This Week in Immigration News - July 9 - 15, 2021
Express Entry Draws
There weren't any Express Entry draws this week, but we anticipate to see some next week again.
There was a critical update to the Express Entry funds available requirement. The minimum funds required increased this week across the board. Portfolios needed to be updated by July 15th to remain eligible.
Press Releases
On July 12, 2021, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and Liane Roy, President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne, invited French-speaking and bilingual temporary workers who wish to reside outside of Quebec, to apply for the temporary pathway to permanent residence. Applications will be accepted until November 5, 2021. Candidates working in the following streams can apply:
temporary workers in health care
temporary workers in other selected essential occupations
international students who graduated from a Canadian institution
Newcomers to Canada have been very pleased with the settlement services offered to them upon arrival in Canada. Find out more in this press release from July 14, 2021.
Announced on July 15, 2021, applicants to the temporary pathway to permanent residence can now apply for an open work permit while they wait results for their application.
Program Delivery Updates
On July 9, 2021, the following countries were added to the Student Direct Stream Program:
Antigua and Barbuda
Brazil
Colombia
Costa Rica
Peru
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
On July 13, 2021, IRCC made the following changes to the special measures to support Hong Kong residents to come to Canada:
The eligibility requirements for the issuance of an open work permit have been expanded to include an associate degree under Education.
National interest exemption letters are to be issued to eligible open work permit holders.
Some minor reformatting was completed to make the instructions easier for officers to read and navigate.
On July 13, 2021, some corrections were made to the legislation referenced for the study permit program.
Border News
No updates this week!
We should hear some news about the Canadian-US border and flights currently banned from India by next Wednesday, July 21.
