Canada’s New International Education Strategy (2019-2024)

The new International Education Strategy (IES) builds on the attributes that make Canada a powerhouse in international education: strong schools and programs of study in both English and French; peaceful, welcoming and diverse communities; an enviable quality of life; opportunities to work and start careers; and pathways to permanent residency.

The new IES will, in collaboration with the provinces, territories, associations and institutions:

• Encourage Canadian students to gain new skills through study and work abroad opportunities in key global markets, especially Asia;

• Diversify the countries from which international students come to Canada, as well as their fields, levels of study, and location of study within Canada; and

• Increase support for Canadian education sector institutions to help grow their export services and explore new opportunities abroad.

The Minister of International Trade Diversification, James Gordon Carr said in a statement “International education is an essential pillar of Canada’s long-term competitiveness. Canadians who study abroad gain exposure to new cultures and ideas, stimulating innovation and developing important cross-cultural competencies. Students from abroad who study in Canada bring those same benefits to our shores. If they choose to immigrate to Canada, they contribute to Canada’s economic success. Those who choose to return to their countries become life-long ambassadors for Canada and for Canadian values.”

The IES includes a five-year Outbound Student Mobility Pilot program which will help post-secondary students with the costs of study or work abroad. The program also focuses on supporting under-represented students (e.g., Indigenous students, students from less privileged backgrounds, students with disabilities) to develop the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly globalized and changing economy.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also improve its online services and forms to better connect to people who seek to visit, study or work in Canada. It plans to expand the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and make it available to prospective students from more countries. The SDS enables students who submit electronic applications and meet additional up-front requirements to benefit from quicker processing times.

Canada has world- famous universities such as McGill, in Montreal, and the University of Toronto, both of which are popular with international students. To make sure that Canada will remain one of the world’s top destination for learning, the new (IES) aims to strengthen Canadian international education competitive advantage to enable students to take what they learn and use it to help create jobs.

It is hoped that IES will increase awareness of what Canada has to offer international students and will contribute to Canada’s reputation as a respected centre of international education.

Quebec Introduces New Program to Help Newcomers Integrate

Immigration Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette stated that this program is a key piece to reforming Quebec’s immigration system. Adding that, Quebec is investing $20 million each year in its new “personalized support course” program to help newcomers successfully integrate into Quebec society.

The foreign national (FN) must first obtain a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) to immigrate which is issued by the Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI) ministry. The FN has to then apply to the federal government to become permanent residents.
Upon receiving the CSQ the FN has access to various resources and also has a designated immigration officer assigned to them. When the FN (now a newcomer) arrives in Quebec, they are greeted at the airport and invited to meet with a designated integration assistance officer within a week, and an individualized action plan is created for them.
Basically, there are four steps to this newcomer process:

1. Arrival

2. Francization

3. Integration into the job market

4. Community integration
   
   

Officers will monitor the progress of each immigrant and adjust strategies to provide services tailored to each applicant’s needs, said the government. Training will be offered in terms of francization, recognition of prior learning and information on all regions of Quebec.
Read more about the program here

Prince Edward Island issues 143 invitations in its latest draw

Prince Edward Island (PEI) launched its expression of interest in January 2018, and since then has made regular draws every month.

On August 15th, the PEI provincial nominee program (PNP) issued 10 invitations to applicants in the Business Impact stream, and 133 invitations to the Labour Impact Express Entry stream.

The total number of invitations that have been issued in 2019 stands at 1,065.

As the PEI PNP is linked to the federal Express Entry system, it enables the province to nominate applicants for PR through the FSWC, FSTC and CEC.

Quebec Experience Graduate Stream Applications Temporarily Suspended

The Government of Quebec has announced that the intake of applications to the Quebec Experience Program’s Graduates Stream has been suspended until November 1, 2019. In his ministerial instructions on July 10, 2019, Quebec’s Immigration Minister, Simon Jolin-Barrette has highlighted the key elements of the suspension.

