Tag Archives: Immigration

July 06, 2023 – Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the issuance of 1500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the 255th Express Entry Draw. This draw, specifically targeting health workers, saw the lowest ranking candidate with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 463. Recognizing the critical role of health workers in providing essential services and contributing to the well-being of Canadians, this category-specific draw aims to attract skilled professionals in the healthcare sector. In this draw, the tie-breaking rule was set at June 19, 2023, 06:41:05 UTC. If multiple candidates possess the same minimum score, the tie-breaking rule determines the last candidate to receive the ITA based on the time of application. Candidates who applied after this tie-breaking time with the same minimum score will not receive an ITA at this time. This marks the second draw of its kind, highlighting the ongoing efforts of IRCC to address the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Canada. With the 19th round of Express Entry Draws conducted this year, IRCC continues to prioritize attracting skilled individuals who can contribute to the Canadian workforce and support the nation’s healthcare system.

June 5, 2023 – Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently announced the issuance of 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the 254th Express Entry Draw. This draw, specifically targeting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations, saw the lowest ranking candidate with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 486. STEM occupations play a crucial role in driving innovation and technological advancements across various industries. These occupations encompass a wide range of fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. In this draw, the tie-breaking rule was set at November 23, 2022, 00:01:29 UTC. If multiple candidates possess the same minimum score, the tie-breaking rule determines the last candidate to receive the ITA based on the time of application. Candidates who applied after this tie-breaking time with the same minimum score will not receive an ITA in this round. This marks the 18th round of Express Entry Draws conducted this year, showcasing the ongoing efforts of IRCC to attract skilled individuals to contribute to the Canadian workforce and economy.

July 04, 2023 – In the latest Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 700 more Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to eligible candidates. This draw, known as the 253rd Express Entry Draw, saw the lowest ranking candidate with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 511. This is the highest CRS Cutoff for this year. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was set at July 01, 2023, 09:31:32 UTC. In cases where multiple candidates have the same minimum score, the tie-breaking rule determines the last candidate to receive the ITA based on the time of application. Candidates who applied after this tie-breaking time with the same minimum score will not receive an ITA in this round. This marks the 19th round of Express Entry Draws this year, and unlike previous rounds, no specific program was specified. This means that candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and Provincial Nominee Program were all eligible for this round of invitations. Throughout the year, the lowest and highest CRS cutoff scores have varied depending on the program. For rounds where no program was specified, the lowest cutoff score was 481, while the highest reached 511. For the Provincial Nomination Program, the lowest cutoff score was 691, and the highest was 791. As for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the cutoff score remained consistent at 489. For more information, visit the official Canadian Immigration website to review the Ministerial Instructions for the 253rd Express Entry draw.

In the latest round of invitations under the Express Entry system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 500 invitations to candidates in healthcare occupations. The draw took place on June 28, 2023, at 14:04:34 UTC. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score required for this draw was 476, with the lowest-ranked candidate meeting this threshold. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was set at November 12, 2022, at 12:47:27 UTC. This draw specifically targeted healthcare professionals, reflecting Canada’s urgent need for skilled workers in the healthcare sector. With 144,500 vacant positions in the healthcare and social assistance sector, Canada is actively seeking talented individuals to address the critical shortage of healthcare workers. The targeted draw for healthcare occupations is part of IRCC’s efforts to attract skilled immigrants who can contribute to Canada’s healthcare system and support the well-being of its citizens. This draw presents a significant opportunity for healthcare professionals to pursue permanent residence in Canada and build a rewarding career in the country. Candidates who received an invitation in this draw have 60 days to submit their application for permanent residence. The draw results demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the Canadian government to prioritize the immigration of skilled workers in high-demand occupations. IRCC will conduct second category based round on July 5th 2023 for 1500 workers. IRCC will continue to conduct regular Express Entry draws to invite candidates from various occupations and programs, ensuring a diverse pool of skilled immigrants who can contribute to Canada’s economic growth and development. For more information on Express Entry and the eligibility requirements for healthcare professionals, interested individuals can visit the official IRCC website or consult with a qualified immigration consultant. Occupations eligible for invitations in this category are: Unit group – code Unit group – title 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine 31101 Specialists in surgery 31102 General practitioners and family physicians 31103 Veterinarians 31110 Dentists 31111 Optometrists 31112 Audiologists and speech language pathologists 31121 Dieticians and nutritionists 31200 Psychologists 31201 Chiropractors 31202 Physiotherapists 31203 Occupational therapists 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment 31209 Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating 31300 Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 31302 Nurse practitioners 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals 32101 Licensed practical nurses 32102 Paramedical occupations 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment 32120 Medical laboratory technologists 32121 Medical radiation technologists 32122 Medical sonographers 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists 32201 Massage therapists 32209 Other practitioners of natural healing 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies 41320 Education counsellors 42203 Instructors of persons with disabilities

