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Canada permanent residence

NEWS

AAIP eligibility change in response to Alberta wildfires

For a limited time, Alberta has suspended the work experience prerequisite for some candidates under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). In order to help workers whose current job is impacted by the wildfires find new employment as soon as possible, the Alberta Opportunity and Tourism and Hospitality Streams of the AAIP have temporarily waived the requirement for specific work experience. The Alberta government reports that open work permits from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be accepted by the AAIP for workers in the wildfire-affected Streams who are looking for work. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration It is anticipated that the eligibility changes will take effect on July 19, 2024, and end on November 30, 2024. This is a stopgap meant to help people who might lose their jobs as a result of the fires, which happened in an area that is home to many of Alberta’s hotels and resorts. Requirements for work experience Candidates in the tourism and hospitality stream were required, outside of the measure, to have completed seventy-odd hours of work experience in six consecutive months with their current employment. Candidates for the Alberta Opportunity Stream need: a minimum of 18 months’ worth of full-time job experience in their present field in Alberta, or a minimum of 24 months of full-time experience working in their present field in Canada or overseas within the previous 30 months, or both. The experience may have been obtained in Alberta as well as in Canada (outside of Alberta) or overseas. Holders of Post-Graduation Work Permits must have completed at least six months of full-time work experience in Alberta during the previous eighteen months in their present line of work. The lack of explicit work experience requirements for the Rural Renewal and Express Entry pathways will not disadvantage applicants who wish to use them. Additional assistance for individuals impacted by wildfires The modifications are the latest in a string of unique actions taken by the IRCC to assist individuals who are directly impacted by the wildfires. The Alberta government made the following announcement on July 26: Apply for a free replacement of lost, damaged, or destroyed citizenship, immigration, or travel documents (passports included). Extend or reinstate their status as a temporary resident; if you are unable to continue working for your current job, switch from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit. The lack of explicit work experience requirements for the Rural Renewal and Express Entry pathways will not disadvantage applicants who wish to use them. Additional assistance for individuals impacted by wildfires The modifications are the latest in a string of unique actions taken by the IRCC to assist individuals who are directly impacted by the wildfires. The Alberta government made the following announcement on July 26: Apply for a free replacement of lost, damaged, or destroyed citizenship, immigration, or travel documents (passports included). Extend or reinstate their status as a temporary resident; if you are unable to continue working for your current job, switch from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit. Applicants will have one year to prove they meet the criteria outlined by the AAIP including finding a new, eligible position if left unemployed by the fires. The Alberta government notes that all other criteria for each stream will still apply, and it will continue monitoring the situation for further updates. Impact of wildfires on Alberta’s economy This summer has seen over 100 wildfires burning across Alberta in the last month. As of now, the fires have claimed 358 of the 1,113 total structures in Jasper, with the evacuation notice only lifted on August 17, 2024. The fires have already disrupted the local economy, particularly the hospitality industry in Jasper, which attracts thousands of tourists and temporary workers every year. With plans to more than double the size of the tourism economy by 2025, the Alberta government’s response to the wildfires aims to support both the businesses and workers at the heart of the hospitality sector. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

The CUAET participants’ deadline to apply for work permits has been extended.

The Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program participants now have an extended deadline to apply for a work visa, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The current deadline for CUAET participants who are temporarily residing in Canada to apply for an open work permit is March 31, 2025. Nevertheless, these work permit applications will not be free of charge, in contrast to earlier CUAET programs. Depending on the applicant’s biometrics and passport expiration date, the validity of the open work permit may extend up to three years. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration To be eligible, participants must have been approved under the CUAET measures and arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024. CUAET officially stopped accepting new applications on July 15, 2023. Those who were approved had until March 31 this year to arrive in Canada to fully benefit from the supports offered by the program, including fee exemptions. Settlement services for Ukrainians CUAET participants currently in Canada can also still benefit from many free settlement services until March 31, 2025. These include services to help newcomers find employment, learn an official language, prepare for citizenship and others directed at specific groups such as women, 2SLGBTQI, or seniors. Permanent residence pathways for Ukrainians with family in Canada Some Ukrainians may also be eligible for a dedicated pathway to Canadian permanent resident status. IRCC is accepting applications through this pathway until October 22, 2024. There are two categories for eligible candidates however, in both categories the applicant must be able to demonstrate a relationship with a family member in Canada who is already a citizen or permanent resident. This includes a: spouse or common-law partner child (regardless of age) grandchild parent grandparent, or sibling (or half-sibling) In the first category, the applicant must be a Ukrainian national. They must also have a statutory declaration form signed by their family member in Canada explaining the relationship to them. The second category is for the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national. They must be able to prove that their spouse or partner has immediate family in Canada and that their spouse or partner is unable to leave Ukraine, be missing, have passed away, or be presumed to have passed away. CUAET CUAET was launched in February 2022 as a temporary measure for Ukrainians fleeing unrest in the region following the Russian invasion. Under the measure, Ukrainians and their immediate family members were permitted to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. After arrival, they could apply for a work permit or study permit without paying fees. This also applied to any Ukrainians already in Canada requiring an extension on their work or study permits According to IRCC data, between March 17, 2022, and April 1, 2024, the department received 1,189,320 applications for the program and approved 962,612. However, the same data shows that less than 300,000 Ukrainians arrived in Canada in that period. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

