Posted on May 10 2021
The Canadian province of Manitoba has held its latest round of invitations under Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program [PNP].
On May 6, 2021, Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program [MPNP] held the first draw of the month under the Expression of Interest System.
In MPNP’s EOI Draw #115, a total of 150 Canada immigration candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination, through Manitoba PNP, for their Canadian permanent residence.
Of the 150 invitations issued, 14 went out to candidates that had declared “a valid Express Entry ID and job seeker validation code”.
An Express Entry candidate nominated under any of the PNP streams is assured of an invitation by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC]. Not all IRCC Express Entry candidates receive invitations to apply for Canada PR. |
The invitations issued by the MPNP are also referred to as Letters of Advice to Apply or LAAs.
There are 3 separate categories that come under Manitoba PNP. These are –
In the latest Manitoba PNP draw, invitations issued went out to candidates under the Manitoba immigration pathways of Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas, and International Education Stream.
An Overview of the May 6 Manitoba PNP draw | ||
EOI Draw #115 Date of Draw – May 6, 2021 Total LAAs issued: 150 Express Entry candidates invited: 14 | ||
Category | Letters of Advice to Apply [LAAs] sent | Minimum EOI score required |
Skilled Workers Overseas | 29 Directly invited under Strategic Recruitment Initiative. | 703 |
Skilled Workers in Manitoba | 108 | 400 |
International Education Stream | 13 | No EOI score required. |
Here, by the EOI score is implied the score allotted to an individual following an assessment of various factors on the successful registration of an EOI with the MPNP.
MPNP Skilled Worker Stream – Application Process | ||
Skilled Worker in Manitoba | Skilled Worker Overseas | |
STEP 1 | Submission of an EOI | Submission of an EOI |
STEP 2 | LAA received in an MPNP draw | LAA received in an MPNP draw |
STEP 3 | Nomination by the MPNP | Nomination by the MPNP |
An MPNP provincial nominee might be issued a Work Permit Support Letter [WPSL], allowing them to apply to IRCC for a Canada work permit.
With the latest MPNP draw, a total of 2,786 LAAs have been issued by Manitoba PNP in the 10 draws held so far in 2021.
If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.
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Schengen Visa Demand Soars! Apply Early to Avoid Summer Delays
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According to recent reports by a visa processing platform named Atlys, Indians have reported an increasing demand for Schengen visas. Huge numbers of visa applicants from India are willing to visit the Schengen countries before summer.
Schengen countries receive the highest number of tourists and immigrants during the summer months. Visa applications are more for countries that offer faster processing times. Schengen member states are likely to receive the maximum number of visa applications from India.
The following are the countries which offer the fastest visa processing time for Schengen visit visas:
Country |
Processing Time |
Iceland |
15-30 days |
Switzerland |
5-15 days |
Latvia |
15-45 days |
Italy |
15-20 days |
Luxembourg |
15-20 days |
Lithuania |
15-30 days |
Slovakia |
15-45 days |
Germany |
15-45 days |
Austria |
15-60 days |
Greece |
15-45 days |
The steps to apply for the Schengen visa are as follows:
Step 1: Choose the type of visa you want
Step 2: Determine the time to apply
Step 3: Arrange the documents required
Step 4: Schedule an appointment with the visa embassy
Step 5: Complete the fee payment
Step 6: Wait for the visa to be approved
Step 7: Fly to your destination country
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For more updates on Schengen news, follow the Y-Axis Schengen news page!
Canada updates visa processing times, grants travel visas for Indians in just 83 days
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According to the latest updates by IRCC on March 18, 2025, the processing times for certain visas and grants have been updated. The new change is expected to set realistic expectations for candidates applying for these visas.
