CanadaVisa News Briefs for May, 2017

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, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn. Follow us across these channels to get the latest news as it occurs.

• 3,796 Invitations to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence Issued in May 4 Express Entry Draw

May 4, 2017

Immigration, Refugees and Citzenship Canada (IRCC) has issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 3,796 candidates in the Express Entry pool in its latest draw, which took place on May 4, 2017. Candidates in the pool with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 423 or above at the time of the draw are now in a position to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. Although the minimum required CRS score was slightly higher than that of the previous draw, which took place on April 19, a greater number of ITAs were issued this time around. >>Read more

• Maximum Age of Dependent Children to be Raised to 21 and Under

May 3, 2017

As of October 24, 2017, the maximum age of dependent children who may be included in an application for immigration to Canada will rise to include children under the age of 22, who are not themselves married or in a common-law relationship. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the change in its official Gazette of May 3, 2017. Currently, the definition of a dependent child covers children under the age of 19 — a regulation that the Canadian government has criticized for being 'too restrictive'. >>Read more

• Eligible Brazilians, Bulgarians, Romanians Now Able to Fly to Canada Without a Visa

May 2, 2017

Certain citizens of Brazil, Bulgaria, and Romania are now able to fly to Canada without first obtaining a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV, also known as a visitor visa). Instead, these individuals must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), a quicker and cheaper process, before boarding their flight. >>Read more

• Intake Limit Reached for Ontario's International Masters Graduate Stream

May 2, 2017

The International Masters Graduate of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) reached its intake limit the same day that it opened, on May 1, 2017. The International PhD Graduate stream, which also opened on May 1, remains open. >>Read more

• Ontario Resumes Accepting Applications for Masters and PhD Graduate Streams

May 1, 2017

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has again begun accepting applications to the International Masters Graduate and International PhD Graduate streams. This represents the second time in 2017 that these two streams have opened to receive applications. Both streams are popular with international graduates, and offers a route to Canadian permanent residence for eligible individuals. >>Read more

• Canada Removes Conditional Permanent Residence Provision

April 28, 2017

Sponsored spouses and common-law partners will no longer pass through a period of conditional permanent resident status, after the Liberal government of Canada, as expected, removed the provision, which was first introduced in 2012 by the previous Conservative government. >>Read more

• Foreign Workers in New Brunswick May Now Apply to Express Entry Labour Market Stream

April 28, 2017

Foreign workers currently employed in the province of New Brunswick have a fresh opportunity to obtain Canadian permanent residence, after the provincial government reopened its Express Entry Labour Market stream (EELMS) to these workers only. This enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream is part of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), through which the province welcomes new permanent residents who can settle quickly. >>Read more

• Nova Scotia Reports on 'Remarkable Year' for Immigration to the Province

April 27, 2017

Nova Scotia welcomed nearly 5,500 new immigrants in 2016, more than at any time in the last seven decades. The province's Minister of Immigration, Lena Diab, stated in the provincial legislature that the results show that Nova Scotia is well on the way to achieving its goal of welcoming 7,000 immigrants per year by 2024. >>Read more

• Ontario Targeting New Religious Worker Immigrants

April 27, 2017

In a surprising update, the government of Ontario has announced that over the next week it will be issuing targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates who work in one of many religious occupations. The province states that the move aims 'to improve the responsiveness of the program to labour market demands.' >>Read more