Weber Immigration Consultants is happy to provide the next bi-weekly news review on Canadian immigration. Do not forget to follow our blog for updates on immigration and to receive the latest news.
Canada held three targeted Express Entry draws for FSWP and PNP candidates
On February 1, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 893 invitations to candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) in the first PNP-targeted Express Entry draw of 2023. In this round, invited PNP candidates had a minimum score of 733. On the following day of the PNP draw, IRCC issued 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to candidates under the Federal Skilled WorkerProgram(FSWP), with a cut-off score of 489 points. Finally, on February 15, IRCC issued 699 ITAs to qualified candidates under the second PNP-targeted draw. In this round, the cut-off score was higher than in the previous draw – 791 points. Canada issued 15,892 invitations to eligible candidates this year under all Express Entry draws.
Express Entry is an application system for prospective immigrants to Canada who have the skills and experience needed to contribute to the Canadian economy. It is designed to help skilled workers immigrate quickly by streamlining the application process. To be eligible for Express Entry, applicants must meet certain criteria, such as having a valid job offer, proof of language proficiency, and other qualifications. Once an applicant is accepted into the Express Entry pool, they will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their profile information. The CRS determines how likely applicants are selected for immigration to Canada and which programs they may be eligible for. With the introduction of targeted Express Entry draws, it is even easier to obtain permanent residency (PR) in Canada. If you also want to get your PR through Express Entry, Weber Immigration Consultants can help. We provide professional services to assist individuals in creating a complete and accurate application profile and help them understand their immigration options.
The Government of Canada updated application processing times for citizenship and family sponsorship applications
On February 7, 2023, IRCC updated the application processing times for citizenship and family sponsorship applications to help applicants stay informed and know how long their application processing may take until a final decision is made. The updated information from IRCC states that citizenship applications are processed within 23 months. Spousal sponsorship application processing takes 14-16 months, while PR applications for parents and grandparents require 39 months. According to the latest IRCC data, around 1.055 million applications are processed within the service standards, while 918,300 applications were backlogged.
It is important to note that processing times vary from case to case and may change due to unforeseen circumstances. IRCC continues to work hard to reduce these wait times, but applicants should still plan for longer than expected waits when submitting their applications. Applicants are encouraged to check the website for the most up-to-date information on processing times and track the progress of their applications online via the IRCC portal.
Ontario held six draws under the three OINP streams
On February 2, 2023, the provincial Government of Ontario conducted two new invitation draws under the Human Capital Priorities Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Through the tech draw, the province issued 1,127 targeted invitations to candidates with work experience in one of the in-demand occupations. In the healthcare draw, the OINP targeted 775 candidates working in the healthcare industry. Additionally, on February 9 and 10, Ontario invited candidates under the Skilled Trades Stream of the OINP. The province issued 510 invitations in the February 9 draw and 466 invitations in the February 10 draw. On February 10, the OINP also held two draws in the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream (EJO FW) Stream and invited 304 skilled trades candidates and one candidate who may qualify for the federal Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). In total, Ontario issued 6,774 invitations this year.
The OINP is a provincial immigration program that allows Ontario to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to Canada with the skills and experience needed by the province. Through OINP, prospective immigrants with the right combination of training, work experience, and language skills are getting nominated for permanent residence. The OINP offers a variety of streams designed for different types of immigrants, including those working in specific industries or occupations, international students, entrepreneurs, and those with French language skills. Weber Immigration Consultants can help you through the process and evaluate your eligibility for OINP, providing personalized advice and guidance.
Prospective immigrants to Canada can provide Pearson Test of English test results to prove their language skills
On February 1, 2023, IRCC took a step towards improving language-testing access for all prospective immigrants by announcing Pearson Canada Inc. as a designated testing organization. Soon after the policy is enacted, late in 2023, IRCC will begin to accept scores from Pearson’s Test of English (PTE) Essential English test as an alternative way for individuals to meet their language requirement criteria. This important decision seeks to benefit those who were formerly unable to demonstrate language proficiency through established tests due to limited resources or means.
Currently, candidates can demonstrate their English language proficiency by taking the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) administered by Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc., or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which Cambridge Assessment English, International Development Program (IDP), and Australia British Council offer. Those who want to provide French language results can take the Test d’evaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada), and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) administered by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry and France Education International, respectively.
What are the most popular immigration pathways to Canada in 2023?
