Canada Immigration

The Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) latest Global Livability Ranking highlights Calgary and Vancouver, Canada, as two of the world's top 10 most livable cities. Calgary jumped to fifth place, tied with Geneva, Switzerland, while Vancouver secured the seventh spot. Toronto, however, fell to 12th place.

Perhaps, it’s finally time to stop hiding

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is increasing the number of temporary resident visa (TRV) applications it will process for Palestinian extended family members in Gaza from 1,000 to 5,000. This measure aims to help more families reunite with their relatives in Canada.

Skilled newcomers overqualification must be addressed, amid immediate need for more healthcare professionals.

Starting September 26, Canada will stop processing Low-Wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in some metropolitan areas with unemployment rates of 6% or higher.

Canada is lifting its COVID-19 test requirements for fully vaccinated travellers.

Starting April 1, fully vaccinated travellers to Canada will no longer need a pre-arrival COVID-19
test.

The Canadian government announced the new measures would affect travellers arriving at all ports of entry. Although pre-arrival testing requirements will be dropped, the government may still randomly test travellers upon arrival. The purpose of the random tests will be to identify and track COVID-19 variants. If fully vaccinated travellers are selected for an on-arrival test, they will not need to quarantine while waiting on their result.

You no longer have to be fully vaccinated to board a plane or train in Canada, but mask mandates still apply.

In addition, the immigration minister may designate international medical insurance companies to provide coverage to Super Visa applicants in the future.

IRCC has just announced major reforms to the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa.

IRCC has just announced the process for the PGP 2022. Canada will hold a PGP lottery yet again, drawing from the autumn 2020 interest to sponsor pool.

IRCC Minister Sean Fraser is set to announce a new immigration pathway that aims to connect employers in Canada with skilled refugees and displaced persons.

Effective March 1, 2023, new measures will make it easier for Iranians already in Canada to extend their temporary stay and move between temporary streams.

Travellers will no longer need to show proof of vaccination or use the ArriveCan app to enter Canada

Canada is starting a program called Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) to help with worker shortages. 

The Immigration Levels Plan acts as a guide for the number of immigrants Canada aims to welcome over the next three years.

Canada's federal court has ruled that visa officers do not need to consider an applicant's criminal rehabilitation unless it is specifically requested by the applicant.

Canada introduces an action plan to attract French speaking immigrants. The new Action Plan includes $1.4 billion over five years in addition to the $2.7 billion in the previous Action Plan. This adds up to over $4.1 billion over five years. It is the largest amount ever provided by a government to support official languages.

In 2022 over 550,000 new study permits were issued for international students from 184 countries. Currently Canada has almost 810,000 New international students.

A growing number of Canadians report that French is their first official language. IRCC announced the goal of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023.

In recent economic developments, Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled the Fall Economic Statement for 2023, emphasizing a strategic initiative to bolster the supply of affordable housing across the country.

Canada has extended its ban on foreign home buyers until 2027 to keep more homes available for its citizens and permanent residents. This move restricts non-Canadians from purchasing residential properties, with exceptions for specific situations like inheritance or property development.