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NEWS

Alberta Introduces New Expression of Interest System for AAIP Worker Streams 

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As of September 30, Alberta has updated its process for issuing Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for certain Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) worker pathways.  Now, candidates wishing to apply to one of the AAIP worker streams must first submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) through the AAIP portal. To complete this, applicants need to fill out an online form providing personal and professional details. Once submitted, they will be added to the Worker Stream pool for selection, and there’s no cost associated with submitting an EOI.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The new Worker EOI system will rank candidates based on a points-based framework, similar to the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Points will be awarded for human capital factors such as education level (with additional points if the education was completed in Alberta), language proficiency, and work experience (with Alberta-based experience carrying more weight). Factors like age and family connections in Alberta will also contribute to a candidate’s overall score.  Candidates with higher scores will have a better chance of being chosen for a provincial nomination, and selected applicants will receive invitations via email.  Alberta has also emphasized that candidates cannot submit a Worker EOI if they have an existing Worker or Entrepreneur EOI, or if they have a pending or active AAIP application. In these cases, previous applications or EOIs must be withdrawn before creating a new Worker EOI.  There’s no immediate urgency to submit EOIs, as Alberta won’t begin holding worker stream draws until mid-to-late October.  Alberta Worker Streams  Earlier in 2023, Alberta adjusted its approach to accepting applications for Worker streams to better address overwhelming demand and meet labor market needs.  In June, the province announced it would only accept a limited number of applications into the pool each month. If the target number was reached before the deadline, further applications would be paused until the next period.  This system aims to manage processing times more effectively and align with Alberta’s allocation of 9,750 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations granted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2024. The changes affect the following streams:  Alberta Opportunity Stream  Rural Renewal Stream  Accelerated Tech Pathway  Tourism and Hospitality Stream  The new approach is designed to offer candidates multiple chances to apply throughout the year while maintaining access to the program year-round.  Demand for the Alberta Opportunity Stream has been particularly high in 2023, causing the province to temporarily stop accepting applications for this stream between February and June.  The pause allowed the AAIP to manage its current inventory of applications more efficiently and focus its limited nominations on priority sectors like healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism, hospitality, and other high-demand industries in Alberta.  Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

IRCC Issues 500 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class Candidates in Second Express Entry Draw of the Week 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently conducted an Express Entry draw, issuing 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category.  In this draw, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 to be eligible for consideration.  Earlier in the week, IRCC held another draw, issuing 1,613 ITAs to Express Entry candidates with Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nominations. In that round, candidates were required to have a higher CRS score of at least 739.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment Looking back, the most recent Express Entry draw before these occurred on September 19, when 4,000 ITAs were extended to CEC candidates with a minimum CRS score of 509. This was a slight increase from the previous CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Over the summer, IRCC has been conducting more CEC-specific draws, issuing a total of 21,800 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates since July. This approach aligns with IRCC’s strategy to increase “domestic” draws, aiming to reduce the number of temporary residents and meet the country’s annual permanent residency targets.  Today’s draw is the second held this month, while last October, IRCC conducted four draws, issuing a total of 9,173 invitations.  What is Express Entry?  Launched in 2015, Express Entry is a system designed by IRCC to manage applications for economic immigration. The primary goal of Express Entry is to select candidates who can fill critical labor shortages in Canada.  Three main programs are managed under Express Entry:  Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)  Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)  Canadian Experience Class (CEC)  The system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates based on various human capital factors such as work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can also be awarded if a candidate is immigrating with a spouse or partner, has a sibling in Canada, or possesses Canadian work experience or education.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in future Express Entry draws, depending on the specific draw type.  Category-Based Selection  In May 2023, IRCC introduced category-based selection draws, where CRS cut-off scores tend to be lower compared to other draw types. These targeted draws aim to address critical labor force gaps and demographic needs. The six key categories are:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  These categories were chosen based on extensive consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of labor market needs. IRCC also aims to ensure that 6% of all newcomers are admitted to French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec.  Although CRS scores in category-based draws are generally lower, candidates must still have a profile in the Express Entry pool, and a higher score remains an advantage in securing an ITA. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024   Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS October 7 Provincial Nominee Program 1,613 743 September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

