Essential Travelers Must Be Fully Vaccinated to Enter Canada During Pandemic

Only fully vaccinated groups of travelers, both non-essential or essential, are now allowed to enter Canada. As of January 15, 2022, certain travelers who were earlier exempt from entry requirements will now be allowed to enter Canada during pandemic only if they are fully vaccinated.

The new essential groups of travelers include

Family reunification travelers;
International students 18 years of age and older;
Persons with valid work permits, including temporary foreign workers;
Professional and amateur athletes; and
Essential service providers, including truck drivers.

From September last year, non-essential travelers entered Canada only if they were fully vaccinated. However, some exempt travelers may still enter Canada during pandemic but will be subject to testing, quarantine, and other public health measures.

Some of the exempt groups include foreign nationals who hold a valid Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), agricultural and food processing workers, marine crew members, people coming to Canada on compassionate grounds. Unvaccinated children of 18 years of age or younger are also included in the exempt list.

At this time, it is not required to have a booster dose to be considered fully vaccinated in Canada. Border officers make the final decision on who can enter the country, and whether incoming travelers have to quarantine.

Use this official online tool to verify your eligibility to enter Canada during pandemic.

What Do New Travel Requirements Mean for Canada Immigration?

To be considered fully vaccinated, travelers must have received the full recommended dose of an approved vaccine.

Canada’s government-approved vaccines include

AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD (ChAdOx1-S, Vaxzevria, AZD1222)
Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
Janssen/Johnson & Johnson
Moderna (mRNA-1273)
Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
Sinopharm BIBP (BBIBP-CorV)
Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Travelers must ensure that the final dose is administered at least 14 days before attempting to enter Canada during pandemic. Use of ArriveCAN application is mandated to submit all required COVID-19 information before crossing the border.

The latest travel requirements will not affect the pace of current Canadian immigration. The country had a good run last year. Canada is still continuing to carry forward its ambitious intake plan of admitting over 411,000 new immigrants in 2022.

Certified Canada Immigration Services from CanApprove

Each program has its own eligibility criteria, and depending on what country you are coming from, different document requirements. At CanApprove, you can ask our qualified consultants to suggest to you the most suitable immigration program for qualifying.

CanApprove is a certified immigration consultant by the College of Immigration, and Citizenship Canada (CICC). We offer the best Canada Immigration services in Dubai with a proven track record. Our standard Canada immigration services support package includes

free assessment,
pre-screening,
documentation assistance,
review on rejections and appeal guidance,
training for embassy interviews,
post-landing services like accommodation & more.

We take immense pride in helping thousands of immigration candidates achieve their dream of immigration abroad for the last two decades. Book your free appointment with us today and get started!

Ontario Fast-tracks Canada Immigration Options for Nurses by the End of March

In a recent press release, Ontario expressed its need for internationally trained nurses to work & settle in the province. The province is now preparing to offer more Canada immigration options for nurses. The Central Canada province is targeting about 6,000 foreign healthcare workers to fill labour shortages by the end of March.

Ontario is the number one Canadian province with the largest number of foreign immigrants in its workforce. The targeted workers here include nursing students, medical students, and other students in the field of health care. The province is sending about 300 of these nurses to 50 high-need hospitals in the province. They will care for patients under supervision while they work toward getting their licence in Ontario.

In 2020, there were 20,678 internationally educated nurses registered and eligible to practice in Ontario. This represented 12.2% of Ontario’s nursing workforce in 2020, up from 10.3% in 2010.

Click here to determine the chances of Canada immigration for nurses.

So far, more than 1,200 internationally educated nurses have applied to the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and expressed interest in these initiatives.

The College of Nurses of Ontario is the governing body for Registered Nurses (RNs), Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in Ontario, Canada. Any foreign individual willing to get a license for practice in Ontario must apply through CNO.

Demand for Immigration to Canada at All-time High

Ontario, along with the rest of Canada, had been experiencing nursing shortages since even before the pandemic.

Ontario promised to invest $342 million over the next five years to recruitment initiatives in its 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review: Build Ontario. The multi-million dollar investment is expected to add over 13,000 workers to Ontario’s health care system, including over 5,000 new and up-skilled nurses as well as 8,000 personal support workers.

