have two years work experience in either of the below trades:

• industrial, electrical and construction

• maintenance, equipment operation

• technical and supervisor jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production

• processing, manufacturing, utilities, central control operations

• chefs, cooks

• butchers or bakers

IRCC ranks candidates in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidates are selected from the pool and invited to apply for permanent residence.

CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 4, 2020

August 5 - Passport Services

Passport services in Canada resuming by mail and by appointment for travel in less than 30 days. Read more here

August 5 - EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW INVITES 3,900 CANDIDATES TO APPLY FOR PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,900 candidates in the Express Entry pool on August 5, to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 476, which was two points lower than a similar draw on July 8.

This is the 23nd draw this year, the total number of ITAs issued being 57,700, which is a new high.

Do you want to improve your Comprehensive Ranking (CRS) score? Fill out the free assessment on for assistance.

August 4 - Where to give your Biometrics (fingerpints and photo)

To give your biometrics applicants you can go to any of the official locations:

visa application centres (VACs) worldwide
application support centers (ASCs) in the United States and its territories
as of December 3, 2019, at designated Service Canada offices (SCOs)

In- Canada: Applicants need to make an appointment to give their biometrics before they go.

Outside Canada: Click here to check the biometrics location’s website for its services and fees.

Where to give your biometrics

July 31 - Spousal Open Work Permit Pilot Extended

Canada has extended the open work permit pilot (OWPP) for spouses and common-law partners who apply for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class until it can be made permanent.

The program was initiated in December 2014, and was due to expire on July 31 after its latest extension in January 2019.

To qualify for an OWPP applicants require to:

• live in Canada

• submit an application under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class

• have temporary resident status or are eligible to restore their temporary resident status as a visitor, student or worker

• live at the same address as their sponsor

How to submit an application for a spousal work permit

Applicants submitting a new application must submit a work permit application at the same time as their sponsorship application, with an application for permanent residence. They require to include the fees, and send all completed applications together to either of the below addresses:

By mail

In-Canada Sponsorship

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

CPC – Mississauga

P.O. Box 5040, Station B

Mississauga, Ontario L5A 3A4

By courier

Case Processing Centre – Mississauga

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

2 Robert Speck Parkway, Suite 300

Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1H8

Applicants who have already submitted an application for permanent residence but have not yet applied for an open work permit, require to complete the work permit application. The need to send the completed application, along with the fees, to:

Case Processing Centre – Edmonton

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Work permits for spouses or common-law partners, Station 777

9700 Jasper Avenue NW, Suite 55

Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C3

Applicants who have already received approval in principle on their permanent residence application, but they have not yet passed the medical, security and background checks need to apply for an open work permit online.

July 30 - Approved Permanent Resident Applicants with expired or expiring documents: Update

Are you outside Canada?

If IRCC has approved your permanent resident application, but you can't travel to Canada before your documents expire, or your documents have already expired, you do not need to contact IRCC unless you’re ready to travel to Canada.

Are you ready to travel to Canada?

Use the Web form to advise IRCC when you are travelling and the reason you are travelling. IRCC will advise you according to your situation.

You can come to Canada and become a permanent resident now if you plan to stay and settle here. If you’re planning on coming temporarily and leave again, you can’t travel right now unless you meet a different travel exemption. Also:

• when you arrive, you must quarantine for 14 days in Canada, and have a plan to quarantine and how you will get to the place you’re staying

• all family members included in the application should travel to Canada at the same time, if possible

• you should have a confirmed travel plan (e.g., plane tickets) or you must be willing to book and confirm travel plans as soon as approved

July 29 - Ontario PNP issued 1,288 invitations in Tech Draw

July 29 - the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) provided Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who qualified for OINP Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream and had work experience in one of the in-demand skills.

The OINP issued 1,288 NOIs to candidates with a CRS between 463 and 477, and had one-year work experience in the following NOC codes:

• 0213 Computer and information systems managers

• 2147 Computer engineers

• 2172 Database analysts and data administrators

• 2173 Software engineers and designers

• 2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers

• 2175 Web designers and developers

The candidates now have 45 days to submit their application for provincial nomination.

How does the Tech draw work?

The OINP searches the Express Entry pool to find candidates who may:

• meet the criteria of the Human Capital Priorities Stream

• have work experience in one of the targeted National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes

Candidates who meet the requirements and are eligible receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) to submit their application for nomination.

If you receive a Notification of Interest (NOI)

Submit an online application to the OINP if they qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream. They must submit your application within 45 calendar days of receiving your NOI.

Notification of Interest issued in 2020 to date:

• Human Capital Priorities Stream - 4,130

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream - 692

• Skilled Trades Stream – 948

July 29 - Language test and ECA) results originals are not required

The instructions for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Agri-Food Pilot Program, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program and the Start-up Visa Program have been updated to indicate that an applicant can submit copies of language test results and copies of their education credential assessment (ECA) with their application. Originals are not required.

Read more here

July 29 - Saskatchewan issues 502 invitations in PNP draw

In a new Expression of Interest draw today, July 29, Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 502 candidates for provincial nomination for permanent residence in the Express Entry and Occupation in-Demand streams. All the invited candidate had created an expression of interest profile with SINP.

The breakdown of the invitations is as follows:

Express Entry – 254

Occupations in-Demand – 248

The minimum score in both categories was 70 points.

SINP limits the selection of EOIs by occupation so nominations do not exceed employment demand.

Click here to see the list of occupations NOC code selected in this draw

July 29 - BC PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM – TECH DRAW - INVITES 46 CANDIDATES

In a new round of invitations on July 28, British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 46 invitations to skilled workers and Express Entry candidates in four immigration streams. The minimum score in this new draw was as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 80

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 80

The Entrepreneur Immigration stream candidates were also issued 12 invitations to apply (ITAs). The cut off score range was 123-125 and it was contingent on the stream.

BC PNP issues regular Tech Pilot invitation to candidates who have a valid one-year job offer in one of the occupations in the program stream. Candidates should also have 120 days remaining when filing their application.

To be eligible for nomination through these streams candidates are required to have their profile on the BC PNP online portal and also register through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

July 28 - Quebec conducts first Arrima draw since January

Quebec Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI) has released the details of the first Arrima draw of 2020.

The draw was held on June 18 and seven invitations were issued to candidates to apply for Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).

To be considered for the draw, candidates were:

• required to file and expression of interest (EOI) with MIFI prior to December 2019

• resided Quebec when they applied and held a study or work permit

These candidates now have 60 days to submit their application. To date, this year 30 invitation were issued as compared to 2,072 invitation in 2019.

What is Arrima and how does it work?

The Arrima immigration application management system is based on an expression of interest and has three-steps:

1. The applicants must complete an expression of interest form online and enter information, such as education, language skills, and work experience.

2. The Ministère reviews the bank of expressions of interest and issues invitations to applicants who meet certain criteria, based on labour market needs in the different regions of Québec. These applicants can submit a permanent selection application (official immigration application) and pay the required fees.

3. Applications are evaluated using the selection grid in effect.

July 28 - Temporary Residents Visa Extension Timeline Extended

Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently announced a new temporary policy that enables temporary residents whose work permit, study permit or authorization has expired to stay after January 30, 2020. They will have until December 31, 2020 to apply to restore their status instead of the current 90 days.

Normally, former workers, students and visitors in Canada have to apply for restoration within 90 days of losing temporary resident status

This new policy allows former work permit holders with job offers to work while their restoration and work permit applications are being processed. If approved, applicants may be authorized to start their employment while they await a decision on their restoration and work permit applications. To be eligible for the interim work authorization, the foreign national must:

• have submitted an employer-specific work permit application with correct fees

• have held a valid work permit in the 12 months preceding the date on which they submitted their application for restoration of temporary resident status

• intend to work for the employer and/or occupation specified in the LMIA or LMIA-exempt offer of employment included in their work permit application

• have applied for the public policy exemption using the IRCC Webform

• have requested that the public policy exemption be applied until a decision is made on their work permit application

This policy is effective from July 14, 2020, until December 31, 2020.

July 27 - Prince Edward Island PNP draws update

Prince Edward Island (PEI) PNP invited 312 candidates in June and July. In June PEI held three draws on June 10, 18 and 23, and invited candidates from the Express Entry, Labour Impact stream and the Business Impact stream. The June 23 draw saw an increased in the Business Impact stream as 20 candidates were invited after the last invitation of 10 candidates on February 20, and 13 candidates on January 16.

In July two draws on July 10 and 16 invited candidates from Express Entry, Labour Impact stream and the Business Impact stream. The number of invitations on July 16 saw an increase in the Express Entry Labour Impact stream as 157 candidates were invited, and 29 candidates were invited from the Business Impact stream.

The PEI PNP Express Entry stream is supported with the federal Express Entry system. To be entitled for a nomination, the candidates can apply through the PEI Express Entry stream and needs to:

• Meet the requirements of either the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class or the Canadian Experience Class

• Create an online Express Entry profile

Candidates can apply either through the Labour Impact stream which has three categories – International Graduate, Skilled Worker and Critical Worker and need to have a job offer from a PEI employer.

The Business Impact stream supports applicants who are intent in starting a business in PEI. All candidates require to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to PEI PNP.

July 25 - Visa Application Centres in U.S. Update

Visa Application Centre has opened in New York for Biometrics, if you have received a letter of request and passport submission by mail or courier only.

L.A. has not yet opened.

July 23 - Express Entry: 3,343 CEC Candidates Invited to Apply

Today, July 23, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,343 candidates in the Express Entry (EE) draw to apply for permanent residence in a program specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 445 and all candidates had applied through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream. This score was 14 points higher than the last CEC, Express Entry score of 431 on June 25.

The May 31 draw had the lowest CRS score of 413.

July 22 - Quebec Experience Program – International Students and Temporary Foreign Workers Changes

The new eligibility criteria announced by the government of Quebec for the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) have taken effect as of July 22. The PEQ enjoyed strong popularity since the time it was launched in 2010 and a majority of skilled workers were selected through this stream.

The changes to the PEQ that affect international students and temporary foreign workers are:

Reduced duration of work experience required for workers

The duration of the work experience required for temporary workers is now 24 months. This change will promote the retention of foreign workers in Quebec businesses and reduce the administrative procedures for employers, particularly with regard to the need to renew permits.

A transitional measure for foreign students already in Quebec

To respond to the concerns of foreign students in Quebec, a transitional measure will apply for those who have obtained a diploma eligible for the PEQ, or who will obtain it by December 31, 2020. Those who graduate with a diploma before January 1, 2021, will have their applications processed as per the conditions before the new rules came into effect.

Flexibilities for the duration and work experience required for students

The work experience requirement for students has also changed. The work experience acquired during a compulsory internship as part of the study program will be considered in the calculation of work experience, up to a maximum of three months of full-time work. In addition, the work experience required of holders of a vocational diploma has been reduced to 18 months.

While recognizing the contribution of foreign students and temporary workers to Quebec society, the Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration, Ms. Nadine Girault stated that improvements to PEQ will enable the government of Quebec's to take a balanced approach towards the provinces social and economic challenges.

July 22 - Safe Third Country Asylum Agreement with the United States infringes on Charter

A Federal Court justice said the Safe Third Country asylum Agreement with the United States infringes upon the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and has given the federal government six months to respond.

The 16-year-old agreement recognizes both countries as "safe" countries for migrants and states that refugee claimants are required to request refugee protection in the first country they arrive in. This enables Canadian border officials to send back to the U.S. any would-be refugee claimants arriving at an official border crossing into Canada.

Read more here

July 22 - Express Entry draw issues ITAs to 557 PNP Candidates

Today, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 557 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates who had their profile in the Express Entry system. The cut off score was 687.

Candidates who received ITAs had received a provincial nomination from the provincial nomination program (PNP) and received 600 more points towards their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).

The tie-breaking rule for this draw was November 11, 2019 at 08:51:21 UTC. All candidates who had a score of 687 and above received an ITA.

Total number of candidates who have received an ITA this year are 54, 357.

July 20 - OINP will be now accepting applications to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream

Starting tomorrow, July 21, 2020, The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will begin accepting applications to the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream.

As OINP expects a high volume of users to access the e-Filing portal at the time of opening, some users may be placed in a priority queue. Should this happen it is not a technical error. Once the limit has been reached, the system will automatically prevent further registrations from being submitted.