PNP Candidates: 1,613 Invited in Latest Express Entry Draw 

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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently conducted an Express Entry draw, inviting 1,613 candidates to apply for permanent residence. This specific draw focused solely on applicants who had received a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination. In order to be eligible, candidates needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743.  The previous draw, held on September 19, targeted 4,000 candidates from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). These candidates needed a minimum CRS score of 509, slightly higher than the earlier CEC draw on August 27, where the cut-off was 507.  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CEC draws have become more frequent over the summer, with IRCC issuing a total of 21,800 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to CEC candidates since July. This aligns with the department’s efforts to increase “domestic” draws, thereby reducing the number of temporary residents in Canada. This approach also supports IRCC’s objective of meeting its permanent resident targets for the year.  The most recent draw is the first for October, while last year IRCC conducted four draws during the same month, inviting a total of 9,173 candidates.  What is Express Entry?  Express Entry, introduced in 2015, is an application management system designed to assist IRCC in selecting economic immigration candidates who can address urgent gaps in the Canadian labor market. It manages applications for three key immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).  Candidates applying through Express Entry are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system assesses candidates based on various factors like work experience, age, language proficiency, education, and occupation. Additional points can be awarded for factors such as having a spouse or sibling in Canada, or for Canadian work or educational experience.  The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the better their chances of receiving an ITA in a future draw, though eligibility can vary depending on the type of draw.  Category-Based Selection  Since May 2023, IRCC has introduced category-based selection draws to address specific workforce and demographic needs. These draws often have lower CRS score thresholds than general or program-specific draws. However, candidates must still be in the Express Entry pool, and a high CRS score remains beneficial.  There are six categories for these draws:  Healthcare  Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)  Trades  Transport  Agriculture and agri-food  French language proficiency  The categories were chosen after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, labor market analysis, and in alignment with the department’s goal to welcome 6% of all newcomers into French-speaking minority communities outside of Quebec.  While the cut-off scores for these category-based draws tend to be lower, maintaining a competitive CRS score is still important for candidates looking to receive an ITA.  Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date  Draw Type  Number of ITAs  Minimum CRS  October 7  Provincial Nominee Program  1,613  743  September 19  Canadian Experience Class  4,000  509  September 13  French language proficiency  1,000  446  September 9  Provincial Nominee Program  911  732  August 27  Canadian Experience Class  3,300  507  August 26  Provincial Nominee Program  1,121  694  August 15  French language proficiency  2,000  394  August 14  Canadian Experience Class  3,200  509  August 13  Provincial Nominee Program  763  690  July 31  Canadian Experience Class  5,000  510  July 30  Provincial Nominee Program  964  686  July 18  French language proficiency  1,800  400  July 17  Canadian Experience Class  6,300  515  July 16  Provincial Nominee Program  1,391  670  July 8  French proficiency  3,200  420  July 5  Healthcare occupations  3,750  445  July 4  Trade occupations  1,800  436  July 2  Provincial Nominee Program  920  739  June 19  Provincial Nominee Program  1,499  663  May 31  Canadian Experience Class  3,000  522  May 30  Provincial Nominee Program  2,985  676  April 24  French proficiency  1,400  410  April 23  General  2,095  529  April 11  STEM occupations  4,500  491  April 10  General  1,280  549  March 26  French language proficiency  1,500  388  March 25  General  1,980  524  March 13  Transport occupations  975  430  March 12  General  2,850  525  February 29  French language proficiency  2,500  336  February 28  General  1,470  534  February 16  Agriculture and agri-food occupations  150  437  February 14  Healthcare occupations  3,500  422  February 13  General  1,490  535  February 1  French language proficiency  7,000  365  January 31  General  730  541  January 23  General  1,040  543  January 10  General  1,510  546  Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Alberta Introduces New Expression of Interest System for AAIP Worker Streams: A Gateway to Opportunity”

