Canada’s New-Look Passport: All You Need To Know

Colin Singer
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Canada’s New-Look Passport: All You Need To Know

Canada’s passport has been given a new look and state-of-the-art security features, using the same technology as drivers’ licenses.

“The new Canadian passport is more than a travel document,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“It is a representation of our national identity and values. It is a reminder of the beauty and diversity of Canada and it reflects the country’s commitment to welcoming people from all around the world.”

The personal data of Canadian passport holders will now be laser-engraved instead of being printed with ink, a move Ottawa claims will make the data page more durable and more resistant to tampering and counterfeiting.

“The new passport includes state-of-the-art security features designed to keep Canadians’ identities safe, such as a polycarbonate data page, a technology similar to Canada’s driver’s licences,” notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

“Other features include a Kinegram over the main photo, a custom see-through window with a secondary image of the passport holder, a variable laser image, and a temperature-sensitive ink feature.”

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The new passport, which will be rolled out this summer, sports iconic images of Canada’s natural beauty throughout the four seasons and includes a new cover design with an outline of a maple leaf. The new passports were designed and developed by Canadian Bank Note Company under a 14-year contract with the federal government.

The current version of passports, released 10 years ago, remains secure and reliable and so Canadians with valid passports will only need to renew them when they are getting close to their normal renewal date.

“The Canadian passport is a fundamental document of citizenship, recognized around the world,” said Karina Gould, minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Canadian Passport Ranks Fourth Internationally Under The Henley Passport Index

“The government is committed to ensuring passport services are quick, efficient and modern. We are working hard to give Canadians a seamless experience, from the moment they apply until the moment the passport arrives in their hands.”

As of April this year, the Henley Passport Index ranks the Canadian passport fourth globally, offering holders visa-free access or visa on arrival to over 170 countries.

Earlier this year, the power of the Canadian passport nudged up one point on The Henley Passport Index to hit a score of 186.

The 18-year-old Henley Passport Index, which is updated quarterly, uses data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) to compare 199 passports for 227 travel destinations and gives a ranking for the top 112 of them that reflects the global mobility afforded by the passports of those nations.

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“The total score for each passport is equal to the number of destinations for which no visa is required,” notes the Henley & Partners website.

Canada regularly features among the countries with the world’s most powerful passports, offering visa-free access, which is seen as a measurement of the freedom of citizens of a country, to many destinations.

The organization’s first-quarter ranking of 2023 of the passports of countries all over the world put the Canadian passport on par with those of Australia, Greece and Malta. All of those countries, including Canada, scored 186 on the index.

The highest-ranked passports are the ones issued by Japan and Singapore. They scored 193.

Second place went to South Korea with a score of 192. Germany and Spain tied for third with scores of 191. Finland, Italy and Luxembourg came in fourth with scores of 190.

The European countries of Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden scored 189 each while France, Ireland, Portugal and the United Kingdom placed sixth with scores of 188.

Afghanistan Has The Least-Desirable Passport In The World

The United States was one of five countries, including Belgium, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland, that narrowly beat out Canada by a single point to snag the seventh spot in the rankings with scores of 186.

Narrowly beating out Canada by a single point on the index’s scorecard, the American passport garnered a score of 187 and came in seventh place along with Belgium, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland.

The dubious distinction of having the least-desirable passport in the world goes to Afghanistan which got only 27 points to place 108th.

Barely beating out Afghanistan for the worst passport in the world is Iraq, whose passport was given a score of 29 and Syria, with a passport score of 30.

The Canadian passport reached the second spot on The Henley Index in 2014, then slid to sixth place by 2016 and stayed there for four years. The passport then lost ground relative to other passports throughout the world during the pandemic as public health restrictions and border closures severely limited travel to other destinations.

Last year, though, the Canadian passport moved up a notch, to the eighth spot and is so far holding steady there.

Alberta Sees Exponential Rise In Applications From Internationally-Trained Nurses

Colin Singer
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Alberta Sees Exponential Rise In Applications From Internationally-Trained Nurses

Alberta has seen a surge in applications after the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta moved to overhaul its application process last month and make it easier for internationally-trained nurses to get the clearance they need to work in the province.

