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    7 May, 2024
    Navigating Canada’s New Immigration Application Timelines
    study

    As of May 2, 2024, the landscape of Canadian immigration has evolved. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has enhanced its online processing time tool, offering a more dynamic approach to help applicants like you gauge how long it will take to process your application to fruition.

    Introducing Forward-Looking Processing Times

    Gone are the days of guessing and unnecessary stress over your application status. The IRCC’s innovative forward-looking processing times provide you with up-to-date and realistic estimates for various applications, including:

    • Express Entry for Canadian Experience Class
    • Provincial Nominee Programs (Express Entry and Non-Express Entry)
    • Federal Skilled Workers Program
    • Quebec Skilled Workers Program
    • Applications for Citizenship Grants
    • Requests for Citizenship Certificates
    • Residency Applications for Spouses or Common-Law Partners in Canada
    • Applications for Spouses, Common-Law, or Conjugal Partners Outside Canada
    • Family Reunification for Parents or Grandparents

    These estimates, which are refreshed monthly, are designed to help you plan your move by providing a clear timeline of when you can expect decisions on your applications.

    Historical vs. Forward-Looking Times: What’s the Difference?

    For applications not covered by the forward-looking times, the IRCC will continue to utilize historical processing data. This approach is based on how long it took to process 80% of past applications over six months for permanent residency programs, and 8 to 16 weeks for temporary stays. To illustrate, let’s consider a hypothetical example:

    Example Calculation: Suppose in the last six months, 100 permanent residence applications were processed. If 80 out of those 100 applications were processed within 180 days, then the historical processing time reported would be 180 days. This means if you applied today, under similar conditions, you could expect your application to take approximately the same amount of time.

    Forward-looking processing times, on the other hand, estimate how long clients applying today should expect to wait before a final decision is made on their application. These estimates consider current application volumes, recent processing times, and potential changes in immigration law.

    Example of Forward-Looking Calculation: Imagine the IRCC projects based on current trends and incoming application rates that new Federal Skilled Worker applications will take about 12 months to process. This time is then published as the forward-looking processing time, providing applicants with a current and relevant estimate.

    By updating these forward-looking times monthly, the IRCC ensures that the information remains relevant, allowing you to make more accurate travel and life plans based on realistic timelines.

    Already Applied? Here’s What You Need to Know

    If you’re among those who have already submitted an application, you might find that the newly published forward-looking times are shorter than your current waiting period. This situation occurs because these new estimates reflect a projection starting from now, not when you first submitted your application. For example, if you applied six months ago when the processing time was estimated at 18 months, and it has now been adjusted to 12 months due to improved efficiencies, you may actually have less time to wait than initially expected.

    IRCC’s Ongoing Commitment to Clarity and Service

    The IRCC isn’t stopping here. They are committed to continual enhancement of their online tools to provide you with a transparent, predictable, and welcoming experience throughout your immigration process.

    Wrapping Up

    Keeping up with the latest processing times is more than just practical; it’s essential for planning your future in Canada. These updates are designed to help you make informed decisions and prepare for your new life in Canada with confidence.

    13 Apr, 2024
    Express Entry Draw Date: April 12, 2024
    Express Entry

    In its continued effort to manage immigration flows, Canada held its latest all-program Express Entry draw on April 10, 2024, where 1,280 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were distributed among potential immigrants. This draw required candidates to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 549, marking a notable increase from the previous draw on March 25, 2024, which had a lower threshold of 524 points.

    This increase in CRS points reflects a tightening in the selection criteria, contrasting with the specialized French-language proficiency draw conducted just a day later on March 26, 2024. The latter draw issued 1,500 ITAs and featured a significantly lower CRS requirement of 388, aimed specifically at enhancing the Francophone community within Canada.

    A retrospective look at 2023 reveals a dynamic approach to immigration draws. The year included 19 all-program draws and several targeted draws focusing on key sectors such as healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, transport, and agriculture, as well as draws aimed at enhancing French-speaking communities and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

    Comparatively, in 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has so far conducted eight all-program draws and several targeted draws, maintaining a steady pace in inviting candidates across various occupational and linguistic profiles.

