Canada Immigration News

Canada Offers Refugee Status To Afghans Seeking Refuge From Taliban

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July 23, 2021

Canada Offers Refugee Status To Afghans Seeking Refuge From Taliban

Canada has offered refugee status to Afghani interpreters who worked with the Canadian Armed Forces and also cooks, drivers, cleaners, construction workers, security guards and other staff who worked at the Canada Embassy in Afghanistan and their family members.

“Canada has a responsibility to protect the brave people in Afghanistan who have helped us carry out our mission over 20 years to advance human rights, education, health and security in their country,” says Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau.

“As violence spreads, ensuring the safety and security of all of our personnel, whether Canadian or Afghan, past or present, and the people who are helping us on the ground, is our top priority.”

Canada has been out of the region for seven years. But the United States only pulled out its troops from Bagram Airfield, the centre of its military operations in the country, earlier this month.

Since then, thousands of Afghans have been trying desperately to leave the country.

“Wow. Thousands of Afghans (are) lining up at foreign embassies for visas to leave country, as (the) U.S. withdraws and (the) Taliban advances,” tweeted senior correspondent Joyce Karam earlier this month. “Over 1,000 troops fled to Tajikistan already. The unraveling of #Afghanistan (has been) quicker than expected.”

Afghans Who Worked For Canada Face Taliban Threats

Fearing for their lives at the hands of the Taliban, dozens of interpreters and aides to the Canadian mission in Afghanistan called on Canada to accept them into the country as refugees.

Canada listened – and now it has agreed to take in these Afghans as refugees.

“So many Afghan citizens put themselves at risk to assist Canada, both during and after our military mission in Afghanistan,” says Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

“Now, they face even greater threats from the Taliban, and we are doing everything possible to bring them to safety. Lives hang in the balance, which is why we’re taking timely and decisive action to support the Afghans who supported Canada, and offer them a future in this country.

“Canada will do right by those who did so much for us.”

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Department of National Defence (DND) are already identifying and helping those eligible for resettlement to Canada. Operational teams from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), GAC and DND are on the ground in Afghanistan to support those efforts.

Canada’s immigration officials say they will immediately begin processing individuals referred to them by GAC and DND under a special immigration policy that will offer a path to protection in Canada for those at risk due to their work for Canada during the war.

“I know first-hand about the important work of those who helped the Canadian Armed Forces while Canada was in Afghanistan,” says Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.

“We owe it to those who served alongside our members in uniform to make sure that they and their families are safe. That is why the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence have been working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada from the beginning.

“We will continue that work until the Afghans who were integral to our work in Afghanistan are safe here in Canada.”

Human Rights Watch Calls For Expedited Refugee Processing

In a report released last month, Human Rights Watch noted those countries who relied on help from Afghans should speed up their visa processing and relocation efforts.

On Twitter, American student Charlotte Evergarden agreed.

“The United States and other NATO member nations have a moral obligation, not only to evacuate anyone that aided them, but to take in as many refugees as they can from Afghanistan and other regions,” Evergarden tweeted.

Even before the U.S. withdrawal, the desperation among many Afghan asylum seekers was palpable. The British Broadcasting Corporation reported in April of one young man, still only in his twenties, who ended his life after waiting almost eight years to be resettled by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

“He was a very bright person,” his friend, Mujtaba Qalandari, is reported as saying. “He’d always wished to settle abroad one day to support his mother, who is in Afghanistan. He always said, ‘I want to make a future for myself – have a wife and children’.”

In the roughly six months ending on May 29 this year , Canada accepted 4,345 applications for permanent residence from pending and unsuccessful refugee claimants who worked in Canada’s health care sector and provided direct care to patients in Canada during the pandemic.

In 2018, Canada committed to resettling 10,000 refugees from Africa and the Middle East over the next two years and delivered on that promise despite the pandemic travel restrictions and other challenges.

Last year, the country welcomed 9,200 refugees.

