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Alberta Express Entry draw sets CRS cut-off score as low as 300

In the Alberta Express Entry stream draw held on May 13, the province invited 191 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score of 300 to apply for provincial nomination. The Express Entry candidates who have received the invitation, if successfully apply for and obtain a provincial nomination from Alberta, will have 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) points added to their total score. It guarantees them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

In the wake of COVID-19 crisis, Alberta is offering some relaxations to the applicants with regard to submitting the original documents. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program(AINP) currently accepts copies of documents and the applicant will get an additional 60 days to submit the original documents, if they meet all other requirements.

 

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Alberta Express Entry system

To be eligible to receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination under the Alberta Express Entry stream, the candidate must have an active Express Entry profile. They must also have work experience in an occupation that supports the economic development and diversification priorities of Alberta. However, one has to remember that the AINP does not have a list of eligible occupations, but maintains a list of ineligible occupations, named Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list.

 

In the wake of COVID-19 crisis, Alberta draws are giving priority to those currently working in Alberta. Alberta has issued a total of 1598 invitations under the Alberta Express Entry stream so far this year. The total number of invitations issued under the stream last year was 6884. The provincial nomination allocation for Alberta for the year 2020 is yet to be released.

The Alberta Express Entry stream draw once again prove that a low CRS score does not mean it is impossible for you to migrate to Canada. PNPs offers great opportunities for those who have a low CRS score and those who do not have an Express Entry profile. Contact our expert Canada immigration consultants to find out the best pathway for you to migrate to Canada.

Saskatchewan invites 252 immigration candidates

252 candidates invited in SINP Expression of Interest draw

In the latest Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program(SINP) Expression of Interest draw held on May 28, a total of 252 immigration candidates received invitations to apply for provincial nomination. The invited candidates belonged to the International Skilled Worker category and they received invitations through its two sub-categories– Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand.

The May 28 draw is the first PNP draw conducted by Saskatchewan ever since Canada introduced travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

 

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SINP Expression of Interest

To receive an invitation in a SINP Expression of Interest(EoI) draw, a candidate must first submit an Expression of Interest to the SINP. The province selects candidates to be nominated from these profiles based on their demonstrated ability to establish themselves economically in the province. This ability is assessed on the basis of various human capital factors such as age, education, language proficiency and previous connections to the province. Each profile is then awarded a score out of 100 on the International Skilled Worker Points Assessment Grid. The candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan. In the May 28 draw, the minimum score required to be invited was 78 for both subcategories.

SINP Express Entry sub-category

In the latest SINP Expression of Interest draw, 127 Express Entry candidates received invitations to apply for provincial nomination. To be invited under the Express Entry sub-category of SINP, the candidate must have an active Express Entry profile and must have submitted an Expression of Interest to the SINP. Those candidates who receive a provincial nomination from Saskatchewan will have 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score points added to their total score, which guarantee them an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

 

SINP Occupations In-Demand sub-category

Those candidates who do not have an Express Entry profile may receive an invitation under Occupations In-Demand sub-category of SINP. In the May 28 draw, 125 Occupations In-Demand candidates received invitations to apply. The draw targeted candidates with work experience in one of the 44 targeted occupations.

Do you wish to migrate to Canada? Canada PNP can be a great option for you to make your dream come true. Contact us for more information.

CRS cut-off score plummets to the lowest at 440.

CRS cut-off score drops to the lowest at 440 in CEC-specific Express Entry draw

In the latest Express Entry draw that exclusively targeted Canadian Experience Class(CEC) candidates, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada(IRCC) issued 3515 Invitations to Apply(ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required to be invited in the draw was 440, the lowest so far this year.

The May 28 draw is also the second-largest Express Entry draw ever since Canada introduced travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 on March 18. The draw is the continuation of an ongoing trend in which the CRS cut-off score has been decreasing in each of the six CEC-specific Express Entry draws held since the introduction of travel restrictions. Experts attribute this continued drop in CRS score requirements to the regular interval and frequency maintained between the Express Entry draws by the IRCC in the last two months.

