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The largest Express Entry draw since January this year, held on July 10^th, witnessed 3600 candidates receiving Invitations to Apply(ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada. Compared to the 10 consecutive draws held since January 30, 2019, the total number of ITAs issued increased by 250 in the latest draw. In each of these draws, the number of ITAs issued was 3350.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score also came down by two points to 460 in the July 10 Express Entry draw. In the previous draw held on June 26, the CRS cut-off score was 462. Since the Express Entry draw held on May 29, the CRS cut-off score has been witnessing a steady decrease from 470 in the past three consecutive draws.

As in the previous draws, tie-break rule was applied in the July 10 draw as well and the time stamp was June 11, 2019 at 12:27:18 UTC. It means the July 10 draw prioritized those candidates who submitted their Express Entry profiles before the said date and time.

The July 10 Express Entry draw is the 14th draw of 2019 and 121st since the launching of Express Entry system for immigration by Canada in January 2015. With the latest draw, the number of ITAs issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) through Express Entry has touched 45,400. Canada has set a higher immigration target for 2019 and 2020. So it is expected that the CRS cut-off score would come down further in the future draws too.

The candidates who have received invitations in the latest draw can submit the application for permanent residence in Canada within 60 days. IRCC aims to process Express Entry applications within six months or less in 80% of cases.

Minimum CRS requirements in the Express Entry draws held this year:

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Interested in Canada immigration through Express Entry? Contact us for more information and guidance.

In the latest Alberta Express Entry stream draw held on June 21, Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) issued 262 Notifications of Interest (NoIs) to candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores as low as 300. Those who successfully apply and receive provincial nomination from Alberta would obtain 600 additional CRS score points that would guarantee them an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draw.

The minimum CRS score requirement of 300 points in the latest Alberta Express Entry stream draw is lower than the lowest CRS score drawn in the Express Entry draws held so far this year. The lowest CRS score of 332 was drawn in the program-specific Express Entry draw held on May 15 that targeted Federal Skilled Trades candidates. The lowest CRS score in all-program Express Entry draws so far this year is 438.

Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP):

AINP is one of the most popular provincial nominee programs of Canada as it gives an opportunity for even candidates with low CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. But in order to be eligible for Alberta provincial nomination, the candidate must be working in an occupation that supports “Alberta’s economic development and diversification priorities.”

A job offer is not required to be eligible to receive an NoI from AINP. However, AINP gives priority to those candidates who have a job offer from an Alberta employer or previous work experience in the province.

Other prioritizing factors include:

> A degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution and a valid job offer

> A parent, child or sibling already living in Alberta.

With the latest draw, the total number of invitations issued to Express Entry candidates by Alberta has touched 3816.

AINP selects candidates who meet the labour market requirements of the province from the federal Express Entry pool. Candidates are chosen on the basis of information provided in their Express Entry profile. The invited candidates are issued Notifications of Interest (NOI) to apply for provincial nomination.

In order to be selected, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• • Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
  • Have stated an interest to permanently settle in Alberta
  • Is working in an occupation that supports  the economic development and diversification of Alberta

• Have a minimum CRS score of 300.

Canada PNP is a great option for those who are less fortunate with Express Entry draws. This immigration pathway also gives vast opportunities for eligible candidates to migrate to the country. Contact us to know which immigration pathway is best for you!

Immigration emerged as the major driving force behind the population increase in Canada in the first quarter of the year 2019, during the period from the start of January till the end of March 2019. A total of 98,410 people moved to Canada in the first quarter of 2019 and by April 1, 2019, the total population of the country was estimated to be 37.4 million.

During this period, Canada immigration accounted for 83 per cent of the total population growth while the remaining 17 per cent was contributed by natural population growth. The difference between births and deaths during a particular period is called natural population growth. In the first quarter of the current year, the natural population growth rate was in record low in Canada. During this period, the country had only around 17000 more number of births than deaths.

The report by Statistics Canada also says that the downward trend in the share of natural increase in population is all likely to continue. As a result, Canada may be increasingly depending on international migration in the future to sustain population growth.

Usually, natural increase in population is lower in Canada in the first quarter of every year thanks to seasonal factors. But it should be noted that there have never been so many deaths recorded in a single quarter as in 2019.

Despite immigration contributing in a major way towards population growth in Canada during this period, the country received the lowest number of new permanent residents at 65959, compared to the first quarter of any year since 2015. On the contrary, Canada witnessed the largest increase in the number of non-permanent residents admitted to the country since 1989. An increase of 31,547 in the number of non-permanent residents admitted to the country in the first quarter of 2019 was the major driver of population growth, revealed the Statistics Canada report.