Canada is currently pursuing an ambitious immigration target plan to invite over 411,000 new immigrants in 2022. While the new immigration levels plan is expect to be release by the end of February, we are expecting the overall target to only increase further. Additionally, the new mandate letter promises more avenues of immigration to Canada in 2022 and beyond.

Learn More About Canada Immigration Options for Nurses

Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, Ontario launched emergency programs that have added more than 6,700 health care professionals to work in long-term care homes and other care settings in an effort to lighten the load on hospitals.

The present situation is prone to dynamic changes yet Canada remains committed to increasing Canada immigration for nurses. Here is how hiring a certified immigration consultant can help you.

With years of expertise in immigration to Canada, consultants can anticipate situations that can secure your chances of qualifying sooner. Such consultants carefully analyze your current profile and suggest the best immigration options to maximize your chances of qualifying. Their contact networks can help you to study admission in the best Canadian institutions or can match your work skills to a local employer.

CanApprove is a certified immigration consultant by the College of Immigration and CItizenship Consultants (CICC). With industry experience of over two decades, CanApprove can help you fulfil your dream of immigration to Canada. Click here to book your free appointment with us today!

Alberta Expedites Provincial Nominations for Canada Express Entry Candidates

On January 13, the immigration minister of Alberta province, Tyler Shandro, announced a new Accelerated Tech Pathway. Under its Provincial Nominee Program, Alberta is now introducing a new fast-track immigration program for tech workers. Canada Express Entry candidates who work in tech may be its largest beneficiaries.

Alberta had already begun accepting applications to the new program in December. In order to be eligible, tech professionals, on-shore or off-shore, need to have a profile in Canada Express Entry system.

Under this new pathway, tech professionals, especially Engineers from across Canada and overseas can become permanent residents in as little as six months.

You need to have a job offer in an in-demand tech industry occupation in Alberta

This is a good avenue for Canada Express Entry candidates to receive provincial nominations in a quick time. Since 2012, Alberta’s tech sector has grown 233 per cent, as per the latest Alberta Technology Deal Flow Study. The business climate in Alberta is supportive as more than 3,000 technology companies are flourishing in the province.

Get in touch with our expert consultants to match your work skills in Canada and determine your eligibility for immigration.

How to Apply for Accelerated Tech Pathway under Alberta Provincial Nominee Program?

The Provincial Nominee Program offers the second-best alternative pathway to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Follow two simple steps to qualify for this new provincial pathway for Canada PR in quick time:

STEP1: Register a profile in Canada Express Entry system

Express Entry is an application database for three federal immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. After qualifying for any one of the programs, you will be able to proceed with Accelerated Tech Pathway from Alberta.

The new pathway under Alberta Provincial Nominee Program requires Express Entry candidates to have a job offer, or be currently working for an Alberta-based company in an eligible occupation. The list of eligible occupations are listed below in order of their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code:

Engineers	0211 Engineering managers 0213 Computer and information systems managers 2131 Civil engineers 2132 Mechanical engineers 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers 2147 Computer engineers 2173 Software engineers and designers
Administrators & Academicians	0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services 0131 Telecommunication carriers manager 0601 Corporate sales managers 0112 Human resources managers 1121 Human resources professionals 1223 Human resources and recruitment officers 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants 2172 Database analysts and data administrators 2221 Biological technologists and technicians 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
Designers	0212 Architecture and science managers 0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts 1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers 2175 Web designers and developers

STEP2: Apply for Canada Immigration

Upon successful completion, your profile enters the nomination pool of eligible candidates to receive provincial nominations. Based on regular nomination draws, Alberta invites selected applications for provincial nominations. You cannot use a nomination under a different AINP stream to apply.

Once invited, you will then get 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points added to your Canada Express Entry score. While the nomination does not guarantee your permanent residency status in Canada, it can boost you to the top of the Express Entry pool.

Based on a fortnightly nomination draw held by the federal department – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw for permanent residency.

Take this free online assessment to know your eligibility.

Plan for Canadian immigration with a certified immigration consultant to secure your chances of qualifying. Book your free appointment with CanApprove to get started!

Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program Invites 104 Candidates in First Draw of 2022

Provincial Nominee Program run by Saskatchewan held a new nomination draw on January 12. In its first draw of 2022, the province invited 104 eligible candidates to apply for provincial nominations. They are required to apply for Canada immigration under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) through two of its immigration streams: the ‘enhanced’ Express Entry & ‘base’ Occupations In-Demand Saskatchewan PNP streams.

‘Enhanced’ Express Entry Stream: Out of the total 104 invitations, 37 invitations went to candidates who already had their profiles in the federal Express Entry pool.

The federal Express Entry pool is a database of interested applicants willing to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Apart from federal economic-class immigration programs, certain streams under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can also select candidates from this pool.

Upon a successful provincial nomination, the Express Entry applicant’s CRS score gets an additional 600 points which effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada.

The ‘Base’ Occupations In-Demand Stream: Remaining 67 invitations went to candidates who have specific work skills that are in demand in Saskatchewan. Those candidates who barely qualify to register a federal Express Entry profile may be nominated under the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

January 12 Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program Draw: Highlights

An Overview of SINP Draws- January 12, 2022
Category	Minimum EOI score	Total candidates invited
Occupations In-Demand	EOI 68	67
Express Entry	EOI 68	37
Express Entry & Occupations In-Demand candidates invited had Educational Credential Assessments to demonstrate their foreign education was comparable to the Canadian standard. This Provincial Nominee Program draw targeted eligible candidates with work experience in one of six healthcare-related occupations: Medical laboratory technologists, Paramedical occupations, Psychologists, Medical sonographers, Occupational therapists, and Medical radiation technologists.

Qualify for Upcoming Saskatchewan PNP Draws

In fact, towards the end of December 2021, SINP had launched a new International Healthcare Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) Pool. The sole intention of the pool is to connect foreign healthcare workers with job opportunities in Saskatchewan. It makes it much simpler for eligible healthcare workers to apply for Canadian immigration via the PNP pathway.

In order to be considered for nominations under the upcoming Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP) draws, candidates must register their Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the province which will be valid for one year.

Candidates need to demonstrate their commitment to meaningfully settle in Saskatchewan by demonstrating their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province.

Saskatchewan gives candidates a score out of 100 according to the International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. The province favours candidates with bilingual capability in both English and French. The highest-scoring candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan.

Additionally, candidates already in the federal Express Entry pool need to register another EOI and choose Saskatchewan.

Check your eligibility by filling this free assessment online.

How to Apply for Canada Immigration via Provincial Nominee Program in 2022 & Beyond

Provincial Nominee Program across Canada had a prolific year in 2021, despite the travel restrictions. Both British Columbia and Manitoba nominated over 10,000 immigration candidates each for provincial nominations. Saskatchewan nominated about 6,000 candidates last year.

Click here to read about the monthly summary of nomination draws in 2021.

Throughout the year, Canadian immigration remained heavily dependent on the domestic temporary residence to fulfil its annual immigration target of 401,000 new immigrants. Temporary residents like provincial nominees, international student graduates with Canadian work experience were considered for permanent residency in Canada. More eligible candidates with successful provincial nominations obtained permanent residence in Canada in 2021.

Now with the release of the new mandate letter, there are high hopes of increased immigration intakes in the coming months. Consult a certified immigration consultant like CanApprove to determine eligibility based on your work or academic profile.

Click here to book your free virtual appointment with experts at CanApprove today!

Ontario Targets 502 Express Entry Candidates with Work Experience in Any 18 Occupations

Ontario carried on with its provincial nomination streak with a second draw in two days. The provincial nominee program targeted 502 Express Entry candidates on January 12 to apply for provincial nominations.

Invited candidates had already entered the federal pool, having assessed and evaluated with 464-467 scores based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Among the invited candidates included Nurses, Bankers, and Food Service Managers under Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream.

Earlier this January 11, Ontario held its first Provincial Nominee Program draw of 2022. It resulted in another 1,084 invitations from all Employer Job Offer streams to apply for provincial nominations.

January 12 Provincial Nominee Program Draw – Highlights

This is the first provincial draw of 2022 targeting Canada Express Entry candidates in 18 high-priority, skilled occupations with prior professional experience.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued targeted invitations to apply for provincial nomination under its Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream.