On June 18, Ottawa announced it was going to do more with changes to the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP), the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, and an increase in the number of protected persons allowed to come to Canada.

Canada Ups Refugee Quota Under Private Sponsorship Program

Canadian immigration officials have already promised to settle 500 refugees and their families through the EMPP and improve the program by:

expediting the processing of permanent residence applications for EMPP applicants in several streams, so they can start working and contributing faster;
making it easier for refugees under EMPP to get settlement funds;
waiving fees for permanent residence applications;
making the application process more flexible, and;
providing pre-departure medical services to assist with immigration medical exam.

The Canadian immigration department is also going ahead with measures to improve existing pre- and post-arrival support services for private sponsors of refugees and ensure those refugees can take full advantage of the assistance offered to them.

“As a result of this process, up to $3 million over two years will be invested in supporting nine organizations,” states the IRCC.

Canada’s Settlement Services Get Thumbs Up From New Immigrants

Colin Singer

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July 23, 2021

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Canada immigration news: The first-ever Settlement Outcomes Highlights Report released by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada saw high marks for settlement services for immigrants.

“Settlement services play a fundamental role in our immigration system. They’re the key ingredient of a newcomer’s success in Canada, whether it’s help getting a job, finding a place to live or learning English or French,” said Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

“With immigration playing a central role in our post-pandemic recovery, these findings will help us ensure that every new Canadian has what they need to thrive in this country.”

Immigrants Feel Welcomes By New Communities

“The majority of newcomers who received settlement services reported they were useful and met their needs,” reported the IRCC. “Newcomers said that these services enriched their knowledge of life in Canada, improved their language skills in English or French, prepared them for the Canadian labour market and helped them connect with organizations in their communities.”

Canada’s settlement program, which is delivered by 572 organizations outside of Quebec, helped more than one million newcomers in the four years that ended March 31, 2019.

Although all permanent residents and protected persons are eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services, not all of them make equal use of these services. During the time period of the report, 48 per cent of those who used settlement services were economic class principal applicants or their spouses and dependants, 25 per cent were family class immigrants, and 23 per cent were refugees or protected persons.

The vast majority, 92 per cent of newcomers, agreed that their community was welcoming to newcomers.

Although this latest report from the IRCC measured only the period prior to the start of the pandemic, its findings line up perfectly with other studies done since then.

Canada Deemed Best Place To Start A Business

In a report released in February, the residence and citizenship planning firm of Henley & Partners and the deep tech analytics company Deep Knowledge Analytics crunched the numbers and showed Canada was the best place for investors to get permanent residence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

That report, Investment Migration Programs Health Management and Risk Readiness Assessment, provided a detailed analysis of 31 countries which offer residence-and citizenship-by-investment (RCBI) programs. Canada’s offerings through its Start-Up Visa program made it the best deal in a COVID-19-embattled world.

The country has also moved up in the rankings of the friendliest places on Earth for immigrants, an international think-tank’s report revealed late last year.

“Among English-speaking countries, Canada is becoming a more attractive and inclusive global destination,” said Thomas Huddleston, director of research for Migration Policy Group late last year.

“Canada, along with New Zealand, is taking the place of previous top-ranking countries such as Australia, the UK and the United States, which all go down in the Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) rankings this round under pressure from populist political forces.”

The MIPEX’s international scorecard ranked the policy performance of 52 countries from five continents. In 2020, Canada received a high score of 80, placing it fourth in the world for its comprehensive, immigrant-friendly policies that emphasize equal rights, opportunities and security for newcomers.

Francophone Communities Laud pathways For French-Speaking Workers, International Graduates

Colin Singer

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July 23, 2021

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Francophone Communities Laud pathways For French-Speaking Workers, International Graduates

Canada immigration news: French-speaking, temporary residents to Canada can still use pathways to permanent residence announced in May, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino reminded an audience in the bilingual city of Bathurst in northern New Brunswick.

