Canada's immigration policies are quite complex, with numerous immigration programs. Applicants must understand the latest Canadian immigration policies when applying for immigration to Canada to avoid regrets.
The latest changes in Canadian immigration policies can be summarized in six points:
1. Expansion of preferential policies for China
1. Seven new visa service centers have been added in mainland China: Nanjing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Jinan, Kunming, Shenyang, and Wuhan.
2. Chinese students can obtain study visas in less than 8 months.
2. Reopening of the immigration program for parents and grandparents
On December 22, 2017, the Canadian federal immigration office announced that it would reopen applications for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents starting January 2, 2018.
3. Lowering of immigration standards
1. Applicants with excellent French language skills can receive additional points.
2. Applicants with siblings residing in Canada can receive additional points.
4. Lowering of citizenship thresholds
1. Increased freedom of residence for citizens; residency requirement is reduced to 3 years within a 5-year period, significantly lowering the time required to reside in Canada.
2. Language requirements have been lowered; the new policy states that applicants aged 18 to 54 must take the citizenship test, reducing the age requirement.
3. Permanent residents under 18 can apply for citizenship independently of their parents. Even if their parents' citizenship application is denied, minor children do not need to wait until they are 18 to reapply.
4. The age limit for dependent children applying for immigration with their parents has been raised from 19 to 22, with the requirement that they are not married or in a common-law relationship.
5. Increase in the amount of child benefits
Canada places great importance on child welfare. The country has a dedicated child benefit program, commonly known as "milk money," which is distributed monthly to low- and middle-income families with children under 18. Starting in July 2018, the amount of milk money will increase in line with rising living costs, meaning it will be adjusted according to inflation rates.
6. Immigration may not be denied due to health reasons
The previous practice of rejecting immigration applications based on health issues will be changed. One of the opposition parties in the federal parliament, the New Democratic Party, hopes to quickly eliminate this related provision in immigration law, which they consider a "discriminatory" clause. In the future, medical examinations for immigration to Canada will be more lenient.