Canada’s plans brought forth by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser to get immigration system back on track

Canada allocated $85 million across all IRCC lines of business in the 2021 Budget in order to reduce processing times. In the minister’s mandate letter to Fraser Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also pressed upon the issue of reducing processing times. According to Fraser the current budget will Canada to return to the processing service standards for study permits, work permits, and permanent resident card renewals by the end of the year. Alongside, Canada is also in the works for reducing processing times for visitor visas and proof of citizenship.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have taken decisions for over 500,000 permanent resident applications in 2021.

Fraser has announced that Canada is planning to make 147,000 permanent residence final decisions in the first quarter of 2022—doubling that from the same period in 2021. Canada is also going to aid the applicants by introducing a new Permanent Residence Application Tracker in February 2022 for spouses and dependents, for them to see their application information and track their status online.

In recent weeks, internal IRCC documents have revealed that the actual anticipated processing times for economic immigration programs are much longer than what it says on the government website. Fraser says that the online processing times tool will be updated in the coming months so that the IRCC clients have more up-to-date estimates of the duration their applications will require to process.

According to a November 24 memo, at the time, IRCC was expecting Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) application processing to take 20 months, well beyond the processing standard of six months for Express Entry-managed programs.

According to a November 24 memo, The IRCC was expecting the Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) to take longer than the standard six months Express Entry-managed Program. It was expected that the FSWP application processing would take 20 months. The memo also highlighted that the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) would take nearly eight months to process.

Furthermore, the memo indicated that the Express Entry draws would not invite FSWP and CEC candidates for the first half of 2022. Even though Fraser did not provide a date as to when these draws would resume, he did say that certain measures introduced were intended to speed up the immigration processing. He further mentioned that putting a halt to these draws will allow the IRCC to process the Express Entry inventory without exasperating the backlog.

Immigration Canada is currently facing a backlog of more than 1.8 million people waiting on decisions. This includes citizenship applicants, temporary foreign workers, families, students, refugees, and visitors. The Express Entry backlog alone stands at about 119,000 applicants as of December 2021.

For Express Entry candidates in Canada who may have to leave their jobs or go back to their home countries while IRCC holds off on draws for certain candidates, Fraser said they are looking at options to keep workers in Canada, but they have not yet come up with a “perfect solution.”

“I know that processing delays have been incredibly frustrating for many individuals. Helping clients come to Canada quickly, with predictable processing times and efficient communication with IRCC, remains a top priority for me,” Fraser said in a media release. “Immigration benefits all Canadians—it helps grow our economy and strengthens our communities across the country. Many people are choosing Canada as the place to visit and build their future, and to ensure that we stay competitive, we have introduced concrete measures to make sure those who want to come to Canada have the client experience they deserve.”

IRCC’S attempt at reducing processing times

The pandemic highlighted the need for IRCC operations to modernize. In order to cope with the pandemic-relayed challenges, IRCC has hired about 500 new processing staff, digitized applications, and reallocated work among IRCC offices around the world.

 

IRCC has introduced some paper-based immigration programs online due to in-person services being reduced as per public health measures. IRCC informed CIC News via email that it expects the online application portal to be fully implemented by the spring or summer of 2022. These efforts so far have allowed average processing times for spousal sponsorship applicants to return to the service standard of 12 months for new applications.

IRCC has also developed a portal to allow permanent residence applicants in Canada to finalize their process and receive their permanent residency cards without any in-person interaction. From June 2021 to December 2021, 225,000 permanent residents have used this portal.

A media release was recently issued by IRCC informing that IRCC is making use of advanced data analytics to speed up Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications. However the system cannot refuse or recommend refusals of applications since only immigration officers hold that authority. The system was first introduced and brought to action in 2018. It allows applications to be assessed 87% faster than before.

For citizenship applicants, IRCC has introduced online testing, created an online application tracker, and launched virtual citizenship ceremonies. Canada has sworn in 170,000 new Canadians since April 1, 2020. Canada is continuing to expand the use of virtual ceremonies.

In the future, Canada is looking to allow people to self-administer their Oath by signed attestation, and celebrate their citizenship at a later date. This would shorten the waiting time for those at the final stage of their citizenship process.

