Minimum Score Drops To 332 In Skilled Trades-Targeted Canada Express Entry Draw

The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score dropped to 332 as Canada conducted its first program-specific Express Entry draw of 2019.

The May 15 draw was aimed exclusively at candidates for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to 500 candidates.

Canada has conducted program-specific draws at a rate of two per year since 2017. In three of the four previous instances, Skilled Trades draws have been paired with draws aimed only at provincial nominee programs.

The previous Federal Skilled Trades Program draw took place on September 24, 2018, with 400 ITAs issued and a minimum CRS score of 284.

Program-specific draws give a chance for candidates with lower scores who would not receive invites in all-program draws.

Canada has now issued 31,750 ITAs in 2019, against a high-skilled immigration target of 81,400.

IRCC broke the record for annual Express Entry ITAs in 2018 with 89,800.

The draw saw the tie-breaking rule implemented on August 29, 2018 at 4.32am EST. If more than one candidate had the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.

This was the 10th round of invitations under Express Entry in 2019 and 117th overall.


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ITAs Issued After 10 Draws


Minimum CRS Scores So Far In 2019


ITAs Issued Per Draw In 2019

Find Out About The Latest Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw

Prince Edward Island immigration will conduct a new draw targeting both skilled worker and entrepreneur immigration candidates on Thursday May 16, 2019.

The Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program draw will focus on candidates for the province’s Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact streams.

PEI launched its Expression of Interest system at the start of 2018, and has made monthly draws ever since.


Anticipated 2019 Prince Edward Island Expression of Interest Draw Dates

May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19


In the four draws so far in 2019, PEI has invited 570 candidates, including 475 through the Labour Impact/Express Entry streams and 95 through the Business Impact stream.


PEI PNP Immigration Draws 2019

Date

Category

Invites Issued

Minimum Score

18-04-2019

Labour Impact/Express Entry

113

N/A

Business Impact

17

107

21-03-2019

Labour Impact/Express Entry

131

N/A

Business Impact

19

110

21-02-2019

Labour Impact/Express Entry

170

N/A

Business Impact

29

117

17-01-2019

Labour Impact/Express Entry

61

N/A

Business Impact

30

  120


PEI issued a total of 1,446 invites during 2018, the first year it operated an Expression of Interest system.

Of these, 1,240 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 206 going to Business Impact candidates.

The largest draw took place on October 18, 2018, when 297 candidates were invited.

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.

Manitoba Immigration Draw Sees 170 Get Letters of Advice To Apply

Manitoba immigration has conducted its first Expression of Interest draw in May, focusing on candidates for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba stream.

The May 9 draw saw 170 candidates issued with Letters of Advice to Apply (LAAs) through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates received 101 of the LAAs, with the lowest-ranked candidate scoring 569 points.

A further 17 LAAs went to candidates for the province’s International Education stream.


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Lastly, 52 LAAs were issued to candidates as part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, part of the Skilled Workers Overseas stream, with a lowest score of 616 points.

An SRI is when candidates are invited to fulfill a specific labour market need.

This was the 65th draw in the history of the MPNP.


What Were the Details of May 9 Manitoba Draw?

Stream

Sub-Stream

Letters of Advice to Apply

Score of Lowest Ranked Candidate

1) Skilled Workers in Manitoba

101

569

2) International Education Stream

17

3) Skilled Workers Overseas

Strategic Recruitment Initiative

52

616

Canada Adds 100,000 Jobs As Quebec Unemployment Drops Below 5%

Canada’s economy added more than 100,000 jobs in April, while Quebec’s unemployment sunk below 5 per cent for the first time since records began.

In a stellar month for Canada jobs, the nationwide unemployment rate dropped to 5.7 per cent, with the last 12 months witnessing employment growth of 426,000.

As well as Quebec, other provinces to see employment increases were Ontario, Alberta and Prince Edward Island.


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


April saw a significant employment increase for young people, with an increase of 47,000 jobs in the 15 to 24 age-bracket. The youth unemployment rate of 10.3 per cent is the lowest since records began in 1976.

There was also an employment increase of 34,000 for those aged 55 and over, while unemployment dropped by 0.2 percentage points to 5.3 per cent for this demographic.

Core working age women (aged 25 to 54) also saw significant gains, with an employment increase of 24,000 and an unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent.


What Are The Labour Force Survey Highlights?

