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NEWS

New PGWP Changes in 2024: What You Need to Know Before November 1st

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The Canadian Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program has long served as a vital avenue for international students seeking Canadian work experience after completing their studies. This program enables graduates to gain valuable work exposure and potentially transition to permanent residency. However, the PGWP eligibility criteria are undergoing notable changes, with updated guidelines set to take effect on November 1, 2024. Initially announced on September 18, 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now released a detailed list of study programs that will remain eligible for the PGWP after the deadline.  This article provides a thorough overview of these changes, clarifies what remains unchanged, and explains how the new criteria will impact PGWP applicants from November 2024 onward.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Key Elements That Remain Unchanged  While the new rules introduce more specific requirements, certain foundational eligibility conditions for PGWP applicants remain unchanged:  1.Designated Learning Institution Requirement  Applicants must still complete their studies at a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI). Only graduates from these accredited institutions are eligible for the PGWP.  2. Physical Presence in Canada  Students are required to be physically present in Canada for most of their program duration. This stipulation remains unaffected by the recent updates.  3. Existing Applications  Any PGWP applications submitted before November 1, 2024, will only need to meet the current eligibility criteria, meaning the new rules will not impact these applicants.  4. Flight School Graduates  Graduates from eligible flight schools remain exempt from the new criteria, regardless of whether they apply before or after November 1, 2024.  New PGWP Eligibility Criteria Effective November 1, 2024  Starting November 1, 2024, all PGWP applicants must meet newly introduced eligibility requirements based on when they submitted their study permit application and their level of education. Here’s a breakdown of these changes:  1. Students Who Submitted Study Permit Applications Before November 1, 2024  If your study permit application was submitted before November 1, 2024, you must meet the following criteria when applying for a PGWP:  University Graduates with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree  Language Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate English or French proficiency at a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Graduates from Other University Programs  Language Requirement: The same language requirement applies: CLB 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French across all four skill areas.  College or Other Programs  Language Requirement: For graduates of college or other programs, a minimum of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French is required across all four language skills.  2. Students Who Submit Study Permit Applications On or After November 1, 2024  For students who submit study permit applications on or after November 1, 2024, the eligibility criteria become more stringent, particularly regarding language proficiency and field of study:  University Graduates with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree  Language Requirement: Minimum of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Field of Study Requirement: No specific restrictions; all fields of study are eligible for PGWP under this category.  Graduates from Other University Programs  Language Requirement: Minimum of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four language skills.  Field of Study Requirement: Students must complete a program in a high-demand field in Canada.  College Graduates or Other Programs  Language Requirement: A minimum of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  Field of Study Requirement: Only graduates from eligible fields of study tied to occupations facing long-term shortages are eligible.  Mandatory General Training English Tests  As of the new regulations, language proficiency becomes a crucial eligibility factor for the PGWP. Applicants must prove their language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with test scores being less than two years old at the time of PGWP application submission. Accepted language tests include:  CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): CELPIP-General test required.  IELTS (International English Language Testing System): IELTS General Training test required.  PTE Core (Pearson Test of English): PTE Core test required.  Eligible Fields of Study for PGWP After November 1, 2024  The updated PGWP eligibility rules place particular importance on the field of study, especially for college and certain university graduates. IRCC has specified a list of fields aligned with occupations facing long-term labor shortages in Canada. Below are examples of eligible fields:  Agriculture and Agri-Food  Agriculture, General (CIP Code: 01.0000)  Agricultural Business and Management (CIP Code: 01.0101)  Agronomy and Crop Science (CIP Code: 01.1102)  Greenhouse Operations and Management (CIP Code: 01.0604)  Healthcare  Veterinary Sciences (CIP Code: 01.8101)  Disability Studies (CIP Code: 05.0210)  Nutrition Sciences (CIP Code: 30.1901)  Exercise Science and Kinesiology (CIP Code: 31.0505)  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)  Molecular Genetics (CIP Code: 26.0802)  Genome Sciences/Genomics (CIP Code: 26.0807)  Computer Science (CIP Code: 11.0701)  Trade  Meat Cutting (CIP Code: 12.0506)  Equestrian/Equine Studies (CIP Code: 01.0507)  Transport  Aircraft Pilot (CIP Code: 49.0102)  Marine Transportation (CIP Code: 49.0309)  Heavy Equipment Operation (CIP Code: 49.0205)  These fields are just a sampling, and the full list of eligible study programs includes a wide range of disciplines. Students are encouraged to consult the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes for specific programs to confirm PGWP eligibility.  Preparing for the PGWP Changes  The upcoming changes to Canada’s PGWP program, effective November 1, 2024, introduce additional criteria for international students who wish to work in Canada after graduation. These updates particularly emphasize language proficiency and field-specific qualifications for programs related to Canada’s labor shortages.  For students planning to apply for a PGWP after the new rules take effect, consider the following steps:  Review Your Program’s Eligibility  Ensure that your chosen field of study aligns with the updated PGWP requirements, particularly if you are in a college program or a non-research university program.  Prepare for Language Testing  If you do not yet meet the required language proficiency levels, consider preparing for the accepted tests, as language skills are now critical to your PGWP application.  Consult Advisors 

