Canada immigration news march 2018

Here are some key Canada immigration news updates from March 2018:

  1. Express Entry Draw: On March 7, 2018, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 449 or higher.
  2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Updates: In March 2018, several provinces updated their PNP streams, including:
    • Ontario: Introduced the Human Capital Priorities Stream, which targets skilled workers with a job offer in the province.
    • British Columbia: Launched the Tech Pilot, a new stream for tech workers.
    • Alberta: Introduced the Self-Employed Farmer Stream, which targets farmers and ranchers.
  3. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Changes: On March 19, 2018, IRCC announced changes to the FSWP, including:
    • A new language proficiency requirement: Candidates must demonstrate a minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 in English or French.
    • A revised points grid: The grid will now prioritize candidates with a higher level of education, language proficiency, and work experience.
  4. Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP): In March 2018, the AIPP was launched, aiming to attract skilled workers to the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador).
  5. International Student Graduates: On March 22, 2018, IRCC announced that international students who graduate from a Canadian post-secondary institution can now apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) with a longer duration (up to 3 years).
  6. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Changes: In March 2018, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced changes to the TFWP, including:
    • A new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process: Employers will need to demonstrate that they cannot find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to fill the job.
    • Increased scrutiny of TFWP applications: ESDC will conduct more thorough assessments of TFWP applications to ensure that they meet labor market needs.
  7. Canada-US Border Security: In March 2018, Canada and the United States signed a new agreement to enhance border security and facilitate trade and travel between the two countries.

These are just a few of the key Canada immigration news updates from March 2018. If you're interested in learning more, I'd be happy to provide additional information or help you navigate the Canadian immigration process.