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Alberta to increase its annual intake

IRCC Provides 9,750 Nomination Certificates To Alberta For 2023

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows the province of Alberta to increase its annual intake figures to about 10,000. The intake target in 2022 was 6,500 nominations. But with the increased immigration intake targets, Alberta will now look to welcome:

  • 9,750 nominations in 2023.
  • 10,140 nominations in 2024
  • 10,849 nominations in 2025

All these nominations will be made under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). The invited candidates will receive a provincial nomination and will be able to expedite their chances of obtaining Canadian permanent residence (PR).
Canada-immigration-news“Alberta needs more immigrants. We need them to help grow our communities, address labor shortages in key sectors and help continue Alberta’s economic success,” said Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Trade, Immigration, and Multiculturalism. 

The overwhelming rise in annual intake follows Canada’s plan to boost the popularity of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) among foreign skilled migrants.  

Since October 2022, Alberta has opened up numerous new pathways and established priority processing mechanisms in an effort to attract more skilled immigrants.

While the Prairie province added 120,000 new jobs since the start of 2021, there are still about 74,140 positions currently available. Furthermore, the province faces a severe shortage of local talent to take up skilled jobs.

 Alberta’s increased immigration intake targets will support the growing vacancies in the province. They are expected to bring new skills and experience that will help facilitate major industries such as Healthcare, Construction, Technology, Agriculture, and Tourism, among others.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility. 

Which NOCs are Currently in Demand in Alberta?

Researchers have compiled a list of high, medium, or lower-demand occupations in Alberta over the next 3 years. Let’s take a look at the top 9 highest-demanding NOCs in Alberta: 

  • Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses – NOC 3012
  • Retail and wholesale trade managers – NOC 0621
  • Restaurant and food service managers – NOC 0631
  • Construction managers – NOC 0711
  • Accounting and related clerks – NOC 1431
  • Administrative officers – NOC 1221
  • User support technicians – NOC 2282
  • Hairstylists and barbers – NOC 6341
  • Chefs – NOC 6321

Please visit this link to find out more than 500+ NOCs currently in demand in Alberta. 

Apply for Alberta Advantage Immigration Program with CanApprove

Each program has its own eligibility criteria, and depending on what country you are coming from, different document requirements. At CanApprove, you can avail yourself of quality Canada immigration services and seek personalized assistance from our qualified consultants. 

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 and pre-screening, 
  • full 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 in the last two decades and still counting. 

Book your free appointment with us today and get started! 

Ontario’s Latest Draws Targets

Ontario’s Latest Draws Targets 1,637 Express Entry Profiles For Provincial Nominations

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued a total of 1,637 targeted notifications of interest (NOI) to candidates who may qualify for Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream in two separate draws. 
All the invited candidates were chosen from the federal Express Entry database and created and registered their profiles between March 8, 2022 – March 10, 2023. They are now eligible to apply for a provincial nomination and could eventually qualify for permanent residence in Canada. 
Invited candidates have 45 days to submit a full application for their provincial nomination.
Canada-immigration-news

OINP: Notifications of Interest Issued in 2023 To Date

  • Human Capital Priorities stream – 3,539
  • French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream – 0
  • Skilled Trades stream – 2,228

Take this free online assessment to determine your eligibility. 

Quick Highlights OINP Targeted Draw

OINP issued targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) under its Express Entry Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream to candidates in two targeted occupations: Healthcare and Tech. 

#1 Qualifying CRS Score: As candidates having only registered Express Entry profiles were considered, the qualifying score was based on their 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 

  • Candidates in tech occupations varied between 479 and 489 
  • Candidates in healthcare occupations varied between 469 and 489. 

