Latest Canada Immigration Rule Changes 2024

Periodically, the Canadian government announced and implemented several Canadian immigration rule changes to streamline the process.

Occupation based Express Entry draws

As per the announcement, a few amendments will take place to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will start conducting occupation-based Express Entry draws in early 2023. These amendments were proposed under Bill C-19, giving the immigration minister more freedom to invite foreign skilled workers in the Express Entry pool.

Processing time for Express Entry restore to Six month standard 

The IRCC resumed six-month processing time for all the Express entry candidate. Due to global pandemic, the IRCC has increased the processing time. However, it s now back to 6 months standard.

Proof of funds requirement revised for Express Entry

IRCC has increased the settlement funds requirement for Express Entry applicants. To keep your EE profile eligible, you must update settlement fund numbers as per the revised requirement in your respective profiles by June 8, 2022.

Canada PR visa fee revised w.e.f April 30, 2023

IRCC has revised the fees for all Permanent Residence Visa applications including Express Entry and PNP, permit holder, family and humanitarian classes.

Online application eligible for Temporary Visas

Canadian government has extended the existing Ministerial Instructions for all temporary resident visa applicants, study and work permit from outside Canada. They can now submit their visa applications online until March 31, 2023.

Changes to Canada s medical inadmissibility 

Canadian government has implemented significant changes to its medical inadmissibility policy under Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. With the new changes, Canada can better define and implement its medical inadmissibility policy as per the Canadian values.?

Travel Updates for international students

To qualify and enter Canada as an international student, candidates must meet following requirements:

• Be fully vaccinated traveller (unless a minor student)
• have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction as evidence of study permit approval 
• Attend a designated learning institution (DLI)

Update for Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

IRCC is not accepting AIPP applications since March 5, 2022, as the Ministerial Instructions is now expired. The Atlantic Immigration Program has replaced AIPP and IRCC is now accepting visa applications under newly launched programs from March 6, 2022.

New Processing time tool

Canada has updated its processing times tool from March 31, 2022 for better precision. With a new tool, following information will be provided:

• Volumes of applications being processed
• Any changes to IRCC s ability to process applications

No Pre-entry test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers

From April 1, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers who are entering Canada by land, water or air will no longer need to undergo the pre-entry test for Covid-19.

Canada s New Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024

As per Canada s new Immigration levels plan 2022-24, IRCC is planning to welcome 431,645 new comers as permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024.?

• CICC Replaced ICCRC as the New Canadian immigration Regulator

From November 23, 2021, the Canadian government has appointed CICC (College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants) as an official regulator for immigration and citizenship consultants across Canada.

• An EOI pool Launched under Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program

Saskatchewan has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) pool under SINP to help healthcare workers connect with the province s healthcare sector employers for better Job opportunities.

Following Health sector occupations are eligible under the International Healthcare Workers EOI system-

Essential Travel & Vaccination Related Updates 

New Approved Covid-19 Vaccines- From November 30, 2021, Canada has added three more WHO-approved Covid-19 vaccines to its list of approved vaccines, including:

Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)

Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)

Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc) 

No Need for Pre-entry molecular test- With effect from November 30, 2021, the following people don t need to provide a pre-entry molecular test result:

Canadian citizens or permanent residents or people who have a right to enter Canada

Fully vaccinated travellers

People who re-enter Canada within 72 hours of leaving

Complete vaccination required for travellers aged 12 years and older – From November 30, 2021, all those 12 years and older need to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Mandatory Vaccination- With effect from October 30, mandatory vaccination requirement has applied to the following travellers:

Air passengers flying on domestic, transborder or international flights departing from airports in Canada

Rail passengers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains

Marine passengers on non-essential passenger vessels, such as cruise ships, on voyages of 24 hours or more

• Replaced NOC System with new TEER system

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the structural framework of the NOC will be revised in Fall 2022. The current NOC skill levels will be replaced with the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories.

The all-new TEER categories are as follows:

• TEER 0 (zero): Includes management jobs like:
• TEER 1: Completion of bachelor s, master s or doctorate; or

Years of work experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 2 (when applicable).

• TEER 2: Completion of post-secondary education (two to three years) at any community college, technical institute or CÉGEP; or

Completion of an apprenticeship training program (two to five years); or

Occupations with significant safety like police officers and firefighters or supervisory responsibilities; or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 3

• TEER 3: Completion of post-secondary education (less than two years) at any community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or

Apprenticeship training (less than two years); or

At least six months of on-the-job training, specific work experience, or training courses

Years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 4

• TEER 4: Completion of secondary school; or

Weeks of on-the-job training at secondary school education; or

Years of experience in a specific occupation from TEER category 5

• TEER 5: Short work demonstration and no formal educational

AIPP Will Become Permanent in January 2022

As per IRCC s recent announcement, the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) will become a permanent immigration program from January 1, 2022. The details about the AIPP will be released in the new year, and IRCC will resume accepting applications from March 6, 2022. Those applicants who possess a valid endorsement letter from AIPP must wait to apply under AIPP until March 6, 2022.

IRCC finished inviting potential PGP Sponsors

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has finished inviting potential sponsors for the Parents & Grandparents Program 2021.  The authority has randomly selected and invited potential sponsors from the pool of interest to sponsor forms submitted in 2020.

Direct Flights to and from India resumed from September 27 

In a press release, the Canadian government announced that direct flights to and from India would resume from September 27, 2021.

New Brunswick announced a new PR pathway for International Graduates

A new immigration pilot has been announced by New Brunswick exclusively for international students and private career college graduates in the province. From April 1, 2022, International Graduates who have studied in one of 19-targeted occupations from Atlantic Business College, Eastern College, McKenzie College, or Oulton College will be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency under a new pilot program.

Eases Eligibility Criteria for Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot

On December 14, Canada s minister of immigration announced two significant changes to the Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot. Now, breaks in employment experience will not make an applicant ineligible for the program.

Additional Points for French Language Skills

From October 27, 2020, all the French-speaking Express Entry candidates will now get additional CRS points for their French language proficiency. Points will increase from 15 to 25 for French-speaking candidates. While, for Bilingual candidates in the Express Entry system, the points will increase from 30 to 50.

Two new AINP streams

Alberta launched two new AINP streams for international students, including:

International Graduate Entrepreneur Immigration Stream

Foreign Graduate Start-up Visa Stream

If you have any queries or need any clarification about the process above, you may forward an email to our Canada immigration and PR expert on email id- info@canadapravenue.com.

Keep visiting the Canada PR Avenue website to find the latest updates, information, rule changes, and news regarding Canada permanent resident visas.