CanadaVisa News Briefs for Early September, 2016

The following is a summary of developments concerning Canadian immigration and citizenship that have taken place over the past week.

Our Canadian immigration news briefs bring you the latest news as it happens. When published, these articles are posted across our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.

• Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker: Occupations In-Demand Sub-Category Reopens for up to 700 new Applications

The International Skilled Worker: Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) reopened the morning of Tuesday, August 30, 2016. This SINP sub-category allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which is then followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Interestingly, applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application. Up to 700 new applications for immigration to Canada may be accepted in this intake. >>Read More

• Owner/Operator Foreign Workers Must Now Own More Than 50% of Business to Qualify for LMIA Advertising Exemption

The government of Canada has made an important change to the owner/operator category of foreign workers who wish to work in Canada. Foreign owner/operators must now own more than 50 percent of the business in order to qualify for an exemption from the advertising requirements that are typically a prerequisite for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application.>>Read More

• Canada to Open Seven New Visa Application Centres in China

The government of China has stated that it will authorize Canada to open seven additional visa application centres across China. The announcement, which was widely expected following a recent visit to China by Canada's Immigration Minister, John McCallum, comes during an official visit to China by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.The announcement was made in a joint statement released on September 1, 2016, which also touched on trade, security, and environmental issues. The number of visa offices in China is now scheduled be be raised from five (including Hong Kong) to 12.>>Read More

• Number of Invitations to Apply Issued Increases by One Third in Latest Express Entry Draw, With CRS Requirement Decreasing

The number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to Express Entry candidates for immigration to Canada has increased to 1,000 in the latest draw from the pool, which took place on September 7, 2016. The past nine draws have each seen between 750 and 800 ITAs issued, with only 750 candidates having been invited to apply in the previous draw, which took place exactly two weeks ago. The minimum number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required in order for a candidate to be issued on ITA in the September 7 draw was 491, representing a drop of 47 points since the previous draw.>>Read More