#2 Occupation of invited candidates: 815 candidates had a mandatory one year or more of work experience in one of the following tech occupations:

  1. NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
  2. NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
  3. NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
  4. NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
  5. NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
  6. NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
  7. NOC 21233 – Web designers
  8. NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
  9. NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Additionally, 822 candidates in the following healthcare occupations were issued NOIs to apply for provincial nominations: 

  1. NOC 30010 – Managers in healthcare
  2. NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  3. NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
  4. NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
  5. NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
  6. NOC 31110 – Dentists
  7. NOC 31111 – Optometrists
  8. NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  9. NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
  10. NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
  11. NOC 31201 – Chiropractors
  12. NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
  13. NOC 31203 – Occupational therapists
  14. NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  15. NOC 31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
  16. NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  17. NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  18. NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
  19. NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives, and allied health professionals
  20. NOC 32100 – Opticians
  21. NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
  22. NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
  23. NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists
  24. NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
  25. NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  26. NOC 32110 – Denturists
  27. NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  28. NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
  29. NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
  30. NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
  31. NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
  32. NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  33. NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
  34. NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
  35. NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  36. NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
  37. NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
  38. NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  39. NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  40. NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies, and patient service associates
  41. NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  42. NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services

Express Entry is a database management system for any foreign skilled workers with/without a job offer to show their interest to migrate to Canada for permanent residence. Further, those with successful provincial nominations get 600 additional CRS points, and thereby an effective guarantee to obtain permanent residence. 

How to Qualify Under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream? 

To qualify under Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream, you must meet all the requirements below. 

  1. Work experience: You must decide any one of the following federal programs you would like to be assessed against:
  • Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  1. Education: You need to get an Educational Credential Assessment report that proves your education outside of Canada is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
  1. Language: You must be able to understand, read, write and speak either English or French at a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher.

The test must not have been taken more than two years from the date you submit your application.

  1. Settlement funds: Proof of funds to support yourself and your dependent family members when you settle in Canada.
  1. Intention to live in Ontario: OINP determines your intention to live in Ontario after you’re granted permanent residence using the following criteria: 
  • working or have worked in Ontario
  • getting job offers or applying/ interviewing for jobs
  • studying in Ontario 
  • leasing or owning property
  • visiting/volunteering
  • having professional networks and affiliations, family ties and personal relationships

Book an appointment with our consultants to get further details on your Canada immigration options.  

Canada Express Entry Draw : Third PNP-Only Draws With 667 ITAs For PR

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 667 invitations to apply (ITAs) in new Express Entry draws on March 1. Canada invited candidates with only prior provincial nominations and a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 748 to apply for permanent residence (PR).  

Canada-immigration-news
This is IRCC’s sixth Express Entry draw of 2023 and the fourth program-specific draw following February 01 & February 16 PNP-only draws and February 02 FSWP Express Entry draws.   

OVERVIEW OF  EXPRESS ENTRY DRAWS 242 (PNP-Only)
Decreased Draw Size 667 ITAs for permanent residence 
Decreased CRS Qualifying Score Invited candidates required CRS of 748 points or above.

Receiving a provincial nomination increases a candidate’s CRS score by 600 points. Thus, eligible candidates only needed 148 points before getting provincial nomination
Tie-break rule applied?  March 01, 2023, at 17:24:39 UTC

IRCC applied the tie-break rule to avoid disputes in the rankings in case two or more candidates in the pool end up with the same CRS score. The latest date of the tie-break rule indicates more recently applied candidates too got a fair chance to qualify for Canada PR. 

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

What is Canada Express Entry? 

Express Entry is a database management system for three Canadian immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Additionally, every Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is aligned with Express Entry to nominate eligible candidates. 

After the registration of candidates online, their profiles are assessed and ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. These profiles are evaluated on a total of 1200 points. The human capital criteria like 

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

After receiving an ITA for Canada PR, an IRCC officer reviews and decides on your Express Entry application. These candidates are more likely to integrate quickly and have a positive impact on Canada’s workforce and economy. 

The approved candidate is now a permanent resident of Canada and one step closer to becoming a Canadian citizen as immigration accounts for as much as 90% of labor force growth in Canada and approximately 75% of population growth.

Qualify for Express Entry with Provincial Nomination

Data from the new IRCC status tracker shows 47,868 applicants for Express Entry programs waiting in the queue and 66,214 for PNPs, as of January 31. 