“One of Canada’s advantages on the world stage is its bilingual nature. So supporting the growth of francophone minority communities is part of the government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity,” Mendicino said recently.

“This new pathway, with dedicated streams for French-speaking workers and international graduates, will make sure that immigration directly contributes to the development of francophone communities.”

Francophone Community Leaders Applaud New Pathways

The new pathways to permanent residents are being welcomed with open arms by leaders in minority francophone communities throughout Canada.

“Since there is no limit to the number of French-speaking candidates who can take advantage of this new pathway to permanent residence until November, we encourage all temporary workers and recent graduates of our colleges and universities that wish to establish themselves within the Canadian francophonie to explore whether this new option meets their needs and aspirations,” said Liane Roy, president of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) du Canada.

“We also invite organizations and institutions in our communities to promote this program to French-speaking temporary residents over the coming weeks and months,” she said.

The FCFA is an umbrella organization with 20 members, including 12 associations for francophones across Canada and another eight national francophone organizations that deal with specific issues.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is accepting applications from French-speaking or bilingual candidates who intend to live outside of Quebec under the three streams until Nov. 5.

IRCC officials consider new pathway to be especially important for the future of Acadian and francophone minority communities like Bathurst where it can help retain francophone teachers to address a current shortage.

French-Language Proficiency

The new public policies came into effect May 6. Applicants need to demonstrate a level of French-language proficiency of at least benchmark 4 through an approved test from a designated language testing organization, as set out in the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Workers must have at least one year of Canadian work experience in a health-care profession or another pre-approved essential occupation.

And international grads must have completed an eligible Canadian post-secondary program at a designated learning institution as of January 2017. Bathurst is home to a campus of the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB), a French-language network of colleges, and also to a nursing program offered by the Université de Moncton, a French-language university in New Brunswick.

“One in three workers in our healthcare system is an immigrant,” said Mendicino during a Zoom call broadcast over YouTube in announcing the new pathways earlier this year. “That’s why this new pathway is so important.”

Dr. Victoria Lee, president and CEO of the Fraser Health Authority, was also on the call and agreed.

“When the healthcare system is stretched, it’s not because we don’t have enough space, enough beds. It’s because we don’t have enough people,” said the top exec for the health authority in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland.

“There are many healthcare workers that are in under-employment situations because their healthcare credentials are not recognized,” she said.

New Pathways a Boon To Canada’s Health Sector

Both Dr. Lee and Rhose Harris-Galia, a nurse and supervisor at Alberta Health Services, agreed the new pathways to permanent residency will allow healthcare workers from other countries already working in Canada to make longer-range plans and get their qualifications recognized.

“Nurses and other healthcare professionals still have to get the qualifications to get these roles,” said Harris-Galia. “Hopefully, once they get their permanent residence, this will allow them to finalize their plans … and have a bit more stability.”

Under the special public policy, Canada is granting permanent status to temporary foreign workers and international graduates of Canadian institutions who are already in Canada.

In all, the new streams draw on workers in 40 healthcare occupations and 95 other essential jobs, including caregiver, food production, and distribution worker.

Saskatchewan Targets 63 Occupations With 280 Invitations In New Draw

Colin Singer

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July 22, 2021

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Saskatchewan Targets 63 Occupations With 280 Invitations In New Draw

Canada immigration news: Saskatchewan immigration targeted 63 occupations with 280 invitations to apply across two streams in a new Expression of Interest draw.

In the July 21 Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program draw, Occupations In-Demand candidates with skills and experience in one of 63 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes received 196 invitations, with a minimum score of 77 points.

A further 84 invitations went to Express Entry candidates with skills and experience in the same NOC codes, also with a minimum score of 77 points.

Detailed requirements for the streams featured in this draw are included later in this article.

Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draws

Draw date

Category

Minimum score

Invites issued

Other considerations

22-Jul-21

Occupations In-Demand

77

196

Invited candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

NOCs included:

0013, 0014, 0016, 0114, 0121, 0132,

0421, 0423, 0621, 0651, 0711, 0712,

0821, 0911, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1214,

1215, 1221, 1222, 1224, 1241, 1243,

1252, 2131, 2142, 2144, 2151, 2212,

2223, 2225, 2231, 2232, 2241, 2242,

2253, 2262, 2263, 3143, 3211, 3234,

4152, 4156, 4161, 4162, 4164, 4165,

4166, 4167, 4169, 4212, 4216, 6316,

6344, 7231, 7237, 7241, 7243, 7246,

7294, 8255, 9232

Express Entry

77

84

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What is the Process for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?

Submit EOI profile.
Enter EOI candidate pool.
EOI candidates selected.
Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
SINP officials assess applications and make decision.

What Are the Requirements for The Occupation-In-Demand Sub-Category?

Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
Have a language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers and regulatory bodies may ask for higher;
Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
- Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
At least one-year work experience in the past 10 years:
- In your field of education or training occupation, and
- In an eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the authorities will not process an application without the licensure.
Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

What Are the Requirements for The Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category?

Candidates from outside Canada, or with legal status in Canada, qualify for this Saskatchewan immigration category, provided they are not a refugee claimant.

Additionally, candidates must:

Have a profile in the Express Entry Pool, with profile number and job seeker validation code;
Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid;
Provide valid language test results from a designated testing agency matching those in the Express Entry profile;
Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have earned a diploma, certificate or degree.
- Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment;
Have at least one of the following experience requirements in your field of education or training occupation:
- One year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades);
- Two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
- One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
Have work experience in a high-skilled, eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See the excluded occupations list.
Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan where your profession is regulated, or a skilled trade. For skilled trades, a certificate is required from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.

New Ontario French Speaking Skilled Worker Draw Sees 115 NOIs Issued

Colin Singer

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July 22, 2021

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New Ontario French Speaking Skilled Worker Draw Sees 115 NOIs Issued

Canada immigration news: A new draw through Ontario immigration’s Express Entry-linked French Speaking Skilled Worker stream saw Notifications of Interest issued to 115 candidates.

The July 21 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program draw saw NOIs issued to candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores between 461 and 467.

To qualify for the draw, candidates had to submit Express Entry profiles between July 21, 2020 and July 21, 2021.

Candidates must have a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in French and 6 in English to qualify.

Ontario 2021 FSSW Draws

Date	NOIs Issued	CRS Score Range	Express Entry profile submission date
21-Jul-21	115	461-467	July 21, 2020 to July 21, 2021
04-May-21	102	458-467	May 4, 2020 to May 4, 2021
03-Mar-21	126	455-467	March 3, 2020 to March 3, 2021
13-Jan-21	146	456-467	January 13, 2020 to January 13, 2021

Source: OINP

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What Are The Requirements For The Ontario Express Entry: French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream?

To qualify applicants must have:

Pending application under the Federal Express Entry system;
Minimum of 1-year of full-time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC occupation level 0, A or B;
Canadian equivalent Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD;
Minimum CLB level 7 in TEF exam (French); AND minimum CLB 6 in IELTS exam (English)
Intention to reside in the Province of Ontario.

New British Columbia Immigration Draws See 383 Invitations Issued

Colin Singer

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July 21, 2021

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New British Columbia Immigration Draws See 383 Invitations Issued

Two new draws through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program saw the province issue invitations to a total of 383 candidates.

The July 20 draws featured a general draw, and a second draw targeting two NOC codes: 0621 for Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers and 0631 for Restaurant and Food Service Managers.

In the general draw, the province issued 323 invitations across five streams, with minimum scores ranging from 75 to 91.

In the NOC-specific draw, 60 invites were issued through four streams, all featuring minimum scores of 107.