“The numbers have increased exponentially,” Andrew Douglas, an executive director at the college, reportedly told the CBC.

The changes to speed up the application process went into effect on Apr. 4.

Since then, the regulator’s call centre has reportedly received more than 7,000 inquiries, almost 1,200 people have started the application process, and the college has issued 672 permits.

By comparison, in the entire four years that ended last year, the CRNA received only 582 applications.

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According to Douglas, the most common source countries for nurses seeking to get their credentials recognized to work in Alberta in the past five years have been the Philippines and India.

“[It’s] allowing more registered nurses to come into the health system to provide patient care,” Douglas reportedly said. “And as we know, there are workforce challenges right now, so this is really helping to get nurses into Alberta.”

The streamlined process unveiled by the regulator comes as the province itself is further trying to open up its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to healthcare workers, refugees and entrepreneurs willing to operate businesses in rural areas.

If you are a candidate looking for a Canada job, or an employer looking to recruit foreign talent from abroad, immigration.ca can help. Access our expertise through our in-house recruitment enterprise skilledworker.com, “the leader in foreign recruitment”.

Under changes announced Apr. 3, foreign nationals hoping to immigrate to Canada under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) will now have to make a minimum investment of only $100,000, half of the previously-demanded $200,000 under the program’s Rural Renewal Stream.

But the need for communities to demonstrate proper settlement plans remains in place.

“Communities are still required to complete a settlement plan as part of the designation application process to demonstrate adequate supports are in place to effectively welcome newcomers,” notes Alberta immigration on its website.

Alberta Is Recruiting Healthcare Workers Through Its AAIP

The westernmost Prairie province, which has recently been given the green light by Ottawa to grow its provincial nominations by 67 over the coming three years, is also actively recruiting healthcare workers through the AAIP.

Last month, the province also announced it is going to use up to 30 per cent of its available Express Entry allocations this year to nominated healthcare workers under its Dedicated Healthcare Pathway.

“Physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, physician assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and clinical social workers are eligible,” notes Alberta immigration.

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“Eligible healthcare professionals must have an Alberta job offer with an employer in the healthcare sector in Alberta, and must have verifiable proof of meeting the minimal requirements prescribed by the applicable regulatory organization to be able to practice in Alberta.”

Foreign nationals with the qualifications to work in Canada as nurses can use their expertise to seek out jobs here and gain their permanent residency through the many economic immigration programs at the federal and provincial levels, including through the Express Entry system, one of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) or the Skilled Worker program in Quebec.

Through the Express Entry system, nurses can often qualify for the FSW, provided their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) profile scores highly enough.

Nurses can also qualify to come to Canada through the Skilled Worker program in Quebec if they score 50 points or more on the province’s selection grid.

Registered nurses who hold a university degree in nursing, registered psychiatric nurses who hold a bachelor’s or post-grad degree in psychiatric nursing, and licensed practical nurses, or registered practical nurses in Ontario, with post-secondary diplomas in nursing, are all welcome in Canada.

Internationally-Trained Nurses Must Have Their Credentials Recognized

The first step for a nurse eyeing Canada as a destination for immigration is to have his or her academic credentials evaluated to see if they are up to Canadians standards.

The Canadian government recognizes five organizations for the assessment of foreign educational credentials:

  • World Education Services (WES);
  • International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS);
  • Comparative Education Service (CES);
  • International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS), and;
  • International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES).

Once the educational and background checks have been completed, the next step is for the prospective immigrant to have those nursing credentials recognized in Canada by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), a step that costs US$650.

The second step in the process for the foreign national looking to immigrate to Canada as a nurse is to create a profile on the NNAS application page.

That requires:

  • the submission of two pieces of identity that must be notarized, copes of original documents that have been signed, dated and stamped;
  • a completed nursing education form that can be downloaded from the website filled out, and signed before being sent to the school where the nurse was educated for that school’s officials to complete and then send directly to NNAS along with academic records or transcripts, course curriculum and course descriptions and syllabi;
  • submission of the nursing registration form which is to be sent to the nursing licensing authority where the nurse is currently registered in his or her home country;
  • the nursing practice/employment form which must be signed and sent to all employers the nurse has had over the past five years for them to complete and send to NNAS, and;
  • the prospective applicant for immigration’s IELTS language testing results, which must be sent directly to NNAS from an approved language-testing organization or company.

