News
September 10, 2024Saskatchewan’s recent launch of two new immigration streams under its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a significant move aimed at addressing labor shortages in the agriculture and healthcare sectors. These new pathways—Skilled Worker Agriculture Talent Pathway and Health Talent Pathway—are designed to attract foreign workers with the required skills and qualifications in these vital industries.
1. Skilled Worker Agriculture Talent Pathway
This pathway is targeted at foreign workers who have skills and experience in various sectors of agriculture. Saskatchewan has a strong agricultural industry, and there is a growing demand for qualified workers to support farming and related operations.
Key Features:
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must have a valid full-time job offer from an eligible employer in Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector.
They must demonstrate at least one year of work experience in an agricultural occupation relevant to their job offer.
Applicants may need to show proof of completing a post-secondary education or training program related to agriculture, though this may depend on the specific job requirements.
Language requirements vary based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of the job. The language proficiency level required might be in line with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Occupations: The pathway is open to skilled workers in agricultural roles, such as:
Farm supervisors (NOC 8252)
Specialized livestock workers (NOC 8253)
Agricultural service contractors (NOC 8255)
And other agriculture-related professions.
Benefits:
Provides a streamlined route to permanent residency for foreign workers with agriculture skills.
Supports the growth of Saskatchewan’s agricultural industry by filling labor gaps.
May benefit both seasonal and permanent agricultural operations.
2. Health Talent Pathway
The Health Talent Pathway is aimed at attracting skilled healthcare professionals to help address shortages in Saskatchewan’s healthcare system. As the demand for healthcare services grows, this pathway offers an opportunity for workers in various healthcare fields to immigrate to Saskatchewan.
Key Features:
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must have a valid job offer from a recognized health authority or other healthcare employer in Saskatchewan.
Healthcare professionals, including internationally educated nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other practitioners, are eligible to apply if their qualifications meet Canadian standards.
Applicants must meet relevant licensing or certification requirements for their profession in Saskatchewan. This could include licensing from organizations such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan or the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association.
Language proficiency in either English or French at a specified level is required, which depends on the NOC code of the occupation.
Eligible Occupations: The Health Talent Pathway is open to a wide range of healthcare professionals, including:
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012)
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233)
Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 3211)
Physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and other medical professionals.
Benefits:
Provides a clear pathway to permanent residency for healthcare workers.
Helps Saskatchewan address critical shortages in its healthcare workforce, ensuring that rural and urban communities have access to necessary medical services.
Streamlines the process for foreign-trained professionals to settle and work in the province.
Application Process for Both Pathways
Job Offer: The starting point for both pathways is securing a valid job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan’s agriculture or healthcare sector.
Expression of Interest (EOI): Eligible applicants may need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Saskatchewan’s online immigration portal.
Nomination: Once nominated by Saskatchewan under the PNP, candidates can apply for permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Settlement Support: Both pathways provide resources and support to help foreign workers settle into their communities and integrate into the workforce.
Significance
Agricultural and Healthcare Demand: Saskatchewan’s economy is heavily dependent on both agriculture and healthcare sectors, which have seen increased demand for skilled workers. These pathways are designed to fill critical labor shortages in these sectors.
Faster Immigration: By providing specific pathways for these professions, Saskatchewan aims to expedite the immigration process for workers in agriculture and healthcare, allowing them to quickly enter the workforce and contribute to the province’s economy.
These two new pathways reflect Saskatchewan’s ongoing commitment to attracting and retaining talent that can meet the demands of its economy while supporting its growth in essential industries. […]
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September 10, 2024The latest Ontario Express Entry draw, conducted on September 5, 2024, invited 86 candidates through the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the draw:
Key Details:
Date: September 5, 2024
Number of Invitations (NOIs): 86
CRS Score Range: 290-393
Targeted Stream:
This draw was part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), specifically targeting candidates in the French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream. This stream is designed for bilingual candidates (French and English speakers) who want to live and work in Ontario. It focuses on individuals with strong French language skills and sufficient English proficiency, aiming to help the province meet its labor market needs.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be invited through this stream, candidates must:
Express Entry Profile: Have an active profile in the federal Express Entry system.
