Immigration Update

Canada invited 539 young foreigners under the International Experience Canada

Over the last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted new rounds of invitations in the pools of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. From June 5 to June 11, Canada invited 539 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of June 11, there are 16,630 candidates registered in the pool, waiting for the invitation. In this round, there were 21 ITAs for Australia, 6 ITAs for Belgium, 10 ITAs for Chile, 13 ITAs for Costa Rica, 21 ITAs for the Czech Republic, 4 ITAs for Denmark, 221 ITAs for France, 2 ITAs for Greece, 9 ITAs for Hong Kong, 63 ITAs for Ireland, 2 ITAs for Italy, 20 ITAs for Japan, 37 ITAs for South Korea, 5 ITAs for the Netherlands, 2 ITAs for New Zealand, 1 ITA for Norway, 3 ITAs for Portugal, 9 ITAs for Slovakia, 8 ITAs for Spain, 4 ITAs for Sweden, 7 ITAs for Switzerland, 21 ITAs for Taiwan, and 50 ITAs for the United Kingdom. In total, Canada issued 10,905 ITAs under the IEC in 2021. In addition, IRCC announced that the first round for Germany will happen on June 21, 2021. #IRCC, #IEC, #ITA, #Working_Holiday, #Young_Professionals, #International_CoOp, #work_permits, #work_in_Canada   https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp  

Canada Border Services Agency needs to develop a new biometric strategy

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has an urgent need to hire a global technology company to develop a new biometric strategy in response to rapidly evolving issues including COVID-19. The CBSA invited 15 firms to submit proposals for immediately setting up an Office of Biometrics and Identity Management. Biometric information is a unique identifier and is considered useful in managing the passage of people across borders. Canada's border agency's establishment of a proactive and systematic approach to the adoption of more biometrics at the border, in the form of a new office shows the Government's effective response to the changing environment. #Biometrics, #CBSA   https://www.cp24.com/news/canada-s-border-agency-urgently-developing-biometric-plans-in-response-to-covid-19-1.5460533#:~:text=OTTAWA%20-%20Canada%27s%20border%20agency%20has%20an%20%E2%80%9Curgent,in%20response%20to%20rapidly%20evolving%20issues%20including%20COVID-19.

Canada announced 2 immigration pathways for Hongkongers

On June 8, 2021, the Government of Canada announced 2 new permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents. The new pathway came into force on June 1, 2021, and will be in place until August 31, 2026. Hongkongers who have educational credentials at a post-secondary designated learning institution, or those who have at least 1 year of full-time work experience in Canada in the last 3 years can apply through the new programs. Eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada must possess a valid temporary resident status, be in Canada both when they submit their application and when their permanent residence is granted as well as meet the specified language, education, work, and eligibility requirements. #PR, #Hong_Kong, #Hong_Kongers https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/06/minister-mendicino-announces-opening-of-2-new-pathways-to-permanent-residence-for-hong-kong-residents.html

Permanent residents with expired PR cards struggle to enter Canada

In Canada, permanent residents are required to meet residency obligations in order to renew their PR cards. According to Section 23 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, a permanent resident must be physically present in Canada for at least 730 days (2 years) in every 5-year period. Currently, many permanent residents, especially parents/grandparents who are outside Canada stuck in other countries, and their PR cards have expired. Since permanent residents are required to have a valid PR card to enter Canada, those whose PR cards are expired will have to apply for a travel document to come to Canada. It is still questionable whether they can be eligible to be exempted from the residency obligations. #PR, #Permanent_residence https://www.cic.gc.ca/English/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1456&top=10