CIC NEWS
2016 has been a remarkable year, and 2017 promises to bring even more positive news for individuals and families immigrating to Canada
Canadian immigration programs can be segmented into three broad categories, namely the economic programs, the Family Class programs, and refugee/humanitarian programs. In all three categories, 2016 can be described as an exceptional year. The new Liberal government saw opportunities to improve programs across the board and, by working in tandem with provincial partners, they managed to increase the number of new arrivals, reduce processing times, and give more people the opportunity to fulfil their life dream of coming to Canada.
Of course, it’s the details that matter. Just how did this positive Canadian vision for immigration come about? Who was involved, who benefited, and why? Let’s cast our minds back to this time last year.
January
As the year began, the new government had only been in office for two months. John McCallum had been named as the new Minister of Immigration, and one of the first acts was to re-brand what had been known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It was around this time that IRCC was heavily focused on the government’s election promise to settle tens of thousands of refugees from Syria, an effort that was widely commended and ultimately successful.
On the Family Class front, the Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) application cycle proved immensely popular, with IRCC accepting 10,000 applications for processing after more than 14,000 applications were received within three days.
There were also developments in the economic programs. Quebec loosened the eligibility criteria for its skilled worker program and launched a new online application management system called Mon Projet Québec, Alberta began accepting new applications again under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, and the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program reopened all categories, some of which reached their intake caps within days. In addition, there were three Express Entry draws, with a total of 4,449 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in January alone.
February
2016 was a year in which the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) became more dynamic than ever before. In February, British Columbia launched its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), a new system for ranking and selecting workers and international graduates through most categories of the BC PNP. This includes categories aligned with the federal Express Entry system, as well as certain ‘base’ categories that are processed outside that system. Over the course of the year (up to the time of writing), BC has issued more than 6,000 Invitations to Apply for immigration to the province through the SIRS.
The federal Express Entry system continued to invite candidates to apply for permanent residence. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off threshold in February was 453.
March
The government of Canada released its 2016 Immigration Levels Plan early in March, setting a target of up to 305,000 new immigrants over the course of the year. At the time, this was a record target number in modern Canadian history. More than half of these newcomers would come through the economic programs, while there were significant target increases under the Family Class and refugee/humanitarian categories. Minister McCallum said the government’s goal was to “bring in immigrants who wish to build a better Canada.”
The government also made commitments to reduce processing times, remove the conditional permanent residence provision from certain sponsored spouses and common-law partners, and ease the pathway to permanent residence for international students and graduates in Canada.
April
IRCC released its long-awaited year-end Express Entry report in April. Among other details, it was revealed that an increasing number of candidates outside Canada were being invited to apply for permanent residence — over the second half of 2015, 39% of all invited candidates resided outside Canada, more than double the figure for the first half of the year. Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia remained the most popular destination provinces, though at a per capita rate, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island (PEI) were also highly popular.
There was also movement in business immigration to Canada when Quebec announced reopening dates for each of its business immigration categories, including the ever-popular Quebec Investor Program, as well as the entrepreneur and self-employed categories.
May
Since the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) first announced that it was aligning certain streams with the federal Express Entry system in June, 2015, candidates noted that the OINP provided a route to provincial nomination, which comes with a 600-point bonus under the CRS and an ITA at subsequent draw. The Human Capital Priorities stream proved to be particularly popular. This stream is ‘passive’ in the sense that an Express Entry candidate may only make an application if he or she is contacted by the OINP and issued what is known as a Notification of Interest (NOI).
In May, 2016, Ontario announced that it was placing a temporary pause on applications under some OINP streams, including Human Capital Priorities, due to the allocation having been reached. However, the OINP stated that it expected to be in a position to accept new applications through these streams again. Candidates in the pool should expect news from Ontario in the near future.
Also in May, BC had its BC PNP allocation increased, Saskatchewan welcomed more newcomers through its International Skilled Worker categories (including the SINP Express Entry sub-category), and the government edged closer to changing the Citizenship Act. Among other changes, these legislative changes would reduce the amount of time permanent residents have to live in Canada in order to become eligible to apply for citizenship.
