Increasing The Chances Of Permanent Residency With Study In Canada Options

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

It is being reported that Canada has already processed 452,000 study permits this year. Canada is even preparing a strategy plan to expand PR pathways for international students and temporary foreign workers. This has made opportunities for study in Canada even more valuable and exciting for prospects.

In fact, Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) found about “59.4% of surveyed prospects who are wiling to study in Canada wanted to become Canadian permanent residents after graduation.

The present immigration policy allow foreign graduates to qualify for Canada Permanent Residency (PR) in minimum time on basis of their full-time work experience with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Generally, “a PGWP holder needs to gain one year of professional work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code of 0, A, or B” to become eligible to apply for Canada PR.

In this blog post, we will discuss about how you can obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit and remain in Canada for a new life.

Also read our previous blog on How To Find Work In Canada On Student Visa For You and Your Partner/Spouse? Click here.

PGWP for Canada PR Eligibility

Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is the most preferred route by recent foreign graduates from any Canadian institutions increases their chances of qualifying for Canadian permanent residency.

PGWP eligibility is determined by whether the applicant has:

Minimum eight months study course at an eligible Designated Learning Insitute in Canada
The study program must leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate
Proof of full-time student status in Canada during every academic session of the enrolled program

Further, special arrangements were made during the coronavirus pandemic to qualify under PGWP for Canada PR. Students studying at a DLI via distance learning were made eligible for a PGWP.

Starting from Since September 1st, 2023, study time completed abroad “will be deducted from the length of international student’s PGWP regardless of when the international student began their studies.

Our study abroad councellors can clarify your specific doubts regarding your eligbilty for PGWP for Canada PR. Make sure to contact them here.

How to Apply for PGWP and Qualify for Canada PR?

Interested and eligible foreign graduates in Canada or soon-to-be graduates may apply to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to obtain PGWP.

At this moment, applicant must gather the following documents:

A degree or diploma
An official letter from your school
An official transcript, or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website

IRCC may request additional documents when an application is received

Candidates must ensure that they have upto six months (180 days) to submit their application from the day they receive their official transcript and letter confirming program completion.

Key pointers on Canada PGWP

The length of a PWGP’s validity is determined by the length of the applicant’s educational program

If an applicant has completed more than one program, they may be able to combine the earned PGWP’s together

PGWP holders with atleast one year of work experience in Canada may qualify under Canada Experience Class for permanent residency through Express Entry.

Check out recently released 2021 census report on immigration population in Canada.

Fulfilling your Study in Canada Dreams with CanApprove

Canada’s Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program is one of the most popular immigration options for international students. It allows them to gain work experience and have a better chance at qualifying for permanent residency.

The Provincial Nominee Program is another significant immigration program for international students. There are dedicated provincial immigration streams from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario that nominate international student graduates to apply for provincial nominations.

If you are in the Express Entry pool, you may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Then if you get the nomination, it will mean you get 600 points added to your score and you will be able to apply for immigration as a PNP candidate!

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Connect with our consultants today to learn more about the University Programs, Scholarships, Tuition Fees, and settlement options after graduation.

Understanding Canada Through Q&A: 4 FAQs on Canadian Immigration:

Posted on October 15, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Understanding Canadian immigration through Q&A may address some pertinent questions that you were looking to get answered by experts for a long.

You can go through our previous edition of FAQs on Canadian Immigration: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6 & Part 7 to make an informed choice.

Let’s begin with this edition of FAQs on Canadian immigration by discussing the four most relevant topics in current times.

Q1. How is Canadian immigration policy boosting intake for international students in 2023?

Canada remains committed to attracting and retaining international students. Going by the recent figures, the number of study permit holders is forecasted to rise to approximately 753,000 international students between 2022 – 2023.

The increased intake of international students is complemented by Canada’s strategic plan to expand permanent residence for international students.

Presently, the most popular Canada PR options after Post Graduate Work Permit visas are

Express Entry
Provincial Nominee Program
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
Quebec Immigration
Family Sponsorship

Canadian immigration minister Sean Fraser submitted a strategy plan that expands pathways to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign workers.

More than half (56.1%) of Canadian businesses in 2021 reported that their overall workforce was not fully proficient to perform their job at the required level. Increasing study permit intake levels and providing PR pathways for international students in Canada will help address the workforce skill shortage.

Further, the intake of international students in Canada is aided by liberal measures undertaken by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that

covers each individual with the aim of reducing vulnerabilities while moving to Canada
aiding international students through the permit application
helping in the settlement process in Canada

For specific details relating to your case, please consult our immigration expert.

Q2. Why is Canada Express Entry accepting self-employed Physicians that were never considered before?

Physicians who are in Canada for the purpose of gaining work experience were not allowed to obtain permanent residency through Express Entry programs. However, Canada has now recognized this barrier for self-employed immigrant Physicians in Canada.

In a bid to close the skill shortage gap in the healthcare and social assistance sector, Canada will allow self-employed Physicians in Canada to obtain PR through Express Entry, like Canada Experience Class.

