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Canada 🍁

Work Off-Campus up to 24 Hours Weekly
November 15, 2024

As of November 8, 2024, IRCC now allows international students to work up to 24 hours per week off-campus during regular academic sessions. This change offers more flexibility to support your finances while studying, compared to the earlier 20-hour limit. read more

New Requirements for Changing Colleges
November 15, 2024

Moving forward, international students must apply and be approved for a new study permit before changing their designated learning institution (DLI). This change aligns with IRCC's ongoing efforts to strengthen the integrity of the International Student Program. read more

Canada's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: Key Points
October 24, 2024

  • Reduced Permanent Resident Targets: Admissions are set at 395,000 for 2025, 380,000 for 2026, and 365,000 for 2027, down from the previous target of 500,000 annually.
  • Inclusion of Temporary Resident Targets: For the first time, the plan includes specific targets for temporary residents, such as international students and foreign workers, aiming to manage their intake to 5% of Canada's population by 2026.
  • Focus on Economic Stability: The adjustments aim to balance labor market needs with housing availability and infrastructure capacity, addressing concerns over rapid population growth.
  • Emphasis on In-Canada Applicants: Over 40% of permanent resident admissions in 2025 are expected to be individuals already residing in Canada, facilitating smoother integration into the workforce.
  • Support for Critical Sectors: The plan prioritizes economic immigration, with a focus on sectors like healthcare and skilled trades, to address specific labor shortages.
  • Commitment to Family Reunification and Humanitarian Efforts: Family reunification remains a priority, maintaining 22% of overall admissions, while refugee and humanitarian programs account for 15%.
  • Enhancement of French-Speaking Immigration: The plan includes higher targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, aiming for 8.5% in 2025, increasing to 10% by 2027.
  • Temporary Residents (TRs): To address rapid population growth, Canada plans to reduce temporary residents (TRs) to 5% of the population by 2026. Under the 2025–27 Levels Plan, targets for new TR arrivals are set at 673,650 in 2025, decreasing to 516,600 in 2026. Priorities include reducing student permits by 10% in 2025 and focusing on essential workers, especially in primary agriculture, to support food security. Seasonal workers, who stay less than 270 days, are not counted in these targets.

read more

New Language Requirements for PGWP Starting
November 1, 2024

🎓 University Graduates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD):

  • Required to score at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

🏫 College/Non-University Graduates:

  • Must achieve a minimum of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French across all four language skills.

Field of Study Requirements 📚

  • University Graduates: Eligible regardless of field.
  • College/Non-University Graduates: No specific field requirements if the study permit application was submitted before November 1, 2024.

Note: If your study permit application was submitted before November 1, 2024, you will need to complete a language test for PGWP eligibility.

Accepted Language Tests (must be valid within two years) ✅

  • English: CELPIP (General), IELTS (General), PTE Core
  • French: TEF Canada, TCF Canada

read more

New Eligibility List for 3-Year PGWP Applies After 🎓
November 1, 2024

Only programs on an approved eligibility list will qualify for a 3-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) under new rules. This list applies to students submitting applications after November 1, 2024, offering clear guidance on the educational programs that allow for extended work opportunities in Canada. read more

Ontario 🌳

Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream Closed
November 4, 2024

Ontario’s Entrepreneur Stream to Close Amid New Regulatory Amendments. read more

Ontario's Skilled Trades Need: 500,000 New Workers Over the Next Decade
November 01, 2024

The Ontario government has appointed Candice White as the new CEO for Skilled Trades Ontario (STO), effective November 25, 2024. Ms. White will lead efforts to modernize services, promote skilled trades as a career choice, and expand Ontario’s skilled trades workforce, which includes over 1.3 million workers and 102,000 apprentices.

With Ontario expecting a demand for more than 500,000 additional skilled trades workers over the next decade, STO’s initiatives aim to streamline certification and improve support for apprentices, making it easier for newcomers and international students to join in-demand trades careers. read more

Minimum Wage
October 1, 2024

As of October 1, 2024 the New minimum wage in Ontario will rise to $ 17.20.

British Columbia 🌲

BC PNP 2023 Statistical Report and Year in Review released.
July 30, 2024

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has published its 2023 Statistical Report and Year in Review.

This report provides detailed statistics on the program, including the number of nominations issued, nominee occupations, salary ranges, countries of origin, and the regional distribution of nominees across the province. It also outlines the strategic priorities set by the province and the performance measures used to assess the program's outcomes. read more

BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot
May 27, 2024

The BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot is now a permanent stream. Entrepreneurs looking to start businesses in B.C.’s rural, interior, and coastal communities can apply through this stream to immigrate. For more on business opportunities in participating regions, visit the Regional stream page. read more

Upcoming Changes to the BC PNP Student Streams
March 19, 2024

The BC PNP will update its program in January 2025. Changes include three new graduate streams (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate) and higher language requirements (minimum CLB 8 is currently planned for the new graduate streams).

The existing International Graduate and International Post-Graduate streams will be replaced by three new categories:

  • Bachelor’s Stream: Open to recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree from eligible institutions. Applicants must have an indeterminate full-time job offer to qualify.
  • Master’s Stream: Designed for recent master’s degree graduates in any field from eligible institutions. Applicants need a full-time job offer in a skilled occupation lasting at least one year.
  • Doctorate Stream: For graduates and current doctoral candidates from eligible institutions. PhD graduates and candidates can apply directly to this stream.

