Back to top

News

Immigration Update

Full Vaccination Will Reduce Quarantine Requirements

Well over seventy percent of Canadians have received one vaccine and twenty percent are fully vaccinated.  That is good news for quarantine restrictions.  Canadian citizens and permanent residents and other exempt travelers who are fully vaccinated will soon have a reduced quarantine requirement when arriving from abroad.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu informed reporters that travelers who are already exempt from travel restrictions, will not have to quarantine for the full 14 days if they have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine within 14 days of arrival.

A firm date has not been given for when these measures would be implemented other than the suggestion of “early July”, assuming case counts continue to decline. The federal government is consulting with the provincial governments, and the departments of public safety and immigration.

Substantial Express Entry Canadian Experience Class with Low Score Drop to 368

On June 10, 2021, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system.

The June 10, 2021 draw invited candidates who qualify for selection under the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum score selected was 368 and 6,000 candidates were invited to apply.

The cut off score of 368 in this draw is the lowest we have seen to date since the unprecedented February 13, 2021 draw, and a decrease of 12 points from the most recent Canadian Experience Class draw held on May 31, 2021. To qualify for selection under the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. We recommend that any candidate who meets the Canadian Experience Class criteria take advantage of the low cut-off scores and take this opportunity to apply for permanent residence.

Provincial Nominee Class Draw Marks the Largest Exclusive Draw

On June 9, 2021, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system.

This draw invited candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 711, and 940 candidates were invited to apply.

To qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class, candidates must have received a nomination certificate from a Canadian province or territory. Canadian provinces and territories have their own unique set of immigration programs through which applicants can apply for permanent residence.  Criteria for nomination varies by province and is based on factors such as job offer in the province, previous work experience or post-secondary education, or provincial labour market needs. Candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination are awarded 600 additional points under the federal Express Entry system.