In the first quarter of 2019, all Canadian provinces except Newfoundland & Labrador witnessed a growth in population. Ontario and Alberta recorded the largest population growth at a rate of 0.4 per cent. The average national growth rate was 0.3 per cent and the total population of Canada came to around 37,067,011.

In the context of declining natural population growth, Canada is increasingly depending on international immigration to sustain a healthy population growth. So if you wish to make Canada your permanent home, there is no better time than now to immigrate. Contact us to know your eligibility for Canada immigration.

Canada Express Entry system issued the highest number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to software engineers and designers in 2018, revealed the 2018 year-end report for Express Entry released by the IRCC. According to the report, the Express Entry candidates with occupations in information technology, and business and financial services received the highest number of ITAs in 2018.

Software engineers and designers received a total of 6126 invitations from Express Entry in 2018, which come to around seven percent of the total invitations issued. Compared to this, the number of invitations issued to software engineers and designers in 2017 was 4873.  In the same year, the highest number of invitations was issued to information systems analysts and consultants, and software engineers and designers had only second position.

Most common occupations among ITAs issued in 2018

Source: Express Entry Year-end Report 2018

Job offer not necessary for Express Entry invitation

As per the 2018 year-end report for the Express Entry, only 10% of the candidates who received Invitations to Apply for permanent residence had a job offer from a Canadian employer.

Job offer from a Canadian employer is not a pre-requirement to apply to Express Entry. However, the candidates who have a job offer can earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score points. The candidate who has a regular job offer can claim additional 50 CRS points and those with a job offer for a managerial position can claim 200 additional points.

Obtaining a job offer from a Canadian employer is a way for Express Entry candidates to improve their CRS score, as high CRS score means more chance to be invited to apply for permanent residence. The candidates can access the Canada job bank, which the Canadian employers use to find foreign skilled workers who can meet their requirements. This way, both the employers and the Express Entry candidates can match their respective requirements and skills.

But those who do not have a job offer need not worry as only around 10% of all the Express Entry candidates who received ITAs in 2018 had a job offer. The total number of candidates who received ITAs through Express Entry was 89800 in 2018. Among them, only 9308 had a job offer.

Most common job offers received among ITAs issued

Source: Express Entry Year-end Report 2018

Express Entry is one of the most popular and fastest Canada immigration pathways for eligible foreign skilled workers. Contact us to know if you are eligible for Canada migration through Express Entry.

In its year-end immigration report 2018, the federal government of Canada has revealed that more than 92000 immigrants were admitted to Canada through its Express Entry system – showing a 41% increase over the year before.

The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) year-end report 2018 further shows that 51% of Express Entry candidates who received Invitations To Apply (ITAs) for Canada Permanent Residence in 2018 were between the age of 20 and 29 years.

The findings in IRCC year-end report 2018 shows 89,800 admissions through the Express Entry system had Software Engineer as a common occupation. Information Systems Analysts and Consultants and Computer Programmer stood as the second and third most common occupation respectively, among the applicants who received ITAs.

Eligible candidates under the Express Entry pool of candidates are ranked based on a scoring system known as Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). CRS points are mainly based on applicants’ age, education qualifications, work experience and language proficiency. Regular draws that are conducted every two weeks issue invitations to apply for Canada Permanent Residence to candidates who have CRS points above the cut-off score for each draw.

The IRCC data also shows that out of 89,800 admissions through the Express Entry system in 2018 alone were divided among the three program streams as follows:

The candidates who received provincial nominations received an additional 600 CRS points in Express Entry. In 2018 alone, a total of 10,802 Express Entry candidates with provincial nomination were issued ITAs – an increase of 2069 additional nominations from the year before.

The spike in immigration admissions under the three programs managed by the Express Entry system- the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class- shall continue to rise each year till 2021. The exuberate rise in admissions is also in line with the increasing targets under the various Provincial Nominee Program in Canada which was nearly 55000 in 2018 and is only set to increase coming each year.

The year-end report notes that the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia performed exceptionally well in welcoming the overseas immigrants. All the mentioned provinces saw an increase in admissions of new permanent residents with Ontario experiencing a year-over-year increase of 3,082.

The report also noted that 122, 247 applicants in 2018 were divided among the mentioned provinces as follows:

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Find out if you are eligible to enter the Canada Express Entry pool or immigrate to Canada under Provincial Nominee Program by contacting us now!

Graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) now hold a better chance of obtaining Permanent Residency Visa in Canada or Australia. This opportunity comes in the backdrop of stricter immigration policies set by developed western countries like the USA.

