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Fulfill your dream of Canada PR even on CRS as low as 300 through Alberta PNP

Alberta invites Express Entry candidates with CRS score as low as 300

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) invited 136 Express Entry candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score as low as 300 in the latest AINP Express Entry stream draw held on March 18. Though the candidates were not required to have a job offer to be invited in the draw, the candidates were supposed to have an active Express Entry profile.

The candidates who are invited in the AINP Express Entry draw can now submit the complete application for provincial nomination from Alberta. If nominated, these candidates will have 600 additional points added to their total CRS score and that would guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent federal Express Entry draw.

Canada Express Entry system

The Express Entry system of Canada manages applications for Canada immigration through the three major economic immigration programs of the country–Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The first step for a candidate to migrate to Canada through Express Entry is to create an Express Entry profile. Based on the information regarding various human capital factors given in the profile such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency etc., each candidate is awarded a CRS score out of 1200. Canada invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence in the Express Entry draws that are conducted regularly.

Alberta Express Entry stream

Alberta Express Entry stream considers candidates with work experience in an occupation that supports the “economic development and diversification priorities” of Alberta. Priority is also given to candidates who meet the following criteria:

  • A job offer or work experience in Alberta
  • A Canadian degree along with a valid job offer
  • A close family member already residing in Alberta

So far, a total of 887 candidates have received invitations through the Alberta Express Entry stream in this year. In 2019, the total number of invitations issued through Alberta Express Entry stream was 11,137.

Check your eligibility for immigration to Canada through Provincial Nominee Program. Fill our free online assessment form right away!

Australia Skill Select Round

Latest Australia SkillSelect round invites 2050 candidates

The Australia Skill Select round held in March 2020 invited a total 2050 candidates to submit application for Australia visa. Compared to the February 2020 SkillSelect round, the number of invitations issued increased by 550 in the latest round.

Of the total number of invitations, 1750 were issued to those who had submitted Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for Subclass 189 visa and scored a minimum of 90 points. The remaining 300 invitations were issued to those who had submitted EoIs for Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Family Sponsored) and score at least 85 points.

Pro-rata occupations

Invitations were issued to high-demand occupations on a pro-rata basis in the SkillSelect round. The places were first allocated to Subclass 189 visa candidates and Subclass 491 visa candidates received the remaining invitations.

The pro-rata occupations scores for the March 2020 round:

Occupation ID Description Minimum Points Score
2211 Accountants 95 (Subclass 189)
2212 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers 95 (Subclass 189)
2334 Electronics Engineer 90 (Subclass 189)
2334 Electronics Engineer 85 (Subclass 491)
2335 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 90 (Subclass 189)
2339 Other Engineering Professionals 90 (Subclass 189)
2611 ICT Business and System Analysts 90 (Subclass 189)
2613 Software and Applications Programmers 90 (Subclass 189)
2613 Software and Applications Programmers 85 (Subclass 491)
2631 Computer Network Professionals 90 (Subclass 189)
2631 Computer Network Professionals 90 (Subclass 491)

 

In the March 2020 SkillSelect round, the highest number of invitations went to Software and Application Programmers, 464 in total. Close to 22 percent of the total occupation ceiling quota for Software and Application Programmers is now met. Accountants received 155 invitations and ICT Business and Systems Analysts received 146 invitations, while Computer Network Professionals received 144 invitations. Ninety invitations went to Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers and 88 invitations to Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers. Fifty-seven invitations went to Other Engineering Professionals and 44 invitations to Telecommunications Engineering Professionals.

For skilled professionals looking for better career opportunities and high living standards, Australia is the right migration destination. Explore your options to migrate to Australia by filling our free online assessment form.

Canada Express Entry invites high number of candidates in Q1 2020

Canada Express Entry invites high number of candidates in Q1 2020

Canada Express Entry issued more number of invitations in the first quarter of 2020 than invitations issued during the same time period in the previous two years. The number of invitations remained high despite the COVID-19 crisis slowing down the operations of the Canada immigration system. Express Entry draws were held as usual in every two weeks in the first quarter, after the first draw was held on January 8.