The table below provides the updated processing time for certain Canada visas:
Type of Visa |
Updated Processing Time |
Citizenship Grant |
9 months |
Citizenship certificate |
4 months |
Permanent resident (PR) Card |
16 days |
PR card Renewal |
14 days |
Tourist Visa (for Indians applying from outside Canada) |
83 days |
Tourist Visa (for candidates applying from inside Canada) |
15 days |
Tourist Visa (from the US) |
20 days |
Tourist Visa (from Nigeria) |
132 days |
Tourist Visa (from Pakistan) |
17 days |
Tourist Visa (from the Philippines) |
14 days |
Tourist Visa Extension |
119 days |
Super Visa (for Indians) |
133 days |
Super Visa (from the US) |
241 days |
Super Visa (from Nigeria) |
40 days |
Super Visa (from Pakistan) |
118 days |
Super Visa (from Philippines) |
119 days |
Student Visa (for Indians) |
15 weeks |
Student Visa (from the US) |
5 weeks |
Student Visa (from Nigeria) |
7 weeks |
Student Visa (from Pakistan) |
8 weeks |
Student Visa (from the Philippines) |
5 weeks |
Student Visa Extension |
114 days |
Work Permits (For Indians applying from outside Canada) |
20 weeks |
Work Permits (from the US) |
81 weeks |
Work Permits (from Nigeria) |
15 weeks |
Work Permits (from Pakistan) |
8 weeks |
Work Permits (from the Philippines) |
5 weeks |
Work Permits (from inside Canada) |
111 days |
Seasonal Agricultural Worker Programme |
12 days |
2 weeks |
|
Electronic Travel Authorisation |
5 minutes |
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For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out Y-Axis Canada Immigration News!
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Canada offers Study Permit exemption for apprentices in 20+ Occupations. Check if you qualify!
British Columbia and Prince Edward Island invite candidates to apply for provincial nomination
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The Canadian province of British Columbia recently held PNP draws on March 18, 2025, and invited eight entrepreneurs to apply for Canada PR. Candidates were invited under the Base stream and regional stream of the Entrepreneur Immigration category.
The table below lists the details of the recent draw:
Draw Category |
Number of invitations issued |
Cut-off score |
Base stream |
8 |
115 |
Regional stream |
<5 |
123 |
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On March 20, 2025, the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island held a PNP draw and invited candidates via the Express Entry and Labour Impact and Express Entry pathway. The draw targeted to invite candidates who have been living and working in the province for a minimum of one year.
The latest PEI PNP draw issued 124 invitations to professionals associated with the healthcare, trades, and manufacturing sectors. The draw targeted to invite professionals in this sector as the PEI Office of Immigration is currently prioritizing these high-demand sectors.
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This Indian IT firm leads in H-1B Visas approvals
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According to recent updates, the top IT companies approving H-1B visas include Amazon, Tesla, Infosys, and TCS. Amazon leads the list of Indian tech companies with around 9265 H-1B visa approvals.
The USCIS has listed Cognizant, Google, Meta, and Microsoft as the top five IT companies that have sponsored the maximum number of H-1B visas. Other IT companies that heavily depend on the H-1B visa to recruit Indian talent in the US include HCL America, IBM, Deloitte, and Apple.
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The table below lists the number of H-1B visa approvals by top 20 IT companies:
Name of the company |
No. of H-1B Visa approvals |
Amazon |
9265 |
Cognizant |
6321 |
|
5364 |
Meta Platforms |
4844 |
Microsoft |
4275 |
Apple |
3873 |
HCL America |
2953 |
IBM |
2906 |
Walmart |
2904 |
Capgemini |
2795 |
Intel |
2520 |
Deloitte |
2494 |
Accenture |
2157 |
Amazon web services |
2216 |
Oracle |
2070 |
EY US |
2335 |
JPMC |
1719 |
Salesforce |
1525 |
Tesla |
1767 |
*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with US immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No.1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!
For recent immigration updates on the US, check out Y-Axis US Immigration News!