Australia and Canada are now the top nations for immigrants for their standard of life, higher education opportunities, and exciting career options in emerging IT industries and other skilled professions. Both Australia and Canada are home to fast-growing IT and related industries. This provides an exciting employment opportunity for overseas STEM graduates to make a better living out of their skills.

According to the US News and Report rankings, Canada tops in the quality of life that it offers to its immigrants whereas Australia stands seventh on this parameter. Canada is ranked second for its citizenship value, while Australia is at the eighth position on the same parameter.

Applying for Permanent Residence Visa as a STEM graduate in Canada or Australia has been made easier and more welcoming this year. Various provinces in Canada, including Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and British Columbia have increased nomination targets in 2019 as compared to previous years. The provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba, in their respective Provincial Nominee Programs, give special preference to IT professionals. All these developments are in line with the federal policy of the Canadian government to invite over 400,000 immigrants by 2022.

The recent changes made to the point-based immigration system of Australia have increased the prospects of overseas STEM graduates to immigrate easily to the country. The new notification will enable STEM graduates to get an additional 10 immigration points, which in turn will improve their probability of getting an invitation to apply for Permanent Residence in Australia. The other changes to immigration system include awarding additional points to applicants with skilled spouse, applicants without a spouse, applicants having a spouse with a certain level of language proficiency and applicants nominated by a State government or sponsored by a family member residing in Australia.

We provide reliable advice and timely assistance for easy immigration to Canada or Australia. Our experienced immigration consultants help process your application for Permanent Residence Visa to Canada or Australia in quick time. Start your immigration process and get a free assessment for Canada or Australia immigration by contacting us now!

As per the three new changes introduced by the Government of Quebec to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program on June 26, the candidates need to submit their complete application for Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) within 60 calendar days.

Earlier, under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, invited candidates could apply for the Quebec Selection Certification (CSQ) within 90 calendar days. In effect to the June 26th notification issued by the MIDI- Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Ministry of Quebec province, the invited candidates will now have to file their completed application within 60 calendar days.

The reduction in the application deadline by one month is seen as a move to speed up the immigration process of skilled workers from all across the globe.

Extended Validity of Expressions of Interest

The other new changes to Quebec’s immigration process include extended validity of six months on Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The EOI of candidates even if they had declined the invitation to apply for the Quebec Selection Certification will remain in Quebec’s immigration database of candidates until full validity. All three notified changes are said to take effect immediately.

Quebec Skilled Worker Program allows the province to welcome highly educated and skilled workers from foreign countries to settle down in Quebec and benefit from the contributions made.

Quebec Select Certificate (CSQ)

CSQ is not to be confused with a Permanent Residence Visa. It is an official document that is issued by the Quebec immigration authorities to the holders declaring Quebec as their place of settlement. Once the immigrants get hold of CSQ, they are open to apply for Canada Permanent Residence Visa which is regulated by the federal Immigration authorities.

A CSQ can be obtained by any aspiring foreign immigrants through one of the following programs run by the Quebec Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Ministry:

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program
• Quebec Self-Employed Person Program
• Quebec Experience Class
• Quebec Investor Program

Quebec is a land of opportunities for skilled workers to enhance their living economically as well as socially. Contact us for a free assessment on Canadian immigration today!

The Express of Interest (EOI) draw held on June 20th issued 450 invitations to eligible candidates under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). Among the total 450 invitations, 133 invites went to Express Entry candidates.

Also known as Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs), the invitations were extended to three streams that are part of the MPNP, which are Skilled Workers in Manitoba, Skilled Workers Overseas, and International Education Streams.

A total of 323 invites were issued under the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream, while Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream candidates got 101 invites. LAAs issued to International Education stream candidates amounted to 26.

Minimum Expression of Interest draw score:

In order to be considered for a provincial nomination, filling up of EOI is the mandatory step to be followed.

EOI contains candidates’ details like age, educational qualification, work experience, language proficiency and established connection to Manitoba based on which, a relevant score is computed.

In the June 20th draw, minimum EOI draw score was 475 for Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream candidates, 599 for skilled workers overseas candidates and 704 for candidates selected through strategic recruitment initiatives under MPNP.

What is the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program?

MPNP aims to attract a targeted group of immigrants to Manitoba province in Canada. For the LAAs issued under the Skilled Worker Overseas on June 20th draw, the candidates fulfilled the criteria of a minimum of six months experience in any one of the occupations listed under Manitoba’s In-demand occupation list and minimum language proficiency of CLB/NCLC 5.

Among those received LAAs under the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream were foreign workers and international graduates, who were offered permanent and a full-time job opportunity in Manitoba.

Get authentic and reliable immigration advice on Canada immigration from our expert team of consultants. Contact us now!