Canada immigration news: Studying or working in Canada prior to applying for permanent residence proved to be an even greater asset for those hoping to immigrate here last year.
The number of new permanent residents to the country with that experience almost quadrupled in 2021 compared to the previous year.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals 22,670 new permanent residents came to Canada last year after having previously been international students in the country.
That’s almost three times the 7,750 new permanent residents who had previously held study permits in 2020 and almost double the 11,565 who had come to Canada after having held study permits in 2019, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The number of new permanent residents with previous IMP experience more than quadrupled last year, to 157,685, from 39,935 in 2020 and was almost 175 per cent higher than the 57,365 new permanent residents in 2019.
New Permanent Residents With Tfw Experience More Than Tripled Last Year
Similarly, the number of new permanent residents with experience as temporary foreign workers through the TFWP more than tripled to 10,970 last year from the 3,295 in 2020 and was almost twice as high as the 5,655 new permanent residents Canada welcomed with that experience in 2019.
Although there can be some overlap between these programs with, for example, a temporary foreign worker later deciding to come to Canada as an international student prior to seeking his or her permanent residency, adding up the yearly totals for the IRCC’s data for each of these programs demonstrates the undeniable and growing importance of these experiences for any foreign national looking to immigrate to Canada.
The total of the three datasets for 2021 shows 191,325 new permanent residents who came to Canada after having held a study permit or working in the country as a temporary resident through the IMP or TFWP.
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That’s almost four times as many as the 50,980 new permanent residents to Canada with similar experience in 2020 and more than 2.5 times as many as the 74,585 new permanent residents to Canada with that kind of experience in 2019.
There’s little doubt Ottawa’s one-time, temporary to permanent resident pathway undertaken last year was responsible for much of the increase in new permanent residents to the country last year who had previously held a study permit or worked as a temporary resident.
But other moves were taken by the IRCC during the height of the pandemic also undoubtedly contributed to the uptick in new permanent residents with a previous international student or temporary worker experience in Canada.
In April last year, Canada also decided to finalize permanent residence applications for up to 6,000 caregivers who had completed their in-Canada work experience and their immediate family members.
Canada immigration news: Canada saw a roughly 1.3-per cent drop in the immigration application inventory under economic programs in the first two months of this year, following efforts to reduce the backlog.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data reveals there were 234,740 people with applications for permanent residency through economic programs on Dec. 31 last year and still 231,635 by the end of February this year, a decrease of 3,105.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser pledged earlier this year to return Canada’s Express Entry system back to normal operations and he has also made promises to cut the backlog of applications.
Federal Government Investing in Immigration Processes to Cut Backlog
Canada is to spend $2.1 billion in the next five years to improve the processing of permanent residence applications and tackle the backlog.
Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced the new funding as part of her federal budget on April 7. The spending also includes $317.6 million ongoing – on top of the $85 million announced in the Fall Economic Statement last year.
“We have also embarked on an unprecedented modernization of the immigration system, with more than $800 million in the 2021 budget to create a brand-new digital platform for managing immigration cases,” said IRCC spokesperson Béatrice Fénelon last week.
“This new platform will transform our immigration system, meaning cases will be processed faster and workers will arrive sooner.”
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Until those measures are implemented and wait times reduced, though, many foreign nationals may simply have to be patient.
Data provided to Immigration.ca by the IRCC shows some pathways to permanent residency are already benefiting considerably from efforts to cut the backlog of applications.
With the Canadian Experience Class application process temporarily suspended, Canadian immigration officials were able to cut the backlog there almost in half, from 20,784 people waiting in the queue at the end of last year to 11,564 by the end of February.
