Canada Passport Power: Know Full List Of Visa Free Countries

Canada Passport Ranking

Last Updated On 10 November 2022, 7:34 PM EST (Toronto Time)


Canada is a dream country for a lot of people. Hundreds of people move to Canada each year for a better lifestyle. There are many benefits to being a Canadian citizen. And having one of the most powerful passports in the world is one of them. 

According to the Henley Passport Index 2022, Canada is the eighth-ranked most powerful passport in the world. The Henley Passport Index is one the most authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports.

It has been monitoring the world’s most travel-friendly passports for almost two decades now. Moreover, the company gets its data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

If you have a Canadian passport, you have access to total of 185 destinations. So, this means that you don’t need a visa, or visa on arrival, or an eTA.



Canada Passport: Visa-Free Travel Countries

Below is latest status of Canadian passport in relation to mobility around the world.

Canada-passport-ranking
CountryVisa Requirement
Albaniavisa-free/90 days
Andorravisa-free/90 days
Antigua and Barbudavisa-free/180 days
Argentinavisa-free/90 days
Austriavisa-free/90 days
Bahamasvisa-free/240 days
Barbadosvisa-free/180 days
Belarusvisa-free/30 days
Belgiumvisa-free/90 days
Belizevisa-free
Boliviavisa-free/90 days
Bosnia and Herzegovinavisa-free/90 days
Botswanavisa-free/90 days
Brazilvisa-free/90 days
Bruneivisa-free/14 days
Bulgariavisa-free/90 days
Cape Verdevisa-free (EASE)/30 days
Chilevisa-free/90 days
Colombiavisa-free/90 days
Costa Ricavisa-free/90 days
Croatiavisa-free/90 days
Cyprusvisa-free/90 days
Czech Republicvisa-free/90 days
Denmarkvisa-free/90 days
Dominicavisa-free/180 days
Dominican Republicvisa-free
Ecuadorvisa-free/90 days
El Salvadorvisa-free/90 days
Estoniavisa-free/90 days
Eswatinivisa-free/30 days
Fijivisa-free/120 days
Finlandvisa-free/90 days
Francevisa-free/90 days
Gambiavisa-free/90 days
Georgiavisa-free/360 days
Germanyvisa-free/90 days
Greecevisa-free/90 days
Grenadavisa-free/90 days
Guatemalavisa-free/90 days
Guyanavisa-free/90 days
Haitivisa-free/90 days
Hondurasvisa-free/90 days
Hong Kongvisa-free/90 days
Hungaryvisa-free/90 days
Icelandvisa-free/90 days
Irelandvisa-free/90 days
Israelvisa-free/90 days
Italyvisa-free/90 days
Jamaicavisa-free
Japanvisa-free/90 days
Kazakhstanvisa-free/30 days
Kiribativisa-free/120 days
Kosovovisa-free/90 days
Kyrgyzstanvisa-free/60 days
Latviavisa-free/90 days
Lesothovisa-free
Liechtensteinvisa-free/90 days
Lithuaniavisa-free/90 days
Luxembourgvisa-free/90 days
Malaysiavisa-free/90 days
Maltavisa-free/90 days
Mauritiusvisa-free/90 days
Mexicovisa-free/180 days
Micronesiavisa-free/30 days
Moldovavisa-free/90 days
Monacovisa-free/90 days
Mongoliavisa-free/30 days
Montenegrovisa-free/90 days
Moroccovisa-free/90 days
Namibiavisa-free/90 days
Netherlandsvisa-free/90 days
Nicaraguavisa-free/90 days
North Macedoniavisa-free/90 days
Norwayvisa-free/90 days
Palestinian Territoriesvisa-free
Panamavisa-free/180 days
Paraguayvisa-free/90 days
Peruvisa-free/180 days
Philippinesvisa-free/30 days
Polandvisa-free/90 days
Portugalvisa-free/90 days
Romaniavisa-free/90 days
Saint Kitts and Nevisvisa-free/180 days
Saint Luciavisa-free/42 days
San Marinovisa-free/90 days
Sao Tome and Principevisa-free/15 days
Senegalvisa-free/90 days
Serbiavisa-free/90 days
Singaporevisa-free/30 days
Slovakiavisa-free/90 days
Sloveniavisa-free/90 days
South Africavisa-free/90 days
Spainvisa-free/90 days
