British Columbia invites 506 Candidates in new PNP Draw

British Columbia Extends 506 Invitations For Canada PR In Two New PNP Draws

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) on March 16 issued 506 new invitations to eligible candidates from the Skills Immigration (SI) and Express Entry BC (EEBC) streams.

Such candidates belonged to Skilled Worker, International Graduate as well as Entry Level and Semi-Skilled sub-categories of SI and EEBC streams. They are now one step closer to obtain a provincial nomination.

The nomination is valid for approximately six months from the date of confirmation.

Further, candidates can apply with the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence. Being a permanent residence in Canada is prestigious as it opens up an opportunity to gain citizenship in a developed country.

March 16 BC PNP Draws Highlights

Two separate draws were issued by BC PNP, one that specifically invited retail and wholesale trade managers (NOC 0621), restaurant and food service managers (NOC 0631), and another that invited a mixed pool of candidates.

The specific occupation draws invited a total of 78 invitations to those with a minimum provincial score requirement was 114.

The other draw invited the remaining 428 candidates with varying occupations and provincial scores ranging between 81 and 96.

Skills Immigration- Skilled worker: 96
Skills Immigration- International graduate: 94
Skills Immigration- Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 81
Express Entry BC- Skilled Worker: 96
Express Entry BC- International Graduate: 94

More about BC PNP

British Columbia aims to attract foreign workers who are in high demand in the province and who wish to become permanent residents in Canada.

In order to be considered for BC PNP nomination draws, interested candidates need to register under the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). Such candidates are assigned a score based on factors such as education, work experience, and language skills.

BC PNP also extends special nominations to foreign talent having specific tech-related occupations and work experience. A complete list of 29 eligible occupations under the Tech Pilot can be viewed here.

Additionally, BC PNP has dedicated Express Entry-linked streams that nominate eligible candidates directly from the federal talent pool. One biggest advantage for such candidates is that they receive an additional 600 points to their overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This is enough to guarantee an invitation for permanent residence in subsequent Express Entry draws.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility for upcoming BC PNP draws.

So far in 2021, British Columbia has invited 2,432 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This is to suggest that Canada is keen on fulfilling its immigration commitments of welcoming over 80,000 new immigrants in 2021 through PNP alone.

Contact CanApprove to get started with your application for immigration to Canada.

179th Express Entry Invites 5,000 CEC Candidates For Canada PR

Following a couple of PNP-specific Express Entry draws, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held another round of program-specific nomination draws on March 18.

This time, IRCC invited 5,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence (PR). All the invited candidates were required to have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada, and intermediate official language skills among other criteria.

Further, a qualifying Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was determined and candidates with a score of at least 449 were only considered to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR.

In a unique scenario where two or more candidates are awarded the same CRS score, IRCC applies a tie-break rule which specifies the timestamp and cut-off date for submission of application. The 179th Express Entry draw only considered those CEC-qualified profiles who had entered the pool before February 19, 2021, UTC.

Best PR Option For Recent Graduates, Temporary Work Permit Visa Holders

While Canada is particular on fulfilling its commitment to welcome 108,500 newcomers through Express Entry-managed programs, IRCC is still holding alternative PNP- and CEC-specific draws so far in 2021.

This is effectively affecting the chances of candidates qualifying for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which is the most preferred pathway for Canada PR among foreign immigrants. According to Attorney David Cohen, Senior Partner of Campbell Cohen, “While travel restrictions are still in place, the federal government has opted to focus on Express Entry candidates who are already in Canada in order to meet its immigration targets for 2021.”

However, this shouldn’t be a deterrent for overseas skilled worker aspirants to delay entering the Express Entry. IRCC is keen on utilizing the Express Entry system to maximize its annual immigration target. Click on this link to know how realistic is Canada’s 401,000 new immigrants target in 2021.

How To Qualify For Express Entry Draws?

