R Immigrations Services Inc.

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International Experience Canada offers youth the chance to work and travel in Canada for up to 24 months

 

News release

 

International Experience Canada offers youth the chance to work and travel in Canada for up to 24 months. If you are a citizen of a partner country, you may be able to apply to one or more of these 3 categories

 

• Working Holiday

• Young Professionals

• International Co-op (Internship).

If you’re 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries), come work and travel in Canada through International Experience Canada (IEC)! It’s a government program designed to help you

 
  • gain valuable international work experience
  • improve your language skills in English and French
  • work in Canada and fund the trip of a lifetime

If you’re a citizen of a partner country, you may be able to apply to one or more of these 3 categories.

You can apply to IEC yourself or you can use a recognized organization (RO) for support before and during your experience. ROs are Canadian-based organizations that help foreign national and Canadian youth work and travel internationally through IEC. In limited circumstances, certain ROs can help small numbers of youth from non-partner countries participate in IEC.

 

How many times you can participate

Some countries only allow you to participate once. Others allow you to participate twice, but in different categories. Because each country is different, it’s important that you check to see if you’re eligible to apply.

You can’t participate more times than your country allows, even if you’re issued an invitation to apply. An officer will assess your eligibility (including past participations) after you submit your application.

Your participation is only counted when you enter Canada and get your work permit.

Make sure you read and understand all the requirements before you submit an application.

 

 

 

 

 

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Changes affecting the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream

 

News release

 

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) made changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream.

To qualify, an applicant must have a job-offer from an Ontario employer in an eligible occupation. The changes expand the list of occupations eligible for the stream for positions located outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The newly-added occupations are:

  • NOC 14400 – Shippers and Receivers
  • NOC 14402 – Production logistics workers
  • NOC 65320 – Dry cleaning, laundry and related occupations
  • NOC 74200 – Railway yard and track maintenance workers
  • NOC 74203 – Automotive and heavy truck and equipment parts installers and servicers
  • NOC 74204 – Utility maintenance workers
  • NOC 74205 – Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers
  • NOC 75101 – Material handlers
  • NOC 75119 – Other trades helpers and labourers
  • NOC 75211 – Railway and motor transport labourers
  • NOC 75212 – Public works and maintenance labourers
  • NOC 85102 – Aquaculture and marine harvest labourers
  • NOC 94101 – Foundry workers
  • NOC 94102 – Glass forming and finishing machine operators and glass cutters
  • NOC 94103 – Concrete, clay and stone forming operators
  • NOC 94104 – Inspectors and testers, mineral and metal processing
  • NOC 94112 – Rubber processing machine operators and related workers
  • NOC 94120 – Sawmill machine operators
  • NOC 94121 – Pulp mill, papermaking and finishing machine operators
  • NOC 94123 – Lumber graders and other wood processing inspectors and graders
  • NOC 94142 – Fish and seafood plant workers
  • NOC 94143 – Testers and graders, food and beverage processing
  • NOC 94200 – Motor vehicle assemblers, inspectors and testers
  • NOC 94202 – Assemblers and inspectors, electrical appliance, apparatus and equipment manufacturing
  • NOC 94203 – Assemblers, fabricators and inspectors, industrial electrical motors and transformers
  • NOC 94205 – Machine operators and inspectors, electrical apparatus manufacturing
  • NOC 94211 – Assemblers and inspectors of other wood products
  • NOC 94212 – Plastic products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
  • NOC 95100 – Labourers in mineral and metal processing
  • NOC 95101 – Labourers in metal fabrication
  • NOC 95103 – Labourers in wood, pulp and paper processing
  • NOC 95104 – Labourers in rubber and plastic products manufacturing
  • NOC 95106 – Labourers in food and beverage processing
  • NOC 95107 – Labourers in fish and seafood processing

In addition, the following occupation was added for positions located in any location in Ontario (inside and outside the Greater Toronto Area):

  • NOC 75119 – Other trades helpers and labourers

MLITSD held consultations on the Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream in fall 2023 and the changes are responsive to feedback the ministry received.

The amendments came into effect on July 1st, 2024, and do not affect individuals who have already submitted an application.

The updated regulations can be found on Ontario’s e-Laws website: Ontario Regulation 422/17 (General)

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The education requirements for nurses applying to the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities and French-Speaking Skilled Worker streams have been modified.