Applicants must access the OINP e-Filing portal directly from the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream page of the OINP webpage. To submit, click the button ‘submit an application’. OINP suggests not to use a cell/mobile phone to apply.

Important: Use New Employer Form

Due to the current economic and employment conditions and to make sure the application is processed in a timely manner, applicants must submit the most recent version of the Employer Form, which must be completed and dated only on July 21st, 2020.

Although the Employer Form indicates that it must be submitted within six months from the date of signing, it is very important at this time that the information contained in the Employer Form be current. If an Employer Form is completed and dated before July 21st, the application will be returned as incomplete. After successfully registering, the applicant will have 14 days to complete and submit the application. They will be able to use this time to upload an up-to-date Employer Form.

The ‘Regulatory Compliance Information’ section B of the Employer Form has been revised to indicate whether the employer’s business is currently compliant (i.e., has no outstanding orders) under the Ontario Employment Standards Act 2000 and the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The employer has to review the information listed in the Employer Form to respond accurately in order to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of your application.

In the event of technical difficulties while using the OINP e-Filing Portal, the applicant can contact OINP directly at: ontarionominee@ontario.ca, attach a screen shot showing the time and date stamp, and include details regarding the error.

Maintenance and Testing

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) e-Filing system will be under maintenance and testing from Monday, July 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. (EST) until July 21, 2020.

During this time, no registrations or applications will be accepted. Applicants are advised not to access the system during this time period, and submissions will be withdrawn by the OINP.

If anyone’s application deadline is affected by the maintenance, they must contact the OINP by email at ontarionominee@ontario.ca.

July 20 - Study Permits and Travel to Canada- Update

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the study permit instructions with the following:

• further instructions on non-optional and non-discretionary purposes of travel for students

• information on passports expiring within the next 6 months

• additional information on distance learning and study permit issuance

• new measures for students destined to Quebec whose program of study start date has been postponed from the summer semester to the fall semester information on student on-campus work authorization during COVID-19

• additional information on the fall cohort and their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit

• information on the public policy exempting students working in essential services and functions from the requirement not to exceed the allowable hours of work under paragraph 186(v) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Read more here

July 16 - Manitoba PNP draw invites 174 candidates in three categories

MPNP issued 174 Letters of Advice (LAAs), in a draw on July 16, there were 18 Express Entry Candidates in this draw.

The breakdown of invitations is as follows:

Manitoba Skilled Workers - 134

International Education Stream - 29

Overseas Skilled Workers - 11

The total number of LAA issued in 2020 now stand at 2,634.

Applicants need to have an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with MPNP in order to obtain a LAA. They receive points on a number of factors, i.e., education, language, age, experience to name a few.

In this draw the minimum cut off point from a total of 1,000 was 430 for the Skilled Workers in the Manitoba stream and 811 points in the Skilled Workers Overseas stream. Except International Education stream, all the candidates required to have a job offer from an employer and overseas applicants required to have family ties in the province.

July 16 - International student permits on the rise

The government of Canada is now increasing the number of new study permits to international students, as during the coronavirus lockdown there was a steep decrease.

During the month of May 30,785 new study permits were issued, which is twice the number that was issued in the previous three months. This is also an increase from May 2019, where the total number of student permits issued was 27,810.

Canada continues to attract international students when compared to other countries due to the Post Graduate Work Permit program. This program enables students to work for three years after completing their studies, making them eligible to apply for permanent residence.

Read more here

July 14 - International Students - Immigration Update

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) announced today additional measures to support international students beginning a new program online this fall with a Canadian learning institution.

The new measures include:

• providing priority study-permit processing for students who have submitted a complete application online, to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible

• allowing students to count the time spent pursuing their studies online abroad toward their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit, if they have submitted a study permit application and if at least 50% of their program is completed in Canada

• providing reassurances to international students who cannot submit all of the documentation needed to complete processing of their applications, and who choose to pursue programs through distance learning, by implementing a temporary 2-stage approval process

Read more here

July 14 - Biometrics Update

A small number of Service Canada offices are now opened with limited services, biometrics collection services are currently unavailable.

As a temporary measure, applicants are exempt from giving biometrics if they are applying from within Canada

to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
for a work or study permit
for a visitor visa
for a temporary resident permit

Read more here

July 13 - Canada, US to extend ban on non-essential border traffic

A surge in US coronavirus cases means no chance of non-essential tourist traffic between Canada and the US.

Read more here

July 10 - Alberta PNP draw issues invitation 187 invitation to Express Entry Candidates

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 187 candidates through the Alberta Express Entry stream who had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 303. AINP has just issued a communique about this draw.

Currently due to Covid-19 only candidates who are in Alberta are being issued with invitations to apply for provincial nomination. Also, the candidates need to:

• have a job and work in Alberta

• have a work permit that allows them to work

• have a full-time paid job, work in an eligible occupation that meets the provinces minimum wage, and is above the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) conditions

To date AINP has invited 1,785 Express Entry candidates for provincial nomination.

July 9 - OINP Regional Immigration Pilot Intake is now Open

OINP Regional Immigration Pilot is currently accepting applications. The purpose of the pilot is to employers in the pilot communities to encourage the OINP to focus on skilled labour that is not available locally.

Candidates who apply to the Regional Immigration Pilot require to:

Have a full-time and permanent job offer from an employer located in one of the pilot communities (Chatham-Kent, Cornwall or Quinte West/Belleville), and
Meet the criteria for one of the streams under the OINP’s Employer Job Offer category

To apply for the pilot candidates, need to complete an intake form and submit the form by email to regionalimmigration@ontario.ca. If all the information in your completed form is confirmed as accurate, they will receive further notification on how to submit an application to the OINP Employer Job Offer category.

For additional information about the pilot, please contact JM Immigration.

July 8 - Express Entry Draw Invites 3,900 Candidates to Apply for PR

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,900 candidates in the Express Entry pool on July 8, to apply for permanent residence. Federal Skilled Workers Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program candidates are now eligible to receive invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 478, which was seven points higher than a similar draw on March 4.

This is the 22nd draw this year, the total number of ITAs issued being 53,800, which is a new high.

Do you want to improve your Comprehensive Ranking (CRS) score? Fill out the free assessment for assistance.

July 7 - BC PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM – TECH DRAW - INVITES 57 CANDIDATES

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 57 invitations to skilled workers and Express Entry candidates in four immigration streams. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 80

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 80

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 80

July 2 - Ontario PNP to Open on July 6

Ontario is re-opening its Employee Job offer: In-Demand Stream on July 6, and is adding 13 new employment opportunities out of the Greater Toronto Area. This is to mitigate the labour shortages in personal support work, trucking, agriculture and construction. Candidates who are currently in Canada and those overseas are eligible to apply and require to have a valid job offer.

The job requires to be in one of the below National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill level C or D codes:

NOC 3413 – nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

NOC 4412 – home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers

NOC 7441 – residential and commercial installers and servicers

NOC 7511 – transport truck drivers

NOC 7521 – heavy equipment operators (except crane)

NOC 7611 – construction trades helpers and labourers

NOC 8431 – general farm workers

NOC 8432 – nursery and greenhouse workers

NOC 8611 – harvesting labourers

NOC 9462 – industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

Effective July 6, if a job is situated out of the GTA and is a NOC code C or D will be eligible for this stream.

The additional 13 NOCs are:

NOC 9411 – machine operators, mineral and metal processing

NOC 9416 – metalworking and forging machine operators

NOC 9417 – machining tool operators

NOC 9418 – other metal products machine operators

NOC 9421 – chemical plant machine operators

NOC 9422 – plastics processing machine operators

NOC 9437 – woodworking machine operators

NOC 9446 – industrial sewing machine operators

NOC 9461 – process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing

NOC 9523 – electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers

NOC 9526 – mechanical assemblers and inspectors

NOC 9536 – industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators

NOC 9537 – other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors

July 2 - Manitoba PNP invites 125 Candidates in three streams

MPNP issued 125 Letters of Advice (LAA), there were no Express Entry Candidates in this draw.

The breakdown of invites is as follows:

Manitoba Skilled Workers - Letters of Advice to Apply issued - 101
International Education Stream - Letters of Advice to Apply issued -18
Overseas Skilled Workers - Letters of Advice to Apply issued - 6

The lowest score for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba was 475 and 816 for the Skilled Workers Overseas stream.

The total number of LAA issued in 2020 are now 2,460.

July 1 - International Mobility Program: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Update

Due to implementation of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) instructions have been updated.

The key changes to the NAFTA instructions are that NAFTA has been superseded by CUSMA effective July 1, 2020; however, the Temporary Entry for Business Persons regulations stay the same. The only change is the name; hence, all applications will be processed as usual.

For more information read here

July 1 - COVID-19 update: IRCC resuming processing of online applications for visitor visas and eTAs

Effective July 1, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will being to process online applications for visitor visas, transit visas and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs).

However, as the current travel restrictions are yet in place, applicants will not be able to travel to Canada at this time if they apply and get a visit visa or eTA.

IRCC also continues to process study permit and work permit applications submitted online and permanent residence applications. Paper applications for visitor visas, study permits and work permits will not be processed until further notice.

There are measures currently in place to make sure applicants have the time to complete all the requirements for applying, which includes giving their biometrics. Some visa application centres (VACs) are beginning to reopen.

Applicants can check the website for information on the VAC closest to them, to enable them to book an appointment to give their biometrics. Applicants who are eligible to travel to Canada at this time have to mandatory quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in Canada, even if they have no symptoms.

Canada extending ban on foreign travellers to July 31

The government of Canada has extended its coronavirus travel restrictions for one more month to all travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the U.S. for "essential" reasons.

Initially the travel restrictions were introduced on March 16 to stop the spread of COVID-19 and expired on June 30. Those exempted from the ban were air crew, diplomats and immediate family members of citizens. Some seasonal workers, caregivers and international students were also exempted.

The order, which expired last night, "has been extended until July 31 for public health reasons," Rebecca Purdy, spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, said in a statement to CBC News.

This decision to extend travel restrictions did not surprise anyone as last week, during his daily press briefing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would not rush to re-open the borders. Canada and the U.S. will also continue to restrict cross-border travel until July 21.

Another new order that requires travelers to quarantine for 14 days on arrival has also been extended until August 31.

June 25 - Express Entry: 3,508 CEC Candidates Invited to Apply

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,508 candidates in the Express Entry pool on June 25, to apply for permanent residence in a program specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 431 and all candidates had applied through the CEC stream. It was six points lower than the last CEC EE draw of 437. The May 31 draw had the lowest CRS score of 413.

With this draw the cut off the CRS score continues to be low amidst Covid-19.

June 25 - Canada Student Service Grant Program Launched to fight Covid-19

Today, the federal government launched the Canada Student Service Grant program to enable students to volunteer their time to fight the coronavirus pandemic. This program will create 10,000 jobs and will assist students who have not been able to get a summer job.

Eligible students will receive a grant between $1,000 to $5,000 and will aid them toward the cost of post-secondary education in the fall. Student will receive $1,000 for every 100 volunteer hours,

Today’s launch of the ‘I want to help’ online platform will offer information about the eligibility, the hours required to qualify, the application and assessment process as well as a list of not-for-profit organizations for which the volunteer work will be offset.

To create new opportunities for youth the Canada Summer Jobs program also received additional funding.

Click here to apply for the program

June 25 - Entrepreneur Stream Invitations to Apply issued

On June 24, 2020 the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 24 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Entrepreneur Stream (OINP:ES). Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received and scored by the OINP:ES between November 22, 2019 and June 19, 2020 were eligible for consideration for this ITA Round. ITAs were issued for EOIs that received a score of between 134 and 200.

If you received a notice that your EOI was eligible to receive an ITA but did not receive an ITA this round, the EOI scored below 134. An EOI remains eligible to receive an ITA for 12 months from the date it was submitted to the OINP.

June 24 – Come to Canada – Canada Immigration Minister says

As the U.S. announced has suspended temporary as well as permanent resident visas Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino stated “Come to Canada.” He further reiterated “We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators. We’ve also got pathways for manual laborers and skilled laborers”.

During the current Covid-19 pandemic the Federal government has been having frequent Express Entry draws. The provinces as well continue to issue Notification of Interest (NOIs) through the Provincial Nominee Program.

