Current news on canadian immigration

Here are some current news and updates on Canadian immigration:

Recent Changes and Updates:

  1. Express Entry Draw: On February 10, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held an Express Entry draw, issuing 5,500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 504 or higher.
  2. New Pathways to Permanent Residency: IRCC has introduced new pathways to permanent residency for international students and temporary workers, including the International Mobility Program and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program.
  3. Changes to Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship: Effective March 1, 2023, the sponsorship process for parents and grandparents has changed, with a new online application system and a reduced processing time.
  4. New Requirements for Temporary Foreign Workers: As of January 1, 2023, temporary foreign workers must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to enter Canada.

Ongoing Issues and Concerns:

  1. Backlog of Immigration Applications: IRCC is still dealing with a significant backlog of immigration applications, which has led to delays and frustration for many applicants.
  2. Processing Times: Processing times for various immigration programs, including Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program, remain lengthy, with some applications taking several months or even years to process.
  3. Language Requirements: There have been concerns about the language requirements for some immigration programs, with some applicants feeling that the requirements are too strict or unrealistic.
  4. Regional Imbalance: There are ongoing concerns about the regional imbalance in Canada's immigration system, with some provinces and territories receiving a disproportionate number of immigrants.

Recent Statistics:

  1. Immigration Levels: In 2022, Canada welcomed over 431,000 new permanent residents, exceeding its target of 411,000.
  2. Express Entry: In 2022, IRCC processed over 143,000 Express Entry applications, with a success rate of around 70%.
  3. Temporary Foreign Workers: In 2022, there were over 1.2 million temporary foreign workers in Canada, with the majority coming from the United States, India, and the Philippines.

Upcoming Changes and Developments:

  1. New Immigration Minister: In January 2023, Sean Fraser was appointed as the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, replacing Marco Mendicino.
  2. Review of Immigration System: The Canadian government has announced a review of the country's immigration system, with a focus on improving processing times, reducing backlogs, and increasing transparency.
  3. New Immigration Pilot Programs: IRCC has announced several new pilot programs, including a pilot program for international students and a pilot program for temporary foreign workers in the healthcare sector.

These are just a few of the current news and updates on Canadian immigration. If you have specific questions or concerns about immigration to Canada, I'd be happy to help.