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Tag Archives: #BritishColumbia

June 21, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia has permanently integrated the Entrepreneur Regional Pilot Program into its Provincial Nominee Program, now called the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Stream, offering newcomers a new option to start businesses and settle in the province.

Entrepreneur Immigration Programs in British Columbia

Entrepreneur immigration programs in the BC PNP offer international entrepreneurs a pathway to start businesses and settle in B.C., focusing on innovation and economic growth. Initially, accepted applicants receive temporary status, transitioning to permanent residence once their business is established.

EI Regional Stream Overview and Eligibility

The EI Regional Stream targets entrepreneurs aiming to start businesses in small communities to boost regional development. Communities identify priority business types, and candidates must visit and engage with these communities early on.

Application Process for the EI Regional Stream

Entrepreneurs must secure a community referral to register and apply under the EI Regional Stream, ensuring alignment with local business priorities and facilitating their settlement and business initiation in the community.

To be eligible for the program, entrepreneurs must:

– Start a new business that matches the community’s priorities
– Show business or management experience
– Have a personal net worth over $300,000 CAD
– Invest at least $100,000 CAD in the business
– Create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or PR
– Have at least CLB level 4 language proficiency
– Have or be eligible for legal status in Canada
– Be lawfully admitted to their current country of residence

Candidates that meet the criteria and have the needed business experience can contact the community using the profile page information.

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

June 19, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

On June 18, the latest draw for the BC PNP took place and issued over 70 invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency (PR). These invitations were given out in both general and targeted rounds.

The cutoff score for general draws stayed the same as the May 28 draw, except for 39 healthcare occupations. For these, 13 profiles received ITAs, with the cutoff score rising by 2 points from June 2. Additionally, 6 ITAs went to early childhood educators’ assistants (NOC 42202), and 9 applicants in 25 construction-related occupations were invited in BC’s new category-based draw started in late 2023.

See below details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
June 11, 2024 General Skilled Worker 131 39
Skilled Worker – EEBC option 131
International Graduate 131
International Graduate – EEBC option 131
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 110
Childcare 93 6
Construction 93 9
Healthcare 102 12

The BC PNP processing timeframe for post-nomination requests and skills immigration remain 3 months respectively. Processing only commences after BC PNP receives completed application.

Congratulations to everyone that received an invitation!

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

June 12, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, British Columbia invited 66 candidates for permanent residency in general and targeted rounds of invitation.

British Columbia has been consistent in weekly draws, however recently the total number of invitations have reduced.

See below full details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
June 11, 2024 General Skilled Worker 131 39
Skilled Worker – EEBC option 131
International Graduate 131
International Graduate – EEBC option 131
Entry Level and Semi-Skilled 110
Childcare 93 6
Construction 93 9
Healthcare 102 12

The BC PNP processing timeframe for post-nomination requests and skills immigration remain 3 months respectively. Processing only commences after BC PNP receives completed application.

Congratulations to everyone that received an invitation!

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

June 6, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

The first BC PNP Draw of June 2024 was announced on Tuesday, June 4, issuing 68 invitations to apply for permanent residency.

In a recent BC PNP draw for 35 tech jobs, only 33 invitations were sent out under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including Express Entry. The cutoff score was the same as the previous draw on May 22.

Additionally:
8 invitations went to early childhood educators’ assistants or instructors.
14 invitations were given to applicants in 25 construction-related jobs.
13 invitations were issued to those in 39 healthcare-related jobs.

See below details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
June 4, 2024 Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 93 8
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 93 14
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 100 13
Targeting 35 tech occupations 122 33

The BC PNP processing timeframe for post-nomination requests and skills immigration remain 3 months respectively. Processing only commences after BC PNP receives completed application.

Congratulations to everyone that received an invitation!

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

May 29, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the latest draw announced on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, British Columbia invited over 66 candidates in a general and targeted round of invitation.

Only 35 invitations were sent out in a general BC PNP draw under the Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, including their Express Entry options.

The cutoff score stayed the same for all categories but rose by 3 points for the Express Entry and Semi-Skilled streams compared to the May 14 BC PNP draw.

11 invitations went to early childhood educators’ assistants or instructors (NOC 42202).

Another 11 were sent to applicants in 25 construction-related occupations for a new category-based draw introduced in late 2023.

Additionally, 9 invitations were issued to profiles with experience in 39 healthcare-related occupations.

