May 13, 2017 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
On May 10, British Columbia held a draw inviting 364 workers and graduates to apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). Individuals who received an invitation are now eligible to submit their application to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program. Applicants who receive a nomination will then be able to use this certificate to apply for permanent residence. The province uses a points-based system known as the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), which scores and ranks candidates and enters them into a pool for selection.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program is broken up into three (3) pathways, further divided into categories. The Skills Immigration Registration System includes two (2) of these three (3) pathways, with a total of five (5) categories. Interested individuals must select one of the following five (5) categories to register for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.
Express Entry BC Stream
The Express Entry BC (EEBC) stream allows qualified applicants to expedite their permanent residence application by applying online through the Express Entry selection system. Candidates in the Express Entry pool who attain a provincial nomination certificate will receive 600 Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the subsequent Express Entry draw.
There are two categories for individuals to choose from under this pathway. International skilled workers with a valid job offer from a B.C. employer may qualify for the EEBC – Skilled Worker category. Applicants for this category must have at least two (2) years of work experience in a National Occupation Classification (NOC) skilled occupation (NOC code 0, A, or B) directly related to their offer of employment. The EEBC – International Graduate category is for individuals who graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college within the last three (3) years. Applicants under this category must also have an offer of full-time, permanent employment from a B.C. employer. In addition to the minimum requirements of these categories, applicants must also meet the requirements of one of three federal economic immigration programs – Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class – in order to enter the Express Entry pool.
Skills Immigration Stream
There are three (3) categories under which international skilled workers may apply for the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program via SIRS. These ‘base’ programs are not aligned with the Express Entry system so applicants must submit a paper application for permanent residence after receiving their provincial nomination certificate. Applicants under this stream are required to have a valid job offer from a B.C. employer, as well as meeting the minimum requirements of one of the following categories:
- Skills Immigration – Skilled Worker: International skilled workers with a job offer in a NOC skilled occupation (skill level 0, A, or B) and at least two (2) years of relevant work experience may qualify to apply for this category.
- Skills Immigration – International Graduate: This category is for individuals who have graduated from an eligible Canadian educational institution within the last three (3) years prior to applying. Applicants must have a job offer in a skilled occupation (NOC skill level 0, A, or B) OR a semi-skilled occupation (NOC level C or D) with a structured career plan.
- Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: International workers in specific occupations in tourism/hospitality, long-haul trucking, or the food processing industry may be eligible to apply under this category. Candidates in the Northeast Development Region of B.C. may apply in any NOC skill level C or D. All applicants under this category must have been working full time for the same employer for at least nine (9) consecutive months prior to applying as well as meeting the minimum language and education requirements.
Other categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program are not associated with SIRS and require a different method of applying. If you are looking to settle in British Columbia but do not meet the requirements of the above listed categories, you may still be eligible to apply under one of the other categories. Contact us to discuss your options.
Want to find out if you are eligible to apply for one of the above-mentioned categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program? Take our free online assessment today to get started on your path to permanent residence.
May 5, 2017 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program
May 4, 2017 – Another Express Entry draw has been made today, inviting 3,796 applicants and their families to apply for permanent residence. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 423 or more have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and now have 90 days in which to submit their application for permanent residence.
This score is slightly higher than the last draw on April 19th, which was the lowest score ever at 415. This increase in the cut-off might be a source of concern for some, but as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), we can expect to see this score get lower over time. It might be worth noting that the last 3 draws were made approximately one week apart, while this recent draw was made a full 2 weeks after the last one. This might account for the increase in score if more candidates – with higher CRS scores – entered the pool during those two weeks. If you did not meet the threshold this time, you still have a shot in the next draw. You may also be able to increase your score. Contact us to speak with an immigration consultant about how to increase your CRS score in preparation for the next draw.
Did you receive an ITA? This means you are now eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants who received an invitation can choose to include their spouses or common-law partners and any dependent children in their PR applications. Keep in mind that you must submit your complete application with all required documents within 90 days of receiving your ITA. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important that you prepare your application accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
Not sure if you qualify? To qualify for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements of one of three economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Apr 19, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
April 19, 2017 – For the third time this month, Immigration, Refugees, & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an Express Entry draw with the lowest score requirement of 415 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This is the lowest score requirement since the start of the Express Entry system in January 2015. Candidates in the Express Entry pool who had a score of 415 or higher have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). So far, there have been 35,973 ITAs issued in 2017 alone, with over 100,000 invitations issued since the very first Express Entry draw was made. As the CRS requirement continues to decrease, we can expect that more candidates with lower scores will receive ITAs in the coming draws.
