The Canadian government announced today its approval of Manitoba's request to extend the temporary resident status of skilled workers crucial to the province's economy. This decision by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will directly benefit recent graduates currently in the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) pool. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, The Honourable Marc Miller, highlighted the importance of regional immigration programs in a press release. "Programs like Manitoba's MPNP contribute significantly to Canada's economic stability and cult ..read more

Are you waiting on a decision for your permanent residence (PR) application in Canada? Don't let your work authorization expire! A Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) can help you continue working legally in Canada while your PR application is being processed. What is a BOWP? A BOWP is a temporary work permit specifically designed for applicants waiting for a decision on their permanent residence application. Who is eligible for a BOWP? You may be eligible for a BOWP if you applied for permanent residence under one of these programs: Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Quebec ..read more

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Canada (IRCC) Minister Marc Miller has announced a policy change regarding off-campus work hours. Effective September, international students will be permitted to work up to 24 hours per week, an increase from the current 20-hour limit. This decision comes as a response to both the ongoing labor shortages and the evolving needs of international students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially introduced as a temporary measure during the pandemic, the waiver on work hour restrictions is scheduled to expire tomorrow. Flexible Work Opportunities During A ..read more

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 2095 candidates on all Programs Draw with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). cut off of 529. There have been a total of nine (9) general draws inviting 14,445 candidates, and seven (7) category-based draws with 20,125 invited candidates this year. What is Express Entry? The Express Entry provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in Canada or overseas. Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worke ..read more

Effective May 20, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has designated the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) as the new authorized body to issue Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for architect applicants (National Occupational Classification [NOC] code 21200). Previously, architects could obtain ECAs from general multi-purpose organizations. This new designation streamlines the ECA process by leveraging the specific expertise of the CACB, to assess foreign educational credentials and determine their equivalency to a Canadian architectural degree ..read more

In a recent development, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced significant changes to the immigration landscape, particularly concerning the Innovation Stream pilot program. This update aims to streamline the immigration process for foreign nationals employed in high-skilled occupations at Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) employers. What is the Innovation Stream? The Innovation Stream is a part of Canada's efforts to attract and retain top talent in innovative industries. It provides a pathway for foreign nationals employed in high-skilled occup ..read more

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, has shed light on the finalized allocations of international students for provinces and territories in 2024. The announcement comes as part of a broader initiative to provide a detailed explanation of the decision-making process that behind the allocations. Here's a breakdown of the key points outlined in Minister Miller's statement: Net Zero First Year Growth Model: The national cap on study permit applications introduced in January addresses the rapid increase in international student numbers and is based on a ..read more

In a recent notice issued by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, it has been announced that there will be a biennial increase in permanent residence fees, effective April 30, 2024. This announcement underscores the ongoing efforts of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to ensure transparency and efficiency in the immigration process. This adjustment comes following subsection 303(1.1) and paragraph 294(d) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. The increase, set to take effect at 9:00:00 a.m. Eastern daylight time on April 30, 2024, and will be based on ..read more

Addressing Labor Market Needs In a move to align with the federal government's cap on international student study permit applications, Ontario has devised a strategy to focus on programs crucial for the province's workforce. The decision reflects a commitment to ensure that international students contribute to Ontario's economy by filling in-demand positions. Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, underscores the importance of this move, stating, "We are protecting the integrity of our province’s postsecondary education system by attracting the best and brightest international st ..read more

As an international student planning to study in Canada, understanding the process of obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) is crucial. PALs are required documents for applying for study permits in various Canadian provinces. Each province has its own system for issuing PALs, and here's a breakdown of how it works across different regions: Procedure for obtaining PAL Across Canadian Provinces British Columbia British Columbia (B.C.) allocates 83,000 undergraduate study permits under their provincial allocation from the federal study cap. PALs are distributed with 53% for public pos ..read more