Immigration News Update
Canada starts the New Year off with a bang, allowing more than 40,000 applicants in through the economic and family sponsorship programs in January. The start to 2019 saw three draws and a total of 11,150 invitations to apply issued through the Express Entry system. The last draw occurred on January 30th, with a Comprehensive Ranking System score of 438, holding the lowest score since the fall of 2017. Provincial nomination programs contributed to almost half of the invitations issued, at nearly 5,000 immigrations in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
The other large factor the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allowing applicants to apply on a first-in, first-served basis. The PGP target was set at 27,000, which was met within minutes after opening on January 28th. Sponsors must be over 18 years of age and a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. The initial step required sponsors to fill out an Interest to Sponsor form. Following the order the initial forms are received in, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will issue an invitation to apply to all eligible sponsors.
