Celebrating Citizenship Week: Canada welcomes over 13,500 new Canadians

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration

Becoming a Canadian citizen is a remarkable milestone, representing the culmination of an immigration journey filled with hopes and dreams. Each year, Citizenship Week provides a momentous occasion to celebrate the diversity, history, and culture that define Canada and its citizens. In line with its commitment to modernizing services, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made significant strides in …

Canada Unveils New Canadian Passport with Enhanced Security and Designs

Lejia Feng Newcomer Information

The Canadian passport holds immense significance as a powerful travel document globally, symbolizing connection, exploration, and the culmination of an immigration journey towards Canadian citizenship. Today, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, proudly introduce the newly redesigned Canadian passport. This comprehensive transformation encompasses state-of-the-art …

Canada Introduces Immigration Measures to Support Sudanese Temporary Residents Amidst Crisis

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News

In light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Sudan, the Government of Canada has announced new immigration measures to assist Sudanese temporary residents currently in Canada who may be unable to return home. Under these upcoming measures, Sudanese nationals will have the opportunity to apply for an extension of their stay in Canada and seamlessly transition between temporary streams. This …

Government to provide a new grocery rebate for Canadians

Lejia Feng Finance, Newcomer Information

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) highlighted Budget 2023’s initiatives to support the most vulnerable Canadians by providing a new Grocery Rebate. The Grocery Rebate, aimed at providing targeted inflation relief to 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians and families, will offer up to $467 for eligible couples with children, an additional $234 for single Canadians without children, and …

Canada to Extend Work Permits for International Graduates to Address Labour Shortage

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Employment, Newcomer Information, Settlement News

Employers in Canada are experiencing unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining the workers they need for economic recovery and growth. In response to this, Government of Canada has announced that foreign nationals with recently expired or expiring post-graduation work permits (PGWP) will now qualify for an extended work permit to remain longer and gain more work experience, for up to …

Canada invests $1.1M to support Tech Connect program for racialized newcomer women in Metro Vancouver

Lejia Feng Employment, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

The Canadian Government is committed to ensuring that all women and girls have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, including those who face unique challenges such as racialized newcomer women. To support their employment, the YWCA of Metro Vancouver will receive up to $1.1 million over two years under the Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot, announced by Marie-France Lalonde, …

Canada Opens New Application Processing Centre in Manila to Boost Immigration in Indo-Pacific Region

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

Canada has announced the opening of a new application processing centre in Manila, Philippines, as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy to foster ties between Canadians and the region. The new centre, located within Canada’s Embassy in Manila, will be supported by 37 new employees and will help boost immigration application processing within Canada’s centralized network, as well as abroad. This …

Canada Announces New Measures to Support Iranian Temporary Residents

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Community, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News, Updates

Canada has announced new measures to support Iranian temporary residents in the country. The measures, effective March 1, 2023, will make it easier for Iranians to extend their temporary status in Canada and to move between temporary streams, allowing them to continue studying, working, or visiting family by applying for a new permit from inside Canada. In addition, an open …

In 2022, Canada Welcomed the Highest Number of Francophone Newcomers Since 2006

Nicole H. Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

In 2022, Canada achieved its target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. This is a significant jump of 3.02% (from 1.38% to 4.4%) between 2006 and 2022. These Francophone newcomers contribute to the development of Canadian communities outside Quebec and to the diversity of our country’s cultural and linguistic landscape. They also help strengthen our economy. Francophone immigration outside …

Canada extends and expands the open work permit program for residents of Hong Kong

Nicole H. Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Settlement & Community News, Settlement News

On February 6, 2023, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that Canada is extending and expanding the open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong residents. Canada is extending the deadline to apply to February 7, 2025. It is also expanding eligibility to Hong Kong residents who have graduated within the past 10 years from …