Admin, Author at AIRCS

March 18, 2024

Building A Resume for Job Hunting in Canada

Are you a newcomer to Canada, looking to start your job hunt on a strong note?

As you navigate the exciting path of job hunting, one of the important tools you will need is a well-crafted resume. In this article, we’ll explore the key elements of building a strong resume tailored to the Canadian job market.

Understanding the Types of Resumes

Before diving into the details, let’s go through the different types of resumes commonly used in Canada. The two primary formats are:

Chronological Resume: This format highlights your work history, listing your most recent job first and going backward. It’s ideal for those with a strong and continuous work history.
Functional Resume: This format emphasizes your skills and qualifications rather than your work history. It’s suitable for those with employment gaps or a diverse skill set.

Useful Tips to Build a Strong Resume

1. Style and Personal Details

Ensure your resume is well-organized and visually appealing for prospective Canadian employers. To do this, be sure to use a clean and professional font, and include essential personal details, front and centre including your name, contact information, and LinkedIn^®profile (if applicable).

2. Adapt Your Resume for Each Role

In Canada, one resume does not fit all job applications. Canadian employers give preference to resumes that are tailored to align with specific requirements of the job posting. To do this, take care to highlight the skills, experiences, and accomplishments you have that directly relate to the position to which you are applying

3. Mind the Length

Keep your resume concise and focused. Ideally, limit it to one or two pages. Highlight the most relevant and timely information that highlights your qualifications for the position advertised.

4. Include Volunteer Work

Highlighting your volunteer experiences can demonstrate valuable skills and a commitment to your community. This is particularly beneficial for newcomers with limited Canadian work experience.

5. Use Social Media

Canadian employers widely use LinkedIn to assess candidates. Ensure your profile is complete, professional, and aligned with your resume. Consider including a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume.

6. Format Carefully

Pay attention to the overall formatting of your resume. Be sure to use some bullet points (but not too many) for easy readability and to maintain a consistent format throughout. Be mindful of the use of fonts, spacing, and section headings.

7. Use Keywords

It’s also recommended to identify keywords and phrases used by the employer in the job posting and incorporate them into your resume. This will enhance your chances of passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by many companies – and making it to the next stage of the hiring process.

8. Proofread Your Resume

Before submitting your resume, be sure to carefully proofread it for spelling and grammatical errors. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well, as a fresh pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might have missed.

March 14, 2024

Eight ways to show proof of financial sufficiency as an international student in Canada

By Admin Student Visa

As an international student pursuing post-secondary education in Canada, there are multiple ways Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) allows you to prove you have enough money to come to Canada.

As part of the Canadian study permit process, applicants must prove they have enough money to support themselves, as well as any family members who come to Canada with them.

Note: As of January 1 this year, the cost-of-living requirement has increased for students in all provinces and territories other than Quebec (see more below).

Providing IRCC with proof of financial support/sufficiency

According to IRCC, the department’s cost-of-living requirement is expressed in “base amounts” that include “all requirements related to transportation and other expenses, including the cost of books, equipment, and supplies.” These amounts prove that Canadian study permit applicants have sufficient funds to cover the following costs:

The first year of tuition fees, as indicated on the Letter of Acceptance(LOA) issued by their Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
Travel expenses to get to and from Canada
The minimum cost of living in Canada for one year

IRCC lists the following eight ways for study permit applicants to prove they can meet the cost-of-living financial requirement:

Proof of a Canadian bank account in the applicant’s name, if they have transferred money to Canada
A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
Proof of a student or education loan from a bank
The applicant’s bank statements for the past four months
A bank draft that can be converted to Canadian dollars
Proof that the applicant has already paid tuition and housing fees
A letter from the person or school giving the applicant money for their living expenses and education
Proof of funding paid from within Canada, if the applicant has a scholarship or is enrolled in a Canadian-funded educational program

Note: IRCC clarifies that, in cases where an applicant’s home country uses foreign exchange controls, the applicant must prove that they will be allowed to export funds for all expenses.