St. Vincent and the Grenadinesvisa-free/30 days
Swedenvisa-free/90 days
Switzerlandvisa-free/90 days
Taiwanvisa-free/90 days
Tajikistanvisa-free/30 days
Thailandvisa-free/30 days
Trinidad and Tobagovisa-free
Tunisiavisa-free/120 days
Ukrainevisa-free/90 days
United Kingdomvisa-free/180 days
United States of Americavisa-free
Uruguayvisa-free/90 days
Uzbekistanvisa-free/30 days
Vanuatuvisa-free/30 days
Vatican Cityvisa-free/90 days
Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)pre-enrollment/90 days
AustraliaeTA/90 days
Angolapre-visa on arrival
ArmeniaeVisa/120 days
AzerbaijaneVisa/30 days
Bahrainvisa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Bangladeshvisa on arrival/30 days
Burkina Fasovisa on arrival/30 days
Burundivisa on arrival/30 days
CambodiaeVisa/30 days
Comorosvisa on arrival/45 days
Congo (Dem. Rep.)eVisa/90 days
Cubatourist card/90 days
DjiboutieVisa
Egyptvisa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
EthiopiaeVisa/90 days
Gabonvisa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
GuineaeVisa/90 days
Guinea-Bissauvisa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Indonesiavisa on arrival/30 days
Iraqvisa on arrival/60 days
Jordanvisa on arrival
KenyaeVisa/90 days
KuwaiteVisa/90 days
Laosvisa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Lebanonvisa on arrival/30 days
Madagascarvisa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Malawivisa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Maldivesvisa on arrival/30 days
Marshall Islandsvisa on arrival/90 days
Mauritaniavisa on arrival
Mozambiquevisa on arrival/30 days
Nepalvisa on arrival/90 days
New ZealandeTA/90 days
PakistaneTA/30 days
QatarHayya Entry Permit/30 days
South KoreaeTA/180 days
Sri LankaeTA/30 days
Nigeriapre-visa on arrival
Omanvisa on arrival / eVisa/14 days
Palauvisa on arrival/30 days
Papua New GuineaeVisa/60 days
Rwandavisa on arrival / eVisa/30 days
Samoavisa on arrival/60 days
Saudi Arabiavisa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Seychellestourist registration/90 days
Sierra Leonevisa on arrival/30 days
Solomon Islandsvisa on arrival/90 days
Somaliavisa on arrival/30 days
SurinameeTourist card/90 days
Tanzaniavisa on arrival / eVisa
Timor-Lestevisa on arrival/30 days
Togovisa on arrival/7 days
Tongavisa on arrival/31 days
TurkeyeVisa/90 days
Tuvaluvisa on arrival/30 days
United Arab Emiratesfree visa on arrival/30 days
Viet NameVisa/30 days
Zambiavisa on arrival / eVisa/90 days
Zimbabwevisa on arrival/90 days
Afghanistanvisa required
Algeriavisa required
BenineVisa
Bhutanvisa required
Cameroonvisa required
Central African Republicvisa required
Chadvisa required
Chinavisa required
Congovisa required
Equatorial Guineavisa required
Eritreavisa required
Ghanavisa required
Indiavisa required
IraneVisa
Liberiavisa required
Libyavisa required
MacaoCOVID-19 ban
Malivisa required
Myanmar [Burma]eVisa
Nauruvisa required
Nigervisa required
North Koreavisa required
Russian Federationvisa required
South SudaneVisa
Sudanvisa required
Syriavisa required
Turkmenistanvisa required
UgandaeVisa
Venezuelavisa required
Yemenvisa required

Most Powerful Passports In The World

Japan has the highest-ranked passport in the world. You can visit 193 countries if you hold a Japanese passport. Singapore and South Korea ties for second place. Their score is 192.

Germany and Spain tied for third. They scored 190. The total score for each passport is equal to the number of destinations for which no visa is required. In 2014, the Canadian passport was in the second spot on the Henley Index.