NEWS

“How to Move to Canada from the U.S.: Step-by-Step Guide for 2024”

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Americans should prepare for their immigration status in advance if they want to relocate to Canada. Even though Americans with passports are accustomed to having unrestricted access to Canada, they will require the proper authorization in order to work, study, or reside there permanently. When considering a transfer to Canada, Americans may want to take into account these three significant programs: Work permits for CUSMA/USMCA professionals; The Federal Program for Skilled Workers; and The class on the Canadian Experience. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Legal Standing to Work or Learn Without permission, it is against the law for foreigners, even US citizens, to work or study in Canada. To work or study in Canada, US residents who are not citizens of Canada must get authorization. One advantage of being visa-exempt is that, unlike foreign people from many other nations, Americans will not need a visa or electronic travel authorization (eTA) in order to enter Canada. There are two main ways to obtain legal status in Canada: Permits, which are temporary; and Permanent residency, which can be renewed indefinitely, provided you spend enough time in Canada. Work Permits for CUSMA/USMCA Professionals Americans who want to relocate to Canada for employment have an edge because to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). In order to practice their profession in Canada, US citizens in particular professional disciplines may apply for an employer-specific work visa under this free trade agreement. Medical professionals, scientists, scientific technicians, and management consultants are among the 63 professions that qualify. Getting a CUSMA work permit is a solid way to gain status to work in Canada if you meet the conditions. The responsibilities you perform and how your profession is categorized under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) determine your profession, which is distinct from your job title. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program and other work permits under the International Mobility Program will provide alternatives for Americans who do not work in CUSMA professions. Because work permits are temporary by nature, you’ll need to renew your permit before it expires in order to maintain your work status. If you do not renew your work permit, you will need to leave Canada upon the expiry of your work permit, unless you obtain some other form of legal status that allows you to remain in the country. Obtaining Canadian Permanent Residency Americans who wish to settle in Canada on a long-term basis may wish to pursue Canadian permanent residency–the equivalent of a green card in the United States. Permanent residency grants many—although not all—of the same privileges as Canadian citizenship. Canadian permanent residents can settle in any province, can enrol in studies, can be eligible for social services and provincial health insurance programs, and can work freely in Canada for any employer. After you’ve been a permanent resident for three years, and have spent enough time in Canada, you can apply for Canadian citizenship. To obtain Canadian permanent residency, a foreign national must first receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence from the Canadian immigration ministry, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). One way to receive an ITA is to qualify for a federal economic immigration program, upon which you can become a candidate and enter the Express Entry pool—a management system used by IRCC to determine which candidates to invite for permanent residency. Once you’re an eligible candidate in the pool, you are scored and ranked against other candidates, using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and top-ranking candidates are invited in periodic draws held by IRCC. Americans seeking Canadian Permanent Residency may want to consider two Express Entry programs: The Federal Skilled Worker Program; and The Canadian Experience Class. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The Federal Program for Skilled Workers You must fulfill several standards throughout factoring in order to be qualified for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, including Learning Proficiency in the language; Settlement money; and Experience in the workplace. You can join the Express Entry pool if you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program. If you do well enough in the pool, you will have the chance to get an ITA in any draws. The Experience Class in Canada Another government route to permanent residence in Canada is the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Federal Skilled Worker Program has more complicated requirements than the CEC. One year of full-time, competent job experience in Canada within the previous three years is the primary prerequisite for CEC. Additionally, you have to be proficient in either French or English. After gaining a year of Canadian work experience, Americans who enter Canada on a work permit—such as a CUSMA professionals work permit—will probably be eligible for CEC. Particular Records for Programs with Express Entry You will need to provide specific papers as part of your Express Entry profile. You should be informed that in order to have a suitable profile, you must prepare two documents specifically for Express Entry in advance: language assessments; and Assessments of educational credentials (ECAs). To prove you have the necessary level of English or French language ability, you will need to take legitimate language tests from an authorized testing organization. Even if you are a native speaker of French or English, you still need to take these tests. You will also need educational credential assessments (ECAs) from an authorized provider if you did not complete your studies in Canada. Your education is evaluated by an ECA based on Canadian credentials. For every degree, you will need an ECA. Employing a Representative You can handle your own profile, candidacy, and (if successfully invited) application, or you can hire a representative. If you choose to use a representative, you should choose a reputable one, and you must fill out special forms declaring your use of a representative. Using a representative without declaring it can invalidate your candidacy and/or application, leading to refusal. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

