27 Oct IRCC announces new measures to support Moroccan nationals
IRCC announces new measures to support Moroccan nationals
On October 26, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that Moroccan nationals in Canada can extend their study, work, or family visit status without charge, effective October 19, 2023. These special measures apply to those in Canada as of September 8, when the earthquake occurred, and are designed to facilitate the extension of temporary status or transitioning between temporary streams. The measures will remain in effect until March 12, 2024. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has prioritized processing temporary and permanent residence applications received on or before September 8, 2023, from people affected by the earthquake.
IRCC, #Morocco, #earthquake
Ottawa held the largest healthcare-targeted Express Entry draw of 2023
On October 26, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new occupation-specific Express Entry draw and issued 3,600 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates working in healthcare occupations. In round #271, the cut-off score was 431 points, 32 points fewer than in the previous healthcare-targeted Express Entry draw. The tie-breaking rule for this round was May 24, 2023, at 19:47:51 UTC. As of October 23, 2023, there were 214,873 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool. This year, Canada issued 95,221 ITAs in 35 Express Entry draws.
Express_Entry, #IRCC, #ITA, #immigration_to_Canada, #PR, #Occupation_Specific_draws, #healthcare
Canada to process only half of the Indian immigration applications by the end of 2023
At the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) meeting, Immigration Minister Marc Miller revealed that due to a reduction in IRCC staff in India, only 20,000 of the projected 38,000 visas will be processed by December. This will lead to slower processing times, responses to enquiries, and return of visas or passports. Consequently, around 17,500 Indian applications will be backlogged by 2024. Despite a pause in in-person services at Indian consulates due to staff reduction, applications will continue to be processed. The remaining staff will focus on urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment, and oversight of key partners.