Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan have all increased the legal minimum hourly wage paid to workers as of October 1. Most increases are incremental and tied to the rate of inflation. For example, in Ontario, the minimum wage has increased from $16.55 an hour to $17.20. The average income of a person making […]

The post Ontario increases minimum wage. Is it enough to live on as a newcomer? first appeared on CIC News.

Virtual citizenship ceremonies have become the norm in Canada. These ceremonies were traditionally held in person, but over the pandemic, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) started conducting virtual ceremonies to abide by social distancing regulations and reduce the backlog. Schedule a Free Canadian Citizenship Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm Despite the lifting […]

The post Here’s what you can expect during your virtual citizenship ceremony in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Alberta is changing how it issues Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to candidates in some Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) pathways. Starting today, September 30, candidates interested in applying to one of the AAIP worker streams will need to submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI). To do so, candidates will need to access the AAIP […]

The post Alberta launches new Expression of Interest system for AAIP Worker Streams first appeared on CIC News.

Having a prior driving under the influence (DUI) offence can render you inadmissible to Canada. If Canadian authorities deem you inadmissible, they may deny you a visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA), or refuse you entry. Schedule a Free Legal Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm  If you plan to travel to Canada and […]

The post Have a DUI? Here are your options for entering Canada first appeared on CIC News.

British Columbia and Ontario have issued more nominations to immigration candidates through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Candidates were invited in two separate draws for their professional experience within in-demand sectors of the Canadian economy or a mixture of their skilled work experience and language abilities in English and French. Note: Each PNP uses its […]

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Those who have had their Canadian study permit rejected may soon benefit from a new pilot project. Canada’s Federal Court has announced the Study Permit Pilot Project, designed to streamline the process of requesting judicial review of rejected study permit applications. It launches on October 1. Discover your options to study in Canada Under the […]

The post Canada launches pilot project to streamline review process for rejected study permits first appeared on CIC News.

During a recent announcement regarding changes to Canada’s temporary resident programs, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced several significant changes to the eligibility criteria for Spousal Open Work Permits (SOWPs). On September 18, Minister Miller noted that the department will be introducing further limits on SOWP eligibility for spouses of students in doctoral and certain master’s […]

The post IRCC reducing Spousal Open Work Permits by more than 100,000 over the next three years first appeared on CIC News.

As a newcomer to Canada, you may be considering buying a home in your new country. It may be exciting to think about but where do you start? Understanding the various types of mortgages may help you make informed decisions. This article can help provide you with some helpful guidance, covering the basics, different mortgage […]

The post Understanding Different Types of Mortgages: Helpful Tips for New Canadians first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will collect your biometrics if you are aged between 14 and 79 and applying for, claiming, or requesting: Canadian temporary residence (excluding U.S. nationals); Canadian permanent residence (including US nationals); or Refugee protection. What are biometrics? Biometrics refers to data that will help confirm your identity. When giving biometrics, […]

The post Do you need to submit biometrics to stay in Canada? first appeared on CIC News.

Canada’s Express Entry system has undergone changes in the last two years. In 2023, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based selection draws under Express Entry—a policy that allows the immigration department to target candidates that meet the country’s economic and demographic goals. So, have these changes made a difference in how the Express […]

The post How many ITAs has Canada issued through Express Entry this year vs. last year? first appeared on CIC News.

Joining a professional association like the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists can help newcomers thrive in their careers. In an increasingly competitive global world, professionals’ career paths are often marked by diverse experiences and educational backgrounds. Navigating a new job market can be challenging for internationally educated professionals (IEPs) due to differences […]

The post How to Unlock Opportunities for Internationally Educated Professionals first appeared on CIC News.

Welcome to Canada! As you settle into this beautiful and diverse country, you’ll find that certain everyday items, like paper products, can play a key role in your daily life. From paper towels to bathroom tissue, facial tissue, and napkins, understanding the variety and usage of paper products available in Canada could help you make […]

The post A Newcomer’s Guide to Paper Products in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Choosing the right National Occupation Classification (NOC) code for one’s work experience can have a huge impact on an immigration application—especially given that different NOC codes qualify for different immigration streams. Selecting an incorrect NOC code increases the risk of misrepresentation (a legal standard applicable to immigration applications that can constitute a type of fraud). […]

The post How to choose the right NOC for your profession first appeared on CIC News.