CAN YOU AFFORD TO LIVE COMFORTABLYIN CANADA?

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While the settlement funds recommended by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can assist you in covering basic living expenses, it’s important to understand how much you’ll need to truly thrive in Canada. Settlement funds are intended to help recent immigrants manage essential costs while they seek employment and housing. However, the cost of living can often be much higher, with conservative estimates indicating monthly expenses can exceed $1,500 before rent in many Canadian cities (source: numbeo.com). This article provides a breakdown of the cost of living in Canada, offering a rough guide on what you can expect to spend on essential expenses upon your arrival. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Cost of Living Comparison: Toronto vs. Winnipeg To give you a clearer idea of what to expect, CIC News has compiled a table of monthly cost-of-living estimates based on crowdsourced data (source: numbeo) for both Toronto and Winnipeg.  Toronto  Living arrangement (including rent) Lower estimate monthly expenses Middle estimate monthly expenses Higher estimate monthly expenses Single person (1 bedroom apartment using public transport) $3,706.79 $4,446.91 $6,931.29 Single person with car (1 bedroom apartment travelling by car) $4,007.41  $4,879.61 $7,639.40 Single person (3 bedroom with roommates using public transport) $2,550.44 $3,253.35 $5,789.63 Single person with car (3 bedroom with roommates travelling by car) $2,851.07 $3,961.45 $6,497.73 Family of 4 (3-bedroom using public transport) $8,355.09 $10,778.30 $18,085.60 Family of 4 (3-bedroom travelling by car) $8,806.02 $11,427.36 $19,147.75 Winnipeg Living arrangement (including rent) Lower estimate monthly expenses Middle estimate monthly expenses Higher estimate monthly expenses Single person (1 bedroom apartment using public transport) $2,424.45 $3,088.07 $5,174.11 Single person with car (1 bedroom apartment travelling by car) $2,719.37 $3,506.83 $5,851.96 Single person (3 bedroom with roommates using public transport) $1,750.20 $2,377.57 $4,622.98 Single person with car (3 bedroom with roommates travelling by car) $2,045.12 $2,796.34 $5,300.83 Family of 4 (3-bedroom using public transport) $5,882.81 $8,043.22 $14,097.78 Family of 4 (3-bedroom travelling by car) $6,325.19 $8,671.36 $15,114.56 How Much Do You Need to Thrive in Canada? While the settlement funds recommended by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can assist you in covering basic living expenses, it’s important to understand how much you’ll need to truly thrive in Canada. Settlement funds are intended to help recent immigrants manage essential costs while they seek employment and housing. However, the cost of living can often be much higher, with conservative estimates indicating monthly expenses can exceed $1,500 before rent in many Canadian cities (source: numbeo.com). This article provides a breakdown of the cost of living in Canada, offering a rough guide on what you can expect to spend on essential expenses upon your arrival. Cost of Living Comparison: Toronto vs. Winnipeg To give you a clearer idea of what to expect, CIC News has compiled a table of monthly cost-of-living estimates based on crowdsourced data (source: numbeo) for both Toronto and Winnipeg. Toronto RentFor most newcomers, renting