Spousal sponsorship applications to increase by one-third by the end of 2023

In July, the number of spouses and common-law partners who immigrated to Canada remained almost the same as in June. The most recent data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicates that 6,215 new permanent residents arrived in Canada through spousal sponsorship immigration in July, while 50,015 new permanent residents have arrived through this immigration program by the end of July. This is an increase of 21.6 percent from the 41,145 new permanent residents who came through spousal sponsorships in the first seven months of 2022. If the trend continues, Canada is expected to welcome 85,740 new permanent residents through spousal sponsorships, a 33.7 percent increase from last year’s 64,145 immigrants who arrived through the same program. #IRCC, #statistics, #sponsorship_applications, #spousal_sponsorship https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/family-sponsorship/spouse-partner-children/apply.html  

Canada may reconsider immigration targets

Canada’s Housing Minister and former Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser, hinted that the federal government may consider changes to the country’s high immigration levels.

Fraser emphasized the need to align immigration policies with the absorptive capacity of communities, including housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.

He also suggested that the government should collaborate with other levels of government and institutions to consider immigration targets carefully.

Fraser specifically mentioned the need to review the temporary immigration programs to ensure that they operate sustainably and not in an "uncapped way" based solely on demand.

#Fraser, #immigration_levels

https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/canadian-government-won-t-rule-out-changing-immigration-targets-to-address-housing-challenges-fraser-says-1.6555446

Canada modified immigration legislation on Express Entry

On September 8, 2023, Canada amended section 11.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) to implement the recent changes in the Express Entry and introduction of the category-based selection rounds.

IRCC has also added instructions to clarify the assessment Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, particularly about education and certificate of qualification for principal applicants invited by virtue of their membership in one of the categories.

In addition to Minimal Entry Criteria (MEC) and CRS score, in the category-based draws, officers will also verify the applicant’s eligibility to be a category member.

#Express_Entry, #CRS, #IRPA

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/08/canada-announces-the-first-ever-express-entry-invitations-for-newcomers-with-experience-in-the-trades.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2023-express-entry-crs-assessment.html

IRCC announced a new update for Student Direct Stream applications

On August 30, 2023, the Canadian Government updated the eligibility requirements for the Student Direct Stream (SDS) language test results.

The new requirements align with the Ministerial Instructions effective August 10, 2023.

The Government will accept additional academic tests from designated organizations and another test from a non-designated organization.

The update clarifies that banks may disburse the remaining funds of a guaranteed investment certificate (GIC) in any accepted arrangement with an applicant after the initial disbursement upon arrival in Canada.

Although the Government recommended disbursing GIC funds in monthly or bimonthly instalments, this does not affect an applicant's SDS eligibility.

#Student_Direct_Stream, #SDS, #GIC, #international_students #IRCC

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/updates/2023-sds.html