However, in 2016, it fell to sixth place. But it stayed there for four years. During the pandemic, the passport lost its sixth place. This was because of the public health restrictions and border closures. This limited travel to other countries. Thus, the passport ranking lost its place.

Source: Henley & Partners and full list from passportindex.org


  • New Express Entry Draw Declares CRS Cutoff At 481

    Today, new IRCC Express Entry draw issues 7,000 invitations to apply (ITA) for Canada permanent residency (PR), to applicants having a CRS score of 481 or above.

    Express Entry draws are usually held bi-weekly, but today’s draw is the third back-to-back weekly round of invitations.

    Details of the IRCC Express Entry draw today

    • Date and time of round: March 29, 2023 13:44:01 UTC
    • No Program Specified
    • Number of invitations issued: 7,000
    • Rank required to be invited to apply: 7,000 or above
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 481
    • Tie-breaking rule: February 14, 2023 07:35:00 UTC

    Just FYI, we now have a dedicated online Express Entry page which is updated as soon as the draw is out. Click here to visit our Express Entry page.

    A total of 21,000 invitations to apply have been issued in last 3 consecutive weeks and CRS cut off score has dropped all the way from 490 to 481.

    This is the lowest cutoff score since the beginning of “no program specified” draws post pandemic.

    However, this could just be the “good days” prior to starting of new “targeted Express Entry draws” this year.

    Next Express Entry Draw Prediction

    Our CRS cut off score prediction last week just missed by 1 point. We predicted today’s cutoff at 480, but it came at 481.

    This prediction is based on our analysis of CRS score distribution in the pool on the draw day and anticipation of new profiles until then.

    Similarly, our next draw predication sees the cut off score to be around 476-478 for no program specified draws (if draw is held next week).

    If no program specified draw is held after two weeks now, then the cut off is expected to be around 480.

    The CRS score distribution of applicants in the Express Entry pool as of March 29, 2023 is shown below.

    March 29 CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool

    IRCC Express Entry draw - CRS Distribution

    Click here for all the previous Express Entry draws.

    Official IRCC processing times for Express Entry – March 23, 2023.

    • Canadian Experience Class – 12 months
    • Federal Skilled Worker Program – 30 months
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program – 70 months
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry – 11 months

  • Canada Budget 2023 New Proposals For Immigration

    Today, the finance minister and deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled Canada budget 2023 amid rising grocery costs.

    Budget reiterated that Canada will welcome 500,000 new permanent residents per year by 2025 with the vast majority of whom will be skilled employees.

    This will assist in addressing the labour shortages that so many Canadian firms are currently facing.

    The budget proposes new funding to improve processing and boost visitors to Canada.

    Additionally, it also allocates new funding for promoting francophone funding as well as to support legal aid for Asylum Seekers.

    Canada Budget 2023 Proposal for Immigration

    Canada budget 2023 proposes $104.3 million for citizenship, visitors, asylum seekers + $123.2 million for promoting francophone immigration.

    As per 2022 budget, Canada already has plan to spend $1.6 billion over six years and $315 million ongoing to achieve ambitious target of welcoming 500,000 new permanent residents annually by 2025.

    Moreover, $50 million is also being spend to address immigration backlogs.

    Safe and Efficient Citizenship Applications: $10 million over 5 years

    Applications for citizenship are screened using name-based searches rather than biometric methods like fingerprints, which are used in visa and permanent residency applications.

    Name-based searches take longer and are less precise, resulting in longer processing times.

    So, budget 2023 proposes $10 million over five years, beginning in 2023-24, with a remaining amortization of $14.6 million for Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to implement biometrics.

    Supporting Travel to Canada: $50.8 million in forgone revenue over 4 years

    Canada acknowledges that Visitors to Canada generate billions of dollars in revenue. The federal government is dedicated to simplifying and streamlining the application process for anyone wishing to visit Canada, while not compromising national security.

    Budget 2023 proposes expanding eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) eligibility to low-risk, trusted travellers from additional visa-required countries.

    This will assist to make Canada a more appealing destination for trustworthy travellers while also allowing the government to direct resources where they are most needed, such as screening higher-risk travellers.

    This approach will cost $50.8 million in forgone revenue over four years. The list of qualifying countries will be released in upcoming weeks.