 

NSW 190/491 Nomination/Visa Update…

NSW 190 is now open for offshore candidates who hold valid skills assessment and have resided outside Australia for the last 3 months.

Offshore Applications for several occupations- including:

• 1332 – Engineering Managers
• 1335 – Production Managers
• 1342 – Health and Welfare Service Managers
• 2332 – Civil Engineering Professionals
• 2333 – Electrical Engineers
• 2334 – Electronics Engineers
• 2335 – Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineer
• 2336 – Mining Engineers
• 2339 – Other Engineering Professionals
• 2342 – Food Scientists
• 2633 – Telecommunications Engineering Professionals
• All Trade Occupations such as- Sheet metal Trades Workers, Metal Fabricators, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Glaziers, Machinist, Baker, Pastry cook, Butcher, Hairdresser, Cabinet Maker (Except Chef, Cook, Motor Mechanic)
• 2411 – Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
• 2412 – Primary School Teachers
• 2415– Secondary School Teachers
• 2515 – Pharmacists
• 2523 – Dental Practitioners
• 2541 – Midwives
• 2542 – Nurse Educators and Researchers
• 2543 – Nurse Managers
• 2544 – Registered Nurses
• 3111 – Agricultural Technicians

NSW 190: Mandatory Minimum 3 Years Work Experience requirement for Certain Occupations:

• 1351 – ICT Managers
• 1399 – Other Specialist Managers
• 1411 – Café and Restaurant Managers
• 1413 – Hotel and Motel Managers
• 2211 – Accountants
• 2212 – Auditors
• 2611 – ICT Business and Systems Analysts
• 2613 – Software and Applications Programmers
• 2621 – Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists
• 2631 – Computer Network Professionals
• 2632 – ICT Support and Test Engineers
• All Trade Occupations such as Sheet metal Trades Workers, Metal Fabricators, Carpenters, Bricklayers, Glaziers, Machinist, Baker, Pastry cook, Butcher, Hairdresser, Cabinet Maker, Chef, Cook, Motor Mechanic

 

The objective of the pool is to help connect healthcare workers with job opportunities in Saskatchewan.

 

Saskatchewan has started a new International Healthcare Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) Pool.

The pool will exist under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP).

The new International Healthcare Worker EOI submission process is not an application to the SINP, but instead of a pre-application form that permits candidates to submit an online form indicating they are interested in working in a selected health care occupation in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan will review your qualifications and should you have the skills that an employer is looking for, the province will contact you with information on how to apply for a job opportunity.

If you then receive a job offer, you might be eligible for the SINP’s International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer or the Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot.

The SINP website offers a guide on how to create an EOI profile. To submit an EOI you need to have a professional background that falls under one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes.

Eligible NOC Codes: International Healthcare Worker EOI Pool

NOC   Occupation Titles

1252             Health Information Management Practitioner

3012             Registered Nurse and Registered Psychiatric Nurse

3122             Chiropractors

3124             Nurse Practitioner

3131             Pharmacist

3141             Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathologist

3142             Physical Therapist

3143             Occupational Therapist

3211            Combined Laboratory & X‐Ray Technologist, Clinical Genetics Technologist, and Medical Laboratory Technologist

3212             Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants

3214             Respiratory Therapists, Cardiopulmonary Function Technologist, Perfusionist

3215             Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist, Medical Radiation Technologist, Nuclear Medicine Technologist

3216             Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

3217             Cardiology Technologist and Cardiovascular Technologist, Electroneurophysiology Technologist

3219             Pharmacy Technician

3223             Dental technologists, technicians, and laboratory assistants

3233             Licensed Practical Nurse

3234             Emergency Medical Technician

3237             Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment

3413             Continuing Care Assistant

4151             Psychologist (Masters and Ph.D.)

 

Once you have a job offer, you can apply under one of the following streams.

