Hi friends! 👋

Welcome to another TheCanindian Weekly edition.

Good morning and happy Sunday! 
It’s January 26, Last Sunday of the Month, and I hope your year is off to a fantastic start—and if not, don’t sweat it; the best chapters often begin after a rocky page! and As usual we’ve packed this week with exciting Immigration updates and News.

In today’s email we are going to cover 5 important news and updates:

1. This week’s immigration Draw 🔔

2. How to get Citizenship After PR?

3. Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots: Open Soon

4. Open Work Permit Extended for Foreign Workers with Provincial Support Letters

5. New Rules for Open Work Permits for Family Members

6. Canada’s New Study Permit Cap for 2025!

7. Key Updates for International Students in 2025

So, Why wait?

Don’t keep us a secret😀Forward this email to friends who might find it useful.
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This Week’s Immigration Draws

🔔Express Entry CEC Draw #333 invited 4,000 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class.
🔔Manitoba PNP's second draw of 2025 issued 125 invitations in Skilled Worker Overseas.

Previous draws (This year)
🔔Express Entry CEC Draw #332 invited 1,350 candidates under the Canadian Experience Class.
🔔Express Entry Draw #331 on January 7th invited 471 candidates under the PNP category.
🔔Manitoba PNP's first draw of 2025 invited 197 candidates.

You can find any draw for any occupation using this tracker.
You can find all draws here.

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How to get Citizenship After PR?

If you're a PR holder in Canada and dreaming of taking the next big step to citizenship, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know!

Here is your Guide!

Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots

The new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots will open on March 31, 2025. IRCC provide more details shortly.

Open Work Permit Extended for Foreign Workers with Provincial Support Letters

The temporary public policy allowing eligible foreign workers to apply for an open work permit has been extended until December 31, 2025.

You may qualify for this open work permit if:

• You are a foreign worker in Alberta, Manitoba, or Yukon, and

• You have received an open work permit support letter from the province or territory confirming your eligibility under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

This permit allows you to work anywhere in Canada for up to 2 years, but you can only apply once you’ve obtained a support letter from a participating province or territory. Note: This work permit is not available for individuals who have already been nominated under the PNP.

Fees:

• Work permit fee: $155

• Open work permit holder fee: $100

Application Deadline: December 31, 2025

New Rules for Open Work Permits for Family Members

Starting January 21, 2025, at 5:00 UTC, updated eligibility rules will apply to open work permits for family members of foreign workers:

If You Apply Before January 21, 2025:

• Applications will follow the previous criteria.

• Approved permits will remain valid until their expiry.

New Rules (From January 21, 2025):
Family member eligibility depends on:

1. The worker’s job type (TEER category).

2. Whether the worker is on a pathway to permanent residence or has applied for it.

Eligibility Highlights:

• Not Eligible: Family members of workers in TEER 4 or 5 jobs.

• Eligible: Family members of workers in:

  • TEER 0 or 1 occupations.

  • Select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in priority industries or sectors facing labor shortages.

View the full list of eligible TEER 2 occupations here.

Need Help?

Want to Find your NOC/TEER category Just one click away.

Canada’s New Study Permit Cap for 2025!

Canada has introduced a cap on study permit applications for 2025 to ensure sustainable intake and system improvements. Here’s what you need to know:

🗓️ Key Dates:

• Cap effective: January 22, 2025, at 12:00 A.M. EST to December 31, 2025, at 11:59 P.M. EST.

🎯 Application Cap:

• A maximum of 550,162 study permit applications will be processed in 2025.

• Allocations are distributed among provinces and territories based on population and historical trends.

✅ Exemptions:

• Study permit renewals and students in master’s, doctoral, or K-12 programs are exempt from the cap.

📋 Mandatory Requirements:

• Provincial or territorial attestation letters remain mandatory for all applications.

⚠️ Important Notes:

• Applications exceeding the cap will not be processed, and fees will be refunded.

• The cap applies to applications processed, not the number of permits approved.

📊 Background:
For 2024, the net growth target was set at 485,000 approved study permits, with projections for 2025 and 2026 targeting 437,000 permits. However, the 2025 cap has been increased to 550,162 to balance sustainable growth with system improvements.

👉 More details here.

Key Updates for international students in 2025

1. PGWP Update:

   • Language requirements have been introduced for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility.

   • New fields of study have been added to the list of PGWP-eligible programs.

   • Applications must now be submitted exclusively online.

2. Work Hours:

   • The maximum allowed off-campus work hours have been increased to 24 hours per week.

3. Flagpoling:

   • Flagpoling is no longer permitted for PGWP applications.

4. Spousal Permits:

   • Spousal open work permits are now restricted to students enrolled in high-demand programs.

5. Study Permit:

   • A new study permit is required when transferring to a different Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

   • Applications for study permits are now fully online.

6. Visa Update:

   • The Student Direct Stream (SDS) and NES pathways have been discontinued.

   • All study permit applications will now follow standard processing times.

Tip of the day

🔔The key to a great career is certifications/licenses.

In Canada, many fields/jobs require specific credentials to qualify for jobs. For example:

• Skilled Trades: Electricians, plumbers, and welders need Red Seal certification.

• Healthcare: Nurses, pharmacists, and physiotherapists must be licensed by provincial regulatory bodies.

• Finance: Roles like financial advisors often require certifications like CSC or CFP.

• IT: Certifications like AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, or cybersecurity credentials like CISSP can significantly enhance your profile.

Investing in the right credentials can unlock better opportunities and set you apart in a competitive job market.

In The Know

🫢 Canada’s immigration backlog in jeopardy after government cuts 3,300 jobs of frontline staff

📢 AIESEC will no longer support countries or territories outside of YMA/IEC agreements, including Brazil and India.

🚫 Centennial College suspends 49 programs amid drop in international student enrolments

💵 Ontario has started to send out $200 rebate cheques to eligible candidates.

📊 Toronto metropolitan population hits seven million thanks to immigration.

📊 Canada’s Non-Permanent Resident Outflow Hit 250k People In Q3

Money Mind

💰 Canada Pension Plan (CPP): How to Contribute, Receive Benefits

💳 The best cash back credit cards in Canada for 2025

💸 Best Banks for International Students in Canada for 2025

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