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April 8, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that there will be an increment to permanent residency application fees with effect from April 30, 2024. The department said this change is being introduced according to Canada’s Immigrant and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

See below the changes made to PR application fees:

IRCC notes that, in addition to dependent children and protected persons (including principal applicants and all accompanying family members), the following groups of applicants are exempt from paying the department’s Right of Permanent Residence (RPR) Fee:

  • Sponsored child (of a principal applicant under the family reunification class) – the child must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse/partner
  • Principal applicants under the humanitarian and compassionate consideration and public policy classes

This fee is normally paid by all permanent residence applicants (except for dependent children and protected persons). Principal applicants in the “humanitarian and compassionate consideration” and “public policy” categories are only exempt from the RPR fee under certain circumstances.

IRCC also clarifies that “permit holder” class permanent residence applicants are not eligible to include accompanying family members as part of their PR applications. Instead, all individuals eligible for PR through this class must submit their own applications for Canadian PR as a principal applicant.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

April 8, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The Immigration Minister, Marc Miller announced the allocation of study permit for all provinces. IRCC made an announcement on the 22nd of January, 2024 that there will be a cap on the the number of international students that will be let into Canada in the year, 2024. To achieve this, all provinces will be given an allocation on the total number of study permits that will be approved, this allocation will be based on the population of the province.

IRCC adjusted allocations for provinces that would receive a lower allocation of study permits to lessen any negative impact.

Provinces that were poised to receive more international students in 2024 than in 2023 had their allocations capped at 10% of their population.

IRCC also topped up the allocations for provinces with an approval rate lower than 60% believing that it will help these provinces reach their expected number of approved study permits.

See below study permit allocation according to province

IRCC does not have the authority to cap the number of approved study permits but the department can cap the number of study permit applications that are processed.

However, basing the cap for study permits on a national approval rate of 60%, IRCC says that the estimated cap of study permits issued is derived from the number of study permit applications it will process. In this situation, the department hopes to process 606,000 applications.

Need help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

April 8, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The 2024 quota for the Ontario Immigration Nominee Program increases to 21,500. This increment is a step in the right direction as OINP has asked the federal government for an increase in the PNP quota since 2021.

In 2023, the first major increase in OINP allotment was effected from a total of 9,750 to 16,500. Now in 2024, an additional 5,000 has been added to the number in 2023 bringing it to a total of 21,500.

The new OINP allocation in 2024 is nearly 20% of the immigration levels plan for provincial nomination this year.

See below Ontario Immigration Quota Year-on-Year Comparison

Year OINP Quota
2024 21,500
2023 16,500
2022 9,750
2021 9,000

See below most Recent OINP Express Entry Draws

Human Capital Priorities stream

Date NOIs issued Number of NOIs issued CRS score range Profiles created in IRCC Express Entry system Notes
March 21, 2024 2,281 468-480 March 21, 2023 –
March 21, 2024
Targeted draw Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations
March 7, 2024 2,104 352-421 March 7, 2023 –
March 7, 2024
Targeted draw Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations
February 8, 2024 2,118 471–480 February 8, 2023 –
February 8, 2024
Targeted draw Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations
February 6, 2024 2,086 379-430 February 6, 2023 –
February 6, 2024
Targeted draw Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations

See below French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream

Date/time NOIs issued Number of NOIs issued CRS score range Profiles created in IRCCs Express Entry system Notes
January 18, 2024 984 317-469 January 18, 2023 –
January 18, 2024
General Draw

See below Skilled Trades stream

Date/time NOIs issued Number of NOIs issued CRS score range Profiles created in IRCC’s Express Entry system Notes
March 1, 2024 2,583 350-424 March 1, 2023 –
March 1, 2024
Targeted draw
Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations
January 11, 2024 2,552 350-424 January 11, 2023 –
January 11, 2024
Targeted draw
Please refer to the OINP Program Update page for a list of targeted occupations

See below the total of invitations to apply sent by Ontario in 2024 apart from the NOI sent to Express Entry candidates listed above:

  • Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream – 3,128
  • Employer Job Offer: International Student stream – 5,073
  • Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream – 0
  • Masters Graduate stream – 2,714
  • PhD Graduate stream – 229
  • Entrepreneur stream – 0

IRCC allots an annual provincial nominee quota to all provinces each year which allows them to choose immigrants according to the needs of the province.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

April 4, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, British Columbia sent out invitations to apply for permanent residency to 83 candidates in a general and targeted draw.

30 profiles under the BC PNP Skills Immigration, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Streams and Express Entry profiles were considered in this round of invitation.

25 Profiles experienced in healthcare-related occupations, 10 profiles experienced in any of the 25-construction related occupations and 18 profiles with experience as early child educators, assistants or instructors were also invited in the latest BC PNP Draw.

