Canada immigration news today

Here are some recent Canada immigration news updates:

Express Entry Draw

• On February 10, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 489 or higher. [Source: IRCC]
• On February 24, IRCC conducted another Express Entry draw, issuing 3,900 ITAs to candidates with a CRS score of 720 or higher. [Source: IRCC]

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

• British Columbia's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) has reopened for applications in the following categories: International Graduate, International Post-Graduate, and Skilled Worker. [Source: BC PNP]
• Ontario's Human Capital Priorities Stream has reopened for applications. [Source: OINP]
• Saskatchewan's International Skilled Worker category has reopened for applications. [Source: SINP]

New Immigration Policies

• IRCC has introduced a new policy to allow international students who have completed a degree or diploma in Canada to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) without having to leave the country. [Source: IRCC]
• The government has announced plans to introduce a new "Start-up Visa" program to attract entrepreneurs and innovators to Canada. [Source: Government of Canada]

Refugee Resettlement

• Canada has welcomed its 50,000th refugee since 2015, with the majority coming from Syria, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. [Source: IRCC]
• The government has announced plans to increase the number of refugees resettled in Canada from 27,000 to 30,000 in 2023. [Source: Government of Canada]

Other News

• The Canadian government has launched a new online tool to help immigrants find job opportunities in Canada. [Source: IRCC]
• A new report by the Conference Board of Canada has found that immigration is a key driver of economic growth in Canada, with immigrants contributing $51 billion to the economy in 2020. [Source: Conference Board of Canada]