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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Canadian Passport Ranks Fourth Internationally Under The Henley Passport Index

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Afghanistan Has The Least-Desirable Passport In The World

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alberta Sees Exponential Rise In Applications From Internationally-Trained Nurses

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Alberta Is Recruiting Healthcare Workers Through Its AAIP

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Internationally-Trained Nurses Must Have Their Credentials Recognized

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

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

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

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

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

That requires:

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

Provincial Nursing Associations Receive Applications From Internationally-Trained Nurses

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

These include:

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

Manitoba PNP Draw: Province Issues 539 Canada Immigration Invitations

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

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

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

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

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

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

International Education Stream candidates received 39 LAAs.

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

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

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

What Were the Details of the Latest Manitoba Draw?

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

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

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

a) Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

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

b) Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

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

How Do I Qualify For The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream?

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

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

a) Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

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

b) Human Capital Pathway

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

What Are The Requirements For the International Education Stream?

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

1) Career Employment Pathway  

Eligibility requirements include:

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

2) Graduate Internship Pathway

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

3) Student Entrepreneur Pathway

Eligibility requirements include:

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

Prince Edward Island Issues 122 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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Prince Edward Island Issues 122 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Prince Edward Island has conducted a new provincial draw, issuing invitations to apply to 122 skilled worker Canada immigration candidates.

The May 4 draw saw invitations issued through the Labour Impact and Express Entry Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) stream.

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PEI PNP Immigration Draw

Date Category Invites Issued Minimum Score
04-05-2023 Labour Impact/Express Entry 122 N/A

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.

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PEI issued a total of 1,853 invites during 2022, compared to 1,933 in 2021.

Of the 2022 invites, 1,729 went to Labour Impact and Express Entry candidates, with the remaining 124 going to Business Impact candidates.

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 TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 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.

British Columbia Issues At Least 151 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

Colin Singer
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British Columbia Issues At Least 151 Canada Immigration Invitations In New PNP Draw

British Columbia has issued at least 151 invitations in new draws through multiple streams of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program.

The May 9 draws were split into two categories: targeted and entrepreneur.

In a tech draw, 93 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates with a minimum score of 90 points.

A further 34 invitations were issued to skilled workers and international graduates scoring at least 60 points in a draw targeting Early Childhood Educators and Assistants under NOC 42202.

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A draw targeted at Healthcare workers saw 23 invitations issued to skilled workers, international graduates and entry level and semi-skilled workers, also with a minimum score of 60 points.

A batch of less than 5 invitations went to skilled workers and international graduates in a draw aimed at other priority occupations under NOCs 31103, 32104, also requiring 60 points. The number was recorded as less than 5 to protect the identity of those invited.

The Entrepreneur Stream draws saw the province issue 10 invitations through the general category and ‘less then 5’ through the regional pilot category. The general category required a minimum score of 115 points and the regional pilot category required 119 points.

Latest B.C. Immigration Draws

Targeted Draw

Date Category Minimum Score Invitations Issued Description
09-05-23 Skilled Worker, International Graduate 90 93 Targeted draw: Tech
Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 34 Targeted draw: Childcare: Early childhood educators (NOC 42202)
Skilled Worker, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 60 23 Targeted draw: Healthcare
Skilled Worker, International Graduate 60 5 Targeted draw: Other priority occupations (NOCs 31103, 32104)

 

B.C. Entrepreneur Stream Draw

Date Stream Minimum Score Invitations Issued
09-05-23 Entrepreneur Immigration General Category 115 10
Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot 119 5

 

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Canada Temporary Visas For Pakistanis: Processing Time Is Only Two Months

Colin Singer
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Canada Temporary Visas For Pakistanis: Processing Time Is Only Two Months

Pakistanis hoping to come to Canada have been reassured that their visas will only take less than two months to process, not the more than two years currently posted on the government’s website.

