In the latest Express Entry draw held on March 25, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,980 invitations to apply to eligible candidates.
Today’s Express Entry draw follows two previous draws held on March 12th and 13th. The first draw invited 2,850 candidates with the lowest CRS score of the year until today (525).
Understanding Express Entry
Express Entry is an innovative application management system that oversees the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates in the Express Entry pool are assessed based on various factors like work experience, language ability, education, and age. They are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System score, and those with the highest scores are most likely to receive an ITA.
Benefits of Express Entry
Moreover, Express Entry has revolutionized how Canada selects its immigrants, prioritizing those who bring valuable skills and experience to the country. With unparalleled efficiency, this program processes applications at lightning speed, providing applicants with the opportunity to settle in Canada quickly and effectively.
Eligibility and Requirements
To succeed in Express Entry, meeting certain requirements is paramount. Your work experience, education, language proficiency, and other factors will determine your score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Keep your documents in order and strive to reach the minimum required score to receive an invitation.
Tips to Increase Your Chances
Want to enhance your chances of receiving an ITA in future draws? Here are some tips to boost your Express Entry profile:
Improve Language Skills: Dedicate time to enhancing your language proficiency in English or French. Higher language scores can significantly improve your CRS score.
Job Offer Advantage: Having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer can increase your CRS score and chances of receiving an ITA.
Maximize Education: Pursue higher education to gain additional points in the CRS system and stand out in future draws.
Stay Informed: Stay updated with the latest Express Entry draws and changes to the selection criteria.
Professional Guidance: Furthermore seek assistance from experienced immigration consultants to navigate the Express Entry process smoothly and optimize your profile.
How can we help you?
When you receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply), a new series of steps begins for you to obtain your permanent residency in Canada.
Get in touch with us as soon as possible to get access to our Post-ITA (post invitation to apply) services.
Our expert immigration consultants are here to guide you through the Express Entry process and ensure a seamless and successful journey to permanent residency in Canada! You can speak with one of our consultants by clicking the button below.
Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) Minister Marc Miller today provided an update on temporary resident levels in Canada, announcing new reforms. He was joined by Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault for the announcement.
In a move to better match Canada’s workforce needs, the Immigration Minister has ordered a review of temporary foreign worker programs offered by the IRCC department. Additionally, Canada will be establishing yearly quotas for temporary residents, mirroring the existing system for permanent residents, starting this fall.
There are currently over 2.5 million temporary residents living in the country, accounting for 6.2% of the population. The government aims to reduce the temporary resident population to 5%, or about 2 million, “to reach an appropriate volume of temporary residents that Canada can welcome,” said Miller.
The plan is to reduce the number of temporary residents by approximately 20% over the next three years.
Miller also announced that there will be more invitations (draws) for inland immigration, meaning for those already in the country to become permanent residents.
With the measure, Canada will reduce 5% of temporary residents annually with the goal of making them permanent residents.
Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) were also announced, including a reduction in the LMIA validity period to 6 months starting May 1, 2024, with certain exceptions.
All employers identified in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Plan will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their workforce coming from the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, in the low-wage stream of the TFWP.
However, the health and construction sectors are exempt from the TFWP measures mentioned above.
Previously, Canada only set targets for permanent residents, aiming for about half a million annually.
Earlier this year, international student visas were reduced by 35%, and the government intends to stabilize permanent residency at half a million annually.
Key takeaways:
Canada to reduce temporary resident population by 20% over 3 years
More invitations for inland immigration to become permanent residents
Changes to TFWP, including reduced LMIA validity period
Health and construction sectors exempt from TFWP changes
Tax Filing for Newcomers to Canada: In Canada, everyone needs to file their taxes with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) by April 30th of each year. This includes income earned in the previous year. Your employer provides a T4 slip that details your income and tax info for the year.
There are two types of income tax in Canada: provincial and federal. The rates depend on your income level. Canada uses a marginal tax system, meaning you pay tax based on different brackets for your income. There are online calculators to help figure this out, but most salaried workers have taxes deducted automatically from their paychecks.