Permanent Residence Applications in the Processing Inventory as of Specified Dates* under the Economic Class (in Persons)
Immigration Category
Persons as of Dec. 31, 2021
Persons as of Feb. 28, 2022
Agri-Food Pilot Program
743
644
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs
2,738
2,632
Canadian Experience Class (EE)
20,784
11,564
Canadian Experience Class (No EE)
59
93
Caring for Children
102
85
Federal Self Employed
4,942
5,272
Federal Skilled Workers (C-50)
222
196
Federal Skilled Workers (EE)
53,815
44,378
Federal Skilled Workers (Pre C-50)
24
23
High Medical Needs
29
15
Home Child Care Pilot
8,756
11,704
Home Support Worker Pilot
2,679
3,627
Interim Pathway Measure
1,815
1,241
Live-in Caregiver
1,638
1,323
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE)
40,132
37,053
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (No EE)
28,059
32,902
Quebec Entrepreneur
461
416
Quebec Investor
14,424
14,070
Quebec Self Employed
82
95
Quebec Skilled Workers
26,932
26,584
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
1,052
879
Skilled Trades (EE)
802
628
Skilled Trades (No EE)
9
3
Start-up Business
1,264
1,378
TR to PR
23,177
34,830
Grand Total
234,740
231,635
The number of people waiting for a decision on Federal Skilled Worker applications through the Express Entry program also fell by more than 17.5 per cent, from 53,815 at the end of last year to 44,378 by the end of February.
Those bright spots, though, remain overshadowed by the increase in the backlog under several other programs.
Among the pathways which saw the greatest increases in the number of people waiting for a decision for permanent residency were the Federal Self-Employed program backlog which grew by 330 people, to 5,272 from 4,942, during those same two months.
Pnp Economic Pathways See Growth of 17.3% in 2022
The queue of people waiting for decisions on their permanent residency applications under the Home Child Care Pilot grew by 2,948, from 8,756 to 11,704. And the Home Support Worker Pilot also saw an increase of 948 people, or almost 35.4 per cent, on its wait list which grew from 2,679 people to 3,627.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and Territorial Nominee Program nominees outside of Express Entry increased in number by almost 17.3 per cent, from 28,059 to 32,902 during the two months that ended Feb. 28.
Frustrated by long delays, many applicants for permanent residency to Canada are taking to social media to voice their displeasure.
“Give us a definite timeline, we cannot wait forever to get a final decision,” tweeted one person anxious to hear of improvements to the caregiver programs. “Hear us out please.”
It’s a commonplace sentiment on Twitter.
“I just lost my trust in IRCC and the Canadian government who just played with our lives by keeping our permanent residency files on hold for around five years,” alleged one man.
Among the challenges facing Ottawa is not only the slowdown in operations during the Covid-19 pandemic at IRCC – and its resultant backlogs – but also the current government’s commitment to ever-higher, record-breaking levels of immigration to help resolve labour shortages plaguing Canadian businesses.
Permanent Residence Applications Received between Nov. 1, 2021 and Jan. 31, 2022 under the Economic Class (in Applications)
Immigration Category
November 2021
December 2021
January 2022
Total
Agri-Food Pilot Program
24
22
11
57
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs
225
391
246
862
Canadian Experience Class (EE)
450
450
Canadian Experience Class (No EE)
1
1
2
Federal Self Employed
2
1
2
5
Home Child Care Pilot
1
10
11
Home Support Worker Pilot
27
31
3
61
Live-in Caregiver
1
1
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE)
1,400
1,454
1,477
4,331
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (No EE)
16
15
10
41
Quebec Skilled Workers
204
175
109
488
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
91
94
42
227
Start-up Business
1
1
TR to PR
1,455
1,455
Grand Total
3,895
2,186
1,911
7,992
Permanent Residence Applications Received between Nov. 1, 2021 and Jan. 31, 2022 under the Economic Class (in Persons)
Immigration Category
November 2021
December 2021
January 2022
Total
Agri-Food Pilot Program
55
51
21
127
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs
396
668
437
1,501
Canadian Experience Class (EE)
647
647
Canadian Experience Class (No EE)
1
1
2
Federal Self Employed
4
3
4
11
Home Child Care Pilot
4
23
27
Home Support Worker Pilot
72
74
11
157
Live-in Caregiver
7
7
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (EE)
3,109
3,225
3,232
9,566
Provincial/Territorial Nominees (No EE)
46
46
20
112
Quebec Skilled Workers
473
433
268
1,174
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
184
206
104
494
Start-up Business
3
3
TR to PR
1,917
1,917
Grand Total
6,904
4,720
4,121
15,745
Ottawa is hoping to welcome 431,645 permanent residents this year, 447,055 next year, and 451,000 in 2024.
