Express Entry off to its biggest start ever

Canada’s Express Entry system got 2019 off to its best start ever in January, issuing 11,150 invitations to apply for permanent residence over the course of three draws.  

The last draw of the month, held on January 30, saw the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score drop to 438 — the lowest score drawn in an all-program invitation round since October 2017.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s thee Federal High Skilled economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Eligible candidates are entered into the pool and issued a CRS score based on factors that include age, skilled work experience, education and their level of proficiency in English or French.

A set number of the highest-ranked candidates are drawn from the pool and invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular invitation rounds, which are typically held every two weeks.

In two of the three draws held in January, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Prior to these draws, the most ITAs that IRCC had issued in a single, January invitation round was 3,508 back on January 25, 2017.

These two draws helped push Express Entry to a new January record of 11,150 ITAs issued over the course of the month.

January’s results are indicative of what should be a big 2019 for the Express Entry system. IRCC has set higher admissions targets for the three programs managed by the Express Entry system for both this year and 2020.

In order to meet these targets, it is likely that IRCC will have to issue more ITAs over the next 11 months than it did in 2018 — a year that saw IRCC set a new ITA record. This could mean bigger draws in the coming months, or more frequent draws.

One advantage of more frequent draws is the effect they can have on the minimum CRS score. This effect was made clear in the January 30 draw, which took place only one week after the previous invitation round on January 23 and saw the minimum CRS score drop from 443 to a 16-month low of 438.

The fact only one week was allowed to pass between draws meant the Express Entry pool had less time to replenish with higher-scoring candidates.

Express Entry-linked provincial nominee programs

A number of Express Entry-linked provincial immigration streams also got off to big starts in January.

Nine Canadian provinces and two territories have provincial nominee programs that allow them to nominate a set number of economic immigration candidates each year for permanent residence.

Each participating province and territory has at least one immigration stream that is connected to the Express Entry system and allows it to nominate Express Entry candidates for permanent residence in that province or territory.

Express Entry candidates who are nominated by a province or territory receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, moving them to the front of the line for an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream is one of the most active Express Entry-linked provincial nominee streams and January was no exception.

The stream allows the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) to search the federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meet the stream’s federal and provincial eligibility criteria.

On January 14, Ontario issued 1,493 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to Express Entry candidates with scores as low as 439 through the Human Capital Priorities Stream.

Ontario also issued 470 NOIs to Express Entry candidates through its Skilled Trades and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams in January.

Other provinces that invited Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination in January were Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.

Nova Scotia invited 300 Express Entry candidates with work experience as financial auditors or accountants through its Labour Market Priorities Stream, which allows the province to search the Express Entry pool for candidates who meet specified labour needs and invited them to apply for a provincial nomination.

Express Entry candidates were also among nearly 700 immigration candidates invited through Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Overseas Stream in January. The stream operates on an Expression of Interest (EOI) basis that requires Express Entry candidates to register a profile with the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program as a first step to being considered for a provincial nomination.

Like Manitoba, the province Saskatchewan also uses an Expression of Interest system to select Express Entry candidates for a provincial nomination. Saskatchewan held its first draw of the year on January 16, issuing 362 invitations to Express Entry candidates.

On Canada’s West Coast, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program held weekly draw through January that included invitations to registered Express Entry candidates in the province’s Express Entry-linked Skilled Worker and International Graduate categories.

Express Entry candidates who have registered an EOI profile with Prince Edward Island were also among 91 immigration candidates who were issued invitations in a draw held January 17.

A look at British Columbia Express Entry nominations in 2018

British Columbia nominated 3,100 candidates in the federal Express Entry system for Canadian permanent residence in 2018 through its provincial nominee program, the BC PNP. 

Figures provided to CIC News by the BC PNP show the majority of these nominations  — 1,999 — were issued through the Express Entry BC (EEBC) Skilled Worker category, which is open to skilled foreign workers with work experience and a job offer in an eligible high-demand occupation in the province.

Another 936 nominations were issued through the EEBC: International Graduate category and 165 went Express Entry candidates through the EEBC: International Post-Graduate category.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three Federal High Skilled economic immigration programs — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.

British Columbia’s EEBC categories allow the BC PNP to select eligible Express Entry candidatesand nominate them for permanent residence in the province.