accommodation will be the largest portion of their monthly budget. Rental prices can vary widely depending on the neighborhood and type of property. In your first month, you will likely need to pay a security deposit, which is generally equal to one month’s rent. Below is a table showing the median monthly rent for major cities in Canada (source: zumper.com). GroceriesThe following table outlines the average minimum monthly budget for groceries in various major cities as of August 2024. The figures are crowdsourced and based on an adult consuming 2,400 calories a day on an omnivorous diet. The low estimate excludes dairy and reduces meat consumption, while the high estimate includes increased amounts of both. Actual grocery costs can vary significantly based on where you shop and the specific items you choose. Monthly Grocery Estimates (Crowdsourced Data) City Low Estimate High Estimate Toronto $300 $600 Winnipeg $250 $500 These figures highlight the variability in grocery costs based on shopping habits and dietary preferences. These figures can change significantly based on where you shop and what specific items you include in your monthly groceries. The table below shows estimates for the monthly cost of groceries based on crowdsourced data.     Low estimate (Canadian dollars) Medium estimate (Canadian dollars) High estimate (Canadian dollars) Canadian cost of groceries per month (for one person) $412.04 $527.13 $660.53 Source: numbeo Travel In the metropolitan areas of Canada, most newcomers will rely on public transport to navigate the city. The table below shows the cost of an adult monthly transit pass for some of the major cities in Canada. All prices are gathered from the cities’ respective transport boards. City Price of monthly transit pass (in Canadian dollars) Toronto (ON) $156.00 Vancouver (BC) (3 zone pass) $193.80 Calgary (AB) $115.00 Montreal (QC) (all zone pass) $196.00 Halifax (NS) $90.00 Phone and internet Mobile data can be more expensive in Canada than in the country you are coming from. The table below shows the average cost of an unlimited nationwide talk and text plan along with 10-19 GB of data, sorted by some of the major provinces. Province Average price (in Canadian dollars) Nova Scotia $40.23 Quebec $55.12 Ontario $41.04 Manitoba $40.88 Saskatchewan $59.14 British Columbia $40.94 The following table shows the average monthly cost of an internet package with 33-100mbps Province Average price (in Canadian dollars) Nova Scotia $77.95 Quebec $55.97 Ontario $76.92 Manitoba $61.94 Saskatchewan $77.55 British Columbia $64.75   Source: Price Comparisons of Wireline, Wireless and Internet Services in Canada and with Foreign Jurisdictions: 2023 Edition From: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Methodology *The data for this comparison was gathered using the numbeo cost of living estimator. We selected Toronto and Winnipeg as examples of cities where the cost of living is higher and lower respectively. The categories used to prompt the estimator were as follows. Single person (1 bedroom apartment using public transport)Lower estimateThe lower estimate was based on a hypothetical single person (1 bedroom apartment using public transport) with the following spending habits:   Eating lunch or dinner in restaurants for 5% of their meals, with 100% of these being

NEWS

“Canada vs. Top Immigrant Destinations: How Does It Stack Up?”