In January this year, the IRCC received 1,911 PNP applications under economic programs and these applications alone added another 4,121 to the queue of those waiting for permanent residency to Canada.
Canada is also still processing tens of thousands of applications it received last year under the one-time, temporary-to-permanent resident pathway. As of the end of February this year, there were still 34,830 people awaiting decisions on their permanent residency applications under that pathway.
Canada immigration news: A Quebec immigration program offering nurses priority processing for applications for temporary and permanent residence, and wooing them with the promise of paid upgrading courses, has been updated to include candidates from Haiti.
“Haiti will be added to the list of high-priority countries,” tweeted Quebec Immigration Minister Jean Boulet this week. “Quebec needs these skills to address its labour shortages.”
In February, the francophone province pledged to invest $65 million for an initiative to recruit 1,000 foreign-trained nurses from francophone countries over the next two years.
But Haiti, a largely-francophone Caribbean island nation, was not on that list of countries.
Quebec’s Strong Relationship With Haiti Goes Back 60 Years
Its absence was conspicuous and reported in the news media because Quebec and Haiti have a longstanding relationship that goes back to the 1960s.
There are now more than 165,000 Quebecers of Haitian descent in the province, most of them living in the Greater Montreal area. The province is home to roughly 86 per cent of all Haitian-Canadians.
This week’s announcement giving Haitian nurses priority processing allows them to join the list of francophone countries already promised the same perk for their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The countries promised priority processing by Quebec over the two phases of the program, the first of which is expected to see newcomers arrive this autumn, include:
Algeria;
Cameroon;
Morocco;
Tunisia;
Mauritius Island;
the Ivory Coast;
Libya;
the Congo, and;
Senegal.
Haiti was originally omitted from that list because its educational system was deemed to not dovetail as well with the standards of Quebec colleges and universities.
Quebec is hoping to recruit nurses and have them work in the outlying areas of the province, including the Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Baie James and Outaouais regions.
Paffarc Will Give $500 Per Week During Upgrading Course to Foreign-Trained Nurses
Successful candidates under the Financial Assistance for Upgrading and Credential Recognition program (the Programme d’aide financière pour la formation d’appoint en reconnaissance des competences, or PAFFARC) will be paid $500 weekly for up to a year during their training at a local CEGEP, a community college in Quebec, while they work to get their credentials recognized by Quebec’s Order of Nurses.
While in school for those nine months to a year, the candidates will also be allowed to work as nurses’ aides for up to 20 hours per week while in training and full-time during school holidays.
The cost of the program is being covered by Quebec’s immigration department, the Ministre de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).
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This immigration program doesn’t just allow the prospective nurses to come to Quebec. It also allows them to bring their spouses, who will be given open work permits, and their children.
During the past year, Quebec has become even more bullish on immigration as a means to resolve its massive labour shortages.
Earlier this year, Boulet urged Ottawa to speed up processing times for applications for permanent and temporary residency in Quebec.
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 Federal Skilled Worker program, 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.
Foreign Nurses Can Come to Work in Canada Under Federal and Provincial Programs
Each province in Canada also operates its own PNP that leads to Canadian permanent residence.
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.
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 Canadian 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, copies 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.
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.
Canada immigration news: The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway was flooded with more than 112,000 applications in its first two weeks, says Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
“In the last number of days, we have now approved more than 26,500,” said Fraser. “Even though most are arriving as temporary residents, we announced recently that we would expand settlement support for all Ukrainians coming to Canada in recognition of the special circumstances they are facing.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on Feb. 24 and quickly struck the country with a full military onslaught. Video coming out of Ukraine shows the full extent of the devastation as nothing seems to be spared the Russian air missile attacks, not even maternity wards and civilians.
Canada Heading Up the United Nations’ Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility
Millions have fled Ukraine and are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries and Canada is leading the way in these refugee resettlement efforts.
“Canada has a proud history of welcoming refugees from around the world,” Fraser tweeted last week.
“Alongside (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Filippo Grandi, I joined leaders from other nations and international organizations to launch the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility, which Canada will lead for the first two years.”