Currently Canada has over 80 programs to help foreign nationals to apply as immigrants, visitors, workers or students in Canada.

June 24 - Ontario PNP Express Entry draw invites 392 candidates

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 392 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who had their profile in the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream.

The NOIs were issued to candidates who had a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) of 696 and above.

The previous draw on June 17, OINP invited 758 candidates who had a score between 400 and 436.

June 18 - Ontario PNP draw invites French Speaking Candidates in the latest draw

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 143 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to French Speaking candidates who had their profile in the Express Entry system.

The NOIs were issued to candidates who had a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) between 424 and 436.

This is the second consecutive Ontario PNP draw in two days. The draw on June 17 invited 758 Skilled Trades candidates. OINP will contact these candidates and they have 45 days to apply for their provincial nomination.

June 17 - Ontario PNP draw invites candidates in the Federal Trades Stream

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 758 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who had their profile in the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream.

The NOIs were issued to candidates who had a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) between 400 and 436.

This is biggest draw in this stream since January 18, 2018. To date, OINP has sent NOIs to 948 Skilled Trades candidates. The previous draw on June 3, OINP invited candidates who had a score of 358.

June 12 - Alberta Express Entry Draw Invites 148 Candidates

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 148 candidates were invited to apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. All candidates had profiles in the Express Entry system and had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of a minimum 300.

To be invited through the Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates do not need to have a job offer, but they do require to have profiles in the Express Entry Stream.

Currently only candidates within Alberta are being invited for a nomination due to Covid-19. However, Candidates require to have work experience in an eligible occupation that supports the Alberta’s economic development plan. AINP has communicates a list of occupations that they will not consider, e.g., the provinces high-wage and low-wage occupations, and Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list.

Also, due to the pandemic AINP needs candidates to meet the following conditions in order to receive a nomination:

• be currently working in Alberta, even if they are working from home;

• have a work permit authorizing them to work in their current job;

• have a job that is full-time, paid, meet the provincial minimum wage, exceed Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements; and they must work in an eligible occupation.

Applications of candidates who are not able to meet license pre-requisites and were working full-time before the pandemic will be kept on hold for 60 days.

Applications of candidates that do not have an employment history in the province, will not be processed.

To date Alberta has issued 1,746 invitations to Express Entry candidates. In 2019, the Albert Express Entry Stream issued 6,884 invitations.

June 12 - Quebec is giving priority to temporary work permit applications in certain occupations

Effective June 10, temporary work permit applications in certain in demand occupations in Quebec during Covid-19 are being processing on a priority basis. The minimum requirement for these occupations is also being waived. In normal circumstances employers must prove that they have make attempts to fill the vacation positions with Canadian or permanent residents as a component of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

The program is prioritizing and waiving minimum recruitment requirements for the following occupations:

3012 - Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

3111 - Specialist physicians

3112 - General practitioners and family physicians

3124 - Allied primary health practitioners

3131 - Pharmacists

3211 - Medical laboratory technologists 9463- Fish and seafood plant workers

3212 - Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

3214 - Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists

3219 - Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

3233 - Licensed practical nurses

3237 - Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

3413 - Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

3414 - Other assisting occupations in support of health services

6731 - Light duty cleaners

6331- Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers-retail and wholesale

8252- Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

8431- General Farm Workers

8432- Nursery and Greenhouse Workers

8611- Harvesting labourers

9462- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers

9463- Fish and seafood plant workers

9617- Labourers in food, beverage and associated products processing

9618- Labourers in fish and seafood processing

The program is prioritizing the following occupation and not waiving the minimum recruitment requirements:

7511 - Transport truck drivers

All LMIA applications must be submitted to Service Canada and to MIFI simultaneously.

In Quebec, the ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) requires that all Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications be submitted in French, except for LMIA applications for in-home caregiver positions.

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will assist employers with the requirement.

Exemption from LMIA

Employers do not need to apply for a LMIA if they are hiring a TFW who:

• has a valid work permit

• holds a skilled worker Certificate of Selection in Quebec (CSQ)

• resides in the province of Quebec

• has applied for permanent residency under the Quebec Skilled Worker class

The TFW must also fall under one of the following categories:

• is seeking to extend the work permit for their current employer

• is seeking to renew the work authorization with a new employer in Quebec

• is a foreign student who has obtained a post-graduation work permit and has a job offer in the province of Quebec

• is a work permit holder through participation in a program under the initiative International Experience Canada (IEC) and:

• is seeking to extend the work authorization for the current employer

• renew it for a new employer in Quebec

There may be other instances where employers do not need to have a LMIA, and the TFW is not required to apply for a work permit from IRCC.

Employers wishing to hire TFWs that do not meet these criteria, must apply for a LMIA and follow the regular LMIA process for hiring TFWs in Quebec.

June 11 - Express Entry: 3,559 Candidates Invited to Apply

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,559 candidates in the Express Entry pool on June 11, to apply for permanent residence in a program specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 437, which is a decrease of three points from the previous draw. The last EE draw on May 28 invited candidates who had a CRS score of 440.

With this draw the cut off score continues to drop in successive draws amidst Covid-19.

This a second consecutive draw in a week, as the draw on June 10, invited 341 PNP candidates in Express Entry pool and the CRS score was 743.

The total number of ITAs issued in 2020 now stands at 46,000. Also, there were thirteen draws in the CEC stream and PNP in May and June.

June 10 - Ontario Plans to Reopen Postsecondary Education in Summer

Amid the post Covid-19 plan for gradual and safe resumption of activities; beginning July 2020, there will be limited in-person instruction at postsecondary institutions across the province of Ontario for the summer term. This is essentially for students who were not able to graduate due to the pandemic.

This first phase will allow institutions to reopen to provide in-person instruction to students in essential, frontline, and high labour market demand areas, such as nursing, personal support workers, engineering, and other critical professions. Students across the province could benefit from this summer's reopening.

In September, all students will have the opportunity to attend postsecondary education through virtual learning, in-class instruction, or hybrid formats.

This limited summer reopening will enable education institutions prepare for the fall term to ensure that proper health and safety procedures are in place.

In order to maintain Ontario's position as a global leader in higher education and research, the government is looking at unlocking the potential of virtual learning, and adapting postsecondary education and training to meet the needs of a rapidly changing job market and economy.

In 2018-19, more than 800,000 students enrolled in Ontario’s colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes and private career colleges located in every region of the prov

June 10 - Ottawa considering giving permanent residence to asylum seekers working in health care

Since 2017, asylum seekers have crossed into Canada from the U.S. at Roxham Road, which leads to Quebec. During the current coronavirus pandemic many of these asylum seekers have been working in health care and other essentials services.

The federal government is currently working on a program that would grant permanent residence to asylum seekers who have worked in health-care roles during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic Development Minister Mélanie Joly, Liberal MP for Montreal's Ahuntsic-Cartierville riding, said Wednesday on Radio-Canada's Tout un matin said it was important to recognize the contribution of those working on the front lines.

The temporary measure is expected to cover all the regions of the country. It's not certain how many asylum seekers would benefit, but most would likely be in Quebec.

The proposed program, would be applicable to all those who worked in long-term care homes, known in Quebec as CHSLDs, and to all asylum seekers who have been working in the health system, including security guards.

It would not, however, apply to asylum seekers who worked in other sectors — even jobs deemed essential during the pandemic.

June 10 - Amidst COVID-19 higher education students seeking refunds and discounts

In the current coronavirus situation, tuition is on the minds of students and education institutions and how much fee is appropriate is up in the air. There have been calls nationally from student federations to reduce tuition, however, some major universities are not prepared to do so.

On the one hand, some students are not quite content with the online experience they’ve received so far and don’t feel they should be paying the same tuition for remote learning as they would if they were attending in-person classes on campus. On the other hand, education institutions are having to invest in remote and online learning models. Their costs are not going down in the way that students are perceiving them to be.

Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada has announced a 3% tuition increase for the upcoming year which has resulted in anger and frustration among students. Erica Seelemann, vice-president academic and external for the Dalhousie Student Union stated,

“Students have said that without access to the facilities, without access to the resources that they’re used to, they don’t want to pay the same tuition. They don’t have the same learning experience, so they shouldn’t have to pay the same fees.”

The pandemic has presented a serious test to the global higher education sector unseen before in our generation. Education institutions will have to move – in part or in whole – to online delivery while some students at least are unenthusiastic to shift to online studies as plans to return to campus is still in a flux.

June 10 - Express Entry Draw: 341 PNP Candidates Receive NOIs

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 341 candidates in the Express Entry pool on June 10, to apply for permanent residence who had provincial nominations. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 743. All candidates invited had a human capital score of 143.

The last EE draw on May 27 invited CEC candidates who had a CRS score of 757. To date, this is the seventh draw that has focused on PNP candidates. Since the introduction of travel restrictions program-specific invitation rounds have become more frequent for Express Entry draws. Express Entry candidates who have received PNP nominations for PR since the beginning of May are now over 2000.

June 9 - BC Provincial Nominee Program – TECH Draw - Invites 87 Candidates

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 87 invitations to skilled workers and Express Entry candidates in four immigration streams. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 82

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 82

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 82

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 82

June 8 - Immigration Update: Immediate Family Members

Beginning tonight at 11: 59 p.m. foreign nationals (FNs) who are spouses as well as other immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may travel to Canada to be with their family member for a minimum period of 15 days. However, they will need to observe any provincial restrictions and will also have to self-isolate for 14 days.

An immediate family member is:

• spouse or common-law partner

• dependent child, or a dependent child of the person's spouse or common-law partner

• parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person's spouse or common-law partner

• legal guardian

This travel restriction exemption does not apply to FNs who seek to come for short visits. Also, the rules currently in place for immediate family members of FNs that are studying or working in Canada remains.

All non-essential travel by air and land between the U.S. and Canada is prohibited as border remains closed until June 21.

June 3 - Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream Issued NOIs Today

On June 3, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who may qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream.

The OINP targeted candidates with work experience in the following NOC codes:

0111 Financial managers

0114 Other administrative services managers

0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers

1111 Financial auditors and accountants

1114 Other financial officers

1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting

3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

3124 Other primary health practitioners

3132 Dietitians and nutritionists

Candidates who had one year of Canadian work experience and had a CRS score between 358 – 439 received a NOI.

Candidates who had one year or more of foreign work experience and had a CRS score between 471 – 500 received a NOI.

June 3 - Ontario’s 2020 nomination allocation

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has received its 2020 nomination allocation from the federal government today. The province’s 2020 allocation is 7,350 plus an additional 250 nominations specifically for temporary foreign workers in intermediate skilled occupations (National Occupation Classification [NOC] – Skill Level C).

OINP has seen a steady increase in its quota from 1,000 to the present quota of 7,350 during the past few years. As OINP ran out of its quota most of the OINP programs were closed for the last year. As the quota has been allocated, it is due to open its program any time.

Keep your applications ready to submit as soon as OINP issues notification of interest.

May 28 - Express Entry: 3,515 Candidates Invited to Apply Today

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,515 candidates in the Express Entry pool on May 28, to apply for permanent residence in a program specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 440, which is a decrease of seven points from the previous draw. The last EE draw on May 15 invited candidates who had a CRS score of 447.

With this draw the cut off score continues to drop in successive draws amidst Covid-19.

This a second consecutive draw in a week, as the draw on May 27, invited 385 PNP candidates in Express Entry pool and the CRS score was 757.

Since the introduction of travel restrictions program-specific invitation rounds have become more frequent for Express Entry draws. To date IRCC has held twelve program-specific draws concentrating exclusively on PNP and Canadian Experience Class candidates.

Both groups of applicants tend to be in Canada than candidates coming through the Federal Skills workers Class and Skilled Trades Class, which implies that the current travel restrictions will not hinder th

May 27 - Express Entry Draw : 385 PNP Candidates Invited

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 385 candidates in the Express Entry pool on May 27, to apply for permanent residence who had provincial nominations. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 757. The last EE draw on invited CEC candidates who had a CRS score of 718. Since the introduction of travel restrictions program-specific invitation rounds have become more frequent for Express Entry draws. To date IRCC has held six PNP draw from the Express Entry System and 38, 585 Express Entry candidates have received invitations for PR this year.

