Sparks of the Week by The Sun Edu (Mar 18-24, 2024)

Sparks of the Week by The Sun Edu (Mar 18-24, 2024)

Stay Informed with Sparks of the Week! by The Sun Edu.

Dive into the latest news and insights on Canada. Whether you’re a current or future international student, here is all you need to know. Every week, we bring you the knowledge you need for your Canadian journey.

Stay updated and informed! 

 

BC PNP Continues Targeted Support with Latest Draw

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its latest draw on March 19, issuing over 166 invitations across various sectors. Highlighting its targeted approach, the draw extended 88 general invites, including those in the tech sector, with a slightly lowered cutoff score of 125. Additionally, specific occupations such as early childhood educators, construction workers, and healthcare professionals received focused invitations.

Canada Announces New Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduces new eligibility criteria for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP), affecting partners of international students. To qualify, spouses or partners must be linked to students enrolled in eligible professional degree programs, including master’s, doctorate, or specific polytechnic institution programs. The changes clarify earlier announcements, setting clear paths for spouses or partners seeking work permits in Canada.

Ontario-OINP Issues 1,474 PR Invitations in New Draws

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 1,474 invitations for permanent residency on March 19, 2024. This included 1,370 invitations under the Masters Graduate Stream for profiles with an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 52 or higher, and 104 invitations for the PhD Graduate Stream with EOI scores of 42 or higher. These draws targeted profiles created between March 19, 2023, and March 19, 2024, offering a pathway for graduates to transition to permanent residency in Ontario.

BC PNP Introduces Three New Streams for International Students

Starting January 2025, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) will launch three new streams to offer clearer pathways for international students aiming for Canadian permanent residency. The changes focus on enhancing selection criteria to reflect necessary education, experience, and language skills for successful employment in BC. This update introduces distinct streams for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral graduates, setting higher language proficiency requirements and prioritizing sectors vital to BC's economy.

Ontario Targets Tech Occupations with 2,281 Express Entry Invites

In its latest Express Entry draw, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 2,281 invitations for the Human Capital Priorities Stream, focusing on tech occupations. Candidates with CRS scores between 468 and 480 in specific tech fields, including software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists, were selected. This initiative, part of Ontario's efforts to meet its tech sector demands, provides a pathway for skilled professionals to contribute significantly to the province's economy.