Abramovich Immigration Law presents weekly news reviews on Canadian immigration policy developments, summarizing key updates to keep you informed about evolving immigration procedures. Follow us on social media for the latest news and insights on Canadian immigration.

The Government of Canada boosts immigration: Latest Express Entry draws welcome PNP and Francophone candidates

The Government of Canada has conducted two Express Entry draws in early March 2025. The first draw invited 725 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates with a reduced cut-off score of 667 points, while a subsequent draw welcomed 4,500 Francophone candidates with a minimum score of just 410 points. These initiatives demonstrate Canada’s commitment to both regional development through provincial nominations and strengthening its bilingual character, with the total invitations for 2025 now reaching 22,647.

Express Entry is Canada’s immigration system for skilled workers, managing applications for three main economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The recent draws highlight Canada’s dynamic approach to addressing labour market needs while maintaining high standards for skilled immigration. If you are also considering Express Entry to immigrate to Canada, Abramovich Immigration Law can help you navigate the complexities of Canadian immigration law. 

Canada emerges as a premier destination for international tech talent

Canada’s technology sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, transforming cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal into world-class tech hubs that rival Silicon Valley. The nation’s strategic combination of government support, venture capital investment, and success stories like Shopify has created a thriving ecosystem that attracts global attention. Major tech giants, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, have established a significant presence in the country, generating thousands of high-skilled job opportunities.

What sets Canada apart is its innovative immigration approach, particularly through the Global Talent Stream (GTS) program, which expedites work permits for international tech professionals within two weeks. This streamlined process, coupled with the country’s renowned quality of life, universal healthcare, and competitive salaries ranging from $39,000 to $69,000 annually, makes Canada an increasingly attractive destination for global tech talent.

The immigration minister unveiled strategic immigration measures to boost the housing construction workforce

In response to Canada’s housing challenges, Immigration Minister Marc Miller has introduced strategic initiatives focused on the construction sector. The comprehensive framework encompasses the establishment of a tripartite advisory council, implementing structured pathways for undocumented construction workers, and streamlined procedures for foreign apprentices. These measures are designed to enhance the construction workforce capacity while ensuring balanced immigration levels and addressing the nation’s critical housing requirements.

The government’s strategy focuses on three key areas: the formation of an advisory council comprising Federal Government officials, union representatives, and industry leaders; a regularization pathway for out-of-status construction workers, building on the success of the Greater Toronto Area pilot program; and the removal of study permit requirements for foreign apprentices. These measures reflect Canada’s recognition of immigration’s vital role in economic growth, with immigrants currently representing 23% of all general contractors and residential builders in the country.

Parents and Grandparents Program continues processing applications from the 2020 pool

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced its 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) strategy, focusing on processing applications from the 2020 pool. The program will accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship, continuing the same approach from 2020 to 2024. Processing times currently stand at 24 months for applications outside Quebec and 48 months for Quebec-destined applicants.

IRCC continues to offer the super visa as an alternative solution for families unable to participate in the PGP Program. This visa option enables parents and grandparents to visit their family members in Canada for extended periods, allowing stays of up to five years per visit and multiple entries over a 10-year period. This initiative reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to family reunification while responsibly managing immigration levels.

Canada’s study permit rejection rates soar to 52% in 2024

Canada’s study permit rejection rates have reached an unprecedented level of 52% in 2024, marking a significant increase from 38% in 2023. This refusal surge has created substantial challenges for prospective international students and educational institutions. The Canadian Government collected approximately CDN$ 707.9 million in application fees in 2024, with CDN$ 354 million coming from rejected applications alone.

IRCC attributes many refusals to fraud detection, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. However, critics argue that there is insufficient transparency in the application review process. The lack of clear feedback on rejected applications has led to frustration among education consultants and students, who often struggle to understand the specific reasons for visa denials.

Ottawa intensified the fight against immigration fraud in 2025

Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced a robust crackdown on immigration fraud during Fraud Prevention Month, highlighting the government’s commitment to protecting Canada’s immigration system. The initiative targets fraudsters who exploit hopeful immigrants with false promises and fake services, implementing stricter penalties, including fines up to $1.5 million for dishonest immigration representatives.

Throughout 2024, the government investigated over 9,000 suspected fraud cases monthly, resulting in thousands of application refusals and numerous entry bans. The government has also implemented measures to combat fraud in the Express Entry system and misinformation about study permits and asylum processes. The crackdown has received widespread support from legitimate immigration consultants and advocacy groups, who have long called for stronger protections against fraudulent activities.

Canada invested $14.3M to combat healthcare labour shortages

The Government of Canada has announced a significant investment of $14.3 million through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) to address critical labour shortages in the healthcare sector. The funding, distributed across four organizations, aims to facilitate the integration of internationally educated health professionals into the Canadian workforce. It will support over 3,500 participants through various initiatives, including work placements, wage subsidies, and training programs.

This strategic investment comes at a crucial time, with Canada’s healthcare sector facing 78,600 unfilled positions in the third quarter of 2024. The initiative aligns with Budget 2024’s commitment of an additional $50 million over two years for the FCRP, focusing on healthcare and residential construction sectors. The program aims to expedite the integration of skilled newcomers while maintaining high standards of healthcare delivery, ultimately working to reduce wait times and improve access to medical services for Canadians.

Abramovich Immigration Law offers comprehensive support for individuals seeking to make Canada their new home. With a deep understanding of Canadian immigration laws and procedures, we will guide you through various pathways, including Express Entry, family sponsorship, study permits, work permits, and permanent residency applications. Schedule a consultation with one of our immigration lawyers to discuss your case and explore the best immigration options for you.