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Monthly Archives: March 2024

March 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the city of Calgary, Alberta, you can rent a three bedroom apartment for an average of $2,837 in the city centre. This is according to statistics available on Numbeo.com which are gathered from residents in the city.

Unfortunately, accommodation affordability cannot be the only factor you consider when moving to a new city. We will be reviewing these factors and recommend cities based on statistics to help you make an informed decision.

See below in descending order the list of the cost of renting a similar apartment in the city centre in the province of Alberta:

1. Calgary – $2,837

2. Airdrie – $2,500

3. Edmonton – $2,115

4. Cold lake – $2,000

5. Fort Saskatchewan – $2,000

6. St. Albert – $1,639

7. Medicine Hat – $1,500

8. Grande Prairie – $1,450

9. Lethbridge – $1,125

Did we leave out any? Would you like to ask some questions? Are you interested in studying in Canada? Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Start the journey by sending an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The province of Ontario announced on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 that they will be giving 96% of study permit applications to public funded universities and 4% to private universities, language schools, and other institutions in the province. Career colleges will not receive any applications.

Institutions offering skilled programs such as STEM, Skilled Trades, Health Human Resources, Childcare and Hospitality will be prioritized. French-language enrollment will also be prioritized as employers compete for employees with French-language skills.

This measure is taken by the Ontario government to provide graduate with in-demand jobs and also meet with the demand of the province’s labour market.

See below criteria that will be used to issue applications to the institutions

  • Institution must prioritize programs in the high-demand fields: skilled trades, human resources in health, STEM, hospitality, and child care.
  • an institution cannot exceed the 2023 permission levels.
  • as a last safety measure, the proportion of foreign permits cannot go above 55% of the institution’s first-year domestic enrollment in 2023 (except in high-demand sectors).

IRCC announced putting a cap on study permit applications for international students January of 2024, this cap does not include those enrolled in master’s and doctoral degree programs and those in kindergarten through grade 12.

The allocation of study permits to an individual institution for 2024 and 2025 cannot exceed the number of permits Ontario issued in 2023 and the ratio of international permits cannot exceed 55% (exclusive of high-demand areas) of the institution’s 2023 first-year domestic enrollment.

Applications for 22 out of 23 universities will remain at the 2023 level. Algoma university is the only university to witness a decrease in 2023 applications.

A total of 11 of Ontario’s 24 public colleges will also maintain applications at the 2023 level. Conestoga College and other public-private college partnerships will see a huge decline in application.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 27, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In a targeted round of invitation announced on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, British Columbia invited over 126 candidates for permanent residency under both Express Entry and BC PNP Skills Immigration Stream.

Profiles under the 35 Tech Occupations, early child educators, 39 healthcare-related occupations and 25 construction-related occupations,

See below details of the latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
March 26, 2024 Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 85 28
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 90 21
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 85 30
Targeting 35 tech occupations 114 47
Veterinary care 85

See below full list of Construction Occupations:

  1. 22114 Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists
  2. 72102 Sheet metal workers
  3. 72103 Boilermakers
  4. 72104: Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
  5. 72105 Ironworkers
  6. 72106: Welders and related machine operators
  7. 72200 Electricians (except industrial and power system)
  8. 72201: Industrial electricians
  9. 72300 Plumbers
  10. 72301: Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
  11. 72302 Gas fitters
  12. 72310 Carpenters
  13. 72311 Cabinetmakers
  14. 72320 Bricklayers
  15. 72400: Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
  16. 72401: Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
  17. 72402: Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
  18. 72,500 Crane operators
  19. 73100 Concrete finishers
  20. 73101 Tilesetters
  21. 73102: Plasterers, drywall installers, finishers and lathers
  22. 73110 Roofers and shinglers
  23. 73111 Glaziers
  24. 73112: Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
  25. 73113 Floor covering installers

See below full list of eligible Healthcare-related Occupations

  • 30010 Managers in health care
  • 31100 Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
  • 31101 Specialists in surgery
  • 31102 General practitioners and family physicians
  • 31110 Dentists
  • 31112 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 31120 Pharmacists
  • 31121 Dietitians and nutritionists
  • 31200 Psychologists
  • 31201 Chiropractors
  • 31202 Physiotherapists
  • 31203: Occupational therapists
  • 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 31209 Other professional occupations in health: diagnosing and treating
  • 31300 Nursing coordinators and supervisors
  • 31301 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
  • 31302 Nurse practitioners
  • 31303 Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
  • 32101: Licensed practical nurses
  • 32102 Paramedical occupations
  • 32103 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 32109 Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
  • 32110 Denturists
  • 32111 Dental hygienists and dental therapists
  • 32112: Dental technologists and technicians
  • 32120 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 32121 Medical radiation technologists
  • 32122 Medical sonographers
  • 32123 Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
  • 32124 Pharmacy technicians
  • 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians
  • 32200 Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
  • 33100 Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
  • 33101 Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
  • 33102 Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
  • 33103 Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
  • 41300 Social workers
  • 41301 Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
  • 42201: Social and community service workers

