CanadaVisa News Briefs for Mid/Late-October, 2016

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

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. Follow us across these channels to get the latest news as it occurs.

• Thanksgiving Monday Marks Beginning of Citizenship Week

Canadian Thanksgiving falls on the second Monday of October. This year, Thanksgiving Day also marks the beginning of Citizenship Week, a week of events and ceremonies to acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens. Over the past ten years, Canada has welcomed 1,500,000 new Canadians. During the coming week, Canadians will have the opportunity to welcome newcomers. 47 citizenship ceremonies across the country will grant citizenship status to individuals who have made Canada their new home. >>Read More

• 1,518 Invitations to Apply Issued through Express Entry System in October 12 Draw

The last time this many ITAs were issued in a single draw was January 13, 2016, which also saw 1,518 ITAs issued. In the draw, which took place on the morning of October 12, Immigration, Citizenship, and Refugees Canada (IRCC) issued ITAs to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 484 points or higher. >>Read More

• Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker - Express Entry Immigration Category Reopens for 300 New Applications

The International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) opened on the morning of October 12 to receive up to 300 additional applications. Through this sub-category, eligible individuals who are already in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) Express Entry pool may apply for a provincial nomination certificate from Saskatchewan. A provincial nomination certificate through this sub-category gives the candidate 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). >>Read More

• Federal and Provincial Ministers Meet to Discuss Future of Canadian Immigration

Immigration ministers from across Canada met in Winnipeg on October 12 to discuss the issues facing Canadian immigration. Immigrant settlement assistance, refugee programs, and the expansion of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) were all on the agenda. At the meeting, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, John McCallum, also announced that the federal government would reveal the target for new refugee intake levels for 2017 to 2018 by November 1. >>Read More

• British MP Urges Post-Brexit UK to Model Immigration Program on Canada

British Member of Parliament (MP) Chuka Umunna has urged policy-makers in the UK to look to Canada’s immigration system when developing a vision for the country’s immigration system post-Brexit. “There is a lot we can learn from our Canadian counterparts,” Umunna wrote, in a recent opinion piece. “Their communities are far more integrated and cohesive, yet they have seen both historic and faster recent immigration levels.” >>Read More

• International Experience Canada (IEC) Program Reopens for 2017 Season

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program has reopened for the 2017 season, giving citizens of 32 countries that have a reciprocal agreement with Canada the opportunity to live and work in Canada on a temporary basis. As of 10 a.m. EST on Monday, October 17, 2016, eligible candidates are able to create a profile and enter the pool for their country and category. >>Read More

• International Graduates Granted Reprieve after Refusal of Post-Graduation Work Permit Applications

A group of former international students whose applications for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) were refused are now able to re-submit their applications. Canada’s Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, has established a public policy to reconsider applications for three-year open work permits from certain graduates. >>Read More

• Biggest-Ever Express Entry Draw sees 1,804 ITAs Issued, CRS Score Requirement Decreases to 475

The Express Entry draw on October 19 — the second draw in eight days — saw a record number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued to candidates in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool. The previous record for the number of ITAs issued in a single draw was 1,637, on March 27, 2015. Moreover, this is only the second time in 2016 that two draws have happened within the space of a week. >>Read More