Immigration Update

Ottawa announced new instructions for the Federal Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot

The new Federal pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) provides displaced individuals with additional measures to facilitate their access to regional economic programs.

This means that the Government of Canada supports not only skilled refugees but also those with other qualifications and skills.

Furthermore, the Federal EMPP will allow displaced individuals to apply through a standalone federal pathway, providing them with more opportunities to fill a variety of labour market needs across Canada.

This initiative has the potential to greatly benefit the Canadian economy by tapping into a pool of skilled and hardworking individuals who are eager to contribute and make a difference in their new home country.

#EMPP, #refugees, #skilled_refugees, #skilled_workers

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

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