 

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The CRS cut-off score of 440 means a drop by 7 points compared to the previous CEC-specific draw held on May 15 in which, the minimum required CRS score was 447. With the latest draw, the total number of ITAs issued by IRCC through Express Entry draws so far this year has touched 42100.

A tie-break rule was applied in the latest draw too, the time stamp given being March 7, 2020 at t 10:36: 59 UTC. It means the draw prioritized those candidates with a minimum CRS score of 440, who had submitted their Express Entry profiles before the said date and time.

Despite the crisis caused by COVID-19 outbreak, Canada has been conducting Express Entry draws regularly, though these draws have been targeting provincial nominees and CEC candidates alone, alternately. More than 12 such draws have been conducted in the past two months. The major reason can be that the vast majority of candidates belonging to these immigration categories would most probably be present in Canada at the time of receiving invitations and would not need to travel from abroad and be quarantined. However, the fact that Canada is still accepting and processing applications for permanent residence despite the current crisis give hope for immigration candidates.

 

Express Entry draws held so far in 2020

Draw Number Date Number of ITAs issued Minimum CRS score
150 May 28 3515 440(CEC-specific draw)
149 May 27 385 757(PNP-specific draw)
148 May 15 3371 447(CEC-specific draw)
147 May 13 529 718(PNP-specific draw)
146 May 1 3311 452(CEC-specific draw)
145 April 29 589 692(PNP-specific draw)
144 April 16 3782 455 (CEC-specific draw)
143 April 15 118 808(PNP-specific draw)
142 April 9 3,294 464(CEC-specific draw)
141 April 9 606 698(PNP-specific draw)
140 March 23 3232 467 (CEC-specific draw)
139 March 18   668 720(PNP-specific draw)
138 March 4 3900 471
137 February 19 4500 470
136 February 5 3500 472
135 January 22 3400 471
134 January 8 3400 473

 

Canada Express Entry offers simple and fast-track pathway for international skilled workers to migrate to the country. Check your eligibility for Express Entry migration by our free online assessment form.

Express Entry draw invites 385 provincial nominees

385 ITAs issued in exclusive Express Entry draw for provincial nominees

Canada held yet another exclusive Express Entry draw for candidates with provincial nomination in May 27. The draw issued a total of 385 Invitations to Apply for permanent residence in Canada to provincial nominees with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score (CRS) of 757.

The candidates who have obtained a provincial nomination already have 600 additional CRS points added to their total score. It means, in the latest Express Entry draw, candidates with a minimum basic CRS score of 157 and a provincial nomination have received invitations.

 

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Tie-break rule was applied in the latest Express Entry draw, the time stamp given being April 27, 2020 at 10:19:01 UTC. It means the draw prioritized candidates with a minimum CRS score of 757 and had submitted their profiles before the said date and time.

The pattern of regular Express Entry draws has changed significantly ever since Canada introduced restrictive measures on March 18, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In the draws held since then, Canada has been inviting provincial nominees and Canada Experience Class (CEC) candidates alternately. The CRS score requirement has also come down significantly in the draws held for CEC candidates. The last CEC-specific draw held on May 15, Canada invited candidates with CRS score as low as 447, the lowest requirement so far this year. Instead of a gap of two weeks that used to be there between consecutive Express Entry draws held before the restrictive measures were introduced, some draws are now being held within a gap of just a few hours or a day.

With the latest draw, the total number of ITAs issued in Express Entry draws so far this year has reached 38,585. Despite the travel restrictions imposed in the wake of COVID-19, the number ITAs issued this year is higher compared to the same time period last year.

