Last Updated On 12 November 2022, 7:50 PM EST (Toronto Time)
Often Canada immigration applications take months or for certain categories years to process. It may be common for people to experience changes in their lives as they wait. For example, getting married is one of the common changes an applicant experiences as they wait for their application to be processed.
Suppose you are someone whose family composition changed while your permanent residency application was in the process. In that case, you can learn how it will impact your application and the steps you should take.
It is important to remember that IRCC requires you to notify them of any changes to your application, including any information regarding dependant spouses.
In this article, you can learn:
- What to do if you get married after applying for Canada PR
- How to add your spouse before IRCC processes you application
- How to add your spouse after receiving ITA
- How to check your spouse’s immigration status
- Getting married after your PR application is approved but you are outside Canada
What to do if you get married after applying for Canada PR?
As mentioned earlier, you must inform IRCC of any changes in your family composition, such as getting married and having a spouse. However, you do have the option to either add your spouse as a dependent in your application. Or, apply for your spouse separately (this may require more paperwork).
Nevertheless, you must inform IRCC of the change in your marital status even if your spouse is not accompanying you to Canada.
You may also like:
- Canada Spousal Sponsorship Refusal Reasons That You Must Avoid
- New IRCC Temporary Policy For Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility
- Know How Abused Spouses/Partners In Canada Can Get Help
- Sponsoring Relatives To Canada: Here’s All You Need To Know
- Inland Vs Outland Canada Spousal Sponsorship Applications!
Adding your spouse before IRCC processes your application
If your application is in the initial stage and is pending a decision, you can add your spouse. Depending on your application type, you may need to complete the following forms for your spouse.
Forms to include
- Form IMM5667 – Schedule A Background/Declaration
- Form IMM 5406 – Additional family information
- Form IMM 5474 – Use of a representative (if applicable)
Official documents to include
- Marriage certificate (in English or French)
- Updated birth registration or marriage ID (if applicable)
- Any official document from the place of marriage
Other supporting documents to evidence a genuine relationship
- Proof of shared finances such as joint bank accounts, shared bills, or investments
- Letters from friends and family
- Photographs of multiple occasions
- Evidence of cohabitation, like a shared lease
- Any other document proving your genuine relationship
To add your spouse, you may need to pay application fees for the following:
- Sponsorship fee: $75
- Processing fee: $570
- Biometrics fees: $85
- Right to permanent resident fee: $515
How to add your spouse after receiving an ITA?
If you received an Invitation to Apply and submitted your application, you could still add your new spouse to your application. First, inform IRCC about the recent change in your marital status. Then IRCC will send you a list of documents required to add your spouse to your application.
How to check your spouse’s immigration status after adding her to your application?
If you added your new spouse to your application and want to check if IRCC has processed your updated information, log in to your “My Account” and view details.
Once you open your account, check if your application lists any dependents. If you notice that no dependents are added to your account, IRCC has not yet processed your spouse’s information.
Additionally, spouses must be eligible for entry to Canada under existing immigration laws, which implies that they must satisfy the security, criminal, and medical requirements. They will be deemed inadmissible to Canada if they fail to meet any of these criteria, which will affect your PR application.
Getting married after your PR application has been approved, but you are yet to enter Canada
If your PR application is approved, but you are outside Canada, ensure that you update your marital status before entering Canada. IRCC may reevaluate your application. However, failure to inform IRCC may be deemed a misrepresentation and can impact your PR and future applications.
Even if your spouse is not accompanying you to Canada, you must inform IRCC of your marital status change before landing in Canada. If you added your spouse, they might review your spouse’s medical and grounds of inadmissibility.
Alternatively, you can sponsor your spouse to bring you to Canada. However, there are different processes for outland and inland spousal application.
- Check New IRCC Processing Times As of March 29
This page contains a list of the new updated official IRCC processing times as of March 29, 2023, as well as a comparison to the previous week’s processing timings.
For over a year, we’ve been tracking and publishing these processing times for our readers, which are officially updated weekly by the IRCC.