The new United Nations initiative builds on Canada’s Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, a ground-breaking program that recognizes the skills and abilities of refugees by removing barriers and helping them and their families immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs, explained Fraser.
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Earlier this year, Ottawa announced Canada will expand its federal settlement programs to include language training, orientation, employment assistance and other supports for Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities.
“We’re working with our provincial and territorial partners, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the business community, and settlement organizations across the country to develop more ways to support those in Canada, as Ukraine bravely defends their homeland against Putin’s war.”
The CUAET pathway began accepting applications on March 17. The new pathway allows Ukrainians to stay in Canada for up to three years and be eligible for free open work and study permits.
Canada has increased its immigration application processing capacity in Europe and has sent mobile biometrics kits to Warsaw, Vienna and Bucharest to take the fingerprints and portrait photos of prospective Ukrainian refugees in its bid to ensure proper security precautions are taken with the surge in applications.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials have also confirmed Ottawa has set up temporary pop-ups for biometrics collection in addition to IRCC’s usual Visa Application Centre network.
Employers Can Now Post Jobs for Ukrainian Refugees on Job Bank
Canadian businesses and employers can now add jobs for Ukrainians on Canada’s online job bank.
“We are working with partners, including provinces and territories, the business community, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, and settlement organizations on how best to support Ukrainians,” tweeted Fraser. “We stand with Ukraine and will offer safe harbour for those who want to come to Canada.”
Canada has vowed to accept an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees – and could see a massive influx of newcomers because the Russia-Ukraine war is considered to be the biggest assault on a European state since the Second World War.
Earlier this year, the IRCC announced any Ukrainian already in Canada before the start of the war on a temporary basis could also apply to extend his or her status as a visitor, student or worker.
Among the new immigration measures announced since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war are:
a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can now add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Webform with their enquiry and their e-mail will be prioritized;
urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports;
an updated web page to provide current information on measures. This page will include content in Ukrainian for ease of reference;
permission for Ukrainians currently in Canada to extend their stay or stay longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits, and extending a policy that allows individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada. This policy would allow temporary residents who receive a job offer to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed, and;
the issuance of open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish. Fees are being waived, retroactive to Feb. 22, for certain travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, and work and study permits.
Canada immigration news: Despite Ottawa’s planned two-year ban on home-buying by foreign nationals, permanent residents and international students will reportedly still be able to purchase homes in Canada.
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland unveiled Ottawa’s strategy on Thursday to keep house prices in Canada from rising so high as to push working-class and young Canadians out of the real estate market.
“We will make the market fairer for Canadians,” said Freeland. “We will prevent foreign investors from parking their money in Canada by buying up homes. We will make sure that houses are being used as homes for Canadian families rather than as a speculative financial asset class.”
Ottawa Hoping to Double the Number of Homes Being Built Over Coming Decade
Those foreign investors, though, do not include foreign nationals who are studying at Canadian colleges and universities or those from other countries who have already obtained their permanent residency.
In its latest budget, Ottawa is also proposing to double the number of new homes being built in cooperation with the provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, and the private and non-profit sectors.
“Canada does not have enough homes. We need more of them, fast,” said Freeland. “This budget represents the most ambitious plan that Canada has ever had to solve that fundamental challenge.
“We will invest in building more homes and in bringing down the barriers that keep them from being built. We will invest in the rental housing that so many count on. We will make it easier for our young people to get those first keys of their own.”
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Despite Canada’s stated goal of increasing the number of homes built in the country, the plan also calls for a two-year ban on investment in real estate by foreigners. Ottawa sees this speculative investment as fueling inflation in the housing market.
“For years, foreign money has been coming into Canada to buy residential real estate, fuelling concerns about the impact on costs in cities like Vancouver and Toronto and worries about Canadians being priced out of the housing market in cities and towns across the country,” states a backgrounder on the housing market published online by the federal government’s finance department.
“To make sure that housing is owned by Canadians instead of foreign investors, Budget 2022 announces the government’s intention to propose restrictions that would prohibit foreign commercial enterprises and people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents from acquiring non-recreational, residential property in Canada for a period of two years.”