    As per Canadian government, access to legal counsel, information, and guidance guarantees that Canada’s asylum procedure is fair and efficient for all.

    In collaboration with provinces and territories, the federal government helps fund legal aid services for asylum seekers who cannot afford it.

    Canada budget 2023 proposes to give Justice Canada $43.5 million in 2023-24 to sustain government financing for immigration and refugee legal aid programmes.

    Francophone (French-Speaking) immigration: $123.2 million

    Budget proposes $123.2 million to enhance Francophone immigration in Canada. Although, it is immigration related, but it falls under the action plan for official languages section of the budget.

    This includes assistance to Canadian firms in recruiting French-speaking overseas employees and improved assistance to these immigrants after they arrive.

    Grocery Rebate Canada Budget 2023

    Most talked across Canada is the “grocery rebate” announced by the minister, which is a one-time payment (a maximum amount of $153 per adult, $81 per child, and $81 for singles).

    As a result, eligible couples with 2 children may receive up to $467, while individuals may receive up to an extra $234. Furthermore, Seniors may receive up to $225.

    This is expected to benefit For 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians and families to offset the cost of rising grocery inflation. However, this is too petite amount.

    Example explained in the budget on Grocery Rebate eligibility

    Sam works part-time as a cook at a restaurant, while Alex works as a clerk at a convenience store. They make $38,000 each year to support their two young children.

    Increasing grocery prices have stretched their already limited budget, and they are fighting to make ends meet.

    In addition to the improved Canada Workers Benefit, Canada Child Benefit, and GST Credit they already get, the Food Rebate will provide them with $467 to help them afford the healthful food their growing children require.


    Canada Budget 2023
  • Canada Foreign Worker Program Transitioning To LMIA Online Portal Effective April 3

    Effective April 3, 2023 the Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will begin shifting to the LMIA Online Portal as the primary means of submitting LMIAs.

    The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that a Canadian business or employer require before recruiting a foreign worker.

    With positive LMIA, a foreign worker can apply for a work permit and come to Canada for employment.

    This change to LMIA Online Portal will streamline processing even further, allowing firms to respond labour market demands more swiftly.

    New Extension of Temporary Foreign Worker Program COVID Measures

    Furthermore, Minister of Employment, Carla Qualtrough extended below listed temporary measures until October 23, 2023. These measures were introduced during the COVID.

    • Allowing employers in seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages (such as accommodation and food services, construction, and food manufacturing) to hire up to 30% of their workforce for low-wage positions through the TFWP;
    • extending the validity period of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) to 18 months; and
    • extending the maximum duration of employment for low-wage positions to two years.

    The Canadian labour market remains tighter than it was prior to the pandemic, with the job vacancy rate reaching an all-time high in the third quarter of 2021.

    Still unemployment rate in Canada continues to remain near-record low at 5.0%.

    As of March 19, 2023, 56.5% more files (108,592) have been processed this year than during the same time period the prior fiscal year (69,379).

    Despite the huge rise in demand, national average LMIA processing times improved by more than ten days in fiscal year 2022-23.

    LMIA processing times have continued to improve and are now at 29 days nationwide, down from 40 days at the start of this fiscal year.

    What is the LMIA Online Portal

    The LMIA Online Portal is a trustworthy and secure electronic resource.

    It enables Canadian employers and third-party representatives to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada on their behalf.

    LMIA online portal login

    LMIA Online Portal Features

    Employers or third-party representatives can do the following in the LMIA Online Portal after setting up a Job Bank account:

    • Submit LMIA application anytime (24×7 = 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
    • Complete or revise an LMIA application at any time prior to submitting it to Service Canada
    • Upload supporting documents
    • Securely pay LMIA fees
    • Receive real-time updates on the status of LMIA application
    • Employer can access and follow the status of application, when a third party representative is submitting an LMIA application on employer’s behalf
    • View correspondence and decision letters issued by Service Canada,
    • Review previously submitted applications,
    • Create a new LMIA application by copying the information from a previous application, and
    • Contact TFWP system experts for help with technical issues.