Many immigration aspirants are known to choose Canada because of its direct permanent residence pathway. A PR invitation through the provincial nomination route is not a direct pathway, however, can guarantee your permanent residency through the addition of 600 points toward the Express Entry profile CRS score. 

Thus, eligible candidates only needed 148 points before getting the provincial nomination to qualify for March 1 Entry draws. 

Book your free appointment with CanApprove to know more about your chances of qualifying for immigration to Canada. 

Newfoundland & Labrador Extends International Recruitment Of Physicians & Others To The UK 

The government of Newfoundland & Labrador is leading a recruitment mission to the United Kingdom (UK) in search of physicians and other healthcare professionals who can fill job vacancies in the province. 

Canada-immigration-news
Minister of Health and Community Services, Tom Osborne is leading a team to several cities across the UK, raising awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador as an ideal immigration destination. The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The concentration of high-quality medical and nursing schools makes the UK a natural choice for a new mission to welcome foreign-trained healthcare workers to settle in the easternmost Canadian province. Earlier, the minister also led a similar recruitment mission to the Republic of Ireland at the start of 2023.

“National and international recruitment activities targeting healthcare professionals are part of our government’s plan for healthcare, to help ensure Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to efficient primary care and to improve working conditions for the dedicated professionals in the system,“ said Tom Osborne. 

“As we compete with other jurisdictions to attract and retain health care professionals, I am proud to say that based on our recruitment work to date, our province is indeed being seen as an attractive destination for health care professionals.” 

The special recruitment team will include representatives from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador, the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Health Authorities.

Recommended read>> How Is Labor Shortage In Northwest Territories Encouraging Immigration Of Nurses To Canada? 

Major Shortage of Healthcare Workers in Canada

Narrowing down to skill shortage in Newfoundland & Labrador, the provincial government records nearly 136,000 people without a family doctor. The easternmost province of Canada also requires filling job vacancies for nurses and allied health professionals.  

Additionally, other Canadian provinces including Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia are facilitating more immigration of medical and other skilled professionals trained outside of Canada to address the skill shortage gap across industries. 

Most internationally-trained doctors delay planning for their immigration to Canada assuming tough licensing and visa procedures. However, the truth be told that Canada is experiencing a shortage of medical professionals including Doctors and Nurses across provinces.  

Nurses are among the top 10 occupations with the largest job vacancies in Canada. It is already reported that a quarter of registered nurses and about 36% of physicians in Canada are not Canadian-born, pointing out the fact that foreign immigration has a bigger role to play in supporting key sectors of Canada.  

Available provincial nomination streams for skilled immigration under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) are

  • Newfoundland and Labrador Express Entry Skilled Worker: For skilled workers with an existing job offer and an Express Entry profile through IRCC
  • Skilled Worker Category: For skilled workers with a job offer, including candidates who are already in the province with a valid work permit
  • International Graduate Category: For recent graduates who have obtained both a post-graduate work permit and a job offer

Canada is one of the top countries where skilled immigrants choose to work & settle, followed by Australia, New Zealand, USA. Our expert consultants at CanApprove can help you identify the right NOC for healthcare workers and help you explore suitable immigration options. 

Book your free appointment with us to kick-start your journey to Canada! 

Canadian Economy Presents Better Scope Of Employment For Recent Immigrants Than Natives

New immigrants in Canada are now more likely to be employed than their peers who were born in the country. This is a recent phenomenon that emerges from the convergence of two major trends, as pointed out in the economic report from Desjardins

  • A noted increase in the employment rate of new immigrants since 2015
  • The gradual decline in the employment rate of people born in Canada.

New immigrants are disproportionate of core working age (25-54 years) and are often selected for human capital factors that make them ideal participants in Canada’s labor force.
Canada-immigration-newsOn the other end, Canada is fighting the dual battle of aging demography and low birth rate among the local population. In this light, the wider effects that immigration will have on the economy are pertinent.

Over the next three years, Canada will aim to welcome roughly 1.45 million immigrants; with more than 60% projected to be through economic class programs.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility.

