New Immigration Plan To Attract Francophones Released By Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia Immigration

Last Updated On 7 November 2022, 2:10 PM EST (Toronto Time)


On November 7, the Province of Nova Scotia released an action plan to promote the expansion of the French-speaking population. This new plan is also part of the Province’s National Francophone Immigration Week celebration.

From November 6 to 12, National Francophone Immigration Week honours the numerous significant contributions made by French-speaking immigrants in Canada. In this article, learn about:

Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population Plan details

The Province wants to achieve or surpass the 4.4% goal set by the federal government for immigrants who speak French in Canada.

To achieve this goal, the Province will invite 150 Francophone candidates from the federal Express Entry system to apply to Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream of the Provincial Nominee Program. 

Expanding efforts to attract francophone newcomers from other countries and provinces are part of Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022–25). It involves work on the following:

  • Increasing partner and community engagement 
  • Promoting and attracting newcomers 
  • Population growth initiatives
  • Inclusion and retention through settlement services
  • Program research and evaluation

The new action plan is the result of collaboration with francophone partners from across Nova Scotia, including:

  •  Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, 
  • Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, 
  • Université Sainte-Anne, 
  • Provincial Council of School Boards, and 
  • Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

In response to this new plan, Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial, president Marcel Cottreau says,

“As a francophone organization, the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial looks forward to working with the Province on this new plan. This action plan will allow us to welcome more francophone newcomers to our beautiful province and, in turn, will increase our student population, expand our qualified staff, and develop Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community.”

Marcel Cottreau, President, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial

Nova Scotia Immigration Minister Comments 

Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration Jill Balser says, “The Acadian and francophone communities have been an essential part of our province’s identity and heritage for more than 400 years.”

“Our new action plan demonstrates Nova Scotia’s commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers throughout the province and ensuring they have opportunities and supports to thrive,” said Balser. 

Moreover, during the Destination Canada Mobility Forum in France and Morocco the following week, Minister Balser will go with a provincial delegation to promote Nova Scotia to skilled French-speaking employees.

Nova Scotia Immigration Goals 

Nova Scotia is making headway in attracting French-speaking residents. 

Since the launch of the first francophone immigration action plan in 2019, the percentage of French-speaking candidates approved under the Provincial Nominee Program has increased from less than 1% in 2018 to 6.4% in 2021.

Additionally, Nova Scotia exceeded its one million population goal in December 2021 and intends to reach two million by 2060.

Click here to view the Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022–25).

Source: Nova Scotia News Release

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  • 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 7 November 2022, 2:10 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

  • Canada Announces New Open Work Permit For Turkish & Syrian Nationals

    Today, immigration minister of Canada, the Honourable Sean Fraser announced new measures to support Turkish and Syrian temporary residents.

    Effective from March 29, 2023 nationals of Türkiye and Syria will benefit from below listed new measures:

    • extension of temporary status (study, work or visitor) within Canada free of charge.
    • priority processing of immigration applications submitted by earthquake victims
    • new open work permit of up to 3 years for temporary residents already in Canada.
    • easier transition between temporary residents statuses.
    • no requirement of passports and travel document requirements for the Canadian permanent residence applicants outside Canada.
    • For Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Turkey and Syria, there will be no costs for temporary passports, passports with restricted validity, emergency travel papers, Canadian citizenship certificates, or permanent resident travel documents.

    Applications for temporary residency from the impacted areas, both new and old, as well as applications for permanent residence, including applications for refugee resettlement, are all being processed on a priority basis.

    This includes requests for visiting visas for members of a person’s immediate family who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents so they can visit their loved ones.

    The purpose of these new immigration measures announced today is to assist Turkish and Syrian temporary residents who may not be able to leave Canada at this time owing to the devastation caused by the recent earthquakes in the area.

    Over 16,000 applicants have applications being processed in Turkey and Syria as of February 8, 2023.

    Among them, about 1,700 (750 permanent residents and 920 temporary residents) came from the earthquake-affected region.

    These new measures will stay in effect until September 25, 2023.

    As part of its resettlement programme, Canada is also collaborating with UN partners in the region to offer temporary housing to refugees who have been negatively affected while they wait for their applications to be reviewed.

    Further details on how to apply for these new measures will be accessible on the IRCC website in the upcoming weeks.


    Canad Immigration Minister March 18
  • Here Are New Updated IRCC Processing Times As Of March 7

    This page includes the latest processing times reported by the IRCC as of March 7, 2023, along with a comparison to the processing times from the previous week.