Communities across Canada are facing critical shortages of health workers, prompting the Government of Canada to take action. Last month, Minister Sean Fraser announced changes to Canada’s Express Entry program, the country’s flagship economic immigration program, to address these labor force gaps. Under the new measures, the government can issue invitations to apply for permanent residency to candidates with specific skills, training, or language ability. Today, Minister Fraser, along with Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, announced the implementation of these new features with a dedicated round of invitations for health workers. This round will invite 500 health professionals, including doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and optometrists, to apply for permanent residency. A second round, inviting 1,500 workers, will take place on July 5. This phased approach ensures a smooth launch of the program. By focusing on candidates with healthcare expertise, Canada aims to improve access to healthcare services for Canadians and their families. These category-based selection rounds align with Canada’s commitment to welcoming skilled workers and professionals into communities across the country. In addition to the general invitation rounds, category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year, with more details to be announced soon. This dedicated round of invitations for health workers complements existing immigration initiatives aimed at filling labor gaps in the healthcare sector. The Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, which recently introduced two new streams, provides opportunities for skilled refugees and displaced individuals to continue their careers in Canada. The pilot has seen significant uptake in the healthcare sector, with over 50% of applications received from candidates working in healthcare roles. Canada has also made changes to Express Entry to facilitate the issuance of permanent resident visas for physicians providing publicly funded medical services. Furthermore, the government has committed $90 million to projects that remove barriers preventing skilled newcomers from gaining work experience in their professions or fields of study. Between 2017 and 2022, Canada welcomed 21,656 skilled newcomers in health occupations. Today’s announcement reflects Canada’s ongoing efforts to retain and recruit health workers to address the healthcare workforce crisis. The government is working with provinces and territories to streamline foreign credential recognition for internationally educated health professionals and advance labor mobility in the sector. These initiatives are part of the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan, supported by a budget commitment of nearly $200 billion over 10 years to enhance healthcare services in the country. Based on landing data from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) between 2017 and 2022, skilled newcomers to Canada expressed their intention to work in various health occupations. Please note that these estimates are preliminary and subject to change. Here is a breakdown of the intended occupations: Express Entry is Canada’s primary application management system for individuals seeking permanent immigration through programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program. In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French. On May 31, 2023, Minister Fraser announced the introduction of category-based selection, a new process to welcome skilled newcomers with work experience in priority jobs as permanent residents. The categories were determined through extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders, and the public, as well as a review of labor market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories can be found on the official website. It is worth noting that immigration plays a significant role in Canada’s labor force growth, addressing labor shortages in key sectors. Under the Canada-Québec Accord, Quebec has the authority to establish its own immigration levels. From 2018 to 2022, admissions under the Federal High-Skilled program accounted for approximately 34% to 40% of overall French-speaking admissions outside Quebec.

The latest Express Entry draw, which took place on June 27th, 2023, saw Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issue 4,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of the lowest ranking candidate in this draw was 486, the same as the previous draw on June 8th. The tie-breaking rule for this draw was June 21, 2023, 00:57:04 UTC. This means that if multiple candidates had the minimum score, the candidate who received the ITA at this time would be prioritized, and others who applied after this time would not receive an ITA in this round. In this round, no specific program was specified, making candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades, and Provincial Nominee Program eligible for invitations. Here are the lowest and highest CRS cutoff scores for this year: Please note that rounds specific to other programs have not taken place this year yet. Here is a summary of the invitations issued this year: As of June 27th, 2023, the number of candidates in the Express Entry Pool is as follows: Please note that these numbers are approximate and subject to change in real time. For more information, you can visit the official Canadian Immigration website to see the Ministerial Instructions for the 251st Express Entry draw.

