Canada Immigration Update
IRCC announces new measures to address Canada's Labour shortage
On April 22, 2022 the Minister of Immigration Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced that Express Entry draws will resume in early July 2022. This follows comments made that candidates could expect to see invitations in 'spring' 2022. The anticipated re-start on the issuance of invitations to apply is welcome new to many. This comes after what will be nearly 10 months of no draws for Canadian Experience Class applicants and over 2.5 years of no draws under the Federal Skilled Worker and Skilled Trades categories.
The Minister also announced a new temporary policy that will give recent international graduates an opportunity to stay in Canada longer. Starting at some point in 'summer 2022' post-graduate work permit holders whose work permits expire between January and December 2022 will be eligible to request an additional open work permit for up to 18 months. No specific instructions have been released on this planned program. There have been calls for the Minister to expand eligibility for those whose work permits expired in the Fall 2021. We await further instructions on this program from IRCC.
To read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/04/new-measures-to-address-canadas-labour-shortage.html
New partnership to help Ukrainians come to Canada
On April 20, 2022, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund, which is being launched in partnership with a number of local settlement organizations and Air Canada.
The program allows Canadians and Canadian companies to donate Aeroplan points to the Travel Fund. There is also a mechanism for donating cash, with the goal of bringing at least 10,000 Ukrainians and their families on flights to Canada.
Ukrainians and accompanying family members with valid Canadian travel documents who have been approved for travel to Canada are eligible to apply.
To read more: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/04/new-partnership-to-help-ukrainians-come-to-canada.html
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