IRCC issues 2,500 ITAs in category-based Express Entry draw for French language proficiency Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada  (IRCC) held another Express Entry draw #287 for 2024 on February 29th and issued 2,500 invitations to candidates with French Proficiency. the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) was 336. So far [...]

Alberta pauses processing for Alberta Opportunity Stream applications; New Stream for In-demand Tourism and Hospitality Sector As of February 15, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has temporarily paused processing applications for the Alberta Opportunity Stream until further notice. The AAIP says the pause will give the province time to “address its current inventory and focus its limited immigration [...]

Canada Opens New Visa Application Centre in Portugal February 19, 2024 As Canada continues to receive high volumes of visa applications from around the world, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is committed to improving processing efficiency and client service. This includes expanding our international presence when needed. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and [...]

Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Permanent Residence to Certain Foreign Nationals Affected by the Conflict in Sudan with Family in Canada Effective Tuesday, February 27th at 10:00 AM EST, the new Sudanese Permanent Residence pathway will be going live in the Permanent Residence portal. This family-based humanitarian pathway was announced on April 5, 2023, and supports Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who [...]

Alberta pauses processing for Alberta Opportunity Stream applications; New Stream for In-demand Tourism and Hospitality Sector As of February 15, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has temporarily paused processing applications for the Alberta Opportunity Stream until further notice. The AAIP says the pause will give the province time to “address its current inventory and focus its limited immigration [...]

Changes to Agri-Food Pilot The Agri-Food Pilot provides a pathway to permanent residence for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and with specific occupations in the agri-food sector that have a labour shortage. Agricultural employers participating in the pilot will be eligible for a 2-year Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). While waiting for a final decision of [...]

  IRCC sets cap on the number of study permit applications it will consider in 2024 Following Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) announcement on the 22nd of January, the department has also set a cap on the number of study permit applications it will consider in 2024. Furthermore, according to ministerial instructions released by IRCC (see Canada [...]

IRCC now accepting Pearson Test of English for Canadian immigration As of January 30th, 2024, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core test will now be accepted for all immigration pathways, except for the Student Direct Stream (SDS). Beginning 'late 2023', the PTE will be accepted as a Designated language. This means that Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates, candidates [...]

Express Entry: IRCC invites 7,000 Express Entry candidates in category-based draw for French Language Proficiency On February 1, 2024, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) conducted Express Entry Draw #282, inviting 7000 candidates in category-based  selection draw for candidates with French language proficiency. Invitations were sent to candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 365, the [...]