Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

A new survey finds Canadians are still positive about immigration, but want to see family reunification as a priority over economic-class and refugee-class immigration.
Canadians generally agree that immigration is positive for long-term economic recovery but want to see family members given the priority for immigration.

Angus Reid survey finds no federal leader clearly favoured to handle immigration.

Immigration is expected to factor into election debates, but restraint is being urged.

The test will be part of the province’s selection process and must be taken within a two-year period before candidates can apply “for selection for permanent immigration,” states the official Gazette of Quebec, the official publication of the Quebec government.

Canada is preparing to change how Express Entry candidates are selected in the first quarter of 2023 and beyond

Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees program turned 40 last month. Canadians across the country were celebrated for their immense contributions and dedication to providing a safe haven for vulnerable refugees around the world.

More English language test dates are available starting in May.

Applicants, in order to stay eligible, may need to update the settlement fund required amount in the Express Entry profile. It is important to know that the update must be done no later than June 8, 2022.

Updating your profile doesn’t change the date and time that we received it, so you’ll keep your rank if you’re in a tie-breaker situation.

February was a busy month for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot with three consecutive draws. The province also announced it would stop posting the scores that guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) to candidates applying through any of the BC PNP categories.

In recent years, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada limited the number of parent and grandparent applications it would accept, in order to manage intake and interest in the program, and keep the number of applications from growing. Rather than the January rush to submit applications by courier or mail, those wanting to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada will now have 30 days to fill out an online form to indicate their interest. IRCC will then randomly choose 10,000 individuals from those who filled out the form, and those people will be invited to send in their complete application package.

IRCC will increase certain permanent residence (PR) fees on April 30, 2024. The adjustments affect fees for various PR categories from April 2024 to March 2026. Below is a summary table of the new fees:

Canada will be opening, closing, and making changes at visa application centres (VACs) in the coming weeks.

As of January 1, 2015 the cost of applying for Canadian citizenship will jump from $300 to $530. The fee increase will only apply to individuals applying for an adult citizenship grant or resumption of citizenship. The $100 Right of Citizenship fee and fees for applications for a grant of citizenship to a minor child will not change. According to the Federal Government the increase will reduce the burden on Canadian taxpayers and bring the fee closer to the true cost to process a citizenship application.

IRCC is inviting more Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence

As of July 22, 2020, new conditions for selection will apply to applications submitted under the Québec experience program (PEQ). Recognizing the PEQ as an important vector in the selection of skilled workers, the MIFI began to reform the program several months ago. The changes will ensure the optimal alignment of Québec’s labour needs with the potential of immigrants wishing to settle here.

Changes have been made to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program list of areas of training that are in high demand. The new list applies to all applications as of January 26, 2015. There are differences between the new list and the previous list; therefore, it is important to verify the number of points you will be attributed before submitting your application.

At least on paper, Quebec’s new immigration policy is full of promises. The challenge will be to put the plan into action.

CIC has announced that as of November 5, 2011 there will be a 24 month moratorium on new applications to sponsor parents and grandparents in order to reduce the current backlog. New applications received on or after November 5, 2011 will be returned to the applicant. The moratorium will not affect sponsorship applications for spouses, dependent or adopted children, or other eligible relatives.

CIC has announced the creation of a new Federal Skilled Worker category for international students studying towards a PhD in Canada. To qualify, applicants must have completed at least 2 years of study towards a PhD, or graduated from a Canadian PhD program within the past 12 months. A maximum of 1,000 applications from this category will be considered for processing each year by CIC. The first cap year for the PhD stream begins on November 5, 2011.

CIC has announced the introduction of the new "Parent and Grandparent Super Visa," which will be valid for up to 10 years. The multiple entry visa will allow applicants to remain in Canada for up to 24 months without having to renew their status. Applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for the duration of their stay. The visa will come into effect on December 1, 2011.