May 15 - Canada-U.S. border expected to stay closed to non-essential travel to June 21

Read the details here

May 22 - Labour Market Priorities Draw Invites Nurses in Nova Scotia

On May 22, Nova Scotia provincial nominee program (PNP) had a draw and sent invitations to nurses to apply for PR through the province’s provincial nomination program.

The candidates required to have three years’ work experience as a registered nurse (RN) or a registered psychiatric nurse, to have a CLB 8 in either English/French, and have a Bachelor’s degree. The NOC for this occupation is 3012.

All candidates had their profiles in the federal Express Entry system. The candidates invited received additional 600 points which will enable them to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.

May 15 - Express Entry Draw: Lowest CRS Score since January 2019

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,371 candidates in the Express Entry pool on May 15, to apply for permanent residence in a program-specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 447, which is a decrease of five points from the previous draw. The last EE draw on May 1 invited candidates who had a CRS score of 452.

This is now the lowest cut off score in a draw since January 2019.

This a second consecutive draw in a week, as the draw on May 13, invited 529 candidates in Express Entry.

Since the introduction of travel restrictions program-specific invitation rounds have become more frequent for Express Entry draws. To date IRCC has held eight program-specific draws concentrating exclusively on PNP and Canadian Experience Class candidates.

May 13 - PNP Ontario draw invites Tech Candidates in Express Entry

Today, Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to 703 Tech candidates to apply for permanent residency.

The selected candidates had their profiles in the Express Entry system and had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 421 and 451. The candidates have 45 days to submit their application after receiving an NOI.

The six occupations targeted in this draw were:

0213 Computer and information systems managers

2147 Computer engineers

2172 Database analysts and data administrators

2173 Software engineers and designers

2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers

2175 Web designers and developers

To be eligible for nomination, the candidates need to demonstrate work experience in one of the eligible NOC codes.

To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry streams candidates must receive a notification of interest from Ontario and have an up-to-date profile with the most current work experience, language tests and education in the federal government’s Express Entry system.

May 12 - Exemptions to work permit conditions when changing employment amid COVID-19

Effective May 12, a new policy will enable temporary workers who are in Canada to begin working while their work permit application is being processed as long as they:

• are changing jobs or employers

• have been offered a job under the Temporary Foreign Workers Program or the International Mobility Program

The eligibility requirements are the temporary workers:

• must be in Canada with a valid temporary resident status,

• had a valid work permit or were authorized to work without a work permit,

• has submitted a new work permit application or a work permit renewal application for an employer-specific work permit,

• plans to work for a new employer or job as specified by the job offer included in their work permit.

The applications must be submitted from inside Canada and can be either online or on paper. Once the application is received IRCC will request the applicant to complete a Web form to enable communication between them and IRCC. IRCC will then send an email within 10 business days to the applicant advising that they can begin working for the new employer.

This new process reduces the work permit approval time from 10 months to 10 days and thus enables the temporary foreign workers to begin working sooner.

May 2 - Quebec Extends Acceptance Certificates to End of Year

The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI) stated that international students whose Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQ) are due to expire soon will be extended until December 31, 2020.

This will assist international students who will be completing their study program and need to extend their stay in Quebec amid the pandemic restrictions. They will also be exempted from paying extension fees.

CAQ is essential for international students intending to enroll in a post-secondary institution in Quebec for 6 months or more. International students are qualified to submit a study permit application after obtaining a CAQ.

According to the ministry of immigration students who desire to get a CAQ for the fall semester or if their CAQ expires on December 31, 2020 will have to reapply.

May 1 - New Express Entry Draw Invites 3,311 Candidates for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,311 candidates in the Express Entry pool on May 1, to apply for permanent residence in a program-specific draw.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 452. The last EE draw on April 16 invited candidates who had a CRS score of 455.

This is by far the lowest cut off score in a draw in 2020.

The COVID-19 Canada borders closures to non-citizens and sweeping travel restrictions in place are having an impact on IRCC ability to process applications.

The goal of IRCC is to admit new permanent residents in Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class is scheduled to increase to 85,800 this year.

APRIL 30 - OINP ISSUES 307 INVITATIONS

Ontario issues 307 invitations to French speaking Express Entry Candidates in the French-speaking Skilled Worker Sream draw. This is a bigger draw as the last draw on January 9, issued 242 invitation to French speaking candidates to apply for PNP for PR.

The selected canidates have 45 days to apply for their provincial nomination.

April 29 – Alberta Covid-19 Measures: AINP Immigration Applications Processing Update

Effective April 29, the province of Alberta has implemented new temporary coronavirus measures for processing immigration applications for the Alberta Immigration Nominee Program (AINP) amid the coronavirus pandemic.

AINP stated that it will accept copies of all documents and will confirm the documents genuineness either by email or telephone. An incomplete application will be accepted if the candidate meets the below criterion:

• Application is submitted after April 29

• Selection criteria for their AINP stream is met

• Write an explanation letter explaining the reason the application is incomplete

• Attach proof they are in the process of obtaining the document

• For the Alberta Opportunity Stream, attach language test results, or proof that they have registered for a language test

• For Alberta Express Entry Stream, attach valid language results and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

If a candidate has applied before April 29, and is unable to provide any documentation, they need to write an explanation letter outlining the reason the document is not attached. Also, they need to attached proof that they have requested the document.

Alberta will hold all incomplete applications for 60 days from the mailing date. The application can be on hold for a maximum period of six months.

April 29 - Quebec extending health coverage amid Covid-19

Effective today, Quebec has extended the health coverage for temporary foreign workers who have an implied status for a period of six months in the province. RAMQ (the government health insurance board in Quebec) officials stated that those who have an implied status will be able to continue to access the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Quebec for benefits.

Due to the coronavirus temporary foreign workers whose work permits are expiring and are not able to renew, can stay in Canada under an implied status. In order to continue to avail health coverage they need to complete an extension form and send it back to RAMQ with their original work permit. A new RAMQ card with a validity period of six months will be sent by mail.

APril 29 - Ontario PNP invites 190 candidates in the Express Entry System

Today, The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued the invitations to 190 candidates in 14 skilled trades occupations in the provinces Express Entry Trade stream.
The OINP selected candidates with work experience in the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes:

Machine fitters (NOC 7316)Structural metal and plate work fabricators and fitters (NOC 7235)
Carpenters (NOC 7271)
Ironworkers (NOC 7236)
Crane operators (NOC 7371)
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics (NOC 7312)
Electricians (NOC 7235)
Electrical power line and cable workers (NOC 7244)
Roofers (NOC 7291)
Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers (NOC 7252)
Concrete finishers (NOC 7282)
Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (NOC 7302)
Refrigeration and AC mechanics (NOC 7313)
Elevator constructors and mechanics (NOC 7381

To be selected, candidates required to have valid profiles in the Express Entry system.

April 25 - COVID-19 Impact on Citizenship Update

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic effective March 17, 2020, until further notice, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has cancelled all citizenship ceremonies, tests and retests, hearings, interviews, itinerant service trips.

A new notice to appear will be sent to applicants when appointments resume in local offices and will be treated as their first notice.

IRCC will provide applicants with an additional 90 days to send documents once applicants have notified the local office that they have been affected by COVID-19, are in self-isolation or have recently returned from abroad.

IRCC will also provide applicants an additional 90 days to submit medical opinion forms if they have been affected by COVID-19, are in self-isolation or have recently returned from abroad.

Permanent residents who are applying for citizenship upon return to Canada must meet the physical presence requirements. Extra days spent outside of Canada due to the virus will not count as days in Canada.

April 24 - Confirmation of Permanent Residence and Permanent Resident Visa Update amid Coronavirus

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) advised that Permanent residence application, for finalized applications and refusals that are not related to the disruption of services, are ongoing.

Permanent residence applicants who have a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) need to advise IRCC through a web form that they are unable to travel.

IRCC will then put a note in the applicant’s file explaining that the applicant is not able to travel, and the file will be brought forward to the expiration date of the COPR and PRV. If the applicant informs IRCC that they can travel prior to the COPR and PRV expiration, they are must use their existing COPR and PRV to land.

If the applicant informs IRCC through the web form that they are unable or unwilling to travel after the expiration of their COPR and PRV, or if they are unable or unwilling to travel prior to expiration, IRCC will re-open the application, and the file will be brought forward for review in 90 days.

Once the applicant informs IRCC that they are able to travel, IRCC will re-approve a re-opened application as long as the applicant and their family members have valid immigration medical examinations, criminal and security checks and passports.

April 23 - COVID-19 Impact on Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) advised that intake of new permanent residence applications is ongoing. New, complete permanent residence applications will be processed as per normal procedures.

New applications missing supporting documentation must have an explanation with their application that they are affected by the service disruptions as a result of the novel coronavirus. The application will then be promoted and reviewed in 90 days. If the application is still incomplete in 60 days, IRCC will request the missing documents with an additional 90-day deadline.

Applications found to be incomplete with no explanation provided, or for reasons unrelated to the disruption of services associated with impacts of the novel coronavirus will be rejected and fees will be refunded to the applicant.

IRCC will continue to process permanent residence applications where the principal applicant is in Canada and the dependents are overseas and will take into consideration that delays may occur. The principal applicant will not be granted permanent residence if their overseas dependents cannot travel. They will be contacted to determine next steps once travel is possible again.

April 22 - Removing barriers for international students working in essential services to fight COVID-19

To help battle the COVID-19 outbreak, starting immediately, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will remove the restriction to allow international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, so long as they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, workers in certain roles and industries have been under considerable pressure, and the government realizes that international students who are in Canada will help meet the challenges of the pandemic.

Currently, thousands of international students are studying in health- and emergency service-related programs, including many who are nearly fully trained and ready to graduate. This temporary rule change offers health-care facilities with access to well-trained workers at this critical juncture when they are critically needed.

April 17 - Canada announces special immigration and visa measures amid coronavirus pandemic

A number of immigration measures have been implemented to stop the spread of coronavirus pandemic. However, IRCC continues to accept immigration, eTA’s, study permit applications, issue ITAs and have regular Express Entry draws.

IRCC will process study permits for the Fall intake. All the candidates will get 90 days to submit their biometric data.

Candidates can create their Express Entry profiles and submit temporary and permanent residence applications as usual.

Candidates who are finding it difficult to obtain and submit documents due to the present pandemic disruptions are assured that IRCC will take this into consideration.

April 8 - International Students Eligible for PGWP with institutions offering online courses

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic courses have now moved online and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is permitting international students who have enrolled in these courses to be eligible for a PGWP.

Usually, international students need to continuously study full time in Canada in a program that is of a minimum duration of eight months long to be entitled for a work permit. Studying online could render an applicant ineligible for a PGWP.

As per IRCC, International students who are starting their Canadian study program in the May or June intake will not be penalized for doing their courses online when they apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) upon completion of the program.

Students who have a study permit and were to start their programs of May or June, but who are unable to travel to Canada amid travel restrictions are also eligible to obtain a PGWP. They can start their classes overseas and can complete half of their program while overseas in the event they cannot travel to Canada due to the pandemic.

April 7 - BC Provincial Nominee Program - skills immigration and EE bc - Invites 147 Candidates

In a new round of invitations British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 147 invitations to skilled workers and Express Entry candidates in four immigration streams. The minimum score in this new draw were as follows:

Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker 85

Skills Immigration – International Graduate 85

Express Entry British Columbia – International Graduate 85

Express Entry British Columbia – Skilled Worker 85

April 7 - Reuniting with family in Canada amid COVID-19

If you are not a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident and you don’t have a Work Permit or Study Permit in order to board a flight to Canada, you must

have written authorization from the Government of Canada to fly to Canada

To get the authorization, email IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage- COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. We’ll contact you within 48 hours of getting your email and tell you what to do next.

You can also contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad to request an authorization.

To be eligible to travel to Canada, you need

• a written authorization from IRCC confirming that you are exempt from the travel restrictions

• a valid visitor visa (if you’re from a country whose nationals require a visa) or an eTA (if you’re from a country whose nationals are visa-exempt)

• a valid passport

• to tell the airline that you’re exempt from the travel restrictions

• to show a consular or immigration officer that you’re coming for an essential purpose, such as to live with your spouse, partner or parent

You’ll be refused an authorization if an officer finds that you’re travelling for an optional or non-essential purpose, such as for tourism, entertainment or recreation.

• to have your health checked by airline officials to confirm that you don’t have symptoms of COVID‑19, including a fever, a cough and difficulty breathing

Anyone showing symptoms will not be allowed to board.