Canada Express Entry can be a long-drawn two-step process.

The first step involves the registration of one’s profile in the Express Entry system,. Interested candidates must qualify for one of the three programs – the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), the Federal Skills Trades (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

All registered profiles are evaluated and ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Factors such as age, education, language skills, work experience, previous provincial nominations are used to calculate a CRS profile score.

The next step is to wait for nominations held every fortnight by IRCC. Only high-ranking candidates based on the qualifying CRS score of a particular draw may receive ITAs for permanent residence.

Take this free assessment online to determine your chances of receiving an ITA in the upcoming Express Entry draws.

Another way to qualify for Canada PR through Express Entry is by receiving a provincial nomination from any Canadian province. Most PNPs have an Express Entry-aligned PNP stream to nominate candidates already present in the federal database. All the nominated candidates are eligible to obtain the additional 600 CRS points upon receiving a provincial nomination invitation. This would effectively guarantee an ITA for Canada PR.

If you are interested in immigrating to Canada sooner, contact CanApprove and get genuine guidance about immigration visas, documentation, and other legal procedures.

Exclusive Express Entry Draw Invites PNP Candidates with Low CRS

Extending its previous PNP-specific draws from last week is another Express Entry draws by the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), targeting 183 candidates with a prior provincial nomination.

The latest draw held on March 17 witnessed a significant decline in qualifying Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of upto 52 points. It was further accompanied by a decrease in overall nomination draw size.

The ongoing travel restrictions in Canada could be the reason for favoring more program-specific candidates who are already in Canada as opposed to all-program draws which majorly included Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Candidates qualifying for FSWP need not have a prior work experience inside Canada or even a job offer as compared to other programs under Express Entry to qualify for permanent residence.

Further, the 178th Express Entry draws considered candidates who had a minimum qualifying CRS score of 682 and those who had submitted their profile before March 4, 2021, at 16:56:20 UTC. The specific timestamp is determined to implement the tie-break rule in case two or more candidates end up scoring the same above CRS score.

Now is the Right Time To Immigrate to Canada

Canada remains to be committed to strengthening its immigration base for economic & social progress. Attorney David Cohen, Senior Partner of Campbell Cohen said, “This is a rare occasion of IRCC holding two consecutive PNP draws.” Accordingly, it suggests IRCC is committed to helping provinces and territories address their labor market needs through immigration as much as possible during the pandemic.

Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, Canada ended up issuing 108,350 ITAs last year as against the target of 91,800 ITAs. Now, with the new Immigration Levels Plan in place, Canada will attempt to issue at least 110,000 ITAs for Canada PR in 2021 only through the Express Entry system.

Further, you may want to know more about how realistic is 401,000 immigration target set by Canada in 2021?

So far, Canada seems right on track with its nominations for permanent residence in the months of January & February 2021. IRCC has already invited over 40,000 candidates to apply for Canada PR in these last two months. This is about three times greater than the number of ITAs that IRCC issued at the same time last year.

If you think, you are eligible to qualify for permanent residence, take this free assessment online to determine your best chances of immigration to Canada.

Qualify For Canada PR Through Express Entry

Canada Express Entry is a long-drawn two-step process. As it manages the application database for three federal immigration programs – the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), the Federal Skills Trades (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – aspirants are first required to qualify for individual program requirements. Such eligible profiles are assessed and ranked on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Core human factors such as age, education, language skills, and work experience are used to calculate a CRS profile score.

The second step will involve the fortnightly nomination draws held by IRCC. The high-ranking candidates based on the CRS score get ITAs for permanent residence.