Please carefully read the following information to properly understand what these processing timeframes mean.
In early 2022, the IRCC upgraded its processing tool to include accurate information on typical processing durations rather than just service standard timelines.
These processing timelines are meant to offer potential immigrants and visa applicants to Canada an indication of how long it may take for a decision to be reached on their application.
These timelines are based on data collected for 80% of previously processed applications over the last 6 months and are meant to offer the most recent weekly processing timings.
This does not guarantee that your application will be processed in the same amount of time.
Because it is an average of the processing times for 80% of the applications, the processing time for your application may be longer or shorter than displayed.
Please keep in mind that the processing time begins when the IRCC receives the application and concludes when the immigration officer determines whether or not to accept the application.
Citizenship & PR cards IRCC Processing Times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Citizenship grant 23 months No Change Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)* 14 months No Change Resumption of citizenship 30 months No Change Renunciation of Citizenship 14 months No Change Search of citizenship records 16 months No Change New PR card 29 days – 3 Days PR card renewals 63 days – 3 Days *Citizenship certificate (evidence of citizenship): Applications from countries other than Canada and the United States may be processed more slowly.
The IRCC is currently sending acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letters or emails to paper and online citizenship applicants who applied between February 13th, 2023.
Family Sponsorship Processing times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada 16 months No Change Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada 13 months No Change Parents or Grandparents PR 39 months No Change Canadian Passport Processing times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From
Last WeekIn-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services) 10 business days No Change In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre) 20 business days No Change In-Canda Urgent pick-up By the end of next business day No Change In-Canada Express pick-up 2-9 business days No Change Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada 20 business days No Change Economic Class Permanent Residency Processing Time
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 12 months No Change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 30 months No Change Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) 70 months (not updated
by IRCC since March 1)No Change Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry 11 months No Change Non-Express Entry PNP 20 months No Change Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW) 20 months No Change Quebec Business Class
entrepreneurs (Quebec)
investors (Quebec)
self-employed persons (Quebec)67 months No Change Federal Self-Employed 43 months No Change Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) 24 months No Change Start-Up Visa 33 months No Change Temporary Residence Application Processing times
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Visitor visa outside Canada Varies by country
India: 25 Days
Nigeria: 357 Days
United States: 14 Days
Pakistan: 235 Days
Philippines: 29 Days
UAE: 319 Days
Bangladesh: 239 Days
Sri Lanka: 125 Days
United Kingdom: 31 Days– 12 Days for India
+ 6 Days for Nigeria
– 3 Days for United States
+ 114 Days for Pakistan
– 1 Day for Philippines
– 4 Days for UAE
+ 99 Day for Bangladesh
+ 23 Days for Sri Lanka
+1 Day for UKVisitor visa inside Canada Online: 11 days
Paper-Based: 33 daysNo Change Parents or Grandparents Super Visa Varies by country
India: 123 Days
Nigeria: 686 Days
United States: 192 Days
Pakistan: 422 Days
Philippines: 226 Days
UAE: 327 Days
Bangladesh: 253 Days
Sri Lanka: 307 Days
United Kingdom: 190 Days– 4 Days for India
+ 6 Days for Nigeria
+ 71 Days for United States
– 40 Days for Pakistan
– 5 Days for Philippines
+ 1 Day for UAE
No Change for Bangladesh
– 11 Days for Sri Lanka
+ 8 Days for UKStudy Permit Outside Canada 9 Weeks – 1 Week Visitor Extension (Visitor Record) Online: 183 days
Paper-Based: 85 days+ 2 Days (Online)
No Change for Paper-BasedStudy Permit Inside Canada 2 Weeks – 1 Week Study Permit Extension Online: 69 Days
Paper-Based: 99 Days– 8 Days (Online)
No Change for Paper-BasedWork Permit Outside Canada* Varies by country
India: 8 Weeks
Nigeria: 26 Weeks
United States: 10 Weeks
Pakistan: 47 Weeks
Philippines: 9 Weeks
UAE: 37 Weeks
Bangladesh: 46 Weeks
Sri Lanka: 19 Weeks
United Kingdom: 12 WeeksNo Change for India
+ 1 Week for Nigeria
– 4 Weeks for United States
+ 1 Week for Pakistan
– 1 Week for Philippines
– 2 Weeks for UAE
+ 7 Weeks for Bangladesh
+ 1 Week for Sri Lanka
No Change for UKWork Permit Inside Canada Online: 148 Days
Paper-Based: 25 Days– 3 Days (Online)
– 3 Days for paper-basedInternational Experience Canada (Current Season) 4 Weeks + 1 Week Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) 23 Days + 2 Days Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) 5 minutes No Change *Applications for critical occupations are being prioritized at this time. If you are not applying for a position in an essential occupation, your processing time may be longer than stated above.