June
The much-anticipated summer application intake period for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program opened the morning of June 13, before closing within hours after the intake cap was reached. This intake was restricted to individuals who had already created a Mon Projet Québec account earlier in the year, though the creation of new accounts was opened up later in the month in anticipation of the next intake period.
In other news, Manitoba and Saskatchewan continued to welcome skilled workers to their provinces through the Provincial Nominee Programs.
July
By mid-summer, the number of candidates being invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry had decreased to around 750-800 per draw. However, an IRCC representative, speaking at an event in Edmonton, Alberta earlier in the summer, revealed that the number of ITAs issued would increase significantly later in the year. In the end, this turned out to be the case.
The provinces remained active, with Saskatchewan and Manitoba conducting draws, and Canada’s Atlantic provinces announcing a new collective strategy with the federal government. This strategy eventually became the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, through which up to 2,000 newcomers will come to Canada in 2017.
August
The August intake for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, much like the June intake, was reached within hours of the program reopening, benefiting individuals who had prepared well in advance. The government of Quebec wishes to move to a demand-based ‘Expression of Interest’ system (akin to the federal Express Entry system) at some stage in 2017, and so this intake may have been the final intake under the first-come, first-served system. But you never know, tech projects tend to take longer than expected to implement, and the program may reopen under the first-come, first-served model again before the new system comes into force.
British Columbia performed two BC PNP draws in August, providing a route to permanent residence for hundreds more workers and graduates. One noteworthy aspect of the BC PNP International Graduate sub-categories is that the graduate does not necessarily need to have studied in BC; graduates of institutions in other provinces may be eligible. There was also a draw under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, and Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker – Occupations In-Demand sub-category reopened for 700 new applications (and, like previous intakes, this first-come, first-served intake filled within a couple of days).
September
There was plenty of Express Entry news through September as the number of ITAs issued began to increase when each draw was announced. Eventually, this culminated in draw sizes tripling between late August and mid-November. The CRS cut-off threshold also began to decrease once again at this time, in line with IRCC’s expectations.
It was also revealed that more than 320,000 new permanent residents had landed in Canada over the period from July, 2015 to July, 2016, the highest number of new arrivals for many decades. Six provinces took in record numbers of newcomers.
In addition, British Columbia and Manitoba both conducted draws through their respective PNPs.
October
After a month in which Express Entry draws continued to grow larger in size, the big news in October came on the final day when IRCC published its 2017 Immigration Levels Plan. This plan called for significant increases in economic immigration to Canada, particularly through the programs managed under Express Entry, as well as the Provincial Nominee Programs (and many PNPs continued to welcome new applications through October). The number of people to be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry in 2017 is expected to go up considerably.
The government also announced its intention to raise the maximum age of dependent children that may be included on an immigration application to less than 22 years of age (up from the current limit of less than 19). This goal forms part of the government’s commitment to family reunification.
November
November was arguably the most important month in Canadian immigration over the entire year. In any other month, the fact that government of Canada’s website crashed in the wake of the U.S. Presidential Election would be the main story, but not so in November, 2016, for this was the month when long-awaited improvements to the Express Entry system were announced. Not only that, but these improvements came into force just a week after the announcement.
The changes included the awarding of CRS points to former international students in Canada, a reduction in the number of points awarded for a qualifying job offer, the introduction of new ways to be awarded points for a job offer, and an increase in the validity of an ITA once it is issued to a candidate.
The expected outcome of these changes, according to IRCC, will be that ‘A reduction of points to candidates with arranged employment means the CRS cut-off will decline.’ Since the changes were first announced, tens of thousands of candidates and potential candidates have used the CRS Calculator to determine how the changes may affect their profile.
December
So far, December has also been a busy month. The Immigration Minister has announced that processing times for the spousal/common-law partner categories of Family Class immigration programs are to be reduced to 12 months, from an average of 24 months, with an additional goal to eventually reduce processing times to as low as six months. There was further good news for spouses and partners being sponsored within Canada when the Open Work Permit Pilot Program was extended for another year.
