Immigration Update

On June 6, 2023, the Government of Canada added 13 countries to its eTA program.

Travellers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last ten years or a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when travelling to Canada by air. The countries eligible for the program are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. This move will increase travel, tourism, and international business while keeping Canadians safe. Existing visa holders can still use their visas to travel to Canada. #Tourism, #eTA, #visa, #tourist_visa, #visitor_visa, #Visa_free_travel  

Canada launched a new selection category under Express Entry

On May 31, 2023, the Government of Canada launched a category-based selection for Express Entry, allowing IRCC to invite prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training, or language ability.

This year, invitations will focus on candidates with strong French language proficiency or experience in healthcare, STEM professions, trades, transport, agriculture, and agri-food. Category-based selection supports Canada's commitment to welcoming skilled workers into communities nationwide.

In June 2022, Canada changed the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to select immigrants based on key economic attributes, such as work experience and French knowledge.

#Express_Entry, #category_based_selection, #IRCC

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-launches-new-process-to-welcome-skilled-newcomers-with-work-experience-in-priority-jobs-as-permanent-residents.html

Ottawa introduced a new temporary public policy to issue open work permits to family-class applicants

On May 10, 2023, a new policy came into effect to make it easier for foreign nationals and their families who submitted a complete permanent resident application in Canada as a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner to get open work permits.

The old pilot program, which ended on May 9, 2023, no longer applies.

Any pending applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be processed under this new policy.

Applicants under the open work permit pilot program for permanent residence and in-Canada caregiver applicants and their families under the two caregiver pilots (C90 and C91) are no longer exempt.

They must apply online following the new public policy.

#Open_work_permits, #OWP, #foreign_workers, #Spousal_sponsorship, #IRCC, #Family_Class, #PR, #caregivers

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/visit-to-work.html

Family reunification measures will help Canada deal with the labour shortage issue

On May 26, 2023, Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced new measures to strengthen family reunification and address the labour shortage issue.

The measures include faster processing times, new tools, and an open work permit for spousal and family class applicants.

Additionally, open work permit holders expiring between August 1 and the end of 2023 can extend their permits.

These changes will allow families to be reunited sooner while waiting for permanent residence.

Most of these applications will be processed within 30 days, and specific processing measures will be implemented for spouses and dependents.

So far, the new tools have resulted in a 93% approval rate for applicants.

#IECC, #Fraser, #Open_work_permits, #OWP, #foreign_workers, #Spousal_sponsorship, #Labour_shortage, #family_reunification

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/05/canada-is-reuniting-loved-ones-through-new-immigration-measures-new-measures-also-address-labour-shortages-in-canada.html