Meet Program Criteria: Qualify for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry.
Language Requirements: A minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in French and CLB 6 in English.
Work Experience:
For FSWP: At least 1 year of paid full-time work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3) within the last 5 years.
For CEC: At least 1 year of Canadian work experience within the last 3 years.
Educational Qualifications: Must hold a Canadian bachelor’s degree or equivalent, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Settlement Funds: Demonstrate enough financial resources to settle in Ontario.
Next Steps:
Candidates who received a Notification of Interest (NOI) from Ontario on September 5, 2024, have 45 days to submit their application to the OINP. If approved, they will receive a provincial nomination that significantly boosts their Express Entry CRS score by 600 points, making it more likely they will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency from the federal government.
Processing Times:
The OINP processes applications under this stream within 8 to 10 months, and 80% of applications are completed in this timeframe. […]
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September 6, 2024The most recent Alberta Express Entry draw issued 82 invitations to candidates from the federal Express Entry pool under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Key Highlights:
Draw Date: The invitations were issued on August 29, 2023.
Number of Invitations: 82 candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination.
Minimum CRS Score: The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 362.
Program: This draw was under the Alberta Express Entry Stream, which selects candidates from the federal Express Entry system who demonstrate strong ties to Alberta or who have the skills to support the province’s economic development.
Alberta Express Entry Stream Overview:
Eligibility: Candidates must be in the federal Express Entry pool and meet the minimum requirements for one of the three federal programs (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class). Alberta prioritizes candidates with ties to the province (such as job offers, work experience, or family connections) and those who can help address labor market shortages.
Selection Factors: Alberta tends to invite candidates who:
Have strong economic connections to Alberta.
Are working in a high-demand occupation in the province.
Have family living in Alberta.
CRS Score: The CRS score typically varies from draw to draw, but Alberta often invites candidates with lower CRS scores than the federal Express Entry draws, making it an attractive option for candidates who may not qualify under other federal programs. […]
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September 6, 2024The latest British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration draw where 163 invitations were issued to candidates from various streams. Here’s a breakdown of the specific details of the draw:
1. Streams Targeted:
Skilled Workers and International Graduates (including those under the Express Entry BC option) were targeted.
Categories of workers invited included Childcare, Construction, Healthcare, Tech, and Veterinary Care professionals.
2. Minimum Score Requirements:
Childcare workers: A minimum score of 83 was required, and 40 invitations were issued.
Construction workers: The required score was 88, with 31 invitations extended.
Healthcare professionals: A minimum score of 99 was necessary, resulting in 18 invitations.
Tech professionals: This category had the highest score requirement at 118, and 69 invitations were issued.
Veterinary care: Candidates in this field needed a score of 80, with fewer than 5 invitations being distributed.
3. Purpose of the Draw:
These draws are part of British Columbia’s ongoing strategy to address labor shortages in critical sectors like healthcare, childcare, technology, and skilled trades. Each draw targets individuals with the specific skills needed to support the province’s economy.
4. Next Steps for Invited Candidates:
Invited candidates have 30 days to submit their full application for provincial nomination. Once a candidate is nominated by British Columbia, their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through Canada’s federal Express Entry system significantly increase […]
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September 2, 2024The latest Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw took place on August 30, 2024. This draw was the third one conducted by the province in August 2024. Manitoba regularly holds draws to invite candidates from its Expression of Interest (EOI) pool to apply for provincial nomination, which can lead to Canadian permanent residence.
Detailed Breakdown of the Draw:
Total Invitations Issued: 150 candidates were invited in this draw.
Streams Involved:
International Education Stream:
Invitations Issued: 126 candidates.
Details: This stream targets international graduates from Manitoba institutions who meet specific eligibility requirements. No minimum score was reported for this stream in the draw.
Skilled Worker Overseas Stream:
Invitations Issued: 24 candidates.
Details: These invitations were issued under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, which often targets specific occupations or candidates with connections to Manitoba.
Minimum Score: The lowest-ranked candidate invited in this stream had a score of 727.