However, there are a couple of exceptions under which the applicants can apply:

1.     Graduates who have a valid work permit as of July 10th, 2019, expiring before November 1, 2019, and are currently living in Quebec.

2.     Applicants who had previous applications terminated with the passing of Quebec’s Bill 9 in June 2019, and were either working or studying in Quebec on a temporary resident visa (TRV).

As this has curtailed international students from applying for the PEQ, students have other choices of either the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) and the Canadian Experience Class pathways to attain permanent residence (PR).

Do You have a Question in relation to your options, JM Immigration can assist you, call/text 416-904-3815, or send your query to www.onecanadavisa.com.

World Humanitarian Day - 19 August

"From supporting civilians caught up in crisis to addressing disease outbreaks, women humanitarians are on the front lines."

— UN Secretary-General, António Guterres

Celebrated every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day is directed towards honoring humanitarian efforts worldwide and propagating the idea of supporting people in crisis. On this day, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OPCA) advocates on behalf of the entire humanitarian community.

Read the article here

Happy World Humanitarian Day!

If each of us reaches out in our own little way in helping to improve the welfare and happiness of people, the world will be a better place.

New Brunswick Occupation List for Express Entry Expanded

New Brunswick added 9 occupations to the New Brunswick Express Entry stream’s priority list (Labour Market Stream). This list now has 19 occupations. The applicants who apply and are selected in the Express Entry Stream are eligible to an additional 600 points, and makes them eligible to receive and invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR).

NOC 9461 -Processing and packaging technician

NOC 7237 - Welders and related machine operators

NOC 9536 - Industrial painters

NOC 7231 - Machinist

NOC 7316- Machine fitters

NOC 9526 - Mechanical assemblers

NOC 6552 - Customer service representatives

NOC 6322 - Cooks

NOC 0631 - Restaurant and food service managers

NOC 6311 - Food service supervisors

New Brunswick’s Express Entry Labour Market Stream allows the New Brunswick (NBPNP) to use the federal Express Entry immigration selection system to nominate candidates who meet New Brunswick’s specific labour market needs.

The NBPNP only considers Expressions of Interest to this category from candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) and who have a score of 67 points out of 100 in the FSWC selection factors.

Saskatchewan’s new Expression of Interest System

Saskatchewan’s new Expression of Interest system for Express Entry, Occupations In-Demand sub-categories has more benefits that the previous first-come, first-served model.

The first-come, first-served model that was used for the international skilled worker sub-categories had prevented many qualified candidates from applying as they missed the date for submitting their applications.
The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is for eligible skilled workers who have the required amount of work experience in one of Saskatchewan’s in-demand occupations.
Applicants who are interested need to register a profile with the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). They are provided with a ranking score that is based on their answers to questions relating to work experience, education and English or French language proficiency, and a couple other factors.
Applicants who score 60 points on Saskatchewan’s assessment grating are entered into its pool of candidates for the Express Entry and Occupations In-Demand sub-category. Applicants who are selected are invited to apply for a provincial nomination through the usual draws.

OINP August 15, 2019, Draw Invites 997 Candidates in the HCP Stream

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) opens a draw on August 15, 2019 in the Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCP) and issues Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to 997 Express Entry candidates. The CRS score was between 439 and 464.

The OINP targeted candidates with work experience in the following priority occupations:

• 0114 Other administrative services managers

• 0601 Corporate sales managers

• 1122 Professional occupations in business management consulting

• 0124 Advertising, marketing and public relations managers

• 0621 Retail and wholesale trade managers

• 1111 Financial auditors and accountants

• 3012 Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

• 0111 Financial managers

• 1114 Other financial officers

• 0651 Managers in customer and personal services, n.e.c

Canada’s new biometrics rules: Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Fingerprints and a photograph are now required for identification purposes and have become mandatory for people from Middle East, Africa and Europe when applying either for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, permanent residence or for asylum.

However, people coming form visa-exempt countries with a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA) do not have to provide biometrics.

