published on 12 June 2020 @ 11:37 am · COMMENT
Immigration Update
Express Entry Update
On June 10th and June 11th 2020, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two new rounds of invitations to apply for permanent residence, under the Provincial Nominee Program and the Canadian Experience Class. Minimum scores selected under the Canadian Experience Class program continue to decrease, making this an ideal time for candidates to apply under this category.
Provincial Nominee Program
On June 10th 2020, 341 candidates were invited to apply under the Provincial Nominee Program. The minimum score selected in this draw was 743. To qualify, candidates must have received a certificate of nomination from a Canadian province or territory.
Canadian Experience Class
On June 11th 2020, 3,559 candidates were invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class. The minimum score selected was 437. This is the lowest minimum score we have seen selected under this category in over two (2) years
As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, IRCC continues to exclude Federal Skilled Worker candidates from the Express Entry draws, focusing instead on inviting candidates who are already likely to be in Canada. To qualify for selection under the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must have at least one year of skilled work in Canada within the past three years and must meet minimum language proficiency requirements.
Candidates under this category currently have a higher likelihood of selection, and we strongly recommend that those who meet the program criteria take advantage of this opportunity to apply for permanent residence
New Exemption to Travel Restrictions Helps Reunite Family Members of Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents
In an effort to ease some of the challenges facing families during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has announced significant changes to the travel restrictions for family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
As of June 9, 2020, foreign nationals who are not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, and who are immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be exempt from the prohibition on optional and discretionary travel to Canada if they can demonstrate that they are entering to be with an immediate family member for a period of at least 15 days.
An “immediate family member” of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident includes the following people:
- spouses or common-law partners;
- dependent children;
- parents or step-parents, or the parents or step-parents of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or,
- guardians or tutors.
This exemption to the travel restrictions on optional and discretionary travel applies only to immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. It does not apply to immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada, such as international students or temporary workers.
All travelers who are admitted to Canada pursuant to this exemption are still required to quarantine for 14 days.
While it remains to be seen how front-line border officers will apply this new exemption for immediate family members, this change is a positive development in the law which promises to facilitate the reunification of many Canadians and their loved ones, who have been separated during these difficult times.
To learn about how family reunification in Canada is being impacted by COVID-19, please read the full article which was published in The Lawyer’s Daily. Here’s the link.