#1 Qualifying Score: OINP targeted Canada Express Entry candidates with a valid Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

A CRS score is given to candidates based on their human capital factors like age, language proficiency, work experience, and education qualification. The score is given out of 1200 points.

The qualifying CRS score for January 12 draw varied between 464 and 467.

#2 Occupation of invited candidates: All the 502 invited Canada Express Entry candidates had work experience of one year or more in any one of the following occupations:

Healthcare Professionals	Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012) Medical laboratory technologists (NOC 3211) Opticians (NOC 3231) Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233) Managers in health care (NOC 0311)
Banking Professionals	Banking, credit, and other investment managers (NOC 0122)
Academicians	Mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries (NOC 2161)
Corporate class	Advertising, marketing, and public relations managers (NOC 0124) Engineering managers (NOC 0211) Corporate sales managers (NOC 0601) Restaurant and foodservice managers (NOC 0631) Construction managers (NOC 0711) Managers in transportation (NOC 0731) Manufacturing managers (NOC 0911) Other administrative services managers (NOC 0114) Other business services managers (NOC 0125) Human resources professionals (NOC 1121) Professional occupations in business management consulting (NOC 1122)

Read how Ontario’s Northern Regions All Set To Attract New Immigrants.

Qualifying for Canada Permanent Residency with Provincial Nominee Program

Issuing invitations for permanent residency is the exclusive domain of the federal government. A provincial nomination may, however, fast-track the total time taken to receive an invitation to apply for Canada Permanent Residency.

Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) issues provincial nominations to eligible skilled workers under its famous Human Capital Priorities stream. The province also invites candidates already registered in the federal pool under its Tech draw.

Those with provincial nominations like the one from Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream or Ontario Tech Draw or any other stream will get preferential treatment to obtain Canada permanent residency.

The inclusion of additional 600 CRS points makes the entire process of applying for Canada PR through Canada Express Entry even simpler.

Canada had re-invented itself to achieve the ambitious annual immigration target even during the pandemic. Throughout 2020 and 2021, IRCC held program-specific Express Entry draws to invite domestic candidates for Canada permanent residency, either with provincial nominations or prior work experience in Canada.

Simplify your Journey of Canadian Immigration with CanApprove

Canada is attempting to achieve the most ambitious immigration target in its history. As of now, Canada is eyeing nearly 411,000 new immigrants to work & settle. Over 60 per cent of the target is to be met by economic-class immigration facilitated by the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs, and other pathways.

Getting help from a certified immigration consultant like CanApprove can secure your chances of qualifying for immigration. You can also avail of our immigration services like IELTS preparation, Canada PR services (including help for your Medical Verification documents, Police Clearance Certificate, Proof of Funds documents, and Job Experience supporting document.

We also have tie-ups with 500+ institutions for your study abroad programs in Canada. Our job search assistance and customization of profiles can match your work skills with a suitable employer in Canada.

Take this free online assessment to know your eligibility.

Book a free appointment with our consultants to improve your chances of qualifying for Canada PR.

IRCC Shows Reduced Express Entry & Family Class Canada Immigration Application Backlogs

Canada which remained highly receptive to foreign skilled migration before the pandemic now experiences high Canada immigration application backlogs. While the reason for backlogs in immigration applications are multiple, the spike is certainly caused owing to frequent travel restrictions across the world.

As per an information request to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the total Immigration backlogs stands at 1,813,144 applications, as of December 2021. In October, IRCC reported a backlog of 1,791,936. The backlog includes future citizens, applicants for Canada permanent residency, international students, temporary workers, and visitors. About 10 per cent of total backlogs belong to refugees under Humanitarian and Compassionate/Public Policy.

Despite the pandemic, Canadian immigration is going strong. It has reinvented itself temporarily to specifically target immigration aspirants with prior Canadian work/study experience. IRCC says 42 per cent of invitations in 2020 went to candidates who had Canadian education, up from 28% in 2019.

Before the pandemic, candidates qualifying for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) remained the most invited category to apply for Canada permanent residency. However, no ITAs for Canada PR have been issued to FSWP candidates for the last 18 months or more. Usually, Canada immigration application under FSWP belongs to off-shore aspirants with no prior work/study experience in Canada.

