Canada – Preferred place for international students amid COVID-19 pandemic

Canada now has the fourth-largest international student population in the world. International students contribute to the cultural, social, and economic landscape of Canada. The international student population in Canada has grown six-fold over the past 20 years. In the last decade alone, it has tripled. They add an estimated $22 billion a year to Canada’s economy supporting around 200,000 Canadian jobs.

Canada has been the preferred choice for students attending college or university due to its study-work-immigrate package. And now in current scenario acknowledging the impact of COVID-19 outbreak caused to international students, Canada government has revealed COVID-19 measures providing relief to international students in Canada as well as who would like to come to Canada in the near future.

  • Canadian government has removed the restriction that allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function until August 31 such as:

Energy and Utilities ǀ Information and Communication Technologies ǀ Finance ǀ Health ǀ Food ǀ Water ǀ Transportation ǀ Safety ǀ Government ǀ Manufacturing

  • To contain the spread of coronavirus IRCC has given flexibility in the policies allowing international students to take the online courses to be eligible for PGWP and, seek Canadian experience since many economic class immigration programs reward extra points for Canadian experience.
  • Under the current circumstances international students outside Canada who have study permit and have been enrolled for May/June session can begin their online classes and even finish half of their program if they cannot travel due to travel restrictions.
  • International students may be eligible for implied status who need to extend their stay in Canada during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • It has been suggested that approximately 68% of these international students intend to work and settle in Canada as permanent resident. They are viewed as ideal candidates for permanent residency given their language proficiency, Canadian education credentials and Canadian work experience. Thus, since the start of the coronavirus crisis, both Federal & Provincial government have issued more invitations to apply for permanent residence to those with Canadian experience.

Can-X Immigration and Consulting Inc. is a Canadian based consulting firm. Our approach to professional and service excellence is based upon absolute integrity, honesty, unfailing mutual respect and dedication in all that we do for our clients.

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CRS score drops to 452 in new express entry draw

CRS score drops to 452 in new express entry draw

A total of 3,311 candidates were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the Express Entry draw which took place on May 01, 2020. The cut-off CRS score in this draw was 452 which is the lowest score recorded in this year so far. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now issued a total of 34,300 Invitations to Apply (ITA’s) in 2020 through the Express Entry system.

Since March 18, Canada has conducted four draws, targeting Canadian Experience Class  (CEC) candidates and has issued 13,619 ITAs till date. This is the fourth draw targeting exclusively Canadian Experience Class candidates in the history of Express Entry. Looking at recent draws targeting candidates of Canadian Experience Class and considering current unemployment rate, country’s economic growth and COVID-19 outbreak, it is likely that IRCC may increase the frequency of draws in coming quarter which may further lower the minimum CRS score cut-off benefitting Canadian Experience Class candidates.

As per Government of Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2020-2022, Canada will welcome 341,000 new permanent residents in 2020, 351,000 in 2021, and 361,000 in 2022.

Express Entry is the application process for skilled workers in Canada or Overseas who want to settle in Canada permanently. Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

Can-X Immigration and Consulting Inc. is a Canadian based consulting firm. Our approach to professional and service excellence is based upon absolute integrity, honesty, unfailing mutual respect and dedication in all that we do for our clients.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzfJ8QidomM

 

 

IRCC: Processing changes for visas due to COVID-19

Because of COVID-19 outbreak and service disruptions, IRCC has suspended processing of non-essential visitor visa applications. This has allowed  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to focus resources on critical services. This suspension also applies to some electronic travel authorization (eTA) applications.

Processing of visa and eTA applications for those who qualify for an exemption to the travel restrictions are still continued. This includes all temporary foreign worker applications, with a particular focus on essential services, such as those in medical fields and food supply chains.

IRCC is processing study permit applications for students who will continue in anticipation of the fall study term. IRCC will continue to process applications to the extent possible. Study permit applications require biometrics, and many visa application centres that normally provide this service are closed. As a special measure, due to COVID-19, applicants are now being given 90 days instead of the standard 30 days to give biometrics. Students who have a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit before March 18, 2020, can currently travel to Canada.