 

News release

 

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has made changes to the educational requirements for nurses applying to the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) and the French-Speaking Skilled Worker (FSSW) streams that will make it easier for nurses to qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Nurses are not required to demonstrate that they meet this education requirement if they meet both the following conditions:

  • they are registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) in the General, Extended, or Temporary class
  • their primary NOC falls under one of the following occupations:
    • NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
    • NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
    • NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
    • NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses

We also encourage you to review the updated regulations on Ontario’s e-Laws website:

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Canada announces new pilot programs to support caregivers and Canadian families, intends to make the caregivers program permanent

 

News release

June 3, 2024—Toronto—Caregivers from abroad are invaluable to Canadian families. Their hard work makes a difference in the lives of those they care for, including children, seniors and persons with disabilities.

As the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot come to a close later this month, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today announced new, enhanced caregiver pilots. This will allow caregivers to continue to come to Canada, as we work toward making the caregiver pilot programs permanent.

The new pilot programs will provide home care workers with permanent residence (PR) on arrival in Canada. They will also be allowed to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness. This new pathway means that caregivers can more easily find proper work with reliable employers and have clear, straightforward access to permanent resident status as soon as they arrive in Canada.

Through these new pilot programs, candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

  • attain a minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
  • hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
  • have recent and relevant work experience
  • receive an offer for a full-time home care job

These new PR on arrival pilot programs mark an important step forward in Canada’s efforts to meet the evolving home care needs of its diverse population. More information will be available before the full launch of the pilots, including full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.

Quotes

“Caregivers play a critical role in supporting Canadian families, and our programs need to reflect their invaluable contributions. As we work to implement a permanent caregivers program, these two new pilots will not only improve support for caregivers, but also provide families with the quality care they deserve.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“After hearing stories and feedback from caregivers across Canada, I am proud that we are taking concrete action to create policies to support the caregiver community. Generations of women and men have advocated for this important pathway and have cared for our families and loved ones here in Canada. Now is the time to return the care they deserve.”

– The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business

Quick facts

  • In June 2014, there was an inventory of over 60,000 persons for the Live-in Caregiver Program. Today, less than 1% of that Live-in Caregiver Program inventory remains.

  • As part of the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada will admit over 15,000 caregivers as permanent residents.

  • As of April 30, 2024, nearly 5,700 caregivers and their family members have become permanent residents since the launch of the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot in 2019.

Additional Information

 

 

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Foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border.

Source  IRCC News

News release

June 21, 2024—Ottawa—A safe and secure flow of goods and people across the Canada–United States border is critical to North America’s economy and the close person-to-person ties that Canadians and Americans enjoy. That’s why we continue to look for ways to make it easier and faster to cross the border without compromising the integrity of our immigration system.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border, effective immediately. This measure will help reduce what is known as “flagpoling.” Flagpoling occurs when temporary residents of Canada bypass the normal wait times involved in applying for a work or study permit online by leaving the country and then immediately re-entering to receive same-day immigration services.

Flagpoling uses significant resources at the border, taking officers away from enforcement activities, causing delays for travellers and slowing down the movement of goods. From March 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, PGWP applicants represented about one fifth of the foreign nationals who attempted to flagpole.

The Government of Canada is taking measures to encourage applicants to apply in Canada rather than flagpole. We continue to improve processing times, and are moving toward a more integrated, modernized and centralized working environment to help speed up application processing globally.

The change announced today increases fairness amongst applicants and is another step that the Government of Canada is taking to reduce flagpoling. We’ll continue to look for ways to reduce flagpoling so our shared border with the US runs smoothly and efficiently, benefitting both our nations.

Quotes

“While we continue to support and recognize the contributions of international graduates to Canada’s labour market, ‘flagpoling’ is unnecessary. The time and effort required to process applications from ‘flagpolers’ takes officers on both sides of the border away from their crucial role in protecting the safety, security and prosperity of Canadians and Americans. This measure will help prevent this practice, while maintaining the integrity of our immigration system.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“Flagpoling places an undue burden on our border services officers. With this change, we’re taking a measured approach to combatting the issue and putting an even greater focus on maintaining the integrity of our shared border with the United States.”

– The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Quick facts

  • In most cases, a study permit expires 90 days after the expected completion of an international student’s study program. When an eligible graduating student applies online for a PGWP before their study permit expires, they can work full-time while they wait for approval on a work permit and receive an automated letter that can be shown to employers. When a work permit is approved, it’s mailed directly to them. 

  • Flagpoling hours were recently reduced at 12 ports of entry across Canada to allow border services officers to efficiently process the large volume of travellers in peak periods and to focus on other key priorities, including high-risk travellers and trade facilitation.

  • Other recent measures to address flagpoling have included

    • speeding up processing times for in-Canada work permit applications
    • simplifying online application forms and processes so foreign nationals can continue working while they wait for a decision on their new application
    • authorizing workers to start working for a new employer right away, rather than waiting to have their new work permit application processed before changing jobs.