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Newcomers perceive Canada as a nation with opportunity, a modern culture, and a high standard of living. However, immigrants might be curious in how Canada stacks up against other popular immigration locations across the globe and what hard data backs up these claims. One useful tool for answering questions is the Human Development Index (HDI) of the United Nations. The Index provides a single indexed development score for every nation by dissecting several variables. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration What is the Human Development Index? The HDI is a unified index produced by the United Nations (UN) to measure the development of a country. The measure focuses on the idea that the capabilities of people in any given country are the ultimate measure of assessing a nation’s development, “not economic growth alone.” To this end, the HDI measures the longevity, education, and income of individuals in a country, through the following composite measures: Longevity measures: life expectancy at birth, and overall score on the UN’s life expectancy index; Knowledge measures: expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling, and overall score on the UN’s education index; and Income / Standard of living measures: Gross National Income per capita, and overall score on the UN’s Gross National Income index. Through an amalgamation of these measures, the UN assigns each country a score between 0 and 1, with 1 denoting the highest possible score of development, and 0 the lowest. The HDI has assigned scores to countries based on these measures since 1990. According to the index, the following scores denote corresponding levels of development: HDI score Indication of national development ≤0.550 Low 0.550-0.699 Medium 0.700-0.799 High ≥0.800 Very high What is Canada’s HDI ranking? Canada receives a score of 0.935 on the HDI as of the most current data available (2022), which indicates a very high degree of progress. Canada’s HDI score in 1990 was 0.861, showing a 0.074-point rise in the 30+ years since the data was first released on the HDI. The breakdown of this score by composite measure is presented in the table below, as of 2022 (the most recent year data was available): Composite measure Canadian statistics Life expectancy at birth 82.8 years Expected years of schooling 15.9 years Mean years of schooling 13.8 years Gross National Income per Capita $48,444.3 (reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) In comparison, the world average score on the HDI is 0.739, indicating that Canada places well above the average in terms of being a developed nation. The highest-ranked country according to the HDI’s most recent reporting is Switzerland, with a score of 0.967, while the lowest-ranked country was Somalia with a score of 0.380. How does Canada rank against other top immigrant destinations? According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) 2023 international migration outlook, the top five immigration destinations (based on data from 2022) by permanent immigration—excluding Canada—were: The United States of America (USA); Germany; The United Kingdom (UK).; Spain; and France. The following will break down the UN HDI and composite scores for the above countries. Note: While the HDI is a comprehensive measure of human development, there are multiple factors it does not consider (i.e.: cost-of-living, access to medical services, legal rights and freedoms, etc.). The United States of America As of the most recent reporting, the United States achieved an HDI score of 0.927, with the following composite scores. Composite measure American statistics Life expectancy at birth 78.2 years Expected years of schooling 16.4 years Mean years of schooling 13.5 years Gross National Income per Capita $65,564.9 (reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) Germany As of the most recent reporting, Germany achieved an HDI score of 0.950, with the following composite scores. Composite measure German statistics Life expectancy at birth 80.9 years Expected years of schooling 17.3 years Mean years of schooling 14.2 years Gross National Income per Capita $55,340.1 (reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) The United Kingdom As of the most recent reporting, the United Kingdom achieved an HDI score of 0.940, with the following composite scores. Composite measure UK statistics Life expectancy at birth 82.1 years Expected years of schooling 17.6 years Mean years of schooling 13.4 years Gross National Income per Capita $46,623.9 (reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) Spain As of the most recent reporting, Spain achieved an HDI score of 0.911 with the following composite scores. Composite measure Spanish statistics Life expectancy at birth 83.9 years Expected years of schooling 17.8 years Mean years of schooling 10.6 years Gross National Income per Capita $40,043.3(reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) France As of the most recent reporting, France achieved an HDI score of 0.91, with the following composite scores. Composite measure French statistics Life expectancy at birth 83.2 years Expected years of schooling 15.9 years Mean years of schooling 11.6 years Gross National Income per Capita $47,378.7(reported in 2017 Purchasing Power Parity dollars) What makes an immigrant successful in Canada? According to data from Statistics Canada, many recent immigrants may have economic outcomes that are on par with or even better than those of their Canadian-born counterparts. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)* variables were evaluated in a research titled “Which immigration selection factors best predict the earnings of economic principal applicants?” to determine how they affected immigrant performance in the short (1-2 years), medium (5-7 years), and long-term (10+ years) periods. *The Canadian federal immigration system ranks economic immigrants according to their human capital (age, education, and language proficiency) using the CRS. Based on these variables, the algorithm gives each candidate a score that indicates how likely it is that they will successfully settle and assimilate into Canadian society. Specifically, the CRS factors tracked were: Years of pre-landing Canadian work experience (compared to those with no experience); Ability in official languages (English or French (Native speakers vs. Less proficient); Age—Younger (25-29 years) VS. Older (50-54 years); and Education (bachelor’s VS. Secondary school education); In the short term (1-2 years), the strongest

NEWS

“Canada Shines: Ranked Top 10 Globally for Work-Life Balance!”