“Visa processing times are not 802 days for new applications,” tweeted Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“Currently, a complete temporary resident visa application from Pakistan will be processed in 60 days and we expect to hit 30 days in the near future.”

Temporary resident visas are those required by tourists who are visiting, students coming to study at Canadian colleges and universities, and temporary foreign workers coming to fill jobs in Canada.

“The website shows 802 days because we’re processing older applications from when borders were closed due to the pandemic,” explained the federal immigration minister. “We’ve reduced the backlog for Pakistani temporary resident visas significantly, from 55,000 to less than 15,000.

“We’re also investing in a new processing centre in Islamabad to boost processing and interview capacity in the Indo-Pac region. “

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Canada is investing in its visa-processing capacities in Pakistan as part of its Indo-Pacific Strategy which was unveiled in November last year.

That strategy has earmarked $74.6 million to enhance Canada’s visa processing capacity within Canada’s centralized network as well as in New Delhi, Chandigarh, Islamabad, and Manila.

“The Indo-Pacific is critical to Canada’s future prosperity and our secret weapon is our people,” said International Trade Minister Mary Ng last year.

“With nearly one in five Canadians tracing their heritage to the Indo-Pacific region, we will expand our partnerships through high-standard, rules-based trade that benefits everybody. As we launch the Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia along with a new series of Team Canada Trade Missions, we will create good jobs, grow our economies, and drive inclusive opportunities on both sides of the Pacific.”

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When the Indo-Pacific Strategy was announced, Canada’s immigration minister described the region, which includes Pakistan, as vital for Canadian immigration.

“Today’s announcement brings significant new funding to help boost Canada’s visa application processing capacity at home and abroad,” he said back in November. “As we look to record growth in admissions in the years ahead, this funding will help promote greater diversity among those looking to work and study in Canada.”

The reductions in the processing times for temporary resident visa applications from Pakistan are at least in part due to that strategy and investment in visa-processing capacity by the Canadian government.

Pakistan One Of The Top 10 Most Important Sources Of New Permanent Residents To Canada

Last year, Pakistan was a more important source of new Canadian permanent residents than Canada’s largest trading partner, the United States.

In 2022, 10,400 Americans became Canadian permanent residents. That same year, 11,585 Pakistanis decided to make Canada their permanent residents, making Pakistan the seventh most important source of new Canadian permanent residents that year.

Since it is such an important source of permanent residents to Canada, many options exist for Pakistan residents looking to immigrate to Canada.

The first step for Pakistanis looking to apply for permanent residence in Canada is to assess which programs give them the best chance of success.

Broadly, the options are:

  • federal economic class
  • provincial economic class
  • Quebec immigration
  • business immigration, including the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program
  • temporary residence first, then transition to permanent
  • family class sponsorship

Canada accepts the largest number of immigrants under the economic class of programs, including:

Canada operates its federal economic class immigration system using Express Entry. Many provinces also follow a similar approach.

Express Entry requires candidates to submit a profile, with the highest scoring profiles issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Candidates then get 60 days to submit a full application.

Under Express Entry, candidates score Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for core factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.

One of the best ways to increase a CRS score is with a job offer, which can be worth 200 or 50 points depending on the skill level.

Several of Canada’s provinces also operate Express Entry streams through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), allowing them to tap skilled workers from the pool.

Every Canadian Province Also Operates Its Own Immigration Programs

Those provincial immigration programs are:

A provincial nomination is worth 600 points and effectively guarantees an ITA.

Those who do not qualify through a federal economic program can consider provincial streams for their applications for permanent residence.

Quebec has autonomy over its immigration system, with the right to set its own immigration levels and the power to operate its own programs.

That province operates an Expression of Interest system similar to Express Entry, where candidates submit profiles to the Arrima system and are issued periodic invitations to apply.

Canada also aims to attract entrepreneurs and investors through its business immigration programs, with many applications accepted from India.

For entrepreneurs who qualify, the Start-Up Visa (SUV) program offers Canadian permanent residence. The program targets innovative entrepreneurs and links them with private sector investors in Canada who will help establish their start-up business.

