Canada Immigration Update

Babel Immigration Law a Finalist in the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence

We are excited to announce that we are a finalist for the Professional Services Provider of the Year award for the 28th Annual Oakville Awards for Business!

To Read more: https://oakvillenews.org/oakville-business-news/oakville-awards-for-business-excellence-finalists-2023/

New Federal Immigration Pathway: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

On March 27, 2023, Minister Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Program. The program will help employers to hire skilled refugees and facilitate their entry to Canada. This new pathway will launch this summer and cater to various skilled applicants in in-demand occupations including nurse aides, personal support workers, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers and technicians, teachers, tourism and hospitality workers and truck and delivery service workers.

To Read More:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/03/tackling-the-labour-shortage-by-helping-more-skilled-refugees-and-other-displaced-people-build-their-careers-in-canada.html

Canada Announces Extension of Post-Graduation Work Permits

On March 17, 2023, The Honourable Sean Fraser announced that international graduates with expired or expiring post-graduation work permits now qualify for extensions of up to 18 months to stay in Canada for a longer duration. As of April 6, 2023, post-graduation work permit holders wanting to remain in Canada for a longer period or wish to extend their work permit will be able to log into their online IRCC account to update their personal information and facilitate the process of extending their current work permits.

To Read More: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/03/canada-announces-extension-of-post-graduation-work-permits-for-up-to-18-months-to-retain-high-skilled-talent.html.

U.S. Immigration Update

USCIS Completed FY 2024 H-1B Cap Selection Process

USCIS has recieved enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the H-1B cap of 85,000. This includes regular and advanced-degree selection lotteries. USCIS has not yet released the final number of cap registrations.The petition filing period will be from April 1 to June 30, 2023.

If USCIS does not receive enough H-1B cap petitions during this period, there may be subsequent lottery selections.

USCIS Announces end of COVID-19 Flexibilities

On March 23, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that flexibilities set in March 2020 to address the Covid-19 pandemic have now ended. Applicants are urged to respond to any notices dated after March 23, 2023, by the deadlines listed on the notices or request.

This includes:

Request for Evidence;
Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
Notices of Intent to Deny;
Notices of Intent to Revoke;
Notices of Intent to Rescind;
Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers;
Notices of Intent to Withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and
Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant.

Express Entry Update March 2023

This month saw three all-program Express Entry Draws, with IRCC issuing a total of 7,000 invitations to apply in each round. On March 15, 2023, invitations to apply were issued to candidates with a CRS score of 490 or higher, on March 23, 2023, invitations to apply were issued to candidates with a CRS score of 484 or higher and on March 29, 2023, invitations to apply were issued to candidates with a CRS score of 481 or higher.

As an alternative strategy to the Express Entry route, a number of Provincial Nominee Programs are actively issuing invitations and processing applications. On March 14, 2023, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program ("OINP") held two draws under the International Student Stream. In the first draw, a total of 606 invitations were to candidates in healthcare and technology occupations, with a CRS Score range of 70 or higher. The second draw had a total of 300 invitations were to candidates in skilled trades occupations with a CRS score range of 74 or higher.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program ("BCPNP") had numerous draws throughout March for applicants in Targeted draws such as Childcare, Healthcare, Tech, and other priority occupations. Their latest draw was a General Draw, which took place on March 21, 2023, 202 invitations were issued to applicants in this category.

To read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/ministerial-instructions/express-entry-rounds.html

BABELIMMIGRATIONLAW.COM

Babel Immigration Law a Finalist in the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence

Canada Immigration Update

Babel Immigration Law a Finalist in the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence

New Federal Immigration Pathway: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)

Canada Announces Extension of Post-Graduation Work Permits

To Read More: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/03/canada-announces-extension-of-post-graduation-work-permits-for-up-to-18-months-to-retain-high-skilled-talent.html.

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