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According to a survey conducted by the international human resources company Remote HR, Canada is among the top ten nations in the world for work-life balance, or as the report refers to it, life-work balance. Overall, New Zealand, Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark occupied the top four positions, with Canada coming in fifth. Rankings for a number of variables that affect an employee’s work-life balance are included in the data. These include of minimum wage, percentage of sick pay, number of hours worked per week, mandatory yearly leave, and an overall happiness score. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Canada achieved an overall score of 72.75 out of a possible 100. It scored high for its relatively short work week (an average of 32 hours for most Canadians), safety, and for being 2SLGBTQ+ friendly. Germany, Finland, Australia, Norway, and Spain rounded out the top ten. Canada’s closest neighbour, the United States, ranked 55 out of 60 in the Remote rankings with a score of 31.82 due to no annual paid vacation or sick leave, non-universal healthcare, and more hours worked per week. The data on average working hours in Canada reported by Remote is supported by the most recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) work-life balance rankings where Canada again placed fifth overall. OECD said that “just 3% of employees work very long hours in paid work, much less than the OECD average of 10%.” OECD noted that full-time workers in Canada use 61% of their day (14.6 hours) for personal care. This includes eating and sleeping as well as leisure activities. This is just slightly less than the global average of 15 hours. Canada short on vacation time The Remote report showed that Canada fell short in annual statutory leave and vacation time. The data said that people employed in Canada receive 17 days of annual statutory leave. However, this is not always easy to measure as employment standards in Canada are mandated by provincial governments. For example, in Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, workers in the private sector (meaning those not employed by the federal government or in a federally regulated industry) can spend the first five years in any job with just 10 days (two weeks) of vacation time per year. According to the Ontario Employment Standards Act, minimum vacation entitlement increases to three weeks (15 days) after five years.   Again, this timeline can vary by province. Employees in Saskatchewan are entitled to three weeks of paid vacation after one year of employment, going up to four weeks after ten years. Quebec’s annual vacation entitlement rises from two weeks to three weeks after three years of employment. This does not account for Canada’s federal statutory holidays such as Christmas Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and Victoria Day. There are also other public holidays but, in many instances and depending on the province, employees are not automatically entitled to take those days off. It often depends on their employer. Comparatively, in both New Zealand and Ireland, all employees are entitled to four weeks of paid annual vacation after 12 months of continuous employment. Regularly attaining high rankings Canada usually comes up high on international lists. For instance, in January of this year, Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) named it the world’s safest country for travelers, while in late 2023, Givetastic conducted a study that revealed Canada to be the most popular “dream work destination” worldwide. In addition, Canada’s passport is ranked seventh strongest in the world in the most recent rankings released by citizenship and residency consulting firm Henley & Partners. These rankings add to Canada’s appeal as one of the most sought-after destinations for newcomers. In 2023, it welcomed over 470,000 new permanent residents and the Immigration Levels Plan for 2024 targets admitting a further 485,000. While Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, has recently indicated that immigration levels in the near future may look different, he also recognized the economic and social benefits of welcoming newcomers sustainably. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

Under the IRCC’s new pilot program, francophone students will have a straight route to permanent residence.