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In certain paths of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), Alberta is altering the process by which it issues Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to applicants. Candidates who wish to apply to one of the AAIP worker streams must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) starting today, September 30. Candidates must accomplish this by going to the AAIP portal and filling out an online form with personal data. Those that submit a Worker EOI, according to the province, will be added to a pool for consideration in the Worker Stream. Applying is free of charge. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The Worker EOI points grid, which functions similarly to the federal Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), will be used to rank candidates. For instance, their points will be determined by human capital factors like age, having a family connection in the province, language proficiency, work experience (with more points given for work experience in Alberta), education (including whether or not they completed their education in the province), and so on. Higher scorers have a better chance of being chosen for provincial nomination. Emails will be used to send invitations. Alberta notes that candidates cannot create a Worker EOI if they “have an existing Worker EOI or Entrepreneur EOI or a draft or active AAIP application. Existing applications or EOIs must be withdrawn prior to creating a Worker EOI.” The province says candidates do not need to rush to submit their application as it will not begin conducting worker stream draws until mid to late October. Alberta Worker Streams Earlier this year, Alberta changed the way it accepts applications for Worker streams to better handle overwhelming demand and meet labour market priorities. In June, the province announced it would only accept a targeted number of applications into the application pool at one time. If a target were reached by the monthly deadline, no further applications would be accepted. The system was meant to better balance processing time and the 9,750 PNP nominations that IRCC allocated Alberta for 2024. The impacted programs included: Alberta Opportunity Stream Rural Renewal Stream Accelerated Tech Pathway Tourism and Hospitality Stream This approach was meant to “provide applicants with multiple opportunities to apply and access to the program year-round.” In fact, the Alberta Opportunity Stream has been so high in demand this year that the province had to pause accepting applications for this stream between February and June. At the time, the province said the pause was necessary to help enable the AAIP to “address its current inventory and focus its limited immigration nominations on priorities, such as filling labour shortages in healthcare, technology, construction, agriculture, tourism and hospitality and other in-demand sectors.” Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“Understanding Biometrics: Do You Need to Submit Them to Stay in Canada?”

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Your biometrics will be gathered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) if you are a person between the ages of 14 and 79 and are asking, claiming, or applying for: temporary residency in Canada (apart from Americans); permanent residency in Canada (including US citizens); or refugee defense. What are biometrics? Biometrics refers to data that will help confirm your identity. When giving biometrics, IRCC will collect: Biographic data: Name, date of birth, and other personal details of an applicant as listed on the biographic data page of the applicant’s passport or travel document; Fingerprints: Fingerprints of the applicant, captured electronically during the biometrics collection session, using an electronic fingerprint-capture device; and Photograph: A digital photograph of the applicant. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration Who needs to get biometrics? Permanent residence You will be asked to give your biometrics every time you apply for permanent residency, even if you have given them before. According to IRCC, you will be expected to provide biometrics if you are between the ages of 14 and 79, and you are applying for one of the following: A permanent resident visa; A request to remain in Canada as a permanent resident; or A new permanent resident card for the first time, in cases where you were exempt from biometrics enrolment because you were under the age of 14 years at the time of your PR application. Temporary residence Temporary residents must give biometrics if they apply for any of the following: A temporary resident visa; An extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident; A temporary resident permit; A restoration of temporary resident status; A work permit or renewal of a work permit; or A study permit or renewal of a study permit. If you have given your biometrics before, you may not need to again when applying for temporary residence. But since IRCC cannot issue you a visa or permit extending more than 10 years since the date you last provided biometrics, you may wish to voluntarily submit biometrics if you wish to extend your permit past this date. How much does it cost to have my biometrics collected? Individual applicant: $85. Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of $170. Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff who apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $255. There is no fee to give biometrics for a transit visa. Where are biometrics collected? Biometrics are collected in person by appointment. Once you have paid your fee and received your biometric instruction letter (BIL), you will have 30 days to have your biometrics collected. You can book an appointment to have your biometrics collected at one of the following locations: Visa Application Centre (VAC); Service Canada (from inside Canada only); or United States (U.S.) Application Support Centre (ASC) (Inside U.S. only). To avoid fraud, use the official IRCC website to find a location near you, and do not pay for an appointment. Once you have paid the application fee, the biometrics appointment will be free of charge. Exemptions According to IRCC, there are some exemptions under which you will not be required to submit biometrics: a Canadian citizen or citizenship applicant (including passport applicants); an existing permanent resident; a visa-exempt national coming to Canada to visit only; a head of state or head of government; an applicant who qualifies for or holds a diplomatic or official visa; a U.S. visa holder transiting through Canada; an applicant applying for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit who has already provided biometrics for a permanent resident application that’s still being processed; a child under the age of 14; and an applicant over the age of 79 (unless they are claiming asylum). How will my biometric data be used? Upon giving your biometrics, they will be encrypted and sent to a secure government database. They will be deleted at the collection location once they have been sent to IRCC. While processing your application, they will be shared with Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Your fingerprints and photo will be also shared with the Canada Border Services Agency so that they may verify your identity upon arrival in Canada. According to IRCC, they may also share your information with other law enforcement agencies in Canada to enforce any Canadian or provincial law; or Canadian government institutions or foreign governments, in accordance with Canada’s privacy laws. Your fingerprints and photo may also be shared with the US, the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and New Zealand in a way that respects privacy laws; civil liberties; and human rights (including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms). What if I can’t get my biometrics submitted in time? If your ASC and VAC are open, but you are unable to get an appointment date to give your biometrics within 30 days of receiving the BIL, you can use the IRCC web form to explain why you need an extension. IRCC does not guarantee that one will be granted. If you do need to get an extension for an appointment date that falls past the 30 day mark, you will be expected to provide a screenshot of your appointment confirmation and the appointment date. You will also be expected to explain why you were unable to get an earlier appointment. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