If you don’t have written authorization, you won’t be allowed to board your flight to Canada, even if you have a valid visitor visa or eTA.

April 7 - How Coronavirus is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services: Travel Restrictions and Exemptions

To protect Canadians from the outbreak of the Corona virus, the government of Canada announced travel restrictions that will limit travel to Canada. Until further notice, most people cannot travel to Canada, even if they have a valid visitor visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA).

These restrictions stop all non-essential travel to Canada by foreign nationals, but there are some exemptions. Some people may still be able to travel to Canada by air if they’re exempt from the travel restrictions and are coming for an essential purpose.

Who can enter Canada?

You can travel to and may be admissible to enter Canada if you’re a:

• Canadian citizen

• Canadian permanent resident

• person registered under Canada’s Indian Act

• protected person

• United States (US) citizen or foreign national travelling from the US for an essential reason and have been in the US, Canada or both for at least 14 days before the day you enter Canada

o There are some exemptions to the 14‑day rule, for example, those whose work is essential for the movement of goods and people.

• foreign national who is exempt from the travel restrictions (see Exemptions to the travel restrictions for more information)

Exemptions to the travel restrictions

The following people may travel to Canada for an essential purpose:

• temporary foreign workers

• some international students

• some approved permanent residents

• immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or Canadian permanent resident (see below for more information)

• immediate family members with written authorization from the Government of Canada to reunite with a non-Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada (see below for more information)

• transiting passengers (must remain in a Canadian airport to complete their connection)

• members of the Canadian forces, visiting forces, Department of National Defense and their immediate family members

• accredited diplomats and immediate family members (include North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO], those under the United Nations Headquarters Agreement, other organizations)

• air and marine crew members

• French citizens who live in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon and have been in only Canada, the US or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon during the 14 days before the day they seek to enter Canada

• any person who does not pose a significant harm to public health, in the opinion of the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, and who will provide an essential service while in Canada

• any person whose presence in Canada is in the national interest, in the opinion of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship; Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness; or Foreign Affairs

• any person who is coming at the invitation of the Minister of Health for the purpose of COVID-19 assistance

• any person whose purpose is to make medical deliveries

An immediate family member is defined as a

• spouse or common-law partner

• dependent child

• dependent child of a dependent child

• parent or step-parent

• guardian or tutor

April 5 - New - Guidance for employers of Temporary Foreign Workers regarding COVID-19

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) works to improve the standard of living and quality of life for all Canadians. ESDC promotes a labour force that is highly skilled, efficient and inclusive labour market.

With this in mind ESDC provided a guideline which can be read at the below link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-guidance.html

April 4 - Update : Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers Regarding COVID-19

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has new information under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Click the link below:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program has now posted new FAQs online. These FAQs provide new and updated guidance to employers regarding the payment of wages during the 14-day self-isolation period, and should be used by employers and are in addition to the Guidance to Employers that were issued last week. Click the link below:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-faq.html

The Minister of Health, Patty Hajdu, and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, outlined the Government of Canada’s expectations of employers who intend to hire temporary foreign workers to Canada.

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/minister-letter-foreign-worke

April 1 - Flagpoling restrictions amids Coronavirus

Due to the coronavirus pandemic to curtail the spread of the virus IRCC has stopped the renewal of work permit, study permits and visitor visa at the border.

Foreign nationals cannot apply for a temporary visa, i.e., work permit, study permit or visitor visa by flagpoling.

Flagpoling is a process by which foreign nationals in Canada travel to the Canada – US border, enter the US for a short period of time, return to Canada and apply for a visa at the border.

March 30 - Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Update

As the Government continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot is now scheduled to open on May 15, 2020, and will accept applications until May 14, 2023.

Information on how to apply will be posted online and shared via social media closer to the launch date.

Applicants currently preparing to apply should expect delays in receiving supporting documentation, such as proof of education and official language proficiency. Organizations that provide these services have temporarily reduced or suspended their operations in response to COVID-19.

The pilot will help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector, particularly in meat processing and mushroom production, by testing a new industry-specific approach.

March 27 - Update on 2020 Parents and Grandparents Program

On March 27, 2020, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the opening of the 2020 Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) will be delayed in accepting new applications due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The launch of the annual PGP program for expressions of interest to apply was expected in the coming weeks. However, IRCC is currently prioritizing its efforts to contribute to the government response to the pandemic. This is a temporary deferral of the launch of the 2020 call for applications and it is not expected to impact when parents and grandparents will arrive in Canada, and that processing of these applications continues.

IRCC stated that it is committed to opening the program as soon as possible and that that government of Canada remains strongly committed to family reunification. Details on the opening of the PGP program will be posted online and shared on social media once they are available.

March 27 - Guidance for employers of Temporary Foreign Workers regarding COVID-19

With this in mind ESDC provided a guidelines which can be read at the below link:

https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/foreign-workers/employer-compliance/covid-guidance.html

March 26 - Travel Restrictions Measures Updated Today

The travel restriction exemptions that were announced on March 20, are now in place. If you’re exempt, you can now travel to Canada.

Temporary foreign workers, some international students and approved permanent residents who haven’t yet landed are now able to enter Canada.

If you’re travelling by air, you need to pass a health check before you’re allowed to board your flight. Anyone who shows symptoms of COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter Canada by air.

When you arrive in Canada your health will be assessed before you leave the port of entry. You must isolate for 14 days even if you have no symptoms. This is mandatory.

Only people who provide essential services and truck drivers who regularly cross the border to maintain the flow of goods are exempt from the isolation requirements.

March 24 - Exemptions to travel restrictions amid COVID-19

In a news release on March 20, the government of Canada provided an update on travel restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Exemptions to this air travel restrictions would be applicable to people have already accepted to work, study or make Canada their home, the exemptions comprise:

• seasonal agricultural workers, fish/seafood workers, caregivers and all other temporary foreign workers

• international students who held a valid study permit, or had been approved for a study permit, when the travel restrictions took effect on March 18, 2020

• permanent resident applicants who had been approved for permanent residence before the travel restrictions were announced on March 16, 2020, but who had not yet travelled to Canada

During this unusual time, if you have any questions, we are here to support you. Call/Text/Email JM Immigration +1 416 904 3815 / info@onecanadavisa.com.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/03/canada-provides-update-on-exemptions-to-travel-restrictions-to-protect-canadians-and-support-the-economy.html

March 23 - CEC Express Entry Draw Invites 3,232 Candidates for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3,232 candidates in the Express Entry pool on March 23, to apply for permanent residence in the details released yesterday. All candidates who received ITAs were in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Since 2015 this is only the second CEC draw.

The intention of this draw was focused on foreign nationals who have a minimum one year’s Canadian work experience. The main recipients of this draw are international students who obtain a three-year post-graduate work permit (PGWP) after completing a two-year study program at a designated learning institution (DLI).

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 467. The last EE draw on March 18 invited candidates who had a CRS score of 720 and targeted candidates who had received a provincial nomination. The cut-off score of this draw was three points lower than the all-program draw cut-off score of 470 on March 4th.

With this draw the total number of invitations to apply sent to date stands at 22,600.

March 22 - Canada-U.S. border closed for 30 days amid COVID-19

The land border between Canada and the U.S. was closed to all non-essential travel on Friday midnight to contain and stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. The border is however open for essential travel which relates to the transportation of goods and travel for work, in order to not impede trade and commerce between the two countries.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced “With the exception of Canadians citizens and permanent residents, all international visitors will be refused entry and will be turned around at the airport. Family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will also be allowed to come home.”

In a news conference Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said “students who hold valid visas, temporary foreign workers and anyone with valid work responsibilities will be allowed to cross as well.”

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has strongly recommended ‘no flag poling’ as travel for the purpose of obtaining immigration services is non-essential. Anyone in Canada as a visitor, student or worker can apply online to IRCC to extend their temporary resident status. This will enable them to continue to stay, study or work in Canada while their application is being processed. Their current immigration authorizations and conditions remain unchanged as they have ‘implied status’ provided they apply before their current document expires.

March 18 - CELPIP COVID-19 Prevention Closures

Starting today, March 18, 2020, to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and to protect the health and safety of test takers and test centre personnel in Canada and the United states, all testing for CELPIP, CAEL and LPI has been suspended. Testing will resume tentatively on April 17, 2020.

Testing in Chandigarh, India has been cancelled up to March 31st. However, testing continues to take place in Hong Kong with additional precautions to protect the health and safety of test takers and test centre personnel. As the situation is changing rapidly, there is a possibility that further testing in Hong Kong may be temporarily closed on short-notice.

Testing continues to be suspended in United Arab Emirates, Philippines and China.

Testing will resume once COVID-19 precautions have been lifted. To support test takers during this challenging time CELPIP has reduced the price of study material and has additional free online material.

IRCC - Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Program delivery instructions

Click the link below to read the policy, procedures and guidance used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada staff.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus.html

March 18 - New Express Entry Draw Invites 668 Candidates for Permanent Residence

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 668 candidates in the Express Entry pool on March 18, to apply for permanent residence.

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) score was 720. The last EE draw on March 4 invited candidates who has a CRS score of 471.

With this draw the total number of invitations to apply sent to date stands at 19,368.

The COVID-19 Canada borders closures to non-citizens and sweeping travel restrictions in place are having an impact on IRCC ability to process applications.

March 16 - Canada Immigration COVID-19 Guidelines

Today, the Canadian government announced yesterday that a number of preventive measures have being enacted to curtail the rapid spread of COVID-19. The guideline is relative to temporary residence, permanent residence and citizenship application overseas and in Canada.

Citizenship

• Appointments will be rescheduled and new notice to appear will be sent.

• Applicants will have additional 30 days to provide documents.

• Applicants will be given additional 45 days to request medical opinion forms.

• Citizenship ceremonies and knowledge testing have been cancelled.

• Applicants must meet the physical presence requirements and extra days in China, Iran or South Korea will not count as days in Canada.

Temporary Residence

• Foreign Nationals (FN) who are currently in Canada either as a visitor, temporary worker or an international student can apply for an extension before their temporary residence status (TRV) expires.

• Extensions must be done online and they require to meet all requirement and pay the associated fees.

• FN who have extension applications currently in progress will obtain an implied status and may remain in Canada until a decision is given on their application.

• FN whose temporary resident status has expired can apply for restoration.

Permanent Residence

• Applications that are incomplete due to unavailability of documents have additional 90 days to complete their application.

• Applications missing supporting documentation must have an explanation stating that it was due to the COVID-19 and pay the associated fees. An additional 90 days will be given for submission.

• Applicants who have a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa (PRV) and are unable to travel require to submit a web form to IRCC.

March 18 - Alberta Express Entry Draw Invites 136 Candidates

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 136 candidates were invited to apply through the Alberta Express Entry Stream. All candidates had profiles in the Express Entry system and had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of a minimum 300.

To be invited through the Alberta Express Entry Stream candidates do not need to have a job offer, but they do require to have profiles in the Express Entry Stream.

March 7 - Canadian employers can now apply online for a Labour Market Impact Assessment

February 21, 2020: The new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) pilot will allow employers and representatives to submit LMIAs online. The goal is intended to reduce the LMIA application processing time and to streamline the process. The online pilot will offer employers who are participating in the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program ability to register, manage their accounts, conduct transactions and liaise with Service Canada.

Employers can access the online portal with the same login credentials which they access the Job Bank for Employers. It will enable them to create an LMIA application, upload the requisite documents, and view the status of their application. It will also enable payment of the processing fees of CAD $1,000. Once Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has evaluated the application, the decision letter can be viewed in their inbox.

The LMIA online pilot was launched in August 2019 for the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) and the Primary Agriculture Stream, and was intended to expand once the system worked smoothly.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian employer requires before hiring a foreign worker.

A positive LMIA shows that a need exists to fill the job with a TFW. It also confirms that no Canadian or permanent resident have the necessary skills to do the job. A positive LMIA is also called an endorsement letter.

Once an employer gets the LMIA, the foreign worker can apply for a work permit.

To apply for a work permit, the foreign worker requires:

• a job offer letter

• a contract

• a copy of the LMIA, and

• the LMIA number.