When it comes to immigrating to Canada, the options are vast and depend on your unique needs. Nevertheless, Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and business immigration will remain among the most popular pathways for obtaining PR in 2023. These pathways offer a variety of advantages that make them particularly attractive choices when considering settling in Canada. Moreover, family sponsorship programs remain a sought-after choice for those seeking to reconnect with their Canadian relatives. Aside from the well-known immigration pathways, those seeking to move to Canada will still have many other immigration programs available.
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program (RNIP), and Study and Work Programs via the International Experience Canada (IEC) offer unique advantages to newcomers looking to start their lives in Canada. However, no matter which pathway you choose, do your research and make sure you understand all the requirements before submitting an application. Weber Immigration Consultants is here to help you understand the available immigration pathways, so you can make an informed decision and choose the right program best suited for your needs.
Express Entry and PNP candidates can use the new application tracker to monitor their applications
On February 8, 2023, IRCC expanded the online application status tracker to include four new categories of PR applications. Online status trackers allow applicants to remain informed of their application progress and be aware of any required actions for file processing. Through direct access to IRCC information, the Government ensures that applicants and representatives have transparency for all relevant data. The application status tracker is now available for the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program and Provincial Nominee Program applicants. Soon, online application status tracking will be extended to encompass additional types of PR applications.
The Canadian Government launched the first online application status tracker for citizenship applications in May 2021. From February 2022, spouse, partner, and dependent child sponsorship applicants also gained access to track their PR applications. IRCC is devoted to establishing an immigration system that works for all Canadians, visitors, businesses, and newcomers. Enhancing digital tools is a significant part of the Government of Canada’s plan to improve customer service. In the past year, IRCC has expanded its services to tackle major issues encountered by users of the immigration system.
High immigration levels will help alleviate current workforce shortages in Canada
While specialists agree that Canada’s aim to increase immigration levels might help ease some economic pressure, the labour market needs to be adequately supplied with permanent residents with the necessary qualifications for genuine progress. According to Ravi Jain, co-founder of the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association, companies are in dire need of workers as unemployment rates remain at an all-time low. Fresh immigrants can help alleviate this crisis and supply a much-needed workforce to these businesses. The former Ontario Deputy Minister of Immigration and senior policy fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University, Naomi Alboim, also agreed that the Canadian labour market had substantial gaps, demands, and needs. To ensure that the skills and qualifications of newly arrived immigrants are adequately matched for jobs, Alboim stressed that increasing immigration levels must be part of a larger initiative encompassing temporary workers and international students.
The Government aims to welcome an impressive 1.45 million more permanent residents throughout the next three years, with 465,000 newcomers in 2023 and an additional 500,000 in 2025. This will supplement Canada’s working population and help the country reach its workforce goals. In addition, IRCC has implemented multiple policies to enable more people to move to the country permanently. However, complicated immigration requirements can prove daunting for many applicants looking for a way into Canada. This is where Weber Immigration Consultants can help. Our experienced consultants have the knowledge and expertise to help you navigate the immigration process and ensure a successful outcome.
IRCC reduced work experience requirements and provided new immigration pathways for caregivers
On February 10, 2023, IRCC reduced the amount of work experience in Canada required for a caregiver to qualify for PR from 24 months to 12 months. Additionally, some spots within the current caregiver pathways have been kept open for caregivers with prior work experience in Canada so that they can apply for PR. Effective April 30, 2023, all caregivers with pre-existing applications are eligible for retroactive use of this pathway to expedite the process and acquire PR in Canada. This change will provide caregivers and their families a more direct route toward their goal and reduce the strain of waiting times on applicants.
The regulatory modifications are designed to affect both the Home Child Care Provider (HCCP) pilot and the Home Support Worker (HSW) pilots, including those whose applications have already been submitted to IRCC and prospective applicants who will take part in the five-year program. Since introducing the pilots in 2019, over 1,600 caregivers and their families have obtained PR in Canada. Last year alone, nearly 1,100 applicants immigrated to Canada through these two programs. If you are a caregiver residing overseas and want to immigrate to Canada under one of these pilots, feel free to contact Weber Immigration Consultants to discuss your options.
Weber Immigration Consultants provide clients with the highest quality of immigration services. We understand how important it is for you to have a successful outcome regarding your immigration matters. Our experienced professionals work hard to ensure that your application is handled correctly, efficiently, and in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with immigrating to Canada.