It is important to note that being self-employed outside Canada and having at least one year of work experience abroad did not stop the candidates to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry program.

Further, it is also found that one in every four healthcare professionals in Canada is an immigrant. Consider discussing specific details of your case with our immigration expert.

Q3. What are some upcoming developments that will shape Canadian Immigration in the near future?

Canada will release major end-of-year developments in October. These announcements are expected to shape Canadian immigration targets and trends for the next couple of years.

Firstly, IRCC will the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 will be announced by November 1. It has very recently announced a PGP 2022 intake of 23,100 sponsors.

Secondly, the qualifying Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for the newly resumed all-program Express Entry draws is expected to fall below 500 while the draw size is expected to remain around 4,000 invitations to apply (ITAs) for Canada PR.

The latest Express Entry draws invited 4,250 candidates with CRS 500 and above.

Additionally, Statistics Canada will soon publish census data on immigration in 2021 which will give us an outlook on the success of Canadian immigration for the first time in five years.

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

Q4. Is Canada now seeing immigration-led population growth?

Canada encourages the intake of foreign students and depends upon foreign skilled immigration to sustain its aging population and support the economy.

In fact, a report published by Statistics Canada shows how immigration contributed to an astonishing 94.5% growth in Canada’s population during the period of April-June (Q2) 2022. Most contributions came from the increase in work and study permit holders.

Additionally, Canada’s provincial nominee program draws registered a record 11,548 nominations in September 2022 to qualify for Canadian permanent residency in a single month.

Plan your Canada Immigration with CanApprove

Canada is seeing the biggest rise in demand for augmenting the local workforce with foreign talent. It is supported by liberal immigration policies targeting over 430,000 new permanent residents per year.

Going by the latest trends, the future for economic-class immigration seems bright as 60% of the annual immigration targets will be coming from programs like Express Entry, and the Provincial Nominee Program. And this is why we have come up with FAQs on Canadian immigration for you to comprehend your chances of qualifying sooner!

You can book your free appointment with CanApprove, a CICC-certified consultant in Dubai.

We will help you determine your eligibility for Canadian immigration on the basis of your work experience or academic profile

How To Find Work In Canada On Student Visa For You and Your Partner/Spouse?

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported increasing demand for study permits in Canada. Last year, Canada reported a 56% increase in study permit applications over 2020. In Q1 of 2022, Canada received about 175,000 applications.

The growing popularity among other major study destinations could be due to various options for work in Canada on student visa, not only for self but also for a spouse or common-law partner immigrating alongside the permit holder.

Additionally, a recent survey noted Canada’s reputation for safety and stability as a major deciding factor in choosing to study.

With many immigration options for international students now open, interested candidates are most likely to get their choice of study course and eventually, qualify for permanent residency status in Canada.

Work Options in Canada for Study Visa Holders

Work-study visas are an excellent way to retain foreign skilled talent and also let them gain some local work experience. This is a great way to qualify for immigration, say permanent residence visas under the points-based immigration system.

Generally, students switching schools or taking an authorized leave from their studies are not allowed to work in Canada on student visa.

Let’s explore various options for work in Canada on student visa.

I. Off-campus work rules

Off-campus work rules apply in situations where students prefer to work for an employer in Canada that is not located on the university/college/institution campus.

Student visa in Canada allows work upto 20 hours per week during regular academic semesters, and full-time during scheduled academic breaks, like winter, spring, and summer break.

Typically, an international student must ensure the following pre-requisites to work in Canada on a student visa off-campus:

enroll themselves in a full-time study course of at least 6 months at any Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and leading to a certificate, diploma, or degree
hold a valid Canadian study permit
have a social insurance number (SIN)

II. On-campus work rules

On-campus work rules apply in situations where students prefer to work for an employer located on the university/college/institution campus itself.

Such employers within the campus could be

the school,
a faculty member,
a student organization,
a private business on campus,
a private contractor providing services to the school, or
self-employed on-campus.

Exception for international students who are teaching or research assistants. They can work at a library, hospital, or research facility associated with their school in Canada even if it is outside the campus.

III. Co-op work rules

Co-op study programs mandates students to undergo work internships to account for it in program credits and complete the study course.

Eligible students need a separate co-op work permit to work in Canada on a student visa.

The co-op work permit is a separate, closed-work permit. It may only be used for work that is essential to the program of study.

IV. After graduation

An open work permit called Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) allows international students to work in Canada full-time upon graduation. The PGWP is valid for up to three years and allows the holder to work for an employer of their choice in Canada.

Students that are not eligible to work off campus include

visiting or exchange students at a designated learning institution
students only taking courses required to be accepted into a full-time program
students enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) program

Students that are not eligible to work on campus include

students whose study permit has expired
students who stop studying full time unless they are in their final semester and meet other requirements

Work Options in Canada for Partner/Spouse

The spouse or common-law partner may be eligible for work in Canada on student visa of an international student.