Unemployment rate (%)

5.7

Employment rate (%)

62.1

Labour force participation rate (%)

65.9

Number unemployed

1,158,700

Number working

19,029,100

Youth (15-24) unemployment rate (%)

10.3

Men (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

5.2

Women (over 25) unemployment rate (%)

4.7

Source: Statistics Canada


Provincial Canada Jobs Picture

Several provinces had a strong April, with Quebec leading the way.

In the French-speaking province, the unemployment rate declined by 0.3 percentage points to 4.9 per cent, the lowest since comparable data became available in 1976.

Quebec added 38,000 jobs in April and 75,000 over the last year, with all the increases happening since October.

Ontario also enjoyed a strong April, adding 47,000 jobs in the month to bring the increase for the year to 205,000. Canada’s largest province recorded an unemployment rate of 6.0 per cent as more people looked for work.

Alberta broke a run of two stagnated months by adding 21,000 jobs in April, for an unemployment rate of 6.7 per cent.

Prince Edward Island added 800 jobs and has an unemployment rate of 8.6 per cent.


Which Canadian Province Has the Lowest Unemployment?

Jobs change April

Unemployment rate (%)

1) British Columbia

5,900

4.6

2) Quebec

37,900

4.9

3) Manitoba

-400

5.2

4) Saskatchewan

1,600

5.4

5) Ontario

47,100

6.0

6) Alberta

21,400

6.7

7) Nova Scotia

-2,100

6.9

8) New Brunswick

-3,900

8.0

9) Prince Edward Island

800

8.6

10) Newfoundland & Labrador

-1,500

11.7

CANADA

106,500

5.7

Source: Statistics Canada


Canada Jobs By Industry

Looking at the data by industry, wholesale and retail trade saw significant increases in April, adding 32,000 jobs, mainly in Quebec and Alberta.

The sector has now grown by 75,000 in 12 months, with gains concentrated entirely in 2019.

Employment in the construction industry grew by 29,000 in April, concentrated in Ontario and British Columbia. In the last 12 months, this sector has added 32,000 jobs.

Information, culture and recreation was another to see employment gains, adding 14,000 jobs in April.


What Are Canada’s Top Technology Occupations?


Elsewhere, the ‘other services’ sector also rose by 14,000 jobs. This industry includes repair and maintenance, services related to civic and professional organizations and personal and laundry services. Increases were concentrated in Quebec and Alberta.

Other industries to see increases were public administration (9,000) and agriculture (7,000).

Canada’s April jobs increases were concentrated in the private sector, which added 84,000 jobs, with the public sector growing by 23,000.

The private sector has added 355,000 jobs in the last 12 months for growth of 3 per cent, the fastest rate seen since December 2010.

Time Running Out For Interim Pathway For Caregiver Applications

Canada’s Interim Pathway for Caregivers expires in less than a month, closing a window of opportunity for candidates who do not qualify under existing programs.

Those considering applying to the temporary caregiver immigration pathway are advised to do so as soon as possible.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers expires on June 4, 2019, after opening on March 4.

It provides a chance for candidates who came to Canada expecting to qualify to remain here permanently, but then found out they did not, to apply for permanent residence.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the pathway is designed to mitigate some of the confusion caused when changes were made to the caregiver system in 2014 under the previous Conservative government.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is separate from the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.

These will replace the existing Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs programs when they expire in November 2019.

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot will have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants each, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants, per year. Spouses/common-law partners and dependent children will not count against the limit.


Read More


Interim Pathway for Caregivers: Eligibility Criteria and Conditions

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be authorized to work in Canada on a work permit other than a Live-in Caregiver Program work permit.
  2. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
  3. Has obtained:
    1. a completed Canadian educational credential of at least a secondary school diploma; or,
    2. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, along with an equivalency assessment — issued within five years before the date of application— that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian secondary school diploma.
  4. Has attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
  5. Since November 30, 2014, has acquired one year of authorized full-time Canadian work experience on a Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permit in any combination of the following eligible occupations:
    1. Home child care provider as per the terms of NOC 44112, other than any experience as a foster parent.
    2. Home support worker or related occupation, but not a housekeeper, under NOC 4412.

Submitting an application

All applications for permanent residence under the Interim Pathway for Caregivers must be submitted to the Case Processing Centre in Edmonton. 

Eligibility for processing

There is no cap on the number of complete applications IRCC will accept under the Interim Pathway for Caregivers. IRCC will only accept and process complete applications submitted from March 4, 2019, to June 4, 2019. 