Who Should File a Tax Return?
Generally, you need to file a tax return in Canada if you are a resident of Canada for tax purposes, or if you meet any of the following criteria:
Earned income: You earned employment income, self-employment income, or pension income in Canada.
Investment income: You have investment income from Canada, such as interest, dividends, or capital gains.
Owed taxes: You owe taxes to the Canadian government, even if you didn’t earn income in Canada.
Claimed benefits: You want to claim a refund of taxes withheld at source or claim benefits like the GST/HST credit.
Important Note: Even if you don’t meet the above criteria, filing a return might be beneficial to get any refunds you may be entitled to.
Filing Your Tax Return
There are five ways to file your taxes in Canada:
Certified Tax Software (electronic filing): This is the most popular method. The CRA approves various software programs that allow for electronic filing (NETFILE). It’s usually free, takes about two weeks to process, and can lead to a tax refund if you’ve overpaid.
Authorize a Representative: You can have someone like an accountant or family member file your taxes for you. This involves authorizing them with the CRA. Costs vary depending on the agreement.
Community Volunteer Tax Clinic: If your income is modest or your tax situation is simple, you may be able to use a free community tax clinic.
Discounter/Tax Preparer: These individuals can file your return upfront and give you a discounted refund right away. It’s faster but comes with a fee.
Paper Tax Return: While less common, you can still file a paper return. It’s free but takes longer to process (around 8 weeks).
How can I know whether I should pay tax or not?
The first step is to determine your residency status for tax purposes. This will determine which forms you need to file and how much tax you owe.
Resident: You’re considered a resident if you spend 183 days (or more) in a calendar year in Canada, or have strong residential ties (like owning a home or having a spouse/common-law partner in Canada). Residents report their worldwide income on a T1 return.
Non-resident: If you spend less than 183 days in Canada and lack strong residential ties, you’re a non-resident. You’ll only report income earned in Canada (employment income, pensions, rental income) on a non-resident return.
What do I need when filing my taxes?
Once you have determined your residency status, you will need to gather your documents. These include:
Beyond the basics like your name and address, here’s what you might need to have on hand:
Social Insurance Number (SIN): This unique 9-digit number is required to work and access benefits in Canada. File your return anyway if you don’t have one yet, and explain why in a letter to avoid late filing penalties. Newcomers may need details of their income before arriving in Canada.
Dependents’ information: Include details for your spouse, children, or elderly parents you support.
Depending on your situation, you might also need some of these documents:
T4 slips (if you worked in Canada): These are income statements from your employer for the past year.
Business income and expense records (for self-employed): Show your business income and expenses for the tax year.
Medical receipts (for claiming medical deductions): Keep receipts for medical expenses you or your dependents incurred if you plan to claim them on your return.
Foreign asset details (for newcomers): If you’re new to Canada and have foreign assets worth more than $100,000 CAD, you may need to declare them.
Childcare expense receipts (for claiming childcare benefits): Keep these receipts if you want to claim childcare benefits.
How can I file my taxes in Canada?
There are a few ways to file your return:
Do it Yourself (DIY): The CRA’s My Account service allows online filing. Tax preparation software is also available. This route can save money, but requires some tax knowledge.
Hire a Tax Preparer: A good option for complex situations or if you’re uncomfortable filing yourself. Consider Taxback or contacting a local tax professional for assistance.
The deadline to file is April 30th of the following year (e.g., April 30th, 2024 for 2023 taxes).
Remember:
File on time: Avoid penalties and interest charges by filing by the deadline.
Claim deductions and credits: You may be eligible for deductions (expenses you can deduct from your income) and credits (tax reductions). Explore the CRA website for details.
Keep your records: Maintain copies of your tax return and supporting documents for at least six years.
Effective March 19, 2024, spouses and partners of international students can only apply for a SOWP if their sponsoring student is enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program at a university or polytechnic institution in Canada.