The spouse or common-law partner of international students on a valid study permit is eligible for an open work permit if the student:

eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
enrolled in a full-time program at one of the public post-secondary schools, a private college-level schools in Quebec or a Canadian private schools that can legally award degree under provincial law.

Open-work permit in Canada is not job-specific and eligible beneficiaries are free to apply for most job positions.

Take this free assessment online to determine your chances of qualifying for immigration.

Applying for a Study Permit in Canada with CanApprove

If you are in the Express Entry pool already, you may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination. Then if you get the nomination, it will mean you get 600 points added to your score and you will be able to apply for immigration as a PNP candidate!

Subscribe our Youtube channel for more Immigration and Overseas Education updates.

Connect with our consultants today to learn more about the University Programs, Scholarships, Tuition Fees, and settlement options after graduation.

Recent Canadian Immigration Trends 2022 That You Should Know

Posted on September 12, 2022March 16, 2024 by Sandy 2 Comments

Various reports and surveys from Statistics Canada note the continued dependence of Canada on economic-class immigration to support its population growth. Estimates show us that Canada’s population could reach up to 57 million people by 2068 and would be largely driven by skilled immigration.

We are seeing more such interesting Canadian immigration trends that will reaffirm your decision to move to Canada. Here’s us presenting the top 6 immigration trends that also promise to boost Canadian permanent residency targets:

Job vacancies are at an all-time high

Job vacancies in Canada are hiking even more and it reached 1,000,000 in June this year. There is a labor shortage and high demand for skilled workers in Healthcare and social assistance sectors. Job vacancies in the retail sector, Manufacturing, Professional, scientific, and technical services, and Finance and insurance have gone up.

Unemployment in Canada continues to decrease while job vacancy rises all over the country. Canada looks at immigration as one of the methods to solve this problem by inviting a large number of prospective permanent residents between now and 2024.

Read along with Canada’s plan for increasing immigration, Canadian businesses are now dependent heavily on skilled immigrants to fulfill increasing job vacancies across industries.

Skilled Immigration continues to rise

Canada is set to exceed its annual target of 431,000 new permanent residents in 2022. Most immigrants favored Ontario followed by British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta as their preferred choice provinces in Canada.

The biggest reason for Canada to show an increased tendency to welcome more immigrants is because working-age Canadians are quickly reaching the retirement age of 65. By 2030, it is expected that nine million Canadians will have retired.

Therefore, Canada is resorting to sustaining its population through skilled immigration. At the present, Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan has a target of over 450,000 new permanent residents a year by 2024, the highest number in its history.

We are seeing increased invitations to apply (ITA) under fortnightly all-program Express Entry draws. Candidates under Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) who don’t have any Canadian experience or job offer can qualify for Canadian permanent residency under it.

Take your free assessment online to determine eligibility for Canadian immigration

Improving PNP intake levels

Immigration ministers from across Canada came together at the Forum of Ministers Responsible (FMRI) for Immigration earlier this July in Saint John, New Brunswick.

The meeting of Immigration Ministers focussed around increasing Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan alongside agreeing on multi-year PNP levels plan. The current plan is targeting to welcome over 400,000 new immigrants annually till 2024. Over 60% of the target is to meet through economic-class and family-class immigration programs.

Specifically, PNP is targeting 80,000 intakes in 2022 and would increase to 90,000 intakes next year. With the latest agreement between the Immigration ministers, PNP allocation targets will also be set on a three-year basis.

The ministers agreed to determine the multi-year PNP plan by March 31, 2023.

Returning back to processing standards

Canadian immigration trends suggest more investment to digitize immigration services.

Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship and Canada (IRCC) will begin transitioning to 100% digital applications for most permanent residence programs on September 23.

Canada is also promising new exemptions, and more application status trackers to improve client experience and reduce immigration backlogs. IRCC is targeting to process 80 percent of new applications within their service standards.

Earlier, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser promised to process new Express Entry applications for Canadian permanent residency within standard 6 months, the standard pre-pandemic levels.

More opportunities for international students

Canada has received 175,000 student visa applications in the first quarter of 2022 alone.

IRCC is reporting a significant rise in demand for study permits from international students. The figures for 2021 show a 56% increase in study permit applications over 2020 levels, indicating the return of normalcy.

More and more international students are choosing Canada in spite of popular study abroad destinations like Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, the USA, France, Germany, Poland, Malta, and Switzerland, because of its reputation for safety and stability.

Additionally, the retention rate in Canada in issuing Post-Graduation Work Permits and later qualifying for Canadian permanent residency is the highest among popular destinations.

This concludes our discussion on the latest Canadian immigration trends to watch out for and plan your immigration accordingly. Don’t forget to book your free appointment with CanApprove to determine your eligibility based on your work or academic profile!

Ontario PNP Offers Nine Nomination Streams To Improve Chances Of Immigrating To Canada

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Sandy 5 Comments

Ontario posts an incredible immigrant retention rate of over 93%. A large number of immigrants prefer Ontario due to its open economic opportunities, and well-established immigrant communities. In fact, Ontario welcomed about 49% of all Canadian permanent residents or about 198,000 profiles in 2021. And the good news is that the Ontario PNP is on track to issue nearly 9,000 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination in 2022.

