On March 25, 2025, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that foreign nationals with Canadian job offers will no longer receive bonus points towards receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence under Canada’s Express Entry (EE) System. This substantial change took effect immediately and applies to all EE candidates who have not already received an ITA. Given the current uncertain immigration environment, permanent resident hopefuls must now re-evaluate their chances of receiving an ITA and proactively plan their next steps. Here is what you need to know.
On March 22, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the launch of two new immigration pilots aimed at strengthening rural and Francophone minority communities across the country. These initiatives—the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot—are designed to attract and retain skilled newcomers who can help local economies thrive.
As Canada’s population continues to grow, evolve and age, the demand for skilled home care workers has never been higher. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), has demonstrated through their programs over the years that caregivers play an essential role in Canada to support vulnerable populations, including children, seniors and individuals with disabilities. Home care workers also enable families to continue working while ensuring that their loved ones are well cared for. The previous Home Child Care Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot programs ended on June 17, 2024 and were based on the amount of qualifying work experience an applicant had.
This past Friday, March 7, 2025, brought some welcome news for prospective immigrants in Canada’s construction sector. Recognizing the need for a stronger construction worker labour force, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada ( IRCC), Marc Miller, announced steps to strengthen the opportunities for foreign construction workers in Canada including the creation of an industry advisory council, expansion of a pilot project to enable out-of-status workers to be legally employed and for apprentices in the trades to study without authorization enabling them to obtain their official trade certification in Canada. These steps have been introduced to both increase the pool of construction workers in Canada and to boost housing construction for the benefit of Canadians and the Canadian economy.
BlogHow do I get a work visa for Canada?How do I immigrate to Canada?Work PermitsWorking in CanadaUkrainians in Canada, It’s Your Last Chance! Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Stay in Canada Longer!
24 February 2025
In 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Canadian government introduced a special program for Ukrainians — the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). This program allowed Ukrainians to find safety in Canada and to also obtain a 3-year open work permit.
BlogCanadian Immigration ProgramsHow do I immigrate to Canada?President Trump is back! Implications for prospective immigrants to Canada?
20 January 2025
Every US presidential election brings renewed interest in Americans seeking to come to Canada. This is not unique to President Trump, but Trump brings some specific Canadian immigration consequences to his being elected President of the United States. Immediately following his election on November 8, 2016, the dramatic interest in Canadian immigration resulted in a crash to our online information system. Many of his proposed policies piqued interest for many Americans and non-Americans without status seeking residency and/or protection in Canada. However, the Canadian immigration reality is very different from 2016 and Canada is not as welcoming as it has been in the past. Prospective immigrants from the US need to know the current lay of the Canadian immigration landscape.
BlogCanadian Immigration ProgramsBill C-71: What to Expect in 2025. Understanding the Canadian Citizenship Act and Changes to the First-Generation Rules
14 January 2025
The Canadian Citizenship Act governs the process through which individuals can acquire Canadian citizenship, which is an essential part of Canadian identity. To become a Canadian citizen, you must meet several requirements. First, you must be a permanent resident of Canada and have lived in the country for at least 3 out of the last 5 years. You must also have filed your taxes (if required), passed a citizenship test on your rights, responsibilities, and knowledge of Canada, and demonstrated proficiency in either English or French. Additional requirements may apply depending on your specific situation, such as for minors or adopted children.
BlogCanadian Immigration ProgramsNavigating the Winds of Change to Canada’s Immigration program: A year in review
10 December 2024
In my 30+ years as an immigration lawyer there is no single year that I can recall that has heralded the unprecedented level of change to Canada’s immigration program as 2024! Virtually every aspect of Canada’s economic immigration program has been altered and in many cases dramatically. Economic immigrants are what drives Canada’s immigration program: international students, workers, business immigrants, Express Entry and PNP applicants for permanent residence,
BlogInternational StudentsStudying in CanadaEnd of an Era: Accelerated Student Streams Cancelled!
19 November 2024
2024 marked a year of significant change to Canada’s international student program. Throughout the year, the Canadian government implemented a series of regulatory measures to control the influx of international students coming into the country. Both prospective students and educational institutions are now facing a shifting landscape. The objectives of these changes have been consistent: to stabilize population growth, reduce student vulnerability and preserve the integrity of Canada’s international student program.
BlogCanadian Immigration ProgramsHow do I immigrate to Canada?Permanent Residence ProgramsParlez-Vous Francais? The new approach to achieving Canadian permanent residency
4 November 2024
As immigration lawyers practicing with nearly 50 years of collective experience, we have been asked many times by prospective immigrants whether they should pursue studies in both official Canadian languages: English and French, with a view to enhancing their chances for qualifying for permanent residence in Canada. As we live and practice in British Columbia, most of these requests are from persons who have proficiency in English, having either studied or worked in Canada utilizing their English language skills. Since the dawn of Canada’s Express Entry selection system on January 1, 2015, our answer has typically been that the reward is not worth the effort. With both of us personally having studied several languages in addition to English, we can tell you that pursuing language studies takes a considerable investment of time and effort. (You can cram for a history or geography exam but not for a language exam!). However, the new Canadian immigration world order is a very different place and Canada is placing a premium on French language proficiency (outside of Quebec) such that this skill set provides an opportunity to acquire not only an education in Canada but also work experience and permanent residence! Let’s take a look at the options for a francophone applicant to achieve Canadian immigration status.
SERVICES
LINKS
Sas and Ing Immigration Law Centre LLP
A partnership between Catherine Sas Law Corporation and Victor Ing Law Corporation
Copyright © sasanding 2021