Another way of apply for permanent residence in Canada is through Provincial Nominee Programs. Most Canadian provinces support the Express Entry application with an award that guarantees them an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

Ever since the launch of the Express Entry system in 2015, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) immigration streams have been aligned with the federal pool. Based on this, all PNP streams have been classified into:

‘Enhanced’ provincial nomination streams
‘Base’ provincial nomination streams

Eligible candidates having a valid Express Entry profile may qualify for a provincial nomination through such ‘enhanced’ provincial streams. That is to say, specific PNPs can nominate desirable candidates to apply for provincial nomination directly from the federal Express Entry pool. For example, Alberta Express Entry stream, Express Entry British Columba (EEBC), Ontario Tech streams, etc.

However, under ‘base’ nomination streams, candidates need to separately register with the desirable province to receive a provincial nomination outside the Express Entry system. For example, Saskatchewan In-demand stream, British Columbia Skills Immigration stream, Manitoba Skilled Worker & International Graduate Stream, etc.

The prospects of Business Immigration to Canada in 2021 look bright. Click here to read more & apply.

Hypothetical Case Example For PR Nominations

Whatever be the mode of provincial nomination, all these candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points upon receiving a successful provincial nomination. This would effectively guarantee an ITA for Canada PR, as shown in the hypothetical example below.

“Soorya has a work experience of 2 years or less as a software engineer outside Canada. She just holds a bachelor’s degree. She scored 7 in each category of language proficiency test- IELTS. With her top credentials, she entered the Express Entry pool with 162 points.

Now upon receiving a provincial nomination from Ontario, her CRS score increased to 762, which effectively made her qualify for receiving an ITA in today’s Express Entry draw”

You must also know that non-disclosure of any information may lead to a permanent ban from applying for Canadian immigration. Therefore, Contact CanApprove to get genuine guidance on dynamic visa procedures, documentation. We also offer career counseling, education services, and overseas business formations.

Alberta nominates Express Entry candidates with low CRS 301-min

CRS Drops to 301 in the Latest Alberta PNP Draw

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) held an exclusive draw on March 02 which resulted in issuing a total of 200 invitations for a provincial nomination to eligible Express Entry candidates.

These candidates who got invitations under the Alberta Express Entry stream are just one step closer to obtaining permanent residence in Canada.

The Express Entry system is the major application management system for Canadian immigration. It handles applications for three federal programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

All eligible immigration candidates receive a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates get points for factors including their age, education, work experience, language ability in English or French, and others. The varying degree of scores will help the government determine a prospective immigrant to succeed in Canada’s labor market.

There are two major advantages of receiving a provincial nomination under AlNP:

Qualifying CRS score is as low as 301 for March 02 draw, and
Those who receive the provincial nomination will automatically get an additional 600 CRS points added to their overall score.

It means that candidates are effectively guaranteed an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the upcoming federal Express Entry draw. In fact, the most recent invitation round held on March 8 invited 671 candidates who had previously received a provincial nomination.

All You Need To Know To Qualify For Alberta Express Entry Stream

Alberta Express Entry stream is classified as enhanced PNP under the AINP. It is exclusively for Express Entry candidates who had already submitted their Expression of Interest (EOI) to Alberta.

Major requirements to receive provincial nominations under this stream include strong ties to Alberta. It includes family ties or graduation from any University or College in Alberta, or those who can support the government’s economic development and diversification priorities.

Candidates are also required to have adequate work experience in an eligible occupation. The AINP only provides a list of occupations that are ineligible for the stream’s requirements. Contact our consultants to know more.

Alberta was allowed to issue 6,250 nomination certificates in 2020 which got reduced to 4,000 nominations due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, Canada is keen on achieving its immigration target of 1.2 new immigrants by 2023. Further, over 60% of the said target is to be achieved through various economic-class programs including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, Business Immigration.

Alberta has invited 709 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination, so far in 2021.

Take this quick assessment online to determine your eligibility based on your profile.

So, why wait any further? Start planning your immigration process today. Get expert & genuine documentation, legal support from CanApprove. Click here to book your free appointment.