Skilled Workers and International Graduates Get British Columbia Immigration Invites

British Columbia immigration has issued invitations to apply to 187 candidates in the latest BC PNP draw.

The May 7 draw saw invitations issued across five British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program stream.

Invitations to the lowest-scoring candidates were issued through the entry level and semi-skilled stream, with a minimum score of 75 points.

Meanwhile, direct provincial skilled workers required a minimum score of 95 points.

In the three other streams, for Express Entry skilled workers and international graduates, plus direct provincial international graduates, a minimum score of 105 points was required.


Read More

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Quebec Live-In Caregivers Anxious Over Permanent Residence Applications
Entrepreneurs Invited To Apply In New Saskatchewan Immigration Draw


Did You Get Invited in the May 7 B.C. Immigration Draw?

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

07-May-19

EEBC – Skilled Worker

105

Total: 187

EEBC – International Graduate

105

SI – Skilled Worker

95

SI – International Graduate

105

SI – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled

75

Source: www.welcomebc.ca


Quebec Live-In Caregivers Anxious Over Permanent Residence Applications

Live-in caregivers in Quebec are concerned their chances of obtaining permanent residence are in jeopardy because of provincial government immigration policies.

Caregiver candidates say the Coalition Avenir Quebec government’s Bill 9 has resulted in a significant slowing of their applications for permanent residence.

This is despite the candidates coming to Canada under the federal Live-In Caregiver Program, which featured a guaranteed pathway to permanent residence.


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The caregivers say they are being subjected to unjust stress and anxiety despite fulfilling their obligations for Quebec immigration.

They fear time is running out and are seeking assurances their Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) applications are not being affected by Bill 9.

The controversial proposed legislation will see a backlog of 18,000 existing Quebec Skilled Worker applications cancelled, affecting 40,000 candidates including dependents.

It is widely expected to be voted into law in June 2019.

Candidates for the Live-In Caregiver Program should not be affected by the legislation, but with the CAQ also reducing Quebec immigration by 20 per cent in 2019, processing times are increasing.

The CAQ intended to stop processing the QSW backlog from the time the bill was introduced in February.


The Impact of Quebec’s Bill 9

Applications

Dependents

Number of pending applications

18,000

45,000+

How many working/studying in Quebec

3,700

9,250

Number of applications concluded monthly 2015

2,000

5,000

Number of applications accepted monthly 2015

1000

2,500


But an injunction granted by a Quebec judge means cases will continue to be processed until such time as Bill 9 becomes law.

However, even Quebec immigration candidates who have already received a CSQ) face longer waits to have their cases approved due to lower immigration quotas.

As of March 2019, there were 41,200 applicants in the system already approved for Quebec immigration, but reduced quotas means longer wait times.

Since 2015, Quebec has requested 25,000 cases per year be approved by the federal government.

However, under the CAQ provincial government, this figure has dropped to 19,500 for 2019.

Meanwhile, Canada’s federal government is currently in the processing of updating its caregiver immigration system.

A new temporary caregiver immigration pathway is now open, aimed at candidates who do not qualify under existing programs.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is open for three months, from March 4, 2019 to June 4, 2019.

It provides a window of opportunity for candidates who came to Canada expecting to qualify to remain here permanently, but then found out they did not.

The Interim Pathway for Caregivers is separate from the new Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot.

These will replace the existing Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs programs when they expire in November 2019.

The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot will have a maximum of 2,750 principal applicants each, for a total of 5,500 principal applicants, per year. Spouses/common-law partners and dependent children will not count against the limit.

Interim Pathway for Caregivers: Eligibility Criteria and Conditions

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

  1. Be authorized to work in Canada on a work permit other than a Live-in Caregiver Program work permit.
  2. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
  3. Has obtained:
    1. a completed Canadian educational credential of at least a secondary school diploma; or,
    2. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, along with an equivalency assessment — issued within five years before the date of application— that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian secondary school diploma.
  4. Has attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the four language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
  5. Since November 30, 2014, has acquired one year of authorized full-time Canadian work experience on a Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permit in any combination of the following eligible occupations:
    1. Home child care provider as per the terms of NOC 44112, other than any experience as a foster parent.
    2. Home support worker or related occupation, but not a housekeeper, under NOC 4412.