Economic-Class & Family-Class Immigration Stay Strong

As of December, the Express Entry backlog was around 119,000, compared to October when it was nearly 138,000.

The difference was largely seen in Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applications, which was down to nearly 25,000 applications in December compared to more than 48,000 in October. The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) backlog also went down, 805 in the December queue compared to 931 in October.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) backlog increased to about 55,000 in December, whereas it was at nearly 51,000 in October. There was also an increase in the enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) backlog, 39,000 in December compared to 38,000 in October.

Overall family class applications were down to about 105,000 this past December, compared to more than 111,000 in October. This includes programs like spousal sponsorship, which was down slightly but remains around the 55,000 application mark, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which was down to about 38,000 compared to more than 43,000.

So, is now a good time to apply for Canadian immigration, despite the bulging backlogs? Get your profile analyzed by our immigration experts today.

Boost Your Canada Immigration Application with CanApprove to Qualify for Canada Permanent Residency

Mass immigration-friendly countries like the USA, Australia has not fully embraced the immigration of new candidates post-pandemic. Smaller, developed countries like Singapore have tiered visa programs suitable only for work permits and temporary resident status. On the other hand, Canada has publicly declared its intention to increase mass immigration of skilled workers, international students in 2022 & beyond to settle there permanently.

The government of Canada treats all immigration applications alike. Applying for Canada immigration on your own can invite a higher risk of visa rejection. Click here to know why.

Certified Immigration Consultant like CanApprove can help you & is highly recommended if you have been:

rejected previously or
have a potential medical inadmissibility concern or
you’re applying through a complex immigration program or
you may have a unique case in hand or
you wish to ignore tedious documentation.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility for Canada PR.

Kick-start your immigration journey today by booking your free appointment with our expert advisors.

Prince Edward Island Makes Provincial Nominee Program Schedule for 2022 Public

The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island announced its provincial nomination draw schedule for 2022. In fact, the maritime province in Eastern Canada runs the only provincial nominee program that releases its draw schedule for the rest of the year.

New Brunswick & Nova Scotia are other Provincial Nominee Programs in the region. Both these provinces targets eligible economic-class candidates also through the federal Atlantic immigration program. The federal government is looking to invite over 6,000 candidates every year to apply for Canada immigration through the program.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) usually follows the draw schedule, except in 2020 when the unexpected pandemic halted the flow of human capital around the world.

Immigration aspirants can expect standard 12 PEI PNP draws in 2022. All the invitations to apply for provincial nominations will be issued under one of three categories of the Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry, Labour Impact, and Business Impact.

2022 Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program Draw Schedule
January 20, 2022	July 21, 2022
February 17, 2022	August 18, 2022
March 17, 2022	September 15, 2022
April 21, 2022	October 20, 2022
May 19, 2022	November 17, 2022
June 16, 2022	December 15, 2022

Top In-Demand Jobs in Prince Edward Island for Immigration to Canada

According to a recent Government-sponsored study, here are some of the most in-demand jobs in Prince Edward Island. CanApprove can help you match your skills with suitable employers in Canada and apply for Canada immigration in the most secure way.

Healthcare Jobs in Prince Edward Island: Even though the demand for healthcare workers & professionals was high owing to the aging population, the pandemic has resulted in a sudden surge in demand.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (NOC 3012);
Dental hygienists and dental therapists (NOC 3222);
Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233);

Engineering Jobs in Prince Edward Island: Among various engineering fields, Prince Edward Island is seeing an increased preference for foreign immigrants who have work experience in the computer and information systems field. Some of the in-demand engineering jobs in the province:

Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171);
Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174);
User support technicians (NOC 2282).

Management Jobs in Prince Edward Island: Construction activity in the province is expected to continue to grow, as the population grows due to continued immigration. This has increased demand for:

Homebuilding and renovation managers (NOC 0712)
Managers in agriculture (NOC 0821)

How to Apply for Canada Immigration through Provincial Nominee Program?

Provincial Nominee Program is the next best pathway for permanent residency in Canada after the Express Entry system. Any aspirant with or without Canadian experience can directly qualify for permanent residency through Express Entry.