Australia announces the new Designated Area Migration from March 2025 to 2030
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On March 19, 2025, the Australian Government announced the new Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for the Northern Territory. This is the third DAMA to be released for the Northern Territory. The latest NT DAMA III will be effective from March 19, 2 025 to June 30, 2030, with an annual quota of 1,500. As per the new update, Australian employers with workforce shortages can sponsor an additional 1,500 overseas workers to work in different occupations. A DAMA or Designated Area Migration Agreement is an official agreement between a designated area representative (DAR) and the Commonwealth of Australia.
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The NT DAMA III will be valid from March 19, 2025, to June 30, 2030.
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For more updates on Australia, check out Y-Axis Australia Immigration Updates!
Rachel Bendayan: What Canada’s New Immigration Minister Means for PR, Work Permits & Students
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Following the 2025 federal elections in Canada, the newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney has nominated Rachel Bendayan as the new immigration minister. The new immigration minister will head the immigration department of Canada, taking over from the former immigration minister Marc Miller.
The new shift in the Canadian cabinet is likely to impact immigration policies of the country, including policy changes for Canada PR, work permit, and study permit applications. As a part of the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027, the new Prime Minister and the new immigration minister will prioritize providing Canada PR to the temporary residents already living in Canada.
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Canada’s immigration policy is now to be decided by the new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and the new Immigration Minister, Rachel Bendayan. Among other policies, Carney had previously advocated for:
Under Mark Carney and Rachel Bendayan's ministerial rule, major policy shifts and cap counts are to be expected, which might impact foreign nationals willing to migrate, study, or work in Canada.
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For more updates on Canada Immigration news, follow the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News!
Luxembourg increases EU Blue Card salaries to €63,408
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Luxembourg is another EU country that recently announced a salary hike to the EU Blue Card. As per the recent changes, EU Blue Card applicants must now meet the minimum salary requirement of €63,408 instead of the previous €58,968. The salary changes to Luxembourg’s EU Blue Card represented a 7.53% hike, with an increase of €4,440. The new EU Blue Card salary requirement was effective from March 18, 2025. Candidates applying for a Luxembourg EU Blue Card must now meet the minimum salary level of €63,408 to qualify. Around 825 EU Blue Cards were issued by Luxembourg last year, in 2024.
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To be eligible for a Luxembourg EU Blue Card, you must meet the following criteria:
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For more updates on Schengen news, follow the Y-Axis Schengen news page!
US Study Visa and Green Card Holders Cautioned About Traveling Abroad
Your US Study Visa or Green Card status no longer guarantees smooth travel in and out of America. Currently, immigration attorneys report unprecedented levels of scrutiny, with many visa holders facing extended questioning and even overnight detention at US airports.
However, these challenges affect different visa categories differently. If you hold an H-1B, F-1, or Green Card, you should know that the US State Department has reduced visa interview waiver eligibility from 48 months to just 12 months. Additionally, if you stay outside the US for more than six months, you might face intensive screening upon return. This guide explains the essential steps to protect your immigration status and navigate the new travel landscape safely.
Multiple US agencies have dramatically intensified border screening under the Trump administration, creating unprecedented challenges for international travelers. This security crackdown extends across all immigration categories, with tighter scrutiny at ports of entry and lengthy processing delays at US consulates worldwide.
The most significant policy change affects the interview waiver program. Previously, visa holders could avoid in-person interviews if their visa expired within 48 months. Currently, this window has narrowed to just 12 months. Consequently, F-1 students transitioning to H-1B status must now attend a consular interview, as must H-1B workers whose visas expired more than a year ago.
Furthermore, immigration officials are subjecting applications to extended "administrative processing" with no clear explanation. As Snehal Batra, managing attorney at NPZ Law Group, notes: "We know of individuals stuck in administrative processing for no apparent reason other than additional scrutiny and security clearances".
H-1B and F-1 visa holders should prepare for:
Even after USCIS approves an H-1B visa, consular officers can refuse it and send the application back for re-evaluation, stranding applicants abroad for 4-6 months minimum.