Temporary Residents May Also Be Exempt From Two-Year Homebuying Ban
Neither Freeland’s speech nor the backgrounder by the finance department mention anything about temporary foreign workers. The Financial Post, though, has quoted an anonymous person, described as being “familiar with the matter”, as saying foreign workers will also be exempt from the ban on buying real estate in Canada.
Canada remains bullish on immigration. Last year, Canada welcomed 405,330 new immigrants despite the COVID-19 global pandemic and Ottawa plans to raise that level of immigration and welcome more than 1.3 million newcomers between 2022 and 2024.
“Immigration has helped shape Canada into the country it is today. From farming and fishing to manufacturing, healthcare and the transportation sector, Canada relies on immigrants,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser earlier this year.
“We are focused on economic recovery, and immigration is the key to getting there. Setting bold new immigration targets, as outlined in the 2022-2024 Levels Plan, will further help bring the immeasurable contribution of immigrants to our communities and across all sectors of the economy.”
Finance Minister Wants More Foreign Workers to Come to Canada
Under the levels plan presented by the immigration minister this year, Canada plans to welcome 431,645 permanent residents this year, 447,055 next year, and 451,000 in 2024.
In her remarks Thursday, Freeland echoed those sentiments.
“A growing country and a growing economy also demand a growing workforce. A lack of workers—and of workers with the right skills—is constraining the industrialized economies around the world. But there is good news.”
The finance minister vowed her latest budget will make it easier for skilled immigrants to make Canada their home and to do the jobs for which they are trained.
“We will also invest in the determined and talented workers who are already here,” promised Freeland. “We will make it more affordable for people working in the skilled trades to travel to where the jobs are.
“Programs like the enhanced Canada Worker’s Benefit will make it more worthwhile for people to work and will make life more affordable for our lowest paid, and very often most essential, workers.”
Canada immigration news: There are ways to avoid problems with processing times through Canada’s Start-Up Visa currently being tackled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
At the time of writing, IRCC’s processing times tool estimates it will take 31 months from submission of application to permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa (SUV).
Ottawa is trying to tackle the issue, announcing $2.1 billion in its latest budget to improve immigration processing, on top of $85 million allocated in 2021 specifically aimed at the current application backlog.
This means the current estimated processing time is likely to be as long as it gets. Over time, expected that 31 months to gradually reduce as the system capacity is increased to meet demand.
In the mean time, there are ways SUV candidates who want to apply and get to Canada as soon as possible to achieve just that.
Apply For A Work Permit Through The International Mobility Program
Built into the Start-Up Visa process is the opportunity to apply for a short-term work permit to arrive in Canada and begin setting up the business while the permanent residence application is being processed.
Processing times for work permits vary depending on the country the candidate is applying from, but are dramatically less than the time it takes to get permanent residence through the SUV.
To qualify for the work permit, applicants must secure a Commitment Certificate and a letter of support from a designated entity. The letter must indicate the applicant is ‘essential’ and there are urgent business reasons for their early entry to Canada.
The candidate must also prove they have sufficient funds to meet the low-income cut-off (LICO) for their family size, for one year, plan to live outside Quebec and pay the $230 employer compliance fee.
Low-Income Cut Off Requirements
Size of family unit
Minimum necessary income
1 person
$25,338
2 persons
$31,544
3 persons
$38,780
4 persons
$47,084
5 persons
$53,402
6 persons
$60,228
7 persons
$67,055
More than 7 persons, for each additional person, add
$6,827
Through the International Mobility Program (IMP), candidates can submit a ‘self-employed’ offer of employment, so that they qualify for the work permit.
Candidates should include their job title as ‘Start-Up Visa Entrepreneur’ under National Occupational Classification (NOC) code 8888.
It should be noted that candidates who meet all of the above requirements can apply for the short-term work permit before they apply for permanent residence.
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Consider A Provincial Business Program Aimed At Start-Ups
A further option for candidates looking to avoid long wait times is to consider a provincial business program aimed at start-ups.
Both Alberta and Ontario have options in this regard.
Successful candidates must sign a Business Performance Agreement, before establishing their start-up while in Canada on a work permit. Once the terms of the BPA are met, they are then nominated for permanent residence through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
Candidates must meet requirements including work experience, education and language. The mandatory minimum investment for an urban centre is $100,000 and for a regional area is $50,000.
