canada | Page 19 of 26 | Bison Immigration Consulting

IRCC imposes limit on study permit applications for 2024

On January 22, 2024, the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it will only consider a maximum of 606,250 study permit applications in 2024. This is a change from the previous cap of 360,000 study permit approvals. The new cap refers to the total number of study permit applications that IRCC will process over the course of the year, regardless of the outcome for each application.

Compared to 2023, this cap represents a significant decrease in both processing and approvals for study permit applications. In 2023, there were 814,317 applications processed, with 579,075 study permit applications approved—a 71% approval rate. The new cap will allocate 360,000 study permit approvals between Canada’s provinces, based on their respective populations. Provinces with higher populations, such as Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, are expected to receive the highest number of study permit allocations.

Under the new policy, individuals applying for a study permit will need a letter of acceptance (LOA) from their designated learning institution (DLI) and an attestation letter from the province where the DLI is located. The attestation letter, written and signed by the provincial/territorial government, confirms that the applicant has a space within that province or territory’s allotted study permit approval cap.

This new cap on study permit approvals may be subject to amendment according to subsequent instructions from the minister, allowing for potential adjustments based on processing outcomes. The goal of this new policy is to streamline the allocation of study permit approvals and ensure a fair distribution across Canada’s provinces.

If you need assistance with Canadian immigration or have questions about study permit applications, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help you navigate the latest developments in Canadian immigration policy and make the application process as smooth as possible.

“`

Ontario and British Columbia Implementing Initiatives to Enhance Integrity of Higher Education for International Students

Ontario and British Columbia have recently implemented new measures to enhance the integrity of post-secondary education for international students. These measures aim to crack down on recruiters who take advantage of international students and make false claims of employment and citizenship. The Ontario government, in collaboration with sector partners and the federal government, will explore ways to address these issues.

Furthermore, both provinces are taking steps to ensure that academic programs at their post-secondary institutions meet the needs of their respective labor markets. Ontario will review programs with high numbers of international students to ensure their quality, aligning with local workforce demands. Similarly, British Columbia will pause approvals for new Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) for the next two years to maintain the quality of education for international students.

Ontario and British Columbia are also placing emphasis on improving the quality of private programs and institutions. Ontario is implementing a moratorium on new public college-private partnerships and strengthening oversight mechanisms. Meanwhile, British Columbia will conduct reviews of private degree programs and enforce higher standards for assessment criteria and student supports.

Another significant development pertains to housing for international students. Ontario will now require all colleges and universities to guarantee housing options for incoming international students. This initiative aligns with the federal government’s announcement of providing low-cost loans for student housing, aiming to drive down housing costs for students.

These measures are crucial for ensuring that international students have access to high-quality education and adequate support during their time in Canada. The efforts to enhance the integrity of post-secondary education will contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive program for international students.

Express Entry Draw on March 29 2023!

On March 29, 2023, the Government of Canada invited over 7,000 applicants through the Express Entry Draw!

On March 29th, the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada invited 7,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off threshold was 481 for this draw.

Federal Express Entry system
The Express Entry Pool is one of the mechanisms the Government of Canada uses to manage the applications of people who want to apply for permanent residency. The program is for skilled workers who want to migrate to anywhere in Canada outside of Quebec. Express Entry applicants are scored on factors that include:
– Age
– Education
– Language Ability or Skills (English or French)
– Work Experience

During this time, the Government of Canada is committed to selecting top-ranked candidates and inviting them to submit an application for permanent residency.

Interested in migrating to Canada, email us at info@bisonimmigration.com

Post-Graduation Work Permit Holders Can Stay in Canada Longer!

Starting April 6, 2023, a new measure will be introduced that enables Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) holders who desire to extend their stay in Canada to participate in a streamlined process for work permit extension. This initiative aims to help Canada retain highly skilled talent.

In 2023, foreign nationals with expired PGWPs and those eligible for the 2022 facilitative measure can apply for an additional 18-month work permit. Individuals with expired work permits will be granted the opportunity to restore their status even if they have passed the 90-day restoration period, and they will receive interim work authorization during the processing of their new work permit application.

Key points to note:

Eligible PGWP holders will begin receiving notifications about accessing their online IRCC Secure Account starting April 6, 2023, to opt in and update crucial personal information.
IRCC has taken into account the issues faced by PGWP holders during the 2022 facilitative process and has incorporated lessons learned into the new public policy. This policy allows those eligible under the 2022 initiative to apply for an open work permit and restore their status.
Instructions for applying will be made available on IRCC’s website in the coming weeks.

Background

International graduates play a significant role as potential permanent residents in Canada. In 2021, a record high of over 157,000 graduates transitioned to permanent residence, followed by nearly 95,000 in 2022, the second-highest total ever.

Generally, PGWPs are non-extendable, and holders seeking to prolong their stay in Canada must apply for a different type of work permit as their PGWP expires. Public policies introduced in 2021 and 2022 offered additional work permits for those with expiring PGWPs.

As of the end of 2022, more than 286,000 international graduates held valid post-graduation work permits in Canada. Approximately 127,000 PGWPs are set to expire in 2023. However, around 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not require a work permit extension through this initiative.

Are you interested in going in Canada? Email us at info@bisonimmigration.com

Visitors can continue to apply for work permits inside Canada

Foreign nationals who are currently in Canada as visitors will be able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country if they receive a valid job offer. This policy, which was set to expire on February 28,2023, has been extended by two years until February 28, 2025, due to ongoing labour shortages during the economic expansion.

Applicants who have held a work permit within the last 12 months will be able to request interim work authorization to start working for their new employer more quickly. Previously, applicants had to apply for their initial work permit before coming to Canada, and those who were already in Canada with visitor status when approved for a work permit had to leave Canada to receive it. This policy change eliminates the need for applicants to leave Canada.

To be eligible, applicants must have valid visitor status, a job offer supported by a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, and meet all other standard admissibility criteria. Applicants must submit their application for an employer-specific work permit no later than February 28, 2025. Applicants who currently have visitor status and have held a valid work permit in the past 12 months can follow special instructions to obtain interim work authorization to begin working for their new employer before their work permit application is finalized.

Are you interested in going to Canada? Email us at info@bisonimmigration.com