Nova Scotia disclosed its international student allocation for post-secondary institutions
In 2024, Nova Scotia received 12,900 study permits, a reduction of 7,000 from the previous year. As of 2023, the province was home to 16,000 international students. These permits are distributed among 32 designated learning institutions (DLIs), with 11,565 earmarked for universities and the Nova Scotia Community College. The remainder is allocated to private career colleges (710) and language schools (526), with 99 set aside for unexpected requirements. Brian Wong, the Minister of Advanced Education, is committed to securing a larger allocation. For 2024, Canada plans to issue 360,000 study permits, a drop of 35% from 2023.
Canada extended the validity of interim work permits for international graduates
Canada has extended the validity of interim work authorization letters for international graduates awaiting work permit decisions from 120 to 180 days. These letters, issued by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allow graduates to work full time while awaiting their work permit decision, provided they applied before their study permit expiry and meet certain conditions. Conditions include having a valid study permit at the time of application, completion of study, meeting off-campus work requirements, and not exceeding allowable work hours. Holders of interim work authorization can continue working even after leaving and returning to Canada, although a valid temporary resident visa may be required.
Will IRCC hold Canadian Experience Class draws?
On March 21, 2024, Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), announced plans to increase domestic draws for transitioning temporary residents to permanent ones in Canada. This suggests a possible return of Express Entry Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws. The last CEC draw was on September 14, 2021, with 2000 CEC applicants invited and a CRS cut-off of 462. Since September 2021, IRCC has shifted from CEC to general, PNP, and Category-based draws. The return of CEC draws may not significantly impact the CRS cut-off due to the trend of general draws.
IRCC invited 2,378 candidates through the IEC
Over the past week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held new draws in the pools of International Experience Canada (IEC). From March 25 to March 31, Canada invited 2,378 young foreigners to apply for an IEC open work permit. As of March 28, 39,783 candidates were registered in the pool and waiting for the invitation. In this round, there were 1 ITA for Andorra, 10 ITAs for Australia, 2 ITAs for Austria, 1 ITA for Chile, 4 ITAs for Croatia, 27 ITAs for the Czech Republic, 13 ITAs for Denmark, 1 ITA for Estonia, 10 ITAs for Finland, 2,101 ITAs for France, 23 ITAs for Germany, 9 ITAs for Greece, 6 ITAs for Ireland, 6 ITAs for Italy, 17 ITAs for Korea, 12 ITAs for Lithuania, 3 ITAs for Luxembourg, 11 ITAs for the Netherlands, 6 ITAs for Norway, 3 ITAs for Poland, 27 ITAs for Portugal, 21 ITAs for Slovakia, 3 ITAs for Slovenia, 3 for Spain, 6 ITAs for Sweden, 3 ITAs for Switzerland, 14 ITAs for Taiwan, and 35 ITAs for the United Kingdom. In 2024, Canada issued 55,552 ITAs under the IEC Program.