And that was not all the changes under the Family Class this month, as it was also announced that there would be a new lottery system for the 2017 Parent and Grandparent Program intake, providing sponsors with a 30-day window of opportunity to register their interest as of January 3, 2017.
Finally, there have been further draws for skilled workers at the federal (Express Entry) and provincial levels over the closing weeks of the year. The latest Express Entry draw saw a total of 1,936 candidates invited to apply for permanent residence.
2017 expected to bring more updates than ever
“Right now, there is an appetite among all stakeholders for an even more robust, dynamic immigration system. The provincial governments are crying out for newcomers, and the federal government is well positioned and inclined to bring them in. Businesses and communities are looking for talent and regeneration,” says Attorney David Cohen.
“2016 was remarkable for a number of reasons. Government goals were announced, but more importantly these goals were then met. We can expect more of the same as we enter 2017.
“For individuals who have not yet taken steps toward realizing their own immigration objectives, I encourage them to complete an assessment so that they can know the full scope of their options. At this time, with so many changes having taken place and more to come, it is important to lay out a pathway that makes sense for the individual and his or her family, if indeed that is applicable.”
To find out if you are eligible for immigration to Canada, please fill out a free online assessment today.
© 2016 CICNews All Rights Reserved
Omar Derder says
Dear Sir
What about PR reducing process time and staying period…etc please?
Aly says
When is Bill C-6 effective!?
jacob tanda says
among best country that consider people without any segregation its you country i do appreciate.
Anu Shaji says
Hi. Will the CRS ever come down to the 460’s range?
Abul Hasnat says
It’s good option peopel moveing from different country . I’ve appreciated but you need to take who have quality & qualifications they can get work & contribute for this country. I want to move as soon as possible but processing has to be more faster. Peopel have dream & it’s make true but need quick service. Other foreign country people can get decesion as soon as possible. Now is technology life. Some body has family & want to start new life . Paying tax from his job government can earning more money. Hearing from you soon
Thanks
Warm regards
Abul Hasnat
Maha Fahmy says
Any news regarding Bill C-6 ?
Rhommel Gonzales says
When is the new age of 22 for children as dependent age will be effective.
Cassie says
What can the new immigration law do for mothers who give birth to kids in this country and the mother is not of this country?
Mark says
I have 470 CRS points. When will the required minimum CRS score drop down to 470 so that I could get ITA
Tanaka says
You have great points Mark. I am working on my language and should have 450 points in the February. Based on the current situation, I think we will both get an invitation by June. All the best.
Harpreet Singh says
i have 466 points hope CRS score drops down to 450sh range
marco atef nassry says
I’m looking forward to work in Canada
i love canada
Eddy Merx says
Great job indeed. But for us foreign worker he provided a Christmas gift we will never forget. HON.mr. John McCallum scraped the our year in and four year out rule. That is a big relief for all foreign worker.
Eddy Merx says
Sorry. Four year in and four year out rule. 🙂 The f got lost 😀
Arno says
How are you, Eddie? Saw you on television in Germany.
Aremu Kayode says
I want to move my family from Nigeria to Canada in 2017
koffi says
Pour nous qui avions déjà établi une demande de certificat de sélection pour travailleurs qualifiés
esceque nous sommes obligés de revenir sur une évaluation en ligne gratuit
Berhane Yohannes says
Dear madam /sir i wish you all the best May God give you health happiness peace and comfort in your all activities supporting human beings i
Appriciet the programs under the express entry especially the skilled work it helps an individual and quick responses in fact I am one of the applicant’s in the program looking forward for your positive consideration currently living in Sudan since four years without any job I tried in many N. g.o to get a job according to my field of study that is agriculture Eritrean by nationality still no chance and hopefully the program may give a chance through express entry
wishing you a very happy holiday season
Josephat Onyenokporo says
Hello Sir/Ma,
Compliments of the season. Please i wish to know what will take me to relocate to Canada. How long does it take to process the papers for that. Again, I wish to know if you have office here in Nigeria and the location of your office if you have. I wish to have assurance that this is genuine too. Please reply. Thanks.