    To fully comprehend what these processing timeframes mean, please read the following details carefully.

    The IRCC changed its processing tool in the beginning of 2022 so that it now provides correct data on normal processing times rather than merely service standard times.

    These processing times are intended to provide prospective immigrants and visa seekers to Canada a rough idea of how long it could take for a decision to be made on their application.

    These durations are based on information gathered over the preceding 6 months for 80% of the applications that have already been approved and are intended to provide latest weekly processing timelines.

    This does not mean that it will take the same length of time to process your application.

    This processing of your application may take longer or less time than shown because it is an average of the processing timings for 80% of the applications.

    Remember that the application processing period starts when IRCC receives it and ends when the immigration officer decides whether to accept or reject it.

    For more than a year, we have been tracking and comparing the processing timeframes for our readers as updated by the IRCC on a weekly basis.

    Citizenship & PR cards

    Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
    Citizenship grant23 monthsNo Change
    Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship)*14 monthsNo Change
    Resumption of citizenship30 months+ 6 months
    Renunciation of Citizenship14 months– 1 month
    Search of citizenship records16 monthsNo Change
    New PR card36 days– 3 Days
    PR card renewals69 days– 2 Days

    *Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship): Applications submitted outside of Canada and the United States may take longer.

    The IRCC is currently sending over acknowledgment of receipt (AOR) letters or emails to paper and online citizens who applied during the week of January 16, 2023.

    Family Sponsorship

    Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
    Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada16 monthsNo Change
    Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada13 months– 1 month
    Parents or Grandparents PR39 monthsNo Change

    According to the most current IRCC figures, Canada’s immigration backlog has nearly hit one million people.

    Moreover, 969,900 applications were handled within the IRCC service standard timelines. IRCC was processing around 2 million applications as of January 31, 2023.

    Canadian Passport 

    Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
    In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services)10 business daysNo Change
    In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre)20 business daysNo Change
    In-Canda Urgent pick-upBy the end of next business dayNo Change
    In-Canada Express pick-up2-9 business daysNo Change
    Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada20 business daysNo Change

    Economic Class Permanent Residency Processing Time

    Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
    Canadian Experience Class (CEC)12 months– 4 months
    Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)30 months– 1 month
    Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)70 months (not updated
    this week)
    No Change
    Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry11 monthsNo Change
    Non-Express Entry PNP20 months– 1 month
    Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW)20 months+ 1 month
    Quebec Business Class67 monthsNo Change
    Federal Self-Employed43 months+ 1 month
    Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP)24 months+ 1 month
    Start-Up Visa33 monthsNo Change

    Temporary Residence Application 

    Application TypeCurrent Processing TimeChange From Last Week
    Visitor visa outside CanadaVaries by country
    India: 58 Days
    Nigeria: 376 Days
    United States: 24 Days
    Pakistan: 166 Days
    Philippines: 31 Days
    UAE: 320 Days
    Bangladesh: 185 Days
    Sri Lanka: 135 Days
    United Kingdom: 30 Days
    – 12 Days for India
    + 46 Days for Nigeria
    No Change for United States
    – 17 Days for Pakistan
    – 2 Days for Philippines
    + 2 Days for UAE
    – 18 Day for Bangladesh
    + 3 Days for Sri Lanka
    – 5 Days for UK
    Visitor visa inside CanadaOnline: 12 days
    Paper-Based: 32 days
    – 1 Day for online
    No Change for paper-based
    Parents or Grandparents Super VisaVaries by country
    India: 133 Days
    Nigeria: 396 Days
    United States: 121 Days
    Pakistan: 422 Days
    Philippines: 226 Days
    UAE: 327 Days
    Bangladesh: 253 Days
    Sri Lanka: 304 Days
    United Kingdom: 169 Days
    – 1 Day for India
    No Change for Nigeria
    – 4 Days for United States
    + 6 Days for Pakistan
    – 2 Days for Philippines
    + 13 Days for UAE
    + 4 Days for Bangladesh
    + 24 Days for Sri Lanka
    + 1 Day for UK
    Study Permit Outside Canada10 WeeksNo Change
    Visitor Extension (Visitor Record)Online: 181 days
    Paper-Based: 91 days
    + 6 Days (Online)
    – 4 Days for Paper-Based
    Study Permit Inside Canada4 WeeksNo Change
    Study Permit ExtensionOnline: 109 Days
    Paper-Based: 107 Days
    – 9 Days (Online)
    – 6 Days (Paper-Based)
    Work Permit Outside Canada*Varies by country
    India: 8 Weeks
    Nigeria: 27 Weeks
    United States: 15 Weeks
    Pakistan: 45 Weeks
    Philippines: 12 Weeks
    UAE: 42 Weeks
    Bangladesh: 30 Weeks
    Sri Lanka: 21 Weeks
    United Kingdom: 11 Weeks
    No Change for India
    No Change for Nigeria
    – 1 Week for United States
    + 2 Weeks for Pakistan
    – 2 Weeks for Philippines
    + 6 Weeks for UAE
    – 1 Week for Bangladesh
    – 1 Weeks for Sri Lanka
    – 1 Week for UK
    Work Permit Inside CanadaOnline: 156 Days
    Paper-Based: 53 Days
    – 2 Days (Online)
    – 5 Days for paper-based
    International Experience Canada (Current Season)3 Weeks+ 1 Week
    Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP)25 Days+ 3 Days
    Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)5 minutesNo Change