New Brunswick Committed to Welcoming New Immigrants in 2021-min

What You Need To Know To Immigrate To New Brunswick

New Brunswick is one of four Atlantic provinces, while the others are Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Traditionally, there has not been a lot of immigration of foreign workers, entrepreneurs, international students in this region of Canada. However, in more recent times, New Brunswick is focused to work towards its immigration targets of around 7,500 newcomers per year by 2024.

Despite the recent immigration challenges due to the pandemic, the province managed to issue nearly 2,020 nominations while the stats for 2019 read 2,022 issued nominations.

Further, as the number of provincial nominations did not drastically drop from the previous non-pandemic year, only 2,740 new permanent residents landed in New Brunswick as of November 31, 2020. This number was a record 6,000 in 2019.

One of the official media releases from the province put the onus of this significant drop on current travel restrictions & subsequent processing delays from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

As the situation is getting better, New Brunswick is committed to welcome more new immigrants. It has aligned itself to that of the federal government’s plan to welcome over 1.2 million new immigrants by 2023.

Ways To Qualify For Provincial Nomination From New Brunswick

A successful provincial nomination from New Brunswick can open the doors for receiving permanent residence in Canada and eventually Canadian citizenship in quick time.

There’s equal opportunity for all including skilled & semi-skilled workers, entrepreneurs or self-employed, international students who are willing to immigrate for work and settle in New Brunswick along with their families.

Under the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP), the province offers four immigration streams, namely:

The Express Entry Labour Market Stream allows candidates already present in the federal Express Entry pool to receive provincial nominations for Canada PR.

The Skilled Worker with Employer Support Stream is for workers who have received a full-time permanent job offer from an employer in the province.

The Post-Graduate Entrepreneurial Stream is for candidates who have graduated from a New Brunswick university or college who wish to start a business in the province.

The Entrepreneurial Stream is for foreign nationals who wish to start and manage a business in New Brunswick. Candidates must provide a business plan for qualifying. Get in touch with our business consultants to help you further.

Check out our blog on the best options for business immigration to Canada in 2021.

Usual requirements such as age, language, education, work experience, and financial stability must be met before applying. You can also take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility on a case basis.

Additionally, Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP) provides an alternative pathway to work & settle in New Brunswick. Further, it was only recently reported that AIP has been successful in improving the short-term outcomes for immigrants.

Any new foreigner with adequate work experience and language proficiency can gain “Canadian experience” by qualifying for temporary visa options like AIP and qualify for Canada PR within 3 years. The “Canadian experience” would typically include work experience in any province, family ties in any province, or study/graduation from any provincial institution.

Apart from such immigration options for New Brunswick, the province prioritizes more French-speaking immigrants, as it is Canada’s only province with both English and French as official languages.

If you interested in immigration to New Brunswick or planning for Canadian immigration in near future, contact CanApprove. Our genuine guidance will help you secure your visa in a quick time!

Just in: Canadian Universities Plans To Welcome International Students Back To Campus

Higher education institutions in Canada are keen on welcoming international students back to campus for new courses this fall.

Under the current travel restrictions in Canada, international students are permitted to come to Canada as long as they are going to an institution with a COVID-19 readiness plan. It is further expected that Canada will update its travel restriction guidelines by mid-April.

Ultimately, the return to in-person learning activities and increased on-campus activities will depend partially on the public health authority, as well as each institution’s administration.

The immigration of international students is not only significant for the country’s global outreach but also creates a ready-made talent pool for companies in Canada to hire them with inherited Canadian experience.

Such experience is of high great value it validates the integration of candidates into Canadian society. Further, such international students can stake their claim at permanent residence in Canada.

A November 2020 Statistics Canada report shows that roughly two-thirds of new international student enrolments at Canadian post-secondaries in the 2018-19 school year were at universities.

Here’s a look at some of the top Canadian universities province-wise and their plans to welcome students back to campus.

