On October 17, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) conducted its latest Express Entry draw, issuing a total of 1,307 invitations for permanent residency (PR) to skilled trades candidates. This draw marks a significant step for those looking to establish themselves in Ontario and contribute to the province’s growing economy.

Details of the Draw

The draw specifically targeted candidates in the Skilled Trades Stream, which is designed for individuals with expertise in various skilled trades.

A total of 1,307 Invitations To Apply were issued under the Skilled Trades Stream. The CRS score for this PNP Draw ranges from 405-435.

Date of Draw	No. of Invites	CRS Score Range	Profiles created in the Express Entry System
October 17, 2024	1,307	405 – 435	October 17, 2023 – October 17, 2024

Who Was Invited?

To be eligible for this draw, candidates needed to have an active Express Entry profile and meet the requirements of the Skilled Trades Stream. This includes having work experience in their primary NOC (some of occupations eligible for this OINP Express Entry Draw as following), meeting the minimum language proficiency requirements, and demonstrating a commitment to settling in Ontario.

• – NOC 72300: Plumbers
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• – NOC 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters, and sprinkler system installers
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• – NOC 72302 : Gas fitters
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• – NOC 72310 : Carpenters
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• – NOC 72311: Cabinetmakers
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• – NOC 72320:  Bricklayers
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• – NOC 72321: Insulators
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• – NOC 72400:  Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
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• – NOC 72402:  Heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning mechanics
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• – NOC 72403: Railway carmen/women
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• – NOC 72404: Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
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• – NOC 72406: Elevator constructors and mechanics

• – NOC 72410: Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
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• – NOC 72422: Electrical mechanics
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• – NOC 72423: Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics

This latest draw is a positive signal for skilled trades professionals seeking opportunities in Ontario. It reflects the province’s commitment to welcoming talented individuals who can support its diverse economy.

On October 16, 2024, British Columbia held its latest Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) draw, issuing approximately 189 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR). This draw continues the province’s commitment to addressing labor market needs and attracting skilled workers to support its growing economy.

Details of the Draw

The recent draw reflects British Columbia’s ongoing strategy to invite skilled professionals from various sectors, emphasizing the importance of having a diverse workforce. Here are some key highlights:

• – Total ITAs Issued: 189
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• – Categories: The invitations were likely issued across different categories, including Skilled Workers, International Graduates, and the Express Entry BC stream.

Date	Draw type	Stream	Minimum Score	Number of invitations
October 16, 2024	General	Skilled Worker	127	102
		Skilled Worker – EEBC option	127
		International Graduate	127
		International Graduate – EEBC option	127
		Entry Level & Semi-Skilled	110
	Childcare	Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option)	83	38
	Construction		89	21
	Healthcare		99	28
	Veterinary Care		80	<5

The latest BC PNP draw on October 16 is a significant opportunity for individuals aiming for permanent residency in Canada. With 189 ITAs issued, British Columbia continues to welcome skilled professionals who can contribute to its dynamic economy. If you’re interested in making BC your new home, now is the time to prepare and stay engaged with the immigration process.

Canada continues to be a top destination for immigrants seeking new opportunities, diverse cultures, and a high quality of life. In this year, several visa options cater to various skills and backgrounds, making it easier for potential immigrants to find a suitable pathway. As you embark on the journey to immigrate to Canada, exploring the various visa options is the key to achieving your Canadian dream.

Express Entry System
The Express Entry system remains one of the most popular pathways for skilled workers. It uses a points-based system to evaluate candidates based on age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. The three main programs under Express Entry are:

– Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For individuals with skilled work experience.

– Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Designed for those in skilled trades.

– Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with Canadian work experience.

Key Benefits:

– Fast processing times (often within six months).

– Opportunity to gain permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Programs
The PNP allows provinces to nominate individuals who wish to settle in a specific province. Each province has its own criteria based on labor market needs, making it a flexible option for those who may not qualify for Express Entry.

Key Benefits:

– Increased chances of permanent residency.

– Access to provinces with labor shortages.
Study Permit
International students can apply for a Study Permit to attend designated learning institutions in Canada. After graduation, students may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), allowing them to gain Canadian work experience.