The main advantage of a provincial nomination for Express Entry candidates is the 600 additional points that the nominated candidate receives toward their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which effectively assures an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

A full-time, permanent job offer in the province is required in order to be eligible for the EEBC: Skilled Worker category and the EEBC: International Graduate category, which is open to Express Entry candidates who graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college within the last three years.

A job offer is not required in order to receive a nomination through the EEBC: International Post-Graduate category, which is open to international graduates of eligible B.C. institutions who have obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in an eligible scientific discipline.

Express Entry candidates who wish to be considered for a provincial nomination through the EEBC: Skilled Worker and EEBC: International Graduate categories are required to register via the province’s points-based Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), which helps B.C. to select workers who are best-suited to its labour market needs.

SIRS registrants are given a score based on factors that include their job offer, its location and annual wage. Points are also awarded for their education, related work experience and proficiency in English.

The BC PNP also requires that a candidate’s potential employer meet specified eligibility requirements.

Candidates who are not in the Express Entry pool can be nominated through one of the BC PNP’s Skills Immigration nomination streams.

These so-called “base nomination” streams issued 3,339 nominations in 2018, of which 1,699 went to candidates in the Skills Immigration: Skilled Worker category.

Another 61 nominations were issued through the BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration Stream.

British Columbia had an allocation of 6,500 nominations through Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program in 2018.

Canada opened its door to more than 40,000 immigration applicants in January

If the first month of 2019 was any indication, Canada should have no trouble achieving its goal of welcoming one million immigrants by the end of 2021. 

January saw the Government of Canada and provinces across the country open the door to more than 40,000 potential applicants through key economic immigration and family sponsorship programs.

Both economic immigration and family sponsorship are central components for Canada’s newthree-year immigration levels plan, which has a target of 331,000 new permanent residents for 2019.

This number is set to rise to 341,000 in 2020 and reach 350,000 by 2021 — nearly one per cent of Canada’s population. A one per cent immigration rate is considered vital for ensuring the continued growth of Canada’s labour force and economy in the years ahead.

The majority of these new arrivals are expected through Canada’s various economic immigration programs, namely those managed by the federal Express Entry system and Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program.

Canada’s Express Entry system is its principal source of skilled foreign labour and expedites permanent residence applications from immigration candidates with the talents needed to integrate quickly into Canada’s labour market.

January saw the Express Entry system get off to its biggest start ever, issuing 11,150 invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

Invitations are based on a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which considers factors such as age, education, work experience and proficiency in English or French.

January’s Express Entry ITA record came on the heels of a banner 2018 for the Express Entry system, which issued 89,800 invitations to apply for permanent residence over the course of the year — the most ever in its five-year history.

Given Canada’s higher admissions targets for 2019 and 2020 for the three economic immigration programs managed by the Express Entry system, it is expected that a new record will be set this year.

Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program, or PNP, also contributed to the impressive numbers produced in January.

The PNP allows participating provinces and territories to nominate a set number of economic immigration candidates for permanent residence.

Nearly 5,000 immigration candidates were issued invitations to apply for a provincial nomination last month through programs in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Another big factor in January was the reopening of Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) to new expressions of interest.

The Parents and Grandparents Program provides an opportunity to eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 18 to sponsor their parents and grandparents for permanent residence in Canada.

The first step in the process is completing an Interest to Sponsor form, which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made available on January 28 on a first-in, first-served basis.

IRCC had a target of 27,000 expressions of interest for the PGP’s reopening, which it met in a matter of minutes.

The next step in the process is inviting eligible interested sponsors to apply to the program. IRCC will issue invitations in the order Interest to Sponsor forms were received.

Family reunification is a central pillar of Canada’s immigration program. As IRCC noted in its 2018 report to Parliament, “family reunification plays an essential role in attracting, retaining and integrating newcomers so that they are able to build successful lives in Canada.”

Parents and Grandparents sponsorship: The Super Visa option

The latest expression of interest period of Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program on January 28 saw more than 100,000 individuals try to access the required form and only 27,000 get through. 

In response to widespread criticism that the process was unfair, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said eligible sponsors who did not manage to submit an Interest to Sponsor form on January 28 may still be able to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada on a temporary basis on what’s known as a Super Visa.