Provincial Nursing Associations Receive Applications From Internationally-Trained Nurses

After that has been done and the documents have been received by NNAS, the nurse can submit his or her application and pick the nursing group and provincial association to which they wish to apply.

These include:

  • British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals and Midwives;
  • College of Registered Nurses of Alberta;
  • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta;
  • College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta;
  • Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association;
  • Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses;
  • Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
  • College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba;
  • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba;
  • College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba;
  • College of Nurses of Ontario;
  • Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec;
  • Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers auxiliaires du Québec;
  • Nurses Association of New Brunswick;
  • Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses;
  • Nova Scotia College of Nursing;
  • College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island;
  • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island;
  • College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut;
  • Government of Northwest Territories, Registrar, Professional Licensing, Health and Social Services;
  • Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut;
  • Government of Nunavut, Department of Health;
  • Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and;
  • Government of Yukon, Yukon Department of Community Services.

Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 539 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 539 Canada Immigration Invitations

Manitoba has issued 539 invitations to apply in a new Canada immigration draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

The May 4 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.

A batch of 252 invitations with a lowest score of 606 went to Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates currently employed in Manitoba in one of the following major group occupations:

  • 12 – Administrative and financial supervisors and specialized administrative occupations
  • 22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences
  • 70 – Middle management occupations in trades and transportation

Meanwhile, Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates in all occupations received 199 LAAs, with a minimum score of 650 points.

International Education Stream candidates received 39 LAAs.

The remaining 49 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 699.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Manitoba stated that 204 of the 539 candidates invited had valid Express Entry IDs and job seeker validation codes.

For detailed requirements of all the streams featured in this draw, please see below.

What Were the Details of the Latest Manitoba Draw?

Stream Sub-Stream Letters of Advice to Apply Score of Lowest Ranked Candidate
1) Skilled Workers in Manitoba Occupation-specific selection 252 606
All occupations 199 650
2) International Education Stream 39
3) Skilled Workers Overseas Strategic Recruitment Initiative 49 699

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How Do I Qualify For The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream?

The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream (SWM) is based on the specific needs of Manitoba employers. SWM selects foreign-trained workers with the required skills and nominates them for Canada permanent residence. The stream prioritizes candidates with a strong attachment to Manitoba, with two pathways to Manitoba immigration.

a) Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

For applicants currently working in Manitoba on temporary work permits, through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or as international graduates from any province. Candidates do not need to be working in In-Demand Occupations.

b) Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

For applicants from overseas with job offers from approved Manitoba employers.

How Do I Qualify For The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream?

The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream (SWO) includes both a dedicated Canada Express Entry Pathway and a direct provincial pathway.

It is aimed at international skilled workers with skills and training in Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations. Priority is given to applicants and spouses with close family connections, plus the language proficiency, training and experience to find jobs quickly.

a) Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

For international candidates eligible under another MPNP stream, who also meet Express Entry criteria and have an active Express Entry profile. Candidates need skills, training and experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations, and a strong family connection to the province.

b) Human Capital Pathway

For international skilled workers with skills, training and experience in one of Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations. Candidates must demonstrate potential to find employment soon after they arrive in Manitoba.

What Are The Requirements For the International Education Stream?

The International Education Stream (IES) is dedicated to international graduates from Manitoba colleges and universities. Under IES, candidates are no longer required to work for six months in their field before applying for an MPNP nomination. It has three pathways:

1) Career Employment Pathway  

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Completed a one-year or longer course from an eligible post-secondary Manitoba institution within three years of submission of application.
  • Have a full-time job offer in a Manitoba In-Demand occupation related to the completed degree
  • Resident of Manitoba

2) Graduate Internship Pathway

Masters and Doctoral degree holders who have completed Mitacs Accelerate or Elevate internships can apply for nomination through internships even without a job offer in the province.

3) Student Entrepreneur Pathway

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Completed a two-year or longer course from an eligible post-secondary Manitoba institution
  • Six months business operation experience in Manitoba
  • Resident of Manitoba since graduation.
  • No specific minimum personal net worth requirement
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