News Archives - Page 5 of 20 - Ese Umoh Immigration

April 16, 2024

10 Tips to help you land your first job in Canada

Dear future neighbour,

Is it tough finding a job in Canada? What were the things that helped you get a foot in the door?

See below tips that can help you land your dream job in Canada:

1. Find a way to offer value before requesting for help. This is an important principle with networking, it cannot be a parasitic relationship.

2. Volunteer to gain Canadian work experience and where possible, do a bridging program.

3. If you need to, get further education.

4. Do your research, your experience may work with different job titles than you were used to back home.

5. Tailor each resume and cover letter you send to the specific job and use a Canadian template.

6. Use settlement agencies, mentorship platforms, networking events and request coffee chats with professionals to grow your network. The more people you meet, the higher your chances of landing your dream job, worst case, they won’t respond, but networking will connect you to the hidden job market.

7. Before your interview, learn about the company and its culture.

8. Prepare an elevator pitch and master it by sharing it often to define the value you can bring to a potential employer.

9. If necessary, don’t be afraid to take a transition job.

10. Upskill until you land your dream job.

It is important to note that these tips are not one size fits all, so what works for Mr A might not necessarily work for B but we are pretty sure this could help you achieve your goal if you choose to follow some or even all of these steps.

Has any of the above tips worked for you? Do you have any that you have tried and tested that isn’t on the list? Please share.

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

April 8, 2024

Canadian Permanent residence application fees to increase from April 30, 2024

By EUIC Admin News

Dear future neighbour,

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that there will be an increment to permanent residency application fees with effect from April 30, 2024. The department said this change is being introduced according to Canada’s Immigrant and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).

See below the changes made to PR application fees:

Program	Applicants	Current fees (April 2022– March 2024)	New fees (April 2024–March 2026)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee	Principal applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$515	$575
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Principal applicant	$850	$950
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$850	$950
Federal Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)	Accompanying dependent child	$230	$260
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Principal applicant	$570	$635
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Business (federal and Quebec)	Principal applicant	$1,625	$1,810
Business (federal and Quebec)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$850	$950
Business (federal and Quebec)	Accompanying dependent child	$230	$260
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsorship fee	$75	$85
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsored principal applicant	$490	$545
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Sponsored child (principal applicant under 22 years old and not a spouse/partner)	$75	$85
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
Family reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and other relatives)	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Protected persons	Principal applicant	$570	$635
Protected persons	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
Protected persons	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Principal applicant	$570	$635
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Accompanying spouse or common-law partner	$570	$635
Humanitarian and compassionate consideration / Public policy	Accompanying dependent child	$155	$175
Permit holders	Principal applicant	$335	$375

IRCC notes that, in addition to dependent children and protected persons (including principal applicants and all accompanying family members), the following groups of applicants are exempt from paying the department’s Right of Permanent Residence (RPR) Fee:

Sponsored child (of a principal applicant under the family reunification class) – the child must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse/partner
Principal applicants under the humanitarian and compassionate consideration and public policy classes

This fee is normally paid by all permanent residence applicants (except for dependent children and protected persons). Principal applicants in the “humanitarian and compassionate consideration” and “public policy” categories are only exempt from the RPR fee under certain circumstances.

IRCC also clarifies that “permit holder” class permanent residence applicants are not eligible to include accompanying family members as part of their PR applications. Instead, all individuals eligible for PR through this class must submit their own applications for Canadian PR as a principal applicant.

April 8, 2024

IRCC announces Study Permit Allocation for all Provinces

By EUIC Admin News, Study Visa

Dear future neighbour,

The Immigration Minister, Marc Miller announced the allocation of study permit for all provinces. IRCC made an announcement on the 22nd of January, 2024 that there will be a cap on the the number of international students that will be let into Canada in the year, 2024. To achieve this, all provinces will be given an allocation on the total number of study permits that will be approved, this allocation will be based on the population of the province.

IRCC adjusted allocations for provinces that would receive a lower allocation of study permits to lessen any negative impact.

Provinces that were poised to receive more international students in 2024 than in 2023 had their allocations capped at 10% of their population.

IRCC also topped up the allocations for provinces with an approval rate lower than 60% believing that it will help these provinces reach their expected number of approved study permits.

See below study permit allocation according to province

Province/Territory	PT Allocations (A)	Projected Study Permits Approved (B)	Change from 2023 (%)	Top-Up (C)	Revised PT Allocations with Top-Up (A+C)	Projected Study Permits Approved (same as B)
Alberta	40,894	24,537	+10	N/A	40,894	24,537
British Columbia	83,000	49,800	-18	N/A	83,000	49,800
Manitoba	15,233	9,140	-10	3,420	18,652	9,140
New Brunswick	9,279	5,567	-10	5,372	14,651	5,567
Newfoundland and Labrador	2,365	1,419	+10	788	3,153	1,419
Northwest Territories	333	200	+4900	N/A	333	200
Nova Scotia	12,906	7,744	-10	7,472	20,378	7,744
Nunavut	333	200	+6567	N/A	333	200
Ontario	235,000	141,000	-41	N/A	235,000	141,000
Prince Edward Island	2,004	1,202	-10	308	2.312	1,202
Quebec	72,716	43,629	+10	45,202	117,917	43,629
Saskatchewan	12,043	7,226	+10	3,011	15,054	7,226
Yukon	417	250	+205	N/A	417	250
Total	486,523	291,914	-28	65,572	552,095	291,914

IRCC does not have the authority to cap the number of approved study permits but the department can cap the number of study permit applications that are processed.