Permanent residence applications continue to be processed. Only permanent residents who received approval before March 18, 2020, can currently travel to Canada. Spouse and Common Law Partners can still submit their application during COVID-19 pandemic.

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Latest BC-Provinicial Nominee Program draw issues 271 invitations

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on B.C. businesses has been observed to affect the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw held on April 16, 2020 issuing 271 invitations. The following occupations were excluded from the draw:

0621 – Retail and wholesale trade managers ǀ 0631 – Restaurant and food service managers ǀ 0632 – Accommodation service managers ǀ 0651 – Managers in customer and personal services ǀ 1123 – Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations ǀ 1221 – Administrative officers ǀ 1241 – Administrative assistants ǀ 6211 – Retail sales supervisors ǀ 6313 – Accommodation, travel, tourism and related services supervisors ǀ 6322 – Cooks ǀ 6421 – Retail salespersons ǀ 6512 – Bartenders ǀ 6521 – Travel counsellors ǀ 6523 – Airline ticket and service agents ǀ 6525 – Hotel front desk clerks ǀ 6532 – Outdoor sport and recreational guides ǀ 6562 – Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations ǀ 6611 – Cashiers ǀ 6711 – Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations ǀ 6722 – Operators and attendants in amusement, recreation and sport ǀ 3236 – Massage therapists ǀ 6311 – Food service supervisors ǀ 6321 – Chefs ǀ 6341 – Hairstylists and barbers ǀ 6511 – Maîtres d’hôtel and hosts/hostesses ǀ 6513 – Food and beverage servers ǀ 6522 – Pursers and flight attendants ǀ 6524 – Ground and water transport ticket agents, cargo service representatives and related clerks ǀ 6531 – Tour and travel guides ǀ 6531 – Tour & Travel Guides ǀ 6533 – Casino occupations ǀ 6564 – Other personal service occupations ǀ 6621 – Service station attendants ǀ 6721 – Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services ǀ 6731 – Light duty cleaners

Impact of COVID-19 on BC PNP Clients and Operations:

Office & in-person inquiries are closed but BCPNP will continue to respond to emails and telephone inquiries within 5 business days. Applicants can submit their registration if they meet the eligibility requirements for the category they are applying to. BCPNP will receive and process applications for both Entrepreneur Immigration and Skills Immigration categories.

Due to COVID-19, if your employer has reduced their business hours or they do not currently have the minimum number of employees on payroll:

  • If you have not yet registered, and your employer no longer meets the employer eligibility criteria to support your BC PNP application, you should delay your registration until your supporting employer can meet the employer criteria for the BC PNP.

If you have already applied, and your employer no longer meets the eligibility criteria to support your BC PNP application:

  • Please email BCPNP with any updates to your employment situation. They will take this into consideration when assessing your application.
  • You may withdraw your application by sending BCPNP an email. If processing of your application has not started, you may be eligible for a refund.

Due to COVID-19, your employer had to temporarily close their business and if you have now been laid off:

  • If you have not registered yet, and your current employment does not meet the eligibility criteria of the category you would like to register and apply to, you should ensure you first meet the criteria for that category. You should do this before submitting a registration.
  • If you have registered, but you have not been invited to apply, and your current employment no longer meets the category’s eligibility criteria, you have the option of withdrawing your registration. You can resubmit a registration once you meet the eligibility criteria.
  • If you have received an invitation to apply and your current employment does not meet the category’s eligibility criteria, you have the option of declining the invitation to apply. When the business re-opens and you are working again, you can re-register with updated information and wait for the next draw.
  • If you have already applied, and your employment no longer meets the category’s eligibility criteria, please email BCPNP with any updates to your employment situation. BCPNP will take this into consideration when assessing your application.
  • You may withdraw your application by sending BCPNP an email. If processing of your application has not started, you may be eligible for a refund.