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Even after introducing special measures to control the spread of COVID-19, Canada conducted two Express Entry draws. The one held on March 18 was exclusively for provincial nominees, while the other one held on March 23 targeted Canadian Experience Class candidates.

In a Tweet that appeared on April 1, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) said the draws were still happening and the applications for immigration would still be accepted and processed. However, the applicants who receive invitations in the latest draws will not have their applications processed for at least six months, says the Tweet.

So far, Canada has issued a total of 22600 Express Entry invitations this year. The number of invitations issued during the same period in 2019 was 21200 and in 2018, the number was 17500.

Express Entry in Q1 2020

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, the number of invitations issued through Express Entry grew 25.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020.

In Q1 2020, IRCC conducted a Federal Skilled Trades Program draw in which 500 candidates with minimum CRS score as low as 357 received invitations. The largest Express Entry draw ever also happened in the same quarter. In the draw held on February 19, Canada invited 4500 candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Canada Express Entry

The Express Entry system manages applications for immigration through the three major federal economic immigration programs of Canada–Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The first step in applying for permanent residence through Express Entry is creating an Express Entry profile with information regarding human capital factors such as age, work experience, education and official language proficiency. After being assessed on the basis of these factors, each profile will be awarded a Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score. In the draws that are conducted regularly, highest-scoring candidates receive invitations to apply for permanent residence. Candidates who obtain provincial nomination receive 600 additional CRS points, which guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

Express Entry gives a faster and simpler option for candidates to migrate to Canada. Check your eligibility for Express Entry immigration by filling our free online assessment form.

Canadian immigration system remains active amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Flexibility helps Canada immigration system stay operational amidst COVID-19 crisis

Even as countries across the globe are adopting stringent measures to tackle the COVID-19 crisis, Canada’s immigration system remains upbeat as ever. The immigration system of Canada is considered one of the most efficient and flexible among the major immigration destinations in the world. The same flexibility and efficiency have helped the system to remain operational despite a global health crisis.

Canada Immigration

However, as part of the preventive measures against COVID-19, Canada has imposed restrictions on unnecessary travel to the country. But despite this, Express Entry draws and Provincial Nominee Program draws continue to take place for immigrants. The applications for Canadian immigration are also processed under various categories. Canada considers the COVID-19 crisis only as a blip in the long-term immigration strategies of the country. The country plans to welcome close to one million immigrants by 2020. This is the major reason why Canada immigration system remains operational, irrespective of a global health crisis. Canada considers immigration as a means to sustain a healthy population growth and boost the growth of the economy.

Permanent residents approved before March 18 who are yet to travel to Canada; temporary foreign workers; and international students with a valid study permit or who had their study permits approved before March 18 have been exempted from the travel ban, which will most likely be in place till June 30, 2020.

Even after introducing travel restrictions in the middle of March, Canada conducted two Express Entry draws that invited close to 4000 candidates in total to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The provinces British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan also conducted Provincial Nominee Program draws.

Flexible Canada immigration system

The flexible system of Canadian immigration is able to adapt quickly to crisis situations and the changing demands of the labour market. The two Express Entry draws conducted after restrictions were introduced,   were program-specific. One of these targeted provincial nominees, while the other invited Canadian Experience Class(CEC) candidates. Thus it could be ensured that most of the invited candidates were in Canada at the time of receiving the invitation and had job offers.

The British Columbia PNP draws held recently did not invite semi-skilled workers or workers in sectors such as tourism, hospitality and retail or those workers for whose occupations the province had issued a high number of invitations earlier. In a statement issued recently, British Columbia immigration authorities said: “Notwithstanding the uncertainty in our current economic situation, B.C. faces a demographic reality that over the next 10 years we will continue to need new immigrants to help fill the jobs so B.C.’s economy can continue to grow.

“Now, it is even more important that we do not lose sight of our long-term objectives and the role that immigration plays to support quality economic growth across all regions of B.C.”

Immigration experts expect that Canada would take invite more immigrants after the crisis comes under control, as part of the country’s efforts to accelerate the pace of recovery of the economy.