 

Express Entry draws held so far in 2020

Draw Number Date Number of ITAs issued Minimum CRS score
149 May 27 385 757(PNP-specific draw)
148 May 15 3371 447(CEC-specific draw)
147 May 13 529 718(PNP-specific draw)
146 May 1 3311 452(CEC-specific draw)
145 April 29 589 692(PNP-specific draw)
144 April 16 3782 455 (CEC-specific draw)
143 April 15 118 808(PNP-specific draw)
142 April 9 3,294 464(CEC-specific draw)
141 April 9 606 698(PNP-specific draw)
140 March 23 3232 467 (CEC-specific draw)
139 March 18   668 720(PNP-specific draw)
138 March 4 3900 471
137 February 19 4500 470
136 February 5 3500 472
135 January 22 3400 471
134 January 8 3400 473

 

Canada Express Entry offers simple and fast-track pathway for international skilled workers to migrate to the country. Check your eligibility for Express Entry migration by our free online assessment form.

Nomination ceilings for Australia 491_190 visas

State/territory nominations for Australia 190/491 visas revealed

The number of nominations allocated to the states and territories of Australia for Subclass 190 – Skilled – Nominated visa as well as Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and the visa it replaced, Subclass 489 – Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa, has been revealed in two separate Freedom of Information requests. The 190 and 491 visas, which are state or territory nominated, are part of the independent skilled migration program of Australia and they are also called General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas. These visas target skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation. However, the candidates are not required to be sponsored or employed.

Nomination ceilings for 190 visas(2019-2020)

Australian Capital Territory 1,200
New South Wales 3,000
Northern Territory 400
Queensland 1,000
South Australia 1,250
Tasmania 1,200
Victoria 2,250
Western Australia 2,250
Total 12,800

Nomination ceilings for 489/491 visas (2019-2020)

Australian Capital Territory 200
New South Wales 2,745
Northern Territory 600
Queensland 1,250
South Australia 3,750
Tasmania 1,800
Victoria 1,043
Western Australia 1,000
Total 12,388

One thing which has to be noted here is that these are the number of nominations and not visas. The number of visas to be issued will certainly be higher as it will include the secondary applicants or the family members of the primary applicant. As per the 2019-20 migration planning levels, the maximum number of invitations allocated for 190 visas is 24,968. Similarly, while the nomination allocation for 489/491 visas is 12,388, the allocation of invitations is 15000. 489/491 visas sponsored by relatives under the EoI invitation system is also included in this number. If the states and territories use all the 491 nominations, the number of visas to be granted will be higher than the allocations.

Do you wish to migrate to Australia? Check your eligibility by filling our free online assessment form.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia invites nurses in latest Labour Market Priorities draw

The health crisis that has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak has further increased the demand for nurses and other health workers in Canada. In the latest Labour Market Priorities stream draw held on May 22, Nova Scotia Nominee Program(NSNP) invited nurses to apply for provincial nomination. The invited candidates have work experience of at least three years as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse, the occupations classified under NOC 3012 under the National Occupational Classification(NOC) index of Canada. However, Nova Scotia is yet to reveal the exact number of invitations issued.

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The invited candidates were also required to have language proficiency equal to at least eight or higher in either English or French. Further, they were supposed to have a bachelor’s degree or completed a post-secondary education program of at least three years. Along with the application for a provincial nomination, the candidates need to submit document proofs of their language proficiency and education qualification.

Labour Market Priorities Stream

To be invited under the Labour Market Priorities Stream of NSNP, the candidate must have an active Express Entry profile. The candidates invited in the latest draw can submit the application for provincial nomination within 60 days. Upon obtaining a provincial nomination from Nova Scotia, the candidate will have 600 additional CRS points added to their total score. It guarantees them an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

 

Canada Express Entry

The Express Entry system was introduced by Canada in 2015 with an aim to streamline applications under the three federal economic immigration programs of Canada, which are– Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The candidates interested in Express Entry immigration must first create an Express Entry profile. Each candidate in the Express Entry pool is assessed and ranked on the basis of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). It assesses the eligibility of the candidates on the basis of various factors such as age, education, language proficiency, adaptability etc. and awards a score out of 1200. The highest-scoring candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the Express Entry draws that are conducted regularly.

