The CRS score dropped below 500 in the new all-program Express Entry draw
On August 15, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,300 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates under the Express Entry draw #262. In this draw, IRCC invited candidates under all immigration programs. In the latest round of invitations,...
Manitoba issued over 600 invitations under the MPNP
On August 10, 2023, Manitoba held a new invitation round in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). In round #189, the MPNP held a new occupation-specific candidate selection under the Skilled Workers in Manitoba (SWM) stream and invited 249 applicants who...
Immigration in 2023 is expected to surpass record targets for this year
Canada's immigration rate is set to exceed the targets outlined in the 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, with 232,120 new permanent residents alone in the first half of 2023. If this trend continues, there could be a total of 526,360 new permanent residents by the...
New immigrants find jobs more easily than before the pandemic
Newly arrived immigrants are having more difficulty finding jobs in Canada this year compared to 2022. However, their employment prospects are still better than before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey for July 2023. The...
Canada to create a new office to address staff racism complaints by fall
The Federal Immigration Department is creating an independent ombudsperson's office to address racism and discrimination toward its employees. An equity secretariat will also be created to provide safe reporting channels. While the department has published a summary...
Canada announced the new Recognized Employer Pilot under the TFWP
On August 8, 2023, the Canadian Government announced the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) to make it easier for repeat Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) employers to hire foreign workers. Employers with at least three positive Labour Market Impact Assessments...
Canada will hold occupation-specific Express Entry draws focusing on skilled trades occupations
On August 1, 2023, Marc Miller, the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced the first occupation-specific Express Entry draws for professionals working in skilled trades occupations. Starting this week, Express Entry will also...
Canada invited two thousand candidates in the new all-program Express Entry draw
On August 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,000 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates under Express Entry. In this draw, IRCC invited candidates under all immigration programs. In round #259, the cut-off score was 517 points, 12...
IRCC updated the data on immigration inventories and backlogs
On July 25, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the data on immigration inventories and backlogs. According to the last update, there were 2,264,000 applications for permanent residence, temporary residence, and citizenship approvals in...
British Columbia conducted a new draw under the BCPNP
On July 25, 2023, the Government of British Columbia issued new invitations under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) and invited qualified Skills Immigration candidates. In the general draw, the province invited 175 candidates. The minimum score...
Marc Miller is Canada’s new Immigration Minister
On July 26, 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made significant changes to his cabinet. Marc Miller, a Member of Parliament from Quebec and former Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, is now Canada's Immigration Minister. Sean Fraser, the previous...
Atlantic Immigration Program benefits from the renewed Atlantic Growth Strategy
Canada's Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) has received a boost with the renewal and revitalization of the Atlantic Growth Strategy (AGS). The AIP is crucial for Atlantic Canada's need for a skilled and diverse workforce. The AGS aims to accelerate the sustainable...
Virtual citizenship ceremonies help the Canadian Government reduce the backlog
The Canadian Government will soon allow new citizens to take the citizenship oath online without attending a mass swearing-in ceremony. This move will reduce the backlog of citizenship applications, shorten the application processing time, and make it easier for...
The Canadian Government needs more immigrants to improve the economy
As Canada faces an aging population, a new report suggests that the country needs to increase immigration to balance the demographic. According to the report, the working-age population would have to grow by 2.2% annually through 2040 to maintain the same old-age...
BC invited around 172 skilled candidates and tech professionals under the BCPNP
On July 18, 2023, British Columbia issued new invitations in the Skilled Worker – International Graduate categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). In the Tech-targeted draw, BC issued 112 invitations with a minimum score of 88 points. In...
mmigration Minister appointed the new chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
On July 14, 2023, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), appointed Ms. Manon Brassard as the new Chair of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). She will serve for a five-year term starting from July 23, 2023. Ms....
Ottawa announced an update for open work permit issuance under the IMP
On July 13, 2023, the Government of Canada published a new program delivery update for work permit issuance under the International Mobility Program (IMP). Starting July 13, 2023, family members of students working on campus under the authority of R186(f) or with a...
IRCC announced a new pathway for Ukrainian nationals
On July 15, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new pathway for Ukrainians to help keep families together. This pathway will provide permanent residence to Ukrainian nationals who have fled Russia's illegal invasion and are currently...
Canada eased permanent residency requirements for Hong Kong nationals
On July 11, 2023, the Government of Canada removed the education requirement for Hong Kong residents applying for permanent residency under the Canadian work experience stream (Stream B) starting August 15, 2023. This amendment simplifies the application process and...
Canada invited more candidates in the new all-program Express Entry draw
On July 11, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 800 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates under Express Entry. In this draw, IRCC invited candidates under all immigration programs. In round #257, the cut-off score was 505 points, 6...