Citizenship

The family class is a significant category for newcomers to Canada, facilitating the reunion of Canadian citizens or permanent residents with their family members who can obtain permanent residence in the country.

The BCPNP has modified its points system to reflect NOC changes and the importance of human capital factors.

U.S. border officers would get new powers to question, search and even detain Canadian citizens on Canadian soil under bill C-23 if passed.

Liberal MP Joe Peschisolido is optimistic that he can persuade federal ministers to curb so-called birth tourism, as pressure for action mounts in B.C. “We are reaching a tipping point,” he said. “Nurses have told me that this is displacing folks from giving birth in Richmond.”

Quebec’s Minister of Immigration Kathleen Weil has announced a new promotional campaign to encourage immigrant enrollment in French-language courses. The $750,000 initiative will focus on promoting courses through social media and community websites, as well as in newspapers, on the radio and on public transport. Ms Weil outlined the plan on Monday July 11.

Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement creates a framework to attract, select and support skilled newcomers

Canada's immigration minister has just announced a range of measures to help Turkish and Syrian temporary residents living in Canada.

Marc Miller, Canada's new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has outlined his vision for the country's immigration landscape in recent interviews with RedFM Canada, CBC Radio Canada, and Bloomberg News. 

The government has issued its response to the CIMM committee report on specific problems facing international students.

Today, Canada and the United Kingdom announced the signing of a new Canada-United Kingdom (UK) Youth Mobility Arrangement.

A new Statistics Canada study that shows fewer recent immigrants are gaining Canadian citizenship is cause for concern, but improvements are on the horizon.

A popular pilot program that allows certain spouses and common-law partners of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to work while awaiting permanent resident status has been extended for another year.

The latest data released by Gallup shows Canada is the preferred destination for millions of potential newcomers.

Real GDP is a commonly used indicator of a country’s overall economic health.

McCallum said the government will accept 10,000 applications in keeping with the Liberal Party's pledge to double the 5,000 cap previously put in place by the Conservatives.

 As of October 24, 2017 the definition of dependent children on Canadian immigration applications Canada will increase to include children under 22 years of age. In May of this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that eligible immigration applications received on or after October 24, 2017 will be processed based on the new definition. Therefore, immigration forms submitted on or after that date may include children of the principal applicants under the age of 22, who are not married or in a common-law relationship.

Previous regulations that came into effect in August, 2014 decreased the age definition of dependent children to under 19 years. The new regulatory change increases the maximum age of dependants to what it was prior to the change in 2014. The raising of the maximum age of dependent children does not apply retroactively to applications submitted after August 1, 2014 and before October 24, 2017.

IRCC explained the decision to withhold applying the new regulation on previously submitted immigration applications because, ‘applying the change to in-process applications would require a pause in finalizing many permanent residence applications and would impact processing times in many programs.’

An exception allows individuals aged 22 years and older, who rely on their parents financially due to a physical or mental health condition, the ability to be considered as dependants.

Changes that reflect socioeconomic trends

The decision to increase the age limit of dependent children demonstrates the government of Canada’s family reunification initiatives, as well as the impact of socioeconomic trends, which show that over recent years young adults are increasingly choosing to live with their parents.

Census data released in August, 2017 show that nearly 35 percent of young adults between 20 to 34 live with at least one parent, a figure that has been on the rise since 2001. More young adults may choose to live with their parents longer because of the logistical, emotional, or financial benefits to them while pursuing post-secondary studies or searching for full time employment. Other reasons may include cultural preferences of family members.

With the increase of the dependent children age limit, more immigrant children may stay with their parents during the adjustment period of applying for Canadian immigration, completing a Canadian education, and entering the Canadian labour market.

Federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen stated, “Raising the age of dependants lets more families stay together. This will bring economic and social gains to our country as it enhances our attractiveness as a destination of choice for immigrants and refugees.”

Many regulatory changes that came into effect since the Liberal government came to power in 2015 have placed an emphasis on family reunification.

The Canadian government has just announced its Immigration Levels Plan 2022Canada is increasing its immigration targets yet again. It will look to welcome almost 432,000 new immigrants this year instead of its initial plan to welcome 411,000 newcomers.

Canada is competing with other nations for international talent, and must do even more to attract and retain newcomers, says Minister of Immigration Ahmed Hussen.

Canada is in search to find ways to make it simpler and more straightforward for international students in Canada to obtain permanent residency once they have completed their studies in Canada.

Eight months after all citizenship tests were cancelled; Canada is now making the test available online.