Weber Immigration Consulting presents the latest news and updates on the Canadian immigration landscape. In this blog, we will inform you about the main changes in laws, regulations, or policies introduced in the second half of November. Follow us to stay updated on the latest news and developments in Canadian immigration.
The Canadian Government implemented the new NOC 2021 for Express Entry programs
On November 16, the Government of Canada implemented the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) and applied it to immigration programs processed under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and the Express Entry system. The NOC 2016 system is replaced by a 6-category structure that accounts for the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) necessary to work in an occupation. With the new updates to the NOC system, more pathways to permanent residency will be available for temporary workers and international students.
In addition, Express Entry-managed programs will create more job opportunities, making it easier for people to stay in Canada permanently. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is still updating instructions for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Stream (FSTS), Federal Skilled Workers Stream (FSWS), as well as other economic classes (non-Express Entry) applications.
The NOC is a national system used in Canada to organize and describe different occupations. The NOC helps citizens by providing information about various occupations in Canada’s job market, such as job descriptions, educational requirements, required skills, and related occupation pathways. Every decade, the NOC is updated by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada. In addition, employers use the NOC to help write job descriptions or identify skill requirements for new postings, and many government agencies to identify skills shortages within Canadian businesses.
IRCC allowed international students to work full-time during academic sessions
Currently, international students in Canada are allowed to work full-time during the academic year. Last month, IRCC announced this temporary measure, allowing international students to work more than 20 hours a week between November 15, 2022, and December 31, 2023. IRCC introduced this measure to help with Canada’s severe labour shortages in the retail, hospitality and food services sectors. Around 500,000 international students already studying in Canada are expected to take advantage of this opportunity by working more hours with no restrictions on the type of employment.
Before this announcement, students who were allowed to work off-campus could only work 20 hours a week while classes were in session and full-time during scheduled breaks. The Government of Canada processed 452,000 study permit applications from January 1, 2022, to the end of August. This is a 23% increase from 2021, a record year with 367,000 applications. If you want to study in Canada but do not know where to start, Weber Immigration Consulting can help. Our knowledgeable and experienced immigration consultants are here to guide you through the application process, from assessing your eligibility and gathering necessary documents to submitting a complete application. Contact us today for more information about our immigration services.
More workers are now eligible for immigration under Express Entry
After the implementation of the NOC 2021, the Canadian Government expanded pathways to permanent residence in Canada for sixteen high-demand occupations, including health care, construction, and transportation workers. The NOC system is designed to monitor and label all jobs in the Canadian job market. It regularly changes to keep up with economic modifications and different types of work that might be needed.
The recent NOC updates will support IRCC in creating more pathways to permanent residency for foreign workers and international students. This way, 16 additional occupations not eligible under Express Entry can now take advantage of these expanded pathways.
Dental assistants, nurses, long-term care workers, hospital attendants, elementary and secondary school teacher assistants, heavy equipment operators, and transport truck drivers are some of the 16 new occupations eligible under Express Entry. If you fall under one of these eligible occupations and have the right qualifications, you may qualify for permanent residency in Canada through Express Entry. Weber Immigration Consultants can assist you with fulfilling the requirements of the NOC 2021 and understanding the expanded pathways it opens up for you. We know how important this is for individuals looking to immigrate, so we are here to provide the support you need along your journey.
The OINP announced amendments to program requirements and scoring factors
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development of Ontario has updated the requirements for several streams and changed some scoring factors after implementing the new TEER-based NOC system. According to the recent amendments, applicants will have to provide certificates of at least one year of study for the Employer Job Offer International Students Stream. In contrast, candidates must possess CLB level 5 to be eligible in the Employer Job Offer Foreign Worker stream. For work experience in Canada, points will be awarded for at least six months in a job offer position. The allocation of points for various fields is changing, emphasizing STEM and Health fields, which will get the most points. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has also introduced new regionalization, dividing Ontario into four zones: Northern Ontario, Outside GTA, GTA, and Toronto. Points for NOC type and wage range have changed as well.
The OINP is an immigration program designed to help skilled workers immigrate to Ontario. The program connects employers with foreign nationals or temporary residents looking for work in the province. If Ontario approves your application, you will be nominated for permanent residence. After being nominated, you must apply for permanent residence at IRCC. Prospective immigrants who want to settle in Ontario can get in touch with Weber Immigration Consulting to learn more about the OINP. We can provide you with all the information and assistance needed to apply, including a full assessment of your eligibility for all streams. Contact us today for more details.