Entrepreneurs Invited To Apply In New Saskatchewan Immigration Draw

Saskatchewan immigration issued 43 invitations to apply in the latest draw under the province’s Entrepreneur stream.

The May 2 draw brings the total invitations issued in 2019 to 173 for the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program stream.

An average score of 125 points was recorded in the draw. The lowest-scoring candidate to receive an invite scored 120 points, with the top-scoring recording 135 points.

The latest draw was at the lower end of total invitations issued compared to previous draws. The largest draw to date took place in October 2017, when 265 candidates were invited.


Read More

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Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Stream Draws

Date

Lowest score

Average score

Highest score

Number of invitations

May 2019

120

125

135

43

March 2019

120

125

140

39

January 2019

115

120

150

90

November 2018

115

120

135

84

September 2018

110

115

135

71

July 2018

100

105

135

187

April 2018

90

100

135

231

January 2018

80

95

145

251

October 2017

80

100

135

265

July 2017

80

100

145

98

May 2017

80

105

140

142

March 2017

95

110

135

107

December 2016

120

120

130

14

September 2016

110

115

135

57

May 2016

110

120

155

88

October 2015

110

125

155

70

Source: https://www.saskatchewan.ca

IT Workers Targeted In New BC PNP Tech Pilot Draw

A new batch of IT workers have received invitations to apply for British Columbia immigration through the BC PNP Tech Pilot.

In an April 30 draw, the province issued invitations to 64 British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program candidates.

Skilled workers through both the direct provincial and Express Entry streams required 90 points to qualify.

International graduates also required 90 points, through both the direct provincial and Express Entry streams.

There were no invites issued to entry level and semi-skilled workers.


Did You Get Invited in the April 30 B.C. Immigration Draw?

Date

Category

Minimum Score

Invitations Issued

30-April-19

EEBC – Skilled Worker

90

Total: 64

EEBC – International Graduate

90

SI – Skilled Worker

90

SI – International Graduate

90

Source: www.welcomebc.ca


Saskatchewan Issues More Than 200 Invites In Latest Expression of Interest Draw

Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand candidates were the focus of a new Saskatchewan immigration draw that saw 202 issued invitations to apply.

The May 1 draw was focus on seven occupations from the Saskatchewan In-Demand Occupations list.

The occupations were:

  1. Managers in social, community and correctional services (NOC 0423)
  2. Conference and event planners (NOC 1226).
  3. Medical sonographers (NOC 3216).
  4. Psychologists (NOC 4151).
  5. Instructors of persons with disabilities (NOC 4215).
  6. Butchers (NOC 6331).
  7. Bakers (NOC 6332).

Officials issued 121 invitations to Occupations In-Demand candidates and 81 through the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream.

Candidates required a minimum score of 67 through both streams.

All of the EOI candidates invited had Educational Credential Assessments, which is required for Saskatchewan applications.


Read More

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Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draws

Draw date

Category

Minimum score

Invites issued

Other considerations

01-May-19

Express Entry

67

81

Occupations included in the selection: Managers in social, community and correctional services, Conference and event planners, Medical sonographers, Psychologists, Instructors of persons with disabilities, Butchers and Bakers.

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

Occupations In-Demand

67

121

Occupations included in the selection: Managers in social, community and correctional services, Conference and event planners, Medical sonographers, Psychologists, Instructors of persons with disabilities, Butchers and Bakers.

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

17-Apr-19

Express Entry

60

114

Occupations included in the selection: Land Surveyors, Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology, Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners, Appliance servicers and repairers.

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

Occupations In-Demand

60

210

Occupations included in the selection: Land Surveyors, Technical occupations in geomatics and meteorology, Tailors, dressmakers, furriers and milliners, Appliance servicers and repairers.

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments.

06-Mar-19

Express Entry

67

70

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

81

68

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

27-Feb-19

Express Entry

68

83

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

16-Jan-19

Express Entry

63

362

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

66

234

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

6-Dec-18

Express Entry

61

211

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

61

532

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

23-Nov-18

Express Entry

63

247

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

64

267

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

01-Nov-18

Express Entry

60

255

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

61

671

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

10-Oct-18

Express Entry

60

359

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

63

494

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

27-Sep-18

Express Entry

65

225

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

Occupations In-Demand

66

213

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

20-Sep-18

Occupations In-Demand

75

140

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

21-Aug-18

Express Entry

68

466

Invited Candidates had Educational Credential Assessments

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