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Year: 2023

30 May 2023

IRCC Announces Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate the Issuance of Permanent Resident Visas for Physicians Providing Publicly Funded Medical Services in Canada

On April 25, 2023, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced a Temporary Public Policy to grant exemptions to certain provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations for physicians applying for permanent residence through Express Entry. The purpose of the exemptions is to facilitate permanent residence applications for physicians providing publicly funded medical services […]

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30 May 2023

Agri-Food Pilot Extended until May 14, 2025, Annual Quotas Removed

On May 8, 2023, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot Program. The program will be extended until May 14, 2025. The Minister also announced the removal of the annual occupation caps, and the limits for how many candidates can apply for a specific occupation under the pilot. The […]

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30 May 2023

IRCC Announces New Measures to Facilitate Family Reunification for Spousal Sponsorship Applicants: New Open Work Permit for Family Class Applicants

On May 26, 2023, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced new measures intended to support family reunification for applicants under the Family Class. The new measures include the following: New Open Work Permit for Family Class Applicants Previously, only applicants under the Spouse-in-Canada class were eligible to apply for an open work permit. Under […]

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24 May 2023

Express Entry Draw: Cut off Score Increases to 488

On May 24, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 4,800 […]

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24 May 2023

New Canadian Passport Design

Later this summer, Canada will be issuing passports with a new design and new security features. The passports contain a polycarbonadate data page with an imbedded electronic passport chip, a Kinegram over the main photo, a custom see-through window, and laser engraved personal information to protect the passport. The passport pages will also change when […]

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24 May 2023

New Work Opportunities for Finnish and South Korean Youth

Over the past week, the Government of Canada has announced new measures for Finnish and South Korean youth, beginning in 2024. The Canada-South Korean Youth Mobility Arrangement will expand the ability of South Korean youth to participate in the international Experience Canada program. Starting in 2024, the eligibility will be expanded to include youth up […]

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27 Apr 2023

Express Entry Draws Continue Despite Labour Disruption

On April 26, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 3,500 […]

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27 Apr 2023

Immigration Support for Sudanese Nationals

In light of the recent increase violence in Sudan, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has announced the implementation of new measures to facilitate the immigration process for Sudanese nationals. Sudanese nationals already in Canada will be able to extend or change their temporary status in Canada, free of charge. Removals to Sudan will also be […]

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19 Apr 2023

Public Service Alliance of Canada Strike to Impact Immigration and Passport Services

Beginning today, April 19, 2023, the Public Service Alliance of Canada has voted to strike. Over 150,000 federal government employees are included in this strike included Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada employees. As a result, multiple immigration, citizenship, and passport services will be impacted: In-person citizenship events will be postponed; IRCC contact centre responses will […]

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12 Apr 2023

Athletes, Artists, Competition and Entertainment Visas

There are approximately sixty (60) different work permit exempt, visitor and work permit application options for athletes, artists or persons entering Canada for competitions or entertainment industry purposes.  Some of these options required Labour Market Opinion Assessment (LMIA) based work permits and other options allow for entry as visitors.  Some of them are based on […]

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12 Apr 2023

Express Entry Update

On April 12, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 3,500 […]

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30 Mar 2023

Immigration-Related Exemptions from the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act

Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act S.C. 2002 c. 10, s. 235. Came into force effective January 1, 2023. The Act prohibits non-Canadians from purchasing residential property (Permanent Residents are included in the definition of “Canadian”). March 27, 2023, the Minister of Housing Diversity, and Inclusion announced amendments to the Act. […]

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30 Mar 2023

IRCC’s Response to the Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey

From March 29, 2023 until September 25, 2023, IRCC is instituting special measures for certain individuals impacted by the disaster. For Syrian and Turkish temporary residents inside of Canada who hold valid temporary status, this measure will allow applicants to extend their current status. It will also allow applicants to change their temporary status from […]

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30 Mar 2023

Express Entry Update: Cut Off Scores Continue to Drop

On March 29, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw once again […]

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23 Mar 2023

Post-Graduation Work Permits to be extended an additional 18 months

A new public policy is set to be released in the coming weeks, allowing post-graduation work permit holders to apply for work permit extensions up to 18 months. This policy will benefit those who were eligible to apply for post-graduation work permit extensions under the 2022 policy, and those who had post-graduation work permits expire […]