IRCC’s new cost-of-living financial requirement

Since the start of this year*, IRCC has increased the cost-of-living financial requirement – the amount of money study permit applicants outside of Quebec must prove they possess – to $20,635 for 2024.

It should be noted that this new amount is in addition to tuition fees for the first year and travel costs and that IRCC has already indicated that its cost-of-living requirement will be adjusted annually based on Statistics Canada’s newest low-income cut-off (LICO) release.

*This new cost-of-living financial requirement does not apply to any study permit applications submitted to IRCC on or before December 31, 2023.

Note: All funds presented below are expressed in Canadian dollars.

All provinces/territories except Quebec

On and before December 31, 2023: The following are the minimum funds (not including tuition) required per year by study permit applicants to prove they can support themselves as a student as well as any family members who accompanied them to Canada.

The applicant/student: $10,000

The applicant’s first accompanying family member: $4,000

Every additional accompanying family member: $3,000

As of January 1, 2024: The following are the minimum funds (not including tuition) required per year by a study permit applicant to prove they can support themselves and any accompanying family members in Canada.

It is worth noting again that the information below will likely change in 2025 and every year beyond that because IRCC has indicated that this requirement will be adjusted based on Statistics Canada’s annual low-income cut-off (LICO) release.

Study permit applicants (by themselves): $20,635

Number of family members (including the applicant):

Two people:$25,690
Three people:$31,583
Four people:$38,346
Five people:$43,492
Six people:$49,051
Seven people:$54,611
Each additional family member (if more than seven people):$5,559
Quebec
Quebec-bound international students must prove they meet a different set of financial requirements than students in the rest of Canada. The requirements for these students are set out by Quebec’s ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI).

March 12, 2024

IRCC invites 975 Express Entry candidates in first transport occupation draw of 2024

By Admin Immigration

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued invitations to candidates in the second Express Entry draw this week.

The department issued 975 invitations to apply (ITAs) in a category-based draw for transport occupations.

Candidates required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 430.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

IRCC also issued ITAs on March 12. It was a general draw inviting 2,850 candidates. A general draw considers candidates from all three Express Entry managed programs and uses the CRS as the main eligibility criteria.

Candidates required a minimum CRS of 525, a decrease of nine CRS points from the previous general draw on February 28 and the lowest minimum CRS for a general draw so far this year.

There were six draws throughout February inviting 16,110 candidates. The month opened and closed with category-based selection draws for individuals with strong French language proficiency. The first was on February 1 and invited 7,000 candidates with a minimum CRS score of 365. The other took place on February 29 and invited 2,500 candidates with a minimum score of 336, the lowest CRS score in any draw so far this year.

The remaining four draws saw two additional category-based draws. One took place on February 14 and invited 3,500 candidates in healthcare occupations with a minimum CRS of 422. The other was on February 16 and invited 150 candidates in agriculture and agri-food occupations. They required a minimum score of 437.

Finally, IRCC held two general Express Entry draws in February. On February 13, the department invited 1,490 candidates with a minimum score of 535 and 1,470 candidates on February 28. These candidates had a minimum CRS score of 534.

Date	Draw Type	Number of ITAs	Minimum CRS
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

What is category-based selection?

Unlike a general draw, in which candidates are considered from all Express Entry managed programs based solely on their CRS score, category-based selection draws target Express Entry candidates who have specific in-demand attributes.

This type of draw was introduced in May 2023 to help with labour shortages within critical sectors of Canada’s workforce. There are six categories through which eligible Express Entry candidates may receive an ITA:

Healthcare occupations
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
Trades occupations, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
Transport occupations
Agriculture and agri-food occupations
Strong French proficiency

These draws may act as an advantage for candidates who are already in the Express Entry application pool. So far this year, the average CRS score in category-based draws has been lower than it is for general draws.

For example, of the four category-based selection draws, the highest minimum CRS score was 437, and the lowest was 336.

In contrast, no general draw so far in 2024 has had a minimum CRS lower than 534.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an application management system for three of Canada’s most prominent economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Candidates who self-evaluate that they are eligible for one of these programs can then upload a profile to the IRCC website and receive their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS assigns scores for human capital attributes such as work experience, education, occupation, language ability and age.