Are you a skilled worker looking for better opportunities abroad? Then Canada can be the right option for you. Explore your options for Canada immigration by filling our free online assessment form.

Migration to Australia about to increase post COVID-19

Migration to Australia likely to increase post COVID-19

Travel experts are of the opinion that Australia’s migration trends will continue to increase once the travel bans introduced in the wake of COVID-19 are lifted. This gives new hope for people in different parts of the globe who are eagerly awaiting to restart their PR process or pursue their higher education in Australia.

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The skills and jobs that are in demand change from time to time in Australia, just like any other country. Technical advancement, globalization and aging populations are some of the factors that have been influencing the migration trends in Australia. These changes have given rise to the demand for some new skills and occupations. Such changes also lead to imbalances between demand and supply. To meet such demands, the country requires more skilled immigrants. Some of the sectors in which Australia is facing a shortage of skills are health, agriculture, engineering, community service etc. As long as this trend continues, skilled immigrants would get a chance to migrate to Australia as they are needed to fill the deficit in skills.

Experts believe that there would be a surge in the number of immigrants to Australia once the lockdown is over. Australia’s response to COVID-19 was one of the best in the whole western world and the country was successful in bringing the situation under control well in advance. As the country has a lot of career opportunities and high living standards on offer for immigrants, it remains to be their favourite destination.

Australia’s population growth is significantly low and the population is also aging fast. So the country is keen to offer permanent residency and citizenship to those immigration candidates who have the skills to contribute towards the growth of its economy and welfare of its society. Australia also allows the parents and family members of the immigrants to join them in the country, which is an added attraction.

Find out your chances to move to Australia permanently by filling our free online assessment form.

Canada will need immigrants after crisis

Canada will need immigrants after COVID-19 crisis is over: Immigration Minister

Canada’s Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino has said that Canada would need immigrants after the coronavirus pandemic. The role immigrants play in keeping the country moving during the COVID-19 pandemic is proof of why robust immigration must continue in the aftermath, said the Minister. But the health and safety of Canadians must be assured before the doors of the country can be opened widely again, he added. He said he believed Canadians would want it that way.

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In an interview with The Canadian Press, Mendicino further said, “Immigration is fundamentally about people coming together to build a stronger country, and that is an enduring value that I believe in, that I have faith in Canadians that they believe in, that we will see endure long after COVID-19 is behind us.”

Mendicino had released Canada’s three-year immigration plan in March, just a few days before Canada had to impose travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. According to the Plan, Canada would be admitting 341,000 new permanent residents in 2020, followed by 351,000 in 2021 and 361,000 in 2022.

Speaking at the interview, the Minister said the crisis brought to light the essential nature of the work being undertaken by the newcomers.“We could not put food on the plate of Canadians at an affordable price without immigrants, we could not support our front-line workers without immigration,” said the Minister.

 

“So it’s vitally important that we continue to immigrate today in a manner that is safe and orderly and also to drive that future that we all believe will be underpinned by immigration as it has been in the past,” he added.

Earlier, Canada had shut its borders for temporary foreign workers, who are mainly employed in the agriculture sector. But it was soon reversed following a public outcry. On the issue, the Immigration Minister said Canada government has taken the steps to make obtaining permanent residency easier for temporary foreign workers. Canada launched the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program last week that allows those working in meat processing, mushroom and greenhouse production, as well as livestock-raising industries to apply for permanent residence.

Do you wish to immigrate to Canada? Start the preparations right now so that you can move to Canada once the crisis is over. Take the first step by filling our free online assessment form.

Express Entry draw

CRS cut-off score drops again to 447 in CEC-specific Express Entry draw

In a second Express Entry draw held within a gap of just one day, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued Invitations to Apply(ITAs) for permanent residence to Canadian Experience Class(CEC) candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score of 447. The draw held on May 15 issued invitations to 3371 candidates.

By far, 447 is the lowest CRS requirement in any CEC-specific draw held since January 2019. This is five points lower compared to the CRS requirement for the previous CEC-specific draw, which was held on May 1. The minimum CRS score required to be invited in that draw was 452.