    IRCC’s aggressive immigration targets are underscored by their record-setting invitations: 110,266 ITAs in 2023 and a record 114,431 in 2021. The previous year, 2022, saw a more conservative figure of 45,115 invitations. These figures align with Canada’s strategic immigration goals, including a record target of 465,000 new immigrants in 2023 and an ambitious goal of 485,000 for 2024.

    In the most recent draw, the tie-breaking rule was applied, dating back to March 21, 2024, at 11:37 pm EST. This rule stipulates that if multiple candidates score the minimum required CRS, only those who submitted their profiles before the tie-breaking date and time are extended an invitation.

    This draw marks the 14th round of invitations under Express Entry for 2024 and the 292nd overall since the program’s inception. Candidates who have received ITAs now have a 60-day window to submit their applications, which are expected to be processed within the standard six-month period.

    10 Apr, 2024
    Ontario Receives Increased Nomination Allocation for 2024 Immigrant Nominee Program
    News, Provincial Nominee

    Toronto, ON – The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is set to welcome more skilled workers and entrepreneurs in 2024, following the federal government’s recent announcement of the province’s nomination allocation. For the year 2024, Ontario has been granted an allocation of 21,500 nominations, marking a significant opportunity for individuals seeking to make Ontario their new home.

    The OINP plays a pivotal role in Ontario’s strategy to bolster its workforce and stimulate economic growth by attracting skilled immigrants. The program offers a variety of streams for workers, students, and entrepreneurs interested in permanent residence in Ontario, aligning with the province’s economic and labor market needs.

    Applicants are selected through the Expression of Interest system or through the federal Express Entry system. It’s important for potential applicants to note that the OINP does not provide advance notice for the timing of these draws. Therefore, maintaining an updated profile and monitoring the program’s announcements is crucial for interested candidates.

    This increased nomination allocation comes at a critical time when many sectors in Ontario are facing labor shortages. It reflects the federal government’s confidence in Ontario’s ability to integrate and support newcomers in contributing to the province’s vibrant economy and diverse communities.

    Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and streams offered by the OINP, including those for skilled workers, international students, and business owners. The program’s various streams are designed to address the specific needs of Ontario’s labor market, ensuring that newcomers can successfully establish their careers and lives in the province.

    For more information on the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and how to apply, visit the official OINP website. Stay informed on the latest updates and prepare your application materials early to take full advantage of this opportunity to make Ontario your new home.

    7 Apr, 2024
    Canada Introduces National Cap on International Student Permits for 2024
    study

    Ottawa, April 5, 2024 – In a groundbreaking move, Canada has set a national cap on study permit applications for 2024, aiming to regulate the burgeoning number of international students. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the comprehensive strategy, detailing provincial and territorial allocations under the new system.

    Allocation

    The cap is designed to match the number of incoming international students with those whose permits are set to expire, targeting a net zero growth in 2024. The initial figure is pegged at 485,000 approved permits. Adjustments for student extensions and other variables have refined this number down to 364,000, which, accounting for a 60% approval rate, leads to a cap of 606,000 applications.

    Exemptions are in place for primary, secondary, and certain postgraduate students, adjusting the effective target to 236,000 approved permits from an estimated 393,000 applications. Distribution of these applications among provinces and territories is based on population share, with adjustments made to foster equitable growth or mitigate reductions, aiming for a 28% overall decrease in approvals under the cap.

    This policy reflects a strategic approach to manage the influx of international students, ensuring that growth is sustainable and aligned with regional immigration objectives. The Minister emphasized ongoing collaboration with provincial and territorial governments to support international students and enhance the International Student Program’s effectiveness.

    As Canada navigates these changes, the allocations and approval rates will be closely monitored for potential adjustments in 2025, signaling a dynamic response to the evolving educational landscape.