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Exploring the Student Direct Stream for studying in Canada

Source: CIC News

Canada’s Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a fast-tracked program designed to accelerate the study permit process for qualified international post-secondary students.

Presently, the SDS program aims to quickly provide foreign students from the following 14 countries with a permit to study in Canada:

Countries Eligible for the SDS Program

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Brazil
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • India
  • Morocco
  • Pakistan
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Senegal
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Vietnam

If you are a citizen of one of the above countries and you reside in that country (outside of Canada) at the time that you apply for a study permit through the SDS program, you will need to meet these requirements to be deemed eligible:

  • Be able to prove that you have achieved language test results demonstrating an IELTS score of 6 in English or NCLC 7 for French
  • Be able to provide a copy of the letter of acceptance you received from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution
  • Be able to provide your most recent secondary or post-secondary school transcript(s)
  • Be able to prove that tuition fees for the first year of study are paid
  • Be able to present a confirmation document for your upfront medical exam
  • Be able to prove that you have obtained a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of $10,000
  • Be able to present a police certificate prior to when you apply
  • If you are planning to study in Quebec: be able to present a Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) from the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
  • Submit the application to a Visa Application Centre (VAC)

The Canadian government’s website contains a detailed explanation of some of these eligibility criteria. On this webpage, you will find extensive detail regarding such things as the different ways you can prove your first year of tuition has been paid, different financial institutions that provide GICs and who would need (and would not need) a medical exam and/or police certificate with to go alongside your application.

Additionally, as a prospective applicant, you may need varying documentation for visa application processing depending on where you live. Below is a list of Government of Canada documents written for 11 of the 14 SDS-eligible countries, which detail the visa office instructions pertinent to each country.

Note: The Canadian government does not, at the time of writing, provide documents with visa office instructions for Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or Trinidad and Tobago on their website.

Brazil: Sao Paulo Visa Office Instructions

China: China Visa Office Instructions

Colombia: Bogota Visa Office Instructions

Costa Rica: Mexico City Visa Office Instructions

India: India Visa Office Instructions

Morocco: Rabat Visa Office Instructions

Pakistan: Abu Dhabi Visa Office Instructions

Peru: Lima Visa Office Instructions

Philippines: Manila Visa Office Instructions

Senegal: Dakar Visa Office Instructions

Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh-City Visa Office Instructions

Canada aims to process all SDS applications in roughly 20 days. IRCC notes that this may take longer if additional support documents are required for your application, however.

Post-Submission Process

Once an application through the Student Direct Stream is approved, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will provide you with a Port of Entry (POE) letter as proof to a visa officer that you have been approved for a study permit. This will be accompanied by either a temporary resident/visitor visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA) if you need one. It is important to understand the need for a travel visa in addition to a study permit because the Canadian government wants to ensure applicants remember that SDS program permits do not, by themselves, “allow you to travel to or enter Canada.

In other words, these two accompanying pieces will be your true key to entering this country as an international student. Only then will your study permit take effect and allow you to continue your post-secondary education in Canada.

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Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announces work permit extension for PGWP holders

Source: CIC News

Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser has just announced those with an expiring Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) will be able to apply for an Open Work Permit extension as of April 6, 2023.

The Open Work Permit extension will be available to anyone whose PGWP expires in 2023. It will also be available to those whose PGWP expired in 2022 and applied for IRCC’s Open Work Permit extension last year.

Beginning April 6, candidates will be able to apply for the extension on IRCC’s website. Those that apply will get an email with an interim work permit authorization which they can show employers to continue working legally in Canada.

Those whose legal status in Canada has expired will also be able to apply at the same time to restore their status, even if their status expired outside of the 90 day grace period that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides. This means such individuals will be able to restore their status and get an interim Open Work Permit authorization at the same time, as early as April 6.

IRCC says it will send messages to those who are eligible for the extension to invite them to log into their online IRCC Secure Account starting on April 6.

Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP) are available to international students who graduate from an eligible educational program at a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI).

DLIs are colleges, universities, and other educational institutions approved by the government to welcome international students.

PGWPs enable international graduates to work for any employer of their choice in Canada for a maximum duration of three years (the length of a PGWP is determined by the length of the educational program completed by the international graduate).

PGWPs are highly coveted by international students due to the nature of Canada’s economic class immigration programs.

Many of these programs rewards candidates who have studied and worked in Canada.

The rationale behind this is Statistics Canada research showing that such study and work experience can help to support the labour market integration of international students who go on to become Canadian permanent residents.

The combination of gaining a Canadian education, plus work experience, improving one’s English or French skills, and developing social networks in Canada are all thought to contribute to the economic integration of these immigration candidates.

