CANADIAN IMMIGRATION UPDATES 2021

In today’s post, we are going to talk about federal and provincial immigration updates.

Canada is planning to welcome 1,233,000 new permanent residents over the next three years in an effort to use immigration to fuel an economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 and balance the potentially negative fiscal impacts shaped by Canada’s aging population and low birth rate.

The 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan aims to welcome about 60% of all immigrants under economic class programs.

The government continues to focus on innovative and community-driven approaches to address diverse labor and demographic needs across the country and a renewed commitment to capacity-building and digital transformation in Canada’s immigration system, to support operations and mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the processing of applications.

French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive additional points under the Express Entry system. IRCC increases points under Express Entry for French-speaking and bilingual candidates. The points increase from 15 to 25 for French-speaking candidates and from 30 to 50 for bilingual candidates.

Canada aims to admit 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec by 2023. This new initiative is meant to help Canada reach this target.

A commitment to admit up to 500 refugees over the next 2 years through the Economic Mobility Pathways Project, an innovative approach that helps qualified refugees apply for permanent residence through existing economic immigration pathways.

A pathway to permanent residency for eligible asylum claimants who were working on the front lines of the pandemic between March 13 and August 14, 2020, providing direct care to patients in health-care institutions.

IRCC opened the 2020 parent and grandparent interest to sponsor form online. The sponsor form was available for 3 weeks, from October 13 to November 3. Once IRCC has reviewed the submissions, potential sponsors will be randomly selected and will be invited via email to submit their applications later this year or early in 2021.

The Canadian government has launched an online platform for Canadian citizenship applicants to take the test online. This was due to the suspension of in-person tests, because of the pandemic.

Another government innovation in the area of technology is the ArriveCAN app, developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. Travelers are required to use the app prior to arriving in Canada to provide their basic traveler information, as required by recent emergency orders under the Quarantine Act.

Canada and Italy sign a new youth mobility agreement
Canadian and Italian youth between 18 and 35 years old by allowing them to work and travel for 12 months; candidates can participate twice for a total of 24 months. Youth will also be able to gain professional work experience with the addition of 2 streams: International Co-op and Young Professionals.

Provincial immigration news:

New Brunswick: Announced that students enrolled in higher education will be able to apply for permanent residency through the NBPNP while studying.

Ontario: Committed to launching by spring 2021, a point system to facilitate the application process.

Alberta: Announced a Pathway for students who graduate, can immigrate as entrepreneurs.

Canada offers more than 80 different paths for immigration.
If you want to live in Canada, count on us! We will be happy to help you. Book your consultation now.