A Super Visa is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 10 years and allows eligible parents and grandparents to visit their family in Canada for up to two years at a time.

The Super Visa is ideal for parents and grandparents living in countries that require aTemporary Resident Visa (TRV) for entry to Canada, who will be able to travel freely between Canada and their country of residence without having to re-apply for a TRV after six months.

The Super Visa is a popular option because it is available year round and has a lower income requirement than Canada’s Parents and Grandparents Program.

IRCC says most applications for a Super Visa are processed within a few weeks, thoughprocessing times vary depending on the visa office.

In order to apply for a Super Visa, a parent or grandparent must:

• Have a signed letter from a child or grandchild who invites them to Canada that includes:
  • a promise of financial support for the duration of their visit
  • the list and number of people in the household of this person
  • a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document

• Have medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that:
  • is valid for at least one year from the date of entry
  • provides at least $100,000 for minimum coverage
  • have proof that the medical insurance has been paid (quotes aren’t accepted)

The recipient must also:

• be allowed to enter Canada
• take an immigration medical exam

IRCC says Super Visa applicants must be a genuine visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of their visit.

New Express Entry draw caps record January, minimum CRS hits 16-month low

A new Express Entry draw held January 30 saw the number of invitations issued this month rise to 11,150, making this the biggest start to a year in the Express Entry system’s five-year history.  

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in today’s draw was 438, which is a five-point reduction over the previous invitation round on January 23 and the lowest minimum score for an all-program draw through Canada’s Express Entry system since October 4, 2017.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three Federal High Skilled economic immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class and Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for these categories are entered into the Express Entry pool and are given a ranking score that is based on factors such as their age, education, work experience and proficiency in English or French.

The highest-scoring candidates are then issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular invitation rounds, which are typically held every two weeks.

The one-week interval between last week and this week’s draw helps explain today’s low score — less time between draws means the pool of candidates has less time to replenish with higher-scoring candidates.

IRCC applied its tie-break rule in the January 30 draw. The time stamp used was April 26, 2018, at 05:00:46 UTC. This means that all candidates with a CRS score above 438, as well as those candidates with scores of 438, who entered their profile in the Express Entry pool before the selected date and time, received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this invitation round.

The 3,350 ITAs issued in today’s draw brings this month’s ITA total to 11,150 — the most invitations issued in January since the Express Entry system’s introduction in 2015.

This quick start reflects Canada’s higher admissions targets for 2019 and 2020 for candidates in its three Federal High Skilled economic immigration categories, most of whom have their applications for permanent resident status processed through the Express Entry system.

In order to meet its admissions targets for 2019 and 2020, it is expected that IRCC will have to issue more ITAs over the course of this year than it did in 2018 — a year that saw IRCC set a new ITA record.

The following are hypothetical examples of candidates who would have obtained an ITA in the January 30 draw:

Jade is 29-years-old and holds a bachelor’s degree. She has been working for three years outside Canada as an administrative assistant. She has never studied or worked in Canada. Jade took the IELTS exam, and obtained a score of 8 in each category. Her CRS score of 438 would have been sufficient to obtain an ITA in today’s draw.

Melanie and Christian are 33 and 35-years-old, respectively. Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree as well as a two-year certificate and has been working for three years as a human resources consultant. Christian holds a bachelor’s degree and has been working for five years as a rental agent.  Neither has studied or worked in Canada.

Melanie took the IELTS exam and obtained a score of 8 in listening and reading and a score of 7 in speaking and writing. Christian also took the IELTS, and obtained a score of 6 under all categories. Melanie applied as the principal applicant and her CRS score of 438 would have been sufficient to obtain an ITA in today’s draw.

Open Work Permit Pilot for sponsored spouses and common-law partners in Canada extended

Canada’s federal government is extending its Open Work Permit Pilot for sponsored spouses and common-law partners who are living in Canada and in the process of applying for permanent residence under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class.  

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said the Open Work Permit Pilot program, which was set to expire on January 31, 2019, will be extended until July 31, 2020.

This marks the fourth time the Open Work Permit Pilot has been extended since its introduction in 2014.

The pilot allows eligible spouses and common-law partners who are living in Canada and who are being sponsored by Canadian citizens or permanent residents under the Spouse or Common-Law Partner in Canada Class (SCLPC) to apply for an open work permit.