Universities That Plan To Welcome Students By This Fall

British Columbia’s health minister had already advised post-secondaries in the province to prepare for a full return to on-campus activities. This would also include immigration to international students from abroad. Following this, the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria have confirmed their plans to return to in-person classes and increased in-person research after September.

Other universities in British Columbia such as Vancouver Island University, Thompson Rivers University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Northern British Columbia, Capilano University, and Trinity Western University have made announcements to begin in-person classes.

Major institutions in Alberta such as the University of Lethbridge & the University of Alberta will rely on a blended model of in-person and remote learning.

Higher education institutions in Ontario such as the University of Toronto, Brock University, University of Ottawa, Western University, University of Windsor are aiming to allow in-person instruction and supports for international students in the fall. Some are also expected to adopt “hybrid formats” where simultaneous in-person and video conferencing teaching will be possible.

Quebec is catching up to the trend with McGill University expecting to return to in-person classes in September. On the other hand, Concordia University is planning for an announcement about the fall term in May.

Acadia University & Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia is all geared up for challenges to accommodate international students this fall.

Take this free assessment to determine your eligibility and begin your study abroad!

Universities That Plan To Make Announcement Soon

The University of Calgary in Alberta is planning for a significant return to in-person classes and increased on-campus activities, however, no particular announcements have been made yet in this regard.

Peter Stoicheff, the President at the University of Saskatchewan is uncertain about the vaccine roll-out and so, he expects a full return to in-person classes for the winter 2022 semester.

Andrea McDaniel, the Registrar at the University of Brandon, in a media release expressed his intentions of announcing a course of action for Fall 2021. Other institutions in Manitoba such as the University of Winnipeg or the University of Manitoba are also yet to make an announcement.

Memorial University in Newfoundland & Labrador had already resumed research work, however, is yet to make an announcement on the return of in-person classes for international students.

British Columbia	University of British Columbia
	University of Victoria
	Vancouver Island University, Thompson Rivers University, Simon Fraser University, the University of Northern British Columbia, Capilano University, and Trinity Western University.
Alberta	University of Alberta
Alberta	University of Lethbridge
Saskatchewan	University of Saskatchewan
Manitoba	University of Brandon
Ontario	University of Toronto
	Brock University
	University of Ottawa
	Western University
	University of Windsor
Quebec	McGill University
Quebec	Concordia University
New Brunswick	St. Thomas University
Nova Scotia	Acadia University
Nova Scotia	Dalhousie University
Prince Edward Island	University of Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland & Labrador	Memorial University

If you are interested in studying abroad or immigration for better career opportunities, choose CanApprove. We provide genuine and hassle-free visa guidance, documentation support, and free counseling.

Manitoba & Saskatchewan issue nearly 600 ITAs for Canada PR

Fresh Canada PNP Draws Invite Express Entry & Other Category Candidates

At present, everything that Canada is doing is in favor of increasing immigration.

The country has already set itself a huge target to welcome 1.2 million new immigrants in the next three years. With nominations for Canada PR in January 2021 & February 2021 inviting close to 40,000 new immigrants, Canada is becoming a haven for immigration in such difficult times.

Adding to the list of provincial draws are two Canadian provinces of Manitoba & Saskatchewan that held their respective nomination draws on March 11. Together, they have already issued 3,500 invitations to eligible candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for Canada PR.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) Nominates 299 Candidates For Canada PR

In its fifth provincial draw of 2021, Manitoba invited 299 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination on March 11.

The provincial draw issued Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) to eligible candidates under the following three streams:

Skilled Workers in Manitoba- 261 invitations with a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 459;
International Education Stream- 3 invitations with a minimum Expression of Interest (EOI) score of 728; and
Skilled Workers Overseas- 35 invitations.

Another 35 LAAs went to Express Entry candidates.

In order to benefit oneself from a provincial nomination from Manitoba, one has to register an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the MPNP. The registered profiles are ranked out of 1,000 points for their human capital factors as well as their connections to the province.