Candidates can initially come to Canada on a work permit supported by their designated Canada-based investor, before qualifying for permanent residence once their business is up and running.

There are three types of private-sector investor:

  • Angel investor.
  • Venture capital fund.
  • Business incubator.

Initially a three-year pilot, the program was made permanent on March 31, 2018.

The basic candidate eligibility requirements for the SUV are:

  • qualifying business.
  • commitment certificate and letter of support from a designated entity.
  • sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds.
  • proficiency in English or French at minimum Canadian Language Benchmark Level 5.

Many Foreign Nationals Get A Temporary Visa And Then Transition To Permanent Residency

A designated entity is a Canadian private sector angel investor, venture capital fund or business incubator.

For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:

  • the intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada.
  • the candidate must own at least 10 per cent of the voting rights in the corporation.
  • no other person can hold 50 per cent or more of the voting rights in the corporation.

Up to five candidates may have their permanent residence application supported by the same business investment. However, certain candidates may be designated essential to the business. If any essential candidate withdraws their application, or is refused, all other candidates under the same business investment will see their applications terminated.

Increasingly, immigrants are coming to Canada as temporary residents and transitioning to permanent residents and this is a popular route for candidates who do not immediately qualify for permanent residence when applying from Pakistan.

Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident counts towards a permanent residence application.

Work permits are issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, International Mobility Program and International Experience Canada Program.

Caregivers also have their own streams for work permits (under the TFWP) and transition to permanent residence.

Candidates in Pakistan with family members who are already permanent residents or citizens can apply through Family Class Sponsorship immigration.

Family that can be sponsored in this way include:

  • Spouses
  • Common Law partners
  • Conjugal partners
  • Dependent children
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
  • Other relatives of any age or relationship but only under specific conditions
  • Accompanying relatives of the above (for example, spouse, partner and dependent children).

Canada Unemployment Held At 5% In April, Adding 41,000 Jobs

Colin Singer
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Canada Unemployment Held At 5% In April, Adding 41,000 Jobs

Canadian workers landed 41,000 more paying Canada jobs in April, in the retail, transportation and warehousing, education, and information, and culture and recreation sectors.

In its latest Labour Force Survey, Statistics Canada reveals 24,000 workers landed jobs in the wholesale and retail sector in April as it bounced back up 0.8 per cent compared to the previous month, partially offsetting a net decline of 145,000 jobs from May through to December last year.

“The number of people working in transportation and warehousing rose by 17,000, up 1.6 per cent, in April, building on a notable increase in March of 41,000 jobs, up 4.2 per cent,” notes Statistics Canada.

“Compared with 12 months earlier, employment in the industry was up by 47,000, or 4.7 per cent, in April.”

The unemployment rate held steady at five per cent in April, unchanged since December last year. But those who are out of work are not staying unemployed for as long as they were only a year ago.

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“The number of unemployed persons stood at 1.1 million in April and the majority, 64.3 per cent, had been unemployed for 13 weeks or less,” notes Statistics Canada.

“The proportion who had been unemployed for 27 weeks or more, the long-term unemployed, was 15.4 per cent, down from 19.5 per cent a year earlier, and in line with the pre-pandemic proportion of 15.3 per cent in February 2020.”

After three months of little change, employment in information, culture and recreation rose by 16,000, or 1.9 per cent, and the educational sector saw a gain of 15,000 jobs, up one per cent, in April.

Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.

Men enjoyed the benefits of most of that job growth throughout the country while employment for women and teenaged boys and girls held steady.

“Employment increased by 18,000, up 0.3 per cent, among core-aged men, 25 to 54 years old, and by 16,000, up 0.7 per cent, among men aged 55 and older,” notes Statistics Canada.

Almost all the job growth in April consisted of part-time jobs as these rose by 1.3 per cent, or 48,000 jobs across the country.