An open work permit is one that is not tied to a specific job or employer. Employment in childcare and healthcare is, however, restricted to those who have obtained the required medical clearance.

In order to be eligible, they must have valid temporary resident status, either as a visitor, student or worker, and live at the same address as their sponsor, among other criteria.

“Canada recognizes that when families can work while living together, their integration outcomes are improved. Extending this pilot ensures applicants are able to work, provide for their families and contribute to the Canadian economy while waiting for their permanent resident applications to be processed,” IRCC said in an update published January 30, 2019.

How to Obtain the Open Work Permit

Individuals applying under the Open Work Permit Pilot may submit a work permit application at the same time as your sponsorship application, along with an application for permanent residence.

Applicants who have already submitted an application for permanent residence but have not yet obtained a work permit, may submit a work permit application separately.

Applicants who have already received approval in principle on your permanent residence application – meaning they have received a letter from IRCC stating they meet the permanent residence eligibility requirements, but they (or their family members) have not yet passed the medical, security and background checks – may apply for an open work permit online.

IRCC says that individuals who have a work permit obtained through the pilot program must apply for work permit extension before their current permit expires.

Manitoba issues new invitations to immigration candidates, bringing January total to 1,082

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program held its second Expression of Interest draw of 2019 on January 31 for candidates in its Skilled Worker Overseas, Skilled Worker in Manitoba and International Education immigration streams.

The program, known as the MPNP, issued 456 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence to candidates across the three streams.

The MPNP’s Skilled Worker in Manitoba, Skilled Worker Overseas and International Education streams employ an Expression of Interest (EOI) system to select candidates.

The Government of Manitoba requires eligible graduates, who are interested in applying for immigration under the MPNP’s International Education Stream, to register for an information session before submitting any forms. 

Under the EOI system, candidates register a profile with the MPNP and provide the required information on their education, work experience, proficiency in English or French, among other factors.

Eligible candidates are then awarded a score and the highest-scoring candidates are issued Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) through regular draws. 

An unspecified number of candidates in the federal Express Entry system were issued LAAs through the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream’s Express Entry Pathway.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic immigration categories — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination are awarded an additional 600 points toward their ranking score, which effectively guarantees an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

In order to be eligible for this pathway, candidates must have profiles in both the Express Entry system and the MPNP’s EOI system.

Express Entry candidates were one of two groups of Skilled Worker Overseas candidates who were issued a combined total of 299 LAAs in the January 31 draw. The lowest-ranked candidate in these two groups had a score of 572.

Those Express Entry candidates who were invited had to have a valid Express Entry ID and job seeker validation code and at least six months of recent work experience in an occupation that the MPNP has listed as in-demand.

A second group of Skilled Worker Overseas candidates who received an LAA had the following:

• a close relative residing in Manitoba or past education or work experience in Manitoba;
• at least 6 months of recent experience in an occupation on Manitoba’s In-demand Occupations list; and
• a minimum language proficiency of CLB/NCLC 5 unless work experience is primarily in a regulated occupation (minimum CLB/NCLC 7) or a compulsory trade (CLB/NCLC 6).

A further 16 invitations to apply for provincial nomination for permanent residence were issued to Skilled Worker Overseas candidates through one of the MPNP’s Strategic Recruitment Initiatives. The lowest-ranked candidate to receive an invitation with this group had a score of 705.

Strategic Recruitment Initiatives include overseas recruitment missions conducted by the MPNP.

Skilled Worker in Manitoba and International Education Stream

The MPNP also issued 124 invitations to Skilled Worker in Manitoba candidates with scores as low as 575. 

The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream is for eligible qualified temporary foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent job with their Manitoba employer.

An additional 17 invitations went to International Education Stream candidates.

Created last year, this stream provides faster pathways to permanent residence for international graduates of Manitoba post-secondary institutions who have skills required by employers in the province.

The International Education Stream has three pathways — Career Employment Pathway,Graduate Internship Pathway, and the Student Entrepreneur Pathway.

Nearly 1,000 Skilled Trades and French-Speaking candidates invited by Ontario this month

The province of Ontario has issued 988 invitations to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence to Express Entry candidates through its Skilled Trades and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams so far this month.  