See below latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
May 28, 2024 General Skilled Worker 131 35
Skilled Worker – EEBC option 131
International Graduate 131
International Graduate – EEBC option 131
Express Entry & Semi-Skilled 110
Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 93 11
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 93 11
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 100 9
Veterinary care 8

The BC PNP processing timeframe for post-nomination requests and skills immigration remain 3 months respectively. Processing only commences after BC PNP receives completed application.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

May 28, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia continues to encourage entrepreneurs to establish businesses in various regional communities across the seven B.C. regions. As of May 27, 2024, the Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) has become a permanent pathway for obtaining permanent residency.

The BC PNP’s Entrepreneur Immigration Regional stream is available to immigrants aiming to start a business in any of the province’s interior, coastal, or rural regions below:

  • Cariboo
  • Kootenays
  • Nechako
  • Vancouver Island/Coast
  • Thompson Okanagan
  • North Coast
  • North East

To Qualify As An Entrepreneur:

  • You must intend to establish a new business that aligns with the in-demand list of the referring community.
  • Additionally, you need to show business and/or managerial experience and have a personal net worth of at least CAD $300,000.
  • Beyond the net worth requirement, you must invest at least CAD $100,000 in the business and create one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • You must achieve at least level 4 in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) language proficiency tests.
  • Finally, you must have legally entered Canada or be eligible to obtain legal status in Canada if accepted.

See below full list of participating communities and regions

Cariboo

  1. 100 Mile House
  2. Mackenzie
  3. Quesnel
  4. Williams Lake

Kootenay

  1. Castlegar & Central Kootenay (Areas I & J)
  2. Columbia Valley & East Kootenay
  3. Kimberley
  4. Nelson & Central Kootenay (Areas E & F)
  5. Rossland
  6. Trail

Nechako

  1. Bulkley-Nechako

North Coast

  1. Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (Areas B, C, and E)

Northeast

  1. Fort St. John

Thompson-Okanagan

  1. Clinton
  2. Penticton
  3. Salmon Arm
  4. Vernon

Vancouver Island/Coast

  1. Campbell River
  2. Comox
  3. Mount Waddington
  4. Powell River

Require assistance with applying for this program?  securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

May 27, 2024

Starting June 1, 2024, British Columbia’s minimum wage will rise from $16.75 per hour to $17.40 per hour. With this increase, the province will have the highest minimum hourly wage among Canadian provinces.

This 65-cent increase in British Columbia’s minimum wage represents a 3.9% rise, aligning with the province’s average inflation rate. The minimum wage applies to all workers, regardless of whether they are paid hourly, by salary, commission, or through incentives. If an employee’s salary falls below the minimum wage for the hours worked, the employer is required to cover the shortfall.

Live-in camp leaders, who are paid a daily rate, will see their minimum daily compensation rise from $133.69 to $138.93.

Live-in home support workers will have their daily minimum pay raised from $124.73 to $129.62.

Resident caretakers, who are paid monthly, have their pay based on the number of suites in the building. For those in buildings with 9 to 60 suites, the minimum monthly pay will go up to $1,041.80 plus $41.74 for each suite. For those in buildings with 61 or more suites, the minimum monthly pay will increase to $3,548.63.

In British Columbia, living wages exceed minimum wages. Currently, B.C. has the lowest unemployment rate and the highest minimum hourly wage for workers, but it still doesn’t meet the living wage rates.

See below Living Wage Rates in British Columbia

  • Clayoquot Sound $26.51
  • Columbia Valley $22.63
  • Comox Valley $22.02
  • Cowichan Valley $25.20
  • Daajing Giids $26.25
  • Dawson Creek $20.64
  • Fraser Valley $20.66
  • Golden $25.78
  • Kamloops $20.91
  • Kelowna $24.60
  • Metro Vancouver $25.68
  • Nanaimo $22.87
  • Nelson $21.14
  • Penticton $24.60
  • Powell River $25.06
  • Prince George $22.09
  • Revelstoke $24.60
  • Sunshine Coast $25.61
  • Trail $21.55
  • Victoria $25.40