Over the years, Canada has become a hub for international students thanks to its multi-cultural environment and renowned educational institutions. Choosing the right designated learning institute (DLI) comes with many considerations, especially tuition cost. According to Statistics Canada, the weighted average tuition fees for all full-time international undergraduate students in 2024 is $40,115 annually. Discover […]

The post Here’s how much it costs to study in some of Canada’s top universities as an international student first appeared on CIC News.

Three Canadian provinces have issued invitations for candidates to apply for provincial immigration programs. Ontario and British Columbia have done so through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). PNPs were introduced in 1998 to help spread the benefits of immigration throughout parts of Canada that historically did not attract many newcomers. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship […]

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Many Canadian immigration pathways have a minimum funds requirement. These funds vary depending on the pathway and prove to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that you have enough money to support yourself during the first few months of your stay. This will also make it easier to cover living expenses while finding work and […]

The post How much do I need to save up to move to Canada? first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) in the latest Express Entry draw. The department issued 4,000 ITAs in a draw for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)-only. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 509 to be considered. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Today’s […]

The post IRCC issues 4,000 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates in latest Express Entry draw first appeared on CIC News.

Canada has ranked 4th in the updated U.S. News country rankings for 2024—achieving an overall indexed score of 94.1. Notable performances around scoring factors for quality of life, entrepreneurship, social purpose, and agility helped contribute to the country’s strong ranking. This year, Switzerland took the top spot with an overall indexed score of 100. The […]

The post Canada ranked 4th best country in the world in 2024 first appeared on CIC News.

Starting a business of any size in Canada may be an exciting venture for newcomers, like yourself, looking to establish a foundation within a new country. Along with the excitement, however, comes the responsibility of protecting your investment. If you are a newcomer who is also a business owner, one important step you may wish […]

The post Business Insurance: An Overview for Newcomers to Canada first appeared on CIC News.

“The international student cap is here to stay” according to Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller.   Specifically, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue just 437,000 study permits in 2025. According to the department, this number is based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then […]

The post IRCC announces tighter cap for study permits and changes to PGWP eligibility first appeared on CIC News.

After you’ve landed in Canada for your studies, it might feel hard to stay connected with the people, places, and culture you left behind you. Here are some ways to bridge the gap as you establish your new life as an international student. Get exclusive student discounts with Rogers Stay in Touch Video call friends […]

The post How to Stay Connected to Home as an International Student in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) application backlog has exceeded one million applications for the first time in months. According to the latest data, there were 1,002,400 applications in the backlog as of July 31, 2024, out of 2,364,700 total applications currently in inventory. This means that 1,362,000 applications are being processed within service standards. […]

The post IRCC’s backlog increasing as department looks to reduce temporary resident numbers first appeared on CIC News.

In Canada, permanent residents (PR) enjoy many of the same privileges as citizens, including the ability to live, work, study, and invest in the country. However, there are some distinctions that set the two apart. A Permanent Resident is someone who has been given PR status by immigrating to Canada, but they are not a […]

The post What’s the difference between Canadian permanent residency and Canadian citizenship? first appeared on CIC News.

Destination Canada and Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will hold a virtual job fair for tourism, hospitality, and culinary jobs across Canada (outside of Quebec), on November 13th, 14th and 15th. Registration for the event will begin on September 23rd and close on October 27th, 2024. Participating job seekers will have the option to […]

The post Destination Canada holds virtual job fair for bilingual candidates first appeared on CIC News.

For years, international students have chosen to study in Canada for its reputable universities, diverse environment, and the opportunity to gain work experience in a new country. Getting a Canadian education and eligible work experience can also improve a candidate’s chance of getting permanent residence (PR) in Canada. This is because international students who graduate […]

The post 5 things international students can do to improve their chances at receiving a Canadian PR first appeared on CIC News.