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Tag Archives: #EUIC

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 27, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the most recent Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) draw on May 23, 2024, 253 invitations for permanent residency were issued across various categories.

Out of the candidates invited in this MPNP draw, 29 had a valid Express Entry profile along with a job seeker validation code.

See below summary of MPNP Draw on May 23

Skilled Worker in Manitoba

Close relative in Manitoba selection

Profiles declaring a Manitoba Supporter, who is a close relative and a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, residing in Manitoba for at least one year, were considered.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 121
  • Ranking score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 782

International Education Stream

Profiles that declared eligibility under the International Education Stream.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 93

Skilled Worker Overseas

Profiles that indicated they were directly invited by the MPNP through a Strategic Recruitment Initiative.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 39
  • Ranking score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 688

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,

Canadian Immigration Minister, Marc Miller introduced a new Canadian citizenship by descent legislation called the Bill C-71 today, May 23, 2024.

This bill aims to extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation while preserving the value of Canadian citizenship. It would immediately give Canadian citizenship to those born abroad to a Canadian parent who was also born abroad before the Act takes effect.

Children born overseas and adopted by Canadian parents beyond the first generation will also be granted citizenship directly.

After the law takes effect, parents born in another country who have or adopt children born outside Canada must have been in Canada for at least 1,095 days before their child is born or adopted to pass on citizenship.

Bill C-71, a law to change the Citizenship Act (2024), would bring back citizenship for “Lost Canadians” who lost it or never got it because of old rules in past citizenship laws. Before the law starts, Bill C-71 would also give citizenship to the children and grandchildren of “lost Canadians,” and to anyone born outside Canada to a Canadian parent in later generations.

More update on this information as it unfolds but definitely exciting news in many quarters.

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
May 16, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

International Students completing their studies in Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Canada are now ineligible to apply for a Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP). This took effect yesterday, May 15, 2024.

On January 22, 2024, IRCC announced that international graduates of college programs offered through a public-private curriculum licensing partnership would no longer be eligible to apply for PGWP starting September 1, 2024. However, speculation suggests that this date was moved up to May 15, 2024, after IRCC found that some colleges had shifted their fall admissions earlier to evade the new rule.

See below PGWP eligibility requirement:

International students who have attended a PGWP-eligible designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). To be eligible, they must have maintained full-time student status throughout their program and possess a study permit that has been valid for the past 180 days.

Students must also meet one of the conditions below to be eligible for PGWP

Type of institution Required length of program Program outcome
Public post-secondary DLI, such asa college,a trade/technical institution, ora university 8 months or longer Your program must lead to one of the following:a degree (associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or doctorate)a diploma or a certificate
Quebec public secondary DLI offers vocational training programs 900 hours or longer Your 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 Your program must lead to one of the following:an attestation of college studies (ACS)a diploma of college studies (DCS)
Quebec provincially subsidized private post-secondary DLIorQuebec provincially subsidized private secondary DLI offering provincially subsidized vocational training programs 900 hours or longer Your 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.
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 12, 2024

Dear future neighbour,

In the most recent MPNP draw held on May 9, 2024, a combined total of 371 invitations were extended across various categories for applying for permanent residency.

See below summary of latest MPNP Draw:

Skilled Worker in Manitoba

Occupation-specific selection

Profiles indicating current employment in Manitoba within occupations identified as having high labor demands according to data published by Statistics Canada were taken into consideration.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 18

This draw considered occupations falling under the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 unit groups:

  • 72024: Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
  • 73301: Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators

All profiles

All Skilled Worker in Manitoba profiles that met the eligibility criteria were taken into account:

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 242
  • Ranking score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 836

International Education Stream

Profiles indicating fulfillment of the eligibility criteria for the International Education Stream were considered.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 76

Skilled Worker Overseas

Profiles stating they were directly invited by the MPNP under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative were considered.

  • Number of Letters of Advice to Apply issued: 35
  • Ranking score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 698

Out of the 371 invitation letters issued, 66 profiles were valid Express Entry profiles with a job seeker validation code.

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 8, 2024

Starting from May 27, 2024, applicants for the Hong Kong permanent residency pathway can extend their status and acquire an open work permit for up to three years while awaiting their decision on permanent residency in Canada.

This new policy was announced by Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, yesterday May 7, 2024.

Hong Kong nationals in Canada seeking permanent residence through the temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents, either under Stream A (in-Canada graduates) or Stream B (Canadian work experience), and who have held a study or work permit within the three years prior to their permanent residence application submission to IRCC, will be eligible for open work permits.

Under this public policy, applicants can restore their temporary status concurrently if it expired within 90 days before applying for a new open work permit.

The new public policy will remain active for five years, enabling candidates to work in Canada while their permanent residency application is being reviewed.

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