Canada continues to welcome immigrants to the country despite the COVID-19 crisis. If you wish to migrate to Canada, start the preparations now! For any queries, please get in touch with us

Applying for Canadian Immigration

Despite COVID-19 impact, it’s business as usual for Canada immigration

No doubt that the COVID-19 outbreak had a major impact on the Canada immigration scenario. The country was compelled to introduce travel restrictions and bring in certain changes to the immigration procedures.  However, there is no reason for immigration aspirants to worry as Canada is by all means going ahead with its plan to meet the country’s immigration target set for the year.

Canada Immigration

The restrictions which have been implemented by the Canada government in the wake of COVID-19 aim to protect the health and well-being of Canadian citizens. The new restrictions prevent foreign nationals from travelling to Canada from March 18 to June 30. However, US citizens, temporary and permanent residents are exempted from the travel ban. The government has also instructed citizens to avoid non-essential travel.

Applying for Canada immigration

Those who wish to migrate to Canada can submit their Express Entry profile or fulfill the requirements for application for permanent residence in Canada. The federal Express Entry draws would continue to take place as usual. Even after introducing travel restrictions, Canada conducted two Express Entry draws, inviting around 4000 candidates in total to apply for permanent residence. Most of the Provincial Nominee Programs are also conducting draws as usual, inviting candidates to apply for provincial nomination.

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Immigration applications under various categories are being processed. However, applicants have been allotted more time (90 days) to submit the required documents along with the applications. They need to submit a letter explaining as to why the delay in submitting the documents occurred, along with the application.

Travel ban exemptions

The travel ban imposed by Canada from March 18 till June 30 is not applicable for the following:

  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents
  • Immediate family members(Spouse/common-law partner or Dependent child or Grandchild or Parent/step-parent or Guardian/tutor) of Canadian citizens, permanent residents
  • Those who had their permanent residence applications approved before March 16 but are yet to travel to Canada.
  • Temporary foreign workers
  • International students who hold a valid study permit or had their application for study permit approved before March 18
  • Transiting passengers

Those who are applying for Canada immigration must remember that delays are likely to occur in the processing their applications.

Start your preparations for Canada immigration right now! For any queries related to Canada immigration, feel free to contact us.

March 26 MPNP Draw Issues 226 Invitations

March 26 MPNP draw issues 226 invitations

The latest draw of Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) held on March 26 issued 226 invitations to apply for provincial nomination. Among the invited, 168 candidates belong to Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream, 20 candidates to International Education Stream and 38 candidates to Skilled Workers Overseas stream. Twenty-nine Express Entry candidates are also among those who received invitations in the latest draw.

The minimum score required for Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream candidates in the latest draw was 496. At the same time, Skilled Worker Overseas candidates had to score 714 points to be invited. The total number of invitations issued by Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program through the three streams– Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas and International Education stream–so far this year is 1523.

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program(MPNP)

Through Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, the province nominates a set number of candidates for permanent residence in Canada every year. The candidates are selected on the basis of the labour market needs of the province. To obtain a provincial nomination, a candidate must submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the MPNP, which must include information about their education qualification, work experience, language skills, previous connection to the province and other qualifying factors.  Based on these factors, each Expression of Interest profile is assessed and awarded a score. The highest scoring candidates receive invitations to apply for provincial nomination in the MPNP draws that are conducted regularly.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba Stream gives temporary foreign workers and international student graduates currently working in Manitoba with a permanent job offer a chance to apply for a provincial nomination.

The Express Entry candidates who obtain a provincial nomination will have 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score points added to their total CRS score. It helps them receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

COVID-19 impact on Canada immigration

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak having affected Canada and led to border closures, the country has decided to go ahead with its immigration target for the year.  Canada has allowed those who have already made a commitment to work, study or settle here to travel to the country, provided they meet certain requirements. Provincial Nominee Programs of Canada also continue to process applications and conduct regular draws, offering immigration aspirants the much needed reassurance to go ahead with their immigration plans.

Provincial Nominee Program offers a viable pathway for Canada immigration. Explore your options for migrating to Canada through PNP by filling our free online assessment form.