- 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
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.
Legal Aid for Asylum Seekers: $43.5 million
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 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 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 QualtroughHow 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 12 November 2022, 7:50 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
Source: Canada immigration official website
Speculations Regarding the Announcement
Below listed were the some speculations around the web regarding today’s announcement:
- While some anticipated that it would have something to do with implementation of Bill C19 and expansion of Express Entry targeted pathway.
- There were also talks about new program for 15,000 migrants on a humanitarian basis from Western Hemisphere including Haiti and Central America based upon recent Biden’s visit to Canada and closure of Roxham road.
- Furthermore, some believed that it could also be related to undocumented foreign workers in Canada to address labour shortages as per the mandate letter.
- Some were expecting new pathway similar to TR to PR for international students and foreign workers.
- There were also some smoke in relation to seven sectors with labour shortages (such as accommodation and food services, construction, and food manufacturing) as per ESDC press release just before this 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
- Check Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of March 23
This article lists all the latest IRCC processing times as of March 23, 2023, as well as a comparison to the previous week’s processing times.
We have been documenting and publishing these processing times for our readers for over a year now as officially updated weekly by the IRCC.
Please carefully read the below information to fully comprehend what these processing times signify.
The IRCC changed its processing tool in early 2022 to provide realistic information on usual processing times rather than merely service standard timeframes.
These processing timelines are intended to give potential immigrants and visa applicants to Canada an idea of how long it may take for a decision on their application to be made.
These timeframes are based on data collected over the last 6 months for 80% of previously processed applications and are intended to provide the most recent weekly processing timings.
This does not indicate that your application will be handled in the same length of time.
Because it is an average of the processing times for 80% of the applications, your application’s processing time may be longer or shorter than shown.
Please keep in mind that the processing period begins when IRCC receives the application and ends when the immigration officer decides whether to accept or reject it.
IRCC Processing Times for Citizenship & PR cards
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Citizenship grant 23 months No Change Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)* 14 months No Change Resumption of citizenship 30 months No Change Renunciation of Citizenship 14 months No Change Search of citizenship records 16 months No Change New PR card 32 days – 2 Days PR card renewals 66 days – 1 Days *Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship): Applications from countries other than Canada and the United States may take longer to process.
The IRCC is now sending acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) letters or emails to paper and online citizenship applicants who applied in the week of February 3, 2023.
