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Top 5 Strategies for International Students to Enhance Their Canadian PR Prospects

Canada is a sought-after destination for academic pursuit, hailed for its top-ranking universities, cultural diversity, and pathways to gain international work experience. When graduates from Canadian Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) enter the Express Entry system for permanent residence (PR), their Canadian credentials afford them additional points, elevating their standing in the applicant pool. While this advantage is considerable, securing Canadian PR is not solely contingent on Canadian education. Success also hinges on an individual’s professional skills, industry qualifications, and their role in the workforce.

Amid ever-evolving immigration regulations tailored to the Canadian labor market’s demands, navigating the shift from student to Canadian PR has grown more challenging. To bolster their Express Entry profile, international students should consider these actionable strategies to enhance their permanent residence prospects

Stay Informed on Immigration Policy:
Regulations governing immigration are dynamic, reflecting Canada’s economic strategies. Students must keep abreast of changes, such as the recent policy barring certain study programs from eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). It is essential to research which academic courses qualify for the PGWP.
Pursue In-Demand Professions:
The Express Entry system has shifted to prioritize industries where there’s a higher demand, including healthcare, STEM fields, trades, transportation, and agriculture. Selecting a course of study within these sectors can boost prospects in a category-specific Express Entry draw.
Explore Provincial Nominee Programs:
Provinces and territories, with Quebec and Nunavut as exceptions, run Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) aimed at attracting skilled labour. A nomination via PNP can significantly raise one’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score within the Express Entry pool or offer an alternative direct route to immigration.
Boost Language Proficiency:
Proficiency in Canada’s official languages, English and French, garners substantial CRS points. Achieving high scores on language assessments like IELTS or CELPIP for English, or reaching the requisite level on the NCLC for French, notably improves one’s odds of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.
Authenticate Foreign Credentials:
For education points in the Express Entry system, authenticate any international degrees through designated organizations, such as WES. Enrolling in a recognized Canadian program further augments an individual’s profile.

For international students envisioning a future in Canada, leveraging these guidelines can considerably enhance their ability to transform educational pursuits into permanent residency. It is crucial to remain proactive, informed, and strategically aligned with Canada’s shifting immigration requirements. Continually adapting to these pathways fosters a smoother transition from international student status to becoming a Canadian PR.

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Applications Now Closed for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

Headline: Canadian Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Concludes; New Immigration Efforts Introduced

The curtain falls on the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) as of August 31, with the final deadline for community endorsements having been July 31. Those fortunate enough to be recommended by participating communities had until the end of this month to lodge their permanent residency applications with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Having commenced in August of the previous year, RNIP aimed to drive population growth in Canada’s lesser-populated areas by allocating up to 125 newcomer slots per region annually, resulting in an overall program capacity of 2,750 individuals. Traditionally, cities like Toronto and Vancouver have been the preferred destinations for most immigrants owing to their large, well-established cultural enclaves. Ironically, while urban locales witnessed an influx of skilled labor, rural and northern sectors—most notably, healthcare and skilled trades—struggled with labor deficits.

IRCC, however, selected certain communities to participate in RNIP, communities that proved capable of smoothly integrating newcomers via local support networks and services. Even though RNIP will not be renewed, IRCC isn’t retiring its goal of enriching rural communities with skilled workers. It plans on introducing the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program this coming fall, providing rural locales with a scalable economic migration path similar to the successful Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP).

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program

This new Pilot, like its AIP counterpart, devises additional support for designated employers who, in turn, offer enhanced assistance to their foreign employees, differentiating it from other provincial nominee systems.

As Canadian immigration keeps evolving, the future of these economic initiatives seems promising. Notably, Minister Marc Miller alluded to the efforts to create a perennial rural immigration strategy, underscoring the critical role these programs have played in catalyzing rural economic advancement.

Additionally, anticipation builds around the budding Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, slated for the upcoming fall. This initiative focuses on elevating the population of French-speaking immigrants in non-Quebec regions.

As change is constant in the world of Canadian immigration, these programs symbolize a vibrant commitment to national growth by balancing urban expansion with rural vitality. Moreover, they reflect a strategy to draw diverse skill sets across the vast Canadian landscape. Those interested in Canadian immigration are advised to stay informed on the eligibility criteria of new and existing programs.

In conclusion, while the RNIP winds down, the introduction of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot Program alongside other initiatives promises to carry forward the momentum of recruiting skilled workers to Canada’s rural and northern regions. These programs are critical in addressing economic disparities and demographic challenges across various communities, and we eagerly await further details from IRCC on the unfolding of the new pilot programs.

How to Stay Longer as a Visitor in Canada

Recent policy shifts may leave many wondering about their options as a visitor in Canada. Canada ends the COVID-19 era provision allowing the in-country processing of work permits for individuals holding a visitor status. Until August 28, this temporary policy aided those unable to leave Canada during travel disruptions by providing an opportunity to contribute to the national workforce. Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller has noted a resilience in the job market, with 138% of jobs affected by the pandemic now recovered, reflected in a 6% unemployment rate as of June 2024.

With the pandemic’s exceptional rules being rolled back, securing a work permit as a visitor in Canada has become a challenge. Nonetheless, pathways still exist for visitors to maintain legal status within Canada. If you are a visitor in Canada, here’s a brief breakdown of the current state of visitor visas and records, as well as the steps to extend your stay.

