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 9, 2017 | Blog, Express Entry, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
Candidates interested in applying for permanent residence and settling in the province of Nova Scotia may qualify for the Nova Scotia Demand Stream, the Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program’s Express Entry Stream. The Nova Scotia Demand Stream opened on May 8th with two categories for potential applicants. Category B does not require a job offer and is available to applicants who have experience in a target occupation. Applications for category B are not being accepted at this time. However, applicants with a job offer may qualify to apply under category A, which is accepting applications online. The program is expected to close and reopen throughout the years, so it is important that you get your application prepared and submitted quickly.
Applicants in the Express Entry pool, who qualify for the Nova Scotia Demand Stream, will receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) points and an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry Draw. In order to apply under Category A of the Nova Scotia Demand Stream, you must meet the minimum requirements as listed below:
- Score at least 67 points on the Nova Scotia Demand Stream’s six selection factors;
- Have a full-time, permanent offer of employment;
- Have at least 12 months of skilled work experience related to the job offer;
- Have a Canadian high school credential or the equivelant;
- Score a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 or higher; and
- Have the necessary funds to settle successfully in Nova Scotia.
If you are interested in settling in Nova Scotia, take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility or contact us to speak with a qualified immigration consultant.
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.
May 3, 2017 | Blog, Family Immigration, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency
Currently, families immigrating to Canada under an economic, family, or refugee/humanitarian program are able to include their dependent children on their applications, as long as the child is under 19 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship. Prior to August 2014, dependent children aged 21 and under were eligible to be included in their parents’ application for permanent residence. Now, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made the decision to return to the previous definition of dependent child. Beginning Oct. 24, 2017, applicants will be able to include dependent children who are under 22 years of age in their application for permanent residence.
The purpose of this change is to help families stay together through the immigration process. According to IRCC data, adult children often remain dependent on their parents for both financial and emotional support as they work on gaining an education and work experience of their own. By keeping families together, Canada is helping these young adults to gain valuable experience through post-secondary education without the added burden of being independent or being away from their families. These young adults may not be eligible to apply for permanent or even temporary status on their own merits. Thus, allowing them to be included in their parents’ applications will make the transition easier on the entire family. In many cases, these young adults help their family by watching younger children, thus allowing their parents to work. They may also help the family by working themselves. Thus, keeping families together is beneficial for the entire community. By making this change, Canada holds true to its promise of reuniting families and keeping them together.
Children who are unable to financially support themselves due to a physical or mental illness can also be included in their parents’ permanent residence applications, regardless of age.
For more information about Canada’s many immigration options, click here.
If you have any questions about this change or any other inquiries, contact us to speak with an immigration consultant.
To determine your eligibility for permanent residence, take our free online assessment.
May 2, 2017 | Blog, Family Immigration, New Laws, Permanent Residency, Spousal Sponsorship
On April 28, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the elimination of the conditional permanent residence provision for sponsored spouses and partners. This provision, put in place in October 2012, was meant to prevent fraudulent marriages entered into for the sole purpose of immigration. Under this provision, a sponsored spouse or partner of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident was required to live with their sponsor for two years if, at the time of applying, the couple did not have any children together and the relationship was less than two years old.
Effective immediately, sponsored spouses and partners will be relieved of this requirement to live with their sponsor and instead receive full permanent resident status upon landing. By getting rid of the conditional permanent residence provision, the government of Canada hopes to promote gender equality and battle violence. Under the conditional permanent residence provision, vulnerable spouses or partners may have felt the need to remain in an abusive relationship for fear of losing their status. While there did exist an exception to the condition that addressed violence, this does not mean that victims were aware of it or that no other factors might have prevented them from coming forward. Fear is a big factor in these situations and abuse is not always an easy case to present. As such, it is believed that sponsored spouses were put in a difficult position under this conditional status. With this change, sponsored spouses and partners can feel secure in their status without staying in a bad or dangerous relationship. As noted on the Government of Canada website, “any case that was under investigation for non-compliance with the cohabitation condition has ceased. However, cases involving marriage fraud will continue to be investigated.”
Violence is not tolerated in Canada. If you or someone you know is suffering from abuse or neglect under the hand of a sponsor or sponsor’s family, you can get help.
For more information about spousal sponsorship, click here or contact us to discuss your options for permanent residence.
Apr 28, 2017 | Blog, Express Entry, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program – aims to help the province meet labour market demands by fast-tracking permanent residence (PR) applications for skilled workers. It has been announced that the program will issue Notifications of Interest (NOI) to religious workers under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Human Capital Priorities Stream. Qualified applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and have a profile in the Express Entry pool. Notifications of Interested will be issued to individuals whose occupations are listed in National Occupation Classification (NOC) code 4154 (Professional occupations in religion) or 4217 (Other religious occupations).
Occupations listed under NOC 4154 – Professional occupations in religion:
- Archbishop
- Bishop
- Cardinal
- Chaplain
- Evangelist
- Granthi
- Imam
- Minister
- Moderator – Religion
- Pastor
- Priest
- Rabbi
Occupations listed under NOC 4217 – Other religious occupations:
- Brother / Sister – Religion
- Christian Science Practitioner
- Deacon
- Missionary
- Monk
- Nun
- Pastoral Animator
- Religious Education Worker
- Salvation Army Field Worker
Additional job titles listed under these NOC codes may also be included. To see if your job matches one of the eligible job titles for this program, contact us or take our free online assessment to determine whether you qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
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