Sep 23, 2020 Biometric exemption for Permanent Residence applicants with previous biometrics on file On September 22, the Government of Canada announced the introduction of a public policy measure to exempt permanent residence applicants from the requirement to provide new biometrics, provided that the applicants have given their biometrics in support of an application within the past ten years. This public policy measure will... Read More
May 20, 2020 Agri Food Pilot Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that effective May 15, 2020, IRCC will begin accepting applications to the Agri-Food Pilot. The 3-year pilot will test an industry-specific approach to help employers in the meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, and livestock-raising industries fill ongoing labour needs for full-time,... Read More
May 19, 2020 The May 15th Express Draw The latest express entry draw had the lowest cut off so far in 2020. The May 15th Express entry round issued 3,371 invitations to CEC applicants with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 447 or higher. That is a decrease of five points from the previous CEC draw on May... Read More
May 19, 2020 Flexibility in post-graduation work permit rules The COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on international students. In response to the health and travel restrictions that are in place, many designated learning institutions (DLIs) are offering their courses online. Under normal circumstances, the criteria for the Post Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) limit an international student’s... Read More
May 1, 2020 Express Entry Draw – May 1, 2020 The minimum CRS score for today’s draw was 452, the lowest so far in 2020. The Government of Canada has issued 3,311 invitations to CEC applicants in this draw. Another 589 ITAs were issued to the applicants nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program on April 30th. The minimum CRS score... Read More
Apr 29, 2020 IRCC Client Support Centre resumes calls Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Client Support Centre, which has been serving clients through email during the pandemic, has reopened call operations on April 27th to respond to questions that clients may have about their applications. Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, call operations are at reduced capacity. Agents... Read More
Apr 24, 2020 Canadian government removes barriers for international students working in essential services to fight COVID-19 To help battle the COVID-19 outbreak, starting immediately, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will remove the restriction that allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health... Read More
Apr 21, 2020 Canada US Land Border Restrictions have been extended for another 30 days: The United States and Canada have agreed to keep their shared border closed for nonessential travel for another 30 days to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the extension during a briefing on Saturday the April 18th in Ottawa. The restrictions on the world's longest... Read More
Apr 16, 2020 EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW (April 16, 2020) Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued two rounds of invitations in one week, April 15th and 16th. IRCC issued 3,900 invitations in total while targeting CEC (3,782 invitations) and Provincial Nominee Program (118 invitations). The minimum comprehensive Ranking System score cutoff in today’s draw was 455, the lowest score... Read More
Mar 18, 2020 UPDATE – Canada-US Border to be Closed On Monday, March 16, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that foreign nationals, except US citizens, would not be permitted to enter Canada as of March 18, with certain exceptions for travelers in transit, crew members, and diplomats. The Prime Minister further urged all Canadians currently outside the country to return home.... Read More
Mar 17, 2020 Government of Canada announces COVID-19 Air Travel Ban In response to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the Government of Canada is banning entry by air travel for all foreign nationals (with the exception of U.S. citizens who have not resided outside the U.S. and Canada in the last 14 days.). This measure will... Read More
Mar 13, 2020 IRCC Fast tracks Nigerian Students The IRCC visa office in Lagos, Nigeria, has introduced the Nigeria Student Express (NSE). This new initiative aims at reducing processing times for Nigerians applying for Canadian study permits. Nigerians make up a large percentage of the annual applicants for immigration to Canada, and study permits are a large... Read More