CanadaVisa News Briefs for Mid-November, 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.

• Biggest Ever Express Entry Draw sees 2,427 Individuals Invited to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

November 16, 2016

A greater number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) have been issued than ever before in Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) latest draw from the Express Entry pool. A total of 2,427 ITAs were issued to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 470 or higher. Consequently, for the third draw in a row, the number of ITAs issued is higher than any previous draw since the Express Entry system was introduced in 2015. The minimum CRS score required has also decreased for the third draw in a row. >>Read More

• Allocation of Points for Job Offers and Canadian Education Among Reforms to Comprehensive Ranking System

November 14, 2016

On November 19, 2016, changes to the allocation of points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will come into force. The changes, which were first announced on November 10, 2016, include an extension of the submission period after an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued, reforms of the allocation of points for certain job offers without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), and the introduction of additional points for international graduates of Canadian study programs. >>Read More

• British Columbia Invites 217 Workers and Graduates to Apply for Immigration to Canada Through BC PNP

November 11, 2016

A total of 217 workers and international graduates who studied in Canada have been invited to apply to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) in a draw that took place on November 10, 2016. These individuals are now in a position to submit an application for a provincial nomination certificate to the BC PNP, after which they may apply to the federal government for permanent resident status. >>Read More

• Canada's eTA Requirement Comes Into Full Effect, With New Gender Neutral Option

November 8, 2016

Visitors to Canada who identify as neither male nor female will have the option of choosing 'other' when Canada's electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) requirement for visa-exempt visitors comes into full effect on Thursday, November 10. >>Read More

• Changes to Processing of Applications for Canadian Permanent Residence from International Students on the Horizon

November 7, 2016

It is expected that the government of Canada will soon announce changes to the processing of Canadian permanent residence applications from international graduates of Canadian study programs. >>Read More

• Large Spike in Number of U.S. Residents Working in Canada, With More to Come

November 4, 2016

Canada issued 53.8 percent more work permits to U.S. residents through the first eight months of 2016 than for the same period last year, with many analysts pointing to the relatively calm political climate north of the border as a reason why more U.S. residents are working in Canada. >>Read More

• Government of Canada Outlines Plan to Fast-Track Arrival of Global Tech Talent in Fall Economic Statement

November 2, 2016

The government of Canada has unveiled a Global Skills Strategy that will set an ambitious two-week standard for processing visas and work permits for global talent. Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau outlined the proposal to Parliament while delivering his department's Fall Economic Statement. >>Read More