“IRCC Issues 4,000 ITAs to CEC Candidates: Latest Express Entry Draw Updates”

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In a lottery only for candidates in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the government distributed 4,000 ITAs. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 509 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The third draw of the month was held today, coming after two previous weeks in which 1,000 candidates were invited in a category-based selection draw for French-language proficiency, and 911 candidates were invited from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Since 5,000 candidates received ITAs in a draw on July 31, this was the largest CEC draw. The CRS score for this draw is marginally higher than it was for the previous CEC draw. In the most recent one, which was held on August 27, applicants had to receive at least a 507. An overview of the 2024 Express Entry draw results Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 19 Canadian Experience Class 4,000 509 September 13 French language proficiency 1,000 446 September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 Express Entry: What Is It? In 2015, the application management system Express Entry was introduced. It is in charge of three of the most well-known economic immigration initiatives in Canada: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Each of these programs assigns a point value to a number of in-demand human capital variables, including age, occupation, job experience, education, and language proficiency, using the Comprehensive Ranking System. A sibling living in Canada, immigration with a spouse or partner, or having strong English and French Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scores are other factors that can provide points to candidates. Taken together, the scores for these factors add up to a candidate’s overall CRS score. Those who have the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw. Last year, IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates with specific attributes such as their work experience or language ability. Six categories were chosen including: Healthcare Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions Trades Transport Agriculture and agri-food French language proficiency According to the IRCC, these categories were selected following stakeholder consultations and represent Canada’s need to meet demographic targets and gaps in high-demand areas of the labor force. For instance, the department chose to prioritize competency in French in order to aid reach its goal of having newcomers settle in French-minority regions outside of Quebec. A candidate has sixty days from the moment they receive their ITA to send the IRCC their final application. The department’s usual service time for processing an Express Entry application that has been finalized is six months. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“BREAKING: IRCC Lowers Study Permit Caps & Alters PGWP Eligibility Rules!”