Qualifying for Canada Permanent Residency via PNP

Canada allows its provinces and territories to run their own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which attracts immigrants with specific skills and experience to support local labor force needs.

Such nominated candidates are qualified to apply for Canada permanent residency by virtue of gaining Canadian experience. Now they can settle in any part of the country, even outside the province that nominated them.

Immigration Categories Under Ontario PNP

Ontario invites eligible candidates under four immigration categories and within most categories are sub-streams.

Human Capital Priority Steams
Master and Ph.D. Categories
Employer Job Offer Category
Entrepreneur Category

Those who wish to qualify for Canada permanent residency through provincial nominations have nine pathways to choose from under Ontario PNP.

Express Entry Categories

Ever since the introduction of the Express Entry system in 2015, all provincial nominee programs have at least one stream that nominates candidates directly from its federal pool of foreign skilled talent.

Human Capital Priority Streams: Those who are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), are also eligible for a provincial nomination in Ontario.

French Speaking Skilled Worker Class: For those who are highly skilled in both official languages- English and French, Ontario PNP will favor them for provincial nominations. This stream is identical to FSWP but with a mandatory Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7 in French and a 6 in English.

Skilled Trades Stream: Candidates who are eligible for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are eligible for provincial nomination through the Skilled Trades stream. This means candidates must have a minimum of one year’s work experience within their trade, and it must fall into National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes Minor Group 633 or Major Groups 72, 73, or 82.

Master and Ph.D. Categories

There are exclusive immigration programs designed for master’s students and Ph.D. students who graduate from Ontario universities and plan to stay in the province.

The Masters Graduate stream requires at least one year of study at an eligible Ontario university and graduation from the program.

The Ph.D. Students stream must complete at least two years of their Ph.D. in Ontario.

In order to qualify under both streams, candidates must have lived in Ontario for at least one year over the past two years.

Employer Job Offer Category

This category is for those aspirants with a job offer from a local employer in Ontario.

Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream: Foreign workers who are abroad and have a job offer from an Ontario employer may qualify under this stream. The job must fall under NOC codes 0, A, or B and you must be able to demonstrate an appropriate license (where needed) or a cumulation of two years’ work experience in the same occupation.

Employer Job Offer: International Graduates: Candidates who are graduating from colleges or universities in foreign countries and have received job offers from an employer in Ontario may apply.

Employer Job Offer: In-demand occupations: Skilled workers either in Canada or abroad with experience that falls under NOC C or D may apply.

Entrepreneur Category

The Ontario PNP also invites foreigners to start their own businesses in the province and contribute to the economy.

Candidates for this category must also submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI). If they are invited to apply, they are required to attend a mandatory interview and sign a performance agreement.

Initially, they will be issued a temporary work permit to move to Canada and implement their proposed business plan in the next 20 months. Upon final review, they are eligible for Canada permanent residency.

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada, you may book a free appointment with CanApprove,

We are a certified immigration consultant that will help determine your eligibility based on work experience or academic profile, submit your EOI, and offer professional guidance in completing your documentation process.

Brief Analysis Of Comprehensive Ranking System Under Express Entry For Canada PR

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Anyone who is planning their immigration to Canada will across the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). It is a system for profile assessment and ranking under the Express Entry system for Canada PR.

Canada started using CRS to assess Express Entry profiles in 2015.

The Express Entry CRS is a detailed and evidence-based approach designed to identify immigrants who have the best chance of succeeding in the Canadian labor market.

It is done by awarding points to all the registered Express Entry profiles based on core human capital criteria such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Candidates are then ranked against each other based on their CRS scores.

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System?

Canada has its unique Comprehensive Ranking System for evaluating the federal Express Entry candidates for immigration under federal immigration programs as well as Express entry linked provincial nominee programs.

Eligible candidates may submit a profile into the Express Entry pool and they are awarded points based on factors including age, education, skilled work experience, and proficiency in English or French.

The highest-ranked candidates are regularly issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence (PR) through regular draws from the Express Entry pool. As Canada gears up to resume all-program Express Entry draws, the Express Entry applications for Canada PR will be processed within six months.

How to Improve Express Entry CRS score?

The biggest advantage of the federal Express Entry system for candidates is the fact that the candidates can improve their Comprehensive Ranking System score anytime. This may result in an increased probability of getting an invitation to apply to Canada PR.

Areas to improve the Express Entry CRS score include:

Improving proficiency in a language – English or French
Documenting their education and work experience correctly
Stay updated with active provincial nominee programs
Obtain a Canadian job or any other new credentials
Any candidate can boost a CRS score by proving they have completed secondary or post-secondary education in Canada.

Additionally, all candidates in the Express Entry pool who want to be assessed for their foreign education and/or that of their spouse or common-law partner under the Comprehensive Ranking System will need to get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

An ECA is used to determine the Canadian equivalent of an education degree obtained outside Canada. It is not required in order to enter the Express Entry pool as a Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class candidate. However, under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, you will need an ECA.