International students travel options

International students, permanent residents may now travel to Canada

International students, approved permanent residents and other persons exempt from travel ban may now travel to Canada, it has been informed. Canada imposed travel restrictions in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Canada’s Immigration Ministry has released information on the persons who are exempt from the travel ban as well as the documents they need to submit to the airlines. Airlines flying to Canada will have the authority to accept or deny boarding of a person.

International students travel options
International students travel options

The international students traveling to Canada must produce a valid study permit or must have already enrolled or accepted at a Designated Educational Institution (DEI) in Canada before the travel restrictions came into place. They also need to self-identify to the airlines before boarding by submitting proofs such as a valid study permit or letter of introduction issued by the government on or before March 18, 2020.

Permanent residents who have already made the arrangements to move to Canada permanently before the imposition of travel restrictions may also travel to the country. They must self-identify at the airport check-ins and provide a proof of status, which can be a permanent resident visa or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.

Temporary foreign workers who were already in Canada or who had made arrangements to come to the country before the travel restrictions were imposed are also allowed to travel to Canada now.

Exemptions for family members

The immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are already exempt from travel ban. Now foreign nationals whose immediate family members are residing in Canada as a worker, visitor, student or protected person are also allowed to travel to Canada.

An immediate family member is:

  • Spouse/common-law partner
  • Dependent children, and children of spouses/common-law partners
  • Dependent children of dependent children of either the Canadian resident or their spouse/ common-law partner
  • Parents or step-parents
  • A parent’s or step-parent’s spouse or common-law partner
  • A guardian or tutor

The dependent children must be 21 years of age or below or they must be financially dependent on parents because of disability. Adult children may also be exempted if they submit an official letter to confirm that they are travelling to Canada in order to reunite with their family.

Documents to prove the family member’s status in Canada

  • Canadian passport
  • Proof of Canadian citizenship such as a (citizenship certificate, citizenship card or provincial or territorial birth certificate)
  • Canada PR card
  • Canada permanent resident travel document (visa counterfoil)
  • Visa-exempt foreign passport and IRCC Special Authorization for Canadian Citizens

Documents to prove relationship with family member:

  • Marriage/common-law status certificate
  • Birth certificate
  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for the family class or under the one-year window
  • Other documents supporting an immediate family connection

Canada is all set to welcome more immigrants, despite the impact of COVID-19. If you wish to migrate to Canada, start your preparations now. Contact us to know more.

Ontario Nominated 13731 Candidates

13731 candidates received nominations from Ontario in 2019

A total of 13731 candidates, comprising 7400 principal applicants and their spouses and dependents, received nominations from Ontario in 2019. Though Ontario’s initial allocation for year was 6650, the nominations were exhausted by December 2019 itself and the federal government made an additional allocation 700 later. As the demand for nomination from Ontario increases as ever, the province is putting pressure on the federal government to raise the nomination allocation for it to more than 13000 by 2022.

Ontario Nominated 13731 Candidates

The Ontario Immigrants Nominee Program(OINP) released a statement regarding the immigration nominations in 2019 recently, which says: “It is crucial that Ontario’s provincial nominee program grows significantly over the coming years in order to respond to employers’ most pressing labour market needs and support economic development and job creation in Ontario.”

Ontario issued the highest number of nominations in 2019 through the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream. The 2710 nominations issued through the stream constituted 37 per cent of the total number of nominations issued in the year. Another 1347 nominations were issued through the Employer Job Offer: International Student stream, while 1195 nominations were issued through the Employer Job Offer:

Foreign Worker stream. The nominations issued through these three streams constituted more than 70 percent of the total nominations issued by Ontario in 2019.

A high number of tech immigration candidates received nominations from Ontario in 2019, with the province launching tech draws through the Human Capital Priorities Stream in the same year.  One third of all the nominations issued by Ontario went to candidates who had either a job offer or work experience in a tech-related occupation. Software engineers and designers received the most number of nominations, 935 in total. They were followed by computer programmers and interactive media developers, who received 598 nominations. Ontario is likely to issue a high number of nominations to IT workers in the current year too.