Visitor Visas and Records in Canada

If coming to Canada for a visit, remember that working or studying without proper authorization is prohibited. Visitor visas, which span up to a decade and often permit multiple entries, are issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, it is not mandatory for all to secure a visa, with certain nationals being eligible for entry via an electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

Upon arrival, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may provide you with a visitor record that indicates your lawful stay could last up to 183 days, although this duration can be shorter at the discretion of the border officer. Should you desire an extended stay, applying for a visitor record extension with IRCC is necessary – ensure this is done at least 30 days ahead of your current status expiry.

Options Post-Status Expiration

If you let your temporary status as a worker, student, or visitor lapse without renewal, you won’t qualify for an extension. However, within 90 days of this expiry, you have an opportunity to restore your status. After this period, it’s expected that you depart from Canada.

Current permit holders who wish to extend their work or study permits must do so before expiration. By submitting your extension application, you gain “maintained status,” which authorizes you to continue working or studying during IRCC’s review, provided you remain in Canada. Verification of maintained status is available through proof of your ongoing permit application.

Conclusion:
Navigating the recent changes in work permit regulations for visitors can be daunting. To ensure compliance and the continuation of your stay, it is vital to understand the importance of timing and accurate application processes. By planning ahead and keeping abreast of Canadian immigration updates, visitors can successfully adjust their status and enjoy their extended time in Canada.

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Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba Hold Provincial Nominee Program Draws

In the latest series of Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws, the Canadian provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Manitoba have extended invitations for potential nomination, as highlighted in the most recent news update. The unique cooperative agreement on immigration between the provinces and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows provinces, except for Quebec and Nunavut who do not participate, to nominate economic immigrants. The federal government sets a nomination quota for each province based on various factors like labor market demands and population size, with provinces like Ontario receiving a larger share due to its sizeable population.

The 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan unveiled by IRCC is aiming high, targeting the admission of 110,000 new permanent residents through the PNP this year alone. However, obtaining a provincial nomination is distinct from securing an invitation to apply for permanent residence from IRCC. Each of these processes requires a separate application.

Diving into the province-specific details, Ontario invited 1,287 candidates through the Express Entry Skilled Trades stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) on August 22. Candidates were selected based on a Comprehensive Ranking System score spectrum of 400-435 and required experience in specified trade occupations.

On August 27, British Columbia sent out over 158 invitations across various job sectors to both Skilled Workers and International Graduate candidates participating in its Provincial Nominee Program, the BC PNP. The draws zoned in on five targeted sectors, with scores needed for eligibility varying according to the sector. For example, skilled workers in childcare needed minimum scores of 83, while those in tech roles needed at least 118 points to qualify.

Manitoba held its provincial draw on August 30, extending invitations to 150 candidates distributed between the International Education stream and the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, the latter being part of a Strategic Recruitment Initiative. No minimum score was noted for the International Education stream participants, but Skilled Worker Overseas candidates had to meet a cutoff of 727 points. Express Entry candidates accounted for 21 of the advised letters of the total nominations.

Conclusion:

The Provincial Nominee Program pathways continue to be a pivotal option for individuals seeking to lay down roots in Canada. These latest draws from Ontario, BC, and Manitoba reflect the ongoing initiative to meet regional labor market requirements by welcoming skilled workers from outside Canada. For applicants considering immigrating to Canada, keeping abreast of the frequent updates from the provinces on PNP draws can significantly enhance their chances of success in the application process.

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Canada Halts Low-Wage LMIA Processing for Temporary Foreign Workers in Select Cities

Starting on September 26, 2024, new policies regarding LMIAs will take effect across Canada impacting the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The government has announced it will halt the processing of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage category within certain census metropolitan areas (CMAs) where the unemployment rate equals or exceeds 6%. The specific cities this will affect have yet to be disclosed, but the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has made clear that there will be special considerations for jobs related to food security, like those in agriculture and food and fish processing. The construction and healthcare sectors will also see exemptions.

Employers will now face limitations on workforce composition, with a new cap stating that only 10% of their employees may be hired through the TFWP. Furthermore, workers brought in under the Low-Wage stream will be permitted to work for just one year instead of the previous allowance of two.

Canada’s Minister of Employment, Randy Boissonnault, has indicated the necessity of these measures, emphasizing the Temporary Foreign Worker program’s original intent – to fill employment gaps when there were no suitable Canadian candidates. Minister Boissonnault also highlighted the undesired dependence on the program and the critical need for empowering Canadian workers to meet job market needs.

Following a steady increase in the unemployment rate, currently sitting at 6.4%, these changes are introduced to prevent misuse of the TFWP and protect the Canadian labor market. In alignment with this approach, the ESDC will also be conducting a review of the High-Wage stream of the TFWP during the next 90 days, which might lead to additional alterations affecting various sectors and rural areas.

The government’s focus on temporary residency issues is reflective in recent policies, as seen with the Quebec government’s move to suspend the processing of some low-wage LMIA applications in Montreal. These policy shifts come with the broader objective of properly managing the impact of the temporary resident population on the country’s social services and resources, a sentiment echoed by both Employment Minister Boissonnault and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

Conclusion:

The Canadian government is showing a strong commitment to labor market integrity and the well-being of its citizens by recalibrating the TFWP. The new set of rules is spearheaded by an effort to address concerns over employment fairness and a strategy to build a robust domestic workforce. As the landscape of Canadian immigration continues to evolve, employers and potential foreign workers must stay informed of the latest changes in emphasis on local employment priorities.

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