Green Card holders, particularly elderly travelers, face mounting pressure at ports of entry. Reports indicate Customs and Border Protection officers are increasingly urging permanent residents to voluntarily surrender their status by signing Form I-407.
Since Vice President JD Vance's statement that "a green card does not give an individual an indefinite right to stay in the United States," heightened concerns have spread among permanent residents. Legal experts warn that extended absences can trigger questions about abandonment of residency.
Customs officers are actively monitoring social media, email accounts, and electronic devices during immigration inspections. Any digital evidence suggesting employment or residence abroad could jeopardize permanent resident status.
For Green Card holders, stays exceeding six months outside the US typically trigger intensive questioning. Rather than offering voluntary withdrawal of admission applications, officers may issue a Notice to Appear in immigration court, putting permanent resident status at risk.
Immigration attorneys now strongly recommend that Green Card holders avoid non-essential international travel or consider applying for US citizenship before their next trip abroad.
Preparing thorough documentation is essential for F-1 visa holders planning international travel, especially given the heightened scrutiny at US ports of entry. Careful preparation reduces the risk of denial when attempting to reenter the United States.
Every F-1 student must carry several critical documents when traveling abroad. First, ensure your passport remains valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US. Your Form I-20 must contain a valid travel signature from your designated school official, typically valid for one year for enrolled students. Moreover, bring your valid F-1 visa stamp, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt (printable from fmjfee.com), and recent transcripts showing continuous enrollment. Financial documentation demonstrating sufficient funds is likewise necessary—bring bank statements or stipend letters matching or exceeding the amount listed on your I-20.
F-1 students on Optional Practical Training face stricter requirements and shorter validity periods. While standard documents remain necessary, OPT participants must also carry their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card and proof of employment directly related to their field of study. Unlike enrolled students, travel signatures on I-20 forms for OPT participants are valid for only six months. Additionally, employment verification documents should clearly show the employer name matching exactly what appears on page 2 of your I-20 form.
Above all, create digital backups of all travel documents. Store electronic copies in cloud storage and email them to yourself for easy access. In case of document loss or emergency, save crucial contact information—specifically the US Department of State's emergency numbers (1-888-407-4747 from the US/Canada or +1-202-501-4444 from overseas) and the nearest US embassy or consulate details. Upon return to the US, immediately download your new I-94 record to verify correct admission status (Class of Admission: F-1, Admit Until Date: D/S).
Recent policy changes at US consulates worldwide have significantly complicated return journeys for visa holders. Previously routine renewals now face extended delays, leaving many travelers stranded overseas for unpredictable periods.
The US Department of State has drastically reduced the interview waiver eligibility window—commonly called "dropbox" applications—from 48 months to just 12 months. This policy shift forces significantly more applicants to schedule in-person interviews, creating extensive backlogs at consulates globally.
Most notably, this change affects:
Legal experts from NPZ Law Group caution that even individuals with multiple previous visa approvals now face prolonged administrative processing without clear explanation. Applications flagged for "221(G) administrative processing" frequently stall for months with no guaranteed completion timeline.
Furthermore, consular officers now hold authority to refuse visas and return petitions to USCIS for re-adjudication—potentially leaving travelers stranded abroad for 4-6 months or longer.
According to State Department data, processing times vary dramatically between consular offices. Currently, three consulates—Abu Dhabi, Dhaka, and Accra—would take over two years to clear existing backlogs at current processing rates. Eight additional consulates report backlogs exceeding one year.
Unfortunately, consulates in African nations continue experiencing disproportionate delays compared to other regions. For instance, Nairobi reports 293 business days of backlog while Warsaw shows just 2 business days.
Due to these uncertainties, immigration attorneys strongly advise:
The State Department acknowledges these challenges, noting that "although our processing capacity has rebounded faster than projected, demand remains at historically high levels in some countries."