Immigration-Led Growth in the Canadian Workforce

StatsCan ranks Canada first among the G7 countries for the highest share (57.5%) of working-age people (aged 25 to 64) with a college or university credential.

In the last five years (2016 to 2021), the working-age population in Canada saw an increase of nearly one-fifth (+19.1%) and all with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

In fact, recent immigrants made up nearly half of the growth in the share of Canadians with a bachelor’s degree or higher. During the same time, Canada has been successful in attracting newcomers in the fields of healthcare and computer and information science.

Also, read>> Three Canadian Universities Placed In Top 100 World’s Best Universities

Immigration-Led Population Growth in Canada

International migration accounted for adding 118,114 people to Canada’s population in Q2 2022, mainly contributed by work and study permit holders. 

StatsCan in another report noted 94.5% of the Q2 growth in 2022 in Canada’s population came from the rise in immigration. Even in Q3 of 2019, the pre-pandemic era, Canada witnessed a record number of immigration-led population growth by adding 175,907 new members. 

Canada is now targeting over 460,000 new permanent residents per year, about 60% of which will be coming from economic class programs like Express Entry, and the Provincial Nominee Program.  

Also, read Recent Canadian Immigration Trends That You Should Know. 

Plan your Canadian Immigration Visit CanApprove

Canada is interested in foreign skilled workers to fulfill the increased job vacancies across the province and invite more international students to study and gain Canadian experience and eventually qualify for permanent residency. 

You need a trusted consultant like CanApprove to determine your eligibility and suggest some suitable immigration options. 

CanApprove is one such certified immigration consultant in Dubai by the College of Immigration and Consultants (CICC). We offer standard pre-departure and post-arrival immigration services including IELTS assistance, and documentation support for Canada PR. 

Tie-ups with 500+ institutions for your study abroad programs in Canada and dedicated job search assistance, we can match your work & academic skills with a suitable institution or employer in Canada. 

Book your free appointment today to discuss Express Entry programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, Family Immigration, Study abroad plans, and more!

New Brunswick Announces New Initiatives To Produce More Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses

The Canadian province of New Brunswick has granted new conditional designations to two institutions for delivering accredited nursing programs. In another press release, New Brunswick announced a new education model to support participants working part-time in the healthcare system which could result in more licensed practical nurses (LPN) and registered nurses (RN). 

Canada-immigration-news
The new initiatives strengthening the healthcare infrastructure in New Brunswick come at a time when Canada is dependent on foreign-skilled immigration to support its economy and demographic shocks of the aging workforce and prevalent low birth rate. 

Beal University and Oulton College in New Brunswick are chosen institutions to deliver bachelor of science in nursing programs in the maritime province. Additionally, the provincial government has allocated about $13.3 million for the Step Up to Nursing pilot project over two years. ​​

“Granting conditional approvals for these programs is critical to addressing the emerging demand for nurses and will help both institutions to adequately plan and promote these programs,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training, and Labour Minister Trevor Holder. 

“This initiative is proof of the creativity and collaboration required to increase the number of nursing graduates. This work-study program will allow people to acquire professional training while having a stable income and working here, in New Brunswick,” remarked Denis Prud’homme, Université de Moncton president and vice-chancellor following the announcement of the new education model. 

The conditional designation will only allow the two institutions to publicly promote their intentions to offer a nursing program and restrict them from enrolling eligible students until further notice from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission (MPHEC). 

Read our previous blog on how to migrate as a nurse to Canada here. 

Good Chance for International Students in New Brunswick.

Beal University and Oulton College in New Brunswick offer accredited programs directly related to shortages in the labor market in the areas of business, health science, information technology, and human services. 

Interested candidates who are looking for career options after high school may apply. Get in touch with our expert overseas education counselors to learn more and determine your eligibility.  

Government Efforts to Support Internationally Educated Nurses in New Brunswick

As per the latest announcement, the Step Up to Nursing initiative will support participants working part-time in the healthcare system while completing one of two program streams: 

  • from personal support worker (PSW) to LPN
  • from LPN to Registered Nurse (RN).

The initiative will be offered in the New Brunswick cities of Saint John and Bathurst. The program will have an initial uptake of 104 participants this fall. 

