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What is the change? Canada has conducted its fifth Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,611 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 441.
What does the change mean? The number of invitations issued was near the highest number issued since the program was introduced in January 2015. The minimum qualifying score of 441 was one of the lowest qualifying scores to date and a drop from previous draws since the comprehensive scoring system was modified in November, indicating that a wide pool of candidates continues to be accepted.
Background: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada made significant changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System in November. The changes benefit candidates with a valid job offer in NOC 0, A or B occupations who have worked for at least one year in Canada for the employer making the job offer without the need for a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment, as well as candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada.
There have been eight draws since the new scoring system was implemented:
*PNP nominees only
BAL Analysis: The latest draw continues the trend in issuing high numbers of invitations and the downward trend in minimum qualifying scores since the new scoring system was introduced.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Canada. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Argentina has waived visa requirements for Canadian nationals.
What does the change mean? Canadians traveling to Argentina for tourist or business purposes may now enter the country without a visa.
Background: Argentina implemented the visa waiver for Canadian nationals Dec. 1. Business travelers should note, however, that oftentimes when visa-waived nationals, including Canadians, arrive in Argentina they are given a tourist visa stamp in their passport—even if it is clear that the purpose of their visit is for business. This can be problematic if a business traveler’s hosting entity is inspected and the traveler cannot establish that he or she declared that the purpose of the visit was for business.
BAL Analysis: While the change will make tourist and business travel to Argentina easier for Canadian nationals, they should be aware that authorities at airports sometimes give travelers a visa stamp for tourism rather than business travel. Business travelers who travel to Argentina on a visa waiver should be clear that they are in the country for business purposes. Employers should contact BAL immediately if visa-waived nationals have any trouble conducting business activities in Argentina on a visa waiver.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Argentina. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program will reopen Feb. 20 and begin accepting applications for three popular streams under the program – International Masters Graduate Stream, International PhD Graduate Stream and Ontario Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream.
What does the change mean? Applications will be accepted online only and the government will monitor the volume of applications and periodically put them on pause and reopen the streams throughout the year in order to maintain efficiency in processing.
Background: The three streams of the OINP have been on pause since last May when it reached its annual quota of 5,500. The federal government has increased the province’s 2017 quota by 500 for a total of 6,000.
BAL Analysis: The re-opening of the program is positive news for eligible candidates. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as the annual quotas are often filled quickly.
What is the change? Canada has conducted its fourth Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,664 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 447.
What does the change mean? The draw represents the largest number of invitations issued since the program was introduced in January 2015. The minimum qualifying score of 447 is one of the lowest qualifying scores to date and a drop from previous draws since the comprehensive scoring system was modified in November, indicating that a wider pool of candidates are being accepted.
Background: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada made significant changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System in November. The changes benefit candidates with a valid job offer in NOC 0, A or B occupations who have worked for at least one year in Canada for the employer making the job offer without the need for a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment, as well as candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada.
There have been seven draws since the new scoring system was implemented:
BAL Analysis: The latest draw continues the upward trend in numbers of invitations and downward trend in minimum qualifying scores since the new scoring system was introduced.
What is the change? Canadian authorities have announced that foreign nationals in Canada who are prevented from entering to the United States under an Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday may apply for temporary status in Canada.
What does the change mean? Effective immediately, foreign nationals in Canada who have been prevented from entering the United States under the Executive Order may apply for temporary status or an extension of their current temporary status. The Executive Order bars nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the U.S. for a 90-day period, though certain exceptions have been granted. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will extend the special measures to nationals of those countries “who have the documents normally required to enter the U.S., but who cannot travel to the U.S. due to the Executive Order.”
Background: Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday which, among other measures, suspended entry to the U.S. for nationals of seven countries. The administration has since issued guidance to reduce the number of travelers subject to the order, including lawful permanent residents and dual nationals. Several courts have issued injunctions blocking portions of the order from taking effect, and the Department of Homeland Security says it is complying with the court orders while continuing “to implement President Trump’s Executive Order to protect the Nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States.”
The Canadian government said it will waive fees for foreign nationals applying under its special measures.The government did say that affected foreign nationals “must meet Canada’s admissibility criteria to benefit from this public policy and must provide an explanation of how they are affected.” Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and can be submitted online or by mail. Applicants are urged to write “Urgent: Facilitation” either on their envelope (if applying by mail) or in the subject line of a follow-up email (if applying online).
BAL Analysis: The special measures could extend relief to some foreign nationals impacted by Trump’sExecutive Order. Due to the speed of developments in the U.S., those who are affected by the order are urged to contact BAL to discuss their best options.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com
What is the change? The deadline for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a parent or grandparent for permanent residency is approaching.
What does the change mean? Those interested in the program must complete required online forms by noon EST Thursday. After the registration period has passed, 10,000 interested sponsors will be randomly selected to apply.
Background: This is the first year in which sponsors have been given 30 days to register their interest in sponsoring their parent or grandparent online. The sponsorship program opened Jan. 3.
BAL Analysis: The Parent and Grandparent Program remains extremely popular. Interested sponsors who have not yet filled out the online form should do so as soon as possible and should be prepared to apply within the 90-day timeframe should they receive an invitation.
What is the change? Canada has conducted its third Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,508 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 453.
What does the change mean? Once again, more candidates were invited to apply than in any other draw since the Express Entry program was introduced in January 2015. The minimum qualifying score of 453 is a drop from the previous draws under the new Express Entry scoring system and indicates that a wider pool of candidates are being accepted.
There have been six draws since the new scoring system was implemented:
BAL Analysis: This draw continues the trend of significantly higher numbers of invitations to apply and low minimum qualifying scores since the new ranking system was introduced.
What is the change? Canada has conducted its second Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 3,334 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 459.
What does the change mean? Once again, more candidates were invited to apply than in any other draw since the program was introduced in January 2015. The minimum qualifying score of 459 is a drop from the previous draws under the new Express Entry scoring system and indicates that a wider pool of candidates are being accepted.
There have been five draws since the new scoring system was implemented:
BAL Analysis: This draw continues the trend of significantly higher numbers of invitations to apply and lower minimum qualifying score since the new ranking system was introduced.
What is the change? Canada conducted its first Express Entry draw of the year, issuing 2,902 invitations to apply for permanent residency. The lowest qualifying score was 468.
What does the change mean? More candidates were invited to apply than in any other draw since the program was introduced in January 2015. The minimum qualifying score of 468 is a drop from the previous three draws under the new Express Entry scoring system and indicates that a wider pool of candidates are being accepted.
Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
Visas/permits affected: Permanent residency through Express Entry.
Who is affected: Canadian companies sponsoring foreign nationals through one of four skilled migration programs: Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.
Background: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made significant changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in mid-November 2016. The changes benefit candidates with a valid job offer in NOC 0, A or B occupations who have worked for at least one year in Canada for the employer making the job offer without the need for a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment, as well as candidates who have completed post-secondary education in Canada.
BAL Analysis: This draw continues the recent trend of significantly higher numbers of invitations to apply and low minimum qualifying score since the new CRS system was introduced.
What is the change? Canada opened its parent and grandparent sponsorship program Tuesday, allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor a parent or grandparent for permanent residency.
What does the change mean? This is the first year in which sponsors will have 30 days to register their interest to sponsor their parent or grandparent online. After the 30-day registration period has passed, 10,000 interested sponsors will be randomly selected to apply.
BAL Analysis: The program remains extremely popular. Interested sponsors should register their interest as soon as possible and be ready to apply within the 90-day timeframe should they receive an invitation.