Gunness & Assocaites | Canadian Immigration specialists in Ontario

Canada closed the International Experience Canada program (IEC) for season 2023 On October 27, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) closed the 2023 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.  Those who received an invitation to apply (ITA) will be able to complete and submit their work permit applications. Profiles of those who have not received an ITA for the 2023 IEC season will be removed from the IEC pool. Those applicants can create a new profile when the pools reopen for the 2024 season. If you have not yet received an ITA for the 2023 season, Your profile will be removed from consideration. When the pools reopen for the 2024 season, you can create a new profile. Your account and GCkey remain active. You do not need to set up a new account or obtain a new GC key. How do the International Experience Canada (IEC) Pools work? In most cases, your profile will remain in the pool until: you are invited to ap

IRCC amended the International Student Program to protect international students On October 27, 2023, Canada's Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, announced plans to strengthen the International Student Program. From December 1, 2023, learning institutions must confirm each applicant's acceptance directly with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), preventing acceptance letter fraud and ensuring study permits are issued based on genuine acceptance letters.  For fall 2024, a "recognized institution" framework will be implemented, offering priority study permit processing to institutions providing superior services for international students.  Additionally, IRCC will reform the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program to better align with Canadian labor market needs and immigration goals. Check your eligibility to Study in Canada  Details of the Changes in the International Student Program The Most Honourable Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship,

  Ottawa held the largest healthcare-targeted Express Entry draw of 2023 On October 26, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a new occupation-specific Express Entry draw and issued 3,600 Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates working in healthcare occupations.  In round #271, the cut-off score was 431 points, 32 points fewer than in the previous healthcare-targeted Express Entry draw.  The tie-breaking rule for this round was May 24, 2023, at 19:47:51 UTC.  As of October 23, 2023, there were 214,873 profiles registered in the Express Entry pool.  As a candidate, you can work with an immigration specialist. Fill out the form to Get an assessment from an experienced and licensed immigration consultant. This year, Canada issued 95,221 ITAs in 35 Express Entry draws. Eligible Occupations For Healthcare-targeted Express Entry Draw  The following list has the 35 occupations that are eligible for invitations to the Express Entry round of the 2023 category-based r

    IRCC announces new measures to support Moroccan nationals On October 26, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that Moroccan nationals in Canada can extend their study, work, or family visit status without charge, effective October 19, 2023.  These special measures apply to those in Canada as of September 8, when the earthquake occurred, and are designed to facilitate the extension of temporary status or transitioning between temporary streams. The measures will remain in effect until March 12, 2024.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has prioritized processing temporary and permanent residence applications received on or before September 8, 2023, from people affected by the earthquake. Details of the new measures to support Moroccan nationals  As part of Canada's response to the situation in Morocco, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada has prioritized temporary and permanent residence applications from people affected by the devastating earthquak