CanadaVisa News Briefs for Mid-May, 2017

The following is a summary of developments concerning Canadian immigration and citizenship that have taken place over the past couple of weeks.

Our Canadian immigration news briefs bring you the latest news as it happens. When published, these articles are posted across our social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and LinkedIn. Follow us across these channels to get the latest news as it occurs.

• May 17 Express Entry Draw sees Joint-Lowest Minimum CRS Requirement at 415

May 17, 2017

The latest Express Entry draw, which took place on May 17, 2017, saw Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent resident status issued to 3,687 candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 415 or above. This is the second time the minimum CRS requirement has dropped to 415, the lowest minimum requirement yet since the system was introduced in January, 2015. >>Read more

• Saskatchewan Express Entry Category Opens for 600 New Applications

May 16, 2017

For the first time in over three months, Saskatchewan has reopened its popular International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). Up to 600 new applications will be accepted during this intake. In reopening this sub-category, Saskatchewan offers eligible candidates in the federal Express Entry pool a way of obtaining an enhanced provincial nomination certificate. >>Read more

• BC Invites 364 Workers and Graduates to Apply for Provincial Nomination

May 11, 2017

On May 10, 2017, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) invited 364 workers and graduates to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. This represents an increase of 77 percent in the number of candidates invited in five sub-categories managed through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), compared to the previous draw on April 19. >>Read more

• Nova Scotia Office of Immigration Resumes Online Application Services

May 10, 2017

As of May 10, 2017, the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration has resumed receiving online applications to the Nova Scotia Skilled Worker and Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). On May 9, all online application services of the NSNP were unavailable. While service has resumed for the Skilled Worker and Experience: Express Entry streams, no further applications are being received for the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream. >>Read more

• Nova Scotia Pauses Access to Online Immigration Application Services

May 9, 2017

On May 9, 2017, Nova Scotia's Office of Immigration updated its website to state that 'Currently all Nova Scotia Immigration applications associated with Nova Scotia’s online service are unavailable.' This announcement comes the day after technical issues with the online intake system triggered a pause on the intake of applications to the Nova Scotia Demand: Express Entry stream, part of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). >>Read more

• Ontario to Issue Express Entry Notifications of Interest on Weekly Basis

May 5, 2017

The government of Ontario will issue Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates who are eligible for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream on a weekly basis. This stream is part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). >>Read more