Thereafter, the EOI score will determine the possibility of receiving an LAA through the Skilled Workers in Manitoba and Skilled Workers Overseas streams.

Interested candidates who are living overseas can qualify for a provincial nomination from MPNP if they can demonstrate connections to Manitoba through the likes of close family ties, previous experience in Manitoba, or an invitation through one of Manitoba’s Strategic Recruitment Initiatives.

Further, International graduates who complete education in Manitoba can receive an LAA under the International Education Stream if they demonstrate that they have in-demand skills.

Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP) Issues 248 ITAs For Canada PR

Saskatchewan invited 248 principal applicants to apply for a provincial nomination on March 11.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited candidates from the International Skilled Worker category. Of those invited, 72 may be eligible for the SINP’s Express Entry subcategory, and 176 may get the nomination through the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

The SINP provincial draw nominated eligible candidates under the International Skilled Worker category. Of those invited,

72 may be eligible for the SINP’s Express Entry subcategory, and
176 may get the nomination through the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

In order to take advantage to apply for permanent residence in Canada through SINP, foreign nationals can create an EOI profile online.

Saskatchewan’s EOI system selects immigration candidates based on their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province to demonstrate their capacity to settle into life in Saskatchewan.

Further, they are evaluated on a score out of 100 based on the SINP’s International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. Only the highest-scoring candidates are then issued an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination for Canadian permanent residence.

Additionally, immigration candidates registered in the federal Express Entry pool can also be nominated by SINP.

All the eligible candidates were required to have an Expression of Interest (EOI) score of at least 71 in order to receive an invitation on March 11 draw. Further, the nominated 248 candidates needed work experience in one of the 70 in-demand occupations listed on the government webpage.

Some of these eligible occupations include purchasing agents and officers, social and community service workers, as well as educational counsellors.

Take this free assessment online to determine your best chances of qualify for nomination draws.

You can always contact our consultants to know more about your eligibility, probability of qualifying for any provincial draws in near future.

initiative increases regional immigration to Ontario-min

Ontario’s Northern Regions All Set To Attract New Immigrants

Ontario is one of the top-performing Canadian provinces, along with British Columbia and Quebec, in attracting foreign talents for permanent residence.

The provincial authorities in Ontario look to strengthen their communities in the Northern Regions so as to welcome more immigrants in near future. The Northern Region covers Nipissing, Parry Sound, Manitoulin, Timiskaming, Sudbury, Algoma, Cochrane, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, and Kenora.

With Northern Ontario facing labor shortages as well as aging demography, more than 300 people representing over 100 organizations met together for two conferences in pre-pandemic times around February 2020 to address these issues.

In the two conferences held in Temiskaming Shores and Thunder Bay, the communities discussed various ways to attract more new immigrants to work & settle in their region. And as a result, these discussions favoring increased immigration to Canada were recently released under the “Come North” 10-point action plan in January 2021.

The “Come North” initiative is planned to boost population growth through the new immigration of foreign workers, entrepreneurs, international students along with their families in Northern Ontario.

The action plan also comes at the backdrop of the newly unveiled immigration levels plan. It intends to welcome close to 1.2 million new immigrants to Canada in the next three years.

Canada PR Through Ontario Regional Immigration

Ontario offers two pathways for regional immigration – the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) or the Rural and Northern Immigration Program (RNIP).

The OINP allows skilled workers, international students, and other foreign individuals to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence in Ontario. It also has a Regional Immigration Pilot that focuses on increasing immigration to rural communities in Ontario. The pilot works under the OINP’s Employer Job Offer streams.

The success of OINP in 2021 can be gauged by the recently concluded provincial nomination draws. So far, in 2021 alone, Ontario has invited close to 2,000 eligible candidates to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence.

In order to qualify for one of these streams, any interested candidate must have a full-time job offer from an employer in one of the eligible communities. Ask our consultants for more details.