Key Benefits:

– Pathway to permanent residency through Canadian work experience.

– Opportunities to gain a global education.
Start-up Visa Program
For entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in Canada, the Start-up Visa Program is an excellent option. This program targets innovative entrepreneurs with the support of designated Canadian investors.

Key Benefits:
– This is the only Federal level program that grants Permanent Residency directly to the applicant and entire family (spouse, children under 22 years old);

– Whole family will be granted permanent residency (PR)

– Freely choosing the Province to live and work;

– Enjoy the free health-care system, social security and education benefits like Canadian citizens;

– Obtain Canadian citizenship when meeting the specific conditions;
GLOBAL TALENT STREAM
The Global Talent Stream was introduced in 2017 to help Canadian employers fill critical skill gaps by allowing them to hire foreign talent quickly. This program specifically targets occupations in high demand, particularly in the fields of technology, engineering, and science.

Key benefits:

– Fast processing time: The Global Talent Stream helps reduce waiting times for candidates and employers.

– Opportunity to work in Canada: Working for leading companies in Canada, where the working environment is professional and modern.

– Opportunity to settle permanently: After working for a period of time, many candidates can switch to other settlement programs, such as Express Entry, to have the opportunity to become permanent residents.
WORK PERMITS
A Work Permit is an official document that allows foreign nationals to work in Canada for a specified period. It is essential for individuals who wish to take up employment in Canada, as it provides the legal authorization to work in the country.

Key Benefits:

– Gain Canadian Experience: Working in Canada allows you to gain valuable experience in the Canadian labor market, which can enhance your qualifications for future immigration applications.

– Pathway to Permanent Residency: Many individuals who come to Canada on a Work Permit later transition to permanent residency through programs like Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), which recognize Canadian work experience.

– Network Building: Working in Canada enables you to build a professional network, making it easier to find future employment opportunities or support when applying for permanent residency.

Canada offers a range of immigration options to accommodate diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Whether you’re a skilled worker, entrepreneur, or student, there’s a pathway for you.

By understanding the available pathways, you can take the first steps toward building your future in one of the world’s most welcoming countries.

In a recent announcement that has generated excitement among prospective immigrants, Canada has issued 500 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in the latest draw specifically targeting candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within the Express Entry system. This draw, conducted on Oct 9th, required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 539 for eligibility, marking an increase of 30 points comparing to the previous CEC draw on Sept 19th, with 4,000 ITAs were issued.

Highlights of the Draw

• Number of ITAs Issued: 500
• Minimum CRS Score: 539
• Category: Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Understanding the Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is an immigration program that allows individuals who have worked in Canada for at least one year to immigrate permanently. CEC is a part of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system.

The government of Canada recognises the deep pool of talented workers already working in Canada, and wants them to become permanent residents. These are individuals and families who have set down roots and made plans for the future in Canada.

Canada had a record immigration target of 465,000 for 2023, which it plans to surpass by setting the target of 485,000 permanent residency invites in 2024.

Candidates have a 60-day window to submit their applications, which will usually be processed within the six-month standard.

Processing Times for Immigration Applications from IRCC

In a significant move to enhance transparency and streamline the immigration process, The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated processing times for various immigration applications. This update comes as part of the government’s ongoing commitment to improve efficiency and meet the needs of applicants.

Citizenship Processing Times for Immigration Applications from IRCC (Updated Each Month)

As of October 8th, the Citizenship Grant application takes approximately 6 months, a reduction of 1 month since the last update.

Contrary, the processing time for obtaining a Citizenship Certificate has increased to 4 months, marking a one-month increase since the last update.

Permanent Resident (PR) Card Processing Times (Last Updated Weekly on October 1)

Permanent Resident (PR) card processing times for new PR cards now stands at 26 days, which reflects a one-day increase since the last update on Oct 1^st.

Conversely, the renewal process has improved slightly, reducing the timeframe to 69 days, down by one day since the previous update.