The existing government’s efforts to support the recruitment and training of nurses include:

  • Establishing navigation services for internationally educated nurses.
  • Signing 10-year performance-based agreements with Université de Moncton and the University of New Brunswick to increase the number of nursing graduates by 85 per year.
  • Increasing the number of seats for bridging programs that help licensed practical nurses apply directly to a bachelor of nursing program.
  • Doubling the seats in the University of New Brunswick’s master’s program for nurse practitioners.
  • Increasing educational opportunities through a partnership with Beal University in Maine.

Learn more>> New Brunswick Launches A Five-Year Immigration Pilot For Critical Workers

Book your free appointment with CanApprove to get your profile validated by a professional consultant for migrating as a nurse to Canada or a nursing student. 

CanApprove is a CICC-certified consultant providing genuine immigration and overseas education services. We are proud to have fulfilled the dreams of thousands of candidates in the last 25+ years and still counting. 

Australia Student Visa 2023

Australia Student Visa: New In-Study And Post-Study Work Rights Will Take Effect July 2023

Following the post-pandemic recovery, Australia announced new measures to boost the in-study and post-study work rights of foreign students. Both new and currently enrolled international students will be subject to the 48-hours-per-fortnight (24 hours per week) cap. 

Additionally, the new measures will allow eligible international higher education graduates to access an extra two years on a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), on top of the existing additional one to two years of post-study work rights in regional Australia. 

70 percent of Australian and overseas-born resident populations between the 2016 and 2021 Census periods were in regional areas (254 local government areas) outside the capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, or Brisbane, confirmed the 2021 census. 

The capping of work rights in Australia for foreign students is required to help them focus on study and academic assignments which can boost visa status as well as their future careers. The other side of this reality also is how international students may now be left with fewer options to finance their tuition fees and cope with living expenses in Australia. 

Explore more opportunities in Australia by taking this free assessment. 

Courses Eligible for Extended Post-Study Work Rights from July

Medical studies, physiotherapy, pharmacy, engineering, food science, and data science are all included among 226 eligible courses. Eligible programs range from health, technology, education, and construction, and have been selected to respond to worker shortages in key sectors in Australia. 

The government also clarified that future changes to the qualifications list will not impact students starting eligible courses, thereby students will still be eligible for the extension on graduation even if any course is removed from the list. 

Eligible bachelor graduates across Australia will see their work rights extend from two to four years, and masters from three to five years, while all doctoral graduates will have their rights increased from four to six years.

The new in-study and post-study work rights will take effect in July 2023. 

Eligibility Beneficiaries of New Study Visa Rules

  • All eligible graduates with a valid Temporary Graduate Visa on 1 July 2023 or who apply for a Temporary Graduate Visa after 1 July 2023, will be considered for the two-year extension.
  • Further, graduates whose visa expires before 1 July 2023 can apply for an extension of their work rights by visiting Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event).

For any other information regarding overseas education abroad, feel free to contact expert study-abroad counselors at CanApprove.

Quebec Immigration 2023

Quebec Immigration: Details Of Arrima Draws In 2023 For Permanent Selection

The Canadian province of Quebec began its immigration invitation exercise for 2023 with back-to-back draws on February 09 and February 16. It resulted in a total of 2022 invitations to apply for permanent selection (CSQ). 

Canada-immigration-news
Arrima system is a dedicated online portal to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Quebec immigration under the Skilled Worker Program. It is modeled after the federal Express Entry system. 

