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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.

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January 4, 2017

On January 4, 2017, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 2,902 for permanent immigration to Canada. This is the largest ever draw since the was launched in January, 2015. ITAs were issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score of 468 or above. This represents the first time the required minimum CRS score has dropped below 470 since April 20, 2016, when the minimum required CRS score was also 468.

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January 4, 2017

The  sub-category of the  reopened for 500 new applications on January 4, 2017. This SINP sub-category allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation to make an application for a provincial nomination certificate, which is then followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence. Interestingly, applicants do not require a job offer in order to make an application.

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December 29, 2016

San Marino has become the latest country to sign a bilateral agreement with Canada that allows its citizens to live and work in Canada under the popular program. Citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 from the tiny country, which is entirely surrounded by Italy and has a population of just 33,000, may now participate under the Working Holiday IEC category. 

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December 22, 2016

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued 2,878 for Canadian permanent residence to candidates with 475 points in an draw that took place on December 22, 2016. This draw — the largest ever since Express Entry came into operation nearly two years ago — came as a surprise to many candidates, coming just six days after the previous draw. Over recent months, IRCC had stated that more regular draws could be expected, that the number of ITAs would increase, and that there would be a corresponding decrease in the CRS cut-off point. On all three fronts, IRCC has been as good as its word. 

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December 21, 2016

British Columbia (BC) conducted two separate draws on December 21, inviting a range of workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs to immigrate to the province through the . The majority of the 276 individual candidates who were invited were candidates who had already created a profile in the , a mechanism unique to the BC PNP that allows the province to rank and select potential newcomers across a range of sub-categories. 

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