Biometric cost CAD $85 for one person or CAD$170 for a family when applying together.

Visitor visa, study and work permit applicants need to give their biometrics once every 10 years. They don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.

Permanent residence applicants need to give their biometrics and pay the fee each time they apply, even if they gave their biometrics in the past for another application.

IRCC launches Agri-Food Immigration Pilot

IRCC is launching a new 3-year economic immigration pilot that will fill labour shortages mainly in meat processing and mushroom production, within the agri-food sector.

The agriculture and agri-food industry are an important contributor to Canada’s economic growth and supports 1 in 8 jobs in Canada.
Meat processing and mushroom production industries have experienced constant difficulty in finding and keeping new employees over the past several years.
This new pilot aims to attract and retain workers by providing them with an opportunity to become permanent residents.
Temporary foreign workers with more than 12 months of Canadian work experience in some occupations be able to apply under this pilot program as of 2020.
The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot complements the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, the Provincial Nominee Program and the recently launched Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

Independence Day - India

Wishing all Indians a Happy Independence Day 2019! – May you always have the freedom to choose, freedom to dream and freedom to live.

Canadian Citizenship Test

The Canadian citizenship test is a written test, you may request for an interview. You will be tested on two basic conditions for citizenship: 1) knowledge of Canada and of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and 2) adequate knowledge of English or French, the economy and Canada today.

If you are taking the citizenship test, click here to see how you would score

Pakistan Independence Day

Wishing all Pakistanis a Happy Independence Day. On this special day I wish you peace and happiness.

Eid Mubarak

On the Holy occasion of Eid al-Adha, may you be filled with happiness and may every step of your journey through life be blessed by Allah. Eid Mubarak!

New Brunswick - 10-year strategy to fix nurse shortage in province

New Brunswick has a bold new vision to add 130 nurses a year over the next 10 years to resolve the nursing shortage currently facing the province.

The province has 8,000 nurses; however, the acute shortage has led to the closure of hospitals in Bathurst, Perth-Andover, Saint John and Dr. Georges L-Dumount University Hospital centre.

The main focus is to give better education incentives for students to make it affordable in the province and on attracting internationally trained nurses.

The province is looking into having a bridging program for students to enable licensed practical nurses to obtain a nursing degree and thus help them become a registered nursed in 2 years.

The province is also planning to identify countries which have similar nursing programs and grant them accreditation. The province is looking at all options to streamline the accreditation process.

Also, being considered is giving nurses bonuses to work in rural areas for areas for a few years.

Alberta: Candidates with CRS score of 303 invited to apply through PNP program

Alberta is a landlocked province bordered by the Northwest Territories to the north, Saskatchewan to the east, the US state of Montana to the south and British Columbia across the western border of the Rocky Mountains.

Alberta has had two quick PNP draws; one on July 17th, and issued 251 NOIs to candidates with a CRS score of 400, and another on July 24th, and issued NOI to 220 candidates who had a CRS score of 303.

The AINP has had 26 draws since it first started issuing NOIs in 2018 and has issued 5,063 notification of interest to date.

You may receive a NOI if you intend to live in Alberta permanently, are working in a job that is geared towards the provinces economic development or have a job offer. Also, having graduated from Canadian post-secondary institution as well as having family relatives increases your chances of being accepted.

Canada: Temporary resident permits to out-of-status victims of family violence now being issued

Foreign nationals (FN) who are out of status and are experiencing family violence can now apply for a fee-exempt temporary resident permit (TRP) that will enable them to live legally in Canada.