See below full list of eligible Tech Occupations

  1. 10030 Telecommunication carriers managers
  2. 20012 Computer and information systems managers
  3. 21100: Physicists and astronomers
  4. 21210 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries
  5. 21211 Data scientists
  6. 21220 Cybersecurity specialists
  7. 21221 Business systems specialists
  8. 21222 Information systems specialists
  9. 21223 Database analysts and data administrators
  10. 21230 Computer systems developers and programmers
  11. 21231: Software engineers and designers
  12. 21232: Software developers and programmers
  13. 21233 Web designers
  14. 21234 Web developers and programmers
  15. 21300 Civil engineers
  16. 21301 Mechanical engineers
  17. 21310: Electrical and electronics engineers
  18. 21311 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  19. 21320 Chemical engineers
  20. 21399 Other professional engineers
  21. 22110: Biological technologists and technicians
  22. 22220 Computer network and web technicians
  23. 22221: User support technicians
  24. 22222 Information systems testing technicians
  25. 22310 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians
  26. 22312: Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  27. 50011 Managers: publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts
  28. 51111 Authors and writers (except technical)
  29. 51112 Technical writers
  30. 51120 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations
  31. 52119 Other technical and coordinating occupations in motion pictures, broadcasting and the performing arts
  32. 52112 Broadcast technicians
  33. 52113: Audio and video recording technicians
  34. 52120: Graphic designers and illustrators
  35. 53111 Motion pictures, broadcasting, photography and performing arts assistants and operators

 

The processing time frame for BC PNP Skills Immigration and Post-nomination request remains three months respectively. Applications are only processed when completed applications are submitted by applicants and received by BC PNP.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 27, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the second Express Entry Draw announced this week on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, IRCC sent 1,500 invitations to apply for PR in a category-based selection draw for French language proficiency.

Profiles with minimum CRS score of 388 were invited in this round of invitation.

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in 2024

Date Draw Type Number of ITAs Minimum CRS
March 26 French language proficiency 1,500 388
March 25 General 1,980 524
March 13 Transport occupations 975 430
March 12 General 2,850 525
February 29 French language proficiency 2,500 336
February 28 General 1,470 534
February 16 Agriculture and agri-food occupations 150 437
February 14 Healthcare occupations 3,500 422
February 13 General 1,490 535
February 1 French language proficiency 7,000 365
January 31 General 730 541
January 23 General 1,040 543
January 10 General 1,510 546

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

As announced by IRCC on the 22nd of January, 2024, all provinces are required to issue Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) based on the allocation of study permits they receive within the newly implemented cap on study permits for 2024.

All provinces were given until March 31, 2024 to begin issuing the letters to international students. New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador have joined British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec on the list of provinces that have carried out this task.

Details on getting a PAL in New Brunswick

IRCC states that New Brunswick has had a PAL process in place since March 18. International students are required to contact their Designated Learning Institution (DLI) to find out how to apply.

After application, the DLI will then request for PAL from the province which would take a duration of two weeks to get a response.

On receipt of the PAL document, students can now submit their final study permit application alongside the completed PAL document.

Details on getting a PAL in Saskatchewan

According to IRCC, the PAL process for Saskatchewan has been in place since March 13, 2024. International students are advised to contact their DLI to get their PAL.

No additional details on getting a PAL yet from any of the province’s most prominent post-secondary institutions.

Details on getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador

As of March 19, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador’s PAL system has been put in place. International students are advised to contact their DLI to apply for their PAL.

Memorial University in St. John’s has the largest number of international students of any DLI in the province. The institution says it will contact admitted students via email to collect any additional information required for the attestation letter process, this will begin with students who intend to start in the May 2024 semester.

Need professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

 

 

March 26, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the latest Express Entry Draw announced on Monday, March 25, 2024, a total of 1,980 invitations to apply were sent in a general round of invitation.

Profiles with CRS score of 524 and above were considered in this round of invitation.

See below summary of Express Entry Draws in March

Description March 25, 2024 March 13, 2024 March 12, 2024
Draw type General or all program draws Targeted draw for 10 transport occupations General or all program draws
Invitations 1,980 975 2,850
CRS Cutoff 524 430 525
Tie-breaking rule February 25, 2024 July 31, 2023 March 12, 2024

See below Express Entry CRS Score distribution

CRS score range Number of candidates
601-1200 987
501-600 10,573
451-500 60,108
491-500 8,065
481-490 10,499
471-480 17,083
461-470 13,275
451-460 11,186
401-450 50,569
441-450 10,174
431-440 10,410
421-430 9,186
411-420 10,414
401-410 10,385
351-400 55,099
301-350 28,536
0-300 5,348
Total 211,220

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

March 25, 2024
March 25, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

IRCC updated Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility for international students on Friday, March 22, 2024.