March 5 - Saskatchewan Issues 73 Invitations in Second Entrepreneur Stream Draw

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) issues 73 invitations to candidates in the Entrepreneur stream. The lowest score was 115, however, candidates who had a score of 110 and a Canadian language benchmark (CLB) proficiency of four were also invited to apply. This is the second draw since changes were made in December 2019 to nominate candidates in the Entrepreneur stream.

SINP focused on three selection factors to nominate candidates who have the same score on the grid according to importance of:

1. Official Language proficiency

2. Businesses scheduled for a key economic sector

3. Exploratory visit (those who have visited the province)

To be considered for the SINP Entrepreneur stream candidates need to:

1) Show interest (Expression of Interest-EOI) in starting a business and living in the province by providing their entrepreneurial experience and business plan.

2) Meet the eligibility criteria to be accepted in the Expression of Interest (EOI) pool.

Candidate in the EOIs pool are scored and ranked on the points grid according to the eligibility criteria and receive nomination based on their points.

Also, the candidates require to have a minimum net worth of CAD $500,000; be able to invest $300,000 in Saskatoon or Regina and create a minimum of two jobs for Canadian/Permanent Residents, or $200,000 in another area in the province; and have three years of either management or entrepreneurial experience.

March 4 - Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Receives 1,322 Registrations

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) opened the International Student Stream March 3, and the Foreign worker Stream in the Employer Job Offer category and received 1,322 registrations.

The candidates who registered within the time that the intake was opened received a file number and have fourteen days to submit their application on the OINP web portal. The application usually takes approximately three hours to complete.

The intake was offline briefly due to a technical glitch, it reopened, and was closed within minutes as soon as the intake reached its allotted quota.

The OINP is currently accepting applications in the below streams:

• Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

• PhD Graduate Stream

• French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream

• Human Capital Priorities Stream

• Skilled Trades Stream

• Entrepreneur Stream

Candidates can qualify for a nomination to OINP in one of the below ways:

• Employer job offer category: candidates should have a permanent job offer

• Human capital category: candidates should have the necessary work experience, education, language skills, and also have their profile in the Express Entry system

• Business category: entrepreneurs should be from out of Canada and are keen to start a new or buy an existing business in Ontario

February 28 - Canada to Welcome more than one million new immigrants during 2020-2022

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in his speech on February 28, outlined Canada's immigration vision to welcome more than one million new immigrants during 2020-2022.

His speech, aptly titled ‘Immigration: A Driver of Economic Growth In Canada’, Mendicino stated that Canada required immigration to keep the economy growing, as the labour marker was shrinking due to the baby boomers retiring and the population in general ageing.

Immigration, Mendicino advised is a key solution and it is vital that Canada attracts skilled immigrants to address the labour shortages. Today immigration accounted for 80 per cent of the population growth and in the years to come that number was bound to increase.

February 27 - Nigerian Student Express – Pilot Program

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) recently announced the new Nigerian Student Express (NSE) pilot program for Nigerian students. The goal of this initiative aims to reduce the study permit applications processing time from the current eight weeks to less than three weeks.

This pilot is geared towards students who are seeking admission in either undergraduate, graduate or PhD programs in Canadian colleges and universities.

Students applying to study through this pilot require to prove they have sufficient finances to study in Canada. Their finances have to be verified through a secure monetary system called ‘MyBank’, which is offered from most commercial banks in Nigeria.

IRCC stats for the last quarter of 2019 showed a steep increase in study permit applications rejections. For the period January to June 2019 four in ten study permit applications were rejected which translates to 39%, as compared to 28% in 2014 and 34% for fiscal 2019. In 2019, the rejection rates for Nigerian students was 81% which showed that Nigerian students were among the top three for rejection in Africa.

The NSE is similar to the current Student Direct Stream (SDS) for students from India, Pakistan, Morocco, Senegal, China, Vietnam, and Philippines. The SDS is a fast-track study permit processing program for those who are applying to study in Canada at a post-secondary designated learning institution (DLI). SDS applications are processed within 20 days and applications are submitted online.

February 14, 2020 - Post-Graduation Work Permit Program Update

Students who have completed their program of study and have applied for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) on or after February 14, 2019, can now begin working full-time immediately as long as they meet the following guidelines:

• they held a valid study permit at the time they submitted an application for post-graduation work permit application

• they were studying full-time at a designated learning institution in either a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program

• they were permitted to work off-campus without a work permit

• they did not work more than the approved hours of work

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) also updated the guidelines that students do not have to have a valid study permit when applying for a post-graduate work permit. Furthermore, the deadline to apply for a PGWP has been extended from 90 days to 6 months which allows students additional time to submit their PGWP applications. The students can travel overseas while their PGWP is being processed. Once, their PGWP is approved, the student’s spouse is eligible for an open work permit.

The PGWPP permits students upon graduation from an eligible DLIs to attain an open work permit to get Canadian work experience. Skilled Canadian work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0 or skill level A or B that is earned through the PGWPP is instrumental in qualifying them for permanent residency in Canada through the Canadian experience class in Express Entry system.

February 17 - Visa Application Centres Closures in China Due to COVID-19

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) has made special provisions to assist people affected by the current closure of a number of Visa Application Centers (VACs) in China due to the spread of the Corona virus. On a case by case basis, the following individuals will be given extensions:

• Temporary residents who are at present in Canada and are unable to go back to China due to the travel restrictions.

• Applicants who have applied for Canadian Citizenship and are due to take their Oath of Citizenship and cannot return back to Canada.

• Permanent resident (PR) visa holders who require to extend the valid date of their Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).

• Temporary residents on a (TRV), permanent residents on a (PR) visa, work permit, and study permit applicants who are not able to complete the requirements for their application.

February 2 - Open work permits for vulnerable workers

Migrant workers in Canada on employer-specific work permits who are experiencing abuse, or who are at risk of abuse, in the context of their employment in Canada may be eligible to receive an open work permit that is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Effective January 29, 2020, these workers cannot apply for this open work permit at the port of entry. They can apply directly to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an open work permit for vulnerable workers by filling out an application online; include in their online application supporting evidence of the abuse if applicable; and have to be in Canada to be eligible for an open work permit for vulnerable workers.

Also, they may use the following ways of communicating with IRCC to seek information on obtaining an open work permit:

• contacting the Client Support Centre (CSC) to seek more information

• presenting themselves directly at an IRCC office to seek information on how to apply

• contacting relevant support organizations, such as settlement service providers or enforcement agencies, to seek assistance

Additional information has been added about passport validity, termination of employment, interviews and fee exemption for family members of vulnerable worker

February 1 - 2019 Newcomers Breakdown by province

In 2019 Canada welcomes more than 340,000 new immigrants and went over its allotted target by over 10,000 immigrants. The 2019 New immigrants Breakdown by province is as below:

2019 Immigration Breakdown as per province

It is worth noting that the bulk of the newcomers came from India, over 80,000, followed by China, over 30,000 and Philippines over 27,500.

January 12 - Temporary public policy for Out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has created new instructions for Out-of-Status Construction Workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The public policy is designed to offer a temporary residence to permanent residence pathway for a group of construction workers, and their families, in the GTA. This 2-year public policy is in effect until January 1, 2022 and aims to recognize the contributions construction workers in the GTA have made to the Canadian economy. The purpose of the policy is to regularize individuals who have fallen out of status by providing them with access to temporary resident status during the processing of their permanent residence application.

Applicants can apply whether or not they have previously been granted authorization to work in the construction industry in the GTA.

Launched on January 2, 2020, this 2-year public policy identifies 2 groups of potential applicants:

1. 400 applicants who have previously been issued a work permit in Canada authorizing them to work in the construction industry.

2. 100 applicants who have never been issued a work permit in Canada.

January 11 - Parents and Grandparents 2020 Sponsorship Program Update

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the details of the 2020 Parents & Grandparents (PGP) sponsorship program will be released by April 1st at the latest.

IRCC is currently developing a new application intake management process that will be implemented in 2020. Furthermore, the announcement stated that until the new intake management process is implemented, the department will not accept any new applications. This is to make sure that all interested sponsors have the same opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form, and a fair chance to be invited to apply.

The number of people immigrating to Canada who are sponsored by family members is increasing every year and more than one in five are parents or grandparents. This years IRCC will admit nearly 21,000 parents or grandparents.

If you are keen to sponsor either your parent or grandparent make sure you have all pertinent documents ready before April 1st. After you receive an invitation to apply you have 60 days to submit the application along with all the accompanying documentation.

January 6, 2020 - International Experience Canada Program Accepting 2020 Applications

International Experience Canada (IEC) allows youth the opportunity to work in Canada for temporary periods. If you are a citizen of a country with a bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement with Canada and between the ages of 18 and 35 you may be eligible for IEC work permits. Work permits issued under IEC are exempt from the requirement for a Labour Market impact Assessment (LMIA) and comprise three categories: Working Holiday, Young Professionals and International Co-op (Internship).

To be eligible you must

be between 18 – 35 years
have CAN $ 2,500 on arrival to cover initial expenses
be a citizen of the country Canada has Youth Mobility Arrangement
Take out health insurance for the period of stay
Have a round-trip air ticket
Meet the eligibility requirement for the pool you are applying for
Give your biometrics
Pay a fee of CAD $153

January 5 - Settlement Funds Requirements Updated

Effective January 1, 2020, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the table that shows how much money you need to settle in Canada. You may need to update your settlement fund numbers in your Express Entry profile. Making updates to your profile doesn’t change the date and time that we received it, so you’ll keep your rank if you’re in a tie-breaker situation.

January 2, 2020 : Excessive Demand on Health and Social Services Increased

Effective January 2, 2020, the annual cost threshold amount for excessive demand on health and social services has increased from $6,839 to $7,068. This new amount is now three times the Canadian average cost for health and social services and has been updated from $20,517 to $21,204.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) determines if an individual might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada. An “excessive demand” is defined as either of the following:

a demand on health services or social services for which the anticipated costs would likely exceed average Canadian per capita health services
a demand on health services or social services that would add to existing waiting lists and would increase the rate of mortality and morbidity in

Exceptions

Medical inadmissibility rules for excessive demand reasons don’t apply to:

refugees and their dependants
protected persons
certain people being sponsored by their family, such as dependant children, spouses and common-law partners

If IRCC believe and individual may be medically inadmissible, they will receive a ‘procedural fairness’ letter which explains the reason. They will receive this letter before a final decision is made on their application and they will have the opportunity to submit information to respond.

Also, if IRCC believe an individual’s health condition might cause excessive demand on Canada’s health or social services, they might invite them to send IRCC a mitigation plan.

#ExcessiveDemandOnHealthServices

January 2, 2020 - International Experience Canada Invitations Open January 6

The first round of International Experience Canada (IEC) 2020 invitations will take place on January 6 for country and category pools that are open at the present time.

Any Canadian citizen aged 18 to 35, can apply for a work permit in over 30 countries under IEC.

The benefits of taking part in IEC are:

· gaining valuable international work experience

· Learning new languages

· experiencing different cultures and exploring new places

IEC agreements with foreign countries enables work permits to be obtained relatively easier, and are processed more quickly. Depending on the country you may be able to work and travel abroad for up to two years.

January 1, 2020 - Settlement Funds Requirements Updated

December 20 - Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) Program 2020

The Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship (PGP) program is one of Canada’s most prevalent immigration program. Unliked the lottery system in the previous years, this year (2019) the program functioned on a first-come, first-serve basis and reached the maximum program limit of 20,000 applicants in just 8 minutes after going live.

On December 16, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will soon announce details of the 2020 PGP sponsorship program. To date IRCC has issued 19,225 sponsored parents with permanent residence status.

The program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet all the eligibility conditions. The sponsor must meet minimum income requirements and provide proof that they can financially support their dependents and the applicant(s). Applicants who are being sponsored must also meet immigration requirements.

November 23, 2019: Study Permit Required for Pre-requisite Studies

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) advised this week that study permits will be issued for successful applicants for pre-requisite studies for the length of the student’s planned pre-requisite program plus one year.

However, students cannot work off campus while completing pre-requisite courses. They must complete any such preparatory courses and begin their program of study before being eligible to work off campus.

Transition between levels of study

Students transitioning between levels of study are not required to apply for a new study permit, as long as their current study permit is valid.

However, students changing level of study within Quebec, or moving to a new program of study in Quebec from another location in Canada, are required to obtain a new Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ, or Quebec Acceptance Certificate). (The CAQ is an additional study authorization to the Canadian study permit - required for foreign students who have been admitted for studies in Quebec.)

