Mohanad Moetaz - 06 October, 2020
Here’s a summary of the most important headlines from this week.
- Huge news: Canada reopening parents and grandparents immigration program
- Express Entry draw invites 4,200 immigration candidates
- Quebec and B.C. hold their largest draws of the year
- Students and families now allowed into Canada
Canada reopening parents and grandparents immigration program
Canadian citizens and permanent residents will soon be able to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept interest to sponsor forms starting on October 13 at 12:00 p.m. EDT until November 3 at 12:00 p.m.
Interest to sponsor forms are an opportunity for Canadians and permanent residents to express their interest in sponsoring their family, but are not themselves applications for the PGP.
Canada invites 4,200 candidates in latest Express Entry draw
In the latest Express Entry draw, Canada invited 4,200 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence. So far this year, Canada has issued a total of 78,350 invitations, well on the way to meet and exceed annual targets.
The minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 471, one point less than the previous draw.
The Canadian federal government uses the Express Entry system to manage permanent residence applications through Canada’s main three economic immigration classes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
British Columbia holds largest draw of the year
British Columbia has issued 450 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence, in the province’s largest draw of the year.
Candidates were invited through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration (SI) streams.
The EEBC stream is for candidates who have a valid profile in the Express Entry system, and the SI stream is for those whose occupations are in high demand in the province. The minimum score requirements ranged between 75 and 94 points.
Quebec holds largest draw of the year
The province of Quebec issued 365 invitations to apply for immigration. Candidates must have filed an expression of interest through the province’s Arrima portal, prior to receiving an invitation. The Arrima portal manages applications for Quebec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program.
There were three types of candidates that were invited by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI). The first category were those who needed a job offer in Quebec. The second category were those who were staying in Quebec as a diplomat, consular officer, or a representative of an intergovernmental organization such as the United Nations. The third category included candidates who would be able to contribute to Quebec’s prosperity in the Minister’s opinion, but typically did not meet invitation criteria.
Students and families now allowed into Canada
Canada is easing travel restrictions on study permit holders and family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, effective October 20. In addition, people entering Canada on compassionate grounds may also be allowed into the country.
International students will be allowed to enter Canada as long as their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) has a COVID-19 readiness plan.
The new family members that are exempt of travel restrictions include those in exclusive long term relationships, siblings, dependent children, adult children and grandparents.
