Canada Immigration Newsletter - CICNews.com

CIC NEWS Canada Immigration Newsletter Volume 20, No. 12.0, December 2016 Over 600,000 subscribers [Processing Times for Family Class Immigration Programs to be Halved]  Canada’s federal Immigration Minister, John McCallum, has announced that processing times for the spousal/common-law partner categories of Family Class immigration programs are to be reduced to 12 months, from the current average of 24 months, with an additional goal to eventually reduce processing times to as low as six months. [Read Full Article]  [PNP-Specific Express Entry Draw Provides Cause for Optimism]  After Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted an Express Entry draw on November 30 that invited candidates with a provincial nomination only, candidates in the pool are noting how this may benefit them over time. [ Read Full Article] [IRCC Outlines Reasons for Recent Changes to Express Entry Job Offer Duration Requirements]  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has explained its reasoning behind the recent reform of the required duration of qualifying job offers for candidates in the Express Entry pool. IRCC stated its aim to address perceived disadvantages in the system before improvements were brought in last month. [ Read Full Article] [Less Than a Month Left to Prepare an Application for Parent and Grandparent Program]  The Parent and Grandparent Program (PGP) for immigration to Canada is scheduled to open on January 3, 2017 with an application intake cap of 10,000 new applications. Demand for space is expected to exceed the quota, effectively meaning that potential applicants who are not ready to submit an application by early January are unlikely to be successful. Conversely, recent history shows that applicants who are prepared are best placed to sponsor their parent(s) or grandparent(s). [ Read Full Article] [Shorter Work Permit Processing Expected in 2017 under Global Skills Strategy]  The Government of Canada expects to introduce priority processing times of two weeks for certain visas and work permits in low-risk, high-skilled occupations. This forms part of its Global Skills Strategy initiative, expected to be rolled out through 2017. [ Read Full Article] [Canadian Immigration Questions and Answers with Attorney David Cohen]  Hello, I recently secured admission to study MBA at a private university in British Columbia. However, I would like to confirm if my spouse can apply for an open work permit after I might have secured my study permit considering the fact I am attending a private university. What are my chances? [ Read Full Article]    [CanadaVisa News Briefs for December, 2016] - Open Work Permit Pilot Program for Sponsored Spouses and Common-Law Partners Extended to December, 2017 - Mexican Citizens are now Eligible for Visa-Free Travel to Canada - November 30 Express Entry Draw Invites Candidates With Provincial Nomination to Apply for Immigration to Canada - Government of Canada Outlines Plan for Two-Week Work Permit Processing - Manitoba Invites 179 Candidates to Immigrate in November 29 Draw - Government of Canada Allows Mexican Nationals to Apply for eTA in Advance of Removing Visa Requirement - Saskatchewan's Occupations In-Demand Immigration Sub-Category Reopens for 1,200 New Applications [ Read News Briefs]  [CanadaVisa Social: Instagram Now One of Our Channels!] Welcome to CanadaVisa Social! With so much going on in the world of Canadian immigration, we want to make sure you have access to the latest news and information. So follow us and engage today on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram (that's right, we are now showcasing the best of Canada on Instagram!) [ Read Full Article]  [David's Blog: Patience is wearing thin on C-6]  Earlier this year, on June 17, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act passed the House of Commons in Ottawa. This eagerly-awaiting piece of legislation is known as Bill C-6. Among the proposed amendments in C-6 is a reduction in the amount of time permanent residents have to live in Canada in order to become eligible to apply for citizenship, from four out of six years to three out of five years. In addition, applicants who spent time in Canada on temporary status — such as on a work or study permit — would be able to count a portion of this time towards the three-year requirement. The amendments would also repeal the intent to reside provision and remove language proficiency requirements for certain applicants. 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