IRCC eases overseas biometrics requirement for some Ukrainians Ukrainians aged 14-17, and those over 60 are among the groups who can now complete their biometrics upon arriving to Canada. Effective immediately, certain Ukrainians looking to move to Canada will no longer need to submit their biometrics at Visa Application Centres (VACs) overseas. By Kareem El-Assal
IRCC back to 12-month processing for spousal sponsorship applications After the pandemic slowed IRCC operations, spousal sponsorship is back to service standard, government says. In January 2022, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced that Canada’s spousal sponsorship has returned to its 12-month processing standard for new applicants. By Shelby Thevenot
How to get Canadian citizenship if your parent is a Canadian You can claim Canadian citizenship at any time of your life and there is no age restriction on when you can submit your application. There are significant benefits to being a Canadian citizen. By Daniel Levy
Immigration Canada’s backlog grows to 1.84 million As of mid-March, IRCC reports a backlog of 1,844,424 persons across all lines of business. IRCC reports there are 1.84 million people waiting on decisions in its inventory as of mid-March. By Kareem El-Assal
IRCC: No details yet on Parents and Grandparents Program 2022 The PGP is one of Canada's most popular immigration streams. In a March 14, 2022 email to CIC News, IRCC said it has yet to be determined when the application process for the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) 2022 will open. By Kareem El-Assal
Canada launches special temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians A fast-track visa processing pathway for Ukrainians is now accepting applications. On March 17, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the launch of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), an accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians fleeing war. By Alexandra Miekus
Hong Kong immigration to Canada is booming Hong Kong used to be the number one source of immigration to Canada. New IRCC data shows a major increase in Hong Kong residents moving to Canada for permanent residence, and to work and study. Canada is enjoying a resurgence in immigration from Hong Kong. By Kareem El-Assal
Canada landed 35,000 immigrants in January 2022 New IRCC data shows Canada is off to a strong start to the year. Canada landed 35,260 new permanent residents in January 2022, according to new IRCC data. By Kareem El-Assal
Canada’s Express Entry backlog has declined by nearly 24,000 persons since December IRCC has processed more FSWP applicants in the last 2.5 months than it did in all of 2021. Canada’s economic class immigration backlog stands at 231,187 people waiting on decisions for their applications, according to February 28 data provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). By Shelby Thevenot