In what ways might a modification to my NOC affect my PR application?
Canada, NEWS

In what ways might a modification to my NOC affect my PR application?

On rare occasions, applicants for permanent residency (PR) in Canada may first submit an application under one National Occupation Classification (NOC) code, then change it at a later stage of their immigration process. For instance, a candidate may submit an application for permanent residence in Canada via one of the 11 Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that are overseen by Canada or through one of the Express Entry-managed programs. Let’s take the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), or PNP, as an illustration. We will specifically examine this scenario through the use of a fictitious applicant who was selected through a tech draw. Under a tech draw, the OINP sent this candidate, Lincoln, a software engineer, a Notification of Interest* (NOI). Discover your options to study in Canada *Notably, Ontario refers to the invitation sent by the OINP as a “NOI,” signifying that the province is extending an invitation to the chosen candidate to make an application for a provincial nomination. After submitting his expression of interest to the federal Express Entry pool, Lincoln was issued his NOI. Using an Enhanced PNP, the provincial government sent the candidate a notice of intent (NOI) after looking over his profile in the federal Express Entry pool. Lincoln was granted a NOI due to his compliance with the OINP tech draw specifications, which included obtaining a primary NOC code from the list of occupations that the OINP targeted. Lincoln has until now to submit an application to the Ontario government for his provincial nomination. In order to accomplish this, he will need to give the Ontario government supporting documentation for the NOC code he claimed, such as reference letters. To enable the province to confirm that the employment duties and responsibilities of the applicant match the NOC (Software Developers and Programmers) listed in his federal Express Entry profile, reference letters from each company should be received (NOC 21232). Furthermore, NOC codes are five-digit numbers that are intended to “classify and categorize occupations for immigration purposes.” Discover more about the Government of Canada’s NOC 2021 system by visiting this dedicated webpage. You can also use this tool to locate your own NOC. What happens if my NOC changes at the provincial level while I’m going through the immigration process? The evaluation of the candidate’s supporting documentation determines whether or not the employment function and responsibilities correspond appropriately with a NOC that is included in the targeted professions list of the province or territory. The results of this evaluation will determine what occurs next, particularly if the provincial or territory government finds that a candidate’s declared NOC is in conflict with the duties and obligations of their position. Note: We’ll use Lincoln, our fictitious candidate, as an example again in the following. First hypothetical scenario: Lincoln’s application listed NOC 21232 (Software Developers and Programmers). The Ontario government, however, determined that his position more closely matched NOC 21234, Web Developers and Programmers. Hypothetical 2: The Ontario government determined that the job applicant’s work more closely matched NOC 22220, Computer Network and Web Technicians, even though his application listed NOC 21232, Software Developers and Programmers. In the first case, despite the fact that Lincoln’s profession does not correspond with his declared NOC, his application can still be approved because the Ontario government has included his evaluated NOC in its list of targeted occupations for tech draws. In this instance, the OINP will get in touch with the client and ask for more details. In the second situation, Lincoln will not be considered eligible for a provincial nomination through the OINP since his evaluated NOC is not on Ontario’s targeted occupations list. We will not accept his application. If my primary NOC differs from the one I used when I first applied at the provincial level, what should I do? Before submitting their application for a provincial nomination, candidates may decide not to proceed with their application as it will be rejected as non-eligible if they discover that their primary NOC has changed and is no longer listed as a targeted NOC. If this NOC change is discovered after the application has been submitted, or if the application is submitted in spite of this revelation, the applicant may try to withdraw it, but they would probably forfeit the processing fees for their provincial nomination application. Problems with the federal government’s modified NOCs A candidate’s application for PR with the federal government may be affected by a change in NOC following the successful receipt of a provincial nomination from Ontario. Note: Candidates whose provincial nomination is based on a NOC must continue to hold the same NOC for their principal occupation as when they first applied to the province. Candidates for provincial nominations specific to a NOC who change their primary NOC code at the federal level risk having their application rejected for not meeting the eligibility requirements associated with their candidacy. What’s the deal with my NOC code? Understanding the significance of NOC codes in general can help you better grasp how an altered NOC may affect your application. To put it briefly, NOC codes play a significant role in determining a candidate’s eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) through Express Entry, Canada’s application management system. FSWP Candidates must meet the minimum requirements for FSWP eligibility in addition to other requirements, which include at least one year of continuous, skilled, full-time or equivalent part-time employment at a paid rate in the same NOC (primary NOC). *This work experience must fit into one of the NOC’s Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) areas in order to qualify: TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 CEC Candidates must achieve the minimum requirements for CEC eligibility, in addition to other program requirements, by having at least one year of paid, full-time or comparable part-time, skilled work experience* in Canada during the previous three years. Keep in mind that work experience obtained while enrolled in classes does not apply

