Here is the most important immigration news prepared by the Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers. In this blog, we will talk about what is new with Canadian immigration. Follow us to get the latest news!
The Government of Canada to change the travel requirements and make ArriveCan optional
As of September 30, 2022, the Canadian government will no longer be requiring all travellers to get COVID-19 vaccinations at border crossings. The change still needs to be approved by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, but the government will most likely discontinue testing for COVID-19 at airports and drop the obligation. Confirming that they are constantly reassessing the situation, cabinet ministers announced that discussions regarding whether to keep current travel restrictions in place are ongoing.
The last time public health measures were expanded at borders was on June 29, 2022, when the government stated that 95 percent of land and air passengers were using the app. The app is used to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test and contact people if they are exposed to the virus. With the decline in cases across the country and the success of vaccination programs, measures will likely continue to be relaxed soon.
OINP invited candidates under the Master’s Graduate and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Streams
On September 20, 2022, Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) invited 823 invitations to apply (ITAs) to potential candidates under the Master’s Graduate stream. On September 23, the OINP held the 5th round of invitations in Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) stream and issued 363 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for the Francophone candidates. In 2022, the province invited 2,630 candidates under the Master’s Graduate stream and1,379 candidates under the FSSW stream. In total, Ontario has invited 16,269 candidates in 2022.
The OINP allows the province of Ontario to offer permanent residence to qualified candidates to help contribute to the economy and fill employment gaps. There are five streams for skilled workers, one for entrepreneurs, and three others for job offer holders under the OINP, making it one of the most diversified Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in Canada. If you think you may be eligible for one of the programs but are not sure which one, we can help you identify the right option. Our licensed immigration lawyers have a great deal of experience with the OINP and can help you with every step of immigration, from submission to confirmation of permanent residency.
Canada’s immigration rate is skyrocketing, while IRCC is dealing with the immigration backlog
Canada’s immigration rate is accelerating at an unparalleled pace, surpassing expectations. In the first seven months of 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has admitted 274,980 new permanent residents to the country. If immigration rates continue as is, 471,394 people will have immigrated by 2022 – that would be a 16.1 percent increase from last year’s record number of 406,025 new permanent residents. Ottawa’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2022-2024 had anticipated 431,645 permanent residents to arrive this year, though the numbers are now projected to be greater and rise to 447,055 next year and 451,000 in 2024.
While Canada welcomes a large number of immigrants every month, the recent influx has put pressure on the country’s immigration system and created a backlog. Sean Fraser, Minister of IRCC, announced last month that Canada was taking measures to improve the immigration system and reduce the backlog. In the next few months, 1,250 new employees will be hired. In addition, IRCC operations will be streamlined, and application status trackers will be introduced. Additionally, monthly data on the IRCC website will be published to increase transparency. As of July 31, IRCC’s new webpage tracking the immigration backlog reported that there were 2.4 million applications in progress, 1.1 million of which met service standards, while 1.3 million fell into the backlog. Despite the strides being made to improve application processing, the current backlog is still significantly higher than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
British Columbia invited high-skilled regional candidates
On September 21, British Columbia issued new invitations under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The province invited up to 357 qualified regional candidates, including Tech workers, early childhood educators (NOC 4214), and regional healthcare workers. This year, British Columbia has already issued 7,198 invitations. For the targeted regional draw, the minimum SIRS score for skilled workers with Express Entry was 91, whereas it was 70 for entry-level and semi-skilled applicants. The SIRS function much like the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), but it is only utilized in British Columbia’s PNP.
The BCPNP is a government immigration program run by the Immigration Programs Branch of the Government of British Columbia. The program allows the province to choose and nominate foreign workers, international students, and entrepreneurs to assist with British Columbia’s labour demand, support government objectives, and contribute to the province’s economy. If you are recommended for nomination, you may apply to become a permanent resident of Canada through IRCC. Contact our immigration lawyers to evaluate your chances of success in the program and learn more about how we can assist you.
Activists push the Canadian Government to introduce a new plan for undocumented migrants
Immigration advocates are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to establish a permanent residency pathway for as many as 500,000 undocumented immigrants in Canada as the House of Commons resumes after the summer break. Immigration is a complex and often contentious issue, but advocates say that providing a pathway to citizenship would be a humanitarian gesture that would offer stability and security to those who have lived in limbo for far too long.
The current Liberal minority government, with help from the New Democrats, has been working on a plan to legalize migrants who do not have status in Canada. These people are employed in various industries such as construction, cleaning, caregiving, food processing and agriculture. Advocates are concerned by the wealth of vulnerabilities faced by gig economy workers, such as poor mental and physical health due to social isolation or abusive working conditions.
The Atlantic Immigration Program and the Northwest Territories introduced new updates
On September 23, the Government of Canada released an update for the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). According to the new guidelines, candidates who are already employed in Canada do not need to present proof of funds. Those who do not work but have a valid work permit must show that they have enough money set aside for settlement in Canada at the time of application and when the application is completed. Candidates must use 12.5% of the current low-income cut-off (LICO) for urban areas with populations of 500,000 or more, depending on the applicant’s family size.
The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced a new Francophone Stream to the Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). The stream is open to prospective French-speaking candidates who either currently work for or live abroad with a job offer from an NWT employer. As well as the aforementioned eligibility requirements, applicants must also have had at least one year of full-time experience in the occupation they are being nominated for or six months’ experience living in the NT; possess any required territorial certification, licensing or accreditation specific to their trade or occupation; be able to communicate fluently in both English and French, and not be a refugee claimant. Currently, there are three streams under the NTNP: Employer-Driven, Business, and Francophone.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot programs recommended new candidates
On September 21, 2022, the City of Greater Sudbury held a new round of invitations in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and considered 24 candidates, one of whom has been accepted under the Francophone Stream. This year, 43 applicants have been invited under the RNIP. Since the start of the program, at least 114 people were recommended by the city. On September 22, Thunder Bay published the results of new recommendations. The city approved the applications of 15 candidates whose evaluations scored as low as 49% and issued to them community recommendations under the RNIP. The Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) has recommended 95 people in 2022. The Thunder Bay CEDC gives preference to applicants who are most likely to settle and contribute to the local economy. Candidates who received a community recommendation can submit their applications for permanent residence to IRCC.
The Government of Canada will transition to 100% digital applications for permanent residence programs to ease the application process for several immigration programs, including the RNIP. New online programs for permanent residency, including sponsorship and adoption programs, non-Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), Quebec Skilled Worker programs, and the RNIP, became available on September 23, 2022. IRCC will introduce the online application system for more PR applications in phases and make it available to foreign nationals. However, alternative formats will still be accessible to those who need specialized support.
If you are looking for experienced and qualified immigration lawyers in Toronto, look no further than Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers. Our team of professionals can help you with all aspects of your immigration case, from start to finish. We have a deep understanding of Canadian immigration law, and we are here to help you navigate the complex legal process. Whether you are applying for a visa, seeking asylum, or trying to reunite with your family, we can help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a new life in Canada.