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In an effort to increase the number of foreign students attending Francophone towns across Canada, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller today announced the launch of a new immigration pilot program. The Francophone Minority Communities Pilot Program (FMCSP), according to an IRCC press release, will increase acceptance rates and ensure that students from the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa are treated fairly in the present program. Students and their families “will be exempted from having to demonstrate that they will leave Canada at the end of their temporary stay,” according to the IRCC, in order to accomplish this. Furthermore, the necessary financial threshold will be changed to correspond with 75% of the municipality’s low-income cut-off in the area where the institution’s main campus is situated. These students will also have a direct pathway to permanent resident status after they complete their programs and access to settlement services. The pilot will open on August 26, 2024, and will accept 2,300 students in the first year. This cap will be reassessed in August 2025. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Who can apply? To be eligible, students must have a letter of acceptance from a participating Designated Learning Institution (DLI) that says they are applying under the FMCSP. The study program must meet the following criteria: be at the post-secondary level; be full-time; be 2 years or more of study; lead to a degree or diploma; and have French as the primary language of instruction (over 50% of the classes are taught in French). Students must also be citizens of these eligible countries: Benin Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Comoros Côte d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Dominica Republic of the Congo Djibouti Egypt Equatorial Guinea Gabon Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Lebanon Madagascar Mali Mauritania Mauritius Morocco Niger Rwanda Saint Lucia São Tomé and Principe Senegal Seychelles Togo Tunisia Wives, common-law partners, or dependant children may accompany students enrolled in the FMCSP. Participants’ spouses and common-law partners might qualify for a study permit, open work permit, or visitor visa. Notably, many of the most recent modifications to Canada’s international student program do not apply to students enrolled in the Pilot. For instance, participants are not subject to the IRCC’s processing cap for applications from international students, nor are they obliged to get a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from their DLI. New communities added to the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative Minister Miller also announced the addition of 10 new francophone communities to the Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFC) initiative. This initiative aims to support the reception and settlement of Francophone newcomers in select Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada. Settlement services for newcomers through this initiative (including community building, skills development, employment assistance and more) are provided by IRCC, and the participating community. In addition to the 14 communities already participating in the initiative, Miller announced the following communities will now also be included:   Province New Communities Selected British Columbia Nanaimo Manitoba Red River (Ritchot, Salaberry, Montcalm, and St-Pierre-Jolys) Nova Scotia Chéticamp (including St. Joseph du Moine) New Brunswick Belle-Baie (including Bathurst and the Pabineau First Nation) Caraquet (including Rivière du Nord and Hautes-Terres) Restigouche West Region (Saint-Quentin and Kedgwick) Saskatchewan Prince Albert Ontario Cornwall Cochrane District (Route 11 Corridor) London This brings the total number of communities participating in the WCF to 24. Canda’s renewal of this initiative is part of a wider Francophone immigration strategy which looks to balance the use of English and French (both official languages) in the country—particularly the use of French outside of Quebec. These are further detailed in comments made at today’s release by Liane Roy, President of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA): “The WFC initiative is an eloquent example of the commitment of Francophone and Acadian communities to the overall success of immigrants…. [communities] have set up activities to promote living together and inclusion, and have strengthened the attractiveness of our communities with the aim of increasing Francophone immigration” Canadas francophone immigration policy The two pilot programs are part of Canada’s Policy on Francophone Immigration. Earlier this year the department announced that it was targeting that 6% of all newcomers to Canada are French speaking. Additionally, Canada’s Official Language Act highlights the obligation for the immigration minister to adopt “a policy on Francophone immigration to enhance the vitality of French linguistic minority communities in Canada, including by restoring and increasing their demographic weight.” The new programs are one measure IRCC is undertaking to increase the number of francophone immigrants. It is also expected that the department will issue a high number of Invitations to Apply to Express Entrycandidates with French language proficiency through category-based selection rounds of invitations. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

