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Immigration Minister is working on a solution to help those with expiring PGWPs   On February 6, 2023, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), confessed that he has not yet found a perfect solution for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) extension policy;   however, he is actively seeking and working on one. International students whose post-graduate work permits (PGWPs) are expiring or have already expired are stuck in limbo, with no news on extensions or a dedicated Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw yet.   Though it is expected that we will witness a CEC exclusive draw within the next few weeks, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off remains much higher than pre-pandemic standards.   Thus, they must either depart from Canada shortly after their work permit statuses expire or choose alternate methods to extend their stay legally.   #IRCC, #Fraser, #PGWP, #international_students, #international_graduates, #CEC_draws, #CRS_score, #foreign_workers, #PR   (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CosEafPOS8-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The TFWP is transitioning to online LMIA applications   According to an update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is moving to online Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications starting from April 3, 2023.   The LMIA Online Portal, a dependable and secure digital platform, offers Canadian employers and their representatives the opportunity to submit an LMIA application directly to Service Canada.   To access the LMIA Online Portal, employers and third-party representatives (if applicable) must possess a valid Job Bank Account.   #TFWP, #LMIA, #IRCC, #foreign_workers, #Job_bank (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqCCBqOvto/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canada reduces work experience requirements for caregivers   On February 10, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that the amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to be eligible for permanent residence had decreased from 24 months to 12 months.   Furthermore, some spots in the existing caregiver pathways have been kept open to caregivers with past work experience in Canada so they can apply for permanent residence.   Starting April 30, 2023, this change will be applied retroactively to all caregivers who have already submitted their applications.   As a result, they and their families can make the most of an expedited pathway toward permanent residency in Canada.   #Caregivers, #foreign_workers, #work_experience_requirement, #Caregiver_applications   (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/ConJm4YucsM/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canadians celebrate the Black History Month   Every February, Canadians come together to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of Black people in Canada through various events and festivities that take place throughout Black History Month.   The 2023 theme for Black History Month is “Ours to tell”. This concept invites Canadians to enter an inclusive conversation and further understand the experiences, accomplishments, trials, and triumphs of Canadian Black communities throughout history.   The Canadian Government invites all Canadians to uncover the stories behind the nation's communities and discover how they have helped shape Canada into the country we know today.   #Black_History_Month, #Ours_to_tell (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CofH8kaOQVl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

IRCC released an application tracker to help Express Entry and PNP candidates monitor their applications   Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new application tracker for Express Entry and PNP candidates to monitor their applications.   IRCC is offering four new categories of online application status trackers for permanent residence applications.   With these trackers, applicants can remain in control over the process without constantly contacting or following up with IRCC regarding specific updates.   The new status trackers are designed for applicants who have registered for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and those who applied to the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).   #Express_Entry, #EE, #IRCC, #application_tracker, #PNP, #CEC, #FSTP, #FSWP   https://www.instagram.com/p/CocdNbtukbE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Experts say high immigration levels will fix the labour market in Canada   Experts agree that while Canada's plan to amplify its immigration numbers may help alleviate some economic strain, more significant improvements are necessary to accurately ensure the labour market can fill positions with qualified permanent residents.   Unprecedentedly low unemployment rates have left companies desperate for workers, and fresh immigrants will aid in alleviating this predicament, according to Ravi Jain,   co-founder of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association.   The federal government plans to welcome 1.45 million additional permanent residents over the next three years, with 465,000 newcomers in 2023 and 500,000 in 2025.   #Immigration_levels, #labour_shortage, #foreign_workers, #PR   https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/canada-s-immigration-increase-alone-won-t-fix-the-labour-market-experts-say-1.6255154   https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sean-fraser-immigration-numbers-1.6712766 (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaFIm4rT6D/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Ottawa extended the open work permit program for Hong Kong nationals   On February 6, 2023, the Government of Canada extended the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong nationals. According to the expanded eligibility requirements, Hong Kong residents who have graduated within the past ten years from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad can obtain a work permit for up to 3 years.   Before, only those who had graduated within the last five years were eligible for application. Moreover, Canada has created two pathways to permanent residency for qualified Hong Kong nationals and their families.   #Hong_Kong, #Open_work_permit, #OWP, #PR, #Hong_Kong_nationals   (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoaFDhcrrWZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