Exceptions for Undergraduate Students
There are limited exceptions for spouses/partners of students enrolled in specific professional undergraduate programs at a university. These programs include:
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)
Proof of Eligibility
Applicants for SOWP under these exceptions will need to provide documentation proving their relationship to the student and their partner’s enrollment in a qualifying program. Acceptable documents include:
A valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Proof of enrolment letter from the student’s DLI
Transcripts from the student’s current program
Immigration Minister Marc Miller commented that the changes aim “to attack a volume challenge but also integrity challenges with what we believe was an area that was being exploited and not necessarily legitimate.”
Have you already applied before March 19, 2024?
Applications submitted for a SOWP before March 19, 2024, may still be eligible if the sponsoring student meets these existing requirements:
Holds a valid study permit.
Is eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
Is a full-time student at a designated institution:
Public post-secondary school (college, university) or CEGEP in Quebec
Private college-level school in Quebec
Canadian private school authorized to award degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral)
These requirements also apply to existing SOWP holders seeking to extend their permits.
Alternatives for Ineligible Applicants
Spouses/partners who no longer qualify for SOWP may consider other options such as:
Applying for a different type of work permit.
Obtaining a visitor visa (TRV). However, visitors cannot work in Canada.
Understanding the Change
SOWPs allow holders to work for most employers in Canada and support family reunification. However, concerns were raised about processing volume and potential misuse. Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated the changes aim to address these issues while focusing on genuine relationships.
Addressing Processing Times and Setting Clear Expectations
IRCC’s plan focuses on several key areas to improve processing efficiency and transparency:
Clearer Timelines: Applicants can expect to receive more realistic estimates of processing times based on application volume and age. Additionally, IRCC will establish service standards for programs that currently lack them.
Investigating Differential Wait Times: The OAG report highlighted disparities in processing times within programs. IRCC will develop tools to monitor wait times by country of residence and launch a pilot program to assess the potential impact of ethnicity and race on processing times.
Optimizing Resource Allocation: IRCC acknowledges the workload imbalance across its offices and aims to allocate resources more effectively based on targeted immigration levels and available staff.
Monitoring the Use of AI: IRCC is increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline processing. While this has improved efficiency, the OAG recommends monitoring its impact on processing times. IRCC will examine how AI is currently used and make adjustments if necessary to ensure consistency.
Investigating Disparities in Processing Times
The OAG report highlighted inconsistencies in processing times within specific programs. IRCC acknowledges this issue and will be launching a tool to monitor wait times by country of residence. They will also be conducting a pilot program to assess the potential impact of ethnicity and race on processing timelines.
Improving Internal Workflows and Resource Allocation
IRCC recognizes the need for a more balanced workload distribution across its offices. They will be developing a monitoring system to identify bottlenecks within the processing workflow and ensure resources are allocated efficiently. This includes a review of staffing levels in high-demand regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Processing
The use of AI has become increasingly prevalent in IRCC’s operations. While AI has helped expedite processing times for some applications, the OAG raised concerns about potential bias. IRCC will be closely monitoring the impact of AI on processing times and take corrective actions if necessary.
Key Deadlines and Next Steps
The action plan outlines several deadlines for implementing these changes. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
December 31, 2024: New service standards will be established for programs without them.
March 31, 2024: IRCC will recommend updates to existing service standards for economic class and family sponsorship programs.
October 1, 2024: A tool to monitor wait times by country of residence will be launched.
April 1, 2024 and 2025: Several initiatives will be completed, including developing a system to monitor processing delays and a review of AI use in decision-making.
What This Means for Applicants
While some of IRCC’s proposed solutions will require time to implement, this action plan signifies a positive step towards reducing application backlogs and improving overall processing efficiency. For applicants, this translates to clearer expectations, potentially faster processing times, and a more transparent immigration process.
We Recommend:
Stay informed: Regularly check the IRCC website for updates on processing times and service standards.
Consider professional guidance: An experienced immigration lawyer can help navigate the application process and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
