Dominica has announced that its special fees (relating to the hurricane which devastated the island in the fall of 2017) will remain in effect until March 31, 2019.

On September 27, 2017 Statistics Canada published its preliminary provincial population estimates for July 1, 2017, as well as revisions to the 2013 to 2016 population estimates. As of July 1, 2017, Prince Edward Island’s population is estimated to be 152,021. This represents a yearly increase of 2,549 persons or a 1.7 per cent annual growth rate. This was the second highest growth rate in the country, behind only Nunavut at 2.2 per cent.

International immigration increased for the second consecutive year, rising by 12.4 per cent in 2016-17 following a 50.5 per cent increase in 2015-16. From July 2016 to June 2017, 2,264 international immigrants came to the province, as compared to 2,015 the previous year. At a rate of 15.0 per thousand1, the province had the highest immigration rate in the country, ahead of Saskatchewan at 12.4 per thousand. The immigration rate for Canada was 7.5 per thousand. In addition, other international migration components resulted in a net increase of 645 persons. This results in a total increase of 2,909 due to international migration, which is a new all time high for Prince Edward Island.

A total of 3,268 inter-provincial migrants came to PEI in 2016-17, while 3,704 people left the province for other areas of Canada for a net interprovincial loss of 436 persons. There were 1,448 births and 1,372 deaths on Prince Edward Island from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017, resulting in natural growth (births minus deaths) of 76.
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In 2018, the PEI Government will change its application submission method to the Expression of Interest model.

Beginning with 310,000 new permanent residents in 2018, and growing to 330,000 in 2019 and 340,000 in 2020, this plan sets out the most ambitious immigration levels in recent history. This measured, gradual increase will trend towards one percent of the population by 2020, spurring innovation and representing a major investment in Canada’s prosperity, now and into the future.

Supporting both Canadian businesses and labour market needs, the multi-year immigration plan will foster economic growth in the face of slowing labour force growth and an ageing population. With approximately 60 percent of the increase, over the three year period, in the economic category, this plan helps distribute the benefits of immigration across Canada, responding to a unanimous call by provinces and territories earlier this fall.

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“The Government of Canada has changed the definition of the age of dependants from “under 19” to “under 22,” fulfilling a key mandate commitment of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. This change will help more immigrant families stay together. When newcomer families are able to stay together, their integration into Canada, and their ability to work and contribute to their communities all improve.

This change applies to all new applications received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on or after October 24, 2017.”

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Antigua has reduced the National Development Fund investment amount to USD $100,000 (for a single person or family of up to 4 persons) or $125,000 (for a family of 5 or more).  Due diligence, processing, and other fees remain the same.  This change will come into effect on November 1, 2017.

Changes to the program have been announced, to encourage investment following the recent hurricanes.  The following changes apply to the Economic Diversification Fund (one-time payment option) until March 31, 2018:
– reduced application fee;
– reduced naturalization fee;
– reduced spouse due diligence fee; and
– the age of dependents has been increased to 30 years

Permanent residents applying for Canadian citizenship

• must be physically present in Canada for three out of the last five years (1095 days), with no minimum number of days per year, before applying
• will be able to count each day they were physically present in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person as a half day towards meeting their physical presence requirements, up to a maximum of 365 days, within five years of applying
• will need to meet language and knowledge requirements if they are 18 to 54 years of age
• must file Canadian income taxes, if required to do so under the Income Tax Act, for three out of five years before applying

These changes will give newcomers to Canada more flexibility to meet the requirements for Canadian citizenship.

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As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide greater flexibility in meeting requirements for those who wish to obtain Canadian citizenship, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today a significant milestone in implementing changes to the Citizenship Act through the adoption of Bill C-6.

Further to changes introduced upon Royal Assent which repealed certain provisions of the former government’s Bill C-24, important changes to physical presence and the age required to meet language and knowledge requirements for permanent residents who are applying for citizenship will come into effect on October 11, 2017. The new requirements will give more flexibility to both younger and older eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship. They will also help individuals who have already begun building lives in Canada achieve citizenship faster.

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Hurricane Relief Fund Announced as part of the Citizenship by Investment Programme

Although it is well known that the Hurricane season is upon us, this season makes it the second on record to feature two hurricanes making landfall as a category 5, which is the most intense strength a hurricane can reach. The devastation has been phenomenal, causing landslides, loss of key roads to the sea, damage to homes and businesses, as well as key infrastructure such as power lines.

With this in mind and taking into account that the hurricane season has yet to run its course, Les Khan, CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, wanted to do something that was going to make a significant difference and which would alleviate the suffering of those affected.

The government of St Kitts and Nevis was in agreement and in a meeting of the Cabinet on Friday September 23, 2017 they approved a Hurricane Relief Fund which is to be hosted by the Citizenship Investment Unit.

The investment product will see a proportion of the investment going into the Hurricane Relief Fund to be distributed upon application. Citizenship by Investment applicants will make a non-refundable contribution of USD $150,000.00 which will go into the Hurricane Relief Fund. The fees for agents and services providers will remain as standard.

Prime Minister, Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris said about the initiative:

“Although Hurricane Irma did not make a direct hit on the Federation, it caused danger to the public sector and private property, with damages of substantial amounts to the order of 150 million and the Hurricane Season is not over yet. The government of St. Kitts and Nevis would like to be in a position to provide assistance to its citizens and to make funds available for a speedy recovery to the economy. It is therefore being recommended that a new fund, the Hurricane Relief Fund, be established under the Citizenship by Investment Programme to provide such relief.”

The fund is open to families of between one and four persons and will remain open until the end of March.

The Prime Minster added:

“The ethos behind citizenship by investment is about opening up the Federation to investment that will have a direct impact on the quality of life of its citizens. The Hurricane Relief Fund is an attractive option for citizenship applicants in the way it fulfils their own desire to make a positive impact on the environment in which they are seeking to play an active part. It enables the country and its people to recover more quickly and to ensure that the infrastructure and people’s homes are fit and habitable where they have been damaged by this season’s hurricanes.”

It is hoped that the fund will grow sufficiently to be in a position to extend support to neighbouring countries in the Caribbean who have been affected this season’s hurricanes.

Further information about The Hurricane Relief Fund can be obtained by visiting the CIU website: www.ciu.gov.kn