Canada’s immigration rate will reach unprecedented levels
Immigration to Canada saw a noteworthy uptick in September, as the number of new permanent residents increased by nearly 30.7% from the previous month. In total, 44,495 newcomers made Canada their home in September, compared to 34,050 in August. This contrasts with the 22.2% decrease seen from July to August. September was the best month for immigration this year, with the newest permanent residents arriving in a single month since November 2021. At the end of September, Canada had already admitted 353,840 new permanent residents. If this rate continues, Canada is on track to hit a record 471,787 new permanent residents by the end of the year.
The increase in immigration is largely attributed to the government’s Immigration Levels Plan for 2022-2024, which set out an immigration target of 431,645 new permanent residents for 2022. Next year, Canada plans to welcome 465,000 immigrants, according to the newly released Immigration Levels Plan for 2023-2025. So, if you want to immigrate to Canada, it is the best time to do so. At Weber Immigration Consultants, we provide a range of immigration services, including assessment, application preparation and submission. In addition, our experienced Registered Canadian Immigration Consultants are here to help you and your family make a smooth transition to life in Canada.
Employment and Social Development Canada updated the processing times for LMIA applications
In November, the ESDC updated the processing times for various Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application streams. According to all processing center statistics, the current average LMIA processing time increased slightly for every stream except Global Talent:
- Global Talent Stream – 9 business days
- Agricultural stream – 18 business days (+ 3 days)
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program – 8 business days (+3 days)
- Permanent residence stream – 23 business days (+1 day)
- In-home caregivers – 36 business days (+9 days)
- High-wage stream – 38 business days (+4 days)
- Low-wage stream – 39 business days (+2 days)
To hire a foreign worker in Canada, an employer must get an LMIA from the Canadian Government. Government officials will review the application to ensure that hiring foreign workers will not negatively affect the Canadian labour market. The company must be able to demonstrate that they considered every qualified Canadian for the position before hiring a foreign worker. They will also need to show that the salary and benefits offered, meet or exceed provincial and federal standards. If you are an employer in Canada looking to hire a foreign worker, Weber Immigration Consultants can help throughout the process. Our consultants will guide you through the LMIA application, providing quality services.
Canada still has impending labour shortages
The Canadian Government is working to find solutions for the impending labour shortage as members of the baby boomer generation reach retirement age. IRCC has also taken steps to help lessen the negative effects of this demographic change, but more needs to be done. In September, there were 994,800 job vacancies in Canada, which is a 3.8% increase from August. Ontario and Saskatchewan had the majority of new job openings. In September, the average number of unemployed people per job vacancy in Canada was 1.0, down from 1.3 in August. This decline reflects both a decrease in unemployment (-289,300) and an increase in vacancies (+36,300).
In September, the unemployment-to-job vacancy ratios in Quebec and British Columbia (the two provinces with the highest job vacancy rates) declined to 0.7 after reaching 1.0 in August. In September, employers in the accommodation and food services sector were actively seeking to fill 152,400 vacant positions, up 12.0% (+16,400) from the previous month. The increase was predominately due to seasonal variations. On a year-over-year basis, however, job vacancies were down 19.6% (-37,100). Despite this decrease, the job vacancy rate in this sector (10.4%) remained the highest among all sectors in September.
Truck drivers are now eligible for Express Entry streams
Following the implementation of the NOC 2021, truck drivers became eligible to immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry system. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced the new changes to Express Entry in August, and 16 new occupations were added to the program with the launch of the new NOC system on November 16. How the Canadian Government will choose truck drivers through Express Entry is still being determined. Canada might start conducting draws based on certain industries and occupations next year so that truck drivers may be targeted then.
Canadian economy faces an extreme lack of qualified workers, caused by several issues such as layoffs during the pandemic and many retirements. Truck driving is a crucial piece of Canada’s supply chain and causes substantial economic turbulence when disturbances or labour deficiencies occur. According to the report, Canada’s trucking and logistics industry move over $850 billion in products to domestic and export markets. Even before the global pandemic outbreak, the truck driver shortage was estimated to cost the Forest Products Association of Canada approximately $450 million in lost productivity.
If you are a truck driver who qualifies for Express Entry and is looking to immigrate to Canada, Weber Immigration Consulting can provide insight into the best path forward for your immigration journey. Weber Immigration Consulting is dedicated to providing our clients with the highest quality of personalized service. We have a team of experienced professionals who specialize in all areas of immigration and will work with you every step to ensure your application process goes as smoothly as possible. Our immigration consultants will provide you with the best advice and assistance to ensure that your immigration journey is as stress-free and successful. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.