    “We are taking a balanced approach to adjust the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to meet the changing needs of Canada’s workforce and Canadian employers. Renewing these measures addresses immediate labour shortages, while ensuring Canadians have access to jobs. We’ll continue working with provinces, territories and other partners to build the strong, skilled workforce Canada needs to support our economy.”

    – Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough

    How to request an exemption

    If applicants meet one of the below listed exemptions, then they may contact edsc.demande.formulaire.ptet-tfwp.form.request@servicecanada.gc.ca to make a request for an exemption and request a PDF LMIA application form.

    • business name
    • business telephone
    • justification(s) for the exemption(s), citing the exception to which applicant is entitled
    • the stream(s) applicant want to apply for

    If you fulfil the requirements for the exemption, Service Canada will assess your request and make a determination. Email replies will be sent out within two business days.

    LMIA Portal Exemptions

    In April 2023, all LMIA application forms will be taken down from Canada.ca website.

    However, employer or their representative is unable to use the LMIA Online Portal because of the below listed reasons, then they might be granted exemption from submitting the application online.

    Exemption 1

    Employers or their representative is/are unable get a Job Bank account if they;

    • don’t have a SIN
    • don’t have a payroll account number associated with CRA business number

    Exemption 2

    Employers is facing limitations or technical difficulties (example, limited internet or computer access).

    Exemption 3

    Applicants cannot use the Online Portal due to a system outage. In this situation, a notification outlining the steps to submit an LMIA application during this time will be placed on the Online Portal.

    Temporary Foreign Worker LMIA Employers List

    Below is the latest official list of Employers who have been issued positive LMIAs so far.

    What is LMIA Online Portal?

    The LMIA Online Portal is a trustworthy and secure electronic resource. It enables Canadian employers and third-party representatives to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada on their behalf.

    Effective April 3, 2023 the Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will be transitioning to the LMIA Online Portal as the primary means of submitting LMIAs.

  • Roxham Road Border and Safe Third Country Agreement

    The Canadian government has secured an agreement with the United States on irregular migration that now allows Canada to block the Roxham Road unofficial crossing at the Canada-United States border.

    On March 24, 2023, Canada and the United States announced the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) across the whole land border, including internal waterways.

    The expansion takes effect on March 25, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. EDT. If you crossed the border to seek asylum (refugee) and do not fit one of the Agreement’s exclusions, you will be deported to the United States.

    As part of this commitment, Canada will accept an additional 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere on a humanitarian basis over the course of the year.

    This is to maintain the expansion of the safe, regular pathways already provided throughout the hemisphere as an alternative to unauthorized migration and as a path to job opportunities.

    Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States are among the 23 nations of North America in the Western Hemisphere.

    Apart from these, 12 countries from South America also fall in Western Hemisphere. These are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Urugya, and Venezuela.

    According to sources, those positions will be new and will not reduce the number of immigrants and refugees that Canada has previously stated it will welcome.

    What is Roxham Road Crossing

    Roxham Road is an unofficial land border (dirt road) between Canada and United States, which runs through Quebec and New York. It is located around 50 kilometres south of Montreal.

    The route serves as a popular unauthorized border crossing for asylum seekers attempting to enter Canada.

    Since 2017, Canada has experienced an influx of refugees crossing the border from the United States at different irregular entry sites.

    According to federal government figures, more than 39,000 persons sought refuge in Quebec in 2022 after entering the country illegally.

    Roxham Road Border Crossing

    What is Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA)?

    A safe third country is a country where an individual, passing through that country, could have made a claim for refugee protection. 

    Canada and United States has a Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) which means any foreign national in the United States cannot enter Canada and seek refuge.

    It is illegal for an asylum seeker to cross the border anyplace other than an established port of entry.

    However, once a person sets foot on the Canadian soil by any means (such as via Roxham road), then that person is lawfully permitted to apply for asylum and seek refugee status.

    Previously, the STCA was only applicable at official border crossings and Roxham road is just an unofficial country-side ditch road connecting two countries.

    On March 24 U.S and Canada has expanded this agreement to include all the official and unofficial borders effective March 25.

    Now if any foreign national enters Canada from the United States and apply for asylum (refugee status), then Canadian authorities will return them back to the U.S.

    Where is the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) applicable now?

    The Safe Third Country Agreement applies to refugees seeking entrance into Canada from the United States.

