IRCC held the third Express Entry draw for transport occupations
On March 13, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the third round of invitations in the Express Entry system for newcomers with work experience in transport occupations. Express Entry draw #289 was the second consecutive draw of the week, and 975 Invitations to Apply (ITA) were issued to skilled workers with work experience in the transport sector. The cut-off score dropped to 430 points, five points lower than the previous two draws for this category. The tie-breaking rule for this round was July 31, 2023, at 13:27:26 UTC. Throughout 2024, Canada issued 23,215 ITAs across 11 Express Entry draws.
Canada witnessed a surge in Parent and Grandparent Immigration in Early 2024
In January, the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) facilitated a notable increase of 11.6% in new permanent residents compared to December 2023, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data. During January, 1,830 parents and grandparents entered Canada as new permanent residents through the PGP, marking an uptick from the 1,640 in the preceding month. However, this represents an 11.6% decline compared to January 2023 when 2,070 individuals entered through the program. Ontario led the way, welcoming 925 PGP immigrants in January, a substantial 44.4% increase from December’s 690 arrivals. Other provinces and territories also recorded varying numbers of new permanent residents under the PGP. Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut reported 0 new permanent residents under the PGP. Nova Scotia experienced a notable 50% increase, while New Brunswick saw a corresponding 50% decrease in PGP immigration for January.
IRCC concludes temporary special measures for Moroccan nationals
On March 13, 2024, IRCC concluded special measures in response to the 2023 earthquake in Morocco, effective until March 12, 2024. Applications received after this date are ineligible. The instructions offer guidance for processing officers handling applications received until March 12. These measures support Moroccan nationals in Canada post-earthquake. They waive certain fees for stay extensions or condition changes and grant open work permits. Eligibility requires being in Canada on September 8, 2023, with valid temporary resident status. Fee waivers extend to Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Morocco affected by the earthquake who need document replacements for return. Retroactive to September 8, 2023, these measures last until March 12, 2024. IRCC prioritizes processing existing overseas temporary residence applications, including family members of citizens or residents in affected areas. Priority processing is not needed for in-Canada clients seeking temporary resident status extensions.
Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program sees surge with nearly 500 new permanent residents in January
In January 2024, nearly 500 immigrant entrepreneurs gained permanent residency through Canada’s Start-Up Visa (SUV) program, marking a 58.1% increase over the previous month. Last year, the SUV welcomed a record-breaking 1,460 new permanent residents. The program’s popularity continues to surge, with January’s immigration levels up 880% compared to 2023. Ontario and British Columbia remain top destinations for SUV immigrants, followed by Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia. The SUV program, launched in 2015, offers a pathway to permanent residency for candidates with qualifying businesses and investments. Initial application processing for permanent residence takes an estimated 37 months.