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In the previous federal Express Entry draw held on May 13, which was a PNP-specific draw and the results of which were published on May 14, IRCC had invited another 529 provincial nominees with a minimum CRS score of 718.

Tie-break rule was applied in the latest Express Entry draw too, the time-stamp given being December 23, 2019 at 10:01:06 UTC. In other words, the draw prioritized those candidates who had submitted their Express Entry profiles before the said date and time and scored at least 447 CRS points.

With the latest draw, the total number of ITAs issued by IRCC through Express Entry so far in 2020 has touched 38200. Though Canada has imposed travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 crisis and introduced some significant changes to the immigration policies and procedures, Express Entry draws have been taking place regularly. The candidates are allowed to submit Express Entry profiles and the applications for permanent residence are also being processed. In the past nine weeks, IRCC has held a total of 10 CEC and PNP-specific draws and invited around 19500 candidates to apply for permanent residence during this period alone.

Experts observe that IRCC is limiting the Express Entry draws to PNP and CEC candidates as a response to COVID-19. Most of the candidates under these two categories would probably be in Canada and so, cross-border travels can be avoided. However, the IRCC has allowed PNPs to meet their annual allocations.

 

Express Entry draws held so far in 2020

Draw Number Date Number of ITAs issued Minimum CRS score
148 May 15 3371 447(CEC-specific draw)
147 May 13 529 718(PNP-specific draw)
146 May 1 3311 452(CEC-specific draw)
145 April 29 589 692(PNP-specific draw)
144 April 16 3782 455 (CEC-specific draw)
143 April 15 118 808(PNP-specific draw)
142 April 9 3,294 464(CEC-specific draw)
141 April 9 606 698(PNP-specific draw)
140 March 23 3232 467 (CEC-specific draw)
139 March 18   668 720(PNP-specific draw)
138 March 4 3900 471
137 February 19 4500 470
136 February 5 3500 472
135 January 22 3400 471
134 January 8 3400 473

Canada Express Entry offers simple and fast-track pathway for international skilled workers to migrate to the country. Check your eligibility for Express Entry migration by our free online assessment form.

Ontario tech draw

703 Express Entry candidates receive NoIs in May 13 Ontario Tech Draw

The latest Ontario Tech Draw held on May 13 invited a total of 703 Express Entry tech candidates to apply for provincial nomination. The draw targeted candidates with work experience in one of the following occupations:

NOC 0213 Computer and information systems managers
NOC 2147 Computer engineers
NOC 2172 Database analysts and data administrators
NOC 2173 Software engineers and designers
NOC 2174 Computer programmer and interactive media developers
NOC 217 Web designers and developers

 

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The Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score of the candidates invited in the latest Ontario Tech Draw ranged between 421 and 451. This is the lowest CRS requirement for the program in any draw. The first Ontario Tech Draw was held in July 2019.

The candidates invited in the Ontario Tech Draw need to prove their eligibility under the Human Capital Priorities stream. Those who have received NoIs in the draw, if successfully apply for and obtain provincial nomination from Ontario, will have 600 additional points added to their total CRS score.

 

Ontario Tech Draw

Ontario Tech Draw is conducted under the Human Capital Priorities stream of the OINP. It allows the province to select eligible candidates from the federal Express Entry pool and nominate them for permanent residence in Canada. It is not necessary for the candidates to have a job offer from an Ontario employer to be eligible under the Human Capital Priorities stream. But to be invited in an Ontario Tech draw, the candidates need to have at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time work experience or equivalent paid part-time work experience in any one of the targeted occupations.

The latest Ontario Tech Draw has given more international tech workers an opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Canada. The technology sector of Canada is growing despite the Coronavirus pandemic and the tech companies in the country continue to hire workers.

If you are a tech worker wishing to migrate to Canada, make the most of this opportunity by starting the preparations for migration right away. Please contact the expert Canada migration consultants of CanApprove to know whether your occupation is in demand in Canada.

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