Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), is expected to hold Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws throughout the holiday season.

In addition, there may be upcoming news on mandate letters for Canada’s ministers, the Parents and Grandparents Program and additional immigration pathways for international students and temporary workers residing in Canada.

Here are 5 major immigration stories to look up to for the rest of the year 2020.

1) New Mandate Letter for Minister Mendicino

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to issue new mandate letter to his ministers before Christmas. The letters outline the policy objectives that each minister shall work to accomplish. They are made public so that Canadians can hold the government to account.

The letter to Canada’s immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, will give more details into what is on the government’s agenda in terms of immigration.

2) Express Entry

Two more Express Entry draws are anticipated in December. The next draw is expected to happen around December 2.

This has been a great year for Express Entry in spite of COVID-19 with Canada having already invited 92,350 immigration candidates in 2020, the highest level ever.

Canada could end the year by surpassing 100,000 invitations to apply for the very first time since Express Entry was born in 2015.

3) Provincial Nominee Program

Prince Edward Island has a draw scheduled for December 17, where will likely invite candidates through the Labor Impact, Express Entry and Business impact streams.

B.C is also expected to continue to have weekly draws, inviting candidates through tech pilot.

4) PGP Draw

IRCC opened the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Interest to Sponsor forms in October and closed it in early November. It will likely hold its PGP 2020 draw by December and then anticipates it will receive applications from sponsors who were drawn from the lottery in January and February, 2021.

5) More Pathways for Temporary Residents

While it could come as soon as by December, IRCC sometimes delays such major announcements until after the holidays.

Here are some of the options that IRCC could employ to allow permanent residency.

• Change the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System)
• Hold more Canadian Experience Class- specific draws.
• Modify eligibility criteria for the CEC.
• Increase PNP allocations for provinces.
• Launch new federal pilot programs.

Find out if you’re eligible for Canada immigration.

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