Candidates in the Express Entry application pool are ranked against each other according to CRS scores. Those with the highest scores are the most likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent resident status.

Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have 60 days to submit their final application to IRCC.

March 9, 2024

Three provinces issue provincial nominations this week

By Admin Immigration

This week three provinces—British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan—issued invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR) under their respective immigration streams.

Candidates were invited under a combination of demographic and labour market streams, with differing criteria for each. In addition, different Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) utilise varying scoring systems, which result in great variance between cut-off scores for candidates from different provinces.

PNP Results March 2nd – March 8th

Ontario

On March 7th the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 2,104 invitations to healthcare professionals under the Human Capital Priorities stream. Candidates needed a CRS score between 352 and 421 to be invited.

To be invited, candidates needed professional experience under any of the following healthcare professions.

The Human Capital Priorities stream is an Express Entry aligned (or enhanced PNP) stream meaning that candidates within the Express Entry pool may be invited through this pathway. To be eligible candidates must have:

a valid Express Entry profile;
at least one year of full-time work experience;
a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD degree; and
Language proficiency of at least Canadian Language Benchmark(CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) level 7 (for English or French respectively).

British Columbia (B.C.)

On March 5th B.C. held both targeted and general draws under the BCPNP, resulting in at least 156 total ITAs.

The province held general draws under five of its different streams, resulting in 54 ITAs. Candidates in the Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker-Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option, International Graduate, and International Graduate EEBC option needed a minimum score of 126 to receive invitations. Meanwhile candidates under the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled stream needed a score of 99.

The province also held targeted draws under the Skilled Worker International Graduate (includes EEBC option) stream. These draws targeted candidates with experience in professions that are in-demand within B.C.’s labour market. These were:

Childcare—inviting 32 candidates with a minimum score of 70;
Construction—inviting 30 candidates with a minimum score of 80;
Healthcare—inviting 39 candidates with a minimum score of 70; and
Veterinary care—inviting less than 5 candidates with a minimum score of 70.

Saskatchewan

On March 7th the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) held draws under two of its streams. This was the first SINP draw in more than two months, since December 27th, 2023.

Under the Occupations In-Demand stream, 14 candidates with professional experience in targeted occupations, and a minimum score of 89, were invited.

Under the Express Entry stream, 21 candidates with a minimum score of 89 were invited.

Both streams required candidates to have an education credential assessment (ECA) or be educated in Canada. Under both, candidates needed professional experience in the following professions (given as National Occupation Codes (NOC)).

February 27, 2024

Can I travel outside Canada after submitting my citizenship application? 

By Admin Canada Life

All Canadian permanent residents (PRs) may leave the country, and return, after mailing their citizenship application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

However, IRCC clarifies that there are certain steps PRs must take to ensure they remain eligible for citizenship while outside Canada.

Specifically, to ensure that they remain eligible for Canadian citizenship, IRCC indicates that PRs must:.

Be a Canadian PR at the time they apply for citizenship

Only Canadian PRs can apply for citizenship. In other words, temporary residents of Canada, including foreign workers and international students, are not eligible to become Canadian citizens.

Continue to meet the residency requirement to maintain PR status

As part of being a Canadian PR, foreign nationals must reside in Canada for a minimum of 730 days over the past five years to maintain their status.

This is what IRCC refers to as the residency requirement for Canadian PRs. Note that the 730 days needed to meet this requirement do not need to be continuous and some time spent outside of Canada may count towards this total.

Maintain PR status until they take the Oath of Citizenship

Further to the residency requirement described above, to remain eligible for Canadian citizenship, Canadian PRs must “not lose PR status before [taking] the Oath of Citizenship.”

Click here to learn about your obligations as a Canadian permanent resident, including additional information about what PRs can and cannot do while residing in Canada.

Travel outside of Canada with their PR card for simple re-entry

Travelling outside of Canada with your PR card will make it much easier to re-enter the country. This is because IRCC requires that Canadian PRs have a valid PR card when returning to Canada by plane, train, bus or boat.