See below details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
April 3, 2024 General Skilled Worker 130 30
Skilled Worker
– EEBC option
130
International Graduate 130
International Graduate – EEBC option 125
Entry Level and
Semi-Skilled
107
Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 90 18
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 95 10
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 90 25

See below full list of Construction Occupations:

  1. 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
  2. 72102 Sheet metal workers
  3. 72103 Boilermakers
  4. 72104: Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  5. 72105 Ironworkers
  6. 72106: Welders and related machine operators
  7. 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  8. 72201: Industrial electricians
  9. 72300 Plumbers
  10. 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  11. 72302 Gas fitters
  12. 72310 Carpenters
  13. 72311 Cabinetmakers
  14. 72320 Bricklayers
  15. 72400: Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  16. 72401: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  17. 72402: Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  18. 72,500 Crane operators
  19. 73100 Concrete finishers
  20. 73101 Tilesetters
  21. 73102: Plasterers, drywall installers, finishers and lathers
  22. 73110 Roofers and shinglers
  23. 73111 Glaziers
  24. 73112: Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  25. 73113 Floor covering installers

See below full list of eligible Healthcare-related Occupations

  • 30010 Managers in health care
  • 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • 31101 Specialists in surgery
  • 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
  • 31110 Dentists
  • 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 31120 Pharmacists
  • 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
  • 31200 Psychologists
  • 31201 Chiropractors
  • 31202 Physiotherapists
  • 31203: Occupational therapists
  • 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 31209 Other professional occupations in health: diagnosing and treating
  • 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 31302 Nurse practitioners
  • 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • 32101: Licensed practical nurses
  • 32102 Paramedical occupations
  • 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 32110 Denturists
  • 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • 32112: Dental technologists and technicians
  • 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 32121 Medical radiation technologists
  • 32122 Medical sonographers
  • 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • 32124 Pharmacy technicians
  • 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
  • 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 41300 Social workers
  • 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
  • 42201: Social and community service workers

The processing timeframe for BC PNP Skills Immigration and Post-nomination requests remain 3 months respectively. Processing only commences when completed applications are submitted and received by BC PNP.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the city of Calgary, Alberta, you can rent a three bedroom apartment for an average of $2,837 in the city centre. This is according to statistics available on Numbeo.com which are gathered from residents in the city.

Unfortunately, accommodation affordability cannot be the only factor you consider when moving to a new city. We will be reviewing these factors and recommend cities based on statistics to help you make an informed decision.

See below in descending order the list of the cost of renting a similar apartment in the city centre in the province of Alberta:

1. Calgary – $2,837

2. Airdrie – $2,500

3. Edmonton – $2,115

4. Cold lake – $2,000

5. Fort Saskatchewan – $2,000

6. St. Albert – $1,639

7. Medicine Hat – $1,500

8. Grande Prairie – $1,450

9. Lethbridge – $1,125

Did we leave out any? Would you like to ask some questions? Are you interested in studying in Canada? Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Start the journey by sending an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The province of Ontario announced on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 that they will be giving 96% of study permit applications to public funded universities and 4% to private universities, language schools, and other institutions in the province. Career colleges will not receive any applications.

Institutions offering skilled programs such as STEM, Skilled Trades, Health Human Resources, Childcare and Hospitality will be prioritized. French-language enrollment will also be prioritized as employers compete for employees with French-language skills.

This measure is taken by the Ontario government to provide graduate with in-demand jobs and also meet with the demand of the province’s labour market.

See below criteria that will be used to issue applications to the institutions

  • Institution must prioritize programs in the high-demand fields: skilled trades, human resources in health, STEM, hospitality, and child care.
  • an institution cannot exceed the 2023 permission levels.
  • as a last safety measure, the proportion of foreign permits cannot go above 55% of the institution’s first-year domestic enrollment in 2023 (except in high-demand sectors).

IRCC announced putting a cap on study permit applications for international students January of 2024, this cap does not include those enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs and those in kindergarten through grade 12.

The allocation of study permits to an individual institution for 2024 and 2025 cannot exceed the number of permits Ontario issued in 2023 and the ratio of international permits cannot exceed 55% (exclusive of high-demand areas) of the institution’s 2023 first-year domestic enrollment.

Applications for 22 out of 23 universities will remain at the 2023 level. Algoma university is the only university to witness a decrease in 2023 applications.

A total of 11 of Ontario’s 24 public colleges will also maintain applications at the 2023 level. Conestoga College and other public-private college partnerships will see a huge decline in application.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 27, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In a targeted round of invitation announced on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, British Columbia invited over 126 candidates for permanent residency under both Express Entry and BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream.

Profiles under the 35 Tech Occupations, early child educators, 39 healthcare-related occupations and 25 construction-related occupations,

See below details of the latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
March 26, 2024 Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 85 28
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 90 21
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 85 30
Targeting 35 tech occupations 114 47
Veterinary care 85

See below full list of Construction Occupations:

  1. 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
  2. 72102 Sheet metal workers
  3. 72103 Boilermakers
  4. 72104: Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  5. 72105 Ironworkers
  6. 72106: Welders and related machine operators
  7. 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  8. 72201: Industrial electricians
  9. 72300 Plumbers
  10. 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  11. 72302 Gas fitters
  12. 72310 Carpenters
  13. 72311 Cabinetmakers
  14. 72320 Bricklayers
  15. 72400: Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  16. 72401: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  17. 72402: Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  18. 72,500 Crane operators
  19. 73100 Concrete finishers
  20. 73101 Tilesetters
  21. 73102: Plasterers, drywall installers, finishers and lathers
  22. 73110 Roofers and shinglers
  23. 73111 Glaziers
  24. 73112: Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  25. 73113 Floor covering installers

