The Canadian government has extended the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act until January 1st, 2027. The policy, which was initially instituted to increase the number of housing units available to Canadians for purchase, will now be in place for an additional two years. Initially, the home buyer ban was set […]
Canada welcomed 471,550 new permanent residents in 2023
Recent data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that Canada exceeded its target for the number of permanent residents it planned to welcome in 2023. According to the most recently available IRCC backlog data, the department welcomed 471,550 new permanent residents in 2023. This is an increase of 33,950 over 2022’s 437,600. The number exceeds […]
Can any doctor perform my medical exam for Canadian immigration?
Canadian newcomers who require a medical exam might be surprised to learn that they cannot visit any doctor to have their immigration medical exam (IME) completed. Considering the persisting importance of medical exams for many Canadian newcomers, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarifies that not all doctors are authorized to perform IMEs for Canadian temporary residence (TR) and permanent residence […]
Comparing the PTE Core to other IRCC accepted language tests
On January 30, IRCC announced that it is now accepting the Pearson Test of English (PTE) Core for all immigration programs that require a language test, except for the Student Direct Stream. The PTE Core is the third option for an English language test that candidates can take for their permanent residency application. The other two are the CELPIP General Test (English) […]
Immigration to Canada: when to take the IELTS test?
If you’re contemplating going through an immigration process in Canada this year, remember that mastering the IELTS test is a crucial part of the process. Find out when’s the perfect time to embark on this challenge and how to get ready for it. Your Canadian dream awaits! Begin your IELTS Journey on the Path to […]
What you need to know before moving to Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of eastern Canada’s maritime provinces, off of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The island is marked by red sand beaches, lighthouses, farmland and is known for its seafood and quiet lifestyle. PEI is the least-populated province in all of Canada, making it a […]
Who received ITAs in the recent Express Entry category-based selection draw?
Last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 7,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a category-based draw for Express Entry candidates with French-language proficiency. The draw took place on February 1 and the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of all candidates who received an ITA was 365. This CRS score marked the second-lowest minimum score of any category-based draw to date and is […]
Can I sponsor my sibling for Canadian permanent residence?
Family sponsorship is one of the largest categories of immigrants set forth by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in the annual immigration levels plan. While this form of sponsorship allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents (and persons registered in Canada as an Indian under the Canadian Indian Act) to sponsor loved ones to immigrate to Canada and potentially settle […]
Canada needs more immigrant doctors to support the national healthcare system
Amidst a population boom of over five million people in the last ten years, Canada has added just 167 medical residencies over the same length of time, making it increasingly difficult for many Canadians to obtain regular access to a family doctor. This is according to a late-January story by CBC News, which also noted that […]
The four types of Canadian citizenship ceremonies
For many newcomers arriving to Canada, their vision of the future includes one important experience: the day of their citizenship ceremony. Roughly 80% of eligible Canadian permanent residents chose to pursue citizenship in 2021; and attended a citizenship ceremony to formalise their new status. Citizenship ceremonies are momentous occasions that happen every day in Canada—an important […]