Jake preston says
A belizuan citizian wanting to come to Canada ,can I get a visitors visa and in Canada get a
Perment residence visa ,
How long will a visitors visa take ,if I’m sponsored .
Uchechi Ephraim says
I am happy to hear these news from Canada. I will be part of it.
Balwinder Singh says
Very enthusiastic year for parents and grand parents a rival to join their kids. Without union of family the minds of family members are always splitted. It is a year for Mr Trudeau,s good efforts for all Canadian.
Victor Valenzuela Arreola says
I am interested in an opportunity but I do not speak English I have opportunity?
desta abebe says
how i can apply ?
Jen says
And my husband applications was denied due to my income for the kids when i was mis led by cpc mississauga office
Helala says
Hello sir/Ma’am iam dr. Helala from Afghanistan my spouse is also doctor we have three children i have experience of teaching and work in culture and information is there any job for us if it is possible please help with us . Thank you
Narinder says
What about Year and half maternity promise??
June Kashif says
As a Canadian citizen (First Nation) (Cree), I just applied under the Family Class (spousal) section and I can honestly say that I know how the other people feel having to wait to reunite with their loved ones. It’s not a good feeling at all and no one deserves to suffer like the way we do when we are forced to be apart for even a minimal amount of time.
I understand that Immigration must take precaution and careful consideration when processing an immigrant but to not inform the applicant (s) as to the status or what is going on in their application for many many months at a time is agony for most.
Thank you for your time & consideration & Happy Holiday’s.
Abraham says
Thank you for you informative updates. May you explain on how I, as a family can be elihible for immigration in Canada without being registered in any refugee agencies like UNHCR? I’m in with my family in Khartoum. If you need further information, please let me know.
Rahman says
Dear sir
Thank u for sharing this good news i really apprecaite it I can honestly say that Canada is the best place where we can work or study..
Thanks
Khademi
Zalikah says
We realy appreciated the prompt processing of study permits.
Long live
mussie kidane says
I love canada please help me at thise time very bad
Erlinda says
My comment is It seems that CIC are forgetting the nannies and caregivers now because all what we read in the cic new are the AINP, EXPRESS ENTRY but as a nanny/caregiver and is waiting for our permanent resident application for a long time its too painfull in our feelings that we needed to wait 4, 5, 6 yrs and until now we did not get ours, I apologize for saying these but we feel that we are never exist anymore. We are hoping that one of these days we can see in the news that cic will put the nanny/caregivers applications on top of the list specially those nanny that are filed their applications last 2009 and 2010 because I am one of those nanny and I have too children 4 and 3 yrs old which both are born here and I’am so lonesome to them hoping that they can comeback soon, It’s been almost 3 yrs that I did not see them. My wish these coming new year is me and my husband permanent resident status. Thank you
Deflated Kiwi says
It is a good system when it works, but for us it did not.
To many bureaucratic errors and not taking into consideration the time we have been in Canada or looking at how we have made a life here and integrated into society. We were in Canada for 3 years the my company did not renew my work permit and we tried to get PR’s 2 times and was not really given a reason why we got denied. We were on a LMIA work permit so points were not an issue. I was only because the employment letter did not state full-time, non-seasonal, ongoing. We had brought a house and done community work and our son had done exceptional at high school (Grade 10). Now we are forced to leave the country because we can not get a new job sponsor.
Hopefully we can get back and try again
Bassel naeem tamer gayed says
How can i know that if i accepted or not ?
LISY MOL JL says
I have ielts score of 6
Can I apply . I have 4 yrs of nursing exp . I want to know that how much time take for processing frechbis needed?
Muhammad says
It was promised by the Liberal Government that the residency requirement in Canads for the permanent residents to become eligible for citizenship would be reduced down to 3 years again. When is that going to happen?
Besnik Kraja says
Dear staff of CIC News. “Happy Christmass” .Your information and news of immigrating is very important for me, this give me possibility to realize a dream.
Thank You.
Shahinul Islam says
I am more interested for Canada visa,please how to apply I want to know.
