In October 2024, significant changes in Canada’s immigration landscape have reshaped pathways for skilled workers, students, and families. For those seeking to immigrate, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest developments to make well-informed decisions. At Aura Visa & Education Consultancy, we are dedicated to keeping you updated with the most relevant changes that impact your immigration process. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the most important Canada immigration updates for October 2024.
Express Entry Draws and Increased Focus on French-Speaking Candidates
Canada continues to streamline its Express Entry system, which remains one of the most popular immigration pathways for skilled workers. This October, the government held two major Express Entry draws. On October 9, 2024, 500 invitations to apply (ITAs) were issued to Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates. This followed an earlier draw on October 7, 2024, which specifically targeted Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. Another significant draw on October 10, 2024, awarded 1,000 ITAs to French-speaking candidates as part of the ongoing strategy to boost French-language proficiency across Canada Moving2Canada, Canadavisa.com.
These recent draws reflect Canada’s growing focus on promoting bilingualism, particularly in French-speaking communities outside Quebec, and diversifying the skill sets of new immigrants. For skilled professionals aiming to relocate to Canada, it’s crucial to monitor your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and language proficiency.
Processing Time Updates for Temporary and Permanent Residency
Processing times are a vital concern for many immigration applicants. October brought both relief and challenges in this area. The visitor visa processing time for countries such as India and Nigeria has seen increases, with processing times for India rising by 10 days to 112 days, while applicants from the U.S. have experienced slight reductions, with times decreasing to 31 days Immigration News Canada.
Work permit processing times for applicants outside Canada have increased as well, especially for India and Nigeria, where it now takes approximately 28 and 17 weeks, respectively. On the other hand, applicants from the Philippines saw a slight reduction in work permit processing time to 12 weeks Immigration News Canada.
For students, obtaining study permits from countries like India still takes about 6 weeks, while applicants from Nigeria face an extended processing time of 10 weeks, up by one week since the last update Immigration News Canada. Keeping track of these changes is vital for ensuring that you plan your studies or work opportunities well in advance.
Medical Exam Exemptions for Permanent Residency Applicants
One of the most encouraging updates in October 2024 is the extension of medical exam exemptions for certain in-Canada applicants seeking permanent residency. This policy has been extended to reduce processing backlogs, a move that allows applicants who meet specific requirements to bypass the medical examination, speeding up their permanent residency application Canadavisa.com.
Changes in Permanent Residency and Citizenship Applications
For those applying for permanent residency cards or renewing existing cards, processing times remain stable. On average, new PR cards are processed in 24 days, while renewals take 68 days Immigration News Canada. Additionally, the processing time for Canadian citizenship applications has been reduced to 6 months, making it a faster process compared to previous months Immigration News Canada.
How Aura Visa & Education Consultancy Can Help
Navigating these changing regulations and timelines can be challenging, but with our team at Aura Visa & Education Consultancy, you are in safe hands. Stay updated with the Canada immigration updates October 2024 through our services, and let us help you make Canada your new home.
If you need any assistance, feel free to reach out to us at:
Email: info@auravisa.in
Phone: +91-8219712693
Website: www.auravisa.in
