All posts by Kulin Patel

Sponsorship Parents and Grandparents Applications Update 21-August-2018

Ottawa to scrap controversial immigration lottery system for families

Immigration sponsorship lottery draws nearly 100k applications

Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen will announce the changes today at an event in Vancouver.

The changes, which will take effect in 2019, will replace the random selection process for sponsorship applications with a first-come-first-served application process.

The so-called lottery system drew criticism when it was introduced last year after many potential sponsors said they felt it was unfair.

For more details :  https://globalnews.ca/news/4397809/canada-immigration-lottery-system/amp/

September 18, 2025

SINP-Express Entry ISW EOI Draw Update August 21, 2018

August 21, 2018

Express Entry EOI candidates invited to apply: 466

Score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 68 points

All EOI’s had Educational Credential Assessments (required document for applications).

Please note that the SINP limits the selection of EOIs by occupation by fiscal year so that nominees with positive employment prospects in Saskatchewan are selected and nominations do not exceed employment demand.  As a result, in 2018-19 the following occupations have been removed from the SINP In-Demand Occupation List: Engineering Managers; Manufacturing Managers; Utilities Managers; Civil Engineers; Computer Engineers; Software Engineers and Designers; Web Designers and Developers; Landscape and Horticulture Technicians and Specialists; Electronic Service Technicians (household and business equipment); Economists and Economic Policy Researchers and Analysts.

The size and frequency of EOI Selections will be determined by the needs of the SINP application inventory.  To begin with, selections will take place on a monthly basis, at minimum.  The dates of the selections will not be posted.

For more details please visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/immigrating-to-saskatchewan/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program/international-skilled-worker-eoi-system

September 18, 2025

Express Entry Draw Update August 22, 2018

Number of invitations issued: 3,750

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,750th or above

Date and time of round: August 22, 2018 at 13:19:10 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 440

Tie-breaking rule: February 21, 2018 at 11:28:03 UTC

For More detail please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/rounds-invitations.html

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 16, 2018
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates
601-1200 189
451-600 1,194
401-450 29,011
441-450 534
431-440 8,806
421-430 5,982
411-420 6,645
401-410 7,044
351-400 34,542
391-400 6,332
381-390 7,237
371-380 7,135
361-370 7,021
351-360 6,817
301-350 20,078
0-300 3,201
Total 88,215

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

The table numbers in italics are a detailed breakdown of the bold number immediately above

September 18, 2025

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Notifications of Interest Update

Notifications of Interest – OINP

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will be issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool who qualify for one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams on a regular basis. After each round of the NOIs, the OINP will post the details and methodology used for each search below.

For more details please refer : http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPNOI.html

Total number of NOIs issued in 2018 to date
Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCP) 3534
French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSW) 931
Skilled Trades Stream (ST) 1006

 

 

 

August 2018
Stream Date NOIs Issued Details
HCP

Targetted Job Offer

 08/09/18
2:23 PM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 947
CRS Score Range: 350-439
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to August 9, 2018
FSSW 08/09/18
9:01 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 14
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to August 9, 2018
FSSW 08/02/18
8:55 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 32
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to August 2, 2018

 

July 2018
Stream Date NOIs Issued Details
FSSW 07/26/18
8:47AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 22
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 26, 2018
ST 07/25/18
3:05 PM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 36
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 25, 2018
FSSW 07/19/18
8:52 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 31
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 19, 2018
ST 07/19/18
10:25 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 243
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 19, 2018
FSSW 07/12/18
10:22 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 24
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2018
FSSW 07/05/18
8:46 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 31
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to July 5, 2018

 

June 2018
Stream Date NOIs Issued Details
FSSW 06/28/18
9:20AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 21
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to June 28, 2018
FSSW 06/21/18
2:02 PM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 44
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to June 21, 2018
FSSW 06/14/18
11:20 AM EST		 Number of NOIs issued: 58
Date Express Entry profile submitted:
January 1, 2018 to June 14, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 18, 2025

Express Entry Draw Update August 08, 2018

Number of invitations issued: 3,750

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,750th or above

Date and time of round: August 8, 2018 at 11:56:30 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 440

Tie-breaking rule: January 31, 2018 at 00:06:40 UTC

For More detail please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/rounds-invitations.html

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of August 1, 2018
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates
601-1200 188
451-600 844
401-450 29,025
441-450 719
431-440 8,643
421-430 6,030
411-420 6,611
401-410 7,022
351-400 34,416
391-400 6,302
381-390 7,218
371-380 7,101
361-370 6,951
351-360 6,844
301-350 19,828
0-300 3,272
Total 87,573

The numbers in this table reflect the total number of people in the pool overall, a few days before an invitation round. The score distribution may change as people submit new profiles and other profiles expire.

