Canada increases the excessive demand threshold

On April 20, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the new cost threshold for excessive demand for health and social services. This is the number of funds the government interprets as acceptable to cover the medical expenses of the new immigrants from the taxpayer’s money. According to the update, the average Canadian per capita health and social services cost is $7,266, and 3 times that average is $21,798. This means permanent resident applicants whose medical demand is below this figure will be considered admissible to Canada based on medical exams. #IRCC, #medical_exam, #excessive_demand, #immigration_policy

April 21, 2021

The government of Saskatchewan still accepts applications from international graduates

On April 19, 2021, Saskatchewan updated the number of spots remaining through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for international graduates impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19. The provincial government has allocated 1,000 spots for direct submission of a nomination application for those who have completed the educational program and resided in the province on September 1, 2020. Saskatchewan accepted another 20 applications, 9 less than in the previous week. As of today, 921 applications still can be accepted. The number of remaining spots gets updated every Monday. #Saskatchewan, #SINP, #PNP, #international_students, #international_graduates

April 20, 2021

The new Hong Kong Pathway for Permanent Residency received more than 500 applications

Since the relationship between Canada and China hit the lowest point from the time diplomatic ties were established, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced a new immigration initiative for Hong Kong residents in November. From February 8, 2021, the Canadian government started to accept applications of Hong Kong residents for three-year open work permits. “The ties that bind Canada and Hong Kong run deep. With many young Hong Kong residents casting their eyes abroad, we want them to choose Canada,” said press secretary Alexander Cohen. According to information provided by the Canadian immigration department, more than 500 applications were received within the first three weeks. #Hong_Kong, #IRCC, #PR, #open_work_permit, #international_students, #skilled_workers

April 20, 2021

Quebec is losing to Canada the competition for immigrants

Following the launch of the new immigration programs for in-Canada temporary residents, the Federal Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino called on Quebec to emulate Ottawa. However, the Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration (MIFI), Nadine Girault, declined the recommendation. It is estimated that there are still 25,000 files awaiting permanent residence in Quebec; for the most part, these foreigners are already in the country. Despite these files that have dragged on for years, the federal government did not admit enough permanent residents in 2020 to Quebec to meet Quebec's immigration threshold set between 43,000 and 44,500. More than 12,000 potential Quebec immigrants are missing. Currently, the inexcusable delays of 27 months, according to IRCC data, and 13 months, according to the MIFI, have widened to obtain permanent resident status in Quebec. Such a gap is unjustifiable. Having that in mind, Quebec immigrants may turn to other Canadian provinces, especially due to the increasing number of programs targeting Francophone immigrants outside Quebec. #IRCC, #MIFI, #Quebec, #Francophone

April 19, 2021