Latest General B.C. Immigration Draw

Date	Category	Minimum Score	Invitations Issued
20-Jul-21	SI – Skilled Worker	91	Total: 323
	SI – International Graduate	82
	SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled	75
	EEBC – Skilled Worker	90
	EEBC – International Graduate	81

Source: www.welcomebc.ca

B.C. Draw Targeting NOCs 0621, 0631

Date	Category	Minimum Score	Invitations Issued
20-Jul-21	SI – Skilled Worker	107	Total: 60
	SI – International Graduate	107
	EEBC – Skilled Worker	107
	EEBC – International Graduate	107

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U.S. Extends Ban On Non-Essential Travel Across Canada Border Until Aug. 21

COVID-19 in Canada

Colin Singer

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July 21, 2021

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U.S. Extends Ban On Non-Essential Travel Across Canada Border Until Aug. 21

Canada immigration news: Despite Canada saying it will likely re-open to fully-vaccinated Americans Aug. 9, the U.S. is not going to allow Canadians to cross the border until at least Aug. 21.

According to a CBC news report, the United States pre-published a notice in its U.S. Federal Register Wednesday in which it explains the risk of allowing non-essential travel into the country is still too high.

“Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing specific threat to human life or national interests,” the notice reportedly reads.

Twitter Explodes With Calls For Border To Be Open Sooner

On Twitter, many agreed with Higgins and urged Washington to rescind the decision.

“Disgusting news, very disappointed,” wrote Twitter user Cri Assel. “Did not know double-vaxxed people were such a threat from spreading a virus already present on both sides of the border.”

Another Twitter user who is getting married soon tweeted that Washington’s refusal to open up the border will mean friends and family will be in a bind.

“Even though I have had personal wins lately with my fiancé moving to the states, this decision by @POTUS has hurt us,” wrote Twitter user Gabby Swift. “My own fiancé’s friends and family can’t come to celebrate at our wedding next month but they can spend hundreds of dollars to fly instead of drive five hours.”

Twitter user Scott W. Aalgaard, a Canadian living in the United States, described U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision as awful.

“It’s likely lost him both a lot of credibility here, and a good deal of goodwill from north of the border,” he tweeted.

Higgins, who co-leads the Northern Border Caucus and Canada-U.S. Interparliamentary Group, was pleased by Canada’s decision to re-open the border in less than three weeks. He has slammed Washington for refusing to do the same, saying there “no excuse” for the United States keeping the border closed.

PEI PNP Draw: Province Issues Immigration Invites To 127 Candidates

Colin Singer

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July 21, 2021

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PEI PNP Draw: Province Issues Immigration Invites To 127 Candidates

Canada immigration news: Prince Edward Island immigration has issued invitations to apply to 127 skilled worker and entrepreneur candidates in a new provincial draw.

The July 15 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact, Express Entry and Business Impact Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) streams.

It saw 118 invites issued to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, while Business Impact candidates received 9 invitations.

Business Impact candidates required a minimum score of 75 points.

More Canada Immigration News

Prince Edward Island Draw: Province Invites 155 Skilled Workers and Entrepreneurs
Prince Edward Island: Full Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery Expected In 2021
Prince Edward Island Immigration Draw: Province Invites 150 Skilled Workers and Entrepreneurs

PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2021

Date	Category	Invites Issued	Minimum Score
15-07-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	118	N/A
15-07-2021	Business Impact	9	75
17-06-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	101	N/A
17-06-2021	Business Impact	12	60
20-05-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	138	N/A
20-05-2021	Business Impact	17	80
15-04-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	140	N/A
15-04-2021	Business Impact	16	75
18-03-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	140	N/A
18-03-2021	Business Impact	10	70
18-02-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	102	N/A
18-02-2021	Business Impact	19	82
21-01-2021	Labour Impact/Express Entry	196	N/A
21-01-2021	Business Impact	15	80

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018, and has made monthly draws ever since, with some disruption due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Video: How PNP Immigrants Can Move Anywhere in Canada

PEI issued a total of 1,955 invites during 2020, up from 1,629 in 2019.