If you are not able to get required documents (transcripts, language test, personal net worth verification report, etc.) before the deadlines:

  • Before you register for Skills Immigration, BCPNP expect that you already have gathered or have easy access to all required documentation. If this is not the case, .
  • wait to register as you will have 30 days to apply should you be invited.
  • If you have already applied, and BC PNP staff have requested information or documents that you are not able to get, please email BCPNP will take this into consideration when assessing your application.
  • If you are experiencing a delay in applying to the Entrepreneur Immigration stream, please email BCPNP describing your specific circumstances. BCPNP will take this into consideration when assessing your application.

Please visit BCPNP’s COVID-19 Operational Updates page for up-to-date information. 

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Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) : an opportunity for international graduates for PR

Canada not only offers quality education to international students but also an opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience and settlement opportunities thereafter. Every year significant number of students come to Canada from around the globe. Around 572,425 foreign students obtained Canadian study permits by the end of 2019 and it has been suggested that approximately 68% of these international students intend to work and settle in Canada as permanent resident.

International students contribute to the cultural, social, and economic landscape of Canada. They add an estimated $15.00 billion a year to Canada’s economy, and many are viewed as ideal candidates for permanent residency given their language proficiency, Canadian education credentials and Canadian work experience. Thus, various provinces have been targeting to attract and retain young graduates with their nomination programs.

BC offers two categories for international graduates across Canada who have a job offer from Canadian employer in BC and satisfy other eligibility criteria:

  • Express Entry BC – International Graduate
  • Skills Immigration – International Graduate

BC has Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) which is a points-based registration and application system that helps BC select the best workers to meet its labour market needs. The applicant’s score is based on the job, its location in B.C. and offered wage, as well as applicant’s work experience, education, and language ability. However, in BC it is more difficult for international graduates to become permanent residents who have high school and post-secondary diploma from BC as they do not get enough points for education and thus, do not qualify to be invited from BC-PNP.

Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSNP): better option for international graduates

The Skilled Worker stream assists employers in hiring workers whose skills are in limited supply in the province. The stream helps employers recruit and/or retain foreign workers with the required skills for positions that they have been unable to fill with a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. The Skilled Worker Stream is not an Express Entry (EE) linked Stream which means foreign nationals can apply for Canadian permanent residence even if they are not eligible to enter the federal Express Entry pool.

This stream is not a point-based system and, the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration accepts the application on first cum first basis. International Graduates having one years of Canadian experience usually qualify for the program indeed they meet other program requirements.

The Nova Scotia Office of Immigration (NSOI) does not provide a specific occupation or skills shortage list for the Skilled Worker Stream. However, the NSOI utilizes the National Occupational Classification to distinguish between three occupation types: Skilled Workers, Semi-skilled, and Low-skilled Workers.

Skilled Workers: This category is for individuals with experience in an occupation classified as NOC level 0, A or B. NSOI gives priority to these highly skilled applicants.

Semi-Skilled Workers: This category is for workers whose occupations are classified as NOC level C. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least six months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting the applicant’s permanent residency application.

Low-Skilled Workers: This category is for individuals whose occupations are classified as NOC level D. Applications in this category will only be considered if all eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has worked for at least six months with a Nova Scotia employer that is supporting the applicant’s permanent residency application. There must be a strong sense of support from an employer, such as contribution to the immigration fees, accommodation/housing, language training, and career training plans.

General eligibility requirements: To apply for Skilled Worker Stream you must:

  • have a full-time permanent job offer from a Nova Scotia employer;
  • have 1 year of work experience related to the job. (Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must already have six months’ experience with the employer.);
  • be 21 to 55 years old;
  • have a high school diploma;
  • have the appropriate training, skills and/or accreditation for the job;
  • prove language ability equal to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 5 if you are a skilled worker. If your first language is English or French, that is enough proof. Semi-skilled and low-skilled workers must have test results to prove they meet CLB 4 even if their first language is English or French;
  • show enough financial resources to successfully settle in Nova Scotia.

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