Bengaluru
IRCC invited STEM candidates in the new occupation-specific Express Entry draw
On December 8, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held the second occupation-specific Express Entry draw for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals and issued 5,900 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to qualified candidates. In round #274, the cut-off score was 481 points, 5 points fewer than the previous draw for STEM candidates. The tie-breaking rule for this round was November 25, 2023, at 09:48:36 UTC. As of December 5, 2023, were 217,370 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. This year, Canada issued 106,871 ITAs through the Express Entry draws.
#Express_Entry, #IRCC, #ITA, #immigration_to_Canada, #PR, #Occupation_Specific_draws, #STEM
IRCC will continue to hold virtual citizenship ceremonies
According to the Government of Canada’s response to the petition on citizenship ceremonies, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is considering an online tool for self-administered Oath of Citizenship. The analysis is underway, considering client experience, process integrity, and preserving the importance of citizenship ceremonies. Video ceremonies introduced in 2020 due to COVID-19 have helped reduce processing times and increased monthly oath-taking. These allow participation from rural areas and accommodate larger groups. Between January and September 2023, 276,540 new citizens were made, exceeding pre-COVID levels. Ceremonies are scheduled considering operational demands, official availability, and venue suitability. IRCC is working towards a 12-month service standard for granting citizenship.
#IRCC, #Citizenship, #virtual_citizenship_ceremonies, #petition
Canada’s immigration up 4.3%, likely to surpass the annual target
Canada’s immigration increased by 4.3% to 33,570 new permanent residents in October, following four months of decline, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada data. This is a slight rise from September’s low of 32,180. Immigration had rebounded from an April low of 29,550 to 46,000 in May but began a steady decline, reducing by 30.3% in five months. In the first ten months, Canada welcomed 388,035 new permanent residents. If this trend continues, Canada could reach its immigration target of 485,000 new permanent residents by the end of 2023.
#Immigration_to_Canada, #Statistics
Canadian work experience requirement remains a challenge for immigrants seeking employment
Professor Usha George from Toronto Metropolitan University noted that while immigration boosts Canada’s economy, newcomers’ skills are underutilized due to the preference for Canadian work experience. This preference is a barrier for immigrants securing jobs matching their foreign experience, particularly in essential sectors like healthcare and housing. Immigrants often accept minimum wage jobs despite their qualifications. However, Ontario’s proposed legislation to ban Canadian work experience requirements in job postings, announced on November 9, 2023, offers hope. Minister David Piccini emphasized the need for immigrants to secure rewarding careers to address labour shortages, stating that when newcomers contribute, everyone benefits.
#Canadian_work_experience, #newcomers, #employment