On April 12, the Bank of Canada (BoC) announced that it would hold interest rates steady at 4.5%. Interest rates have stayed at 4.5% since January this year, following several increases over the latter half of 2022. This rate is still high, but the absence of an increase in interest rates and the declining rate […]

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If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and are married or in a relationship with a foreign national, you may sponsor that person to join you in Canada and become a permanent resident. Sponsor your family for Canadian immigration You may sponsor a spouse, a common law partner or a conjugal partner either […]

The post What is the difference between Inland and Outland spousal sponsorship? first appeared on CIC News.

This year Canada aims to welcome 465,000 immigrants into the country—an annual influx of people that is crucial for the economy and demography of the world’s second largest nation. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration 2023’s immigration target is ambitious—however Canada has created a functional system of immigration and integration of newcomers—in order […]

The post What settlement services can newcomers access when they arrive in Canada? first appeared on CIC News.

Through the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has the authority to hold foreign nationals (even if they have not committed a crime) in custody until a decision is made on the appropriate next steps. In the case of immigration detention, so-called next steps can include granting a visa […]

The post Exploring the state of immigration detention in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Three provinces held draws this week under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). All of Canada’s provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs to select the economic immigration candidates that they feel have the best chance of becoming economically established, settling in the province, and contributing to the provincial economy. Quebec has […]

The post Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba invite candidates this week in latest PNP draws first appeared on CIC News.

Although Canada welcomes millions of visitors, workers, students and immigrants each year, each individual must meet admissibility requirements before being allowed to enter into the country. Schedule a Free Legal Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm If you are a foreign national who has been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may be […]

The post Ways to overcome criminal inadmissibility to Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing instructions to provide guidance about how they assess a principal applicant’s ability to become economically established under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP is main pathway for economic class immigrants in Canada. Each year, IRCC releases an Immigration Levels Plan, in which permanent residence […]

The post How IRCC determines if a PNP candidate can economically establish in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

At the start of 2023, Statistics Canada revealed its updated Index of Remoteness (IOR), a study that looked to establish a “remoteness” score to every habitable place in Canada. Learn more about Canadian immigration and discover your options The study assessed different kinds of “Census Subdivisions (CSD)” i.e.: Cities, Municipalities, Villages, Townships, etc.—across Canada—to determine […]

The post Where can I move in Canada and still be connected to a big city? first appeared on CIC News.

IRCC has held another Express Entry draw. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a total of 3,500 invitations to apply (ITAs) to candidates in an all-program draw. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 486. In an all-program draw, candidates are considered from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) the Federal Skilled Worker […]

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Canada’s federal and provincial skilled worker immigration programs require that you complete a language test. The language test requirement applies to the federal Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Canada’s other various skilled worker streams. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Completing a language test is necessary to demonstrate that […]

The post What are language test requirements for Canadian immigration? first appeared on CIC News.

New spending for healthcare was highlighted as a top priority in Canada’s Budget 2023. Healthcare is a provincial /territorial responsibility but due to pressure on the system caused by labour shortages and lack of funding before the COVID-19 pandemic (which intensified the situation), the provincial and territorial governments have requested more funding from the federal […]

The post Canadian government to spend an extra $200 billion in healthcare over the next decade first appeared on CIC News.

Ontario is investing $25 million more over the next three years, on top of the $15 million over three years that was announced in Budget 2022, to double Ontario’s skilled immigrant intake. The investment will work to address labour shortages and promote economic growth in the province. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration […]

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Statistics Canada released a study in 2022 which examined the relationship between pre-immigration study in Canada and post immigration earnings. Discover your options to study in Canada One of the main findings of the study was that during the first two years after immigration, economic principal applicants with Canadian study experience earned considerably more than […]

The post Report: Immigrants who studied in Canada earned more first appeared on CIC News.

Five provinces have issued invitations in the most recent round of draws through provincial immigration programs. Most provinces invite candidates through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These programs allow provincial governments to select economic immigration candidates who are the most likely to integrate easily into the provincial economy and contribute to the labour force. These provinces […]

The post Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Alberta issue invitations through provincial immigration programs first appeared on CIC News.

April 7 – April 10 marks this year’s Easter weekend in Canada, including Good Friday and Easter Monday. Easter is a holiday celebrated by people of the Christian faith around the world, commemorating the belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Canada, 19.3 million Canadians reported a Christian religion according to the […]

The post How do Canadians celebrate Easter? first appeared on CIC News.

Dual intent is present when a foreign national has applied, or may apply, for permanent residence in Canada but has also applied to enter Canada for a temporary period of time as a visitor, student or worker. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration On April 5th, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated […]

The post IRCC: It is legitimate for temporary residents to intend to apply for immigration first appeared on CIC News.

Starting April 6, 2023, some current and former Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders may be eligible for an 18-month Open Work Permit. More information can be found on IRCC’s website. The application window will be open until December 31, 2023. The benefit of obtaining this Open Work Permit is eligible individuals will be able to […]

The post How those with an expiring PGWP can apply for an Open Work Permit first appeared on CIC News.

Canada is proud to be multicultural and the home to newcomers of diverse religious beliefs and backgrounds. Under the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, Canadians, regardless of their immigration status, are guaranteed freedom of thought, belief, and expression. Similarly, the Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the ground of religion, as does […]

The post How Canadians are celebrating Passover first appeared on CIC News.

In March 2023, Express Entry hit four major milestones, including setting a record for the most Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued in a single all-program draw since the application management system began operating in 2015. Express Entry is an application management system run by Canada’s federal government, used to cumulatively manage immigration applications from three […]

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Canada is known for its quality of life. As a newcomer to the country, you may be especially eager to start strong. You want to feel financially secure and on the right track as you embrace your new life in Canada. The good news is that there are several excellent ways to save money. Here […]

The post How newcomers can save money in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Canada’s government is making it easier for newcomers, as well as Canadians, to purchase a home. Last week, the government announced it was reducing some of restrictions of an Act that made it difficult for non-Canadians to purchase residential property. Also, as of April 1st, financial institutions are now able to offer tax-free first-home savings […]

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Data from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that 19,160 invitations to apply (ITAs) went to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in 2022. The total number of ITAs issued was 37,315 meaning 51% of ITAs in 2022 went to PNP candidates. Receiving an ITA means IRCC is considering the candidate as a […]

The post IRCC: Over half of Express Entry invitations went to PNP candidates in 2022 first appeared on CIC News.

When we hear the word ‘inadmissibility’ in the scope of Canadian immigration, it is much more likely that we consider criminality than medical inadmissibility. However, according to the most recent available data from 2019, medical inadmissibility prevents around 1,400 immigration applicants from entering Canada every year. This makes medical inadmissibility a topic worthy of increased […]

The post Understanding medical inadmissibility to Canada first appeared on CIC News.

British Columbia and Prince Edward Island have invited candidates in the most recent round of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws. Immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces and both forms of government see the PNP as an efficient method for selecting the candidates who will fulfill the immigration minister’s mandate […]

The post British Columbia and Prince Edward Island issue invitations in latest PNP draws first appeared on CIC News.

In a move designed to “keep pace with inflation”, Canada’s federal minimum wage will be increasing by $1.10 as of today. In the words of Canada’s Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., “the cost of living is rising, so we’re making sure that wages keep going up too. We’re looking after workers, because that’s how […]

The post Canada increasing the federal minimum wage by 7 percent on April 1 first appeared on CIC News.