On January 24, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 889 Notifications of Interest (NOIs) in its first draw of 2019 through its Skilled Trades Stream, which is linked to the federal Express Entry system.

Candidates who received an NOI in this draw had to have Express Entry profiles that were created between January 24, 2018, and January 24, 2019.

The Skilled Trades Stream allows the OINP to search the Express Entry pool for candidates currently living in Ontario who have a minimum of one year full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work, in a skilled trade listed in Minor Group 633 or Major Group 72, 73, or 82 under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

While candidates do not need a job offer to apply under either the Skilled Trades and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Streams, candidates must meet all the mandatory federal and provincial requirements specified by the OINP.

Candidates who successfully obtain a provincial nomination under these two Express Entry-aligned streams receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, effectively guaranteeing an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

The first step to being identified as a candidate under the Skilled Trades and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Streams is to create an Express Entry profile.

Three French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream invitation rounds

Three separate invitation rounds have been held so far this month for Ontario’s Express Entry-linked French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, with 28 NOIs issued in the latest round on January 24.

Additional rounds were held under the French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream on January 17 and 11 with 71 NOIs issued in total.

Francophone candidates must demonstrate French language proficiency equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 or higher and meet additional requirements, including having sufficient funds to settle in Ontario.

All candidates issued NOIs through the Skilled Trades and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Streams must be eligible for either the Federal Skilled Worker Class or the Canadian Experience Class, and meet other criteria specified by the province.

Ontario has now issued nearly 2,500 NOIs to Express Entry candidates through its three Express Entry-linked provincial nomination streams, including 1,493 invitations that were issued through its Human Capital Priorities Stream on January 14.

All candidates invited under Ontario’s Express Entry Streams must submit a complete application for a provincial nomination within 45 calendar days of obtaining a NOI.

IRCC stands by Parents and Grandparents expression of interest process

Canada’s Parents and Grandparents sponsorship program reopened to expressions of interest on January 28, sparking fierce competition among aspiring sponsors.  

The Interest to Sponsor form for the popular program was due to go live at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepting 27,000 submissions on a first-in, first-served basis.

Completing and submitting the form is the first step in the sponsorship process through IRCC’sParents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which allows eligible Canadian citizens and permanent residents over the age of 18 to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents for immigration to Canada.

The form opened and closed again within minutes, sparking a torrent of comments on IRCC’s social media channels from frustrated users who said they were either unable to access the form or were in the process of completing a form but could not because the intake ended.

Mathieu Genest, press secretary for Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, told CIC News that more than 100,000 individuals attempted to access the Interest to Sponsor form when it went live.

“Initial analysis indicates that there were no technical issues when the form opened [Monday] and that we have received the maximum number of submissions for 2019,” Genest said in a statement to CIC News.

“We understand that those who were not able to make a submission are disappointed.”

Genest said IRCC did “extensive testing” to ensure the intake system could handle the expected volume. IRCC also took steps to ensure the first-in system “was fair and created safeguards to ensure the system is not abused,” Genest added, pointing to the implementation of anti-bot features to ensure that “submissions received were legitimate.”

Following the removal of duplicate submissions, invitations to apply to the PGP will be issued in the order the Interest to Sponsor forms were received until IRCC reaches its 2019 target of 20,000 complete applications.

IRCC also updated its website once the intake was closed Monday to say it may open the interest to sponsor form again in 2019 if more potential sponsors are needed.

Genest reminded those hoping to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents that they also may be eligible for Canada’s Super Visa, which is good for 10 years and allows eligible parents and grandparents to stay in Canada for a period of up to two years at a time.

David Cohen, the senior partner at the Campbell Cohen Canadian immigration law firm in Montreal, said the Super Visa option may not satisfy those seeking permanent residence for their parents or grandparents through the PGP, but it can serve as an interim solution for those who are eligible.

“The Super Visa is one way to get your parents or grandparents here to Canada, at least in the short-term,” he said.

Expression of interest process gets panned — and applause

IRCC reached the submissions cap by 12:11  p.m., at which point it announced on its social media channels that the form submission period was over.

Posts to IRCC’s social media channels questioned a tweet from IRCC that was published just after 12 p.m. announcing the form “will be available momentarily. Thank you for your patience.”

