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IMMIGRATION AND EDUCATION

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is an essential pathway for international students in Canada. It allows graduates to gain critical work experience after completing their studies. However, recent changes to PGWP eligibility have raised important questions and concerns among prospective applicants. This blog post aims to clarify these changes and provide essential information for students and graduates looking to navigate the evolving landscape of work permits in Canada.

What is an Invitation to Apply (ITA)? An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is a formal invitation given by immigration authorities to individuals who want to become permanent residents. Typically, this invitation is granted to candidates who have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) through a points-based system. The ITA indicates that the candidate has met specific criteria and is now eligible to submit a full application for permanent residency. For example, Canada issues ITAs

Immigration shapes a nation. As Canada looks toward 2026-2028, the Upcoming Immigration Levels Plan will significantly impact its future. Understanding this plan is crucial, not just for potential immigrants but also for communities and businesses throughout the country. This post aims to break down the details of the plan, how it will affect various sectors, and the implications for those wanting to start a new life in Canada. Overview of the Immigration Levels Plan The Immi

On October 16, 2025, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Lena Metlege Diab, announced a significant policy shift: the federal government will restore additional nomination slots for the provincial/territorial nomination stream of immigration known as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for 2025. What Was Announced The federal allotment for PNP nominations under the 2025 immigration plan had been reduced from about 110,000 slots in 2024 to 55,000 in 2025. After consultation wit

Date:  October 15, 2025 Type:  Express Entry — Category-based selection (Healthcare & Social Services) IRCC has invited 2,500 candidates  to apply for permanent residence in a category-based Express Entry draw targeting Healthcare and Social Services occupations (Version 2) . The CRS cut-off was 472  for this round. This continues Canada’s 2025 trend of prioritizing critical health and social-care roles through targeted draws. Key numbers at a glance Invitations to Apply (ITA

According to recent reports, H&C applications now face wait times ranging from 12 to 600 months (up to 50 years) . IRCC has confirmed a backlog of ~49,900 cases . The annual admissions target for H&C in the 2025 immigration levels plan is only about 1,100 spots . For Hong Kong applicants specifically , reports indicate approximately 21,000 pending cases , but only 1,800 admissions  are allocated in 2025. H&C backlogs demonstrate how discretionary programs become overwhelmed w

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially announced the launch of the 2025 intake for the highly anticipated...

Starting July 28, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin sending out 17,860 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to...

On June 12, 2025, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a Canadian Experience...

T he launch of a digital employer portal planned between June and August 2025. This online platform will allow employers to submit...

📢 Changing Jobs in Canada as a Temporary Worker? Here’s What You Need to Know If you’re in Canada on an employer-specific work permit...

As of March 31, 2025, IRCC’s inventory held 1,976,700 applications across citizenship, permanent residency, and temporary residency...

New Minister of IRCC

On May 1, 2025, IRCC held its first Express Entry draw of the month, issuing 1,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs)  for permanent residence. ✅ This draw marks the first round focused on candidates under the newly introduced education category . 📊 Draw Highlights: Date and Time:  May 1, 2025 Number of ITAs issued:  1,000 Minimum CRS score required:  479 Required rank to receive an invitation:  Top 1,000 or higher Tie-breaking rule:  August 10, 2024, at 10:35:55 UTC If you're in t

Can I stay in Canada until the expiry date on my visitor visa? The expiry date on the visitor visa is the date by which you must arrive in Canada. How long you can stay will be decided each time you enter Canada. Length of stay decided by a border services officer If you see a  border services officer  at the port of entry, they will tell you how long you can stay in Canada in 1 of these ways: If the officer stamps your passport and writes a date under that stamp You must lea

What is an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) in immigration Canada? Acknowledgment of Receipt or AOR in Canada is an official letter from IRCC. It marks the date IRCC has received your application. Why is the date on an AOR letter important in Canada? The date on the AOR letter marks the date IRCC received your application. However, it becomes imperative in certain situations. Here are some examples: The  age lock-in date of children  in Federal immigration is the AOR date. Th

Next draw: mid or late October 2024. As of September 30, 2024, candidates must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are interested in receiving an invitation to apply to one of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s (AAIP’s) worker streams. Candidates will self-declare information about themselves through an online Worker EOI form in the AAIP portal. Each Worker EOI will be scored and ranked using the Worker EOI points grid . Candidates who successfully s

The eligibility requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits  (PGWP) are changing with many international students soon to be unable to get the coveted open work permit but others being able to enjoy longer periods of time to work in Canada. Following the recent announcement of caps on the number of international students, there are significant changes to the eligibility requirements of the PGWP. “Starting Sept. 1, international students who begin a study program that is par