Canadian Immigration News

The government of Canada has announced that the Start-Up Visa program, a pathway to Canadian permanent residence for entrepreneurs launching a company in Canada, will become a regular feature of Canada's immigration landscape in 2018.

In the months ahead, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will work to finalize regulations for the permanent program in order to have a seamless transition when the current pilot expires on March 31, 2018.

British Columbia issued a total of 357 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) in draws that took place on July 19 and July 26. The latter draw was a 'tech-only' draw, a new initiative started by BC in May. Non-tech workers and graduates may have been invited to apply on July 19.

A draft version of a new study guide for the Canadian Citizenship exam shows that the government plans on overhauling the book used by prospective Canadians in preparation for the exam.

The government of Ontario has placed a hold on intake for the Express Entry-aligned Human Capital Priorities stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) following a recent surge in applications.

The latest draw for Saskatchewan's Entrepreneur stream, an important component of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), has resulted in 98 international entrepreneurs being invited to apply to the program. Candidates in the unique 'Expression of Interest' pool for this program who had 80 or more points on July 19 were invited to apply. This cut-off threshold is the joint-lowest in the history of the program.

The latest draw for Saskatchewan's Entrepreneur stream, an important component of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), has resulted in 98 international entrepreneurs being invited to apply to the program. Candidates in the unique 'Expression of Interest' pool for this program who had 80 or more points on July 19 were invited to apply. This cut-off threshold is the joint-lowest in the history of the program.

On July 20, the government of Ontario announced that applications for the Employer Job Offer Stream - Foreign Worker and International Students are now being accepted.

The government of Ontario has cautioned applicants to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) that some people have received emails claiming to be sent by the OINP. In these emails, the receiver is sent a false Ontario Certificate of Nomination and is asked to pay a “Right of Permanent Residence Fee.”

A total of 3,202 candidates have been issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the second Express Entry draw to occur since recent changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) were introduced on June 6, 2017. The latest draw, which took place on July 12, 2017, saw a minimum CRS score requirement of 440. Consequently, candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score of 440 or above at the time of the draw are now in a position to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.

The province of Manitoba has invited a total of 494 skilled workers to settle in the province as permanent residents in a draw that took place on July 11. These candidates, plus their family members, are now in a position to apply for immigration to Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).