Of the 2020 invites, 1,742 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 213 going to Business Impact candidates.

Anticipated 2021 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates

July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16

Prince Edward Island Express Entry Stream

PEI’s Express Entry category operates by considering candidates already in the federal Express Entry Pool for a provincial nomination.

Such a nomination adds 600 points to a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and effectively guarantees an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian immigration.

The PEI Express Entry Category features two pathways to Canadian permanent residence, one for candidates with a job offer and one for those without.

Prince Edward Island Labour Impact Category

1) Skilled Worker Stream

This employer driven stream allows skilled workers with an employment offer in PEI to be nominated for Canadian Permanent residence if they meet the following criteria:

A full time employment offer from a Prince Edward Island business in an occupation classified as skill level “0”, “A” or “B” of the National Occupational Classification (NOC);
Completion of a post-secondary education, with a minimum of 14 years of formal education;
Between 21 and 55 years of age;
At least 2 years of full time work experience in the past 5 years;
Sufficient proficiency in English or French to occupy the employment offered;
Sufficient settlement funds;
Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

2) Critical Worker Stream

This category is designed to resolve labour shortages and is open to foreign workers already in PEI with employment in specific critical demand occupations. The primary criteria for nomination are:

A full time offer of employment from a Prince Edward Island business in one of the following occupations:
- Truck driver;
- Customer service representative;
- Labourer;
- Food & beverage server;
- Housekeeping attendant.
6 months of work experience with the Prince Edward Island business offering employment;
Current valid Canadian work permit;
High school diploma and minimum of 12 years of formal education;
Between 21 and 55 years of age;
At least 2 years of full-time work experience in the past 5 years;
Demonstrate basic proficiency in English or French language;
Sufficient settlement funds;
Demonstrated intention to settle in Prince Edward Island.

Prince Edward Island Business Impact Category

Work Permit Stream

Individuals applying under the P.E.I. Work Permit Stream must obtain a Canadian work permit and work for a P.E.I. business for a certain amount of time as designated in a Performance Agreement.

After the Performance Agreement is fulfilled, the applicant must make a minimum $150,000 investment in the business and commit to managing the business on a daily basis from within P.E.I.

Previously, Prince Edward Island operated direct permanent residence business streams, but these were closed in September 2018 over immigration fraud concerns.

Minimum Score Drops To 301 In New Alberta Immigration Express Entry Draw

Colin Singer

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July 20, 2021

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Minimum Score Drops To 301 In New Alberta Immigration Express Entry Draw

Canada immigration news: The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score dropped to 301 as Alberta immigration issued invitations to 181 candidates in a new Express Entry draw.

The July 14 Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program draw saw the minimum score drop to one point lower than the previous draw.

Important requirements for the Alberta Express Entry stream are that candidates have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to the province, and are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.

For full details of the requirements for Alberta Express Entry, please see below.

Alberta Express Entry 2021 Draws

Draw Date	NOI Letters Sent	CRS Score of Lowest-Ranked Candidate
14-Jul-21	181	301
29-Jun-21	148	302
16-Jun-21	184	300
05-Jun-21	191	300
18-May-21	250	301
05-May-21	250	300
20-Apr-21	200	301
06-Apr-21	200	302
26-Mar-21	300	301
02-Mar-21	200	301
16-Feb-21	159	352
10-Feb-21	200	301
28-Jan-21	100	360
08-Jan-21	50	406

Source: www.alberta.ca

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While federal government nomination limits for 2021 are not yet available, Alberta has 1,375 Alberta Opportunity Stream applications and 300 expression of interest applications in the Alberta Express Entry pool.

High Number of Applications

Alberta says a high number of AINP applications have been received in the following occupations, meaning they may take longer to process:

6311 – Food service supervisors
6211 – Retail sales supervisors
6322 – Cooks
7511 – Transport truck drivers
1241 – Administrative assistants
0621 – Retail and wholesale trade managers
0631 – Restaurant and food service managers
4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants
1311 – Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
1221 – Administrative officers

What are the Requirements for Alberta Express Entry?

