Major Implications For Canada Immigration With Overhaul of National Occupational Classification System

Canada immigration news: In a move with massive implications for the processing of Canadian immigration applications, Ottawa is overhauling its National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.

Under the changes to take effect in the second half of 2022, the NOC will move from a four-digit number to categorize each occupation to a five-digit code. 


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Within the new five-digit code, the Canadian government will break down the level of skill of each occupation, now called the Skill Levels, into six categories from the current four to better reflect the level of Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) of each job.

New NOC Breaks Down Skill Levels Into Six ‘Teer’ Categories

These TEER categories will replace the current Skill Levels.

The new NOC will also rank occupational groups based on five hierarchal levels consisting of: the broad occupation category; major groups; sub-major groups, minor groups; and unit groups.

Expect to see the new NOC system up on Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) website in the coming months. 

It will only go into effect, though, in the second half of next year “to provide organizations and programs with enough time to make a proper transition from NOC 2016 to NOC 2021.”

A nationally-recognized and standardized system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to evaluate the work experience of applicants for immigration, the choice of the right NOC is one of the most important parts of an application for immigration.

With the overhaul to the NOC, all applications submitted once the new system comes into place will require the applicant to put in the proper – and new – five-digit NOC code.

NOC System Overhauled Every Decade

“Every 10 years, the (NOC) undergoes a major structural revision whereby the existing occupational groups are reviewed alongside input collected from many relevant stakeholders through a consultation process,” states Statistics Canada on its website.

“The release of the NOC 2021 will be the product of this 10-year cycle and will reflect changes in the economy and the nature of work. Input from the public, and particularly stakeholders, has been a key part of the revision process.”


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Canada’s federal Express Entry system uses the NOC to identify eligible occupations. Currently, to be eligible for one of the three Express Entry-linked federal programs, candidates must have work experience in skill type 0, or level A or B.

Every province and territory in Canada also uses the NOC to identify jobs that need to be filled by immigration programs. 

In March, for example, New Brunswick temporarily reduced the work experience requirement for its truck driver stream, targeting candidates under what is now NOC 7511.

In February, British Columbia immigration lifted its exclusion of 31 NOC codes as it conducted two draws, issuing invitations to 494 candidates, after roughly a year of limiting immigration of people to do those jobs.

And, late last year, Saskatchewan regularly targets occupations in demand through the use of NOC codes.

The overhaul of the NOC codes comes as Ottawa is facing criticism from many applicants for immigration and the province of Quebec over delays in processing applications.

In May this year, the francophone province’s minister of immigration lambasted Ottawa for dragging its heels on immigration applications to Quebec.

“It is deplorable that the delays are so long for these immigrants – who have already been selected by Quebec – to get their permanent residency,” tweeted Quebec Immigration Minister Nadine Girault in French. 

The processing time for applications for permanent residency in Quebec was then being reported as more than two years long, 27 months, compared to six months in the rest of the country. News reports in the spring indicated that the situation as also getting worse, not better. In 2019, the processing time for applications to Quebec was 19 months.

British Columbia Issues Up To 15 Invitations In New Entrepreneur Draw

Canada immigration news: British Columbia immigration has conducted a new Entrepreneur Immigration draw, issuing up to 15 invitations.

The October 12 British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program draw featured invites through both the province’s general Entrepreneur stream and its regional pilot.

General stream candidates received 10 invitations, requiring a minimum score of 123 points. 

Meanwhile, less than five invites went to regional pilot candidates, with a minimum score of 109 points. When less than five invitations are issued, the exact number is not published.

Full requirements for both streams are below.


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What Was the Minimum Score For The Latest B.C. Entrepreneur Draw?

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invites Issued

12-Oct-21

Entrepreneur Immigration General Category

123

10

Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot

109

Less than 5

Source: https://welcomebc.ca


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What Are The Requirements For The B.C. Entrepreneur Category?