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23 Mar 2023

Extending Measures for Ukrainian Citizens

The Government of Canada has extended the temporary measures in place under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program. Eligible applicants overseas can apply for a visa under CUAET until July 15, 2023. Fees will continue to be waived until this date. After July 15, 2023, no special measures will be available for Ukrainian nationals […]

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23 Mar 2023

Express Entry Update: Cut Off Score Drops to 484

On March 23, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 7,000 […]

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16 Mar 2023

Express Entry Update: IRCC Holds Largest All-Program Draw in 2023 to Date

On March15, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. This week’s draw invited 7,000 candidates […]

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2 Mar 2023

Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw

On March 1, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 748, and 667 candidates were invited to apply. This draw invited only candidates who qualify […]

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2 Mar 2023

Temporary Policy to Allow Visitors to Obtain Work Permits from Inside of Canada

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has extended for two (2) years a temporary policy, allowing certain visitors to apply for work permits without leaving Canada. Visitors must have valid status in Canada and a valid job offer (either an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment) and meet all other admissibility criteria to be eligible […]

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2 Mar 2023

New measures for Iranian citizens in Canada beginning March 1, 2023

As of March 1, 2023, the Government of Canada has introduced a new public policy to extend the temporary stay of Iranian Citizens in Canada. Iranian citizens, currently in Canada under valid temporary status, can apply to extend their stay from inside of Canada or change their temporary status. These measures include eligibility to apply […]

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2 Feb 2023

Express Entry Update: Federal Skilled Worker Draw

On February 2, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. This draw indicted 3,300 candidates to apply. The minimum score selected was 489. This […]

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2 Feb 2023

Work Permits for Dependent Children and Spouses of Foreign Workers

As of January 30, 2023, the Government of Canada has increased the eligibility of accompanying family members to obtain work permits. Dependent children (under the age of 22) can now obtain an open work permit if their parent is authorized to work in Canada and is currently employed. In addition, spouses of low skilled workers […]

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2 Feb 2023

Update on Ukraine – February 2, 2023

Since March 2022, over 800,000 individuals have applied for temporary residence in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (“CUAET”). To date, over 500,000 of these applications have been approved. Currently, the CUAET program remains open and available for Ukrainian nationals and their family members to apply for temporary status in Canada. The CUAET […]

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11 Jan 2023

Express Entry Update: First Draw of the New Year

On January 11, 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence under the Express Entry system. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under all Express Entry programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Provincial Nominee Program, and Canadian Experience Class. […]

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11 Jan 2023

The New Year Ushers in Accelerated Growth for Canadian Immigration

The pandemic has made sharp and lasting changes to immigration law and policy.  As the threat of the pandemic receded, the government re-opened our borders.  What is next on the Immigration front in Canada? What will the new year bring?  The following is a list of the main Canadian immigration rules and trends we can […]

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10 Jan 2023

Open Work Permits for Youth and Adults 18-35

This week the government has announced eligibility for work permits for youth and adults 18-35, under the international experience work permit category, if they are nationals of partner countries.  Processing of the work permit takes approximately six weeks.  Eligibility criteria is minimal and it is an excellent opportunity for youth to receive an open work […]

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10 Jan 2023

PGWP program transitioning back to restrictions on distance learning

In response to the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 public health measures on international students and the unavoidable shift to distance learning that had to occur, IRCC put in place temporary public policy changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program which were intended to minimize the impact of pandemic public health restrictions on affected students. […]

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10 Jan 2023

Negative COVID-19 tests required for travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao

Following an abrupt increase in COVID-19 cases in the People’s Republic of China and surrounding regions and given the limited available data on this new variant of the virus, the Government of Canada has put in place temporary public health restrictions on air travel from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macao. As […]

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10 Jan 2023

Five new occupations eligible for expedited LMIAs and work permits

Since its introduction in 2017, the Global Talent Stream has been one of the most effective and efficient pathways for Canadian employers to both attract and hire skilled talent from around the world. Under this stream, the government maintains a Global Talent Occupations List setting out the occupations that they have determined to be in-demand […]

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10 Jan 2023

Canada welcomes over 430,000 new permanent residents in 2022

In the past year, Canada welcomed the largest number of new permanent residents in the country’s history, with over 431,645 new permanent residents having been accepted. This exceeds the previous record set in 2021, when Canada welcomed just over 401,000 new permanent residents. To build on this success, the federal government has continued to set […]

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