Immigrant Stories

You can meet the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for an Express Entry draw, and still not receive an invitation to apply (ITA). The date and time of your Express Entry profile submission can play a key role in determining whether your receive an ITA for permanent residence (PR). Recently, due to one specific […] The post Why older Express Entry profiles have an advantage in getting selected first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

The three Ontario regions participating in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) have released their priority sectors and occupations for 2026. All regions have removed certain occupations from eligibility, replacing them with newly-selected occupations that match evolving local labour demands. Consult with a lawyer at Cohen Immigration Law This article will detail the 2026 priority […] The post These occupations qualify for permanent residence in Ontario FCIP regions first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) held its third draw of 2026 on March 20, 2026, under the Labour Impact and Express Entry categories. No invitations were issued through the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur stream, consistent with PEI's ongoing workforce-first nomination approach.With the latest PEI PNP draw, the province has now issued a cumulative total of 236 ITAs in 2026 across three draws. This follows the previous Prince Edward Island PNP draw held on February 19, 2026, in which 109 ITAs were issued, the largest single draw of the year so far.Candidates working in priority economic sectors and international graduates from designated PEI institutions were prioritized in the selection process.Book a Free ConsultationPEI PNP Latest Draw Result 2026The latest PEI PNP draw was held on March 20, 2026, issuing 101 Labour & Express Entry Invitations to apply for Canada PR.Draw date: March 20, 2026Type of round: Labour... Read more

The IELTS exam is going fully digital. IDP has officially confirmed that the paper-based IELTS test will be discontinued globally from mid-2026, with all test delivery moving to a computer-based format.The announcement is a major shake-up for the thousands of students, workers, and skilled professionals who take the IELTS exam each year to apply for a Canada student visa, a Canadian PR visa, or to immigrate to Canada through various immigration pathways.Canada currently holds approximately 690,000 international students as of late 2025, and with the government set to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, the stakes around this format change could not be higher.Book a Free ConsultationWhat Is Changing in the IELTS Exam From Mid-2026?Starting mid-2026, the paper-based IELTS will no longer be available at test centres in Canada or globally. The Listening and Reading sections will move entirely to a computer-based format.The Writing section will also be... Read more

Canada has been ranked 25th out of 147 countries in the 2026 World Happiness Report, which evaluates global well-being by country. This year, Canada placed two spots below the US and ranked between Poland, in 24th place, and Taiwan, in 26th. Join the Angus Reid Forum and get $5 in points! The annual report was […] The post Canada ranks among 25 happiest countries first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

Canada has announced a new initiative to support francophone international students and graduates on their path to permanent residence (PR) The initiative gives students at the Université de Hearst—a public French-language institution whose main campus is in Hearst, Ontario—access to tailored support as they explore their long-term immigration options. Consult with a lawyer at Cohen […] The post Canada expands permanent residence pathway support for francophone students first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

The number of profiles in the Express Entry candidate pool continues its downward trend, easing competition as a net 1,172 profiles exited the pool over the latest two weeks as of March 15 (the latest data available). The most recent data on the pool’s composition, however, does not account for recent draws that issued over […] The post Number of top-scoring Express Entry profiles dips 10% below previous low first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

In a significant update for Canada immigration, Ontario has conducted a new draw under the multiple streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.This latest round highlights Ontario’s continued focus on selecting skilled workers who meet the province’s labour market needs, while also making the pathway more accessible to candidates with lower CRS scores.This draw follows the previous Employer Job Offer stream draw held on February 18, 2026, where 1,404 ITAs were issued to eligible candidates across targeted occupations. For applicants, these frequent draws offer a strong opportunity to align their profiles with current requirements and improve their chances of securing a provincial nomination for Canada PR. Book a Free Consultation Ontario PNP Latest Draw ResultsThe latest Ontario PNP draw was held on March 18, 2026. A total of 1,243 were issued across all streams, including the foreign worker stream, the international students stream, the in-demand skills stream, and the masters... Read more

Canada has published new rules applying to foreign nationals seeking entry to Canada under the work permit exemption for business visitors. For many foreign nationals, seeking entry as a business visitor can be the quickest and easiest way to gain authorization to work in Canada, as many can apply at a port of entry, although […] The post New rules for who can work in Canada without a permit first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

On March 18, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued invitations to apply (ITAs) under its Master’s Graduate and PhD Graduate streams for the first time in over a year. The province invited more than 1,100 international student graduates with Canadian work experience in targeted occupations. This is the first time the province has issued […] The post Ontario Master’s and PhD graduates selected for provincial immigration for first time since 2024 first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

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When you arrive in Canada, there are many everyday tasks to take care of. You’ll likely be looking for a place to live, setting up a phone plan, or registering for essential services. Opening a bank account is often one of the first steps. Banking in Canada may work differently from what you are used […] The post Banking Basics for Newcomers to Canada first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

Moving countries is hard. Looking for work while adjusting to a new place can make it feel even harder. When I moved to Canada as a permanent resident (PR) in 2022, I did not have a job lined up. Like many newcomers, I had to start from scratch to understand a new labour market, a […] The post OPINION: These 5 tips helped me land my first job in Canada first appeared on CIC News.... Read more

Ontario is preparing one of the biggest shakeups in its immigration history. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has announced legal changes to the Ontario Immigration Act that will completely overhaul all existing immigration streams by May 30, 2026.Nine major stream categories, including Foreign Worker, Master's Graduate, and Skilled Trades, are set to be revoked on that date. While the province has hinted at what new streams may replace them, no official confirmation has been made yet.If you are currently planning to apply through the OINP, these changes could directly affect your eligibility and timeline. Here is everything you need to know. Book a Free Consultation Which OINP Streams Are Being Closed on May 30, 2026?Nine existing OINP stream categories will be officially revoked on May 30, 2026. These include:Foreign Worker categoryInternational Student with a Job OfferIn-Demand SkillsMaster's GraduatePh.D. GraduateHuman Capital PrioritiesFrench-Speaking Skilled WorkerSkilled TradesEntrepreneurApplicants who currently qualify under any... Read more

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued invitations in the latest Express Entry draw for French-speaking candidates, recording the lowest CRS score of the year. This is the 17th draw of the year, and the third draw for candidates with French-language proficiency.However, this Express Entry draw reflects Canada’s strategic effort to attract Francophone talent and address labour shortages, while expanding immigration pathways beyond traditional high-score thresholds.In the past year, IRCC announced 9 draws for French speakers, inviting 48,000 skilled applicants to apply for Canada PR. Book a Free Consultation Latest Express Entry Draw ResultsCanada has released the latest Express Entry draw on March 18, 2026, inviting 4,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 393, marking a significant drop this year.Draw Number: #405Date of Round: March 18, 2026Type of Draw: French-Language proficiency 2026-Version 2Number of ITAs Issued: 4,000CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate Invited: 393Tie-Breaking Rule: December 29, 2025, at 12:47:31... Read more