É«ºüÈë¿Ú

The following is a summary of developments concerning Canadian immigration and citizenship that have taken place over the past couple of weeks.

Our Canadian briefs bring you the latest news as it happens. When published, these articles are posted across our social media channels, including , , ,Ìý and . Follow us across these channels to get the latest news as it occurs.

• 

December 7, 2016

The Government of Canada has extended a pilot program that enables foreign nationals living in Canada who have applied to immigrate as a spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to work while they are waiting for the application to be processed. The , which was originally set to expire on December 22, 2016, has been extended until December 21, 2017.

• 

December 1, 2016

For the first time since 2009, citizens of Mexico may travel to Canada without having to apply for a visitor visa (Temporary Resident Visa, or TRV) beforehand. The lifting of the visa requirement on December 1, 2016 means that Mexicans traveling to Canada by air will need an before boarding a flight. Mexicans traveling to Canada over land require neither an eTA nor a TRV; these visitors simply need to present their passport at the Port of Entry (border). 

• 

November 30, 2016

The first draw after recent changes to Canada’s Express Entry immigration selection system came into force has seen only those candidates with a provincial nomination certificate invited to apply for permanent residence. A provincial nomination is not required in order to enter the pool or to receive an for permanent residence.

• 

November 30, 2016

Starting in 2017, companies in Canada will be able to bring in highly-skilled international workers quickly and efficiently, with the government to set a two-week processing standard for visas and in certain hiring situations.

• 

November 30, 2016

The province of Manitoba has conducted the 23rd draw of its 'Expression of Interest' immigration system, part of the . The latest draw took place on November 29, with a total of 179 candidates having been issued a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA) to the MPNP. Candidates eligible for one the MPNP for Skilled Workers sub-categories are ranked according to a unique points system that awards up to 1,000 points to each candidate. Of these LAAs issued, 150 were issued to candidates in the , each of whom had at least 713 points in the MPNP ranking system for skilled workers. 

• 

November 25, 2016

As of December 1, 2016, Mexican nationals will no longer be required to apply for a in order to enter Canada for temporary visits, work, or study. Instead, citizens of Mexico will need to obtain an  before travelling to Canada by air. In preparation for this change, the government of Canada has announced that as of November 25, 2016, Mexican nationals may apply in advance for an eTA.

• 

November 22, 2016

The  sub-category of the  is accepting 1,200 new applications, as of the morning of November 22, 2016. This highly popular Canadian immigration option allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which may then be followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application.

© 2016 CICnews All Rights Reserved