Full details will be available in late 2024. read more

Additional information about changes in 2025 (PDF, <1MB)

Saskatchewan 🚜

Saskatchewan Introduces New Immigration Pathways for Agriculture and Health Care
August 30, 2024

Saskatchewan’s Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has launched two pathways to address workforce needs in agriculture and health care. The Agriculture Talent Pathway supports labor demand in the sector, while the Health Talent Pathway streamlines recruitment for international health workers. These pathways align with Saskatchewan’s plan to strengthen its workforce and support economic growth.

For more details on the Agriculture Talent Pathway, visit: www.saskatchewan.ca/sinp-ag-talent

For more details on the Health Talent Pathway, visit: www.saskatchewan.ca/sinp-health-talent

Alberta 🛢️

Alberta's new worker streams expression of interest
September 23, 2024

➡️ Submit your Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) via the AAIP portal for a chance to apply to Alberta worker streams. 📝

➡️ Points-based ranking system (max 100 points) : will decide selections from the Worker Stream pool, based on EOI scores and labour market needs. 📊

➡️ Draws to begin mid-late October 2024 – no need to rush! 🕒 Take time to review eligibility and the EOI points grid.

➡️ Only one EOI allowed per candidate! Make sure to withdraw any existing applications before submitting your Worker EOI. 🚫

🎉 No fee to submit!

read more

2-year open work permit
August 26, 2024

Alberta's new policy offers a 2-year open work permit to support your PR journey to Alberta Opportunity and Rural Renewal Stream nominees!

read more

Moving Bonus

Alberta is offering a one-time, tax-free $5,000 bonus for up to 2,000 skilled tradespeople who move to the province, work in qualifying occupations, and meet eligibility criteria. Applications open on May 1, 2025, and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Eligibility Highlights:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18 or older
  • Moved to Alberta between May 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024
  • Lived in Alberta for at least 12 months by application time and be an Alberta tax resident. read more

Manitoba 🌾

Minimum Wage
October 1, 2024

As of October 1, 2024 the New Minimum Wage in Manitoba will rise to $15.80.

Two-Year Work Permit Extensions for Provincial Nominee Candidates
September 18, 2024

Starting September 18, 2024, Manitoba will accept applications for Support Letters allowing eligible Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program candidates with work permits expiring in 2024 to apply for a two-year Manitoba-specific work permit extension.

Check full details for candidate criteria and application steps under the Temporary Public Policy. read more

Temporary Work Permit Extensions for Skilled Workers
September 5, 2024

The Manitoba government is enabling eligible skilled workers with expiring permits to extend their stay while applying to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). This agreement with the federal government aims to retain up to 6,700 skilled workers, offering them a pathway to citizenship and helping address Manitoba’s labor needs. The government is also adding five temporary positions to expedite application processing and fully utilize its 2024 nominee allocation. For more details, visit the official policy page. read more

Prince Edward Island: 🍓

Date: October 1, 2024

Minimum Wage: As of October 1, 2024 the New will rise to $ 16.00.

New Brunswick: 🦞

Temporarily Paused:

  • The New Brunswick Atlantic Immigration Program
  • The New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot
  • The Exploratory Visit connection under the New Brunswick Strategic Initiative
Notice: Effective November 15, 2024, we will no longer accept or process Employer Expressions of Interest (EOIs) under the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) for the rest of the year. Our full candidate allocation for 2024 has been met. Please check our website for updates. If you received an Employer Invitation to Apply (ITA), you can still submit your full Employer Designation application. Applications already submitted will continue to be assessed.
Notice: Effective November 15, 2024, the Exploratory Visit connection under the NB Strategic Initiative is paused. No new ITAs will be issued until further notice. EOIs already in the system are valid for 365 days from submission. Please note that completing an Exploratory Visit does not guarantee an ITA.
Notice: Effective November 15, 2024, the issuance of new nomination certificates under the New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot is paused for the rest of the year. Our full allocation for 2024 has been reached. Candidates who receive an ITA may still submit their full nomination application.

Several New Brunswick and Atlantic immigration streams have reached their 2024 limits, resulting in temporary pauses on new applications for the remainder of the year. Key details are as follows:

  • Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
    • Effective September 18, 2024, new endorsement applications under the AIP are paused for the rest of 2024 due to reaching the annual allocation.
    • Applications fully submitted before this date will continue to be processed.
    • Employer Designation applications will still be accepted.
  • New Brunswick Express Entry Stream
    • Effective August 16, 2024, the issuance of new Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the New Brunswick Express Entry stream has been paused for the year as the allocation limit has been met.
    • Applications submitted before August 16, 2024, will be processed as usual.
    • Candidates who received an ITA before this date are still eligible to submit their full nomination applications.
  • New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream
    • As of August 29, 2024, the issuance of new ITAs under the New Brunswick Skilled Worker stream is paused for the remainder of 2024.
    • Applications submitted before August 29, 2024, will be processed, and candidates who received an ITA before this date may submit their complete nomination applications.

These pauses reflect the fulfillment of annual program allocations for 2024.

source

Newfoundland and Labrador: 🎣

Date: September 24, 2024

Not updated.

Nova Scotia: ⚓

Pause on Accepting Applications

As of 12:00 noon ADT on April 17, 2024, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program has received a high volume of applications in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. To focus on processing the current inventory, the program is temporarily halting new applications for this sector. read more

Quebec: 🍁

Date: September 24, 2024

Not updated.