Almost One In Five Workers Who Took A Part-Time Job Would Have Preferred Full-Time Work

“This was the first notable increase in part-time work since October 2022,” notes Statistics Canada. “In April 2023, 18.1 per cent of those employed were working part time, down slightly from a year earlier, when 18.7 per cent were part-time workers.

“Of those who worked part-time, 15.2 per cent did so involuntarily, meaning they would have preferred a full-time position. This rate was virtually unchanged from April 2022.”

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

Canadian employers hoping to attract workers through economic immigration can recruit them through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

The Global Talent Stream (GTS), a part of the TFWP, can under normal processing situations lead to the granting of Canadian work permits and processing of visa applications within two weeks.

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Employers can also bring in foreign nationals to fill available positions through the Express Entry system, which receives immigration applications online.

It powers the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canada Experience Class Program (CEC) which all draw from the Express Entry pool of candidates. Those with the required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are then sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in regular draws.

Canada Extends Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Until 2025 And Removes Caps On Number Of Workers

Colin Singer
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Canada Extends Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Until 2025 And Removes Caps On Number Of Workers

Canada is extending the Agri-Food Pilot (AFP) for another two years and ditching the cap on the number of workers who can apply for each occupation.

“Our farmers and food processors depend on the steady arrival of foreign workers so that planting, harvesting and food processing activities can take place throughout the year and they need our continued support to attract and retain these talented workers,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“Extending the Agri-Food Pilot helps these sectors find the employees they need so we can be confident that our food security, economy and living standards for Canadians across the country will continue to improve and grow.”

Under the AFP, 2,750 applicants already working in Canada every year in the country’s agriculture and agri-food industry gain permanent residency. In 2021, that industry sector had exports of nearly $82.2 billion, including raw agricultural materials, fish and seafood, and processed foods.

That makes Canada the fifth-largest exporter of agri-food and seafood in the world, exporting to over 200 countries. The industry is responsible for one in nine jobs in Canada and employed 2.1 million people in 2021.

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Launched in May 2020, the AFP will now run until May 14, 2025 and continue to help facilitate the transition of experienced workers in agricultural and food industries to permanent residence in Canada.

Monday, Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, said labour shortages are one of the most significant challenges facing the agriculture sector in Canada and the country needs programs like the AFP which support the long-term needs of the agri-food sector.

“We are pleased to see some greater flexibility in the program and look forward to working with the government to ensure farm workers have clear and accessible pathways to permanent residence,” he said.

Are you an employer looking to hire foreign workers in Canada? Immigration.ca can help through its sister company, skilledworker.com. We provide a comprehensive recruitment package to help you identify and hire the best individuals from abroad. Contact us now.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will be introducing the announced changes to the pilot in stages by the end of this year, including:

  • expanding open work permit access to family members of all participants in the AFP, regardless of the participant’s job skill level;
  • allowing unions to attest to a candidate’s work experience, as an alternative to employer reference letters;
  • giving applicants residing in Canada the option to either meet the job offer requirement, including the median wage requirement for the job offer, or the education requirement, including educational credential assessment verification, and;
  • accepting work experience gained under an open work permit for vulnerable workers, giving more workers an opportunity to qualify.

Eligible Occupations

The occupations and industries eligible under the pilot include:

  • meat product manufacturing
  • retail butchers
  • industrial butchers
  • farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
  • food processing labourers
  • greenhouse, nursery and floriculture production, including mushroom production
  • farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
  • general farm workers
  • harvesting labourers
  • animal production, excluding aquaculture
  • farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers
  • general farm workers

Union reps gave Ottawa’s move to extend the AFP two thumbs up.

“The CLC is pleased that the Agri-Food Pilot will be extended for another year,” said Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress.

Canadian Mushroom Industry Has A 12% Job Vacancy Rate

“We have fought hard for migrant workers, asking the government to create more opportunities for permanent residency for migrants, especially for low-wage migrants, so they can have and exercise their full human and labour rights in Canadian society. The promise of changes to the pilot recognizes the role of unions, and is a good step forward.”

