CanadaVisa News Briefs for Late June, 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.

• Latest Express Entry Draw Invites 3,409 Candidates to Immigrate to Canada

June 28, 2017

A total of 3,409 candidates have been issued an Invitation to Apply (ITAs) in the first Express Entry draw to occur since recent changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) were introduced on June 6, 2017. The latest draw, which took place on June 28, 2017, saw a minimum CRS score requirement of 449. Consequently, candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score of 449 or above at the time of the draw are now in a position to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. >>Read more

• Ontario Now Publishing Estimated Processing Times for Immigration Streams

June 22, 2017

The government of Ontario, Canada's most popular destination province for newcomers, is now publishing information on estimated processing times for streams within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), one of Canada's Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Previously, this information was not publicly available. >>Read more

• Bill C-6 Passes, Allowing Quicker Transition to Canadian Citizenship for Immigrants

June 21, 2017

Bill C-6, an act amending the Canadian Citizenship Act, has officially passed into law, placing current and future immigrants to Canada on a faster pathway to one of the world’s most desired citizenships. C-6 received parliamentary Royal Assent in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, on the evening of June 19, 2017. >>Read more

• Manitoba Invites 605 Candidates to Apply for Immigration in Latest Two Draws

June 20, 2017

A total of 605 skilled workers in Manitoba and overseas have been invited to apply to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) in the province's two latest draws, which followed each other in quick succession. On May 30, a total of 401 candidates who had previously made a formal Expression of Interest in settling in Manitoba as a skilled worker were invited to submit an application for a provincial nomination certificate to the MPNP. This draw was followed by another on June 16, in which a further 204 candidates were invited to apply. Prior to these two draws, the MPNP had not invited skilled workers through the two sub-categories included in this draw since March 30. >>Read more

• Employer Job Offer Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Reaches Intake Limit

June 12, 2017

The Employer Job Offer stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has reached its intake limit, and is no longer receiving applications. Ontario's Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration has stated that 'The OINP is monitoring the intake of applications with respect to the limits of Ontario’s federal nomination allocation, and will determine if any more applications can be accepted for this stream in the months ahead.' >>Read more

• Global Talent Stream Launches, Expediting Work Permit Processing for In-Demand Foreign Workers

June 12, 2017

A new pilot program has launched, introducing two-week processing times for work permit applications for certain highly-skilled foreign workers. The Global Talent Stream (GTS) is part of the Canadian government’s Global Skills Strategy, an initiative designed to facilitate access to uniquely specialized foreign workers in order to promote Canada's economic growth and job creation. It is also part of Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program. >>Read more