Business candidates in this British Columbia immigration category must meet the following minimum criteria:

Eligibility Requirements

  • Personal net worth of minimum $600,000, legally obtained.
  • Invest minimum $200,000 in an eligible new business or to purchase and improve an existing business in BC.
  • Create at least one new full-time job in your business for a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.
  • Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing, BY THE TIME OF NOMINATION.
  • Suitable business and/or management experience.
  • Have, or be eligible for, legal temporary immigration status in Canada.
  • Have been lawfully admitted to the country where you currently reside.

British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration – Regional Pilot

The Entrepreneur Regional Pilot aims to attract motivated and experienced entrepreneurs to open a business in smaller communities of British Columbia and contribute to their specific labour needs.

It was initially opened in 2019 as a two-year pilot, but has since been extended until 2024.

Eligibility Requirements for Candidates

  • Net worth of minimum $300,000.
  • Minimum of $100,000 in eligible business investments.
  • Minimum of 51% ownership in the new business.
  • Canadian Language Benchmark Level 4 In English or French in each of the four competencies: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
  • Create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Conduct an exploratory visit in the target community

Eligibility Requirements for Communities

  • A population of fewer than 75,000 people.
  • Located beyond 30 km of a municipality of more than 75,000 people.
  • Demonstrate capacity to support the entrepreneur through a network of established settlement and business support agencies.

Fully-Vaccinated Canadians Can Cross U.S. Land Border From November 8

Canada immigration news: The official date of the re-opening of the Canada-U.S. border to fully-vaccinated Canadians has been announced as November 8.

“The White House is indicating the U.S. will start allowing vaccinated Canadians to enter the U.S. through land ports of entry beginning on Nov. 8,” tweeted New York Congressman Brian Higgins on Friday.

Border Closed To Non-Essential Travel For 19 Months

The Canada-U.S. border is re-opening to fully-vaccinated Canadians after almost 19 months.

“This is good news for businesses and families that have suffered under the continued border shutdown,” tweeted Higgins.

The congressman is currently trying to get more clarification on exactly what vaccines will be accepted at the border for Canadians travelling south.

“In Canada, four million are vaccinated with AstraZeneca and mixed doses but the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) currently doesn’t recommend them,” he tweeted. “With the border reopening on Nov. 8, the CDC needs to clarify so that our friends aren’t left stranded at the border.”

At the Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), an association representing Canada’s land border duty-free stores, the re-opening was also met with enthusiasm. 

But the FDFA pressed for more seamless border travel which would allow those coming to Canada to do so without needing a negative COVID-19 test.

“Our road to recovery also depends on Canadian government eliminating the negative PCR test requirement,” the association tweeted.


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Requirements To Enter Canada Do Not Change

Bill Blair, Canada’s minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, noted on Friday that the entry requirements for all non-essential travellers coming into Canada remain unchanged – and that includes mandatory pre-arrival COVID-19 tests and proof of vaccination.

“As always, make sure to check with (the American Department of Homeland Security) for official U.S. entry requirements prior to travelling,” tweeted Blair. “All travellers should also make sure they are eligible to re-enter Canada before leaving.”

The decision to allow fully-vaccinated Canadians into the United States means its Department of Homeland Security will be amending its Title 19 regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully-vaccinated for COVID-19 and have documentation to prove it to enter the country at land and ferry ports of entry. 

The move comes at the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control and public health experts in the United States and was announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

“In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings,” he said.

“Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy. We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner.”

Enthusiastic Watchers Await Details On Border Re-Opening 

The U.S. is also planning to allow in fully-vaccinated foreign nationals starting in early January. 

While support for the re-opening was immediate on social media, that enthusiasm was also tempered with caution as stakeholders on both sides of the border wait to learn of the details.

The Future Borders Coalition, an organization promoting efficiency and security at the border, supported the re-opening but indicated it wants more information on how everything will play out.

“We await details on testing protocols and other entry requirements. Adequate Customs Border Patrol staffing at the border and proof of vaccination solutions are essential to avoid delays,” the organization tweeted.

Let Us Reunite, a volunteer organization that’s been lobbying for travel exemptions to allow families to reunite across the Canada-U.S. border, echoed those sentiments.

“We look forward to an official briefing that includes details on the implementation date, clarity on those who received vaccine mixed doses, and for children under 12 who are unable to be vaccinated,” the organization tweeted.