See below full list of eligible Healthcare-related Occupations

  • 30010 Managers in health care
  • 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • 31101 Specialists in surgery
  • 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
  • 31110 Dentists
  • 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 31120 Pharmacists
  • 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
  • 31200 Psychologists
  • 31201 Chiropractors
  • 31202 Physiotherapists
  • 31203: Occupational therapists
  • 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 31209 Other professional occupations in health: diagnosing and treating
  • 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 31302 Nurse practitioners
  • 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • 32101: Licensed practical nurses
  • 32102 Paramedical occupations
  • 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 32110 Denturists
  • 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • 32112: Dental technologists and technicians
  • 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 32121 Medical radiation technologists
  • 32122 Medical sonographers
  • 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • 32124 Pharmacy technicians
  • 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
  • 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 41300 Social workers
  • 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
  • 42201: Social and community service workers

See below full list of eligible Tech Occupations

  1. 10030 Telecommunication carriers managers
  2. 20012 Computer and information systems managers
  3. 21100: Physicists and astronomers
  4. 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  5. 21211 Data scientists
  6. 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
  7. 21221 Business systems specialists
  8. 21222 Information systems specialists
  9. 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
  10. 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
  11. 21231: Software engineers and designers
  12. 21232: Software developers and programmers
  13. 21233 Web designers
  14. 21234 Web developers and programmers
  15. 21300 Civil engineers
  16. 21301 Mechanical engineers
  17. 21310: Electrical and electronics engineers
  18. 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  19. 21320 Chemical engineers
  20. 21399 Other professional engineers
  21. 22110: Biological technologists and technicians
  22. 22220 Computer network and web technicians
  23. 22221: User support technicians
  24. 22222 Information systems testing technicians
  25. 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  26. 22312: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  27. 50011 Managers: publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
  28. 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
  29. 51112 Technical writers
  30. 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  31. 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  32. 52112 Broadcast technicians
  33. 52113: Audio and video recording technicians
  34. 52120: Graphic designers and illustrators
  35. 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

 

The processing time frame for BC PNP Skills Immigration and Post-nomination request remains three months respectively. Applications are only processed when completed applications are submitted by applicants and received by BC PNP.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 27, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the second Express Entry Draw announced this week on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, IRCC sent 1,500 invitations to apply for PR in a category-based selection draw for French language proficiency.

Profiles with minimum CRS score of 388 were invited in this round of invitation.

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in 2024

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388
March 25 General 1,980 524
March 13 Transport occupations 975 430
March 12 General 2,850 525
February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336
February 28 General 1,470 534
February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437
February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422
February 13 General 1,490 535
February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365
January 31 General 730 541
January 23 General 1,040 543
January 10 General 1,510 546

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

As announced by IRCC on the 22nd of January, 2024, all provinces are required to issue Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) based on the allocation of study permits they receive within the newly implemented cap on study permits for 2024.

All provinces were given until March 31, 2024 to begin issuing the letters to international students. New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador have joined British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec on the list of provinces that have carried out this task.

Details on getting a PAL in New Brunswick

IRCC states that New Brunswick has had a PAL process in place since March 18. International students are required to contact their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to find out how to apply.

After application, the DLI will then request for PAL from the province which would take a duration of two weeks to get a response.

On receipt of the PAL document, students can now submit their final study permit application alongside the completed PAL document.

Details on getting a PAL in Saskatchewan

According to IRCC, the PAL process for Saskatchewan has been in place since March 13, 2024. International students are advised to contact their DLI to get their PAL.

No additional details on getting a PAL yet from any of the province’s most prominent post-secondary institutions.

Details on getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of March 19, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s PAL system has been put in place. International students are advised to contact their DLI to apply for their PAL.

Memorial University in St. John’s has the largest number of international students of any DLI in the province. The institution says it will contact admitted students via email to collect any additional information required for the attestation letter process, this will begin with students who intend to start in the May 2024 semester.

Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

 

 

March 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the latest Express Entry Draw announced on Monday, March 25, 2024, a total of 1,980 invitations to apply were sent in a general round of invitation.

Profiles with CRS score of 524 and above were considered in this round of invitation.

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in March

Description March 25, 2024 March 13, 2024 March 12, 2024
Draw type General or all program draws Targeted draw for 10 transport occupations General or all program draws
Invitations 1,980 975 2,850
CRS Cutoff 524 430 525
Tie-breaking rule February 25, 2024 July 31, 2023 March 12, 2024

See below Express Entry CRS Score distribution

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 987
501-600 10,573
451-500 60,108
491-500 8,065
481-490 10,499
471-480 17,083
461-470 13,275
451-460 11,186
401-450 50,569
441-450 10,174
431-440 10,410
421-430 9,186
411-420 10,414
401-410 10,385
351-400 55,099
301-350 28,536
0-300 5,348
Total 211,220

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com