Family Sponsorship Processing Times (Updated on a Monthly Basis)

Family sponsorship processing times have remained unchanged in this latest update.

For applications which are submitted outside Canada, the timeframe for sponsoring a spouse or common-law partner is still 10 months, while sponsorship from within Canada remains at 13 months.

Economic and Temporary Residency Processing Times

Both of the Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Worker Program maintain a processing time of 5 months. Meanwhile, the Quebec Business Class processing time has seen an increase, requiring 49 months to process the applications.

Temporary residency applications reflect variability depending on the applicant’s country of origin. For example, visitor visa processing times from India have risen to 105 days, an increase of 3 days since the last update.

For the other Temporary Residency Categories, such as Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP), the visa processing time have risen to 285 days (increased by 5 days since the last update on September 24).

The release of updated processing times is a positive step toward ensuring that individuals and families seeking to make Canada their home have the information they need to navigate the immigration landscape effectively. For more details and to check specific processing times, applicants are encouraged to visit the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

As Canada continues to welcome newcomers from around the globe, staying informed about these changes will help ensure a smoother transition for all aspiring immigrants.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) held 2 draws, with total  of 1,727 invitations to apply have been released by the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) for the foreign worker stream on October 8th, 2024.

The first draw targeted skilled trades occupations, while the second draw aimed at other priority occupations. In which, applicants needed to meet certain score requirements based on their qualifications and experience to receive an invitation.

Details of these 2 Draws

1. Skilled Trade Occupations: A total of 885 invitations were issued with a cutoff score of 48.

These skilled trade occupations include various roles in construction, engineering, and manufacturing with some key positions include:

• – Drafting technologists and technicians (NOC 22212)
• – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians (NOC 22301)
• – Electricians (NOC 72200)
• – Welders and related machine operators (NOC 72106)

2. Priority Occupations: The second draw has issued 841 invitations, with a cutoff score of 52.

Some highlighted roles of the priority occupations include:

• – Civil engineers (NOC 21300)
• – Financial managers (NOC 10010)
• – Human resources managers (NOC 10011).

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency in the most recent Express Entry draw on Oct 7th, 2024.

The department issued 1,613 ITAs in a draw that only considered Express Entry candidates with a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination.

Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 743 to be considered.

The last draw happened on September 19th, invited 4,000 candidates solely from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) with the minimum required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 509.

Provincial Nominee Program : Express Entry process

The Express Entry Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws are a key part of Canada’s immigration system, helping provinces and territories select skilled workers who can contribute to their local economies.

The Express Entry Program manages applications for the 3 main immigration programs:

• – Federal Skilled Worker Program
• – Federal Skilled Trades Program
• – Canadian Experience Class

Through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), provinces can nominate candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet specific regional labour market needs.

Each province or territory participating in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) has its own criteria and holds regular draws to invite candidates who match their requirements. These draws help them address local labour shortages by selecting skilled workers with relevant experience and qualifications, and some of the popular provinces are Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan,…

To be considered for a PNP draw, candidates must first create an Express Entry profile and indicate their interest in being nominated by a particular province. If selected, they receive a “provincial nomination”, which adds 600 points to their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, essentially guarantee they will receive a permanent residence invitation under Express Entry.

According to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), over 200,000 Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are set to expire in Canada over the next 15 months. As a result, many international graduates are facing an uncertain future as their PGWPs approach expiration. The work experience gained during this period is vital for their immigration prospects, and losing that opportunity could jeopardize their plans to settle in Canada permanently.

On September 18th, 2024, the Immigration Minister Marc Miller has announced measures aimed at managing the number of temporary residents in Canada (reduction from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s population by 2026), upholding the integrity of the immigration system, protecting vulnerable people, mitigating fraud and ensuring program compliance is strictly enforced, which include changes to Open Spousal Work Permit (OSWP) and Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program eligibility as well as Study Permit intake caps for 2025 and 2026.

This move is also a part of a broader strategy which to reduce student visas by 35%, the changes primarily aim to ease pressure on Canada’s strained housing market.

In the year 2023, Canada welcomed over 1 million international students in which the highest number of

international comes from India with 28,230 students.