    • at Canada-US land border crossings
    • after crossing between ports of entry and claiming refugee protection within 14 days of entering Canada
    • by train, or
    • at airports, only if the person seeking refugee protection in Canada has been denied refugee status in the US and is in transit through Canada after being deported from the US.

    Exemptions to the STCA

    Exceptions to the Agreement take into account the value of family unity, children’s best interests, and the public interest. There are four different kinds of exceptions:

    • Family members.
    • Unaccompanied minors.
    • Document holders
    • Public Interest

    1. Family member exemption

    Refugee applicants may be eligible for this exemption if they have a family member who:

    • is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or a protected person under Canadian immigration legislation
    • has made a claim for refugee status in Canada that has been accepted by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
    • has had his or her removal order stayed on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
    • holds a valid Canadian work permit
    • holds a valid Canadian study permit
    • is above the age of 18 and has a refugee protection claim that has been referred to the IRB for adjudication.

    Below listed relationships meet the definition of a family member:

    • spouse
    • legal guardian
    • child
    • father or mother
    • sister or brother
    • grandfather or grandmother
    • grandchild
    • uncle or aunt
    • nephew or niece
    • common-law partner
    • same-sex spouse

    2. Exemption for unaccompanied minors

    Minor refugee claimants who are (under the age of 18) and

    • are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
    • having no spouse or common-law partner, and
    • do not have a mother, father, or legal guardian in Canada or the United States.

    3. Exemption of document holders

    Refugee claimants may be eligible for this category of exceptions if they meet the following criteria:

    • possess a valid Canadian visa (other than a transit visa)
    • possess a valid work permit possess a valid study permit
    • have a travel document (for permanent residents or refugees) or other valid entry document issued by Canada, or are not required (exempt) to get a temporary resident visa to visit Canada yet require a visa granted by the United States to enter the United States.

    4. Public Interest Exemption

    Public interest exemption applies to asylum seekers if they have been charged with or convicted of an offence that might result in the death sentence in the United States or another nation.

    A refugee claimant, on the other hand, is disqualified if he or she has been deemed inadmissible in Canada on security grounds, for breaching human or international rights, or for severe crime, or if the Minister considers the person to be a threat to the public.

    Is Roxham road border crossing open?

    Roxham Road is no longer open to refugees seeking to enter Canada. The Canadian government and the United States have agreed to block Roxham Road, an illegal border crossing just south of Montreal.

    Canada is now turning away asylum seekers trying to enter via Roxham Road.

    Where is Roxham Road border crossing?

    Roxham Road is an unofficial land border (dirt road) that extends across Quebec and New York between Canada and the United States. It is around 50 kilometres south of Montreal.

    What is Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) Roxham?

    The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada and the United States (U.S.) is part of the Smart Border Action Plan between the two countries.

    As per this agreement, refugee claimants are obligated to seek refugee status in the first secure nation they arrive or land in.

    Source: STCA


  • BREAKING: New Canada Immigration Pathway Announced By IRCC
    Last Updated On 10 November 2022, 7:34 PM EST (Toronto Time)

    March 27, 2023 – Today, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Honourable Sean Fraser announces a new Canada Immigration pathway.

    Minister offers a keynote talk and unveil new permanent residency (PR) pathway at the Empire Club of Canada in Toronto little late than scheduled time of 11:30 am EST.

    Fraser spoke with NGOs, business leaders, and civil society organizations and discuss how Canada’s immigration measures can help employers from different sectors address the labour shortages.

    You can select your preferred language below to read the whole announcement for better understanding.

    New Immigration Pathway LIVE UPDATES:

    Canada announces a new economic immigration pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to assist firms in hiring qualified refugees and other displaced people.

    The Canadian government is expanding the EMPP by establishing a new federal pathway.

    In order to solve specific labour shortages in high-demand industries like healthcare, skilled crafts, and information technology, Canada has set ambitious goals for the EMPP.

    During the next years, Canada will expand it further and accept 2,000 eligible refugees and other displaced people.

    As a result of the uniform qualifying requirements and the requirement to submit only one application, the new federal immigration program application procedure will be simpler and quicker.