Family Sponsorship
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada 16 months No Change Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada 13 months No Change Parents or Grandparents PR 39 months No Change Canadian Passport
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From
Last WeekIn-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services) 10 business days No Change In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre) 20 business days No Change In-Canda Urgent pick-up By the end of next business day No Change In-Canada Express pick-up 2-9 business days No Change Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada 20 business days No Change Economic Class Permanent Residency Processing Time
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 12 months No Change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 30 months No Change Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) 70 months (not updated
by IRCC since March 1)No Change Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry 11 months No Change Non-Express Entry PNP 20 months No Change Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW) 20 months No Change Quebec Business Class
entrepreneurs (Quebec)
investors (Quebec)
self-employed persons (Quebec)67 months No Change Federal Self-Employed 43 months No Change Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) 24 months No Change Start-Up Visa 33 months No Change Temporary Residence Application
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Visitor visa outside Canada Varies by country
India: 37 Days
Nigeria: 351 Days
United States: 17 Days
Pakistan: 121 Days
Philippines: 30 Days
UAE: 323 Days
Bangladesh: 140 Days
Sri Lanka: 102 Days
United Kingdom: 30 Days– 13 Days for India
– 8 Days for Nigeria
– 4 Days for United States
– 22 Days for Pakistan
No Change for Philippines
+ 3 Days for UAE
– 22 Day for Bangladesh
– 6 Days for Sri Lanka
No Change for UKVisitor visa inside Canada Online: 11 days
Paper-Based: 33 daysNo Change Parents or Grandparents Super Visa Varies by country
India: 127 Days
Nigeria: 680 Days
United States: 121 Days
Pakistan: 462 Days
Philippines: 231 Days
UAE: 326 Days
Bangladesh: 253 Days
Sri Lanka: 318 Days
United Kingdom: 182 Days– 4 Days for India
+ 225 Days for Nigeria
No Change for United States
– 2 Days for Pakistan
+ 5 Days for Philippines
No Change for UAE
No Change for Bangladesh
+ 2 Days for Sri Lanka
+ 6 Days for UKStudy Permit Outside Canada 10 Weeks No Change Visitor Extension (Visitor Record) Online: 181 days
Paper-Based: 85 days+ 1 Day (Online)
– 2 Days for Paper-BasedStudy Permit Inside Canada 3 Weeks No Change Study Permit Extension Online: 76 Days
Paper-Based: 99 Days– 9 Days (Online)
– 5 Days (Paper-Based)Work Permit Outside Canada* Varies by country
India: 8 Weeks
Nigeria: 25 Weeks
United States: 14 Weeks
Pakistan: 46 Weeks
Philippines: 10 Weeks
UAE: 39 Weeks
Bangladesh: 39 Weeks
Sri Lanka: 18 Weeks
United Kingdom: 12 WeeksNo Change for India
No Change for Nigeria
No Change for United States
+ 1 Week for Pakistan
– 2 Weeks for Philippines
No Change for UAE
+ 9 Weeks for Bangladesh
No Change for Sri Lanka
No Change for UKWork Permit Inside Canada Online: 151 Days
Paper-Based: 28 Days– 2 Days (Online)
– 24 Days for paper-basedInternational Experience Canada (Current Season) 3 Weeks No Change Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) 21 Days – 3 Days Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) 5 minutes No Change *Applications for critical occupations are being prioritized at this time. If you are not applying for a position in an essential occupation, your processing time may be longer than stated above.
- 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 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
- Canada Population 2023 Approaches 40 Million Due To Immigration
Canada population is estimated to be at 39,566,248 as on January 1, 2023, following a record population rise of 1,050,110 individuals from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023.
Canada’s real-time population clock displayed total population of 39,732,937 as on March 23, 2023.
This is the first 12-month period in Canadian history in which the population increased by more than one million people, and the greatest annual population growth rate (+2.7%) on record since 1957 (+3.3%).
Canada continues to dominate the G7 countries in population growth in 2022.
Canada’s population rose by 273,893 (+0.7%) from October 1 to December 31, 2022, marking the fourth quarter of 2022.
This was the best fourth-quarter growth rate since the same time in 1956 (+0.7%). During the fourth quarter of 2022, immigration accounted for virtually all of the rise (97.7%).
This quarter witnessed the greatest projected net new non-permanent residents (+196,262) of any fourth quarter for which comparable statistics exist, with 83,152 immigrants added.
As per Statistics Canada report, temporary immigration is the most important source of growth in Canada.
Canada accepted 437,180 immigrants in 2022, with a net increase in non-permanent residents anticipated at 607,782.
Both of these figures are the highest on record, indicating greater immigration objectives and a milestone-breaking year for immigration application processing at IRCC.
The net expected number of non-permanent temporary residents in all provinces and territories increased year-over-year in 2022.
Number of new work and study permits as well as the number of asylum seekers increased across Canada in 2022.