The IRCC also confirmed that students changing from one Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to another in Canada do not need to obtain a new study permit; but, need to inform IRCC of their new institution.

November 20, 2019 - Biometrics Exemption for in-Canada applicants will end December 2019

Since 2018, biometrics for applicants for visitor visas, work permits, study permits, or permanent residence from outside Canada has been mandatory.

However, there was an exemption for those already in Canada and were eligible to apply for a visa or visa extension within Canada. IRCC announced this week that that exemption will end towards the end of this year. The date will be officially announced on the IRCC website, but there is an understanding that:

• The exemption for in-Canada applicants will end in December 2019.

• IRCC has entered into a partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for the collection of biometric information.

• Applicants will be required to provide their biometrics at one of 56 designated Service Canada locations across the country – these centres are operated by ESDC.

• In-Canada applicants will continue to file their study permit applications online with IRCC. On filing an application, they will then receive additional instructions from IRCC as to how and where they can provide their biometric information (at an ESDC-operated Service Centre) to complete the application process.

The exemption remains in place for any in-Canada applicants that have previously filed biometrics with IRCC within the last ten years as biometrics require to given once every ten years.

Applicants exempted from providing biometric information include:

• Children under the age of 14

• Applicants over the age of 79

• Nationals coming to Canada as tourists from visa-exempt countries who hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization

Biometrics collection is recognized globally as a reliable, accurate tool for establishing identity. More than 70 countries around the world are using biometrics in their immigration programs.

November 10 - Self-Employed Persons Program Processing Time Now 21 Months

The Self-Employed Persons program application processing time is now 21 months from seven years.

The Self-employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.

To be eligible you must have two years’ experience that proves that you have taken part in cultural activities or athletics at a world-class level or that you have been a self-employed person in cultural activities or athletics.

You must also be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada, and meet the selection criteria that includes of experience, education, age, language proficiency and adaptability.

Finally, you must have a medical exam and get police clearance certificate.

There is no minimum net worth requirement for this program. However, you must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you get to Canada.

September 19 - Study Permit Rejection Rates on the Rise in Canada

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) statistics provided to Polestar Student Immigration News for the period between January to May 2019 indicates an apparent increase in rejection rates for international students applying for a study permit, temporary resident visa (TRV) for Canada.

The data illustrates that on an average four in ten applications for study permits (39%) were rejected during the first five months of this year. When compared to prior years shows an increase that continues to grow; in 2014 the rejection rate was 28%, and in 2018 it was 34%.

IRCC may refuse a student permit if the student does not:

· show proof that they do not have enough money to support them while studying in Canada

· pass their medical exam

· prove to the IRCC officer that their main purpose in Canada is to study or

· prove to IRCC officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their study period

September 12 - Visa Application Centre service changes in Europe, Africa and Middle East

Visa application centres (VACs) have contracts with the Government of Canada to provide visa application support services and biometrics (fingerprints and photographs).

Currently, the following services are offered as a package at VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East:

· submitting paper application

· sending documents (such as passport) and returning them to you

· collecting biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) by appointment and/or walk-in

Beginning November 2, 2019, at VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East you will be required to:

pay an extra fee to submit your paper application (fee is different by location)
make an appointment to provide your biometrics (no more walk-in)

Also, new VAC websites will be launched in October for all VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The below two VACs will be closed effective November 29, 2019:

Sofia, Bulgaria
Podgorica, Montenegro

To find a visa application centre near you click this link https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/offices/find-visa-application-centre.html

September 9 - Two-year pilot to facilitate immigration of certain sponsored family members from lifetime ban now in effect

When a person applies to become a permanent resident, they are required to declare all of their family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent children, dependent child of a dependent child), even if they are not accompanying the principal applicant to Canada. Also, they also need to be examined in some cases. This has been the norm in order that IRCC has all relevant information to make a decision on their permanent residence application and mainly to ensure that these family members would not make the principal applicant ineligible or inadmissible.

Currently, the consequence for failing to have a non-accompanying family member examined is a lifetime bar on being able to sponsor that family member. These regulations encouraged full disclosure by applicants, to enhance the overall integrity of Family Class immigration, and to protect the health, safety and security of Canadians.

A new two-year pilot began on September 9, and will now allow sponsorship applications for certain family members who would normally be banned from obtaining permanent residence under IRCC regulations.

The pilot ends on September 9, 2021.

September 4 - Student Direct Stream available to international students coming from Senegal and Morocco

Starting September 9, 2019, the Student Direct Stream (SDS) will be expanded to support Francophone immigration. As a result, students from Senegal and Morocco will get access to a more efficient process for study permits.

By providing fast, reliable processing of study permit applications, Canada is better equipped to compete in attracting the best and the brightest from around the world.

The more efficient SDS process was launched in 2018 for students applying from China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and Pakistan, with an average processing time of less than 3 weeks.

Canada is a top destination for students seeking both a high-quality international education and employment in their field of study once they graduate. With Canadian education credentials and skilled work experience in Canada, former international students are well positioned for success in applying for permanent residence through Express Entry.

Since 2017, Express Entry candidates with strong French skills have been able to earn additional ranking points. This provides more opportunity for them to successfully transition to permanent residence and contribute to the vitality and growth of Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

Expanding this faster and more efficient application process to prospective students from Senegal and Morocco supports the Canada’s Francophone Immigration Strategy to encourage more young French speakers to choose to study in Canada.

August 27 - Canada’s New International Education Strategy (2019-2024)

The new International Education Strategy (IES) builds on the attributes that make Canada a powerhouse in international education: strong schools and programs of study in both English and French; peaceful, welcoming and diverse communities; an enviable quality of life; opportunities to work and start careers; and pathways to permanent residency.

The new IES will, in collaboration with the provinces, territories, associations and institutions:

· Encourage Canadian students to gain new skills through study and work abroad opportunities in key global markets, especially Asia;

· Diversify the countries from which international students come to Canada, as well as their fields, levels of study, and location of study within Canada; and

· Increase support for Canadian education sector institutions to help grow their export services and explore new opportunities abroad.

The Minister of International Trade Diversification, James Gordon Carr said in a statement “International education is an essential pillar of Canada’s long-term competitiveness. Canadians who study abroad gain exposure to new cultures and ideas, stimulating innovation and developing important cross-cultural competencies. Students from abroad who study in Canada bring those same benefits to our shores. If they choose to immigrate to Canada, they contribute to Canada’s economic success. Those who choose to return to their countries become life-long ambassadors for Canada and for Canadian values.”

The IES includes a five-year Outbound Student Mobility Pilot program which will help post-secondary students with the costs of study or work abroad. The program also focuses on supporting under-represented students (e.g., Indigenous students, students from less privileged backgrounds, students with disabilities) to develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly globalized and changing economy.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also improve its online services and forms to better connect to people who seek to visit, study or work in Canada. It plans to expand the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and make it available to prospective students from more countries. The SDS enables students who submit electronic applications and meet additional up-front requirements to benefit from quicker processing times.

Canada has world- famous universities such as McGill, in Montreal, and the University of Toronto, both of which are popular with international students. To make sure that Canada will remain one of the world’s top destination for learning, the new (IES) aims to strengthen Canadian international education competitive advantage to enable students to take what they learn and use it to help create jobs.

It is hoped that IES will increase awareness of what Canada has to offer international students and will contribute to Canada’s reputation as a respected centre of international education.

August 16 - Canada’s new biometrics rules: Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Fingerprints and a photograph are now required for identification purposes and have become mandatory for people from Middle East, Africa and Europe when applying either for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, permanent residence or for asylum.

However, people coming form visa-exempt countries with a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA) do not have to provide biometrics.

Biometric cost CAD $85 for one person or CAD$170 for a family when applying together.

Visitor visa, study and work permit applicants need to give their biometrics once every 10 years. They don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.

Permanent residence applicants need to give their biometrics and pay the fee each time they apply, even if they gave their biometrics in the past for another application.

August 14 - Canadian Citizenship Test

The Canadian citizenship test is a written test, you may request for an interview. You will be tested on two basic conditions for citizenship: 1) knowledge of Canada and of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and 2) adequate knowledge of English or French, the economy and Canada today.

If you are taking the citizenship test, click the link to see how you would score

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/can-you-pass-canadas-citizenship-test/ss-AABNWFx?ocid=spartanntp#image=1

August 1 - Student Direct Stream – Pakistan

Students from Pakistan now have the options of applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and can obtain their study permit in approximately 20 days.

The SDS was introduced in 2018 and students from India, Philippines, Vietnam and China currently have this option.

Ahmed Hussen, Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said “By expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of prospective students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”

Usually the processing time for study permits applications is eight weeks for students from Pakistan. The SDS route will reduce the processing time to within 20 days.

The only difference by using the SDS route students will have to provide their language (English/French) results, and provide proof that they have paid the tuition fees for the first year.

July 26 - Global Talent Stream Occupations List Updated

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the occupations in the Global Talent Steam (GTS) to emphasize the needs of the labour market.

Position added: Computer network technicians (NOC 2281)

Positions removed: Managers (Engineering, NOC 0211)

Managers (Science and Architecture, NOC 0212)

Employers in high growth industries or those who need to hire IT professionals can apply for work permits under the GTS. Applications (LMIAs) are processed within two weeks. This program was introduced to assist companies bring foreign workers to Canada as soon as possible to meet the needs of their business.

Global Talent Stream Occupation List: 

· Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

· Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147)

· Mathematicians and statisticians (*see NOC 2161)

· Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)

· Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)

· Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)

· Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)

· Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)

· Computer Network technicians (NOC 2281)

· Information systems testing technicians (2283)

· Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game (*see NOC 5131 and specific rules apply)

· Digital Media and Design (*see of NOC 5241 and specific rules apply)

Applications of occupation that have been removed from the list will be accepted until August 4, 2019.

July 25 - Canada-bound visitors barred from flights on advice of Canada border agents on the increase

Twice as many visitors in 2018, 7,208 travelers, as compared to 2017, 2,873 travelers, visiting Canada were not allowed to board a flight to Canada.

The reason was ‘improper documents’, however, many were from countries where visas were not required.

Read the complete article here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/07/17/record-number-of-canada-bound-visitors-barred-from-flights-on-advice-of-canada-border-agents.html

July 19 - Farm workers now have a pathway to permanent residence

The agriculture sector has been facing continual labour shortages and to mitigate this problem the federal government has launched a pilot program to enable farm workers obtain permanent residency.

Emphasizing the importance of the agriculture sector, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen stated that one out of eight jobs was sustained by the agriculture sector.

Read the article here: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2019/07/12/new-immigration-program-offers-migrant-farm-workers-pathway-to-permanent-residence.html

June 24 - Employers’ monopoly on temporary foreign workers to end

In today’s communique in The Canada Gazette, the federal government stated that it will give temporary foreign workers flexibility and the freedom to work for any employer with-in a specific sector, e.g., agriculture. As abuse has been rampant in low-wage jobs, the open work permits would prevent temporary foreign workers from being exploited.

Read the complete article here

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-ottawa-moves-to-end-employers-monopoly-on-foreign-workers/

June 4 - Protecting Immigrant Workers from Abuse and Violence

Effective June 4, 2019, workers who have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused by their employer will be able to apply for an open work permit. This will allow them to leave that employer immediately, maintain their status and find another job.

Read the complete article here https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2019/05/canada-introduces-new-measures-for-vulnerable-individuals.html

May 22, 2019

Immigration program – Global Talent Stream set to redefine Canada’s high-tech industry

Many companies in Canada have in one way or other become a technology company and are sourcing IT professionals. Many of the programs now issue foreign nationals a two-year work permits thus affording them the opportunity for permanent residence (PR).

Read the complete article in Toronto Star here https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/05/21/immigration-program-aims-to-boost-canadas-high-tech-sector.html

May 17, 2019

Canada removes all countries from the designated country of origin list

The Government of Canada has removed all countries from the designated country of origin (DCO) list, with effect from May 17, 2019.

Foreign nationals (FN) from the 42 countries on the DCO list were previously subject to a 6-month bar on work permits, a bar on appeals at the Refugee Appeals Division, limited access to the Interim Federal Health Program and a 36-month bar on the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment.