Click here to know why Canada PNP are keen on welcoming new immigrants even during the pandemic.

Another great option for regional immigration to Canada is through the RNIP. It is a federal immigration program that works with small and remote communities across Canada. There are currently 11 communities participating in the RNIP, five of which are in Ontario:

North Bay
Sudbury
Timmins
Sault Ste. Marie
Thunder Bay

Interested candidates are required to receive a recommendation from one of the communities in order to qualify under the federal program. Otherwise, a graduation certificate from a post-secondary institution in the community or one year of continuous work experience in the past three years can also be produced in order to qualify.

Additionally, you must have a job offer from an employer in the community, and mandatory language requirements in English or French, financial stability to support yourself and your family must be demonstrated before applying.

For more details, get in touch with our expert advisors.

Take this free assessment online to determine your best chance of immigration to Canada.

The current pandemic and prevailing slow population growth have only warranted the increase in immigration to Canada in recent times. You should consult a reputed immigration consultant to get started with planning your immigration to Canada.

CanApprove is a regional leader in providing genuine immigration consultancy, visa documentation services, career counselling, overseas education admissions as well as business formations abroad. Book your free appointment with us today!

British Columbia holds a New Tech Draw

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued a new Tech Pilot draw inviting candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories.

The province issued 95 invitations to apply (ITA) for a provincial nomination on March 9. Further, such candidates are eligible to apply with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residence (PR) in Canada.

British Columbia has held 12 draws so far in January & February, bringing the total number of invitations issued to date to 1,926 in 2021.

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

Apply For Canada PR Through BC PNP Tech Pilot

Since the launch of the BC PNP Tech Pilot in 2017, thousands of in-demand tech workers and international students have benefited from provincial nominations for Canada PR.

In order to qualify for Tech Pilot, interested candidates need to be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least 12 months in one of the Tech Pilot’s 29 eligible occupations.

One may apply under the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC (EEBC) categories in order to fulfill the existing provincial stream condition.

A prior registration under the province’s Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) is mandatory to initiate the nomination process. All the applicants are invited to apply for provincial nomination based on a pre-determined score which evaluated the level of education, years of direct work experience, and validity of a B.C. employment offer.

This qualifying provincial score in March 09 BC PNP Tech Pilot draw was 80 points.

Tech Pilot For Express Entry

The major difference between SI & EEBC categories is the way eligible immigration candidates are nominated. EEBC category makes use of the federal Express Entry pool. It consists of applicants qualifying for either one of the three federal programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skills Trades Program (FSTP), and Canada Experience Class (CEC). Additionally, such candidates are willing to obtain permanent residence through a provincial nominee program.

Further, those who had received provincial nominations receive an additional 600 points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This is more than enough to guarantee them an invitation to apply for Canada PR in the subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

Here is a comprehensive list of 29 eligible Tech occupations:

Telecommunication carriers managers- NOC 0131
Computer and information systems managers- NOC 0213
Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting, and performing arts- NOC 0512
Civil engineers- NOC 2131
Mechanical engineers- NOC 2132
Electrical and electronics engineers- NOC 2133
Chemical engineers- NOC 2134
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)- NOC 2147
Information systems analysts and consultants- NOC 2171
Database analysts and data administrators- NOC 2172
Software engineers and designers- NOC 2173
Computer programmers and interactive media developers- NOC 2174
Web designers and developers- NOC 2175
Biological technologists and technicians- NOC 2221
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians- NOC 2241
Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment)- NOC 2242
Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics- NOC 2243
Computer network technicians- NOC 2281
User support technicians- NOC 2282
Information systems testing technicians- NOC 2283
Authors and writers- NOC 5121
Editors- NOC 5122
Translators, terminologists, and interpreters- NOC 5125
Broadcast technicians- NOC 5224
Audio and video recording technicians- NOC 5225
Other technical and co-ordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, and the performing arts- NOC 5226
Support occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting, photography, and the performing arts- NOC 5227
Graphic designers and illustrators- NOC 5241
Technical sales specialists – wholesale trade- NOC 6221

Upon receiving invitations, Tech Pilot candidates have 30 calendar days to apply for the nomination.