 

International Skilled Worker: Employment Offer

The eligibility criteria for this stream include:

• Have legal status if you are already residing in Canada
• Get a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4 across all four language components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)
• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer that is recognized with the SINP
• Have at least one year of paid work experience in the intended occupation within the last ten years
• Get proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if your job offer is in an occupation that is regulated in Saskatchewan and needs mandatory licensing
• Score at least 60 points out of 110 on the points assessment grid

Hard-to-Fill Skills Pilot

Criteria for the pilot, which was just launched on November 25, 2021, includes:

• Have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer that is recognized with the SINP
• Meet the minimum CLB language requirement
• Meet the minimum education and work experience criteria, which includes either having one year of work experience in the same occupation as the job offer or six months of work experience in that job in Saskatchewan

Each year thousands of people across the world take the International English Language TestingSystem (IELTS) General Exam as part of their Canadian immigration process. Takingan IELTS exam can be a challenging prospect, but with a bit of knowledge and guidance, you will be well

placed to get the best IELTS score you can get for Canada Immigration.

 

IELTS (General) for Canada immigration:

What’s the IELTS exam? How does the IELTS work with respect to the different economicimmigration systems in Canada? What is the required IELTS score for immigration to Canada?And how do you get the best possible outcomes from IELTS, raising the odds of being settled in Canada at the earliest opportunity?

 

This Roadmap to IELTS and Immigration to Canada offers key answers to these questions, with

supplementary tips and tools for families and individuals wishing to make Canada their new home.

 

What is IELTS?

 

IELTS is the most common English language proficiency exam in the world for global migration and higher ed. Created in 1989, the IELTS test has been designed by some of the world’s leading language assessment specialists. About three million IELTS exams were carried out in 2016.

 

IELTS is one of four language assessments approved for immigration purposes by the canadian government. Others include the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) as well as the Test d’Évaluation du Français (TEF).

IELTS and Express Entry:

 

Applications sent to most federal economic visa services in Canada are handled under the Express Entry Immigration Selection System.

 

GETTING INTO THE POOL:

Both prospective immigrants under Express Entry need to justify their skill in English or French (or for extra points, both). This involves fluent English and French speakers, no matter wherethey hail from or where they went to school. Express Entry is a fair playing field, and any point that matters as candidates is that all-important invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

 

Let’s say for a moment that you do not have the French capabilitiesand are not in a position, geographically speaking, to take the CELPIP English exam. In such a case, you would need to pass an IELTS test to enter the Express Entry pool. You must take the IELTS General TrainingExam (not the general version) for Express Entry.

 

There are different pathways to entering the pool, with Canada offering three separate programs withinExpress Entry. If you are not sure which program(s) you may be eligible under, see our guides:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC): For workers evaluated under a unique FSWC pointssystem. Eligible individuals must obtain at least 67 points out of 100. Up to 28 points areavailable for language ability, plus an additional 5 points are available if you apply with aspouse/common-law partner who is proficient in English or French.
• Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): For tradespersons with relevant experience.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): for people with continuous or recent job experience in Canada.

 

Important parameters:

If you can see, the qualifying criteria for the pool are distinct for FSWC, FSTS and CECapplicants, respectively. Once in the pool, though, both candidates are graded using the same points system, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System, or CRS.

 

Applicants joining the pool through IELTS results equal to CLB 8 or below will makeincremental improvements in their overall CRS points if they can show an increase in their language skills after re-study.

 

However, something unique will happen when you hit CLB 9, also known as the ‘initial advanced’ stage. This is because, under the ‘transferability skills’ factors of the CRS, language skills are combined individually with the amount of schooling and job experience obtained outside Canada. Up to 100 CRS points for these variations are available. Both bonus points are in addition to the points earned in order to develop language skills on the basis of human capital factors.

 

“Reaching CLB-9 will build or break the immigration prospects of a candidate to Canada.”

 

Let’s use a hypothetical situation to illustrate this. John has been a candidate in the pool. Upon joining the pool, he had a demonstrated skill in English similar to CLB 8 (i.e. IELTS 7.5 inhearing, and IELTS 6.5 in communicating, reading , and writing). He is 30 years old, holds a Master’s degree and three years of work experience outside of Canada. He has no job offer, no provincial selection, or family members residing in Canada. This earned him an initial score of 382 points for the CRS.However, he took the IELTS test again and made marginal improvements in the four skills, taking his scores to the equivalent of CLB 9 across all four. In doing so, his score improved to464 CRS points! Typically, such a score is more than enough to obtain an ITA.