However, PNPs are a two-step immigration process. In the first step, candidates receive invitations to apply for provincial nomination through regular provincial nomination draws. In the next step, they are eligible to send a request to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to consider themselves for permanent residency in Canada.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program draw results in 2021 show a total of 1,804 immigration candidates applied for provincial nominations. Of these invitations, 1,697 were from the Labour Impact and Express Entry streams and 157 were from the Business Impact stream.

Other Canadian provinces, for example, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta have the highest percentage of the foreign immigrant population who immigrate to Canada for study, work or settle permanently. Nova Scotia has the highest immigrant retention rate in the Atlantic region at about 63 per cent. Halifax, the largest metro in the region attracts many economic-class immigrants to settle in the province & apply for Canada immigration to obtain permanent residence.

Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program Streams

Candidates must create an Expression Of Interest (EOI) profile with the Provincial Nominee Program. EOI profiles are given points based on the province’s unique points grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply through monthly draws.

If a candidate is already registered in the federal Express Entry pool, they can be invited to apply for provincial nomination under the PEI PNP Express Entry category.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are given an additional 600 points toward their CRS score. It will effectively guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw. For instance, the latest Express Entry draws invited domestic temporary workers or skilled foreign workers with prior provincial nominations.

Foreigners like Skilled Workers, Critical Workers, and International Graduates with a valid job offer in PEI, and having support from their employer may qualify under the Labour Impact category. Foreign entrepreneurs who want to own and operate a business in PEI are issued invitations under the Work Permit Stream.

Canada immigration is simple yet advanced in more than one aspect. While many prefer to apply for Canada immigration on their own, many face delays & rejections due to improper filling of forms, documentation, or misunderstanding of requirements of a particular immigration program.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility to apply for Canada immigration.

Visit CanApprove OR book your virtual meet with us for a complete range of pre-departure & post-arrival immigration services. We are certified immigration consultants by the College of Immigration, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). We have helped thousands of aspirants achieve their immigration dreams in the last two decades and more. You could just get lucky!

Immigrants in Canada employment levels higher

Plan Your Immigration to Canada as Newcomer Employment Now Higher Than Pre-Pandemic

Labour Force Survey for December is out. Statistics Canada finds a greater proportion of core-aged (25 – 54 years) newcomers getting employed than before the pandemic. This marks a positive signal for those willing to immigrate to Canada in 2022.

Newcomers to Canada have established residential ties with Canada. Typically, they are people who have applied for or received permanent resident status from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They can be also those who have received “approval-in-principle” from IRCC to stay in Canada.

Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey noted employment rose 55,000 in December, while unemployment was little changed. More people were working full-time in December and most of the employment growth was in Ontario. Construction and Education Industries caused a major gain in employment levels throughout Canada.

In the last two years, Canada noted the largest Employment gains in professional, scientific, and technical services (up 26,000 jobs, 31.3 per cent) as well as wholesale and retail trade (up 20,000 jobs, 28.7 per cent).

Unemployment in Canada was down slightly to 5.9 per cent as compared to 6 per cent in November. Before the pandemic, Canada recorded an unemployment rate of 5.6 per cent in February 2020.

However, the reference data used for the survey were taken just before the Omicron variant became widespread in Canada, causing a surge in cases. Coronavirus-related closures happened shortly after. Get in touch with our expert consultants to know about the latest situation to apply for Canada immigration.

Immigrants Enjoy Higher Employment Rate in Canada

The share of core-age very recent immigrants rose by 7.8 percentage points to 78.7% in the last two years. In December 2021 alone, the total number of very recent immigrants of core working age (25 to 54) was 0.6 per cent higher, or 5,000 more, than two years earlier.

Very recent immigrants in Canada are defined as those who have landed within the last five years.

Immigrants in Canada who landed more than five years ago also enjoyed a healthy employment rate. It was almost 83 per cent among the core-aged group in December.

Another decadal study found immigrant men who had been in Canada for less than 10 years got jobs at a faster rate than Canadian-born men. There was also a marginal improvement in the relative employment rate of immigrant women who had been in Canada for less than five years.