Latest Canada Population 2023 (Estimated)
Geography Total Population Net Change Percentage Change Canada 39,566,248 1,050,110 2.73% Ontario 15,386,407 445,495 2.98% Quebec 8,787,554 149,904 1.74% British Columbia 5,399,118 147,540 2.81% Alberta 4,647,178 164,793 3.68% Manitoba 1,431,792 33,489 2.39% Saskatchewan 1,214,618 29,307 2.47% Nova Scotia 1,037,782 35,341 3.53% New Brunswick 825,474 26,229 3.28% Newfoundland and Labrador 531,948 9,447 1.81% Prince Edward Island 173,954 7,096 4.25% Northwest Territories 45,493 -217 -0.47% Yukon 44,238 997 2.31% Nunavut 40,692 689 1.72% Interprovincial Migration In 2022
In total 396,281 Canadians changed their usual place of residence and moved to another province.
Alberta continues to be the top gainer in net interprovincial migration, with Canadian residents moving to the province for better prospects.
Ontario being the largest province by area and population, lost net 52,017 residents to interprovincial migration.
Geography In-Migrants Out-Migrants Net Change Alberta 111,899 66,373 45,526 Nova Scotia 28,928 16,711 12,217 New Brunswick 22,562 13,273 9,289 Newfoundland and Labrador 9,532 7,213 2,319 Prince Edward Island 6,287 4189 2098 British Columbia 69,788 69,307 481 Yukon 1812 1734 78 Nunavut 1623 1581 42 Northwest Territories 1856 2756 -900 Quebec 30,123 33,241 -3,118 Saskatchewan 18,424 24,307 -5,883 Manitoba 13,989 24,121 -10,132 Ontario 79,458 131,475 -52,017
- New Minimum Wage In Canada And 5 Provinces Effective April 1
On April 1, 2023, the federal new minimum wage in Canada will increase from $15.55 to $16.65 per hour in order to keep up with inflation.
As a result, about 26,000 Canadian workers who make less than the current wage will benefit from the raise.
The federal minimum wage in Canada is mandated for all federally regulated private sectors, including banking, postal and courier services, as well as interprovincial air, rail, road, and maritime transportation.
Furthermore, employees in these sectors get higher rate if their provincial or territory minimum pay is greater than the federal minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage in Canada is revised every year on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (inflation).
Previously, the federal minimum wage increased from $15 in 2021 to $15.55 on April 1, 2022.
The April 2023 hike in minimum wage is double ($1.10) as compared to that $0.55 raise last year.
New Minimum Wage In Canada Provinces Effective April 1
Apart from the rise in federal minimum wage in Canada, Manitoba and Yukon will also increase their provincial minimum wage effective April 1, 2023.
Minimum wage in Manitoba will increase by $0.65 to $14.15 per hour.
Manitoba’s minimum wage was increased on October 1, 2022 from $11.95 to $13.50 per hour.
Now Manitoba will revert to yearly changes based on province CPI, and it is anticipated that on October 1, 2023, the hourly wage will again increase to $15 per hour.
Furthermore, minimum wage in Yukon will also increase by $1.05 to $16.77 per hour.
Nova Scotia minimum wage is also set to increase to $14.50 per hour.
New Brunswick new minimum wage effective April 1, 2023 will be $14.75 per hour, up from $13.75.
The minimum wage will also rise for Newfoundland & Labrador by 80 cents per hour on April 1, 2023, reaching $14.50 per hour.
New Minimum Wage In Canada
Below listed are the latest minimum wage in Canada as of April 1, 2023.