Since the francophone province of Quebec sets its own immigration programs under the Canada-Quebec Accord, the AFP does not apply there and candidates must intend to live and work outside of Quebec after obtaining permanent residence.

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Business representatives from Canada’s meat and mushroom industries said the AFP extension would provide employers in those sectors with much-needed workers.

“Our farms employ people for full-time, permanent positions with competitive wages. We have about 70 per cent Canadian employees and an over 12 per cent job vacancy rate,” said Ryan Koeslag, executive director of Mushrooms Canada.

“When Canadians don’t apply, we hire temporary foreign workers. Currently, we have over 150 of our temporary foreign workers who have applied to the Agri-Food Pilot, and we anticipate a lot more will now be eligible.”

Ontario Invites 1,863 Canada Express Entry Candidates Targeting Tech Occupations

Colin Singer
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Ontario Invites 1,863 Canada Express Entry Candidates Targeting Tech Occupations

Ontario has conducted a new draw through its Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream, issuing 1,863 invitations targeting technology occupations for Canada immigration.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) draw took place on May 5 and invited candidates with Comprehensive Ranking System scores between 475 and 482.

The draw targeted the following occupations:

  • NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
  • NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and
  • NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
  • NOC 21233 – Web designers
  • NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
  • NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Ontario announced it would be starting Tech Draws in July 2019.

The draws are designed to address labour shortages in the technology sector in Canada’s largest province.

Candidates selected from the Express Entry pool receive a Notification of Interest via their Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) account.

They then have 45 days to submit a full application.

Latest Ontario Human Capital Priorities Draws

Date Number of NOIs issued CRS score range Express Entry profiles created Notes
05-05-23 1,863 475-482 May 5, 2022 – May 5, 2023 Targeted draw – Tech draw

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What Are The Requirements For the Ontario Express Entry: Human Capital Priorities Stream?

To qualify applicants must have:

  • Ongoing profile under the Federal Express Entry system and be qualified for either the FSWP or the CEC.
  • Hold a minimum of 1 year of full-time, or full-time equivalent work experience under NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the past five years if applying under the FSWP or in the past three years if applying under CEC.
  • Hold the equivalent of a Canadian bachelor degree or higher.
  • Show language proficiency of minimum CLB/NCLC level 7 in English or in French.
  • Intention to reside in the province of Ontario.
  • Residing with legal status in Canada, if applicable.
  • Proof of required settlement funds.
  • Minimum Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score as determined by director under periodic draws.

Saskatchewan PNP Draw: Province Issues 1,032 Canada Immigration Invitations

Colin Singer
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Saskatchewan PNP Draw: Province Issues 1,032 Canada Immigration Invitations

Saskatchewan has conducted a new Expression of Interest draw through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, issuing 1,032 Canada immigration invitations.

The May 3 draw featured 293 invitations through the province’s Occupations In-Demand stream and 739 via its Express Entry stream.

The invitations targeted 32 National Occupational Classification codes and required a minimum score of 68.

This was Saskatchewan’s fourth skilled worker draw of 2023.

Full details of the streams included in the draw are below.

Read More Canada Immigration News

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Latest Saskatchewan Expression of Interest Draw

Draw date Category Minimum score Invites issued Other considerations
03-05-23 Occupations In-Demand 68 293 NOCs included: 13201, 21203, 21211, 21220, 21221, 21223, 21230, 21232, 21233, 21234, 21301, 21321, 22220, 22221, 31203, 32102, 32120, 32121, 32122, 32123, 41301, 62100, 70012, 72024, 72100, 72106, 72201, 72400, 72401, 72410, 82030, 92100
Express Entry 68 739

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What is the Process for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?

  1. Submit EOI profile.
  2. Enter EOI candidate pool.
  3. EOI candidates selected.
  4. Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
  5. Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
  6. 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.
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