Express Entry Profile:
Out of the total 150 invitations, 21 were issued to candidates who had a valid Express Entry profile and job seeker validation code. These candidates are potentially eligible for fast-track processing through the federal Express Entry system.
Significance of the Draw:
This draw highlights Manitoba’s commitment to attracting skilled workers and international graduates who can contribute to the province’s economy. The inclusion of Express Entry candidates in the invitations also indicates a strategic effort to align provincial nominations with federal immigration goals.
Candidates who received an invitation have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence through the MPNP. If this deadline is missed, the invitation becomes invalid.
This draw continues Manitoba’s trend of using its provincial nomination program to address specific labor market needs and to prioritize candidates with strong ties to the province, such as international graduates and those invited through strategic recruitment initiatives. […]
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August 30, 2024
The Canadian government announced that, effective August 28, 2024, the temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for work permits from within Canada has officially ended. This policy was initially introduced as a pandemic-related measure in August 2020 to address labor shortages and support economic recovery by providing businesses with greater access to workers who were already in the country.
Background of the Policy
The policy allowed foreign nationals who were in Canada as visitors (on temporary resident visas) to apply for an employer-specific work permit without having to leave the country. Under normal circumstances, visitors would have to leave Canada and apply for a work permit from outside the country, typically from their home country. The temporary measure aimed to fill labor gaps by tapping into the pool of visitors who were already in Canada and willing to work, reducing delays and streamlining the hiring process for employers.
Expiration of the Policy
As of August 28, 2024, this policy has expired, and the process has reverted to the pre-pandemic requirements. Visitors in Canada who now wish to obtain a work permit must follow the standard procedure, which involves:
Exiting Canada: Visitors must leave the country before applying for a work permit. They can apply from their home country or another location outside of Canada.
Application Process: The standard application process requires submitting a work permit application online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) outside of Canada. The applicant must provide all necessary documentation, including a valid job offer and a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), unless exempted under specific LMIA exemption categories.
Re-entry to Canada: If the work permit is approved, the individual can re-enter Canada with their new status as a temporary foreign worker.
Impact on Employers and Workers
For employers, this change may mean longer processing times and additional steps to hire foreign workers, particularly if they were relying on the temporary policy to quickly bring visitors into the workforce. Employers will need to consider the extra time required for candidates to leave and re-enter Canada, which may affect hiring timelines.
For visitors currently in Canada who were planning to transition to a work permit under the expired policy, they will now need to reassess their options. They must either leave Canada and apply from abroad or explore other immigration pathways that might allow them to work in Canada.
Possible Alternatives
There are still some pathways available for those who wish to work in Canada, including:
Express Entry Program: Visitors who qualify under one of the economic immigration streams (such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program) can enter the Express Entry pool and potentially receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces may have specific streams or pilot programs that allow certain visitors to apply for work permits or permanent residency directly.
Spousal Work Permits: Visitors who are spouses or common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may be eligible for an open work permit under the family sponsorship program.
Conclusion
The expiration of this temporary public policy represents a significant shift in Canada’s immigration landscape, particularly for visitors who were considering a transition to the workforce while remaining in the country. It underscores the importance of staying informed about immigration policies and working closely with immigration professionals to explore the best available options based on individual circumstances.
If your company provides immigration services, this update is crucial for advising clients, particularly those who were relying on the now-expired policy to transition from visitor status to a work permit holder. […]
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August 29, 2024On August 27, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted the fifth Express Entry draw of the month, specifically targeting candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). This draw resulted in the issuance of 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.
Key Details of the Draw:
Date and Time of Draw: August 27, 2024, at 17:44:02 UTC.
Type of Draw: Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Number of ITAs Issued: 3,300.
Minimum CRS Score: The lowest-ranked candidate invited had a CRS score of 507.
Tie-Breaking Rule: If multiple candidates had the same lowest score, the tie-breaking rule was applied based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. For this draw, the tie-breaking date was June 5, 2024, at 01:08:58 UTC.
Significance:
The CEC-specific draws are part of Canada’s broader strategy to invite skilled workers who already have Canadian work experience, facilitating their transition to permanent residency. This draw was noteworthy for maintaining a relatively high CRS cut-off of 507, reflecting the competitive nature of the pool of candidates.