Therefore, Canada’s immigration department advises all PRs to renew their card before leaving Canada if they know it will expire during their travels.

IRCC notes that PR cards can only be renewed in Canada and that the department will not “send PR cards to non-Canadian addresses [or] allow third parties to retrieve them” for an applicant.

Travellers without a valid PR card must apply for and obtain a Permanent Resident Travel Document (PRTD) to re-enter Canada. Unlike PR cards, IRCC only allows PRTDs to be applied for from outside of Canada.

IRCC also indicates that Canadian PRs who attempt to return without either of these documents may be denied entry onto their flight, train, bus or boat travelling to Canada.

Important notes from IRCC regarding the citizenship process for Canadian PRs

IRCC notes that there are certain things Canadian PRs should keep in mind about how the department handles communication with applicants and organizing appointments/events.

For instance, IRCC notes that they “usually only [mail] letters, notices and other documents to addresses in Canada.”

IRCC may also email Canadian immigration applicants. The department emphasizes that recipients of any IRCC “letters or emails [must reply to these communications] within a specified amount of time.”

Failure to do so without providing “an acceptable reason for not being able to keep your appointment [with us] or providing requested information” may result in IRCC deciding to “stop processing [an individual’s] application.”

IRCC also notes that immigration applicants must attend their appointments and events – including their citizenship test, ceremony, interview or hearing – at IRCC offices across Canada.

Applicants who are unable to attend such appointments or events are required to “either email or write to the local office that sent [them] the event notice” and IRCC indicates that applicants can contact the immigration department using this online web form.

February 24, 2024

Canada opens new PR pathway for families impacted by the conflict in Sudan

By Admin Immigration

Today Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new immigration pathway for families impacted by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The department confirmed that starting February 27th, 2024, it would accept up to 3,250 applications from single applicants or families. This is a new family sponsorship pathway that will grant successful applicants permanent residence (PR). IRCC has confirmed it will waive the right of permanent residence fee and provide free settlement services to individuals who successfully receive PR through this pathway.

Who can apply under this new pathway?

To be eligible for this pathway applicants must:

Have been living in Sudan on April 15th, 2023;
Not have another country to return to other than Sudan or Canada;
Be the child (of any age), grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of an eligible anchor*
Provide a statutory declaration from their anchor stating that:
They plan to support you and any family members accompanying you for one year; and
They have not and will not accept any money from you or your family members.
Plan to live in a province or territory other than Quebec; and
Not be admissible for reasons other than financial ones.
In addition to the above criteria, individuals may apply if:
Their spouse or common-law partner is missing, presumed dead, deceased, or can’t leave Sudan;
Their spouse or common-law partner is the child (of any age), grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of an eligible anchor willing to support you; and
They meet all other eligibility criteria.

*An anchor is an extended family member who agrees to support you and/or your family during the first year in Canada. They will provide financial assistance, and help you get your basic needs, including housing, food, clothing and other necessities.

Who can be an anchor?

An anchor must:

Be 18 years or older;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Live in Canada (but not in the province of Quebec);
Prove they have enough income/funds to meet the financial requirement.
An anchor cannot be:
In the process or applying to renounce their Canadian citizenship or PR status;
In jail or prison;
Subject to a removal order in Canada;
In default of making a payment on an immigration loan, performance bond or any other amount they are legally bound to pay to the Government of Canada (including deferring payments);
In default of a sponsorship undertaking, support payments or repaying any debt owed to the Government of Canada;
Bankrupt;
Receiving social assistance for any reason other than a disability; and/or
Convicted of a criminal offence listed in the public policy.

How can eligible people apply for this pathway?

Individuals must apply through the PR portal. All necessary documents and forms must be submitted here, including necessary declarations and forms from the anchor.

If an application is found incomplete, it will be returned. In these cases, applicants will have the option to re-apply if the pathway is still open. More information on how to apply can be found here.

Sudanese in Canada

According to data from Census 2021, 17,485 people in Canada claimed Sudan as their country of ethnic or cultural origin. 4,690 of these individuals are recent immigrants to Canada who report Sudan as their country of birth.