IRCC’s tweet, which was subsequently deleted, was followed moments later by the announcement that the Interest to Sponsor submission period was over.

Many frustrated users — some who said they have been trying to sponsor family through the PGP for years — condemned the process as unfair.

“This is not a concert ticket you are selling, this is about uniting families. The whole process is atrocious,” wrote Twitter user Naimul Khan.

Mohammad Keyhani called the expression of interest process “completely unfair and un-Canadian.”

A number tweeted at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to launch a review of IRCC’s Interest to Sponsor process.

Others, however, said the Interest to Sponsor form worked for them.

Cristina Urzica tweeted that it was her third time trying this year and she managed to submit her Interest to Sponsor form.

“Sorry not everybody got in, but the website worked,” she wrote. “Keep your hopes up! There isn’t a 100 per cent [fair] way.”

First-in replaced controversial randomized approach

IRCC resumed a first-in approach to accepting expressions of interest and issuing invitations to apply to the PGP after facing widespread criticism for its move to a randomized lottery-style approach to invitations last year, which many also said was unfair.

IRCC said the randomized approach would level the playing field and give everyone the opportunity to be selected to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents, but critics said it left family reunification to chance.

When it announced last summer that it would adopt a first-in approach to the PGP in 2019, IRCC said it was a result of “listening to stakeholders and closely examining the PGP.”

IRCC said the changes to the application intake process for 2019 “will streamline access to the program and improve client experience.”

Genest told CIC News that “client service will remain at the centre of all our programs” and said the current Liberal government has quadrupled the intake of applications for the PGP to 20,000 from 5,000 under the previous Conservative government.

“Making sure families can be reunited with their loved ones is a pillar of our immigration policy,” Genest said.

The fallout from the January 28 Interest to Sponsor form opening is likely to continue, however. More than 4,400 people have signed a petition calling for the results of Monday’s intake to be annulled and for another opening to be held later in the year that will ensure all can interested sponsors can access the form.

Super Visa Eligibility Criteria

In order to apply for a Super Visa, a parent or grandparent must:

• Have a signed letter from a child or grandchild who invites them to Canada that includes:
  • a promise of financial support for the duration of their visit
  • the list and number of people in the household of this person
  • a copy of this person’s Canadian citizenship or permanent resident document

• Have medical insurance from a Canadian insurance company that is:
  • valid for at least one year from the date of entry
  • at least $100,000 for minimum coverage
  • have proof that the medical insurance has been paid (quotes aren’t accepted)

They must also:

• be allowed to enter Canada
• take an immigration medical exam

The child or grandchild who invites their parent or grandparent must prove that their household meets the minimum necessary income.

Nova Scotia draws auditors and accountants from Express Entry pool

The Government of Nova Scotia has issued new invitations to apply for a nomination for permanent residence to Express Entry candidates with work experience as financial auditors or accountants.  

The invitations were issued January 24 through the province’sLabour Market Priorities Stream, which was launched last year.

The Labour Market Priorities Stream allows Nova Scotia’s Office of Immigration to search thefederal Express Entry pool for eligible candidates with work experience in specified occupations.

Express Entry candidates invited in the stream’s first draw of 2019 were required to have at least five years of work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) 1111 — Financial Auditors and Accountants. For examples of professions covered under this category, see below.

Those selected in the January 24 draw submitted their Express Entry profiles on or after July 1, 2018, and had an Express Entry ranking score from 400 and 450, among other criteria.

An Express Entry candidate’s ranking score is based on factors that include their age, education, work experience and proficiency in English or French, and a set number of the highest-scoring candidates are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular invitation rounds.

In order to be considered for immigration through the Labour Market Priorities Stream, and many other Express Entry-aligned provincial nominee streams, candidates must first submit an Express Entry profile.

Whereas Nova Scotia invited candidates with scores potentially as low as 400, the most recent Federal Express Entry draw only invited candidates with scores of 443 or above.

A provincial nomination provides Express Entry candidates with an additional 600 points towards their Express Entry ranking score, effectively assuring an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry invitation round.

“This draw is potentially good news for some Express Entry candidates with ranking scores below the cut-off in recent Express Entry draws,” said David Cohen, senior partner with the Campbell Cohen Canadian immigration law firm in Montreal. “It’s a good reminder of how provincial nominee streams can help Express Entry candidates with lower scores achieve their goal of permanent residence.”