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The immigration minister of Canada, Marc Miller, stated that “the cap on international students is here to stay.” Only 437,000 study permits will be granted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2025. This figure, according to the department, is predicated on stabilizing the intake quota for 2026 after a 10% drop from the goal of issuing 485,000 new study permits in 2024. Over the following four years, the IRCC anticipates that 300,000 fewer study permits will be granted to overseas students as a result of this. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The minister made a number of comments about ongoing modifications to Canada’s program for international students. “The truth is that not everyone will be able to come to Canada, just as not everyone will be able to stay in Canada,” Miller stated. “Our immigration system needs to be sustainably managed, well-managed, and maintain its integrity. And going forward, we’ll do everything it takes to accomplish that objective and provide fresh opportunities for success for newcomers. PhD and master’s degree candidates must now get a provincial attestation letter. Master’s and doctorate students will now be included in the new cap and will not be excused from getting a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). The department states that, “in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market,” it will reserve for these students around 12% of the allocation spaces. In order to assist the IRCC in confirming the validity of their applications and maintaining a steady supply of study permits, many college and undergraduate students were given the opportunity to apply for PALs earlier this year. Modifications to PGWP approval Further modifications have also been made to the prerequisites for eligibility for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 7 for university graduates and a CLB of 5 for college graduates applying after November 1 will now be needed of applicants. Miller anticipates that during the following three years, there will be 175,000 fewer PGWPs issued as a result of this. Spousal Open Work Permit Restrictions Later this year, the IRCC will only allow work permits to be obtained by spouses of master’s degree students enrolled in programs that last at least 16 months. Over the following three years, it is anticipated that this will lead to the issuance of 50,000 fewer spousal work permits. Spousal Open Work Permits, which have nothing to do with the foreign student program, will only be granted to spouses of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who work in essential industries. Effects on the Program for Temporary Foreign Workers Since April 2023, there has been an increase in Canada’s unemployment rate of 1.5 percentage points. According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), the 6.4% to 6.6% total unemployment rate has increased. There were 1.5 million jobless individuals in August 2024, up 60,000 (+4.3%) from the previous month. In the near future, the number of temporary residents in Canada with work permits is expected to decline thanks to the actions announced today. Accompanying Minister Miller, Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, reiterated many of his previous statements regarding the purpose of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). He stated that the TFWP should never be used to repress or replace Canadian labor, but rather as a last resort. Nevertheless, Minister Boissonnault pointed out that immigration accounts for 99% of Canada’s economic development. By 2032, this is anticipated to increase to 100%. Modifications to Canada’s temporary and permanent resident thresholds The immigration system in Canada has undergone significant changes this year, with the introduction of several new policies. The first-ever research permit cap was imposed by the IRCC in January. It was first intended to be a temporary measure that would last until the end of 2025. Study permit allotments for each province were given to the provincial government as part of this cap. The PAL system was introduced along with the new cap. Alongside the announcement of the study permit cap, there were additional limitations placed on PGWP eligibility, which excluded students enrolled in college programs that had “curriculum licensing agreements.” Additionally, spouses of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs were the only ones eligible for new restrictions on Spousal Work Permits. In an effort to lower the number of temporary residents (those with study or work permits), Minister Miller also declared in March that the Immigration Levels Plan for 2025–2027 will incorporate temporary resident levels for the first time. Other actions that Canada has made to lower the number of temporary residents include: Removing the COVID-era rule that let some foreign visitors to apply from within Canada for a work permit backed by their job; Pausing the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) for Canadian jobs going to Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) with unemployment rates of 6% or greater in the low-wage stream of the TFWP; and Tying the issuance of these work permits to educational programs that would enable graduates to work within in-demand areas of the Canadian economy is something that is being considered, along with significant modifications to the Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) issued to overseas graduates. According to prior statements made by Minister Miller, he is also willing to consider alternatives for addressing Canada’s permanent immigration numbers. The Minister stated that while it was crucial to avoid “overcorrecting” permanent immigration numbers, the adjustments he was thinking about would be “significant” rather than merely “cosmetic.” In the upcoming weeks, more details on this front should be anticipated. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

