Four official updates in one briefing
The updates affect two different areas. IRCC clarified renewals under the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP), including applications by accompanying family members. Separately, Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba published ten provincial selection rounds dated between September 10 and September 24.
The provincial scores below are program-specific scores, not federal Express Entry CRS scores. Where a province reports “fewer than” a number of invitations, the exact total is not known and is not estimated here.
FMCSP students renew with a letter of acceptance or enrolment
IRCC's September 24 update adds detailed instructions for people who already hold a study permit issued under the FMCSP. A renewal applicant must hold a valid FMCSP study permit and provide a letter of acceptance or enrolment from a participating designated learning institution. The letter must show participation in the pilot and a full-time program of at least two years that leads to a degree or diploma, with more than half of the classes taught in French.
The financial requirement is specific to the pilot. In addition to first-year tuition and travel costs, the applicant must show funds equal to 75% of the low income cut-off (LICO) for the size of the community where the institution's main campus is located. IRCC's table sets the thresholds by community group and application date, so applicants should use the row that matches their application date.
Accompanying family members can extend or restore status
A family member of a study permit holder with FMCSP participation noted in the file may apply for an open work permit or renewal under exemption code C42, a study permit or renewal, a temporary resident visa, a visitor record, or restoration of temporary resident status. Which one applies depends on the person's circumstances.
FMCSP applicants and their dependants are exempt from the provincial or territorial attestation letter requirement. The first FMCSP study permit application must still be made from outside Canada. The new guidance does not create a port-of-entry route.
Alberta publishes seven AAIP draws
Alberta's minimums are Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) scores. Candidates also had to meet the requirements of the named stream or pathway.
| Date | Stream or pathway | Invitations | Minimum score |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 24 | Rural Renewal Stream | 131 | 51 |
| September 23 | Alberta Opportunity Stream | 113 | 58 |
| September 22 | Alberta Express Entry Stream, Accelerated Tech Pathway | 100 | 59 |
| September 21 | Alberta Express Entry Stream, Law Enforcement Pathway | fewer than 10 | 49 |
| September 18 | Alberta Express Entry Stream, Priority Sectors (Health Care) | 100 | 62 |
| September 15 | Alberta Express Entry Stream, Priority Sectors (Agriculture) | 18 | 60 |
| September 10 | Alberta Express Entry Stream, Priority Sectors (Manufacturing) | 48 | 60 |
B.C. issues entrepreneur invitations at score 119
British Columbia held two Entrepreneur Immigration selections on September 22. The Base stream issued 10 invitations at a minimum score of 119. The Regional stream issued fewer than five invitations, also at a minimum score of 119. WelcomeBC did not publish the exact Regional count, so the two rounds cannot be added into an exact total.
Manitoba draw #280 issues 474 Letters of Advice to Apply
Manitoba's September 24 draw issued 474 Letters of Advice to Apply:
- 1 to a candidate working in Manitoba as a general practitioner or family physician (NOC 31102).
- 417 to top-scoring profiles with current Manitoba employment in Broad Occupational Category 2, natural and applied sciences and related occupations. The lowest score in that selection was 760.
- 16 in a Francophone selection.
- 40 through strategic recruitment initiatives: Employer Services 9, Ethnocultural Communities 9, Francophone Community 6, Regional Communities 15 and the temporary work permit public policy 1.
Of all 474 invitations, 148 went to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code.
What applicants should check now
- FMCSP students preparing a renewal should confirm that their institution and program remain eligible, and use the current financial table for their family size and community size.
- Family members applying separately should show that the principal applicant participates in the FMCSP, and choose the status document that matches their situation.
- Provincial candidates should check that their profile, occupation, employment and pathway-specific evidence are current. A published minimum score alone does not establish eligibility.