IRCC will start accepting the Pearson Test of English test results   On February 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the Government of Canada designated Pearson Canada Inc. as a language-testing organization.   By late 2023, it is expected that IRCC will begin accepting scores from the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Essential English test administered by Pearson Canada Inc. as a way to fulfill language requirement criteria.   This new policy aims to provide an alternative means of demonstrating language proficiency for those who may not have had access to other established language tests.   #PTE, #IRCC, #English_test, #language_requirements, #Pearson_test_of_English (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoNLpjErLlI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

The Canadian Government actively encourages immigration to smaller communities across the country According to a report from the Conference Board of Canada, immigration programs that bring people to Canada's smaller cities and towns – such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) – promise higher economic output for lower costs. These initiatives could be some of the most beneficial investments in developing Canada's economy. Canada's two regional immigration programs, the AIP and the RNIP are designed to promote immigration to smaller, more rural areas. The employer-led AIP is a unique initiative which encourages candidates from abroad to fill job postings where employers are having difficulty in finding Canadian workers. #AIP, #RNIP, #Rural_immigration, #immigration_to_Canada, #rural_communities https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/01/government-of-canada-invests-35-million-to-expand-settlement-services-for-newcomers-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities.html (at Brandon, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoDaZ4dOdTe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canada's backlog of immigration applications has plummeted to less than two million   Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that there were 1.9 million applications for permanent residence, temporary residence permits and citizenship approvals in all IRCC inventories.   According to the update, 46.5% of applications in the inventory exceeded service standards.   IRCC is dedicated to processing 20% of applications within their service standard, though some complex cases may require a comprehensive assessment.   Currently, 45% of temporary residence requests - including ones for visiting, studying or working abroad and 58% of permanent residency applications are in backlog.   Additionally, 28% of citizenship applications are also exceeding service standards.   #IRCC, #immigration_backlog, #service_standards, #application_processing_times, #backlog (at Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn7Gw0UL_6z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Today we have a surprise draw under Express Entry for ITA’s to Canada   Draw number 238 saw 5500 candidates receive ITA’s to apply for their Permanent Residence to Canada   This is now 11000 ITA’s drawn in 2 weeks.   The latest score is 507. Looks like it will be a while before the  numbers come down for those hopeful people in the pool   The new TIERR system will be altered in the coming months to accommodate many trades and needs to fill the shortage in the Canadian Labour force.   Congrats to those Individuals (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnkhQRbOfl2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canada plans to clear the visitor visa backlog by February To reduce the backlog of visitor visa applications, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is planning to decrease the Visitor visa applications backlog. The government is considering decisive measures by lifting some eligibility criteria for nearly half a million applications. This necessary action will significantly shorten wait times while allowing more people to visit Canada. An IRCC memo revealed two potential strategies to reduce the number of visitor visa applications. The first approach would involve processing an estimated 195,000 applications in bulk, while the second option considers relaxing eligibility criteria for as many as 450,000 candidates. #IRCC, #immigration_backlog, #visitor_visas, #visitor_visa_backlog https://leverageedu.com/blog/canada-aims-to-clear-visa-backlog-news-2022-09/#:~:text=Canada%20has%20recently%20been%20on%20a%20hiring%20spree,in%20visa%20applications%2C%20which%20added%20to%20the%20backlog. https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/canada-starts-clearing-visa-backlog-to-process-applications-by-2022-end-122092200445_1.html   (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnjvMAxO8op/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Ten Canadian DLIs had a record number of student dropouts leading to asylum requests The Department of Immigration's Integrity Risk Management Branch recently released a confidential report identifying the approved academic