Geography Minimum Wage Per Hour Next Raise Canada (Federally regulated private sectors) $16.65 April 1, 2024 Ontario $15.50 October 1, 2023 Manitoba $14.15 October 1, 2023 New Brunswick $14.75 April 1, 2024 (Expected) Nova Scotia $14.50 October 1, 2023 Saskatchewan $13.00 October 1, 2023 Newfoundland & Labrador $14.50 October 1, 2023 Alberta $15.00 To Be Decided (TBD) British Columbia $15.65 To Be Decided (TBD) Quebec $14.25 May 1, 2023 Nunavut $16.00 To Be Decided (TBD) Prince Edward Island $14.50 October 1, 2023 Northwest Territories $15.20 September 1, 2023 Yukon $16.77 April 1, 2024 What is Canada’s minimum wage 2023?
$16.65 per hour is the new minimum wage effective April 1, 2023 applicable to for all federally regulated private sectors. The federal regulated private sectors include banking, postal and courier services, as well as interprovincial air, rail, road, and maritime transportation.What is the highest minimum wage in Canada?
Yukon has the highest minimum wage at $16.77 per hour, followed by Federal minimum wage that is $16.65 per hour, and Nunavut which has the minimum wage of $16 per hour.What is minimum wage Ontario 2023 and when will it increase?
Starting in 2022, the minimum wage rates may rise yearly on October 1st. The new rates that will take effect on October 1 will be released no later than April 1.
Currently, $15.50 is the minimum wage in Ontario.What is the minimum wage in British Columbia?
$15.65 effective since June 1, 2022Federally regulated private sectors
- air transportation, including airlines, airports, aerodromes and aircraft operations
- banks, including authorized foreign banks
- grain elevators, feed and seed mills, feed warehouses and grain-seed cleaning plants
- First Nations band councils and Indigenous self-governments (certain activities)
- most federal Crown corporations, for example, Canada Post Corporation
- port services, marine shipping, ferries, tunnels, canals, bridges and pipelines (oil and gas) that cross international or provincial borders
- postal and courier services
- radio and television broadcasting
- railways that cross provincial or international borders and some short-line railways
- road transportation services, including trucks and buses, that cross provincial or international borders
- telecommunications, such as, telephone, Internet, telegraph and cable systems
- uranium mining and processing and atomic energy
- any business that is vital, essential or integral to the operation of one of the above activities
- Federally regulated public sector (parts II and IV of the Code only):
- the federal public service
- Parliament (such as, the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament)
- Private-sector firms and municipalities in Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (part I of the Code only)
Canada Minimum wages 2023
- Check New IRCC Processing Times As of March 29
Check out the new updated official IRCC processing times as of March 29, 2023, as well as a comparison with last week. Read Full Story - New Express Entry Draw Declares CRS Cutoff At 481
Learn full details of New IRCC Express Entry Draw #245 announced on March 29 inviting 7,000 applicants for permanent residency in Canada Read Full Story - Canada Budget 2023 New Proposals For Immigration
Canada budget 2023 proposes to provide $104.3 million for citizenship, visitors, and asylum seekers + $123.2 million for francophone immigration. Read Full Story - Canada Foreign Worker Program Transitioning To LMIA Online Portal Effective April 3
All the details about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) switching to the LMIA Online Portal effective April 3, 2023 Read Full Story - Roxham Road Border and Safe Third Country Agreement
Canada is now turning away asylum seekers trying to enter from the United States via all the official and unofficial borders including Roxham Road. Read Full Story - BREAKING: New Canada Immigration Pathway Announced By IRCC
All the details of New Canada Immigration Pathway – EMPP(Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot) announced by IRCC Read Full Story - Check Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of March 23
Know the the most recent official IRCC processing times as of March 23, 2023, as well as a comparison with previous week. Read Full Story - Latest Express Entry Draw Issues 7,000 Invitations For All Programs
Learn all the details of new Express Entry draw today which sent 7,000 invitations to apply for permanent residency to the profiles having a CRS cut off score of 484 or above. Read Full Story - Canada Population 2023 Approaches 40 Million Due To Immigration
Canada population in 2023 surpasses 39.7 million because of record immigration. Read Full Story - New Minimum Wage In Canada And 5 Provinces Effective April 1
New minimum wage in Canada as well as 5 provinces will come in effect on April 1, 2023. Check out minimum wages in Canada and all the provinces. Read Full Story
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