September 18, 2025

Express Entry Draw Update July 25, 2018

Number of invitations issued: 3,750

Rank required to be invited to apply: 3,750th or above

Date and time of round: July 25, 2018 at 12:43:04 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 441

Tie-breaking rule: December 31, 2017 at 12:14:21 UTC

For More detail please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/rounds-invitations.html

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of July 19, 2018
CRS Score Range Number of Candidates
601-1200 244
451-600 1,101
401-450 28,830
441-450 822
431-440 8,379
421-430 5,952
411-420 6,675
401-410 7,002
351-400 34,174
391-400 6,180
381-390 7,159
371-380 7,015
361-370 6,941
351-360 6,879
301-350 19,755
0-300 3,246
Total 87,350
September 18, 2025

Express Entry Draw Update 30 May 2018

 

Programs specified:

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Provincial Nominee Program

Candidates invited under the Federal Skilled Trades Program

Number of invitations issued: 500

Rank required to be invited to apply: 500th or above

Date and time of round: May 30, 2018 at 14:52:06 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 288

Tie-breaking rule: June 7, 2017 at 20:11:13 UTC

Candidates invited under the Provincial Nominee Program

Number of invitations issued: 200

Rank required to be invited to apply: 200th or above

Date and time of round: May 30, 2018 at 14:52:06 UTC

CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 902

Tie-breaking rule: March 23, 2018 at 05:38:02 UTC

For More detail please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/become-candidate/rounds-invitations.html

September 18, 2025

Start a Business in the Northwest Territories

The NWT Immigration Nominee Program Business Stream

The Northwest Territories (NWT) Nominee Program Business Stream offers a path to Canadian Permanent Residency for those interested in establishing, purchasing, or investing in a business in the NWT.

There are a number of benefits to starting a business in the NWT and choosing the NWT Nominee Program. Applicants can expect:

  • No wait-list for applications;
  • Faster processing times;
  • Personalized attention for your application; and
  • Program staff that are there to support you throughout the entire application process.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for the Business Stream:

There is a set of minimum eligibility criteria in order to qualify for the NWT Nominee Program Business Stream. A prospective applicant must be able to commit to one of the following investments:

  • a minimum of $300,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • a minimum of $150,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.

The prospective applicant must provide proof of a personal net worth of:

  • At least $500,000 CDN to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • At least $250,000 CDN to start or buy a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • Provide to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment a good faith deposit of $75,000 CDN once formally accepted into the Program.

The prospective applicant must also:

  • Demonstrate that they own at least one-third (33.3%) of the business;
  • Where your personal equity investment is at least $1,000,000 you may own less than one-third (33.3%) of the business pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations section 87(6)(b)(ii); and
  • Demonstrate that they have achieved a proficiency of level 4 against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 4) in English or the equivalent language level against the Niveaux de competence linquistique Canadiens (NCLC) in French.

In addition to financial means, an applicant also needs to demonstrate the following knowledge and abilities:

  • knowledge and understanding of the NWT and its economy and which businesses will bring significant economic benefit to the Territory.
  • the ability to make at least one (1) in-person business trip to the NWT to gain knowledge about the territory’s business environment;
  • the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the proposed business plan; and
  • A willingness to settle full-time in the NWT.

*Please refer to the full NWT Nominee Program Business Stream Application Guidelines for the complete list of eligibility criteria.

http://www.immigratenwt.ca/start-a-business/business-immigration-program-business-stream