The study observed higher entry-level wages among Canadian immigrants. Individuals with higher levels of education and higher language proficiency in English or French fare better in Canada. Furthermore, Candidates who immigrate to Canada under Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams tend to earn more than their Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) counterparts.

Having said that, Express Entry is the most preferred economic-class pathway for immigration to Canada. The Provincial Nominee Programs follow next. Learn more about it in our previous blog.

Plan Your Immigration to Canada with CanApprove

Canada is also witnessing an increase in the Employment rate year over year for visible minorities. Some of the largest visible minority groups in Canada include Southeast Asian, Black, and Filipino Canadians. This goes on to indicate that multiculturalism is flourishing & thriving in Canada.

Compared with 2020, the employment rate for visible minorities was up four percentage points to almost 71 per cent in December 2021. At the same time, employment for white Canadians was up two percentage points to almost 71 per cent. Interestingly, as employment rates for both groups matched, visible minority groups saw more growth in employment.

CanApprove sees a brighter prospectus for aspirants to apply for Canada immigration as early as possible. With the economy recovering, Canada is looking to add more skilled immigrants to the workforce to increase its momentum. Subsequently, the release of the new mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backs our claims that the government is keen on increasing Immigration to Canada.

CanApprove can help you achieve your dream to settle abroad. We are a certified consultant by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). We are authorized to offer all kinds of pre-departure and post-landing Canadian immigration services by the official department.

At this point, we encourage you to read our blog on “Whether to apply for Canada Immigration on Your Own or Through Canada Immigration Consultants?”

Take an informed decision and choose to book your free consultation with us today!

New Tech Draw from British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Invites 102 Candidates

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) held its first draw of 2022. It resulted in invitations to apply for provincial nominations under its new permanent Tech stream.

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Tech draw is a fast-track, employer-driven immigration program. It targets international students and in-demand tech workers including engineers to apply for provincial nominations.

January 04 BC PNP Tech draw nominated 102 such tech workers.

The invited candidates must meet the requirements of either Express Entry or Skills Immigration provincial categories to qualify. Both these categories are managed by the Skills & Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Eligible profiles are assessed and evaluated on SIRS based on criteria like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and others.

Invited candidates had a provincial score of 80 points and above in this draw. This is five points higher than the previous qualifying score of 75 points.

The BC PNP Tech program gives people who choose to live and work in British Columbia a path to Canada permanent residency.

Qualify for Upcoming British Columbia Provincial Nominee Tech Program

Generally, the Provincial Nominee Program requires eligible candidates to have work experience and a valid job offer. BC PNP Tech program requires immigration candidates to have work experience in one of 29 eligible occupations.

Some in-demand tech occupations include:

Web designers & developers,
Graphic designers, and illustrators,
Software engineers and designers,
Civil Engineers,
Mechanical Engineers,
Chemical Engineers,
Software Engineers,
Tech Managers,
Media technicians,
Writers/Editors etc.

Invited candidates will need to submit a complete application within the next 30 days. The province processes most tech applications within two to three months.

Last year, British Columbia upgraded its pilot Tech program into a permanent residence program. It was expected to boost the immigration of in-demand tech workers and international students in the province.

In fact, British Columbia became the only Provincial Nominee Program in 2021 to issue around 12,000 invitations for a provincial nomination. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program followed up next with just over 10,000 invitations.

Together, Canada Provincial Nominee Programs issued nearly 80,000 invitations in 2021 through various streams. Many provincial streams became a pathway for Canada permanent residency.

Apply for Canada Permanent Residency

Since the launch of Express Entry in 2015, all the Provincial Nominee Programs have had at least one dedicated stream that selects eligible candidates directly from the federal pool.

A successful provincial nomination will guarantee an invitation to apply for Canada permanent residency in subsequent federal nomination draws. It is because 600 points get added to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score linked to your Express Entry profile.

Canada gave undue preference to candidates with prior provincial nominations or Canadian experience for permanent residency throughout 2020 and 2021. It resulted in neglecting Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) candidates. FSWP candidates form about 85 per cent in the federal pool and stay offshore with no work or study experience in Canada.

It may continue doing so until IRCC reduces the Express Entry backlog to more than half. Presently, there are about 119,000 pending applications, a little less compared to October when it was nearly 138,000.