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Ontario
Ontario launched in 2021 a project to recruit 100 international entrepreneurs to invest $200,000 each to start or buy businesses outside the Greater Toronto Area.
Canada immigration news: Manitoba has conducted a new draw through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, issuing 223 Letters of Advice to Apply to Canada immigration candidates.
The April 7 draw saw LAAs issued through three MPNP streams.
Skilled Workers in Manitoba received 156 LAAs, with the lowest ranked candidates scoring 739 points.
International Education Stream candidates received 34 LAAs.
The remaining 33 LAAs went to Skilled Workers Overseas candidates through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, with a minimum score of 683.
Manitoba stated that 30 of the 223 candidates had valid Express Entry IDs and job seeker validation codes.
For detailed requirements of all the streams featured in this draw, please see below.
This was the 142nd draw in the history of the MPNP.
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
156
739
2) International Education Stream
34
–
3) Skilled Workers Overseas
Strategic Recruitment Initiative
33
683
Video
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 the 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
Canada immigration news: Canada’s unemployment rate dropped to the lowest since comparable records began in 1976 during March, at a historic 5.3 percent.
The latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey reveals another stellar month for Canada jobs with employment rising by 73,000. Quebec saw its unemployment drop to a remarkable 4.1 percent, illustrating how tight the labour market is in the French-speaking province.
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Employment for those aged 55 and over increased by 39,000, with women in the age category adding 25,000 jobs.
Elsewhere, men in the 25 to 54 age group added 35,000 jobs, mainly in part-time work, while women in the same age group saw little change in their total employment.
In the 15 to 24-year-old age group, the figures held steady in March, Statistics Canada reports.
What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?
Unemployment rate (%)
5.3
Employment rate (%)
61.9
Labour force participation rate (%)
65.4
Number unemployed
1,100,200
Number working
19,585,200
Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)
9.8
Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)
4.4
Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)
4.8
Source: Statistics Canada
Provincial Canada Jobs Picture
Among the provinces, Quebec’s unemployment rate was the lowest on record and the only one under 5 percent in the whole of Canada.
As COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in the French-speaking province, employment increased by 27,000 jobs, following on from February gains. Important increases were seen in accommodation and food services, public administration, and educational services.
Neighbouring giant Ontario added 35,000 jobs for an unemployment rate of 5.3 percent. Key industries recording gains were construction and natural resources.
British Columbia, meanwhile, added 10,500 jobs for an unemployment rate of 5.1 percent, while Alberta’s unemployment of 6.5 percent came after adding 7,200 jobs.
Gains in Atlantic Canada were seen in New Brunswick, which added 4,100 jobs for an unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, while Prince Edward Island added 800 jobs for an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent.
Unemployment Rates In Canada’s Provinces
Jobs change in last month
Unemployment rate (%)
British Columbia
10,500
5.1
Alberta
7,200
6.5
Saskatchewan
-4,500
5.0
Manitoba
-4,200
5.3
Ontario
35,100
5.3
Quebec
27,100
4.1
New Brunswick
4,100
7.7
Nova Scotia
-700
6.5
Prince Edward Island
800
8.1
Newfoundland & Labrador
-2,900
12.9
CANADA
72,500
5.3
Source: Statistics Canada
Canada Jobs By Industry
Both the services-producing and goods-producing sectors saw employment rise in March.
Services added 42,000 jobs, including 15,000 in accommodation and food services, 14,000 in ‘other services’ which includes repair and maintenance services and personal care services and 12,000 in public administration.
The gains in the goods-producing sector were driven by 14,000 in construction, 8,800 in natural resources and 5,800 in agriculture.
Canada immigration news: International students surveyed by IDP Connect say Canada is the best country in the world when it comes to getting a college or university education.
The Australia-based, global education services provider’s latest Emerging Futures report shows international students prefer Canada over the United States, United Kingdom and Australian by a wide margin.
International students told IDP that Canada was their first choice of destination for their higher education in 27 per cent of cases.
That compares to only 20 per cent who favoured the United States, and 19 per cent for each of the United Kingdom and Australia.