September 18, 2025

Visitor Visa : CAN+

Visitor Visa / CAN+
Have you previously travelled to Canada in the last 10 years? Do you hold a currently valid US visa? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, you may qualify for facilitative processing of your Temporary Resident Visitor application. Want to qualify for even faster processing? Apply Online. This VISA FRIDAY we share information on the popular CAN+ program.
Question 1: What is CAN+?
Answer: CAN+ is a program that offers expedited processing for applicants of a Canadian temporary resident visitor visa. This expedited processing is available to those who have previously travelled to Canada in the last 10 years or who hold a valid US visa at the time of their Canadian visa application.
******************
Question 2: What are the benefits to applying under CAN+?
Answer: Applicants who meet the criteria of CAN+ do not need to provide financial documents with their application submission, and will also qualify for expedited processing.
******************
Question 3: Is there any special application form for this program?
Answer: No. The application form is the same as for any Temporary Resident Visitor Visa.
******************
Question 4: If I do not fill any separate application for CAN+, how will IRCC know I am eligible for this program?
Answer: When you complete your visa application online on our application questionnaire, based on the answers you provide, the system will identify your application as CAN+ or not. Remember, if you decide to apply online, we make every effort to process your application even faster.
For those who apply at the VAC, you must tell the VAC staff you wish to apply under CAN+ and provide with your application, proof of your travel history or valid US visa. If you do not identify yourself as CAN+ at the VAC we cannot guarantee expedited processing of your application.
******************
Question 5: What are the requirements for CAN+?
Answer: To be eligible for this program, clients must provide evidence that they have travelled to Canada in the last 10 years, or have a valid US visa, such as entry stamps in passport, or proof of the valid visa.
******************
Question 6: If my application for a US visa is currently pending do I meet the criteria for CAN+?
Answer: No, in order to qualify, you will need to show proof that you have a valid US visa in your passport.
******************
Question 7: I have a valid US visa but I haven’t travelled to the US yet. Will I be eligible for CAN+?
Answer: Yes. Since your US visa is valid and your passport will show proof of that when you submit it as part of your Canadian visa application, you will be eligible for faster processing under the CAN+ program.
******************
Question 8: My US visa is valid, but it is in my old passport, do I still qualify for CAN+?
Answer: Yes.
******************
Question 9: If I provide a written statement that I have a valid US visa, or travel to Canada will I qualify for CAN+?
Answer: No, you will need to provide proof of your entry stamps in your passport, or proof of your valid US visa. A self-declaration is not sufficient to show that you have travel history or hold a valid visa.
******************
Question 10: Do I have to pay any additional fee to apply under the CAN+ program?
Answer: No. There is no additional cost to be part of this program. You will only need to pay associated visa application fee. Check out our website for more information about paying your application fees http://bit.ly/2E4l9RH
******************
Question 11: Is the CAN+ program available at all Visa Application Centres (VACs)?
Answer: Yes, you can visit any VAC and indicate you wish to apply under the CAN+ program with evidence to support your previous travel to Canada or valid US visa. CAN+ is a global program available worldwide for all applicants for Canadian Temporary Resident visitor visas.
******************
Question 12: My US visa expired last month. However my passport does show proof of my travel to US while my visa was valid. Will I still be eligible for Can+?
Answer: No, in order to qualify for CAN+ you will need to show you currently hold a valid US visa.
September 18, 2025

Canada clamps down on ‘flagpoling’ with immigration restrictions at some border crossings

Border officials have quietly restricted foreign nationals from validating their permanent status and processing work and study permits at land ports of entry in southern Ontario and Quebec.

Sunday May 06, 2018

Border enforcement officials have slowly — and quietly — restricted foreign nationals from validating their permanent resident status and processing work and study permits at land ports of entry in southern Ontario and Quebec.

The move to limit the immigration services at the land border has wreaked havoc for temporary residents in Canada who try to immediately obtain or renew their status by briefly travelling to the United States and back — a long-standing practice known as “flagpoling,” symbolizing applicants making a quick U-turn at flagpoles.

Under a pilot program launched last summer, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began to restrict “flagpoling” to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week at the Rainbow, Queenston-Lewiston and Peace bridges. It has since expanded to the Lacolle and St-Armand ports of entry in Quebec.

“This is unlawful because there is nothing in the law that authorizes CBSA to deny the processing of these applications for permits and landing documents,” said Barbara Jo Caruso, chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration section.

“We appreciate that CBSA has 90 different legislations they need to adjudicate on. They have drugs and guns to deal with and immigration is one more thing. But these people are Canadian taxpayers and they are being denied services.”

Although members of the bar association were notified about the changes, Caruso said there has been no public notice issued and the border agency’s website includes no cautions about the pilot.

“Given the consequences, to say this is misleading is an understatement,” she said. “We think the oversight is deliberate because to post otherwise would be to publish a process that is contrary to the regulations.”

Flagpoling has been the preferred way to obtain and validate Canadian immigration status for those who are already in Canada because it typically takes less than 30 minutes for the border processing, allowing applicants to bypass the weeks or months for the immigration department to process the same application or schedule a permanent resident landing interview inside Canada.

Reference: https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/05/06/canada-clamps-down-on-flagpoling-with-immigration-restrictions-at-some-border-crossings.html