While Express Entry profiles are valid for up to 12 months, it is worth noting that Nova Scotia only considered those submitted on or after July 1, 2018, in the January 24 draw.

Express Entry candidates selected in the latest Labour Market Priorities draw were also required to have the following:

• a bachelor’s degree OR have completed a program of three or more years at a university, college, trade or technical school, or another institute.
• a Canadian Language Benchmark score of 7 or higher in English or French for speaking, listening, reading and writing.
• letters of reference from employers to demonstrate proof of a minimum of 5 years of work experience in NOC 1111.

Illustrative examples of occupations classified as NOC 1111 include:

accountant accountant-controller accountants supervisor accounting controller analyst-accountant assistant controller audit unit head – taxation auditor – finance auditor-CA (chartered accountant) auditor-chartered accountant (CA) auditors supervisor bank branch accountant bank reserves auditor bankruptcy trustee budget accountant CA (chartered accountant) student certified general accountant (CGA) certified management accountant (CMA) chartered accountant (CA) chartered accountant (CA) student chartered professional accountant, certified general accountant (CPA, CGA) chartered professional accountant, certified management accountant (CPA, CMA) chartered professional accountant, chartered accountant (CPA, CA) chief accountant claims accountant computer audit specialist cost accountant cost accounting supervisor departmental accountant division controller – accounting field auditor – finances financial accountant financial auditor financial control officer general accountant income tax adjuster income tax adviser income tax consultant income tax expert income tax investigator income tax specialist industrial accountant industrial auditor intermediate accountant internal audit project manager internal audit supervisor – finances internal auditor internal auditor – finances internal auditors supervisor – finances machine processing accountant management accountant management accounting chief manufacturing accountant plant accountant plant controller production accountant project accountant property accountant public accountant public accountants chief public accountants supervisor reinsurance analyst sales auditor – finances senior accounting analyst senior cost accountant senior intern auditor tax accountant tax adviser tax analyst tax auditor tax consultant tax evaluator tax examiner tax expert tax specialist taxation rulings officer

Canada unveils new immigration pilot for rural and northern communities

The Government of Canada has unveiled a new five-year economic immigration pilot that will help rural and northern communities in Ontario, Western Canada and Canada’s three territories attract and retain skilled foreign workers.

The community-driven Rural and Northern Pilot builds on theAtlantic Immigration Pilot Program launched in 2017 and will facilitate permanent residence for foreign workers of various skill levels in eligible communities in the following provinces and territories:

• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Yukon
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says eligible communities can be either a city with a population of 50,000 or less located at least 75 kilometres from the core of a metropolitan area of 100,000 or more, or a city of up to 200,000 people that qualifies as remote.

Like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIPP), the new Rural and Northern Pilot will operate alongside Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program.

The employer-driven AIPP works with businesses in the Atlantic Canada provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador to hire foreign workers for positions they haven’t been able to fill locally.

In 2018, the AIPP allowed the four participating provinces to endorse up 2,500 foreign workers and international students for permanent residence. IRCC did not specify a quota for the new pilot.

“By creating an immigration pilot aimed at rural and northern communities, we’re looking to ensure that the benefits of immigration are shared across the country,” Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, said at the launch of the new pilot on January 24.

Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development Canada, said the pilot’s community-driven approach is essential.

“The Pilot will support the economic development of smaller communities by testing new, community-driven approaches to address their diverse labour market needs.”

Communities have until March 1 to apply

IRCC is currently seeking applications from eligible communities in the identified provinces and territories that would like to participate in the pilot.

IRCC says interested communities must work with a local economic development organization to submit an application that shows they meet the pilot’s eligibility criteria and how immigration will promote local economic development priorities.

Among other criteria, communities selected to participate in the Rural and Northern Pilot will have to demonstrate that they have job opportunities available and will be actively involved in matching immigration candidates to jobs.

IRCC says the local community and economic development organization will be responsible for recruiting and assessing immigration candidates based on local economic needs and job openings, and recommending selected candidates for permanent residence.

Complete applications are due March 1, 2019, and the communities selected to participate in the pilot will be unveiled in the spring. 

Information on the immigration process for foreign workers through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot will be announced later in 2019.