Hi friends! 👋

Good morning and happy Sunday! It’s December 22, and we’ve packed this week with exciting Immigration updates and News.

In today’s email:

❌ Removal of LMIA-Based Job Offer Points in Express Entry
🚨 Enhanced Border Security Measures
🛑 IRCC plans to eliminate flagpoling
✈️ Work and travel in Canada with International Experience Canada
💼 Top 5 Canadian Job Websites

Why wait? Let’s Dive in!

Don’t keep us a secret😀Forward this email to friends who might find it useful.
Have Feedback? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected].

This week’s immigration Draw

• 🔔Express Entry Draw #330 Invites 1085 Candidates Read More

• Latest AAIP Draw - December 17, 2024 issued 1,620 invitations Read more

• Latest MPNP Draw #234 - December 18, 2024 issued 399 invitations

  MPNP - Skilled Worker Overseas

  MPNP - International Education Stream

Tips For PR / PR grant

1. 📊 200 Occupations Granted PR in Manitoba in 2024! read more

2. 📊 130+ Occupations Granted PR in Nova Scotia in 2024! read more

3. 📢 Top 5 NOC Codes for PR as a Computer Technician/Programmer read more

4. 📢 Top 3 Skilled Trades for Easy PR read more

5. 📢 PR Options for Home Support Worker 44101 read more

6. 📢 PR Pathways for Data Roles read more

LMIA Points Removal

Removal of LMIA-Based Job Offer Points in Express Entry:

Canada will no longer award additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for job offers supported by an LMIA in the Express Entry system. Previously, candidates could receive 50 or 200 extra points, significantly impacting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. This change addresses concerns about LMIA fraud and aims to create a more equitable immigration process.

Key Updates on LMIA Changes

🚫 No Extra Points for LMIA: Job offers supported by LMIAs will no longer boost Express Entry scores to reduce fraud and increase fairness.

• Possible Impacts of This Change:

  1. LMIA points might be completely removed for new Express Entry applications.

  2. The removal might specifically affect candidates with open work permits, while still allowing points for those holding closed work permits.

💵 Illegal LMIA Sales: LMIAs were sold for $10,000-$70,000, exploiting the system.

📊 High LMIA Demand: Over 71,300 LMIAs approved in Q1 2024, mainly for farm workers, cooks, and drivers.

🏗️ Express Entry Impact: System focuses on skilled workers; LMIA points (50-200) removal aims to restore integrity.

📅 Implementation Plan & Date: Yet to be announced.

These measures address fraud and improve Canada’s immigration system. 🌟

Border Security

Enhanced Border Security Measures:

In response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's administration's demands for stricter immigration controls, Canada has pledged to Strengthen its border security. An investment of C$1.3 billion over six years has been allocated, focusing on fentanyl, irregular migration, and organized crime. These measures aim to address U.S. threats of imposing a 25% tariff^* if Canada fails to control migrant and drug entries.

*A tariff is a tax imposed by the government of a country or by a supranational union on imports or exports of goods

Key Highlights of Canada's $1.3 Billion Border Plan🚨

🐕 Drug Detection: More canine teams, AI tools, and chemical detection systems to stop fentanyl.

🚁 Surveillance Upgrades: Drones, helicopters, and 24/7 border monitoring.

💰 Tackling Money Laundering: Stronger penalties and a new taskforce to stop financial crimes.

🤝 Canada-U.S. Collaboration: Sharing intelligence to combat illegal migration and organized crime.

🛑 Immigration Updates: Ending flagpoling and tightening controls on immigration documents.

🌐 Safe Borders: Strengthening laws to stop irregular migration and ensure fair asylum processes.

Canada border agency launches facial recognition app to track migrants.

Flagpoling ban

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to eliminate flagpoling, as announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller on December 17, 2024.

"Flagpoling will no longer be an option," Miller stated, emphasizing that temporary residents will need to apply online to extend their stay instead of seeking same-day services at the border.

This change aims to reduce pressure on border officials, allowing them to focus on other priorities, while also strengthening the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.

While no specific implementation date has been announced, Miller indicated that the change will be introduced "as soon as possible."

IEC 2025 Season

Work and travel in Canada with International Experience Canada:

The 2025 International Experience Canada (IEC) season is now open, with pools accepting applications from eligible candidates as of December 16, 2024.

If you’re looking to work and explore Canada, now is the perfect time to apply!

Create your profile online and get ready for the first round of invitations, set to be issued on January 13, 2025.

Apply early to boost your chances, as Canada plans to reduce the number of IEC spots for 2025.

Top 5 Canadian Job Website

1. VanHack - Specifically for tech professionals

2. Drake International

3. Employment and Social Development Canada - Government Jobs

4. Robert Half Canada - Specific to account and technology jobs

5. Eluta - for Part-Time and jobs in many sectors

In The Know

⚠️ Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet.

⚠️ Liberal Housing Minister Sean Fraser resigns from Trudeau's cabinet

 🚫"Presented No Evidence Whatsoever": India On Canada's "Serious" Allegations

💵 Citizenship and immigration application fees

📈 Asylum Claims by International Students at a Record High

🎓IRCC allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit

📊The unemployment rate increased 0.3 percentage points to 6.8% in November, the highest rate since January 2017