In order to be eligible to receive a notification of interest, candidates must:

Have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
Have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta.
Be working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification.
Have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 300 points.

Factors that may improve a candidate’s chances of receiving notification of interest:

A job offer from an Albertan employer and/or work experience in Alberta.
Having graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution.
Having a relative that is living in Alberta: parent, child and/or sibling.

Factors that decrease a candidate’s chances of receiving notification of interest:

The Express Entry profile expires within the next 3 months
You work in an ineligible occupation

Canada Says International Students Still Need 14-day Quarantine Plan

Colin Singer

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July 20, 2021

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Canada Says International Students Still Need 14-day Quarantine Plan

Canada immigration news: International students landing in Canada will still need to have 14-day quarantine plans, but will no longer need to stay three nights in a government-designated ‘quarantine hotel’ after Aug. 9.

“The Government of Canada recognizes the tremendous social, cultural and economic benefits that international students bring to Canada and acknowledges that there are benefits for students who choose to study in Canada beyond earning a degree or diploma,” noted Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in a statement released Monday.

“That is why, throughout the pandemic, IRCC has striven to accommodate international students by introducing a variety of temporary policy changes, including measures put in place to benefit international students studying online from abroad.”

More Canada Immigration News

International Students From Twice As Many Countries Can Apply For Canada’s Student Direct Stream
Fast Uptick in Canada Population Fuelled By International Students and Immigration
COVID-19: Quarantine Requirement To End For Fully Vaccinated International Students

When Ottawa announced on Monday the re-opening of its border in three weeks’ time, it also announced the removal of several of the public health restrictions.

But they don’t take effect immediately, only on Aug. 9.

Until then, unvaccinated travellers flying to Canada must complete their three-night hotel stay while they wait for their on-arrival COVID-19 results.

Unvaccinated Travellers Still Need COVID-19 Test On Arrival After Aug. 9

Even after the new rules come into effect on Aug. 9, unvaccinated travellers will still be subject to Canada’s mandatory on-arrival COVID-19 test requirement and follow-up test eight days later.

In the flurry of activity and rule changes, Ottawa wants to ensure international students do not forget that they will still have to present a 14-day quarantine plan upon arrival. Information about the quarantine plan must be submitted in ArriveCAN prior to travel to Canada.

Ottawa will be implementing a randomized testing regime for fully-vaccinated travellers who qualify for entry to Canada at select airports and land border crossings across Canada.

“An international student must have a 14-day quarantine plan in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine,” the IRCC stated Monday. “This is still the case even if they believe they meet the criteria for being considered a fully vaccinated traveller.”

Under the Canadian government’s guidelines “fully-vaccinated” means the traveller has received the full series of a COVID-19 vaccine – or combination of vaccines – accepted by the Government of Canada, at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson).

Travellers must also provide proof of vaccination in English or French or a certified translation of their document.

Ottawa, which has suspended flights from India until Aug. 21, is also advising students to check if restrictions are in place for their country which might affect their ability to travel.

Vaccinated International Students To Benefit From Relaxed Protocols

Fully-vaccinated international students were among the first to be able to come to Canada without having to stay in quarantine for two weeks once they tested negative for COVID-19.

Under measures that took effect July 5, the first tentative steps to re-opening Canada allowed some fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada to bypass the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on the eighth day. Those fully-vaccinated travellers arriving by air also no longer needed to stay at government-authorized hotels.

The relaxation of travel curbs in early July covered citizens and permanent residents, plus those covered by existing exemptions, provided they had a negative test.

“This is the first phase of our precautionary approach to easing Canada’s border measures. At this time we are not opening up our borders any further,” said Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc earlier this month.

“The Government of Canada continues to work globally through the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as closely with the provinces, territories, indigenous partners and American authorities on moving forward toward re-opening in a way that is safe for both countries.”

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