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Amendments 1 Section 12.06 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations footnote1 is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (h) and by adding the following after paragraph (i): (j) an officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the foreign national will not leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay under Division 2 of Part 9; or (k) they were refused a work permit or study permit in the course of an application for or renewal of a work permit or study permit referred to in subsection 12.04(6). 2 Section 12.07 of the Regulations is replaced by the following: Cancellation 12.07 An officer...

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announces the designation of the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) as the new body for issuing Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for architects seeking immigration to Canada. Effective May 20, 2024, applicants intending to pursue economic permanent residence must obtain an ECA from CACB if their primary occupation falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of Architects (code 21200). ECAs serve to validate the authenticity and equivalence of foreign credentials to Canadian standards, aiding in both immigration eligibility and licensing processes. Detailed guidance on obtaining ECAs from CACB will be accessible online, facilitating informed decision-making...

Commencing April 30, 2024, fees for all permanent residence applications in Canada will undergo an increase as part of a regular update cycle. This adjustment, occurring every two years, aims to manage the rising costs associated with program operations and service delivery, while also addressing inflationary pressures. Applicants planning to submit their permanent resident applications on or after April 30 are encouraged to review the provided chart detailing the impacted programs and corresponding fee hikes. Program Applicants Current Fee New Fee as of April 30, 2024 Right of permanent residence fee Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner $515...

The Government of Canada is leveraging automation technologies to process adult passport renewals, reaffirming its commitment to responsible tech usage. This automation aids passport officers in processing routine renewals by confirming application details against existing records and identifying any restrictions. While enhancing efficiency, it complements officer oversight rather than replacing it. The technology ensures continued adherence to service standards, especially during peak demand, without compromising on review quality. Notably, the tool is solely utilized for adult renewals, with officers retaining manual review for first-time, children and complex applications. Decisions concerning passport refusal, cancellation, or revocation remain within officer jurisdiction, supported...

Minister Marc Miller of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship introduced significant reforms to Canada’s federal business immigration initiatives, aimed at slashing processing times and clearing application backlogs. Effective April 30, 2024, these changes aim to streamline the Start-up Visa Program. Notable measures include limiting the number of permanent residence applications processed annually to a maximum of 10 start-ups per designated organization and prioritizing entrepreneurs supported by Canadian capital or affiliated with Tech Network incubators for expedited processing. Starting April 30, 2024, Minister Marc Miller announced a temporary suspension of application intake for the Self-Employed Persons Program. This pause aims to focus...

IRCC announced revisions to post-graduation work permit eligibility for international graduates of college programs delivered through public-private partnerships. Effective May 15, 2024, this adjustment shifts the eligibility criteria, originally slated for September 1, 2024. Consequently, students enrolling in such programs from May 15, 2024, onward will not qualify for a post-graduation work permit upon completion. However, graduates can still apply for alternative work permits, particularly for occupations facing shortages in Canada, supported by employer-approved labor market impact assessments. The list of designated learning institutions, indicating post-graduation work permit eligibility, is available on the IRCC website. IRCC commits to collaborating with...