February 24, 2024

Who received ITAs in the recent general Express Entry draw?

By Admin Immigration

Last week, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 1,490 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in an all-program/general Express Entry draw.

This draw, which took place on February 13, issued ITAs to eligible candidates from all three Express Entry-managed programs* who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 535.

Express Entry is the application management system used by Canada’s federal government to manage immigration applications for three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

While IRCC issued over 1,400 ITAs in its latest general draw, the variance in the cut-off CRS score used for each draw means that many candidates who did not receive an ITA from this draw are left wondering what would have made their profiles strong enough to receive an ITA from IRCC.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

Using fictional examples, the following will illustrate how candidates with different Express Entry profiles would have made themselves eligible to receive an ITA during IRCC’s draw on February 13, 2024.

Eligibility for general Express Entry draws

Before assessing the hypothetical Express Entry profiles below, it is worth noting that all Express Entry candidates must self-verify their eligibility for any of the three programs managed under Express Entry.

These dedicated webpages can help you understand more about the eligibility requirements for each Express Entry-managed program:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Only after verifying their eligibility for one of these programs will candidates be able to create an Express Entry profile and potentially receive an ITA for PR in Canada.

Example profiles of successful ITA recipients

The following showcases Express Entry profiles for three fictional FSWP candidates to illustrate profiles that would have been strong enough to receive an ITA during IRCC’s latest all-program draw.

Elena from Poland

This is what Elena’s Express Entry profile looked like when she entered the candidate pool at 28 years old.

Age:28
Highest Level of Completed Education:Post-secondary credential of three or more years
2nd Post-Secondary Credential:Yes
Study in Canada:No
English Proficiency:Eight for all abilities
French Proficiency:Four for all abilities
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Outside Canada within the last 10 years:Two years
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Inside Canada within the last 10 years:One year
Years Worked In Canada During the Last Three Years:One to Three years
Marriage/Common-Law Partnership:No
Sibling in Canada (Citizen or Permanent Resident, living in Canada, 18+ years old):Yes
Trades Certificate of Qualification:No
Provincial Nomination:No
Skilled Job Offer from Canadian Employer:Yes
Job Offer for Senior Managerial Position:Yes
Full-Time Job Offer for Minimum One Year:Yes
Job Offer Supported by Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):Yes

Result: With this profile, Elena’s CRS score was 661. Therefore, Elena’s Express Entry profile was strong enough to earn her an ITA in IRCC’s most recent all-program/general draw.

Joel from the United States of America

Joel entered the Express Entry candidate pool with this profile:

Age:32
Highest Level of Completed Education:Secondary School credential
2nd Post-Secondary Credential:No
Study in Canada:No
English Proficiency:10 for all abilities
French Proficiency:Less than three for all abilities
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Outside Canada within the last 10 years:Six or more years
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Inside Canada within the last 10 years:None
Marriage/Common-Law Partnership:Yes
Spouse’s Highest Level of Completed Education:Post-secondary credential of three or more years
Spouse’s Study in Canada:No
Spouse’s Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Inside Canada within the last 10 years:None
Spouse’s English Proficiency:10 for all abilities
Spouse’s French Proficiency:Less than three for all abilities
Sibling in Canada (Citizen or Permanent Resident, living in Canada, 18+ years old):No
“Close Family Member” in Canada (Citizen or Permanent Resident, living in Canada, 18+ years old):No
Trades Certificate of Qualification:No
Provincial Nomination:Yes
Skilled Job Offer from Canadian Employer:No

Result: This profile helped Joel earn an ITA from IRCC on February 13 with a CRS score of 919.