 

 

 

Spouse/common-law partner ability:

Single and accompanying spouse or common-law family applicants are evaluated somewhat differently under the CRS. For candidates with a spouse or partner, up to 20 points are valid for the first language skills of the spouse or partner, with five points available for each of the fourlanguage skills. Valuable CRS points will only be gained if the spouse or partner still takes a language test, such as the IELTS. But, precisely, how many points? The table below has an answer.

IELTS and other Canadian immigration options:

 

Express Entry is not the only path to immigrate as an economic migrant to Canada. There arealso a variety of Regional Candidate Services (PNPs) and several PNP sources handled entirelyoutside of Express Access. In addition, persons and families seeking to live in the province ofQuebec are subject to various eligibility criteria. And don’t ignore those businessmen,developers, and self-employed citizens who want to make Canada their home – there are services for them, too.

 

No matter which plan is being followed, it is almost inevitable that prospective economic immigrants to Canada will need to prove their language skills. How the language test results affect the eligibility of the applicant or the cumulative points, if applicable, depends on theprogramme or stream. Simply put, language is almost always a core component in Canada’s commercial immigration programmes. As such, prospective candidates are urged to take the matter seriously, even though they are fluent speakers of the language.

 

As with Express Entry, only IELTS General Training will be approved by PNPs. The academic edition of the IELTS version is not approved.

 

 

The heartbreaking reality is that life in many nations is shaky and questionable. Dis-governance, prevalent agitation, powerless structures, helpless instruction, and monetary unpredictability aresome of the problems that afflict the less fortunate countries of the world, and not even thewealthy in those nations, are invulnerable. In any case, those lucky enough to have beenconceived in the wealthy, prosperous, free country of the United States do not have to think about such issues.

Strong Economy with Stable Currency:

The United States has the biggest economy in the world, including giants like China and India, with populations about four times greater. It is also one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita — while smaller countries like Macau, Qatar and Luxembourg seem to be at the top of the list, the United States is the richest country per capita for countries with a population of more than 10 million.

 

The prosperity of the United States offers countless opportunities to its people and immigrants. With significant sums of disposable income, U.S. citizens and people of many other countries cannot afford a high standard of life packed with comfort.

 

The U.S. dollar, which retains an unofficial title as the currency of the world, is also one of the dominant currencies in the world, with just a couple of international notes worth more. This makes U.S. people and citizens incredibly wealthy on a global scale, allowing them to fly conveniently to other, cheaper, nations.

Permanent Resident and Temporary Resident Statuses: EB-5 and E-2 Investment Visas:

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa and the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa are two forms of visas available to foreign citizens seeking to stay in the United States for the purpose of work or simply as a place to visit. Since there are many distinctions between the two visas, it is necessary for potential investors to have details about both categories in order to choose the visa that is right for them.

 

The Immigrant Investor Visa (EB-5):

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Pilot Program gives international investors the ability to immigrate to the United States by investing extensively in a new business venture that generates a minimum of 10 job vacancies for U.S. employees. Investors are eligible to receive permanent resident status under this programand may qualify for citizenship following a five-year waiting period. This privilege also applies to immediate family members (spouses and children under the age of 21).

The minimum investment needed by the EB-5 policy is $1,000,000 per investor. This criterion is lowered to $500,000 if the funding is made in a project located in the Targeted Employment Area (TEA), an area identified as rural or with an unemployment rate greater than the national median.

 

The Treaty Investor Visa (E-2):

For foreigners who do not plan to immigrate permanently but want temporary resident status, an E-2 visa could be the pathway forward. This visa policy allows foreign citizens to remain in the United States for a period of two years by making a contribution to either form a new company or acquire an existing business. They are not, though, categorized as refugees. When two years are passed, the investor and their dependents must leave the United States or seek an extension, this will last up to two extra years. There is no cap on the number of extensions that an investor in E-2 can seek.

The status of E-2 is not only given to the investor, but is also given to investors’ employees and dependent family members, both investors and employees. E2 visas are considered nonimmigrant visas. However, once an investor is able to qualify and enter into the U.S. in this category, they are able to look for other opportunities and to apply for green cards and eventually citizenship.