Shaik namatullah says
Having ielts overall 5.5 and aged 40 as trade civil engineering ,any chances of migration.do reply me
MABIALA Ghislain says
Bonjour,
je suis Ghislain MABIALA , je souhaite immigrer en permanence avec ma famille au Canada en 2017, je suis HSE Manager au congo et mon epouse est une infirmière d’Etat, avec nos deux enfants de moins de 7 ans,Croyant apporter un plus sur l’economie Canadienne par nos services.
Merci
Sajib Kumar Mahali. says
Dear Sir, I am from Bangladesh. I have obtained my masters degree in botany . I have been working a govt primary school for 2 years. I am in serious life risk by another religious community. Now, I would like to come in Canada. Please tell me which category is suitable for me? I want to know what type of papers and documents i need.? I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Mr. Sajib Kumar Mahali.
Basiru taofeeq sunkanmi says
Am a 35years old heathy man,with many years experience at manufacturing company, I will be glad if my application is favourably considered
Lesi Francis says
well , about skills workers to Canada, should i need more than one two job experience?
Sovit jain says
How i can apply?
Divyesh says
Dear Sir
May I know Exact Processing time PNP & Express entry
Adereti Babatunde Michael says
Sir, i really want to study in Canada, it is my vision, my dream. in what way can you help me out
Phyllis Kakuthu Maithya says
Hallo, I have a dream to live and work in Canada. My question is, when and how do I apply for the rottery system and what are the qualifications?
EMEKA OGBUKS says
Awesome, I want to immigrate to Canada in 2017,a great place to reside. EMEKA
nkoman Rachel says
Hello sir
I’m grateful for you granting me information, I’m nkoman Rachel Cameroonian,27years old,university graduate interested and ready to comme to Canada.
My prayer is please give me the steps to follow and I need a form to fill as soon as possible
amiri youcef says
merry Christmas sir David
happy new year
thank you
Faustino Mbumba says
Hello! I want to ne received by Canadian Immigration.
Roisven Galdo, Jr. says
I just need clarification with the recent updates to CRS points. Do I need to delete my existing Express Entry Account and repeat the whole procedure of having my CRS points computed whether I qualify for Express Entry or not.
I got 380 points only when I had my assessment last July. Now with the recent changes, I don’t know whether this would increase or decrease my points if ever. I need your insight on this matter. Thank you very much =)
merghem fateh says
Chers, Mrs,Mmes,Mlles,
J’ai l’honneur de venir très respectueusement vous demander de bien vouloir étudier ma demande d’immigration et de travail au CANADA
Je porte a votre connaissance que je suis marié avec 01 fille obtenu des diplômes et certificat avec une expérience professionnel de 13 ans
ma femme aussi est une couturière de bonne qualification elle possède aussi certificat universitaire en sciences financières .
Dans l’attente d’une suite que j’espère favorable .
Veuillez, agrée, l’expression de mon profond respect.
SALUTATIONS LES MEILLEURS.
angelito gonzales says
Hi and hello I would like to invite my sister here as a tourist I’m already permanent resident here in edmonton. What should I do? Thanks.all the DOCUMENTS SHE NEEDED FROM ME I’M ALREADY SEND TO HER INCLUDING MY PR CARD AND MY BANK STATEMENTS I’M THE O E WHO WILL PROVIDES HER PLACE AND EVRYTHING WHILE SHE’S HERE , IS THERE IS A CHANCE TO APPROVED HER APPLICATION?
Bilal Arshad says
Hello all,
How I can apply visa for Canada? I am from pakistan and I am in Italy.
Abu Saleh Md. Faysal Bari Talukder says
Is it possible to chance minimum IELTS marks for any catagories for immigration in Canada. My IELTS total marks is 4.5. but 11years work experience in telecom sector .
Emmanuel Imiewarin says
I am Emmanuel I must thank the government of Canada for her support in making sure that people who has big dreams can come over to there country and make the better part of there life thumb up for them. My request in my country I find it have to get a vita because it is very expensive and I have been searching online if I could get a job in Canada that can help me with a free visa please if there is any information to help me on that kindly send it to me thanks