Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers shares the latest and most essential Canadian immigration news. In this blog, we will discuss the latest Express Entry and provincial nominee program draws and new updates on immigration legislation. Keep up with Canadian immigration news by following us on social media!
Canada to switch to 100% online applications for permanent residence applications
On September 1, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that IRCC will begin phasing in entirely digital applications for most permanent residence programs on September 23, 2022. Some clients were able to use the Permanent Residence Portal’s online application option since March 31, 2021. The portal can be accessed from various devices and allows receiving an immediate confirmation that your application has been received. The portal is still expanding its programs and will shortly be available for most permanent residence programs including family sponsorship, Atlantic Program, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and others.
As of August 22, Canada has welcomed over 300,000 permanent residents, more than in any previous year. In 2021–22, over 217,000 new Canadians received Canadian citizenship, far exceeding the target. So far, this fiscal year (from April 1 to July 31), Canada has accepted over 116,000 new citizens versus 35,000 last year during the same period. Starting from April 1, 2020, IRCC began offering virtual citizenship ceremonies, with over 394,000 people taking the Oath of Citizenship in nearly 15,000 digital events.
IRCC invited the largest number of candidates in the new Express Entry draw
On August 31, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,750 candidates in the new all-program draw of Express Entry. In this round of invitations, the cut-off score continued to decline and was 516 points. We hope, in the few months, the cut-off score will restore to the pre-Covid figures. This year, IRCC issued 21,038 Invitations to Apply through the Express Entry system.
Express Entry, an application management system utilized by IRCC, is used to select individuals who will most likely be successful in living and working in the country. Those chosen to immigrate through Express Entry are considered economic immigrants within their core working years who will bolster the Canadian labour force and economy. On July 6, 2022, the Canadian Government resumed the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) draws under the Express Entry system. If you find yourself eligible under one of these programs, you can contact our team of Canadian immigration lawyers to discuss your options.
Ontario issued invitations under several immigration streams
On August 30, 2022, the Government of Ontario held new draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW) Stream and Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Under the EJO FW stream, the province issued one targeted invitation to apply (ITAs) to the candidate who qualifies for the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). Under the Master’s Graduate stream, the province issued 680 ITAs. Ontario also invited 101 candidates under the PhD Graduate Stream. In total, in 2022, Ontario invited a total of 13,053 candidates under all streams.
The OINP allows the province of Ontario to nominate eligible candidates who wish to immigrate to Canada. The OINP is designed to help address specific labour market needs while helping new immigrants successfully establish themselves in Ontario. The OINP offers various streams for prospective immigrants to choose from, depending on their qualifications and experience. If you are a prospective immigrant who wants to settle in Ontario and need assistance in applying for the OINP, our professional immigration lawyers can help you with the process.
British Columbia invited high-skilled candidates and entrepreneurs
On August 30, 2022, British Columbia held new invitation rounds under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The province invited 207 tech candidates, 29 early childhood educators (NOC 4214), and up to 17 healthcare workers and assistants (NOC 3413). Additionally, BC invited less than 5 candidates under other targeted occupations (NOC 3114, 3213) and 10 candidates in the Base and the Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot categories. In 2022, British Columbia issued nearly 6,200 ITAs.
The BCPNP is for skilled workers who want to immigrate to the province and have a job offer from a BC employer. The program is designed to help businesses in BC that are struggling to find skilled workers to fill certain positions that are essential to the province’s economy. If you are interested in applying for the BCPNP, do not hesitate to contact us for more information. We can help you with the application process and ensure that you meet all of the requirements. Do not miss out on this great opportunity to live and work in beautiful British Columbia!
Canada will continue to support the asylum system in the Americas
Over one million people have been driven from their homes in Central America and Mexico as a result of violence, inequality, poverty, and hunger. On September 1, Canada announced that it would continue to support vulnerable individuals in having access to safety. As part of the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS), Canadian officials will help develop asylum systems for Central America and Mexico. Canada will also continue to support capacity building in the asylum system and other protective measures.
High Commissioner Filippo Grandi created the MIRPS Support Platform in 2019 to help manage the responsibility of handling forced displacement globally. It is specifically designed to aid the 7 MIRPS countries that lack resources and protection for those affected. The ultimate goal of the platform is to provide support so that people can find solutions and eventually return home safely. The MIRPS Support Platform consists of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the European Union, France, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay and the United States. The UNHCR is the technical secretariat for the Platform while Italy and the Vatican are observers.
Saskatchewan conducted new rounds of invitations under the SINP
On September 1, 2022, Saskatchewan conducted new rounds of invitations in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). In the Express Entry category, the province issued 312 ITAs. In the Occupations In-Demand category, Saskatchewan invited 629 candidates. In addition, SINP also conducted the fifth invitation round in the Entrepreneur Program in 2022 and invited 43 entrepreneurs. In 2022, in total, Saskatchewan invited 6,492 candidates.
The SINP provides an opportunity for skilled workers to come to Canada and contribute to the economy. Through this program, qualified candidates who fulfill the requirements outlined by the province may be eligible for a Saskatchewan Provincial Nomination Certificate, which will allow them to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Saskatchewan accepts applications under the following categories: International Skilled Worker Category, Saskatchewan Experience Category, and Entrepreneur and Farm Category. Candidates who decided to live and work in Saskatchewan permanently can get in touch with our lawyers to learn more about these categories and requirements.
The Government of Alberta updated the AAIP inventory
On September 2, 2022, Alberta released the updated inventory of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). According to the fresh update, there were around 1,160 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications and 300 Expressions of Interest in the pool. In 2021, the Federal Government gave 6,250 nomination certificates to Alberta for nominations under the AAIP. The provincial government has just distributed all 6,250 certificates last year. For 2022, IRCC handed out 6,500 more AAIP nomination applications. In 2022, Alberta nominated 4,497 candidates and invited 2,320 applicants.
The AAIP is an immigration path that allows the province to employ qualified workers with the appropriate work experience and training to fill in-demand jobs in Alberta. When applicants are accepted into the program, they receive a Provincial Nomination and become permanent residents of Canada. There are several streams under the AAIP, which accept candidates with different backgrounds such as international students, entrepreneurs, startuppers, skilled workers, etc. If you are looking to immigrate to Alberta, we can help you assess your eligibility and choose the right program for you.
Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers is proud to serve the immigration needs of individuals, families and businesses in Canada and abroad. We are a full-service immigration law firm, offering a complete range of services to meet your specific needs. Whether you are seeking to immigrate to Canada permanently or temporarily, we can help you achieve your goals. We have a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality, individualized immigration services to our clients. We take the time to get to know you and your specific needs to provide you with the best possible advice and representation. If you have any questions about the immigration process, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your options with you and help you move forward with your plans. Thank you for considering us as your immigration lawyers.