How are Points Awarded Under the Comprehensive Ranking System?

A candidate may be eligible to get up to 1200 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. There are four factors under which you can gain CRS points:

Core/Human Captial (age, skilled work experience in Canada, education, and language)
Spouse or common-law partner (education, language, work experience)
Skill Transferability (combinations of language, education, and work experience)
Additional factors (Provincial nomination, sibling in Canada, proficiency in English and French)

Core/human capital

Core/human capital factors can add up to a maximum of 500 points with language the highest number of points at 150 for a single applicant, followed by education at 140, age at 100, and Canadian work experience at 70 points.

Age:

Maximum points are awarded to those in the prime of their working life.

Candidates in their 20s score 100 points. Points progressively decline beginning from age 30, until it reaches 0 points for those aged 45 and older.

Work experience in Canada:

All Express Entry programs require a minimum amount of skilled work experience in an occupation that falls under skill levels 0, A, or B of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system.

The CRS awards additional points to those with Canadian experience.

A single candidate with more than five years of Canadian work experience can score up to 80 points, while the minimum requirement of one year is 40.

Education:

More years of education will result in more points.

If a candidate with a bachelor’s degree or a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or another institute can score up to 120 points.

Longer programs, such as a PhD, will score 150 while candidates who have only completed secondary school will receive 30 points.

Spouse or common-law partner

If you are planning to immigrate with a spouse or common-law partner, you should have them estimate their CRS score using a Comprehensive Ranking System calculator.

To account for your partner, the CRS reduces the number of points the Principal Applicant (PA) can get for various factors by a total of 40 points. However, at the same time, the CRS also allows the PA to earn up to 40 points through their partner’s profile.

If they have a higher score than you, it may be a good idea to have them apply as the principal applicant to maximize your overall CRS score.

Skill Transferability

The CRS also ranks based on skill transferability factors. Candidates can get an additional 100 Express Entry CRS points if they can show a combination of work experience and education both inside and outside of Canada, or a combination of post-secondary education and a high CLB score.

Additional factors

For example, a candidate who has a sibling in Canada will score higher, as well as a candidate who has a minimum CLB score of seven in both English and French.

Another example can be that the highest number of additional points comes from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Candidates who receive a notification of interest from a province can apply for nomination to immigrate to a specific province. If they are successful in their provincial nomination, 600 CRS points get added to their Express Entry profile, which is higher than most candidates’ scores and is likely to result in an invitation to apply for permanent residency from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

For instance, in the latest Express Entry draws, 932 provincial nominees received invitations to apply for Canada PR. The automatic addition of 600 points to their base human capital score meant candidates effectively required only 196 Express Entry CRS points to qualify.

While getting assessed under the Comprehensive Ranking Score is the easiest way to qualify for Canada PR, you are free to pursue other Canadian permanent residence pathways at the same time.

Visit a certified immigration consultant to determine your eligibility and choose the most suitable immigration program based on your education and work profile.

Get a free assessment to determine the best possible pathway for your immigration to Canada.

Book your appointment with CanApprove today!

Canadian Immigration via Provincial Nominee Program: Understanding Base vs Enhanced PNP

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Canadian immigration via Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has shown tremendous success in recent years. In fact, Canada has been focusing only on candidates with a prior provincial nomination to apply for Canadian permanent residency since the pandemic.

PNP will become Canada’s leading economic class pathway in 2022 and 2023, accounting for over 80,000 new immigrants each year. This blog will discuss the basics of applying for Canadian immigration via Provincial Nominee Program.

Is Canadian Immigration Through Provincial Nominee Program the Right Path for You?

Canadian immigration means applying for permanent residency. Canadian provinces and territories are allowed to nominate applicants based on their local economic demands and the individual’s skills in establishing themselves within the province.

Receiving a provincial nomination acts as an eligibility certificate for temporary residence status in a particular province. Further, the doors to qualify for Canadian permanent residency open along with it.

Interested candidates can qualify for consideration through two streams: they can apply directly to a province through a base stream or get an enhanced nomination through the federal Express Entry system.

Base PNP

Candidates can apply directly to a province for consideration.
There are over 80 PNP streams throughout Canada and it is up to the candidate to self-evaluate which program is the best fit.
Alternatively, you can contact our expert consultants to help you suggest suitable streams based on your work and academic profile.

Once a province receives the application, it will review it to decide whether to grant a candidate a provincial nomination. The current average processing time for base PNP streams of 27 months.

Enhanced PNP

Enhanced nominations are the most preferred option to apply for Canadian immigration via the provincial nominee program.
It requires interested candidates to create an Express Entry profile on the federal government’s website.
Dedicated provincial streams under PNPs have direct access to the federal pool to review and nominate desirable candidates.

If a candidate is eligible for at least one of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the provincial governments will send them a notification of interest inviting the candidate to apply for provincial nomination.