However, basing the cap for study permits on a national approval rate of 60%, IRCC says that the estimated cap of study permits issued is derived from the number of study permit applications it will process. In this situation, the department hopes to process 606,000 applications.

Need 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 28, 2024

Can you guess the most expensive and the most affordable cities in Alberta to rent a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre?

By EUIC Admin News

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 26, 2024

New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador commence issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters

By EUIC Admin News, Study Visa

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 25, 2024

Canada announces New PGWP Requirements

By EUIC Admin News

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.

March 22, 2024

Canada announces update on Temporary Foreign Worker Program, LMIA and Temporary Residents

By EUIC Admin News

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.

March 19, 2024

IRCC updates Spousal Open Work Permit Requirements

By EUIC Admin News

Dear future neighbour,

IRCC updated Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP) today, March 19, 2024.

Spouses or common-law partners whose sponsors are enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in a university or polytechnic in Canada are eligible for SOWP.

Spouses of undergraduate students studying any of the professional degrees listed below at a university in Canada are also eligible for a SOWP:

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)

Spouses and partners applying for Spousal Open Work Permit must provide the documents below. A document that shows relationship to the student and proof of their partner’s enrollment in a degree-granting program of study.

a valid Letter of Acceptance (LOA) from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
a proof of enrolment letter from their spouse or partner’s DLI
transcripts from their spouse or partner’s current program

IRCC states that those who applied for a SOWP before March 19 are still eligible if their partner:

Has a valid study permit.
Is eligible for a post-graduation work permit(PGWP).
Is a full-time student at one of these types of schools:
a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
a private college-level school in Quebec
a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

These requirements are the same for current SOWP holders who apply to extend their existing permit.

A Spousal Open Work Permit Holder can work for almost any employer in Canada.

March 7, 2024

IRCC announces New Immigration Pilot for Rural Communities

By EUIC Admin News 1

Dear future neighbour,

Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, on Wednesday March 6, 2024, announced new Canada immigration pilots for rural and francophone minority communities. This Rural Community Immigration Pilot will be fully in effect by fall 2024.

The immigration minister also stated the importance of the RNIP (Rural Northern Immigration Pilot) and its success.

As of the end of January, the minister emphasized that 5,158 newcomers obtained permanent residency through this pathway, with approximately 87% of respondents from surveys indicating that they remained in these communities.

IRCC is working towards adding more communities to be included in this program with the goal to guarantee that programs that alleviate labour shortages and assist local businesses in finding the labour they require will still be available in rural regions.

The programs will offer pathways to permanent residence for new comers who would want to settle down in these rural communities permanently and are also able to meet their urgent labour shortages. The francophone program also aims to ensure the development of francophone minority towns and increase the number of French speaking immigrants settling in these communities outside of Quebec.

The IRCC will commence the community application process this spring for the communities participating in the pilots. Further details will be provided in the months ahead.

March 1, 2024

Canada imposes New Visa requirements for Mexican citizens effective February 29, 2024

By EUIC Admin News, Temporary Visa

Dear future neighbour,

This update is in response to a rise in asylum petitions filed by Mexican citizens that are denied, withdrawn or abandoned. The new changes will apply even if you have already booked your trip to Canada so this is very important.

According to IRCC, having pre-booked travel reservations or a previously valid electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) does not ensure approval for a new eTA or visa.

Mexican citizens can reapply for a new eTA if they fall into any of these categories:

frequently fly to Canada and have had a visitor visa to Canada in the last ten years
or currently possess a valid non-immigrant visa to the United States.

If they do not have any of the above, they require a visa.

Mexican citizens who have valid Canadian work or study permits are unaffected. Their eTA will not be cancelled and they will be able to continue traveling to Canada.

Mexican citizens residing in Canada without a Canadian study or work permit are allowed to stay for the duration of their permitted stay. However, when they leave Canada and intend to return, they must obtain a visa or a new electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), if eligible.

Due to the new entrance regulations, Mexican visitors may experience delays upon arrival at Canadian airports. It’s important for Mexican visitors to be aware of these regulations and plan accordingly for potential delays when traveling to Canada.

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Category Archives: News

10 Tips to help you land your first job in Canada

Dear future neighbour,

Canadian Permanent residence application fees to increase from April 30, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

See below the changes made to PR application fees:

IRCC announces Study Permit Allocation for all Provinces

See below study permit allocation according to province

Can you guess the most expensive and the most affordable cities in Alberta to rent a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre?

Dear future neighbour,

New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador commence issuance of Provincial Attestation Letters

Details on getting a PAL in New Brunswick

Details on getting a PAL in Saskatchewan

Details on getting a PAL in Newfoundland and Labrador

Canada announces New PGWP Requirements

See below eligibility scenarios for PGWPs

See below ineligibility scenarios for PGWPs

Canada announces update on Temporary Foreign Worker Program, LMIA and Temporary Residents

Dear future neighbour,

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

IRCC updates Spousal Open Work Permit Requirements

Dear future neighbour,

IRCC announces New Immigration Pilot for Rural Communities

Dear future neighbour,

Canada imposes New Visa requirements for Mexican citizens effective February 29, 2024

Dear future neighbour,