FN from former DCOs who are awaiting a decision on their claim need not take any action. The Immigration and Refugee Board will continue to process these claims as efficiently as possible.
Each asylum claim is unique and is determined in accordance with the law by an independent decision-maker based on the evidence presented, and the individual merits of the case.
De-designating countries of origin has no impact on: visa policy decisions. the outcomes of decisions at the independent Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
Asylum claims continue to be decided on the basis of an assessment of the merits of the individual’s claim.
From January 1, 2013, to March 31, 2019, 12 percent of asylum claims were from citizens of designated countries of origin.
Budget 2019 announced $208 million to increase the capacity of the asylum system and shorten wait times at the Immigration and Refugee Board.

De-designating countries of origin has no impact on the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement.

Read the entire article here

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2019/05/canada-ends-the-designated-country-of-origin-practice.html

May 15, 2019

Labour Force Survey April – 107,000 new jobs created in Canada

According to Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada, employment rose by 107,000 in April, particularly in part-time for youth. There was an increase in employment for youth aged 15 to 24, people aged 55 and older, and women in ages of 25 to 54. The increased employment in April was driven by more employees in the private sector (+84,000), while there were also gains in public sector employment (+23,000). There was no change in the number of self-employed.

Employment increased in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island. It declined in New Brunswick, and was little changed in the other provinces.

Employment in Ontario rose by 47,000 in April, primarily due to gains in part-time work among people aged 15 to 24.

In Quebec, employment increased by 38,000 in April, and the unemployment rate declined by 0.3 percentage points to 4.9%, the lowest rate since comparable data became available in 1976.

Employment in Alberta rose by 21,000 in April. Gains were primarily spread across several services-producing industries.

In Prince Edward Island, employment rose by an estimated 800 and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.6%.

In New Brunswick, employment declined by 3,900 as gains in part-time work were more than offset by decreases in full-time employment.

Read the complete article here https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/190510/dq190510a-eng.htm

13May19

International Student faces deportation for working too many hours

International students in Canada can work if their study permit allows them to work on or off campus.

They can work off campus, without a work permit, if they meet the following requirements:

have valid study permits
are full-time students
are enrolled in post-secondary academic programs
have started studying
their study program is at least 6 months long and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate

An international student from India was arrested and faces deportation for working over the stipulated 20 hours per week during his regular academic semester.

Read the complete article here

https://globalnews.ca/news/5269138/international-student-arrested-facing-deportation-work-permit/?utm_source=Article&utm_medium=MostPopular&utm_campaign=2014

May 3, 2019

Got $$$? Buy Canadian Citizenship

As per the article in TOI, Mark Audet, Vice president of Desjardins, told Times of India that the bank offers a scheme under which one needs to deposit only C$120,000 with the bank. The bank will finance the remaining C$200,000 to file the application for permanent residency (which entitles you to citizenship after two years) in Canada.

April 24, 2019

Sponsor your parents and grandparents: Find out if you’re invited to apply

Today, April 24, 2019, IRCC has started inviting potential sponsors to submit a complete application.

What you need to do

Check the same email account you used on the interest to sponsor form.
Check your junk mail folder to see if you have received an email from IRCC is there.

You’ll need your confirmation number to find your invitation status. If you lost your confirmation number, you can use IRCC online form starting April 25, 2019.

Invitations to apply

If you receive an invitation, you must submit your complete application on or before June 28, 2019.
If you mail your application and it is received after the deadline, it will be returned back it to you.

Lost or forgot your confirmation number

As of 12:00 pm (Eastern Standard Time) on April 25, 2019, you can check your invitation status through IRCC online form. You will receive a response within 10 business days.

What does your confirmation number start with?

It has 10 characters and includes numbers and letters in this order

begins with a random combination of 7 numbers and letters
followed by a hyphen
ends with 19

April 1, 2019

Tagalog, Arabic and Urdu among quickest developing languages in Canada

Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines, Arabic, and Urdu, the national language of Pakistan as well as recognized as an official language in India, are among the quickest developing languages in Canada, as indicated by Statistics Canada. Contrasted with 2006, the number of Canadian evaluation respondents guaranteeing Tagalog as their first language grew by 83.1% to 431,385; the number of Arabic speakers grew by 60.5% to 419,890, and the number of Urdu speakers grew by 44.6% to 210,820. Different languages that recorded double digit increases include Punjabi (36.5%), Spanish (32.9%), and Chinese (23.8%). Their total number of speakers rose to 1.25 million out of 2016. Two European languages, meanwhile, recorded double digit decline. Study respondents who claim Italian and German as their respective mother tongue dropped 17.4% and 14.8% respectively.

March 31, 2019

Canada announced a new International Education Strategy

The post-auxiliary instruction arrangement of Canada is acclaimed universally for the nature of its instructive foundations and the incredible consequences of its understudies. By the by, in an undeniably worldwide economy and work advertise, Canadian youth need to build up a scope of aptitudes. Among those abilities, the accentuation is given on flexibility, familiarity with a few dialects and between social aptitudes. In the new International Education Strategy, the Government proposes to contribute $147.9 million more than five years, beginning in 2019– 20, and $8.0 million every year progressing for International work/contemplate openings and Promotion of the benefits of Canadian training. This new Strategy will be conveyed in a joint effort with areas and domains, just as schools, polytechnics and college instructive organizations and other key accomplices.

March 24, 2019

Global study finds Canadians share most favourable view of immigrants

Canadians have the most favourable view of immigrants among the world’s top migrant destination countries, viewing newcomers as a strength rather than a burden, says a new international survey. The report by Washington-based Pew Research Center also found Canadians are the least likely to blame immigrants for crime or an increased risk of terrorism, among the respondents in 18 countries that together host half of the world’s migrants. “Canada is at the top of the list in believing immigration is a plus to the country,” said Jeffrey Reitz, director of ethnic, immigration and pluralism studies at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, who is not involved in the survey. 68% of Canadian respondents in the survey believed immigrants make the country stronger while only 27% said newcomers are a liability because they take jobs and social benefits, said the report.

Immigration News

January 21 - SPECIFIC QUEBEC SELECTION CERTIFICATE (CSQ) HOLDERS CURRENTLY IN QUEBEC – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

January 20 - CANADA DOUBLES IMMIGRATION PROGRAM FOR OUT-OF-STATUS CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN THE GREATER TORONTO AREA

January 12 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT

January 11 - THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL PASSPORTS IN 2023

January 10 - QUEBEC SELECTION CERTIFICATE – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

January 10 - NEW IRB RULES FOR IMMIGRATION APPEALS

January 9 - BIOMETRICS UPDATE

January 9 - INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE CANADA 2023 NOW OPEN

January 7 - GLOBAL TALENT STREAM - CATEGORY B

NEW OCCUPATIONS ADDED

January 7 - GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ANNOUNCES A TEMPORARY NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENT FOR TRAVELLERS ARRIVING FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG OR MACAO

December 22 - HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT

December 13 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP)

November 30 - STUDY PERMITS – OFF-CAMPUS WORK

November 30 - CANADA IMMIGRATION: INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY

November 17 - INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM (IMP) - WORK PERMIT

November 16 - NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION

November 16 - FIND YOUR NATIONAL OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATION (NOC)

November 16 - PNP CANDIDATES - NEW TEER

November 16 - NEW YOUTH MOBILITY AGREEMENT WITH ITALY

November 15 - NEW YOUTH MOBILITY AGREEMENT WITH ITALY

November 12 - NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION 2021 - TEER

November 12 - TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS (TFW) PROGRAM WILL ADOPT NEW NOC (TEER)

November 7 - PUBLIC POLICY ALLOWING CERTAIN VISITORS IN CANADA TO APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT

November 7 - FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL IMMIGRATION PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHED

NOVEmber 1 - IRCC 2023-2025 IMMIGRATION LEVEL PLAN : SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

November 1 - IRCC APPLICATIONS AT A GLANCE: INVENTORIES AND BACKLOGS

October 27 - The Canadian census: A rich portrait of the country's religious and ethnocultural diversity

October 26 - LMIA – ANNUAL UPDATE TO MEDIAN WAGES ON JOB BANK

October 20 - TRANSITIONING TO ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

October 20 - IRCC: PGP 2022 IMMIGRATION LOTTERY COMPLETED

October 20 - Renew work and study permits or request confirmation of permanent residence

October 19 - PLANS FOR TOUCHLESS BORDER FOR FIVE EYES CITIZENS

October 18 - CONFIRMATION OF PERMANENT RESIDENCE (COPR)

October 12 - IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

October 11 - EXCESSIVE DEMAND ON HEALTH SERVICES AND ON SOCIAL SERVICES

September 1 - National Occupational Classification 2021

September 1 - IRCC: A stronger immigration system that better serves newcomers

August 31 - WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM (IMP) : UPDATE

August 31 - LMIA – TFWP/IMP CHANGES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

August 30 - Permanent resident program – Landing Pages Updated

August 30 - BLENDED VISA OFFICE-REFERRED PROGRAM

August 30 - CIMM – STUDENT APPROVAL RATES BY COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE

August 30 - IRCC - RESETTLEMENT: LEGAL REFERENCES

August 30 - WORK WITHOUT A PERMIT – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

August 30 - CANADA : ADDRESSING IMMIGRATION BACKLOGS TO HELP CANADIAN BUSINESSES GROW

August 29 - RURAL AND NORTHERN IMMIGRATION PILOT (RNIP)

August 26 - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS : TRANSITION PERIOD

August 25 - IRCC APPLICATIONS : PROCESSING DELAYS AND BACKLOGS

August 24 - CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS

August 24 - FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL AND TERRITORIAL IMMIGRATION MINISTERS : PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF CANADA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

August 23 -IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND CITIZENSHIP CANADA (IRCC) ANTI-RACISM

August 6 - PGWP SPECIAL MEASURE : ROUND 1 BEGINS AUGUST 2, 2022

ROUND 1 BEGINS AUGUST 2, 2022

August 5 - IMMIGRATION CANADA HAS APPROVED A NEW LANGUAGE TEST.

August 5 - NEW MEASURES FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS WITH EXPIRED OR EXPIRING POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMITS AND APPLICANTS TO THE TEMPORARY RESIDENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT PATHWAYS

July 27 - WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE MOVING BACK TO CANADA TO RETIRE

July 27 - WORK PERMIT RESTRICTIONS EASED FOR BARBERS AND BARTENDERS

July 26 - PROVINCES DEMAND MORE CONTROL OVER IMMIGRATION TO COMBAT LABOUR SHORTAGE

July 21 - NEARLY 80% OF INT’L STUDENTS CHOOSE TO STUDY IN CANADA BECAUSE OF SAFETY & STABILITY, SURVEY FINDS

June 30 - GOVERNMENT EXPANDS CANADA WORKERS BENEFIT TO SUPPORT ONE MILLION MORE CANADIANS

June 30 - POST-GRADUATION WORK PERMIT PROGRAM (PGWPP):APPLY WITHOUT FINAL TRANSCRIPT

June 29 - OINP 2022 NOMINATION ALLOCATION

June 29 - OINP APPLICATION PROCESSING TIMES : UPDATE

June 23 - PROGRAM DELIVERY UPDATE: APPLICATIONS UNDER FAMILY CLASSES – ASSESSING THE SPONSOR

June 21 - Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Offices

June 21 - IMPLEMENTATION OF A MEASURE TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAM IN QUEBEC

June 21 - Program delivery update: Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)

June 7 - CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19): IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS

June 7 - ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SUPER VISA PROGRAM FOR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WILL HELP REUNITE FAMILIES MORE EASILY AND FOR LONGER

June 6 - Public policy allowing certain visitors in Canada to apply for a work permit – COVID-19 program delivery

June 6 - ABANDONMENT PROCEDURE - UPDATE

June 6 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

June 4 - Extend or change the conditions on yoEXTEND OR CHANGEur work permit: Changing jobs or employers

June 4 - ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS PILOT (EMPP) – PHASE 2

May 16 - How a single company ‘silently’ took over the world of visa processing in an age of record migration

April 29 - NOTIFICATIONS OF INTEREST ISSUED FOR ONTARIO’S EXPRESS ENTRY FRENCH-SPEAKING SKILLED WORKER STREAM

April 28 - NWT NOMINEE PROGRAM BUSINESS STREAM REOPENS

April 22 - CANADA WILL RESUME EXPRESS ENTRY DRAWS IN JULY