CanadaVisa News Briefs for Late 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.

• Third Express Entry Draw in One Week Invites Candidates with CRS Scores of 413 or Above

May 31, 2017

A total of 3,877 candidates in the Express Entry pool have received an Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest draw, conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on May 31, 2017. Candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of 413 or above are now in a position to apply for Canadian permanent resident status — represents the lowest-ever CRS requirement for candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw follows just five days after two previous Express Entry draws, which took place simultaneously on May 26 and were restricted to the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) and provincial nominees respectively. >>Read more

• Quebec Immigration Investor Program Reopens

May 30, 2017

The popular Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) has reopened for up to 1,900 new applications, as of May 29, 2017. The QIIP is Canada's only currently available passive investor immigration program, and throughout the years it has proven popular — the intake is expected to fill before the scheduled end date of the application cycle, February 23, 2018. >>Read more

• Trades and Provincial Nominee Candidates Invited to Apply in May 26 Express Entry Draw

May 26, 2017

The latest draw from Canada's Express Entry pool has seen 543 candidates invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence. In a move that has not yet been seen in the history of the Express Entry system, two groups of candidates were singled out to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs). A total of 400 candidates in the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) with a minimum CRS score of 199, and 143 candidates with a provincial nomination and a minimum CRS score of 775, were issued ITAs, and are now in a position to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence. >>Read more

• Latest BC Draw Invites 365 Workers and Graduates to Apply to Immigrate

May 25, 2017

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has invited 365 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination certificate in its latest immigration draw, which took place on May 24, 2017. A range of workers and international graduates in five sub-categories managed through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) are now in a position to apply for a provincial nomination certificate, with which they may then apply to the federal government for Canadian permanent resident status. >>Read more

• Saskatchewan Invites 142 Candidates for Entrepreneur Program, Plans Future Draws

May 25, 2017

Saskatchewan has conducted the largest ever draw for the Entrepreneur stream of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), with 142 international entrepreneurs having been invited to apply to the program following the May 24, 2017 draw. Another new record was set in this draw, as the points threshold required for a candidate to be invited to apply reached its lowest ever cut-off point of 80. >>Read more

• Ontario International PhD Graduate Stream Reaches Intake Limit

May 24, 2017

The International PhD Graduate stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has reached its intake limit for the most recent intake period. This stream of the OINP, which targets international graduates of PhD programs in the province, opened on May 1, 2017. >>Read more

• Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category Reaches Intake Quota

May 24, 2017

The International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has reached its intake quota of 600 new applications for the most recent application intake cycle, which began on May 16. This intake cycle was the longest for some time, as the sub-category has often reached its intake within a couple of days, or even shorter, on previous occasions. >>Read more

• 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