How to Qualify for Canadian Permanent Residency with Provincial Nomination?

Once the candidates have received a provincial nomination, they can apply for Canadian permanent residency. For candidates with enhanced PNP, an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are added to their Express Entry profile.

These additional points may effectively guarantee an invitation to apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency from IRCC. The next step is to pass a medical exam and get a police check.

Once the candidate is approved by IRCC, they can complete their permanent residence landing in Canada.

For instance, in the latest Express Entry draws on June 08, 932 candidates with provincial nominations and a CRS score of 796 got ITAs for Canada PR.

Fees for Canadian Immigration via Provincial Nominee Program

The application fees for most PNPs range from $250 to $1,500, depending on the program. However, there are four jurisdictions that do not charge fees to apply for provincial nominations: Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon.

While the fees for applying through Express Entry with IRCC start at $1,365 CAD. This does not include the cost of biometrics, language tests, educational credential assessments, or spousal/dependent requirements.

Separate fees are to be paid to process your PNP application and then for IRCC to process your permanent residence application.

Cut through the hassle of paying multiple fees and meeting the documentation standards – book your free appointment with CanApprove to kick-start your journey!

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility.

The situation varies for each candidate and so are the circumstances of applying for or accepting provincial nominations. The best recommendation is to research thoroughly and then visit a certified Canadian immigration consultant. It will help make an informed choice on what works best for your situation, budget, and timeframe.

Monthly Review: Canada Immigration Nomination Draws in May 2022

Posted on June 2, 2022March 16, 2024 by Sandy Leave a Comment

In this edition of Canada immigration nomination draws, we are discussing nearly 1,400 invitations to apply for provincial nominations and another 1,134 ITAs for Canada permanent residency during the month of May 2022.

With Canada showing potential to improve immigrant outcomes in essential sectors, planning your skilled-based immigration to Canada should be your number one priority in current times.

Canada Permanent Residency Under Express Entry in May 2022

Last month, Canada Express Entry only invited registered candidates with successful provincial nominations to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry Draws – May 2022
Draw Number	Canada Immigration Nomination Draws	Qualifying CRS	ITAs issued
#223	May 25	PNP-specific: 741 points	589
#222	May 11	PNP-specific: 753 points	545

Canada Express Entry is a long-drawn (maximum one-year validity) two-step process.

All registered 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 invitations to apply (ITA) for Canada permanent residency.

Further, candidates with an active Express Entry were extremely benefitted as provincial nomination will give them a chance to gain an additional 600 points towards their overall CRS score. This would effectively guarantee them an ITA for Canada PR in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Somewhere in the whole nomination draw in 2021, the preference for candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is still being sidelined. The recent Express Entry draws are also not considering qualified profiles under Canada Experience Class (CEC).

However, Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will resume FSWP & CEC invitations in July.

FSWP Express Entry provides a direct immigration pathway for skilled foreign workers even without a job offer or work experience in Canada to obtain permanent residence (PR).

Canada PR via Provincial Nominee Programs in May 2022

Since its launch in 1998, the Provincial Nominee Programs have become the second main route to permanent residence in Canada.

The unique arrangement between the federal and provincial/territorial governments in Canada, except in Quebec & Nunavut, allows the nomination of foreign candidates separately based on the unique labor demand of each province.

By 2024, more than 93,000 immigrants per year are expected to be admitted as permanent residents through various Provincial Nominee Programs.

ALBERTA

A total of 100 candidates were invited to apply for a provincial nomination on May 19 under the Alberta Express Entry stream. Invited candidates needed a CRS score of at least 382 in order to be invited.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) continued to hold its weekly draws. The province invited 636 immigration candidates to apply for a provincial nomination under various streams like Express Entry British Columbia, Skills Immigration, and the Tech stream. Few profiles were also invited under Entrepreneur Regional Pilot streams.

MANITOBA

The province of Manitoba held a draw under Skilled Workers in Manitoba, International Education Stream, and Skilled Workers Overseas streams, issuing a total of 315 Letters of Advice to Apply issued of which 48 were issued to candidates who declared a valid Express Entry profile.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

PEI PNP went as per its pre-scheduled draws on May 20. A total of 137 eligible candidates are under Express Entry, Labour, and Business Impact candidates.

Get a free assessment of your immigration profile and find suitable pathways to migrate to Canada with the best immigration consultants.

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan invites a total of 251 profiles to apply for provincial nominations under various streams. Some 106 invitations went to Express Entry candidates and 91 invitations went to Occupations In-Demand candidates in that invitation round. The remaining 54 invitations went to its Entrepreneurs stream.

QUEBEC

On May 5, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) invited 30 candidates to apply for a permanent selection under the Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSWP). Candidates had to have profiles in the Arrima Expression of Interest system and to have a valid job offer outside of the Montreal Metropolitan area.

Job vacancies in Quebec will boost the immigration of qualified professionals in the coming months. Those who wish to settle in Quebec are assessed under a different system than those who want to settle elsewhere in Canada.