The CEC stream is crucial because it prioritizes candidates who have proven they can adapt to the Canadian labor market, making it a popular choice for those who have already worked or studied in Canada. […]
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August 29, 2024The latest British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw took place on August 27, 2024. In this draw, a total of 163 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency through the Skills Immigration stream.
The draw targeted several specific occupations:
Childcare (Early Childhood Educators and Assistants, NOC 42202): 40 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 83.
Construction: 31 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 88.
Healthcare: 18 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 99.
Tech: 69 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 118.
Veterinary Care: Less than 5 invitations were issued with a minimum score of 80.
Candidates who received invitations have 30 days to submit their complete application for permanent residency. […]
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August 29, 2024The latest Express Entry draw held on August 26, 2024, invited 1,121 candidates from Express Entry’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) stream. Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 694 to be eligible for an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Draw No: #311
Type of draw: Provincial Nominee Program
Number of invitations issued: 1,121
Rank required to be invited to apply: 1,121 or above
Date and time of round: August 26, 2024, at 14:46:49 UTC
CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 694
Tie-breaking rule: August 03, 2024, at 18:54:27 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the CRS score cut-off will be based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
If you did not get invited
If you were not invited, your profile will remain active in the Express Entry pool for 12 months from the date of submission. Do not withdraw your application, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the next Express Entry draw.
The Express Entry Program’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws allow Canadian provinces to select skilled workers from the Express Entry pool who meet their specific labour needs. Candidates nominated by a province receive extra points in their Express Entry profile, boosting their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Each province has its own criteria for selecting candidates, based on local economic demands. By participating in PNP draws, candidates increase their chances of settling in Canada, while provinces address workforce gaps and support local economic growth. […]
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August 27, 2024India has seen a significant surge in visa applications during the first half of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. This increase reflects the growing interest among Indians in traveling, studying, and working abroad as global restrictions ease and international mobility resumes.
Key Points and Numbers:
Total Visa Applications:
In the first half of 2024, India recorded over 4 million visa applications. This is a substantial increase compared to the approximately 3.5 million applications during the same period in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current numbers indicate a 15% increase over the pre-pandemic levels, signaling a robust recovery in international travel and immigration interests among Indians.
Breakdown by Visa Type:
Tourist Visas: The demand for tourist visas has seen a 20% increase from pre-pandemic levels, driven by the lifting of travel restrictions and pent-up demand for international vacations.
Student Visas: There has been a 25% rise in student visa applications compared to the first half of 2019. Countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia remain top destinations for Indian students.
Work Visas: Work visa applications have also grown, with a 12% increase over 2019 figures, reflecting India’s strong interest in overseas employment opportunities, particularly in the tech and healthcare sectors.
Country-Specific Data:
USA: The USA remains the top destination for Indian visa applicants, with over 1.2 million applications in the first half of 2024, a 10% increase from 2019.
Canada: Canada saw a 30% rise in visa applications, with over 800,000 applications, driven by its favorable immigration policies and educational opportunities.
UK: The UK received over 600,000 visa applications, marking a 15% increase from pre-pandemic levels, largely due to the Graduate Route visa, which allows students to stay and work in the UK after graduation.
Australia: Australia experienced a 20% increase in visa applications, with over 400,000 applications, especially for student and skilled migration visas.
Factors Driving the Surge:
Pent-up Demand: The pandemic led to a significant backlog of visa applications. As restrictions eased, many individuals who had deferred their plans in 2020 and 2021 applied in 2024.
Educational Opportunities: The desire for quality education abroad continues to grow, with many students seeking to take advantage of post-study work opportunities in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Work Opportunities: Indian professionals are increasingly looking for better employment opportunities abroad, particularly in countries with strong tech sectors.
Conclusion:
The first half of 2024 has seen a remarkable resurgence in visa applications from India, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by a significant margin. This trend reflects not only the easing of global travel restrictions but also the enduring aspirations of Indians to explore opportunities abroad for travel, education, and employment. With a 15% overall increase, the demand is expected to continue growing as more people seek to fulfill their international ambitions. […]
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