NEWS

IRCC issues 911 invitations to apply in Express Entry draw for PNP candidates

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In the most recent Express Entry lottery, Invitations to Apply (ITAs) have been released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Only candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) were eligible to receive 911 ITAs from the department. To be considered, candidates had to receive a minimum of 732 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Get a Free Express Entry Assessment The first drawing of the month is today, and it comes after a hectic summer. In 14 distinct Express Entry lotteries, the IRCC solicited candidates in July and August. More precisely, since the system’s debut in 2015, July has broken the record for the most drawings in a single month. Between July 2 and July 31, there were nine drawings. In the most recent Express Entry, which was held on August 27, 3,330 individuals received invites in a lottery that was limited to those enrolled in the Canadian Experience Class. IRCC has recently adopted a pattern of multiple draws every other week. They generally include at least one draw for PNP candidates. This is line with IRCC’s previously announced intention to hold more “domestic” draws to ensure that temporary residents in Canada have increased opportunity to become permanent residents and to reduce the volume of temporary residents entering Canada. Summary of Express Entry draw results in 2024 Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS September 9 Provincial Nominee Program 911 732 August 27 Canadian Experience Class 3,300 507 August 26 Provincial Nominee Program 1,121 694 August 15 French language proficiency 2,000 394 August 14 Canadian Experience Class 3,200 509 August 13 Provincial Nominee Program 763 690 July 31 Canadian Experience Class 5,000 510 July 30 Provincial Nominee Program 964 686 July 18 French language proficiency 1,800 400 July 17 Canadian Experience Class 6,300 515 July 16 Provincial Nominee Program 1,391 670 July 8 French proficiency 3,200 420 July 5 Healthcare occupations 3,750 445 July 4 Trade occupations 1,800 436 July 2 Provincial Nominee Program 920 739 June 19 Provincial Nominee Program 1,499 663 May 31 Canadian Experience Class 3,000 522 May 30 Provincial Nominee Program 2,985 676 April 24 French proficiency 1,400 410 April 23 General 2,095 529 April 11 STEM occupations 4,500 491 April 10 General 1,280 549 March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388 March 25 General 1,980 524 March 13 Transport occupations 975 430 March 12 General 2,850 525 February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336 February 28 General 1,470 534 February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437 February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422 February 13 General 1,490 535 February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365 January 31 General 730 541 January 23 General 1,040 543 January 10 General 1,510 546 What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an application management system that was introduced by IRCC in 2015 to help the department select economic immigration candidates with in-demand human capital attributes. It oversees three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System is the cornerstone of the system. It assigns a point score to applicants for several attributes such as their language ability, work experience, education, occupation and age. Taken together, these points make up a candidate’s overall score. Those with the highest scores are the most likely to recieve an ITA. Candidates in these programs can also apply for streams of the Provincial Nominee Program that are aligned with Express Entry, a process known as enhanced nomination. Express Entry candidates who are nominated through a PNP automatically recieve an additioanl 600 CRS points, making it extremely likely they will recieve an ITA in an upcoming Express Entry draw, depending on the type of draw. IRCC also introduced category-based selection draws in 2023 to allow the department to target the candidates with more specific in-demand attributes, mostly based around work experience. Candidates who recieve ITAs in one of these draws are not required to be in any specific Express Entry  program (although they must still be in the Express Entry application pool) and the minimum CRS required is generally lower than it would be for a program-specific or general draw. The six categories are: Healthcare occupations Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors Transport occupations Agriculture and agri-food occupations French-language proficiency IRCC reviews these categories every year and says that as labour market priorities and demographic demands shift, the categories may change in coming years. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Who’s In? Meet the Latest CEC Candidates Receiving ITAs!”