If you are looking for better career prospects, immigration as a skilled worker, or entrepreneur, or international student in an advanced economy like Canada is now open!

Further, new studies have shown increased retention rates of immigrants in Canadian provinces. Talk to our immigration experts to know your best chances of settling in Canada. Book your appointment today!

Study Outlines Increased Immigration To Smaller Cities In Canada

Canadian cities such as Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver are popularly known for their significant immigrant population base. However, a recent study by Ryerson University outlines the prospects for immigration in small and mid-sized Canadian cities.

In the previous decade, Canada’s small to mid-sized cities attracted more immigrants from abroad. According to the Ryerson University paper authored by David Campbell, the number of immigrants settling in smaller urban centers between 2013 and 2019 went up by 45 percent compared to a 9 percent rise in four major Canadian cities.

Further, the number of new immigrants increased by 40 percent in the rest of Canada’s Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). These are areas of multiple municipalities around a major urban population center. For example, the Toronto CMA consists of the city of Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Pickering.

Many smaller & mid-sized cities in Canada have a declining natural population. That is to say, smaller urban centers see an influx of immigrants as a direct response to the challenges faced due to an aging population and workforce.

The paper identified a total of 14 smaller urban centers with immigration rates of over 100 per 10,000 residents. They are regions of Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Halifax, Charlottetown, Fredericton, Moncton, Swift Current, Winkler, Steinbach, Brandon, Thompson, Brooks, High River, and Wood Buffalo.

Take this free assessment online or talk to our advisor to identify your best immigration plan.

Increased Dependence On Immigration For Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery

Many of Canada’s export industries including agriculture and fish processing regularly hire international workers for short-term or longer period. There’s also a prominently growing tech sector in the country that demands skilled talent in the field of engineering, software/IT, finance & business management.

Further, Canada is also seeking more foreign individuals to start a new business or run an existing business in any region of choice, preferably regional areas, for the growth of the economy. Check out our blog on the best options for business immigration to Canada in 2021.

Canada has revealed its dependence on immigration in the new Immigration Levels Plan for 2021-23. The country is expected to welcome around 401,000 new immigrants in 2021.

It is fascinating to note that Canadian workforce increased by 1.95 million between 2009 and 2019- almost all came from immigrants. The table below illustrates this well.

It shows the growth rate of the workforce by landed immigrants and by those who were born in Canada.

Campbell concluded the paper by noting that the above-average unemployment rates and the increasing number of COVID-19 cases could lessen some people’s support for immigration. However, in the long term, immigration will play a crucial role in the economic growth of major urban centers as well as small to mid-sized urban centers all over Canada.

Programs For Regional Canadian Immigration

Regional immigration programs in Canada are designed to mutually benefit the immigrants and the local economy.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces to nominate desirable immigration candidates based on In-Demand jobs in regional areas of Canada.

The province of Manitoba, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador were among the first few provinces to start a separate nomination program for immigration to Canada.

However, since the launch of the Express Entry system in 2015, Provincial government could search the Express Entry pool of candidates to nominate desirable foreign talent.

The number of immigrants admitted through the PNPs rose from about 47,600 in 2014 to 68,600 in 2019.

The most popular province for new immigrants was New Brunswick, followed by Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. A recent government review found that the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) was helping to improve retention in the region.

Despite the ongoing pandemic and travel restrictions, Canada remains committed to welcoming more than 1.2 million immigrants over the next three years. Of these, the PNP is expected to bring in about 80,000 per year, and the AIP is expected to welcome about 6,000.

If you are interested in immigration to Canada anytime soon, get in touch with CanApprove for genuine visa guidance and documentation support.

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