As 2024 draws to a close, Canadian immigration continues to be a hot topic. In December alone, there have been numerous developments that could affect immigrants and their families. From the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) inviting more Express Entry candidates, to changes in work permit holders’ ability to study and updated policies on open work permits in specific provinces, it has been an eventful month.
First, in the third draw of the month, the IRCC invited 392 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residency. These candidates included those with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 773. Express Entry is a comprehensive, fast-track system that manages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. It ranks eligible candidates according to their respective CRS scores that consider factors like age, education, language ability, and work experience. The highest-ranking candidates receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in these regular draws.
On top of this, the IRCC confirmed that certain work permit holders could potentially continue their studies in Canada without needing a study permit. This is under specific conditions, and the details are nuanced. Generally, those exempted are workers that fall into certain categories. These categories include workers carrying out duties for foreign governments, workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program, and workers on working holidays as part of International Experience Canada. These changes aim to promote the accessibility of education, making it more feasible for work permit holders to gain Canadian qualifications and become more competitive prospective permanent residents.
Finally, in provincial news, British Columbia announced the selection of more candidates for immigration, while Manitoba hit the brakes on its open work permit policy for PNPs (Provincial Nominee Program candidates).
British Columbia saw an increase in the number of candidates selected through the BC Provincial Nominee Program. December saw an uptick in invitations to individuals in the Skills Immigration and Express Entry BC categories. These draws are crucial in retaining talented immigrants to help fill the gap in certain sectors such as technology, healthcare, and more.
On the other hand, Manitoba announced changes to its immigration policies, ending the open work permit policy for PNP candidates, effective from January 1st, 2025. Previously, approved provincial candidates could apply for temporary open work permits while waiting for their permanent resident status. Manitoba’s move to end this policy was described as a way to ensure foreign workers are not misled about pathways to permanent residency and to protect them from potential abuse.
In closing, whether it’s the selection of more Express Entry candidates to permanent residency, adjustments to work permit holders’ access to education, or changes to provincial permitting, Canada continues to fine-tune its immigration system. These changes build upon the country’s commitment to create an immigration system that is adaptable, inclusive, and precisely tuned to Canada’s evolving social and economic landscape. These steps aim to balance the needs of immigrants and the country’s broader best-interests. Watch this space for more updates and news surrounding Canadian immigration developments as we move into 2025.