Paper-based PNP applications with a job offer can be put on hold

On September 17, 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) posted an update regarding the processing of the paper-based permanent residence applications in the job offer streams of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Responding to the heavy impact of the COVID-19, IRCC allows provincial and territorial governments to request the applications to be put on hold in the cases of job loss as a result of the pandemic. These temporary measures will take place from September 17, 2020, to November 17, 2020. The introduction of this policy may help foreign workers to find new employment.

#IRCC, #PR, #PNP, #Job_offer, #COVID_19

IRCC resumes some in-person services in a limited mode

On September 17, 2020, the Immigration Department (IRCC) announced the gradual resumption of some in-person services. Beginning September 21, several services will be again available to the public: Citizenship knowledge re-testing and citizenship hearings will be available at Vancouver Expo. The appointments to be scheduled by email. PR-related services such as PR card pick-ups or interviews to determine the client’s status will be available in the IRCC’s offices in Etobicoke and Montreal. IRCC will contact clients to appoint the meeting. IRCC offices in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, and Niagara Falls will provide limited services for asylum seekers. In addition, Service Canada will contact permanent residence applicants via the phone to schedule a biometrics submission in the coming months.

#IRCC, #PR, #Citizenship, #Asylum, #Service_Canada, #biometrics

Ontario issued 741 nominations to foreign nationals in the OINP

On September 17, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) posted new statistics on the issuance of the nomination certificates. Since the last update on August 13, 2020, the provincial government nominated 741 foreign nationals in the OINP in 2020. Ontario can nominate 7,600 candidates this year, including 250 individuals under the federal NOC C initiative. Up to date, Ontario nominated 5,555 candidates in all streams of the OINP. Last year, OINP nominated 7,350 candidates and 44 NOC C candidates.

#Ontario, #OINP, #provincial_nomination, #PNP

COVID-19 pandemic is preventing newcomers from becoming Canadian citizens

The Canadian government’s immigration department suspended the citizenship test after the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread this spring. Many immigrants waiting to complete the citizenship test are worried that the backlog will delay their dream to become Canadian citizens. Before COVID-19, the process for new immigrants who met the conditions to apply for Canadian citizenship generally took one year. But now, due to the pandemic, Canadian immigrants waiting to enter do not know when they will be able to complete the process. IRCC is considering safe ways to facilitate the citizenship test during the pandemic but did not provide a timeline for the reopening of the citizenship test. The Canadian citizenship test consists of two parts: a written test and an oral test. Although IRCC allows the use of virtual online methods to hold the citizenship oath ceremonies, the use of an online test to replace the on-site test faces issues of safety and reliability.

#Citizenship, #IRCC, #COVID_19