Canada, NEWS

Where to find your cultural community in Canada

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Finding others who share their social and cultural background can be a major factor for many immigrants to Canada when deciding where to settle. Fortunately, Canada’s emphasis on diversity and culture mean that immigrants from all over the world can probably find fellow members of their community there. The most populated communities in Canada are profiled here, along with information on notable ethnic groups, birthplace, immigration status, official languages spoken, and linguistic proficiency. The biggest cities in every province have been selected, and information from the Canadian National Census of 2021 has been gathered. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Definitions This page cites Statistics Canada’s “list of ethnic or cultural origins 2021” (which includes detailed definitions) for ethnic origins. Regarding immigration status, this article makes reference to: “Immigrants” are those who are recent arrivals in Canada who have been granted permanent residence (PR) status and/or those who have obtained Canadian citizenship through naturalization; “Non-immigrants,” denoting those who are citizens of Canada by virtue of their birth; and “Non-permanent residents” are foreign nationals who are granted temporary residency in Canada, usually through a work or study permit. Toronto The largest city and metropolitan area in both the province of Ontario and all of Canada is Toronto. Toronto had a population of about 2.7 million as of 2021. Status of Immigration The people who live in Toronto are: 48.2% or 1.39 million non-immigrants; 1.28 million newcomers (46.6%); additionally Non-permanent residents: 145,240 (5.35%). Language proficiency Toronto’s population spoke the following languages: English (2.6 million speakers); French (238,505 speakers); Mandarin (162,950 speakers); Spanish (138,770 speakers); Tagalog (135,600 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (134,810 speakers); Hindi (107,170 speakers); Italian (84,335 speakers); Portuguese (80,170 speakers); and Tamil (77,785 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Toronto spoke: English only (2.4 million speakers); English and French (236,915 speakers); and French only (2,555 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Toronto’s population: 1.13 million people were of ethnic European origin; 1.13 million people were of ethnic Asian origin; 248,260 people were of ethnic North American origin; 212,030 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 172,560 people were of ethnic African origin. Montréal Montréal is the largest metropolis in the province of Quebec and the second most populous city in Canada. Additionally, it is North America’s largest francophone metropolis. 1.76 million people called Montréal home as of the 2021 census. Status of Immigration Montréal’s population consists of: 1.01 million non-immigrants (59%); 576,120 immigrants (33.4%); and 129,780 non-permanent residents (7.5%). Knowledge of languages Montréal’s population spoke the following languages: French (1.47 million speakers); English (1.21 million speakers); Spanish (177,230 speakers); Arabic (173,385 speakers); Italian (95,535 speakers); Haitian Creole (66,445 speakers); Mandarin (41,405 speakers); Portuguese (28,835 speakers); and Vietnamese (24,550 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Montréal spoke: English and French (1.01 million speakers); French only (473,490 speakers); English only (207,690 speakers); and Neither English nor French (41,975 speakers). Ethnic or cultural breakdown Of Montréal’s population: 684,765 people were of ethnic European origin; 419,860 people were of ethnic North American origin; 307,525 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 230,025 people were of ethnic African origin; and 136,480 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin. Calgary The largest city in Alberta and one of the fastest-growing in the country is Calgary. Calgary was named the most livable city in Canada and tied with Zurich, Switzerland, for third place among all cities in 2022. Calgary had 1.3 million residents in 2021. Immigrant Status Calgary’s population consists of: 834,100 non-immigrants (64.6%); 430,640 immigrants (33.3%); and 27,030 non-permanent residents (2.1%). Knowledge of languages Calgary’s population spoke the following languages: English (1.25 million speakers); French (86,135 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (66,720 speakers); Punjabi (61,025 speakers); Spanish (54,235 speakers); Mandarin (45,330 speakers); Hindi (42,160 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (42,090 speakers); Arabic (33,325 speakers); and Urdu (29,980 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Calgary spoke: English only (1.17 million speakers); English and French (85,360 speakers); and French only (825 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Calgary’s population: 665,085 people were of ethnic European origin; 403,980 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 207,060 people were of ethnic North American origin; 78,555 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 74,410 people were of ethnic African origin. Winnipeg The province of Manitoba’s capital and largest city is Winnipeg. The city is a rapidly expanding urban area in the prairie region of Canada. Winnipeg had 749,607 residents as of 2021. Status of Immigration The population of Winnipeg is made up of: 68.6% or 505,525 non-immigrants; 27,3% of immigrants, or 201,045; and 30,095 (4.1%) non-permanent inhabitants. Language proficiency The following languages were spoken by people in Winnipeg: English (723,085 speakers); French (72,665 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (64,325 speakers); Punjabi (39,215 speakers); Spanish (15,660 speakers); Mandarin (15,160 speakers); German (12,425 speakers); Arabic (9,335 speakers); Russian (8,645 speakers); and Ukranian (8,620 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Winnipeg spoke: English only (656,965 speakers); English and French (71,700 speakers); and French only (1,225 speakers). Ethnic and cultural breakdown Of Winnipeg’s population: 401,865 people were of ethnic European origin; 193,135 people were of ethnic Asian origin; 156,025 people were of ethnic North American origin; 54,455 people were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin; and 37,290 people were of ethnic African origin. Vancouver The largest city in British Columbia is Vancouver, which is also one of the three largest metropolitan areas in Canada along with Toronto and Montreal. There were 662,248 people living in Vancouver as of the 2021 census. Status of Immigration The population of Vancouver is made up of: 333,190 non-immigrants (51.2%); 274,360 immigrants (42.2%); and 42,830 non-permanent residents (6.6%). Knowledge of languages Toronto’s population spoke the following languages: English (612,215 speakers); Yue (Cantonese) (96,960 speakers); Mandarin (74,960 speakers); French (60,990 speakers); Spanish (36,500 speakers); Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (30,430 speakers); Punjabi (19,130 speakers); Hindi (15,025 speakers); Vietnamese (14,905 speakers); and Japanese (12,075 speakers). Breakdown of official languages spoken

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