Arrima draw highlights 2023
Quebec draw date ITAs issues Qualifying score Date and time of extraction from the Arrima bank
Febraury 09 1,011 619 February 6, 2023, at 6:30 a.m
February 16 1,011 583 February 13, 2023, at 6:30 a.m

Invitations in February 16 draw were addressed to the persons with the following list of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):

  • 6221 Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade
  • 2171 Information systems analysts and consultants
  • 2282 User support technicians
  • 2281 Computer network technicians
  • 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • 2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  • 0213 Computer and information systems managers
  • 5241 Graphic designers and illustrators
  • 2173 Software engineers and designers
  • 2175 Web designers and developers
  • 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
  • 2283 Information systems testing technicians
  • 4031 Secondary school teachers
  • 4032 Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
  • 2131 Civil engineers
  • 2231 Civil engineering technologists and technicians
  • 2133 Electrical and electronics engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical engineers
  • 2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
  • 2141 Industrial and manufacturing engineers
  • 2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
  • 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 3233 Licensed practical nurses
  • 4214 Early childhood educators and assistants
  • 3413 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates

Candidates are invited to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ) based on either their scores or other factors such as labor shortages in the province’s outlying regions. Those who apply for and receive a CSQ are required to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the federal Immigration Ministry which verifies medical and criminal admissibility.

You can use our free assessment tool to estimate the score you might obtain when submitting an expression of interest (EOI).

How Foreign Nationals Are Assessed under Quebec’s EOI System

Equivalent to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) in the federal Express Entry system, candidates are ranked in Arrima based on “Human capital” criteria and “Response to Quebec needs” criteria. 

Human capital criteria assess eligible candidates for a maximum score of 580 points awarded for this group of criteria. Points are awarded based on: 

  • Knowledge of French and English
  • Age (highest if applicants are between 18-30)
  • Work experience
  • Level of education

Response to Quebec Needs criteria assesses eligible candidates for a maximum score of 720 points awarded for this group of criteria. Points are awarded based on: 

  • Education in Quebec
  • Work experience in Quebec
  • Job offer in Quebec

Additionally, a maximum of 20 points is awarded for Training of the spouse or de-facto spouse. 

Quebec Immigration Target 2023

Quebec has a special understanding with the Canadian federal government to manage its own immigration programs. 

Quebec will admit up to 52,500 new permanent residents in 2023. The province’s economic immigration streams like the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) and the Québec experience program (PEQ) will target a maximum target of 33,900 newcomers, categorized as 

  • 29,500 skilled workers 
  • up to 4,300 business immigrants, which would include investors, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed.

The need for qualified foreign workers in Quebec will continue to grow, especially in health care, social assistance, educational services, information technology, and construction industries.

Book your free appointment with our expert consultants to determine your chances of qualifying for upcoming Arrima draws. 

Canada via Express Entry

Express Entry: IRCC Releases Annual Report Outlining Key Facts On Foreign Skilled Workers 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released its annual report on Express Entry performance from January to December 2021. 

Canada-immigration-news
2021 was a successful year post-pandemic as 155,810 people (principal applicants + accompanying family members) gained permanent residence in Canada via Express Entry. This was despite pausing Express Entry ITAs for all Federal High Skilled immigration programs on September 20, 2021, to be only resumed on July 06, 2022. 

Canada Express Entry is the primary federal immigration pathway for foreign skilled workers (even without a job offer or Canadian work experience) seeking direct Canadian permanent residence (PR). 

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility. 

Top Five Highlights from Annual Express Entry Report 2021

1. Most ITA recipients worked in food services, admin, and retail

The five most common occupations among Express Entry ITA recipients include 

  1. Food Service Supervisors (NOC 2021: 62020) 
  2. Administrative Assistants (NOC 2021: 13110)
  3. Retail Sales Supervisors (NOC 2021: 62010)
  4. Software Engineers and Designers (NOC 2021: 21231)
  5. Cooks (NOC 2021: 63200)

Book free consultation with our expert immigration counselor to explore your Canada immigration options. 

2. Most Express Entry PRs intended to settle in Ontario

The data shows most PR applicants (96,535 persons) under Express Entry indicated Ontario as their first settlement choice. British Columbia (35,735) and Alberta (12,082) were the next two most popular destinations. 

Quebec also remains to be one of teh most popular destinations among immigrants in Canada was not accounted for here, as the province operates its own distinct immigration programs.

3. Lowest CRS cut-off scores for CEC-specific draws 

CRS cut-off scores ranged from 75 and 462 points for CEC-specific draws, while PNP-specific draws had a qualifying range of 682 points to 813 points. IRCC did not invite any FSWP and FSTP candidates throughout 2021. 