If you received an ITA in this draw, you now have ninety days from the date you received your invitation to submit your completed application for permanent residence. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important to prepare your application thoroughly and accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, increasing their chance of obtaining an ITA in the next round of invitations.
Apr 14, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, In the News, Permanent Residency, Skilled Workers
Lowest Score Ever & Highest number of invitations issued yesterday.
April 12, 2017 – For the second time this month, the Express Entry selection system breaks the record for lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required. Down from 431 on April 5th to 423, this is the lowest score to date. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with 423 or more CRS points received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. A total of 3,923 candidates received an ITA in this draw; this is the largest number of invitations issued in one draw. The trend of inviting more candidates with lower CRS scores means that more candidates are now able to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
These recent draws fall between two major changes to the Express Entry system. In November 2016, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) changed the number of points awarded for a job offer from 600 points to 50 or 200 points depending on the position of the job offered. This change was meant to balance the system and expected to lower the CRS point requirements. The second set of changes have already been announced and are due to go into effect on June 6th of this year. These new changes will award more points to French-speaking candidates and those who have a sibling living in Canada. In addition to this, applicants will no longer be required to register for the Job Bank prior to entering the Express Entry pool.
These updates to the Express Entry system should allow a wider range of skilled individuals and their families to realize their dream of settling in Canada. With the increasing number of ITAs issued this year, it seems there is no better time for interested individuals to create an online profile and enter the Express Entry pool. It is important to make sure your profile is accurate and up-to-date. Incorrect or missing information in your profile could result in your application being refused. Applicants who received an ITA in this recent draw are now eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system. Keep in mind that you only have ninety days from the date you received your ITA to submit your complete application with all required documents. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important to prepare your application thoroughly and accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, increasing their chance of obtaining an ITA in the next round of invitations.
Apr 5, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
April 5, 2017 – This morning, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an Express Entry draw inviting 3,753 candidates to apply for permanent residence. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with 431 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is ten points lower than the previous draw and is the lowest score requirement seen since Express Entry was first introduced in January 2015. This decrease in the CRS points requirement means that more candidates are now eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Did you receive an ITA? This means you are now eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Applicants who received an invitation can choose to include their spouses or common-law partners and any dependent children in their PR applications. Keep in mind that you must submit your complete application with all required documents within 90 days of receiving your ITA. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important that you prepare your application accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, increasing their chance of obtaining an ITA in the next round of invitations.
Mar 31, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Permanent Residency, Skilled Workers
Canada’s Express Entry system allows for faster processing of permanent resident applications for qualified applicants of key economic immigration programs. Foreign workers in high-skilled positions may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry system if they meet the minimum requirements of one of the economic immigration programs. These programs include the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and some of the Provincial Nominee Programs.
Improvements to the Express Entry system will go into effect on June 6, 2017 and will award more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates with strong French language skills and those who have siblings in Canada. The current Express Entry system awards points for either English or French, with a maximum of 136 points for first language and 24 points for second language. From June 6 on, additional points will be rewarded to French speakers, up to 30 extra points for those who also have English language skills.
Currently, no CRS points are awarded to applicants for having siblings in Canada. With this update, having a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident age 18 or older could earn you 15 additional points. Siblings must share at least one parent – mother or father – with the principal applicant or their spouse / common-law partner.
In addition to the addition of extra CRS points for language and siblings, applicants to the Express Entry system will no longer be required to register for Job Bank. Currently, applicants who do not have either a job offer or a provincial nomination are required to create a Job Bank account before they are placed in the Express Entry pool. This will no longer be the case as qualified applicants will now be automatically placed into the pool upon submission of their Express Entry profile. Those candidates without a job in Canada will have the option of registering for Job Bank to start their job search after submitting their online profile to Express Entry. Canadian employers will still be able to use the Job Bank – and other Express Entry recruiting methods – to search for potential candidates.
These updates to the Express Entry system will benefit qualified applicants, employers, and Canada as a whole. Allowing high-skilled workers to earn more CRS points means a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Candidates with high French language ability are an asset to Canadian communities, especially for those who test high in both of Canada’s official languages. Having a sibling in Canada increases overall well-being and health of an individual as well as their adaptability. Allowing candidates to enter the pool without first having to register for Job Bank will increase their opportunity for receiving an ITA. Thus, these changes will be beneficial for everyone involved.
Our immigration consultants can assess your eligibility and determine how many CRS points you have. We will also guide you in increasing the number of points you have in order to obtain an ITA. Take our free online assessment to see if you meet the requirements for Express Entry and contact us to discuss your options for immigrating to Canada.
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