CIC's name has been changed to IRCC

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Rebrands as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
FEBRUARY, 2016


The Canadian federal government department that used to be called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been renamed Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Usage of the new name began soon after the new government of Canada took office in November, 2015, but has become more apparent over the opening weeks of 2016.

IRCC facilitates the arrival of immigrants to Canada, provides protection to refugees, and offers programs to help newcomers settle in Canada. IRCC’s mandate also extends to granting citizenship, issuing travel documents (such as passports) to Canadians, and promoting multiculturalism.

While the acronym ‘CIC’ continues to be used in some cases, particularly on older webpages and program guides, it has become increasingly apparent over the first few months of the present government’s term in office that ‘IRCC’ is preferred in most official publications and communications.

To avoid any confusion, stakeholders should note that CIC and IRCC are not two separate departments. If documents or publications refer to CIC in one instance and IRCC in another, they are actually referring to the same department. IRCC is not so much a new department, but the successor to one that has existed for many years. However, the name CIC may continue to be used for some time by some stakeholders, such as Canadian provincial and territorial governments.

The addition of the word ‘refugees’ in the official name of the government department reflects the current government’s focus on humanitarian and refugee immigration to Canada. That being said, the government has made it clear that Canada will uphold an open and welcoming immigration policy for skilled immigrants and family class programs. There is no evidence to suggest that economic immigration or family reunification is less important to this government than its predecessors; indeed, the government has pledged to increase funding allocated to IRCC to improve program delivery and processing times.

In addition, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has issued a public mandate to the Minister overseeing IRCC, John McCallum, to increase the maximum age for dependents to 22, from 19, to allow more Canadians to bring their children to Canada. Minister McCallum has also been asked to look into giving additional points under the Entry Express immigration selection system to provide more opportunities for applicants who have Canadian siblings.

Read more here: www cicnews com

The importance of getting it right

‘The decision to immigrate to Canada is typically one of the top three most important decisions that an individual might make over the course of his or her life. This reality is even more heightened when one is also making the decision on behalf of accompanying family members,’ says Attorney David Cohen.

‘Not far behind the initial decision to immigrate rests another decisive decision, namely whether to go it alone, or whether to retain the services of an experienced representative to assist and provide legal counsel throughout the immigration process.

‘What is particularly noteworthy from this CBA request for a meeting with IRCC is that it raises issues about applications that have already been submitted. Oftentimes when candidates receive an Invitation to Apply through Express Entry, for example, they may think that they already have at least one foot in Canada. The reality, however, is that it is only by getting the next part — the actual application — right that applicants can reduce the risk of experiencing the kind of pitfalls that have befallen other applicants.’

Read more at http://www.cicnews.com/2016/02/canadian-bar-association-raises-client-concerns-immigration-refugees-citizenship-canada-027249.html#M8dbdsgo8ihWT4I6.99

2016 Express Entry Draw #4: 1505 Invitations, Lowest CRS Score 459

February 10th 2016 - Canadian Immigration authorities conducted the 4th round of invitations under Express Entry in 2016 and 27th overall, inviting 1505 applicants for permanent residence. The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 459. It was the eighteenth successive draw under the Express Entry Systemwhere the lowest CRS score was under 500.

Express Entry is an immigration system implemented by Canadian immigration authorities ("CIC") on January 1, 2015 which manages skilled worker applications under Federal Economic programs. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Skilled Trades Program the Canada Experience Class and certain parts of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Stakeholders expect to see future declines in the CRS score to enable Canadian immigration authorities to meet targeted annual immigration levels. Annual immigration levels for 2016 are expected to be released by federal immigration authorities, shortly.

For more details:

http://www.mondaq.com/canada/x/465874/work+visas/2016+Express+Entry+Draw+4+1505+Invitations+Lowest+CRS+Score+459

Express Entry Immigration to Canada viewed with a lot of interest in India

The Express Entry system is being viewed with a lot of interest in countries like India where a large number of skilled workers are interested in moving to Canada. More than 33,000 Indians immigrated to Canada in 2013 with more than half shifting to Canada for economic or business purposes.

Provinces like British Columbia have a large Indian population and such provinces are the preferred destinations for new immigrants. Other provinces like Vancouver are seeking to attract skilled immigrants possessing experience and knowledge in the field of technology.

Significant Decrease in the Point Requirements in 25th Express Entry Draw - New Draw happened at 453 points

The latest draw from the Express Entry pool, and the 25th since the immigration selection system was launched just over a year ago, took place on January 13, 2016. This draw sees a decrease in the number of Comprehensive Ranking System  (CRS) points required by candidates for Canadian immigration in order to receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.

A positive start to a new year under a new government

Since the Canadian federal election took place on October 19, 2015, a total of seven Express Entry draws have taken place. Each of these draws has selected a portion of candidates who do not have a qualifying job offer in Canada or a nomination from a Canadian province. Moreover, the CRS point requirement since the first of these most recent seven draws has decreased from 489 to 453.

This latest draw is also the second to take place within the first two weeks of 2016. In contrast, the first draw of 2015 took place on January 31.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada, or CIC) recently stated that 2016 would see more regular draws from the pool, with an increase in the number of candidates issued ITAs in each draw.

“The number of invitations issued per round is expected to increase as the pre-Express Entry inventory of applications is finalised. In turn, it is expected that the minimum score of those that are invited to apply will drop,” stated an IRCC Policy Analyst during a webinar hosted by IRCC on December 16, 2015,

The Policy Analyst added that "we expect that in the new year when our rounds start growing — to meet our new levels plan — that the score will reduce."

From 461 to 453: A small but significant difference

While a decrease of eight points between two draws may appear negligible on first glance, the difference between 461 and 453 is in many cases quite profound.

The CRS awards points based on a range of factors, including a candidate’s age, level of education, work experience (both in Canada and international), language proficiency, and whether the candidate has a qualifying job offer or provincial nomination certificate. Candidates may also be awarded points for certain combinations of what are called “skills transferability” factors, as well as the core human capital credentials of a spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. If a candidate does not have a job offer or provincial nomination, he or she may be invited to apply based on points awarded for core human capital and skills transferability alone.

The decrease from 461 to 453 allows certain candidates, who may not have been awarded a bounty of points for one factor, to compensate for this through strong credentials in other areas. This circumstance is likely to become more apparent if and when IRCC continues to increase the regularity of the draws while also increasing the number of candidates selected.

Read more at http://www.canadavisa.com/news/significant-decrease-in-crs-point-requirement-in-25th-express-entry-draw-for-immigration-to-canada-13-01-2016.html#biKL4wjBWsDQXeAQ.99