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An applicant’s ability to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian Permanent Residency through Express Entry (EE) is contingent upon their CRS score. Candidates that meet the requirements of the CEC program can apply to join the Express Entry (EE) pool, where they will be compared to other candidates and assigned a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The Canadian government periodically chooses the top scorers who meet the requirements for the draw and sends them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada. 3,300 CEC-eligible applicants were most recently chosen by the IRCC from the EE pool. These applicants met the lowest cut-off score in this draw category since the year’s beginning with a CRS score of 507 or above. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment We have created a few fictional profiles of candidates who would have been selected in the previous CEC draw. EXAMPLE 1: Bio: Sehan is a 26-year-old chemical engineer from Sri Lanka. He moved to Canada to do a three-year bachelor’s degree in engineering after which he did a diploma course. After graduating, he got a job at a Canadian company as a process engineer and has worked there for a little over two years. He has advanced English language skills (CLB10+ in all categories), which have earned him the maximum number of points in that category but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of his skills and qualifications – and the points allotted to them. Age 26 110 Education Two or more post-secondary credentials with at least one being three years 128 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work Experience in Canada 2.5 years 53 Education (Language + Canadian Work Experience)   50 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (427 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (50/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Based on this profile, Sehan has 507 points, which is exactly equal to the last CEC cutoff score. That means that there are high chances he would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 2: Bio: Helena is a 29-year-old marketing professional from England who already has two years of work experience there. She moved to Canada to pursue a master’s degree in marketing and then joined a firm in Canada where she worked for a year. Helena has excellent English skills (CLB10+ in all categories) but does not speak French. Here’s a breakdown of her skills and qualifications, and the points allotted to them.   Age 29 110 Education Master’s degree 135 English language proficiency Advanced 136 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience)   38 Canadian education   30   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (421/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)    Additional Factors: (30/600)  Results: Based on this profile, Helena has 539 points, which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 3: Bio: Samia is a 31-year-old architect with a year of experience in an Egyptian company with a global presence. After receiving a valid job offer from Canada, she arrived on a work permit and has worked in the country for a year. She has arranged employment with an LMIA. Samia has good English skills (CLB9 in all categories) but doesn’t speak French. Although she has two degrees, she has never studied in Canada.   Age 31 99 Education Two or more post secondary credentials with at least one being 3 years 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Foreign work (language + Canadian work experience   38 Qualifying Canadian job offer   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (391/ 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (88/100)  Additional Factors: (50/600)    Results: Based on this profile, Samia has 529 points which is higher than the last CEC cutoff score. That means that she would have received an ITA following the latest draw. EXAMPLE 4: Bio: Sami is a 33-year-old from Algeria who moved to Canada to become an electrician. He enrolled in a trade school and completed an apprenticeship program. After finishing this, he worked for a year as an electrician. He speaks good English (CLB9 in all categories) skills and is also fluent in French (CLB8 in all categories).   Age 33 88 Education Three-year post-secondary credential 128 English language proficiency Initial advanced 124 French language proficiency High intermediate 12 Work experience in Canada 1 year 40 Education (language + Canadian work experience)   50 Trade certification   50 Canadian education   30 Proficient in French   50   Core Human Capital for a Primary Applicant with no Spouse: (392 / 460) Skill Transferability Combinations: (100/100)  Additional Factors: (80/100)  Results: Sami received 572 points, which is well-above the current cut-offs in the CEC category.   Where do I rank in the Express Entry pool? IRCC has a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all the profiles in the Express Entry pool which can give candidates an idea of the overall state of the EE pool and how they rank within it. This list is constantly changing as new profiles are submitted and older ones expire. As of August 27, there are 205,137 candidates in the pool. According to this draw, most candidates seem to be in the 450-500 points range, with that bracket having 61,133 candidates. With current cut-offs in the CEC draws being higher than 500, boosting points by improving language abilities, getting an eligible job offer or exploring PNP options can help a candidate get an ITA. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

NEWS

“Ontario, BC, and Manitoba Open Doors: Provincial Nomination Invites Sent!”

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In the most recent round of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, invitations have been sent out to three Canadian provinces. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the provinces share joint authority over immigration. Except for Quebec and Nunavut, every province and territory in Canada runs PNPs. Quebec and the federal government have a separate agreement that gives Quebec complete control over who it chooses as economic immigrants. A certain number of nominations are sent to each government, which they can then distribute to candidates for economic immigration. The population and labor requirements of a province are among the many variables that determine how many nominations the IRCC accepts. For instance, the most nominations are given to Ontario, which has the greatest population in Canada. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration The Immigration Levels Plan for 2024–2026 states that the IRCC wants to use the PNP to bring in 110,000 new permanent residents this year. A provincial government’s nomination does not equate to an invitation from the IRCC to submit an application for permanent residence. Applications for the two distinct programs must be submitted separately. Provincial immigration figures for August 24–30 The Ontario 1,287 candidates for the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) received letters of interest from Ontario on August 22. To be considered, candidates had to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 435–435. Additionally, they mandated work experience in a targeted field that had a certain National Occupation Classification code. British Columbia On August 27, British Columbia sent out more than 158 invitations to candidates for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) who were skilled workers and international graduates (including those who applied through Express Entry into the province). The province held five targeted draws for candidates in specific occupations. The minimum score required varied for each draw. Draw results included: 40 candidates in childcare occupations with a minimum score of 83 31 candidates in construction occupations with a minimum score of 88 18 candidates in healthcare occupations with a minimum score of 99 69 candidates in tech occupations with a minimum score of 118 Less than five candidate in veterinary care occupations with a minimum score of 80 Manitoba The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program  (MPNP) held a draw on August 30 inviting 150 candiates from two PNP streams. The province invited 126 candidate from the International Education stream. No minimum score was reported. It also invited 24  candudates from the Skilled Worker Overseas stream under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. These candidates required a minimum score of 727. Among all the letters of advice issued, 21 went to candidates with a valid Express Entry profile. Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration

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