    *Applications for the critical job positions are currently being prioritized. Your processing time can be longer than indicated above if you are not applying for a position in a critical occupation.


  • Victim Of Fraud; International Students In Canada Facing Removal Orders

    Several international students in Canada are facing removal orders from the Canadian immigration department.

    It is an unfortunate situation because most of these international students are actually victims of fraudulent agents.

    These agents, who without their knowledge, submitted forged documents including fake offer letters or GICs.

    Moreover, they are trapped by the outdated Canadian system since the immigration department is sending them removal order letters after 2-3 years of completion of their studies in Canada.

    The removal order letters are being sent since 2021 offering these students to appeal the removal orders.

    Some of these students are receiving letters now. According to one of the sources, the number of international students facing removal orders is in the multiple of 100s.

    Recently, in a similar case of Karamjeet Kaur, the federal court upheld the decision by Immigration Division (ID) ordering her to leave Canada.

    She now only has humanitarian and compassionate consideration of her case left.

    Ironically, she came to Canada on a study permit in 2018 and her agent in India used the fake letter to get her file processed, which she was unaware of.

    Karamjeet got a removal order in 2022 when she applied for her permanent residency (PR), 4 years after her entry to Canada.

    However, in February 2023 Federal court ruled that it was her responsibility to call the college and confirm whether the offer letter was genuine or not.

    Gaps In The Canadian Immigration System

    International students have been protesting against these removal orders and pointing out gaps in the Canadian immigration system.

    Offer letters or GICs or documents are not usually verified by students as they trust their consultants or agents back in India.

    As per students, if the offer letter or GIC or any document was fake in their study permit application, the immigration department should have pointed out it at the time of issuing a visa to Canada.

    IRCC offices in India, who are trained and experienced at catching forged documents in an applications were also deceived by the same fake documents.

    If such officials are unable detect fake documents, then how a teenager or naive young student would have caught such a scam?

    Rather, they themselves were victims of this fraud.

    Moreover, when they landed at a Canadian airport and an immigration check was done, no official were able to point out the forged documents.

    As in Karamjeet Kaur’s case, the agent told her after she landed in Canada, that he had some dispute with the college authorities, so she would have to change her college.

    Being new at such a young age in Canada, in such a situation, no one reaches out to college and confirms whether their offer letter is fake or original.

    Now that these scams are made public, definitely new students will be cautiously confirming all the documents are original or not. But at that time, nobody knew about these frauds.

    After completing their studies in Canada, international students apply to the immigration department for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

    Even at that point, the immigration department didn’t point out any inconsistencies and issued them work permit to legally work in Canada.

    Most of these students are receiving removal orders after 3-4 years of coming to Canada at the time they applied for permanent residency (PR) under one or another program.

    What is a removal order in these cases?

    The common word used by most people is “deportation.” Deportation is the permanent ban from returning to Canada and people cannot return unless they apply for an  Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC).

    However, most of these international students are facing an “exclusion order” because of “misrepresentation.” This means that they are removed from Canada for 5 years.

    Misrepresentation is defined as intentional or unintentional misrepresentation or withholding substantial information on a relevant topic that causes or may cause an error in decision making.

    International students now have the option to appeal their removal orders and the court will decide their fate.

    Click here to know the basis of the Federal court’s decision in the Karamjeet Kaur Canada removal order case.


About Shivika Adhwaryu 13 Articles
Shivika Adhwaryu is a content writer for Immigration News Canada. She brings the latest, well-researched, and verifiable content to help newcomers, students, and Canadians navigate life easily in Canada.