See Below Minimum Wages in Canada By Province/Territory

Province / Territory Current hourly Minimum Wage  Next Raise Schedule
Canada (only federally regulated private sectors) $17.30 April 1, 2025
British Columbia $16.75 $17.40 per hour, effective June 1, 2024
Ontario $16.55 $17.20 per hour effective October 1, 2024
Newfoundland and Labrador $15.60 April 1, 2025
Prince Edward Island $15.40 April 1, 2025
New Brunswick $15.30 April 1, 2025
Manitoba $15.30 $15.80 per hour, effective October 1, 2024
Quebec $15.25 $15.75 per hour, effective May 1, 2024
Nova Scotia $15.20 October 1, 2024
Alberta $15.00 Yet to be decided
Saskatchewan $14.00 $15 per hour, effective October 1, 2024

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

May 23, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia invites over 72 candidates for permanent residency in targeted rounds of invitations on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

See below details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
May 22, 2024 Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 93 <5
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 93 9
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 100 10
Targeting 35 tech occupations 122 50
Veterinary care 80 3

The processing timeframe for BC PNP Skills Immigration and Post-nomination requests remain three months respectively.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

May 21, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

Canada welcomed 121,620 new permanent residents in the first quarter of 2024.

See Below New PR Admissions in First Quarter of 2024 and Annual Immigration Levels Plan

Year First Quarter
New PRs
Annual
Immigration
Targets
2024 121,620 485,000
2023 145,495 465,000
2022 113,805 431,645
2021 70,495 401,000
2020 69,140 341,000
2019 65,955 330,800
2018 80,005 310,000
2017 72,835 300,000
2016 86,235 300,000
2015 51,125 260,000 to 285,000

Additionally, 135,291 authorizations and visas were issued to permanent residents from January to March. During the same months in 2023, the number was 156,272.

See below first quarter comparison by province:

Year Q1 2024
New PRs
Q1 2023
New PRs
Percentage
Change
Canada 121,620 145,495 -16.41%
Ontario 52,720 60,860 -13.37%
British Columbia 17,745 24,495 -27.56%
Alberta 15,360 17,155 -10.46%
Quebec 13,355 16,065 -16.87%
Manitoba 5,680 8,855 -35.85%
Saskatchewan 5,610 7,395 -24.13%
New Brunswick 3,995 2,940 +35.88%
Nova Scotia 3,995 3,935 +1.52%
Newfoundland and Labrador 1,405 2,045 -31.30%
Prince Edward Island 1,330 1,275 +4.31%
Yukon 295 345 -14.49%
Northwest Territories 115 125 -8%
Nunavut 10 10 unchanged

 

See below the number of new PRs admitted from top 10 source countries:

Country Q1 2024 New PRs
India 37,880
China 8,135
Phillipines 7,990
Afghanistan 5,025
Nigeria 4,690
Cameroon 3,725
Iran 3,570
Pakistan 2,630
United States 2,480
Eritrea 2,360

Indians made up 31% of new permanent resident entrants, followed by individuals from China, the Philippines, Afghanistan, and Nigeria as the top five groups.

A total of 36,635 new permanent residents have been admitted under the Express Entry system, the largest federal economic immigration category. This represents a 6% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023, when 34,555 permanent residents were admitted.

Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com

 

 

 

 

May 16, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

British Columbia sent out over 72 invitations to apply for permanent residency in a general and targeted draw announced on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.

In a general BC PNP draw, 37 invitations have been issued for the BC PNP Skilled Worker and International Graduate streams, which also include their Express Entry options.

9 profiles with experience as early childhood educators’ assistants or instructors, also 9 candidates with experience in any of the 25-construction related occupations, finally 17 profiles in any of the 39- healthcare related occupations were all considered in the targeted BC PNP Draw.

See below full details of latest BC PNP Draw

Date Draw type Stream Minimum
Score
Number of invitations
May 14, 2024 General Skilled Worker 131 37
Skilled Worker – EEBC option 131
International Graduate 131
International Graduate – EEBC option 131
Express Entry & Semi-Skilled 107
Childcare: Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes EEBC option) 90 9
Targeting 25 Construction occupations 93 9
Targeting 39 Healthcare occupations 100 17
Veterinary care 80 <5
Require assistance with securing a visitor visa for Canada, seeking professional aid in submitting a study visa or work permit application, crafting an Expression of Interest, setting up an express entry or provincial nomination profile, preparing your application post receiving an invitation to apply, or simply reviewing your self-prepared application? Schedule a consultation or reach out via email at info@eseumohimmigration.com