May 31, 2017 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
May 31, 2017 – Another Express Entry draw was made today, inviting 3,877 candidates from the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residence. As was expected, the cut-off score of 413 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points is the lowest score we have seen for candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class. Just five days ago, we saw two draws made concurrently, inviting applicants under the Federal Skilled Trades and Provincial Nominee Program. The lowest scores in the last two draws were 199 points for the Federal Skilled Trades Class and 775 points for provincial nominees. When viewed together, these three scores reveal how the CRS cut-off has decreased across all the immigration programs.
With upcoming changes planned to go into effect next week, we can expect to see more qualified candidates receiving Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in future draws. As the number of issued ITAs rises, the CRS cut-off scores should continue to decrease. Excellent news for applicants who are just a few points shy of the current CRS score requirement. If you are still falling behind, it may be possible to improve your score. We can help you discover ways to improve your score and increase your chances of receiving an ITA in an upcoming draw. Take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility and we will contact you to discuss your options moving forward.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool with a score of 413 or higher should have received an ITA from today’s draw. After receiving your invitation, you have ninety days 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 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.
May 27, 2017 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Federal Skilled Trades, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
May 26, 2017 – Immigration, Refugees, & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made an Express Entry draw with two different Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) point requirements for two different programs: Federal Skilled Trades and Provincial Nominee Program. With the lowest scores at 199 for Federal Skilled Trades and 775 for provincial nominees, these are the lowest score requirements we have seen since the start of the Express Entry system in January 2015. Since provincial nominees are awarded 600 points for a nomination, this means candidates with provincial nominations only needed 175 core points to be selected in the most recent draw. A total of 543 candidates in the Express Entry pool received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in this draw, with 400 in the Federal Skilled Trades and 143 provincial nominees invited. This last draw was only the third draw of 63 draws – since the program’s inception – to focus on specific immigration programs.
As a result of inviting provincial nominees, we can expect to see lower cut-off scores in the upcoming draws. Additionally, with both the provincial nominees and applicants of the Federal Skilled Trades Program out of the pool, candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class are more likely to receive invitations in the next Express Entry Draw. If you are a Federal Skilled Worker or Canadian Experience Class candidate, you can look forward to potentially receiving an ITA with a lower CRS score in a future draw.
If you received an ITA in this draw, you now have ninety (90) 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.
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.
Jul 21, 2014 | Working In Canada
Following Friday’s announcement by minister of employment Jason Kenney and citizenship and immigration minister Chris Alexander, the federal government will be improving foreign credential recognition for 10 priority occupations including those in the fields of skilled trades and health care.
The new priority occupations include: geoscientists, carpenters, electricians, heavy duty equipment technicians, heavy equipment operators, welders, audiologists and speech language pathologists, midwives, psychologists and lawyers.
Kenney said that occupations in the skilled trades were selected because they’re in demand in certain regions of the country. Occupations in health care were emphasized because they help address shortages in skills and improve the quality of life of Canadians.
“Skilled newcomers help fill shortages in key occupations and make an important contribution to Canada’s economy. That is why we are speeding up foreign credential recognition for 10 more occupations, including jobs in the skilled trades and health care. This means that even more new Canadians can put their skills to work sooner across Canada,” said Kenney.
These occupations are part of a national framework that aims to streamline foreign credential recognition for priority occupations. For these jobs, service standards are established so internationally trained professionals can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada.
The government is building a more flexible immigration system to attract newcomers who can contribute to their communities and the economy, said Alexander. This includes the launch of Express Entry next January, “which will revolutionize the way we attract skilled immigrants and get them working here faster.”
Jul 18, 2014 | Working In Canada
Employment Minister Jason Kenney will announce an agreement with the provinces today to recognize 10 new occupations, including welders, carpenters and electricians, to improve foreign credential recognition.
The precise occupations include several skilled trades, a government official has said.
Kenney will provide the details this afternoon in Vancouver, while Immigration Minister Chris Alexander will make an announcement in Toronto.
The news was discussed at a meeting with provincial and territorial labour ministers last week in Charlottetown.
At the meeting, Kenney said he sought a clear commitment on apprenticeships and a specific timeline to facilitate labour mobility between provinces for skilled tradespeople.
The discussions in Charlottetown were a success and the provinces were “very positive,” a government official noted.
Last fall, there was little interest by the provinces and territories to move forward with a national approach on apprenticeships, but Kenney has been able to convince them otherwise by relaying what he learned during his trip to Germany and the UK earlier this year.
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Kenney announced a major overhaul of the government’s temporary foreign worker program last month, but western premiers have complained the crackdown is unduly hurting their provinces, where there is a shortage of skilled workers in some industries.
