CanadaVisa News Briefs for Late-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, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn. Follow us across these channels to get the latest news as it occurs.

• Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand Immigration Sub-Category Reopens for 1,200 New Applications

November 22, 2016

The International Skilled Worker - Occupations In-Demand sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is accepting 1,200 new applications, as of the morning of November 22, 2016. This highly popular Canadian immigration option allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which may then be followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application. >>Read More

• IRCC Adds New Questions to Express Entry System to Reflect Recent Changes

November 21, 2016

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has advised Express Entry candidates for immigration to Canada who believe they may be affected by recent changes to the system to log in to their online account and answer new questions that have been added. By doing so, affected candidates may be awarded additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). >>Read More

• British Columbia Issues 310 Invitations to Apply across Five Categories of the BC PNP

November 18, 2016

On November 17, 2016, the province of British Columbia (BC) invited 310 individuals to apply for a provincial nomination certificate through the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). This represents an increase of 43 percent in the number of Invitations to Apply (ITA) issued over the last draw, which took place on November 10, 2016. >>Read More

• Manitoba Makes Changes to Risk Assessment Factors for Expression of Interest Immigration System

November 16, 2016

The province of Manitoba will no longer penalize skilled worker immigration candidates who have a close relative in another province and no close relative in Manitoba. In addition, candidates who have previously made an application to immigrate to a province other than Manitoba will no longer be penalized. >>Read More

• 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