NEWS, Study

Getting PR after graduating from a master’s or PhD program as an international student

Students coming to Canada for a Ph.D. or master’s degree may find it simpler to get permanent residence (PR) currently. One of several modifications to Canada’s system for international students, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) policy was originally announced on January 22 and was enacted on February 15, 2024 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Under this regulation, international graduates of master’s degree programs at Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), the only post-secondary educational establishments approved by the International Relations and Cultural Council (IRCC) to admit international students, can now apply for a three-year PGWP. This holds true even for students enrolled in two-year master’s degrees or shorter. Discover your options to study in Canada Note: Prior to February 15, there existed a clear correlation between the duration of a master’s program and the validity period of a PGWP. How does this facilitate the Canadian PR process? The benefit of a PGWP is that, after completing a program at a DLI that qualifies, it enables graduates of overseas schools to work in Canada. Many of Canada’s immigration procedures either demand or reward job experience, therefore having work experience in the country is beneficial for individuals who eventually hope to pursue permanent residence. For instance, candidates with a minimum of 80* additional CRS points for work experience gained in Canada prior to applying for PR are rewarded by Canada’s well-known Express Entry application management system, which gives priority to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. *This point value is applicable to candidates for Express Entry under the Core/Human Capital Factors segment of the system who do not have a spouse or common-law partner. Candidates may obtain a variable number of CRS points depending on the circumstances, such as applying with their spouse or partner. Therefore, because it gives them more time to get useful Canadian work experience that they can cite on their immigration application, this enlarged PGWP policy will make it easier for qualifying students to obtain PR. Additional ways that IRCC facilitates master’s and PhD student immigration to Canada The CRS system of Express Entry incentivizes greater education. In addition to the value of a Ph.D. or master’s degree for immigration to Canada, the Express Entry CRS system favors higher education levels. In particular, the Express Entry system rewards students with master’s and doctoral degrees with the two highest CRS ratings under “level of education.” Master’s students: 126 points with a spouse/common-law partner; 135 points without Ph.D. students: 140 points with a spouse/common-law partner; 150 points without Simply, more CRS points gives candidates a better chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian PR. Many provinces/territories have dedicated Provincial Nominee Program streams for Masters/PhD students Students who obtain either a master’s or Ph.D. degree in Canada also open themselves up to various additional Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. Note: With the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, eleven of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories run PNPs. This is due to the fact that several of the provinces that are the top destinations for newcomers to Canada, such as British Columbia and Ontario, offer specialized programs for their graduates. You can click on the links below to find out more details about a few of these PNP streams. Ontario: Graduate Programs for Masters and Doctorates in Ontario International Post-Graduate Category in British Columbia Manitoba: Pathway for Graduate Internships Here is more information about the PNPs in Canada. Discover your options to study in Canada

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