CanadaVisa News Briefs for Mid-February, 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.

• Montreal Set to Become a Sanctuary City

February 16, 2017

Canada's second-largest city, Montreal, will vote on Monday on whether the city should be designated a "sanctuary city." If the city council approves the idea, as is expected, Montreal will join other Canadian cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Hamilton, which have official policies not to discriminate against undocumented immigrants and refugees by denying them services. Moreover, sanctuary cities also pledge not to use immigration status, or lack thereof, as a pretext to arrest or deport individuals if they come into contact with law enforcement on non-criminal offences such as parking tickets. >>Read More

• Saskatchewan Express Entry Immigration Category Opens for 500 New Applications

February 14, 2017

The popular International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has reopened for 500 new applications, as February 14, 2017. Through this sub-category, eligible candidates in the federal Express Entry pool may apply for a provincial nomination certificate from Saskatchewan. A provincial nomination certificate through this sub-category gives the candidate 600 additional points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and that candidate will then be in line for selection at a subsequent draw from the pool. >>Read More

• Update to Instructions for International Students Working On-Campus in Canada

February 10, 2017

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated the process for international students who are applying for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work on-campus. As of February 10, 2017, international students no longer need an employment contract to apply for a SIN. >>Read More

• Canada Introduces Temporary Public Policy for Foreign Nationals Impacted by U.S. President Trump's Executive Order

February 1, 2017

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government department which oversees immigration and refugee affairs in Canada, has introduced a temporary public policy concerning certain foreign nationals who are affected by an Executive Order signed by U.S. President Trump on January 27, 2017. Under the temporary public policy, the government of Canada may allow foreign nationals affected the by the U.S. Executive Order to apply for temporary status in Canada, or to extend their stay. >>Read More

• Record Low CRS Requirement in February 8 Express Entry Draw

February 8, 2017

The latest Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada has broken new ground, with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point threshold dipping below the 450 mark for the first time ever. In total, 3,664 candidates in the pool with 447 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence on February 8, 2017. >>Read More

• Immigration to Nova Scotia Highest in Decades, With More Growth Expected

February 6, 2017

The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration is boasting record immigration numbers to the province, with many skilled workers, entrepreneurs, refugees, and family member of Canadian citizens and permanent residents having made a new home in the province. Overall, preliminary figures for last year to the end of October reveal that 4,835 newcomers arrived in Nova Scotia, the highest intake in decades. >>Read More