Blue Bird Blog

3 Canadian Universities rank inside QS World University Rankings for 2024

As they pick their Canadian educational institution, it is common for international students to consult trusted rankings and evaluators to help choose the best school for their needs.
One of those trusted evaluators is Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), viewed globally as a leader in analyzing higher education institutions around the world.
In fact, back in 2013, QS was the first “global and regional university rankings” organization to be “International Ranking Expert Group (IREG)-approved for three of its research outputs". The IREG is “an international institutional non-profit association of ranking organizations, universities and other bodies interested in university rankings and academic excellence.

Canadian Significant Benefit Work Permits: How can I get one?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials must consider the possible impacts on Canadian workers before granting foreign workers a permit. Therefore, a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is often mandatory.
However, if a 'significant benefit' exemption is recognised, the need for an LMIA can be bypassed—specifically if the advantages gained from granting a work permit greatly surpass the possible negative effects of not admitting the foreign worker or delaying their entry to Canada. In such scenarios, even in the absence of an LMIA, other factors can allow a foreign worker to obtain a Significant Benefit Work Permit (SBWP)—an LMIA-exempt work permit that aims to have a much faster processing time.

IRCC expects India visa processing to return to normal by early 2024

A press conference with Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller on October 19th, 2023 has revealed that the ongoing dispute between Canada and India will result in slower processing times for Indian visa applications.
Nonetheless, Miller emphasized that newcomers from India play a vital role in Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will continue to welcome them.

Canada’s Auditor General releases a report on IRCC’s permanent residence backlogs

The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has just released the findings of its report on the processing of permanent residence applications by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The audit's purpose was to determine if IRCC processed applications for permanent residence as quickly and efficiently as possible.
The OAG serves Canada’s parliament by conducting audits that provide fact-based, objective information and expert advice. Parliament uses these audits to measure the performance of government activities. The OAG also holds the

Tuition hikes and other changes coming for international students in Quebec

In 2024, Quebec will be implementing changes to the post-secondary education system that some believe will have a “direct impact [on Quebec’s] ability to attract and retain the best talents.”
Recent reports from multiple outlets confirm Quebec’s intention, beginning in 2024, to implement several changes to the post-secondary education system – as well as connected immigration programs – across Canada’s only majority French-language province.