Prior to this announcement, the IRCC had earlier announced on January 22, 2024 that international graduates of college programs offered through a public-private curriculum licensing partnership will no longer be eligible for PGWP effective September 1, 2024. However, this recent update from IRCC has moved the date up to May 15, 2024.

What the above information entails is that foreign students enrolled in public-private curriculum licensing partnership programs beginning May 15, 2024, or later will not be qualified for a post-graduation work permit.

According to new IRCC rules, these programs are NOT eligible for PGWP, with two exceptions listed below:

Exception 1: Curriculum licensing agreements made inside the same province

International students might qualify for a PGWP if they were enrolled in a program of study at a private college that was administered on behalf of a public institution in the same province before May 15, 2024.

Students won’t qualify for a PGWP if they start one of these programs on or after May 15, 2024.

Exception 2: Curriculum licensing agreements between province

International students might qualify for a PGWP if, on or before January 31, 2023, they started a program of study at a private college that is offering instruction on behalf of a public college in a different province.

However, students cannot apply for a PGWP if they started one of these programs after February 1, 2023.

See below eligibility scenarios for PGWPs

Type of Institution Required length of Program Program Outcome
Public post-secondary school DLI, such as a college, a trade/technical institution or a university 8 months or longer Student’s program must lead to one of the following:

–       A degree (associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate)

–       A diploma or certificate

Quebec Public Secondary School DLI offering vocational training programs 900 hours or longer Student’s program must lead to one of the following:

–       A Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)

–       An Attestation of Vocational Specialization(AVS)

Quebec collège d’enseignement général et professionnel (CEGEP)

 

900 hours or longer Student’s program must lead to one of the following:

-an attestation of college studies (ACS)

-a diploma of college studies

– a Diploma of College Studies(DCS)

 

Quebec provincially subsidized private post-secondary DLI

 

Or

 

Quebec provincially subsidized private secondary DLI offering provincially subsidized vocational training programs

900 hours or longer Student’s program must lead to one of the following:

–       An Attestation of College Studies (ACS)

–       A Diploma of College Studies(DCS)

 

You must be enrolled in one of the provincially subsidized study programs. This may not include all study programs offered at the DLI.

 

Canadian private designated learning institution authorized by the province to confer degrees.

 

 N/A Your DLI must be authorized by the province to confer degrees including

–       an associate degree

–       a bachelor’s degree

–       a master’s degree or

–       a doctorate

 

You must be enrolled in one of the study programs leading to a degree, as authorized by the province. This may not include all study programs offered by the private DLI.

 

See below ineligibility scenarios for PGWPs

International students cannot obtain a PGWP if any one of the below-listed scenarios applies:

  • possess a research permit that ended more than 180 days prior to your application.
  • previously obtained a PGWP.
  • studied a second language, either French or English.
  • completed courses in self-improvement or general interest.
  • took part in the Global Affairs Canada-funded Government of Canada Awards Program (GAC).
  • have obtained financial support from GAC
  • received the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile
  • took part in the Organization of American States Fellowships
  • participated in the Canada-Chile Scholars’ Exchanges Program
  • completed the majority of the study program through correspondence, e-learning, or online courses.
  • finished a study program at a Canadian non-Canadian institution.
  • You completed a course or study program at a DLI for which you are not eligible for the PGWP.
    • This also includes a curriculum licensing agreement (also known as a P3 or public-private partnership) that runs courses taught on behalf of a DLI that qualify for the PGWP.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

March 22, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the latest PEI PNP Draw announced on Thursday, March 21, 2024, invitations to apply for permanent residency were sent to 83 candidates under the Labour and Express Entry category.

Profiles in the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing sectors were considered in this round of invitations. Also, 2 invitations were sent under the Business Work Permit Entrepreneur category.

See below summary of 2024 PEI PNP Draw 2024

Invitation Date Business Work Permit
Entrepreneur Invitations
Minimum Point Threshold for Business Invitations Labour & Express Entry Invitations Total Invitations Selection Attributes
2/29/2024 24 24 Invitations were issued to individuals working in the healthcare and construction sectors.
2/15/2024 1 105 121 122 Critical Worker, Skilled Worker, and Express Entry invitations were issued to individuals working for a PEI employer with a minimum EOI score of 65.
2/1/2024 78 78 Invitations were issued to individuals working in the healthcare, construction, manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, and early childhood education sectors.
1/18/2024 2 80 134 136 Invitations under the PEI Express Entry, Skilled Worker, and Critical Worker Streams were issued to individuals working for a PEI employer with a minimum point score of 65.