institutions, commonly referred to as Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), which had the most no-shows, dropouts, and asylum requests. This list poses important questions about Canada's rapidly burgeoning international education sector, which has seen schools in the country welcome hundreds of thousands of overseas students at tuition fees significantly higher than those for local students. According to the Canadian government, seven of the ten schools with a record high rate of non-compliance regarding international student attendance are located in Ontario and were private institutions. The other three universities are Laurentian University in Sudbury, Cape Breton University and University Sainte-Anne, located in Nova Scotia - all publicly funded institutions. These international students often applied for asylum rather than attending their registered courses as expected. #International_students, #asylum_seekers, #refugee_students, #DLIs, #fraud, #immigration_fraud https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2023/01/12/no-shows-dropouts-and-asylum-requests-these-10-schools-have-canadas-highest-rates-of-non-compliance-among-international-students.html#:~:text=A%20total%20of%20197%20asylum%20claims%20were%20reported,permanent%20residence%2C%20as%20often%20marketed%20by%20unscrupulous%20recruiters. https://flipboard.com/article/no-shows-dropouts-and-asylum-requests-these-10-schools-have-canada-s-highest-/f-44469d6161%2Fthestar.co   (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhZKzYL7CJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canada released 2023 allocations for the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots   On January 13, 2023, the Government of Canada released the 2023 allocations for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot. In 2023, the Gaining Experience Category will accept 1,650 applications – 60% of the intake, while the Direct to Permanent Residence Category will accept 40% of the intake, which is 1,100 applications. For 2023, the Home Child Care Provider Pilot has been given 250 spaces for alternate-format applications, which will be divided 60/40 between the two categories. #Home_Child_Care_Provider_Pilot, #Home_Support_Worker_Pilot, #HCCPP, #HSWP https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/caregivers/child-care-home-support-worker/2023-changes.html Do not get to excited about this program as the Home Child Care Provider Pilot has already accepted it maximum number for 2023   (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnfQHfquUPc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

New Brunswick launched a new program to retain international students in the province   On January 10, 2023, the provincial Government of New Brunswick launched the Study and Succeed in New Brunswick program, granting international students access to the resources, assistance and networking necessary for a prosperous career and content living in the province.   Leveraging the accomplishments of the 2018-2021 Study and Stay pilot program in Atlantic Canada, the program aims to increase the availability of skilled labour by retaining more international students after graduation.   The three-year program has been funded by a joint investment of $500,000 by Opportunities NB and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).   It is expected that by the end of the program, nine cohorts of 100 international students will participate in the initiative.   #New_Brunswick, #international_students, #ACOA, #International_student_retention (at New Brunswick, Canada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnXFL2uLmPm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Newfoundland and Labrador to recruit physicians and nurses from Ireland On January 9, 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the provincial government was preparing to recruit physicians and nurses from Ireland to fill vacancies in the province. Ireland has been selected due to its physician training standards being comparable to those in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the vast opportunity for recruiting nurses who are eligible for licensure. The province's Ministry of Health and Community Services will send a team to Ireland to raise awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador as an ideal immigration destination. The provincial government has made a substantial investment of $30 million to attract and retain healthcare professionals. #Newfoundland_and_Labrador, #NL, #healthcare_workers, #nurses, #Ireland   (at Newfoundland and Labrador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPyOGwpMBq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Canada needs more skilled workers to fill jobs in the building trades As Baby Boomers retire from their respective positions, Canada desperately needs foreign nationals to take up the empty positions and fill the one million open jobs. Housing and Diversity Inclusion Minister Ahmed Hussen insists on immigration as an essential resource for economic growth, citing skilled immigrants are needed to provide real solutions for businesses seeking workers in the building trades. In response to Canadians' concerns that increased immigration leads to skyrocketing housing prices and shortages, Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Minister disagreed with this argument. Despite the apprehension that new immigrants to Canada will inevitably raise housing prices, numerous studies have demonstrated this concern is unfounded. Many believe immigration increases demand and bolster the economy, which drives house values. #Housing, #vacancies, #Labour_shortage, #foreign_workers (at Winnipeg, Manitoba) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm9tjv5uMRp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=