Recent Express Entry Draws: February 2025

Canada continues to invite skilled workers through the Express Entry system, with two recent draws targeting key applicant categories. On February 17, 2025, the Canadian government issued 646 invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates in this draw required a minimum CRS score of 750. PNP nominees benefit from an additional 600 points, making […]

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Canada Expands Support for Individuals Affected by Sudan Conflict

In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Canada has announced expanded measures to support those affected by the conflict. On February 20, 2025, the Canadian government outlined plans to resettle more refugees and broaden the family-based permanent residence pathway for impacted individuals. Key initiatives include: Increased Refugee Resettlement: Canada will welcome up to […]

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IEC Work Permit Holders: Changes to CRS Points for Valid Job Offers

As of December 18, 2024, foreign nationals issued employer-specific work permits under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program’s ‘Young Professionals’ category will no longer receive additional CRS points for arranged employment in their Express Entry profiles. Previously, candidates with valid job offers could obtain 50 or 200 extra CRS points, depending on their position’s National […]

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Canada Introduces New Permanent Residence Pathways for Home Care Workers

The Canadian government has announced the eligibility criteria for the highly anticipated Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, set to launch on March 31, 2025. These new pathways replace the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots, which were discontinued last year, and will provide foreign home care workers with a more streamlined process […]

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BARTLAW LLP News

Jacqueline Bart, Managing Partner of BARTLAW LLP, and Carrie Wright, Partner, published an article titled “Increased information sharing on permanent residents between Canada, U.S.” on Law360 Canada. Click this link to access the article.

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Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada Processing Times

Temporary Resident Processing Times: Inside Canada: Visitor Record 125 Days Visitor Visa 40 Days Student – Initial 120 Days Student – Extension 112 Days Worker – Initial and Extension 120 Days Outside Canada:   United States India Mexico Brazil South Africa Visitor Visa 27 Days 116 Days 45 Days 98 Days 558 Days Study Permit […]

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Fee Exemptions for Victims of Family Violence and Human Trafficking

The Government of Canada has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals by waiving fees for specific immigration documents for victims of family violence and human trafficking. Under these public policies, eligible applicants can receive fee exemptions for: Temporary resident permits (TRPs) Open work permits Study permits Biometrics These pathways provide victims with temporary legal […]

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Canada’s New Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program

On January 31, 2025, the government of Canada opened a new pathway to permanent residence for immigrants intending to live in rural communities in Canada. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship praised the new pilot program as a solution to labour shortages in rural Canada. The new pilot program replaces the previous Rural and […]

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Latest Express Entry Draws: February 2025

Canada has conducted two Express Entry draws in early February, inviting a total of 4,802 candidates to apply for permanent residence. On February 4, 2025, the Canadian government issued 802 invitations under the Provincial Nominee Program. Candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 455 to receive an invitation. The following day, on February 5, 2025, […]

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New Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots Launching in 2025

Canada’s highly anticipated new caregiver immigration programs are set to open on March 31, 2025. Officially named the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots, these new pathways will replace the previous caregiver programs that closed in June 2024. Initially announced on June 3, 2024, the enhanced programs aim to provide a more streamlined and effective route […]

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Canada Introduces Two New Immigration Pilots to Support Rural and Francophone Communities

Canada is rolling out two new immigration initiatives designed to strengthen rural and Francophone minority communities: the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot. These programs aim to address workforce gaps by attracting skilled newcomers to 18 designated communities outside Quebec, offering them a pathway to permanent residence. The Rural Community Immigration […]

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Canada Extends Special Immigration Measures for Haitian Nationals

In response to the ongoing crisis in Haiti, the Canadian government has extended special measures to support Haitian nationals in Canada, as well as foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are currently in Canada and unable to return to Haiti. Initially implemented on May 23, 2024, these measures will now […]

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Final Year of the Agri-Food Pilot: Limited Spaces Available

Since its launch in 2020, the Agri-Food Pilot program has played a vital role in addressing labour shortages in Canada’s agricultural and food production industries. This program has provided a pathway to permanent residence for over 4,500 agri-food workers and their families. As the pilot nears its conclusion, demand has historically exceeded the available spaces […]

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Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility for Family Members of International Students and Foreign Workers

Effective January 21, 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced new eligibility criteria for open work permits (OWPs) for family members of international students and foreign workers. Under the new rules, only the spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be eligible to apply for an OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will […]

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Regional International Student Caps for 2025 Announced

The Government of Canada has released the 2025 provincial and territorial study permit allocations, continuing its efforts to manage the growth of international student enrollment. Building on the cap introduced in 2024—which reduced the number of international students by approximately 40%—the total number of study permits to be issued in 2025 is set at 437,000, […]

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Canada Express Entry Draw – January 23, 2025: Third Draw of the Year

The latest Express Entry draw, held on January 23, 2025, has issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence. This draw targeted candidates in the Canadian Experience Class stream, with a minimum CRS score of 527.

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BARTLAW LLP News

Oliver Mao and Jacqueline Bart published a LAW360 publication about the uncertainties and opportunities for citizenship by descent law available due to the prorogation of parliament. The text of the article can be found at this link.

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Canada Launches ReportIn App for Immigration Monitoring

The Canadian government has launched ReportIn, a mobile app to assist in monitoring individuals under immigration enforcement. Introduced on November 13, 2024, the app allows foreign nationals, refugee claimants and permanent residents to meet reporting requirements without in-person visits to Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) offices. Using advanced facial recognition and geolocation technology, ReportIn verifies […]

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Key Changes to Immigration Programs from IRCC

Several recent developments announced by the Canadian government, reflect significant changes across various pathways and programs. Below is a summary of the most notable announcements: Expanded International Experience Canada (IEC) Opportunities for Australians: In December 2024, the Canadian government implemented an enhancement to the bilateral IEC agreement with Australia. Beginning on December 18, 2024, Australians […]

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Canada’s First Express Entry Draws of 2025

The beginning of 2025 has marked the first major immigration activity of the year in Canada, with several significant draws under the Express Entry system. Both draws align with Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan and its focus to help the country meet its evolving economic and demographic goals. January 7, 2025 – Provincial Nominees: On […]

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Canada Pauses New Applications for Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship in 2025

The Canadian government has announced that it will not accept any new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents for permanent residence in 2025, putting their focus on prioritizing the processing of existing applications submitted in 2023 and 2024. The government’s revised targets for 2025 includes 24,500 landings of foreign nationals sponsored through the Parent-Grandparent Program […]

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CBSA Now Prohibiting “flagpoling” for Most Foreign Nationals

Effective as of December 23, 2024, significant prohibitions have been placed on “flagpoling,” the practice in which a foreign national exits and re-enters Canada at a land border to access immigration services at the port of entry. Under these new policy directives, most foreign nationals are no longer eligible to apply for work or study […]

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