This Week in Immigration News - July 16 - 22, 2021
Express Entry Draws
Two Express Entry Draws were held this past week.
Draw #197 took place on July 21, 2021, and issued 462 invitations to apply (ITAs) to qualifying individuals of the Provincial Nominee Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 734.
Draw #198, on July 22, 2021, issued 4500 invitations to apply (ITAs) to qualifying individuals of the Canadian Experience Class. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score was 357.
Press Releases
On July 16, 2021, Marco Mendicino announced a dedicated refugee stream for human rights defenders.
“Often at great personal risk, human rights defenders hold the perpetrators of human rights violations to account and shine a light on stories that otherwise go untold. Through this new refugee stream, the Government of Canada stands with human rights defenders by offering them protection and a safe home in the face of real dangers, because offering refuge to the world’s most vulnerable speaks to who we are as Canadians.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
On July 20, 2021, an update regarding Parent and Grandparent lottery for 2021 was released. The lottery will be drawn beginning September 20, 2021, but they will not be taking new entries in the lottery this year. Instead, they will use the existing entries from 2020. A record number of invitations to apply will be sent out with the end goal of 30,000 applications (vs. the 10,000 from earlier this year).
“The importance of family has never been clearer than during the pandemic. That is why we are delivering on our commitment to help more families reunite in Canada. By strengthening the Parents and Grandparents Program, inviting a record number of sponsors to apply, and by adjusting our requirements to adapt to the current times, we are once again proving our commitment to helping Canadian families stay together, and thrive together.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Program Delivery Updates
There weren’t any notable program delivery updates this week.
Border News
On July 19, 2021, it was announced that beginning August 9, 2021, fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents may enter Canada for non-discretionary travel.
The US border remains closed to Canadians.
The restriction on flights from India has been extended until August 21, 2021.