Nevertheless, CanApprove recommends you enter the Express Entry pool as earlier as possible to increase your chances of qualifying for Canada permanent residency in near future. The profile is valid for up to two years.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility.

CanApprove is running a dedicated program for Engineers to help them immigrate to Canada. Book your free appointment with CanApprove to find more targeted immigration programs based on your work or academic profile.

Canada Express Entry: 392 PNP Candidates Invited to Apply for Canada PR

Immigration. Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another PNP-specific Canada Express Entry draw on January 05. It resulted in 392 invitations to apply for Canada PR. This Express Entry draw targeted domestic temporary workers or skilled foreign workers with prior provincial nominations.

The first Canada Express Entry draw this year saw cut-off swell up to 808. For the last few PNP-only draws, the qualifying CRS score remained below 750. Higher cut-off scores compared to other program-specific Express Entry draws is due to the automatic addition of 600 points to candidates with provincial nominations.

OVERVIEW OF 213rd EXPRESS ENTRY DRAWS
Decreased Draw Size	392 invitations to apply for Canada PR. The last few draws had the largest draw size in the history of Express Entry PNP-only draws.
Increased Express Entry Cut-off	Minimum CRS score required was 808. Adding 600 points to their base human capital score, candidates effectively required only 208 points to qualify.
Tie-break rule applied?	IRCC applies the tie-break rule to avoid disputes in the rankings. This is particularly helpful in cases where two or more candidates end up with the same CRS score. No tie-break rule was applied.

IRCC has only been holding PNP-only Canada Express Entry draws since September 2021. An internal briefing memo, first accessed by CIC News, noted IRCC has been focusing on PNP candidates as immigration officers are processing a backlog in applications.

The immigration department wants to cut Express Entry backlogs by at least half before inviting candidates from other programs.

History of Canada Express Entry Draws

Express Entry draws for Canada PR reinvented itself right after the pandemic. IRCC is focussing on inviting temporary residents to apply for Canada PR. Such candidates either qualified under Canada Experience Class or under any one of the Provincial Nominee Programs.

A departure from the previous Express Entry draws is noticed. IRCC says 42% of invitations in 2020 went to candidates who had Canadian education, up from 28% in 2019.

So, should you plan your higher studies in Canada to easily qualify for Canada PR?

Click here to read our analysis.

All the invited candidates in Express Entry PNP-draw have demonstrated their connection to a province or territory. It is through familial ties, work experience, or study experience in that province or territory. In order to qualify for the CEC program, temporary skilled workers or recent international graduates must have had at least one year of work experience in Canada.

Express Entry has held about 40 PNP-only draws since its launch in 2015. Off-late, IRCC is giving undue preference to PNP candidates. It is aiming to support and realize the immigration goals of the provinces and territories that otherwise would have failed.

Last year, Canada Express Entry draws invited nearly 114,431 immigration candidates to apply for Canada PR.

Apply for Canada PR with Provincial Nomination

Immigration aspirants choose Canada because of its direct permanent residence pathway. A PR invitation through the provincial nomination route is not a direct pathway, however, is very effective to secure your chances of applying for Canada PR.

Any prospective candidate who seeks to obtain permanent residence in Canada must register on Canada Express Entry online portal.

All the registered profiles are then assessed and ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Such profiles are evaluated on a total of 1200 points. Their human capital like

age,
education,
work experience outside Canada,
language proficiency in English/French,
spouse adaptability,
Canadian study experience, etc. are considered for evaluation purposes.

With an automatic addition of 600 points to candidates with provincial nominations, an invitation to apply for Canada PR is effectively guaranteed.

Salma Ashleen is a working health professional with more than 6 years of experience. She entered the Express Entry pool with a CRS score of 250 points. She had also submitted her profile to the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

Also, Ms. Ashleen never worked or studied in Canada.

Aseemaa Ashraf was soon invited to apply for a provincial nomination. This made her CRS score rise to 850. This is sufficient to receive ITA in this Express Entry draw.

And to sum it up, experts are of the view that the immigration levels in Canada will only increase in the coming years. In fact, Canada is aiming to admit more than 110,500 Express Entry candidates in 2022.