CANADA’S OPEN IMMIGRATION POLICIES MAKE IT MORE POPULAR WITH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
That means Canada is 35 per cent more popular a destination for international students than the United States.
The next most-popular countries were New Zealand and China, each of which was picked by only four per cent of international students.
Canada’s open-door policy to immigration was a big part of the country’s appeal for international students.
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The report, released late last month, shows international students see Canada as top because of its concern for the welfare of international students, post-study work visa policies and graduate employment opportunities.
“Career development was a key motivating factor for three out of four respondents, 74 per cent, who prefer to study in Canada,” notes the report.
Canada welcomes more than 350,000 international students every year. To be eligible to study in Canada these students must demonstrate that they:
have been accepted by a school, college, university or other educational institution in Canada;
have enough money to pay for their tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation;
are law-abiding citizens with no criminal records;
are in good health and willing to complete a medical examination, and;
can satisfy an immigration officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stays.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CAN WORK ON CANADIAN CAMPUSES WITHOUT A WORK PERMIT
Once issued a study permit, these students can work in Canada under the following categories:
on campus without a work permit;
off campus with a work permit;
in co-op and internship programs, where work experience is part of the curriculum, with a work permit.
Upon graduation, a foreign student may apply for a PGWP which is usually issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.
The valuable work experience gained while an international grad works in Canada under the PGWP can count towards a permanent residence application through Canada Express Entry system.
Under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used by Express Entry system programs, applicants for immigration are assigned points based on:
Skills;
Work experience;
Language ability;
Language ability and education of the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner;
Possession of a job offer supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment;
Possession of a provincial government nomination for permanent residence, and;
Certain combinations of language skills, education and work experience result in a higher chance of the applicant becoming employed (skill transferability).
Canada immigration news: Canada is planning to improve the processing of permanent residence applications and tackle a backlog currently plaguing the immigration system by spending $2.1 billion in the next five years.
Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced the new funding as part of her federal budget proposal on Thursday. The spending also includes $317.6 million ongoing – on top of the $85 million announced last year.
Describing immigration as ‘vital to our economy, our communities, and to our national identity’, the budget also included investment in a number of other areas, including:
$385.7 million over five years, and $86.5 million ongoing for welcoming visitors, students, and workers.
$1.3 billion over the next five years, and $331.2 million ongoing, to support the long-term stability and integrity of the asylum system.
$43.5 million in 2022-23 to maintain federal support for immigration and refugee legal aid services.
$187.3 million over five years, and $37.2 million ongoing on improving support services for immigrants and visitors.
Changes to the Citizenship Act to enable automated and machine-assisted processing and the safe and secure collection and use of biometrics.
In announcing the spending on application processing, the budget referenced the rising annual immigration target, which is set to hit 451,000 newcomers per year by 2024, including skilled workers to address chronic labour shortages.
“The Immigration Levels Plan helps reunite family members with their loved ones, and allows us to continue to be home to the talents of those already in Canada by granting permanent status to temporary residents – including essential workers and international students,” the budget said.
Specifically, the spending will go on increasing capacity, creating opportunities for newcomers and maintaining the immigration system, the budget statement said.
Welcoming Visitors, Students, and Workers
For visitors, students and workers, the funding will be divided between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service ‘to facilitate the timely and efficient entry’ of candidates.
Canada’s Asylum System
Spending on the asylum system is to be divided between the same three groups, as well as the Immigration and Refugee Board, who process, investigate, and adjudicate asylum claims.
The budget also proposes to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to require asylum claims to be submitted electronically, thus streamlining processing.
Legal Aid for Asylum Seekers
Spending on legal aid for asylum seekers is again designed to streamline the system and ensure refugee claimants are treated fairly.
Support Services for Immigrants and Visitors
Spending on support services will go to IRCC ‘to improve its capacity to respond to a growing volume of enquiries and to invest in the technology and tools required to better support people using their services.’
Improving the Citizenship Program
Spending on the citizenship program will focus on reducing processing times, which have drawn frustration from many candidates over the last two years.
Ottawa plans to change the Citizenship Act to automate processing and ensure the safe collection of biometrics.
Citizenship processing was also part of the $85 million investment in 2021.