See below the expected PEI PNP draw schedule for 2024:

April 4, 2024
April 18, 2024
May 2, 2024
May 16, 2024
May 30, 2024
June 20, 2024
July 4, 2024
July 18, 2024
August 1, 2024
August 15, 2024
August 29, 2024
Sept 19, 2024
October 3, 2024
October 17, 2024
October 31, 2024
November 21, 2024
December 5, 2024
December 19, 2024

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com

March 22, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In an Express Entry Draw announced on Thursday, March 21, 2024 by Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, 2,281 candidates were invited to apply for provincial nomination.

Express Entry profiles with a primary occupation in one of the below-listed tech occupations created between March 21, 2023 and March 21, 2024 with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranging from 468 to 480 received invitations.

  • NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
  • NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
  • NOC 21220 – Cybersecurity specialists
  • NOC 21221 – Business systems specialists
  • NOC 21222 – Information systems specialists
  • NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
  • NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
  • NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
  • NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
  • NOC 21233 – Web designers
  • NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
  • NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
  • NOC 22220 – Computer network technicians
  • NOC 22221 – User support technicians
  • NOC 22222 – Information systems testing technicians

Candidates have a duration of forty-five days to secure their provincial nominations by submitting a complete application.

These profiles will receive 600 points after receiving an OINP nomination, raising their CRS score to between 1068 and 1,080 which will ensure their inclusion in the future general Express Entry draw.

See below all Ontario Express Entry draws of 2024

14,708 invites for permanent residence have been issued as a result of the 7 OINP Express Entry draws held so far in 2024.

OINP Express
Entry Stream
Invitations CRS Score
Range
Human Capital Priorities stream 8,589 350-480
French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream 984 317-469
Skilled Trades stream 5,135 350-424

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com


March 22, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

On Thursday, March 21, 2024, the Immigration Minister,  Marc Miller and Employment Minister, Randy Boissonnault announced an update on Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) as well as other reforms IRCC plans on implementing.

Canada’s temporary resident population has increased, reaching up to 2.5 million (6.2% of the overall Canadian population in 2023). IRCC aims to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% over the next three years.

See below Temporary Residents according to Province as of September, 2023

Ontario, the largest province, has the most of all the categories, followed by Quebec and British Columbia.

Province Total Temporary Residents Asylum Claimants Work Permit Holders Study Permit Holders Both Work and Study Permit Holders Others (mainly refers to family members living with permit holders)
Ontario 986,863 90,793 419,475 284,739 159,806 32,050
Quebec 470,976 146,723 200,522 63,799 38,858 21,074
British Columbia 400,964 11,384 196,259 138,434 38,848 16,039
Alberta 150,320 5,766 89,575 36,576 11,013 7,390
Manitoba 60,615 1,434 32,608 18,068 6,652 1,853
Nova Scotia 45,794 325 20,712 13,619 9,056 2,082
Saskatchewan 30,704 236 15,512 10,512 2,957 1,487
New Brunswick 27,458 188 13,864 7,476 4,626 1,304
Newfoundland and Labrador 12,911 73 6,063 5,017 1,186 572
Prince Edward Island 9,953 26 5,192 3,702 745 288
Yukon 1,446 0 1,120 217 80 29
Northwest Territories 567 7 490 38 20 12
Nunavut 108 3 87 4 3 11

Canada has set an annual target for all economic immigration programs of 266,210 for 2023, with a goal of exceeding 301,000 by 2025.

In order to put a cap on the number of temporary foreign workers allowed into Canada as the gap between unemployment and job vacancies is gradually closing up. The validity of the LMIA program was extended to 12 months during the pandemic to help ease labour market conditions. However, from May 1, 2024, the validity period for LMIA will return to 6 months. This change will not affect employers part of the Recognised Employer Pilot program.

All the employers identified in the 2022 workforce solution roadmap will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their workforce coming through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program under the low wage stream of TFWP.

The healthcare and construction sectors are exempted from the above-mentioned new TFWP measure until August 31, 2024. Employers in the agriculture sector are also not affected by the new TFWP measures.

Currently, the number of Canadian Permanent Residency spots available through economic immigration is limited compared to the Temporary Residents in Canada. Canadian immigration is now very competitive as it targets people with expertise in occupations with labour shortage,  Francophones and those with 3-4 years of experience with a high level of education.

Need help obtaining a visitor visa to visit Canada, or professional help putting in a study visa application, work permit application, Expression of Interest, creating an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application after receiving an invitation to apply or even just reviewing an application you prepared yourself? Book a consultation or send us an email on info@eseumohimmigration.com