 

 

How Foreign Nationals and Their Families Can Benefit from an EB-5 & EB-2 programs:

 

• A secure community and a minimal rate of crime

 

• Child support choices that are efficient and affordable

 

• A community that is welcoming and varied
• A high-quality school system that offers high-quality school and helps to immerse immigrant children in U.S. society

 

• Numerous recreational activities opportunities to keep children engaged and safe

 

• A range of possibilities for pursuing diverse hobbies and desires

 

• Multiple options for internships and job program

 

• Scholarships for in-state college entrants

 

Aside from these opportunities, there are also several financial advantages for investors and companies to migrate to the United States. While the required amount of funding will sound costly, the prospect for a prosperous future and an incentive to do future business in the United States is well worthwhile. Investment in the EB-5 or EB-5 initiatives is not just a financial decision – it really is an investment in the safety, freedom and prosperity of your family.

 

 

 

Canada to Accept 1 Million New Immigrants in 3 Years!!!

For the next three years, Canada will play a major role in the world’s population.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have unveiled their immigration targetsto accept by 2022 more than 1 million new residents! The Minister of Immigration, Marco Mendicino, said that COVID-19 would not affect Canadian immigration. Canada aims to recruitskilled immigrants to improve the country’s workforce in the face of an ageing population and a decreasing birth rate.Canada has the fourth-largest number of Western immigrants and is pleased with its ever-increasing multicultural community. Determine how within the next three years you’ll immigrate to Canada below!

Why is there a need for 1 – million new residents in Canada?

Canada has the highest landmass of 9.9 million km2 among all the world’s

top immigration destinations, but its population density is much smaller than most of them.

For more info, take a look at the table below.

In the majority of developed countries, decreasing birth rates are a factor. Birth control is easily accessible in Canada and another significant player impacting the decreasing birth rate in the country is an increase in urbanization. What’s more, 40.8 years is the median age of people. For this reason, Canada rewards foreign nationals between the ages of 18-30. with more Detailed Ranking System points (immigration points) So, if you want to immigrate to Canada, do it while you are still young and in great demand!

 

Canadian Immigration Programs and Intake 2020-2022

Between 2020 and 2022, about 1, 053 000-1, 140 000

admissions are expected, marking the highest intake in Canadian history. The admissions are split into various types of immigration, the bulk of which are admissions to Canada from economic programs.

• Immigration in economic terms;
• The Immigration of Family;
• Protected People and Refugees;
• and Humanitarian & Merciful Grounds

 

Economic immigration has the highest targets for entry and is the most common means of becoming a permanent resident of Canada. Employers would have difficulty attracting sufficiently trained and professional workers to fill available positions if it were not for immigrants. To immigrate to Canada, economic services are designed for high, intermediate and low-skilled foreign workers who meet qualifying requirements.

Express Entry:

If you are a professional foreign worker, Express Entry is the most common route to Canadian permanent residency. In a record six month stretch, the online system processes applications and handles three federal programs, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Trades Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Read more about immigration from Express Entry here.

Economic Pilots:

Occupation and region-specific pilots allow permanent residency applications for foreigners with Canadian work experience and/or valid job offers. The current occupation-specific pilots are targeted at national caregivers and agro-workers worldwide.

Atlantic Pilot:

In several different sectors, the Atlantic region of Canada has a scarcity of trained employees. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot is an employer-driven initiative that requires eligible foreign workers to obtain permanent residency at the same time to be employed by participating employers.

Business Immigration:

Exciting and fail-safe ways for global entrepreneurs and business-savvy individuals to immigrate to Canada are to start a business in Canada or invest in established industries. Also, PM Trudeau announced significant tax relaxation for Canada’s sustainable economic development.

Provincial Systems of Nomination (PNPs)

The PNPs are common routes to immigrate to Canada for intermediate-low eligible foreignworkers and settle in a particular province in which their job skills are in demand. In adapting to these needs, provinces and regions in Canada play avital role in defining urban labour market needs and developing immigrant systems.

Family Immigration to Canada

 

Canada is serious in bringing families united. If you are a Canadian permanent resident or a citizen with a family living outside Canada, you may also be able to sponsor members of your family to become permanent residents and reside in Canada. You will support your dependent children up to the age of 21, as well as your spouse or wife and your parents and grandparents.