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 …

Caregivers to Benefit from Reduced Work Experience Requirements and Pathways to Permanent Residence in Canada

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information

On February 10, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant changes to the caregiver program. Effective April 30, 2023, the amount of work experience required in Canada for a caregiver to qualify for permanent residence will be reduced from 24 months to 12 months, and some spaces in the program will be reserved for caregivers who have prior …

Government of Canada Announces Expansion and Opening of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Employment, Newcomer Information

On January 9, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the International Experience Canada (IEC) program is now accepting applications from international youth interested in coming to Canada to gain work and travel experiences. International youth bring valuable and diverse skills to Canada’s economy through the IEC program, while Canadian youth also benefit from gaining international experience through working and traveling …

Canada Welcomes Record Number of Newcomers in 2022

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information

On January 3, 2023, the Government of Canada announced it welcomed 431,645 new permanent residents in 2022, representing the largest number of people ever welcomed in a year, in Canadian history. Canada has experienced one of the fastest recoveries from the pandemic, thanks in large part to its approach to immigration. Newcomers enrich our communities, and contribute to our economy …

Canada Expands Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) Program to Help More Skilled Refugees

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

On December 13, 2022, the Government of Canada announced new funding for partner organizations to help expand Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to more skilled refugees. Over the next few years, Canada is aiming to work with employers and communities across the country to expand the pilot and welcome 2,000 skilled refugees to fill specific labour shortages in high-demand …

Canada announces 16 new occupations now eligible for permanent residence

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

On November 16, 2022, the Government of Canada announced the implementation of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 for immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system. Using the new NOC categories will allow Canada to bring in global talent in high-demand sectors like health care, construction, and transportation. Foreign nationals with work experience in the following 16 occupations are now eligible …

Canada Unveils Plan to Welcome 1.4 million Immigrants between 2023 and 2025

Lejia Feng Citizenship & Immigration, Newcomer Information, Updates

On November 1, 2022, the Government of Canada announced its 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan, setting the target to welcome around 500,000 immigrants per year by 2025. The announcement signals a significant increase from the 405,000 immigrants that came to Canada last year to the 465,000 expected to arrive next year and 485,000 in 2024. It will further rise to 500,000 …