Canada to Increase Immigration Levels

Immigration Minister, Sean Fraser seem confident and prepared to increase Canada’s immigration levels if it is necessary to address labor shortages.

In a recent interview, Fraser sought support from local businesses and communities to increase the immigration levels, adding that he is “very much open to” even higher levels to accommodate more foreign migrants in Canada.

This brings us to discuss the importance of hiring certified consultants for simplifying your Canadian immigration. Certified Immigration Consultant like CanApprove can help you & highly recommended to qualify for Canadian immigration nomination draws if you have been:

rejected previously or
have a potential medical inadmissibility concern or
you’re applying through a complex immigration program or
you may have a unique case in hand or
you wish to ignore tedious documentation.

CanApprove is one of the best immigration consultants in and around the Dubai region. With over 20+ years of experience in immigration consultancy and overseas education counseling, we can be your best partner in qualifying for Canadian immigration.

Take this free assessment online to determine your eligibility to qualify for the upcoming Canada immigration nomination draws.

Book your free appointment with CanApprove to get genuine immigration advice based on your work and academic profile.

An Updated Guide On How To Become A Canadian Citizen

Posted on May 27, 2022March 16, 2024 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Canada is celebrating Citizenship Week from May 23 to May 29 this year. We thought this is the right opportunity to present an updated guide on how to become a Canadian citizen by immigration.

Since the Canadian Citizenship Act came into effect on January 1, 1947, the act has been amended to reflect the multicultural values of Canadian society. Canada didn’t suspend but innovated with virtual Canadian citizenship ceremonies even during the pandemic.

Most recently, Canada made changes to provide for Canadian citizenship to foreign-born children whose Canadian parents are not biologically.

Canadian citizenship holds much significance and meaning for a lot of foreigners willing to study, work and settle in the country. For many, the promise of Canadian citizenship is a gateway to a better life.

Once you have decided to migrate to Canada, all you have to do is follow the below steps to obtain citizenship:

Determine your eligibility by taking the online assessment and applying for a Canada PR visa. There are 100+ federal and provincial programs to invite economic-class & family-class immigrations.

Fulfil the criteria for citizenship for naturalization which is 1,095 days out of the 5 years on a Canada PR visa. Once the foundation is laid, apply for the Canadian citizenship test and get a chance to attend a citizenship ceremony!

Canadian Permanent Residency vs Becoming a Canadian Citizen

There are primarily two things that an individual holding a Canada PR status cannot compete against an individual with Canadian citizenship. They cannot cast their right to vote or contest in the elections nor hold a high-level government post.

Canadian Permanent Residence	Canadian Citizenship
An individual holding Canada PR is a citizen of another country but a permanent resident of Canada.	Canadian citizenship allows its holders to become citizens of another country.
Any foreign individual applying to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry Programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, Atlantic Immigration Pilot, and Entrepreneur programs is eligible to get permanent residence status.	A foreign individual can obtain Canadian citizenship by naturalization or by the virtue of holding Canada PR.

How can a Foreigner Become a Canadian Citizen?

For a foreigner to become a Canadian citizen, any eligible applicant would undergo a two-step process fulfilling certain human capital requirements like

young, working-age (25-33 years preferred)
education qualification (a graduation degree preferred)
work experience (at least one year of relevant experience in Canada or more than 3 years of work experience outside Canada preferred)
Language proficiency in English or French (bilingual candidates are given additional points)

Once the applicant comes good on the above factors, they are nominated to apply for Canadian permanent residency (PR) through economic-class pathways like Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program, or other pathways through Business Immigration, spousal privilege, graduate visas, etc.

Once Canada PR is obtained, any eligible resident can plan to apply for Canadian citizenship by fulfilling the following requirements:

How to become a Canadian citizen: meet residency requirements

Aspiring residents must have been physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) during the five years before the date you apply for citizenship. Any time spent outside of Canada does not count towards your physical presence requirements but there are some exceptions.

It is recommended to apply with more than 1,095 days of living in Canada to avoid calculation problems.

If you were in Canada as a temporary resident including students or work permit holders, you may be able to count that time toward your residency requirement as well. However, each day that you spent in Canada as a temporary resident in the last five years counts as a half-day when you calculate your physical presence.

How to become a Canadian citizen: file your taxes

During your residence in Canada, you must have filed taxes before you can become a Canadian citizen. Even if you lived in Canada for only part of a year, you may be required to file an income tax return to pay taxes, claim refunds, and avail of various benefits and credit payments.

How to become a Canadian citizen: improve language skills

Those aged 18 to 54 must also show they can communicate in English or French by achieving a Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) level of 4 or higher in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Language assessment made at the time of obtaining Canadian permanent residency can also be used to apply for Canadian citizenship.

After fulfilling the above requirements, eligible candidates must undergo a written citizenship test.

Canadian Citizenship Test Format

The candidates need to confirm their identity through the submission of personal information. Once done, the applicants have at least 21 days to complete the test at a convenient time. The system will monitor the response of candidates using a webcam throughout the duration of the test.