Green Card holders increasingly consider fast-tracking citizenship applications as protection against tightening immigration enforcement. Currently, the naturalization process averages 5.5 months from submission to oath ceremony, making it a practical solution for those concerned about their residency status.
Immigration attorneys report an alarming trend of elderly Green Card holders facing intensified scrutiny at US airports. Customs and Border Protection officers are increasingly pressuring permanent residents, particularly elderly Indians who spend winter months in their home country, to sign Form I-407 and voluntarily surrender their status. These individuals face secondary inspection, overnight detention, and even threats of removal if they resist.
Florida-based immigration attorney Ashwin Sharma notes: "CBP has targeted elderly Indian green card holders, particularly grandparents who spent longer outside the US, pressuring them to 'voluntarily' surrender their lawful permanent resident status". Legal experts emphasize that only an immigration judge can officially revoke Green Card status.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Green Card holders absent from the US for over 180 days are considered seeking "re-admission" and may face grounds of inadmissibility. Nonetheless, simply staying outside the US for extended periods doesn't automatically constitute abandonment.
Several factors determine whether you've abandoned residency:
To protect your status, maintain documentation showing US ties: property ownership, tax returns, employment records. Never surrender your Green Card under pressure—you retain the right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
For permanent residents planning frequent international travel, citizenship offers definitive protection. To qualify, you must: be at least 18 years old, maintain continuous residence for five years, demonstrate physical presence for at least 30 months during that period, and show good moral character.
Recent changes in US immigration policies demand careful planning for any international travel. Strict border screenings now affect all visa categories, particularly impacting H-1B workers, F-1 students, and Green Card holders. The reduced interview waiver window from 48 to 12 months has created significant processing delays at US consulates worldwide.
Permanent residents face additional challenges, especially elderly travelers who might experience pressure to surrender their status during extended stays abroad. These circumstances make thorough preparation essential before any overseas journey. Your documentation must prove strong US ties and justify any lengthy absences.
Smart travelers should evaluate their visa status carefully and consider long-term solutions. Green Card holders might benefit from pursuing citizenship, while visa holders need detailed travel documentation and backup plans for possible delays. Understanding these requirements helps protect your immigration status and ensures smoother border crossings during these uncertain times.
US Selling 1,000 Gold Cards Daily—Priced at $5M Each
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According to recent reports by the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the US issued around 1000 Gold Cards in a day, marking a major milestone. Each US Gold card offers US citizenship to foreign investors willing to invest a minimum of $5 million in the US.
With 1000 Gold Cards being sold at $5 million each, the US economy has had a major boost of around $5 billion, accounting for the first success of the programme. The country is aiming to sell one million cards to wealthy foreign investors which would mean an economic gain of around $5 trillion.
Read more…
USA plans to issue Gold cards and Green cards
The recently-launched US Gold Card offers the following benefits to the holders:
The US Gold Card has replaced the 35-year-old EB-5 program, which issued residency rights to investors willing to spend $1 million on a US business that could create at least 10 jobs. President Trump has characterized the EB-5 program as fraud and includes concerns over verifying the legal source of investment funds and has therefore replaced it with Gold Cards.
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For recent immigration updates on the US, check out Y-Axis US Immigration News!
Major changes to the H-1B visa applications effective from March 20, 2025
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The USCIS has recently released updates on the US H-1B visa. Starting March 20, 2025, the USCIS will implement a new system that will replace the old application process. The registration fee has also been increased significantly under the new changes.
The new registration system is likely to be transparent and simplify the selection of H-1B applicants. The new system is aimed at implementing a more equitable selection process to ensure all candidates have equal opportunity to get the H-1B visa regardless of the number of employers applying on their behalf.
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The following are the major changes made to the H-1B application process:
The new changes are effective from March 20, 2025 onwards.
*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with US immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world’s No.1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end assistance!
For recent immigration updates on the US, check out Y-Axis US Immigration News!