    The majority of applications will be approved within 6 months, allowing EMPP applicants to travel to Canada and begin employment immediately.

    This summer will see the launch of this new pathway, which will supplement current EMPP pathways.

    The new federal pathway will allow companies additional chances to fill a variety of in-demand positions, including those for teachers, tourist and hospitality employees, truck and delivery service drivers, software engineers, web designers, mechanical and electrical engineers, and long-term care aides.

    The EMPP offers EMPP candidates the chance to resume their professions and their lives in safety with their families here in Canada while giving companies another way to meet their labour market demands.

    The EMPP will also now take a more accommodating stance towards eligibility by allowing other displaced individuals who require international protection and lack a long-term solution to apply.

    In the upcoming weeks, more details on the new federal pathway, including eligibility requirements, will be made accessible on the EMPP website.

    Employers will be allowed to recruit refugees and other displaced persons who qualify under any National Occupation Classification 2021 category TEER 0-5 according to the new government gateway.

    “Canada is a global leader in helping skilled refugees connect with employers struggling to find workers in critical areas, while giving newcomers the opportunity to restart their careers and their lives here in Canada. Our government will continue to develop and scale innovative immigration measures to help employers address their critical labour shortages and provide refugees with the opportunity to live in safety while rebuilding their lives.”

    – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
    New Canada Immigration Pathway announcement

    Source: Canada immigration official website

    Speculations Regarding the Announcement

    Below listed were the some speculations around the web regarding today’s announcement:

    New Canada immigration pathway has been announced which you can watch at INC News now.

    What is the new pathway of PR for Canada?

    Canada announces a new economic immigration pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) to assist firms in hiring qualified refugees and other displaced people.

    The majority of applications will be approved within 6 months, allowing EMPP applicants to travel to Canada and begin employment immediately.

    Will there be a new immigration program in Canada?

    Yes, Canada will be launching a new economic immigration pathway under the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) in summer of 2023 which will have processing time of 6 months.

    What is EMPP – Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot?

    The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) combines economic immigration and refugee resettlement.

    It is a pathway for helping talented refugees move to Canada using existing economic immigration programs and provide Canadian employers access to a fresh pool of competent people to fill job opportunities.

    What is the 2023 2025 Canada immigration plan?

    New Canada immigration levels plan of 2023 2025 plans to accept 465,000 new immigrants in 2023, followed by 485,000 in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025.

    Canada immigration news

  • Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 7,000 Invitations For All Programs

    Today, IRCC Express Entry Draw issues again a record 7,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR) in a surprise round of invitations for all the categories.

    The Cutoff score drops by 6 points to 484 in the “no program specified” Express Entry draw today.

    Full details of the Express Entry draw today:

    • Date and time of round: March 23,2023 12:27:59 UTC
    • Immigration Program: No Program Specified
    • Number of invitations issued: 7,000
    • Rank required to be invited to apply: 7,000 or above
    • CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 484
    • Tie-breaking rule: May 19,2022 06:48:41 UTC

    IRCC will complete the process of sending out all the invitations by end of the day tomorrow, March 24, 2023.

    “No program specified” Express Entry draws consider all the Express Entry profiles from the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

    Moreover, profiles with a provincial nomination are eligible for this all program draw.

    Today’s cut off is just in alignment with our last week’s prediction as per the analysis based on CRS score distribution in the Express Entry pool.

    The next draw is predicted to declare a cut off score of roughly around 480 for no program draws and 671 for PNP only draws.

    After the first quarter of 2023, the IRCC will be beginning targeted Express Entry draws with new proposed categories. Learn more here.

    Below is the CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of March 22, 2023.

    CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of March 22, 2023

    Latest Express Entry Draw CRS Score distribution March 23

    Latest Express Entry processing times as of March 23

    Below are the official IRCC processing times for Express Entry as of March 23, 2023.

    • Canadian Experience Class – 12 months
    • Federal Skilled Worker Program – 30 months
    • Federal Skilled Trades Program – 70 months
    • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry – 11 months

About Shanvi Kaur 109 Articles
Shanvi Kaur is a content writer at Immigration News Canada. She moved to Canada as an immigrant and now focuses on bringing the latest news to immigrants to make their journey easier in Canada!