The Immigration Pathway for Rural Communities in Canada has officially closed as of August 31. The program, known as the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), began in August 2022 and has now concluded. The deadline for community recommendations to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was July 31, while August 31 marked the final day for submitting permanent residence (PR) applications under this pilot.
As of August 28, Canada has ceased allowing visitors on temporary visas to apply for work permits while within the country. This significant policy shift marks the end of a measure introduced in August 2020, originally designed to help visitors stranded in Canada due to COVID-19-related border closures.
As of September 26, Canada has implemented a policy to cease processing Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) under the Low-Wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in specific census metropolitan areas (CMAs). The new policy targets areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher, making certain cities in Canada face a stop on Low-Wage LMIA applications.
The Canadian government has announced a new deadline for GTA construction workers seeking permanent residency through a temporary public policy. Originally launched on January 2, 2020, this policy has been extended until December 31, 2024, or until the cap of 1,000 applications is reached. This extension underscores the continuing demand for skilled labor in Canada’s construction sector and their valuable contributions.
Starting September 3rd, Quebec suspends LMIA processing for job offers with hourly wages below CAD 27.47 in the Montreal region. This measure, set to last for six months, has received approval from the federal government of Canada. Quebec Premier François Legault and Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette announced the measure, which aims to regulate temporary resident levels and uphold the integrity of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
On August 26, 2024, Canada will introduce a groundbreaking pilot program to enhance Francophone immigration. The Francophone Minority Communities Student Program (FMCSP) will empower Francophone students from select global regions to secure permanent residency. This initiative, spearheaded by Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller, aims to strengthen Francophone communities across Canada.
In this remarkable year, the Annual Express Entry Report for 2023 reveals that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued more than double the Invitations to Apply (ITAs) compared to 2022. 110,266 ITAs were granted over 42 Express Entry draws, marking a 136% increase from the previous year’s 46,539 ITAs.
