Canada announces new immigration stream specific to health workers Canada New Immigration Stream for Health Workers: On June 28, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a dedicated round of express entry invitations for health workers in addition to existing immigration initiatives to fill labor gaps in the health sector. Canada’s flagship economic immigration [...]

Minister Fraser launches Canada’s first-ever Tech Talent Strategy at the Collision Conference 2023 Minister Fraser Launches Canada’s First-Ever Tech Talent Strategy: Starting July 16, 2023, H-1B visa holders and their immediate family members can apply to come to Canada to work even without job offers. Approved applicants will receive an “open” work permit (allowing them [...]

Eligible Travelers From 13 More Countries Now Qualify For Visa-Free Travel to Canada Visa Free Travel for Canada: On June 6, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the addition of 13 countries to the electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. Travelers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who [...]

Canada Extends Work Permits for Foreign Graduates to Address Labor Shortage Canada Extends Work Permits for Foreign Graduates: In response to the unprecedented challenges faced by employees in finding and retaining skilled workers during the current period of economic recovery and growth, the Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenships, has announced a [...]

Canada and South Korea Strengthen Ties with New Youth Mobility Arrangement Canada and South Korea Youth Mobility Arrangement: The government of Canada is taking steps to strengthen its partnership with South Korea, recognizing it as a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region. This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, [...]

IRCC Extends Temporary Policy to Allow Visitors to Obtain Work Permits in Canada with a Valid Job Offer This policy will remain in effect until February 28, 2025, for Work Permits Obtain Work Permits in Canada with a Valid Job Offer: Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that any foreign national who receives a [...]

New Electronic Certificates Now Offered by Canada As of January 4, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is offering electronic Canadian citizenship certificates (e-certificate) as an alternative to paper versions.  The new e-certificates are electronic versions of the current paper certificates and are not considered travel documents. In order to travel, applicants must still obtain a [...]

Canada Extends and Expands Open Work Permit Program for Hong Kong Residents On February 6, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they are extending and expanding the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong residents at a time when Canadian employers are in desperate need of skilled workers. Canada is extending [...]

Federal Express Entry Draw #237 – January 11, 2023 and #238 – January 18, 2023 Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada’s (IRCCs) has held two All-Program Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program Draws for 2023. On January 11, 2023, Draw #237 issued 5,500 candidates an Invitation to Apply (ITA), with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507. Then, one week later, on January 18, [...]

Changes to Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program  The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), which functions as Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program, was formerly referred to as the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP). The AAIP is a Provincial Economic Immigration program aimed at providing nominations to foreign nationals who have the skills to fill skilled labour shortage or those willing [...]