Eligible candidates can take the Canada Citizenship test online in any of the two official languages: English or French. Just like the offline exam pattern, the online Canada Citizenship test will have 20 choice-based questions, which need to be answered within 30 minutes.

A total of 75% marks are needed to qualify for the test, i.e., the candidates must answer at least 15 questions correctly out of the total of 20 questions. All the questions are expected out of topics like the history of Canada, Politics, Economy, Geography, Laws, rights, and responsibilities of a Canadian citizen.

Take this free online assessment to determine your eligibility for your suitable Canada PR programs.

Book your free appointment with our immigration consultants to learn more about your eligibility for Canadian immigration and eventually citizenship based on a case-to-case basis.

4 FAQs on Canadian Immigration Part 5: Understanding Canada Through Q&A

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Sandy Leave a Comment

Thanks to the robust points-based immigration system, Canada has coped well with the rising demand for augmenting the local workforce with foreign talent. Throughout these years, Canada has always remained a popular destination for skilled immigrants along with their families in search of better career opportunities and aspirational living standards. Going by the latest trends, the future for economic-class immigration seems bright and this is why we have come up with FAQs on Canadian immigration for you to comprehend your chances of qualifying sooner!

Understanding Canadian Immigration Through FAQs

In Canada, immigration is the act granting permanent residency status, including to refugees. Furthermore, all Canadian permanent residency holders are eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting certain requirements.

Understanding Canadian immigration through Q&A styled blog may address some pertinent questions that you were looking to get answered by experts for a long. Let’s begin by answering the top 4 FAQs on Canadian Immigration.

Does age affect Canadian and Australian applications?

Most economic-class immigration programs offered by Canada and Australia have an age limit of 45. It concerns talented aspirants with a job offer or those who are looking to apply for a skilled job in Canada. A skilled job in Canada requires aspirants to have at least a graduate degree in any relevant & recognized field.

Canada awards maximum points to the younger population over 18 years who would typically pursue higher education before gaining work experience in related occupations. On the other hand, Australia prefers candidates who are in their prime working age (25-32 years) to qualify for permanent residency.

However, people aged 45 and above can still immigrate to Canada or Australia through several alternative options.

The Australian Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) Visa is for those who wish to own and manage a business in Australia. Applicants under 55 years of age can apply under this visa stream, however, this requirement could be waived off if the applicant’s proposed business will be of excellent economic benefit to the state or territory!

Similarly, interested applicants aged under 55 years can apply through the Canada Start-Up Visa Programme which could lead to permanent residency.

Read our previous blog on Which Is Better: Canada vs Australia Immigration Points System for Foreign Skilled Workers? for detailed information.

Why you should enter the Express Entry pool ahead of July 2022?

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser made an exciting announcement in April 2022 about resuming Express Entry draws for Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class candidates by July 2022.

It represents a major & positive change in the recent Canadian immigration landscape. With the economy growing faster than employers can hire new workers, Express Entry is poised to once again become Canada’s primary means of attracting international talent.

The Canadian government will gradually increase its annual Express Entry admissions to more than 110,000 immigrants in 2024!

This brings us to highlight the several benefits to enter the Express Entry pool ahead of July 2022 draw. Some important ones are:

Be in a position to receive an ITA for Canada PR by early July
Take advantage of the tie-breaking rule by getting in as early as possible
Leverage the benefits of active PNP-linked Express Entry nomination draws

Do I need a job offer to immigrate to Canada?

Yes, there are many immigration programs that allow eligible aspirants to qualify for permanent residence even without a job offer in Canada.

There are more than 100 economic-class pathways to apply for Canadian immigration. Most programs rely on applicants’ work or study experience for qualifying. Here is a list of popular Canadian immigration programs that do not require applicants to have a prior job offer in Canada:

Federal Express Entry
Alberta Express Entry
Saskatchewan Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand
Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream
BC Skills Immigration International Post-Graduate
Nova Scotia Labour Market Priorities

You can go through our previous blog on Canadian Immigration Pathways Without a Job Offer for more information on mentioned pathways.

How important is it for families and businessmen around the Middle East to consider obtaining second citizenship?

Australia, New Zealand, and Canada are back on the travel and immigration radar of the UAE residents as recent travel restrictions were lifted & the economy is recovering.

By investing in second citizenship in these countries, businessmen open a secure and stable future for themselves and their families and not only because of the after-effects of COVID-19 or climate change.

At the moment, Canada is a very attractive place for investors. Many businesses with headquarters in the Middle East have either started a new business in Canada or acquired a franchisee of an existing business through Canada’s intra-company transfer (ICT) program.

With CanApprove’s services, clients receive assistance in their migration process as well as in the expansion of their business in Canada. Our experience documentation team will assist the clients throughout the ICT process – applying for work permits for the employees of the Canadian company, leading them to apply for permanent residency.

That’s all for this edition of FAQs on Canadian Immigration. Get to Part-1, Part-2, Part-3 & Part-4 of Understanding Canada Immigration to make an informed choice.