This measure also covers access to an initial fee-exempt work permit and Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage for these individuals if the conditions deem necessary. Also, these cases will be assessed quickly and the officers will consider the following criterion for TRP eligibility:

• physically located in Canada and experiencing abuse, including physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse or neglect, from their spouse or common-law partner while in Canada

• seeking permanent residence that is contingent on remaining in a genuine relationship in which there is abuse and if the relationship with the abusive spouse or common-law partner is critical for the continuation of the individual’s status in Canada

Examples of individuals who may be eligible include foreign nationals who:

• are applicants of the family class or spouse or common-law partner in Canada class (SCLPC class) who have either already left their sponsor, due to abuse, or not yet left their sponsor, due to fear of losing their immigration status

• cannot be assessed for permanent residence because their sponsor (abusive spouse or common law partner) has withdrawn their family class or SCLPC class sponsorship application

• have been misled and made to believe by an abusive spouse or common-law partner that their family class or SCLPC class permanent residence application has been submitted and is in process when, in fact, no application has been submitted

• are temporary residents intending to apply for permanent residence through a genuine relationship that has become abusive, but who may not yet have an application in process

Cases outside the Family Class will be given due consideration; however, IRCC stated that the bulk of the cases are expected to come from within the Family Class.

Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) Tech Draw: August 1, 2019

The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) invited 1,773 Express Entry candidates on August 1, 2019, who have tech experience, the CRS score was 435.

The candidates invited were in Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream, and had experience in one of the six tech occupations listed below:

• Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)

• Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)

• Computer engineers (NOC 2147)

• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)

• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)

• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

This was OINPs second Tech Draw in less than a month, the first was on July 12, 2019, and 623 invitations were issued.

The Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP) regularly searches Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) Express Entry pool to find candidates who may meet the criteria of one of Ontario’s Express Entry immigration streams.

You must have a valid profile in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) Express Entry system and receive a Notification of Interest from Ontario before you can apply online to be nominated by the Ontario government for permanent residence.

If you are identified in the pool, you will receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) in your IRCC online account.

After you receive an NOI, you may submit an online application to the OINP if you qualify under one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams. You must submit your application within 45 calendar days of receiving your NOI.

Your application will be processed and a decision to grant or refuse your application will be made in accordance with the Ontario Immigration Act, 2015 and its regulations.

Student Direct Stream – Pakistan

Students from Pakistan now have the options of applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and can obtain their study permit in approximately 20 days.

The SDS was introduced in 2018 and students from India, Philippines, Vietnam and China currently have this option.

Ahmed Hussen, Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship said “By expanding the Student Direct Stream to a more diverse range of prospective students, we’re enhancing the tremendous cultural, social and economic benefits that international students provide.”

Usually the processing time for study permits applications is eight weeks for students from Pakistan. The SDS route will reduce the processing time to within 20 days.

The only difference by using the SDS route students will have to provide their language (English/French) results, and provide proof that they have paid the tuition fees for the first year.

Global Talent Stream Occupations List Updated

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) updated the occupations in the Global Talent Steam (GTS) to emphasize the needs of the labour market.

Position added: Computer network technicians (NOC 2281)

Positions removed: Managers (Engineering, NOC 0211)

Managers (Science and Architecture, NOC 0212)

Employers in high growth industries or those who need to hire IT professionals can apply for work permits under the GTS. Applications (LMIAs) are processed within two weeks. This program was introduced to assist companies bring foreign workers to Canada as soon as possible to meet the needs of their business.

Global Talent Stream Occupation List: ​

• Computer and information systems managers (NOC 0213)

• Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) (NOC 2147)

• Mathematicians and statisticians (*see NOC 2161)

• Information systems analysts and consultants (NOC 2171)

• Database analysts and data administrators (NOC 2172)

• Software engineers and designers (NOC 2173)

• Computer programmers and interactive media developers (NOC 2174)

• Web designers and developers (NOC 2175)

• Computer Network technicians (NOC 2281)

• Information systems testing technicians (2283)

• Producer, technical, creative and artistic director and project manager – Visual effects and video game (*see NOC 5131 and specific rules apply)

• Digital Media and Design (*see of NOC 5241 and specific rules apply)

Applications of occupation that have been removed from the list will be accepted until August 4, 2019.

​Contact JM Immigration to help you meet the timelines for submitting your applications.