Of the total nominations issued by Ontario last year, 6.1 percent went to Francophone candidates. As Quebec has reduced its immigration levels, more and more Francophone candidates are exploring opportunities in other provinces.  Majority of the nominations to Francophone candidates were issued through French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream and Human Capital Priorities Stream.

Nearly half of the nominations issued by Ontario in 2019 went to Indian candidates, 3587 nominations in total. Chinese came second with 1351 nominations. In 2019, Ontario issued nominations to candidates from more than 130 countries.

More than a third of the total nominations issued by Ontario in 2019 went to those candidates who had a job offer. Among those who received nominations, more than 96 percent had a post-secondary degree.  The language proficiency level of more than half of the nominated candidates was equal to or above Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or French.

Ontario nominations had a high demand in 2019 and many OINP had to pause many of its streams throughout the year. The Ontario Masters Graduate Stream remained open only for two days.  The Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream remained open for 116 days, while the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream was open for 143 days. Other streams remained open throughout the years.

Immigrate to Canada through PNP with the professional support of expert Canada immigration consultants of CanApprove! Contact us now!

Alberta CRS Score

Alberta Express Entry candidates with CRS score as low as 300

The Alberta Express Entry stream draw held on March 4 invited a total of 100 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) score as low as 300. Though a job offer from Alberta was not mandatory for candidates to be invited in the draw, they were required to have an active Express Entry profile to receive an invitation.

CRS Calculator

Those candidates who have received an invitation in the latest Alberta Express Entry stream draw may apply for a provincial nomination from Alberta. If they obtain a nomination, they will have 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score points added to their total CRS score.

Canada Express Entry

Canada launched the Express Entry system in 2015 with an aim to manage applications for immigration through the three major economic immigration programs of the country, which are: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class. The Express Entry candidates are ranked and assessed under the Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) on the basis of various human capital factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency etc. Based on this assessment, each candidate is awarded a CRS score out of 1200. The highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the Express Entry draws that are conducted regularly.

Alberta Express Entry stream

To be eligible under the Alberta Express Entry stream, a candidate must have an active Express Entry profile and work experience in an occupation that supports the economic development and diversification priorities of Alberta. But   Alberta does not maintain a list of eligible occupations. The Express Entry stream of Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program(AINP) gives priority to those who meet the following criteria:

  • A job offer or work experience in Alberta
  • A degree obtained from a post-secondary institution in Canada and a valid job offer
  • A close family member (parent or child or sibling)residing Alberta

Provincial Nominee Program is a viable pathway for Canada immigration, even if a candidate has low CRS scores. Explore your possibilities for migrating to Canada through Express Entry! Contact us now!

Latest Express Entry draw targeted Canadian Experience Class with minimum CRS 467

CRS cut-off score drops to 467 in the second Express Entry draw held in 5 days

The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 3232 candidates to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the latest Express Entry draw held on March 23. The draw, held within a gap of just five days, exclusively targeted Canadian Experience Class(CEC) candidates. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score dropped to 467, four points lower than the last all-program Express Entry draw held on March 4.

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IRCC is conducting an exclusive Express Entry draw for CEC candidates for the second time, after the first one held in 2015. CEC is one of the three major federal economic immigration programs managed under the Express Entry. Candidates   who have at least one year of work experience in Canada and meet other criteria are eligible under CEC.

IRCC applied the tie-break rule in the March 23 draw too and the time stamp given was November 25, 2019, at 14:00:35 UTC. It means only those candidates who had submitted their Express Entry profiles before the said date and time, and scored the minimum CRS points received ITAs in the draw. With the latest draw, the total number of ITAs issued through Express Entry has touched 22600.

Canada has kept this year’s immigration target for Express Entry high. So more frequent and larger Express Entry draws can be expected in the coming months.

The CRS cut-off score for program-specific Express Entry draw like the one held on March 23 tends to be lower as these draws target only a smaller pool of candidates. Today’s draw has given hope for many Canada immigration aspirants as it has been proved that candidates with lower CRS scores may also get a chance to be invited through Express Entry.

Express Entry draws held so far in 2020

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.

Draw Number Date Number of ITAs issued Minimum CRS score
140 March 23 3232 467
139 March 18   668 720
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
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