United States
Latest U.S. visa bulletin for August released:
1. EB-1A—July 1, 2016. For the first time in history, the EB-1A category has experienced a significant retrogression, moving back 10 months from May 2017 to July 1, 2016.
2. EB-2 (NIW)—January 1, 2017, advancing by 60 days.
The priority date for EB-2 (NIW) has surpassed that of EB-1A.
3. EB-5—October 15, 2014, advancing by 2 weeks.
According to the visa bulletin Table A for family-sponsored immigration, for applicants born in mainland China:
F1 (Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, 21 years of age or older) priority date is July 1, 2012, advancing by 114 days;
F2A (Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of U.S. permanent residents) is currently current;
F2B (Unmarried sons and daughters, 21 years of age or older, of U.S. permanent residents) priority date is January 1, 2014, advancing by 122 days;
F3 (Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens) priority date is June 22, 2007, advancing by 106 days;
F4 (Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens) priority date is October 1, 2006, advancing by 107 days.
Canada
Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program
Canada Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): Under 35 years old, master's degree or higher, IELTS General Training score of 8777 (8 in listening, 7 in others);
Ontario (ON) Skilled Immigration
On August 1, 2019 (local time), the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted a targeted Tech Draw for Express Entry candidates with work experience in six specific tech-related occupations through the existing Human Capital Priorities Stream. A total of 1,773 invitations were issued with a minimum score as low as 435, a decrease of 4 points compared to the previous round.
6 Major IT Occupations:
1. Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)
2. Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)
3. Computer engineers (NOC 2147)
4. Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)
5. Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)
6. Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)
Australia
Client base: For most occupations, applicants with higher English proficiency are assessed on a case-by-case basis. The invitation threshold for subclass 189 is 80 points or above, while for subclasses 190 or 489, a minimum of 60 or 55 points is sufficient to receive an invitation.
Queensland (QLD) Skilled Immigration
On July 29, 2019, Queensland opened EOI applications for skilled migration (190/489). The new fiscal year's skilled migration applications in Queensland are divided into 4 categories:
1) Queensland master's graduates;
2) Queensland PhD graduates;
3) Queensland full-time workers;
4) Offshore applicants. However, due to the high volume of EOI applications received, the Queensland Migration Office closed the EOI application portal on July 30, 2019 (the following day). The reopening date will be announced separately.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Skilled Immigration
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Skilled Migration (subclass 190) conducted its 15th invitation round (the third round of the 2019-20 fiscal year) on July 30, 2019. A total of 320 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 65 points (for ACT EOIs submitted before June 18, 2019). The next round of invitations is estimated to take place on or before August 15, 2019.