Express Entry pool in 2021 had profiles with a CRS score range: 

  • 351 and 400 (31% of all eligible candidates)
  • 401-450 (27% of profiles)
  • 451-500 (21%)
  • 301-350 (16%)

A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the basis for Express Entry profile assessment and evaluation to rank eligible candidates based on human capital criteria like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency, among others. 

IRCC report noted, “Express Entry pool is dynamic and that the distribution of CRS scores changes” with every new eligible profile submission or skill updation within the validity. 

Likewise, 12% of eligible candidates boosted their CRS score while being registered in the pool either for having secured a job offer in Canada or showcasing French-language proficiency. 

4. 80% of Express Entry applications are processed in nine months

Express Entry manages applications for three major federal programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). It also manages a selected Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-linked streams, however, such candidates must also be eligible for one of the three federal programs.

Total processing time for all programs remained the same as in 2020, with IRCC finalizing 80% of applications in nine months. Breaking down further, 80% of CEC applications were processed within 7 months, compared to a longer time for PNP (21 months), FSTP (23 months), and FSWP applications (26 months).

Express Entry application processing times remained a significant concern for many prospective Canadian immigrants post-pandemic. 

5. Women applicants preferred FSWP while men applied for PNP & CEC

Considering all three programs, more men applied for PR in Canada through the PNP (57% of all PR applications) and CEC (58%), while 53% of women applicants submitted FSWP PR applications.

Further, 79.6% (nearly four-fifths) of those who received Express Entry ITAs in 2021 were already holding temporary residency in Canada. This speaks for itself about the popularity of the Canada Experience Class. The remaining ITA recipient mostly came from residents in India and Nigeria. Less than 1% of those who received ITAs resided in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

What’s New in Express Entry 2023? 

Come 2023, Canada may target eligible profiles in the Express Entry pool based on subjective skills like occupation, education qualification, or language proficiency. This seems quite likely to take place soon as Bill C-19 had already received royal assent on June 23, 2022. 

You may need a certified immigration consultant like CanApprove to stay ahead of the changing immigration landscape. Book your free appointment today! 

Latest Saskatchewan EOI Draws

Latest Saskatchewan EOI Draws Invite Express Entry & Occupation In-Demand Candidates

Saskatchewan held its first Expression of Interest (EOI) draws on February 16, resulting in 421 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence (PR). 

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All the invited candidates belonged to either of the two Saskatchewan PNP streams: the ‘enhanced’ Express Entry or ‘base’ Occupations In-Demand. The selected occupation list includes Managers in Healthcare, Manufacturing, Medical Administrators, Aircraft/Avionics technicians, and more. 

An Overview of SINP Draws- February 16, 2023
Category  Minimum EOI score  Total candidates invited
Occupations In-Demand EOI 84 243
Express Entry  EOI 84 177
Express Entry & Occupations In-Demand candidates invited had Educational Credential Assessments. 

The invitations targeted 104 National Occupational Classification codes. 

‘Enhanced’ Express Entry Stream: Out of the total 421 invitations, 177 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. Originally, the federal pool of candidates manages three of Canada’s main economic-class immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Certain streams under the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) can also select eligible candidates from the pool.

‘Base’ Occupations In-Demand Stream: Out of the total 421 invitations, 243 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.

Interesting Read>> How is Saskatchewan Improving Immigration targets in 2023? 

Check your eligibility by filling out this free assessment online. 

Qualify for Upcoming Saskatchewan PNP Draws 

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 settling 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 favors candidates with bilingual capability in both English and French. The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan.

Regardless of the provincial category, all invited candidates need an EOI score of at least 84 to be invited. It is also to be noted that the points requirement is that all the invited candidates must have valid Educational Credential Assessments.

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

On successfully receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination, candidates are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. It will effectively guarantee an ITA for Canada PR in the subsequent Express Entry draw conducted by IRCC.  

Book a free consultation session with CanApprove to begin your immigration journey and explore the most suitable pathways for immigration to Canada. 

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