The Canadian government has expanded a program to make it easier for more French speakers to immigrate to Canada. The program is called the Francophone Mobility Program. Before the changes, only highly skilled French speakers could apply. Now more French speakers with moderate language skills can apply for jobs under the program. The government updated the French language requirements. Applicants now need to prove they speak French at a moderate level. They need to show documents proving their French skills. The goal of expanding the program is to increase the French speaking population in Canada. It will help with the labor shortage and support French minority communities across Canada. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said protecting the French culture and language outside of Quebec is a priority. A government official said they need to do everything they can to help French minority communities. In summary, the government expanded an immigration program to make it easier for more French speakers to get work permits and jobs in Canada. The goal is to increase the Francophone population and support French minority communities. Here are some additional details: Few details about the program: Statistics:

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, has announced measures to assist international students and graduates facing removal from Canada after submitting fraudulent acceptance letters with their study permit applications. Many of these students and graduates were deceived by unscrupulous immigration consultants and had no knowledge the letters were fake. Minister Fraser has formed a task force and instructed officials to issue temporary resident permits to victims of fraud who had a genuine intent to study in Canada. The Minister recognizes the valuable contributions of international students and is focused on identifying those responsible for the fraudulent activity, not penalizing victims. His department is working closely with educational institutions to better detect and prevent fraud while upholding the integrity of immigration programs. Minister Fraser urges all applicants to thoroughly research designated learning institutions, obtain authentic acceptance letters, and refer only to official government websites for immigration information. He also encourages anyone who has been deceived by an unauthorized consultant to report the fraud. The measures announced by the Minister aim to distinguish the victims of fraud from those who intentionally misrepresented their intentions in order to study in Canada. They will allow bona fide students who were deceived to remain in Canada and avoid the usual 5-year re-entry ban for misrepresentation. Immigration News – Minister Takes Action to Help Victims of Fraudulent Acceptance Letters The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, has announced measures to assist international students and graduates facing removal from Canada after submitting fraudulent acceptance letters with their study permit applications. Many of these students and graduates were deceived by unscrupulous immigration consultants and had no knowledge the letters were fake. Minister Fraser has formed a task force and instructed officials to issue temporary resident permits to victims of fraud who had a genuine intent to study in Canada. The Minister recognizes the valuable contributions of international students and is focused on identifying those responsible for the fraudulent activity, not penalizing victims. His department is working closely with educational institutions to better detect and prevent fraud while upholding the integrity of immigration programs. Minister Fraser urges all applicants to thoroughly research designated learning institutions, obtain authentic acceptance letters, and refer only to official government websites for immigration information. He also encourages anyone who has been deceived by an unauthorized consultant to report the fraud. The measures announced by the Minister aim to distinguish the victims of fraud from those who intentionally misrepresented their intentions in order to study in Canada. They will allow bona fide students who were deceived to remain in Canada and avoid the usual 5-year re-entry ban for misrepresentation.

There are many pathways to permanent residency in Canada. We discuss below the various Immigration pathways as well as steps for moving to Canada permanently: It’s important to note that the immigration process can be complex and time-consuming. Consulting with an immigration expert or lawyer can greatly assist you in navigating through the process, ensuring you meet all the requirements, and maximizing your chances of a successful immigration journey. Immigrating to Canada offers numerous benefits, including access to a strong economy, high living standards, excellent healthcare, and a multicultural society. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential challenges, such as adapting to a new culture, finding employment in a competitive job market, and the initial costs associated with relocation. Proper research, planning, and support can help you make a smooth transition and achieve your goals in Canada.

Life in Canada provides: Canada, known for its vast landscapes, multiculturalism, and thriving economy, has become a sought-after destination for immigrants worldwide. Offering a high quality of life, excellent healthcare, and ample job opportunities, Canada has a lot to offer to those seeking a new beginning. Let’s explore what makes Canada an attractive choice for immigrants and also delve into the potential benefits and shortcomings of moving to the country. Challenges of Moving to Canada: While Canada presents numerous benefits, it is essential to consider potential shortcomings to make an informed decision about moving to the country. The competitive job market, harsh climate, lengthy immigration process, cost of living, and cultural adjustment can pose challenges in the short term. However, with proper preparation, perseverance, and support systems, these obstacles can be overcome, leading to a rewarding and fulfilling life in Canada. In the long term, the benefits of living in Canada often outweigh the initial difficulties. The stable economy, access to quality education and healthcare, multiculturalism, and safety contribute to a prosperous and inclusive society. With a commitment to personal growth, adaptation, and embracing new opportunities, immigrants can thrive and contribute to the diverse tapestry of Canadian society. One can experience the Canadian life through various opportunities offered by the Canadian Government to Live, Study or Work in Canada.