Last but not least, Spousal work permit eligibility will be further limited as well (beyond the new limits set in January 2024). Later this year, spouses of master’s degree students whose programme is less than 16 months in duration will no longer be eligible for a spousal permit.

In general, these reforms highlight the Canada’s ongoing efforts to manage its international student population and temporary foreign worker streams, with the Low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program now capped at 10% starting September 26, 2024.

Exciting Update: Optional Open Work Permit Now Available for Start-up Visa Applicants

If you’ve already applied for permanent residence through Canada’s Start-up Visa Program, we have great news! The latest update introduces an optional open work permit that enhances your entrepreneurial journey in Canada.

What You Need to Know About this Open Work Permit:

• Duration: The open work permit is valid for up to 3 years, providing you with ample time to focus on developing your business and integrating into the Canadian workforce.
• Entrepreneurial Freedom: This permit allows you to work as an entrepreneur, giving you the flexibility to fully commit to your business ventures while you await your permanent residence decision.
• Employment Opportunities: In addition to your entrepreneurial pursuits, you can also work for almost any employer in Canada. This means you can supplement your income and gain valuable experience in the Canadian job market.

This update is a significant step forward for aspiring entrepreneurs in Canada. It not only supports your business development but also helps the you to gain the financial stability needed during the permanent residence process. The option to work for other employers can be invaluable as the you can build your network and gain insights into the local market.

This is an exciting opportunity to thrive in Canada’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape while you work towards securing your permanent residency. Embrace the possibilities and take your business to new heights!

If you’re eyeing a move to Canada and have been considering the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) under the Express Entry stream, you’re in the right place. The Saskatchewan Express Entry program is a pivotal pathway for skilled professionals seeking to make Saskatchewan their new home.

What is the Saskatchewan Express Entry Program?

The Saskatchewan Express Entry Program is a highly efficient immigration pathway that aligns with Canada’s federal Express Entry system, offering an opportunity for skilled workers to become permanent residents. This program allows Saskatchewan to nominate candidates with the expertise and experience needed to meet the demands of the province’s labor market, contributing to its economic growth and development.

Eligible candidates from the federal Express Entry pool, whose occupations are not included on the SINP Excluded Occupation List, can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). The program is designed to prioritize applicants with the highest potential to integrate successfully into Saskatchewan’s economy and community. Here are some key features of the program:

1. Expedited Process: Being nominated by Saskatchewan can significantly increase a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, enhancing the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
2. High Demand for Skilled Workers: The program specifically targets skilled workers in high-demand occupations, addressing critical labor shortages in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, IT, and trades.
3. Access to Settlement Support: Successful applicants benefit from the province’s support services, including job assistance, language training, and community integration programs, making it easier to settle and thrive in Saskatchewan.
4. No Job Offer Requirement: Unlike some provincial programs, the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream does not require candidates to have a job offer from a local employer, making it more accessible to skilled workers abroad.
5. Comprehensive Ranking Using SINP Points Assessment Grid: Applicants are ranked based on the SINP Points Assessment Grid, which evaluates factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, and connections to the province, ensuring that only the most competitive candidates are invited to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Express Entry Requirement

• To be eligible for the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream, applicants must be registered in the federal Express Entry pool. To submit a profile to the pool, applicants must be eligible for at least one of three federal Economic programs:
• – Federal Skilled Woker: requires candidates to have, at minimum, a high school diploma, as well as at least 1 year of continuous full-time, skilled work experience. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7.
• – Canadian Experience Class: no minimum education requirement. CEC candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of full-time Canadian skilled work experience. This work experience does not have to be continuous, but it must have been obtained within the three years prior to application. Work experience is considered skilled if obtained in a position at NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French consistent with CLB level 7 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level 0 or A and CLB 5 for work experience obtained at NOC Skill Level B.
• – Federal Skilled Trades: no minimum education requirement. FST candidates must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade occupation. Candidates must also have either an offer of employment to work in a skilled trade in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority. Candidates must also demonstrate language proficiency in English or French at CLB Level 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.