In this blog, Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers will provide you with the most comprehensive weekly Canadian Immigration News overview. We aim to keep our clients and followers informed about the latest Canadian Immigration developments. Follow us to stay updated!
The Government of Ontario introduced the 2021 OINP nomination results
On August 11, 2022, Ontario published the 2021 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) results. In 2021, the Federal Government supplied the province with 8,350 nominations. The National Occupational Classification-Level C (NOC C) Pilot also provided 250 nominations to the province. Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of 2021, Ontario was given 400 additional nomination places. In 2021, including all extra spaces provided to OINP, the province nominated 9,000 applicants.
According to the results of Ontario’s 2021 OINP nomination, the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream processed 3,513 nominees – over one-third of all nominations. Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker and International Student streams garnered 1,705 and 1,240 nominations, respectively, placing them in the second and the third places. The Master’s Graduate stream was the fourth most nominated stream with 1,202 nominations. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream garnered 540 nominations, whereas Ontario’s Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream completed 410 applications. In addition, there were 212 nominations for the PhD Graduate stream, while Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades stream received 177 nominations. In 2021, only one applicant was nominated under Ontario’s Entrepreneur stream.
The OINP is the largest provincial immigration program in Canada. It currently has 9 active streams for various categories of immigrants. Three OINP streams are tied with the federal Express Entry system. Another five streams use the provincial Expression of Interest system, with a separate points grid. Finally, the Entrepreneur stream has its own application system. If you also want to be one of those nominated by Ontario, you can contact our team of experts today to get started!
Canada welcomes a huge number of Ukrainian nationals under the CUAET
Every week, the Government of Canada updates the number of newcomers who have been accepted into Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, also known as the CUAET. As of August 12, a total of 71,888 Ukrainian nationals have arrived in Canada under the CUAET. From March 17 to August 10, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received 475,834 applications and approved 194,820 Ukrainian nationals’ applications.
The Government of Canada announced the CUAET to assist Ukrainians fleeing war. Under the CUAET, Ukrainian nationals may apply for a 10-year visitor visa, which allows them to stay in Canada for up to three years and work legally. Ukrainian citizens, as well as their family members who want to come to Canada under the CUAET, can get in touch with our immigration lawyers for expert guidance and assistance.
IRCC introduced new guidelines for international graduates with expiring PGWPs
The IRCC just released new instructions for foreign workers whose post-graduation work permits (PGWP) are set to expire soon. Those whose PGWP will expire between September 20, 2021, and October 1, 2022, must follow IRCC’s recommendations to apply for the new work permit. Those who have a PGWP that expires from October to December 2022 will have to follow different procedures depending on their circumstances. Those whose addresses and passports are valid until April 2024 will receive their new work permits by mid-October 2022. Following several instructions given by IRCC, applicants whose addresses and passports are not valid until April 2024 will receive their work permits starting in mid-November. Applicants who cannot update their addresses or passports must apply online to extend their current PGWPs.
The PGWP is a type of open-work permit that allows international graduates to work for any company in Canada. A PGWP is valid for 8 months to three years. The duration of a PGWP is determined by the length of the applicant’s academic program. The PGWP is an important opportunity for foreign students who lack relevant Canadian work experience and want to acquire Canadian permanent residency.
Saskatchewan invited more candidates under the SINP
On August 11, 2022, Saskatchewan held new draws in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). The province invited 745 candidates under the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand categories. In this round of invitations, all candidates were invited under 20 different NOCs had Educational Credential Assessments. In 2022, 4,254 candidates received invitations under the SINP.
Saskatchewan utilizes the SINP to invite foreigners who wish to settle in the province permanently. This process is called a provincial nomination, where Saskatchewan presents its nominees to the Federal Government to apply for permanent residence. With a variety of categories and subcategories, SINP targets individuals and families who are capable of living and working in the province. As categories evolve and respond to labour market needs, Saskatchewan maintains an active and diverse immigration program to accommodate this growth. If you consider Saskatchewan your final destination in Canada and need help applying for provincial nomination and permanent residency, Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers can assist you in the application process.
IRCC provided new measures to help international graduates increase their CRS points
After the COVID-19 pandemic swept across Canada in March 2020, the federal government implemented new policies and accommodated foreign students who wished to study online. International graduates who obtained a Canadian education credential and completed their programs of study between March 2020 and August 2022 are now eligible for Canadian educational credential points, regardless of how they obtained the program, through distance learning, from outside Canada or through part-time studies.
This step of IRCC is crucial for international students as it directly enables them to count on the Canadian Experience Class program, administered by the Express Entry selection system. International graduates, who successfully completed their academic study in Canada are eligible to stay in Canada and legally work for up to three years. One year of Canadian work experience is worth 35 or 40 points in Express Entry, depending on the marital situation of the individual. In turn, these additional points may be a game-changing factor in the profile and may get extra points required to pass the invitation thresholds.
BC held a targeted draw inviting skilled regional candidates
On August 10, 2022, British Columbia invited qualified regional candidates under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP). The province invited up to 175 regional candidates, including tech workers, early childhood educators, healthcare workers and assistants, and other priority occupations. This year, British Columbia has already issued 5,449 invitations.
The BCPNP is a program that allows skilled workers and experienced business owners to obtain permanent residency in British Columbia. Individuals who fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria will get an invitation letter from the province of British Columbia, after which they must submit an application for Canadian permanent residence to IRCC. There are three ways to immigrate to British Columbia under the BCPNP: Skills Immigration, Express Entry BC, and Entrepreneur Immigration. You can choose one of these pathways based on your National Occupational Classification skill level, job, or international student status. Applicants with aspirations to live and work in this province can contact our immigration experts to be one of the lucky candidates receiving an invitation from the BCPNP.
The city of Greater Sudbury approved new applications under the Rural and Northern Pilot
On August 12, the City of Greater Sudbury held a new round of invitations in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and considered 2 candidates. One of the candidates has been accepted under the Francophone Stream. The minimum score of this draw was 240 points, the lowest within the last year. In 2022, only 11 applicants have been invited by Northern Ontario city. Since the launch of the program, Sudbury recommended at least 82 individuals.
The RNIP is a community-driven immigration program that has been designed to increase economic immigration to small Canadian communities and create a pathway to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers. Communities participating under the RNIP, recommend eligible candidates who possess the skills and qualifications needed by employers in the region for permanent residency. When the communities recommend applications of skilled foreign workers with full-time permanent job offers, the applications are sent to the Government of Canada for the final approval for permanent residence. The RNIP is one of the immigration pathways for foreign nationals who want to immigrate to rural areas in Canada. Contact our professional immigration lawyers to learn more about the Pilot.
Abramovich & Tchern Immigration Lawyers provide comprehensive immigration services to individuals, families and businesses in Canada and overseas. We have a team of experienced immigration lawyers, paralegals and support staff who can assist you with all aspects of your immigration matter. We understand that the immigration process can be complex and stressful, and we are here to help you navigate the process every step of the way. We can assist you with a temporary visa, permanent residence or citizenship, as well as appeals and judicial reviews before the Immigration Appeal Division and the Federal Court of Canada. Feel free to contact us today to discuss your immigration matter.
