Hi friends! 👋

Happy New Year! I hope this year will get you what you want.

🎉 Wishing you a wonderful start to the year ahead.

This year has seen frequent announcements from IRCC this week. While many programs announced last year are yet to be launched, IRCC has temporarily paused the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program and set a cap of 1,010 applications for the Agri-Food Pilot Program.

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Why wait? Let’s Dive in!

Key Changes for 2025

1. Pause on Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Applications Canada has announced a temporary pause on accepting new applications for the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program. This decision aims to address the backlog of existing applications and streamline processing times. While the pause is in effect, alternative pathways, such as the Super Visa, remain available for families seeking reunification.

Key points of this policy change include:

1. No new PGP applications will be accepted for 2025

2. IRCC will focus on processing existing applications submitted in 2024

3. A maximum of 15,000 sponsorship applications will be processed throughout 2025

Source: Government of Canada - Family Sponsorship

2. Agri-Food Pilot Program: Key Highlights and PR Limit for 2025 🌾 The Agri-Food Pilot Program, designed to address labor shortages in Canada’s agricultural and food processing sectors, will continue into 2025 with an annual cap on permanent residency applications. The program focuses on key industries such as meat processing, mushroom farming, and greenhouse crop production, offering a clear pathway to PR for eligible workers.

Key Updates:

• Annual PR application cap set for 2025.

  ⏳ Deadline: May 14, 2025 📊 Cap: 1,010 applications

• Streamlined application process for experienced agri-food workers.

For more details about requirements click here.

🔍 Tip: Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)does not qualify for the Agri-Food Pilot Program.

3. New Eligible Fields of Study for Incoming Students Planning to Study in Canada

If you are an upcoming student, make sure you choose a program based on these requirements to be eligible for a PGWP.

Eligibility for PGWP:

• If you submitted your study permit application on or after November 1, 2024, you must have graduated from an eligible field of study.

• If you submitted your study permit before November 1, 2024, then you will your PGWP as per old rules.

• Click here to know more.

As of December 17, 2024, PGWP-eligible fields of study include certain programs related to early childhood education and developmental service workers.

Key Highlights:

• Programs focused on early childhood education.

• Training for developmental service workers.

• Enhanced pathways for graduates in these fields to secure a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

New Education Programs Added

The newly added programs in the education category include:

• Developmental Services Worker (CIP: 19.0710)

• Montessori Teacher Education (CIP: 13.1207)

• Waldorf/Steiner Teacher Education (CIP: 13.1208)

• Early Childhood Education and Teaching (CIP: 13.1210)

• Teaching Assistants/Aide, General (CIP: 13.1501)

• Child Development (CIP: 19.0706)

• Child Care and Support Services Management (CIP: 19.0708)

• Child Care Provider/Assistant (CIP: 19.0709)

• Early Childhood and Family Studies (CIP: 19.0711)

Updated PGWP-Eligible Fields

With this addition, the PGWP-eligible fields of study now comprise six broad categories:

1. Agriculture and agri-food

2. Education (newly added)

3. Healthcare

4. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

5. Trade

6. Transport

If you want to find in which program you may get PGWP click here.

No Official Updates on These Immigration Programs

Rural Community Immigration Program (RCIP) The Rural Community Immigration Program aims to address workforce gaps in smaller communities across Canada by attracting skilled immigrants. With tailored regional plans and community-driven support, this initiative focuses on long-term retention and integration of newcomers.

Who is eligible: People working in designated rural communities can apply for this PR pathway.

Caregiver Pilot Program The Caregiver Pilot Program provides pathways to permanent residency for caregivers working in Canada. It focuses on addressing labor shortages in home care and supporting family well-being.

Who is eligible: Home support workers NOC 44100 and childcare workers NOC 44101 can apply to this program.

PR Pathways for 2025

New Pathways

• Enhanced Caregiver Pilot Programs: For home care workers, offering PR upon arrival. (No announcement made yet)

• Rural Community Immigration Pilot: Targeting skilled workers and international graduates to address labor shortages in rural areas. (No announcement made yet)

• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: For French-speaking immigrants to support Francophone communities outside Quebec.

• Manitoba's West Central Immigration Initiative: A pilot program for workers interested in living in Manitoba's rural west-central region.

Existing Pathways

• Express Entry: For skilled workers, including Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class programs. The focus for 2025 will be CEC and targeted categorical draws for healthcare, skilled trades, and experienced individuals with French language proficiency.

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Allows provinces to nominate individuals based on local labor market needs. Although PNP targets are reduced from approximately 111,000 immigrants in 2024 to 55,000 immigrants in 2025, it’s still a good option to get PR if you are working in that province or have a job offer from an employer in that province.

• Economic Pilot Programs: Programs like the Atlantic Immigration Program and caregiver pilots address regional labor gaps, offering over 15,000 spots in 2025.

• Family Class Sponsorship: For reuniting families, including sponsorship of spouses, children, and parents.

• Start-Up Visa Program: For entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.

Find NOC Codes, Draws, and PR Pathways for Canada – Complete Guide!