As such, certain pathways, such as the federal Express Entry system, offer more points to those with Canadian study and work experience.

In addition, there are provincial pathways, such as through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), available specifically to international graduates.

The majority of Canada’s international students report an interest in applying for permanent residence.

Canada’s receptiveness to global talent, including its increasing immigration levels are contributing to higher international student levels.

Canada was host to over 800,000 international students at the end of 2022, an all-time record.

PGWP holders easily account for the majority of temporary residents (TRs) who transition to permanent residence (PR).

In 2022, nearly 98,000 PGWP holders became permanent residents, which is about 82 per cent of all TRs who became PRs.

Canada is looking to welcome a record 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023, and this will rise to a target of 500,000 in 2025.

Canada does not have a target of TRs it seeks to transition to PR, but Minister Fraser has stated repeatedly his desire to facilitate such transitions.

One of Minister Fraser’s priorities, as outlined in the mandate letter provided to him by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is to facilitate more TR to PR transitions via Express Entry.

Due to the strong demand for PGWP holders to become permanent residents, IRCC has made two exceptions in recent years, enabling those with expiring PGWPs to apply for Open Work Permit extensions.

The purpose of these exceptions has been to give these individuals more time to potentially obtain permanent residence.

The last exception was available to those whose PGWP expired between September 2021 and the end of December 2022.

IRCC notes there were more than 286,000 PGWP holders in Canada at the end of 2022. About 127,000 PGWPs expire in 2023, however about 67,000 PGWP holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not need to extend their work permit through this initiative.

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Where are new Canadian citizens coming from?

Source: CIC News

In the next three years, Canada will welcome more than 1.45 million new immigrants across its immigration streams—in the hopes of settling and assimilating these newcomers to strengthen the economy, demography, and culture of the country.

The arrival of immigrants is crucial to the continued health of Canada. The country hopes to not just integrate newcomers as permanent residents, but eventually as citizens who have strong ties and vested interests in Canada’s development and growth.

As a country largely comprised of immigrants, it can be pertinent to learn where the Canadians of tomorrow hail from, especially considering the newest immigration targets. The latest IRCC data yields some interesting insights into this question.

Top Source countries of 2022

In 2022, 374,554 permanent residents became Canadian citizens.

This is a huge increase from 2021, which saw little over a third of that number (137,079) transition to citizens—and a moderate increase from pre-pandemic numbers (250,000 new citizens welcomed in 2019)—a good sign that Canada’s immigration system is returning to normal functioning, and addressing domestic needs as required.

The most frequent country of birth among new citizens in 2022 was India, followed by the Philippines and then Syria, respectively.

The top ten birth countries of permanent residents (PRs) who transitioned to Canadian citizens are detailed below:

  1. India (59,503 PRs transitioned to citizens);
  2. Philippines (41,540 PRs);
  3. Syria (20,355 PRs);
  4. Pakistan (15,188);
  5. Iran (13,082);
  6. Nigeria (12,670);
  7. People’s Republic of China (10,722);
  8. United States of America (9,215);
  9. France (8,163); and
  10. Iraq (7,692).

India remains in top spot

For a second year in a row, India has been the top source of new Canadian citizens. In 2021, Canada welcomed 20,866 new citizens from India—displacing the Philippines which had prior been the biggest source country for new citizens.

Within the last four years the top ten source countries of Canadian citizens have not much changed, however there has been a re-ordering of the countries. Of note has been the growth in Syrian PRs who have transitioned to citizens in recent years (third biggest source country). This is a sharp departure from 2019, when Syria did not feature at all in the top 10.

The same can be said about Pakistan, which (similarly absent from 2019’s top 10 source countries) is today the fourth most popular country of birth among new Canadian citizens. Formerly in the same territory was the People’s Republic of China, which has fallen from fourth in 2019 to seventh in 2022.

What is the pathway from PR to Citizenship?

Once landed as a PR, those looking to become Canadian citizens must assess whether they are eligible to apply for citizenship, and when they can do so.

To be eligible for Canadian citizenship as a PR, one must:

  • Be a permanent resident of Canada;
  • File taxes if necessary;
  • Pass a Canadian citizenship test (if between the ages of 18-54);
  • Prove language skills (if between the ages of 18-54);
  • Meet Canada’s physical presence requirements;

If all other factors are met, a PR applying for citizenship must have spent at least three of the last five years (1,095 days) physically in Canada to be eligible for citizenship (unless under exceptional circumstances).

If an applicant has spent time in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person, they can count each day in Canada under this status, as half a day towards the physical presence requirement (with a cap of 365 eligible days towards the physical presence requirement).

Children under 18 who are applying must still be PRs but can waive the physical presence requirement.