Author: lpen

On June 2, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new Express Entry draw #348. The Government of Canada issued 277 Invitations to Apply (ITA) for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates in this draw. This round’s cut-off score was 726 points, 20 points more than the previous PNP-targeted draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was September…

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant modifications to the International Mobility Program (IMP), specifically targeting business owners seeking temporary residence in Canada. The comprehensive update introduces stricter eligibility requirements, including proof of sufficient business funds, and mandates that applicants must control at least 51% of their business. Notable changes include an 18-month cap on work permit validity…

Saskatchewan's Immigration Minister Jim Reiter has announced plans to negotiate a two-year work permit extension for skilled immigrants, following Manitoba's successful model. This initiative comes in response to the federal government's decision to reduce the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) quota by 50%, limiting it to 3,600 nominations. The proposed extension aims to provide stability for temporary workers facing permit…

The Northern Ontario city of Sault Ste. Marie has released its selection of 16 designated employers for the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), marking a significant step in the region's immigration strategy. The program, allocating three hundred permanent residency spots for 2025, enables foreign nationals to pursue Canadian permanent residency through job offers from approved employers in priority sectors, including…

Over the past month, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held new draws in the International Experience Canada (IEC) pools. From March 25 to May 2, Canada invited 20,617 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of May 2, 26,071 candidates were registered in the pool and waiting for the invitation. Canada issued 2 ITAs for…

North Bay has unveiled its strategic sectors and occupations under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in rural Canada. The city, which covers the Nipissing and Parry Sound districts, along with the Town of Latchford, will focus on five key sectors: business and finance, health, education and social services, sales, and trades.…

Nova Scotia's Immigration and Population Growth Branch is modernizing its Atlantic Immigration Program with a new online endorsement application system, effective May 1, 2025. The enhanced platform promises a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, with mobile accessibility and improved error prevention features. A key upgrade allows Authorized Signing Officers to delegate permissions to organizational and immigration representatives across multiple applications.…

International Experience Canada (IEC) has implemented a new policy amendment. Until December 1, 2025, IEC applicants who have obtained a Letter of Introduction can submit their work permit application for the IEC program by mail to a Canadian address. Although this in-country processing option enhances accessibility, the anticipated processing duration of up to six weeks may not be suitable for…

The Canadian Government has announced a temporary suspension of processing low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in 24 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where unemployment rates exceed 6%. This measure, effective from April 4 to July 10, 2025, notably affects major cities, including Toronto (8.6%), Montreal (6.7%), and Vancouver (6.6%). The policy, part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), aims…

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced significant changes to its interim measure for citizenship applications affected by the first-generation limit rule. The expanded policy, effective April 4, 2025, now encompasses all proof of citizenship and adoption applications impacted by descent limitations. This update follows the Minister's March directive and aims to streamline the application process for affected individuals.…