Nadine from South Africa

Nadine entered the Express Entry candidate pool when she was 24 years old. The rest of her profile looked like this:

Age:24
Highest Level of Completed Education:Post-secondary credential of three or more years
2nd Post-Secondary Credential:No
Study in Canada:No
English Proficiency:10 for all abilities
French Proficiency:Seven for all abilities
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Outside Canada within the last 10 years:Two years
Full-Time Skilled Work Experience Inside Canada within the last 10 years:None
Marriage/Common-Law Partnership:No
Sibling in Canada (Citizen or Permanent Resident, living in Canada, 18+ years old): Yes
Trades Certificate of Qualification:No
Provincial Nomination:No
Skilled Job Offer from Canadian Employer:Yes
Job Offer for Senior Managerial Position:No
Full-Time Job Offer for Minimum One Year:Yes
Job Offer Supported by LMIA:Yes

Result: With the above profile, Nadine earned a CRS score of 543 and was issued an ITA from IRCC during their latest all-program draw.

February 20, 2024

British Columbia, Alberta and PEI issue provincial nominations this week Provinces

By Admin Immigration

British Columbia, Alberta and Prince Edward Island issued invitations to apply (ITAs) for candidates in several in-demand occupations, through their respective Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) and the Alberta PNP—formally the Alberta Advantage Immigrant Program (AAIP) are two of the biggest PNPs in Canada. These programs offer immigration streams for experienced entrepreneurs, workers with in-demand skills, international graduates and other newcomers based both in and out of their provinces.

Provincial immigration results February 10th—16th

Note: Provinces and territories implement different scoring systems for their PNPs independent of each other. This results in different scoring grades and criteria, which should not be compared.

1.British Columbia:

This week the BCPNP issued invitations through its Skilled Worker, International Graduate (includes Express Entry British Columbia (EEBC) option)) stream. This stream targets international students who have in-demand skills for British Columbia’s labour market.

The province issued at least 200 ITAs for skilled workers and international graduates across five different in-demand employment sectors. These were:

Childcare—requiring a minimum score of 60 to be invited;
Construction—requiring a minimum score of 75 to be invited;
Healthcare—requiring a minimum score of 60;
Tech—requiring a minimum score of 108; and
Veterinary care—requiring a minimum score of 60.

A full list of in-demand professions in British Columbia can be found here.

2.Alberta:

On February 6th Alberta issued 44 Notifications of Interest—the equivalent of ITAs under the AAIP—to candidates with professional healthcare experience, through the “Dedicated Healthcare Pathway with Alberta job offer”.

To be invited, candidates had to have healthcare experience within the province and received a job offer from an employer in Alberta. The minimum cut-off score to receive an ITA was 302.

3.Prince Edward Island:

PEI issued 121 Expressions of Interest to candidates Labour and Express Entry candidates in the PEI PNP.

Candidates were considered if they were s working for a PEI Employer and had a minimum EOI score of 65. Over the past 12 months, the province has invited 2,307 candidates with 2,253 Expressions of Interest going to Labour and Express Entry candidates and 54 going to Business Work Permit Entrepreneur.

How can I increase my chances at receiving an invitation under a PNP?

While many PNPs have reserved pathways for those who have some connection to the province (i.e.: having graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), received a job offer letter, or having personal family ties to someone, in the province or territory of that PNP)—all PNPs have streams for in-demand professions that meet their location’s labour market needs.

Thus, newcomers looking to immigrate to Canada may find some specific benefit to tailoring their professional experience to a province or territory that requires it. In fact, this is a key reason for the existence of PNPs across Canada. Provinces even post in-demand professions to attract newcomers who can fill these crucial labour gaps.

By 2025, PNPs will overtake Express Entry as Canada’s main pathway to welcome new immigrants, signalling their continued importance to the country’s overall economic strategy.

February 19, 2024

Helpful Advice for Landing Your First Job in Canada

By Admin Canada Life, Immigration

Are you a newcomer to Canada keen to begin a new career in this welcoming and exciting country?

Now is the time to start your job search with confidence. With helpful guidance and a positive approach, you can make the journey to employment more productive and boost your chances of success. Simply follow these helpful tips to kickstart your job search.

1. Build a Resume for the Canadian Job Market

Landing a job in Canada begins with tailoring your resume to fit a Canadian style resume. Ensure to highlight your relevant skills, education, and work experience for each job application in a way that is customized for the exact role. Be sure to include your achievements and qualifications that are aligned with the job description. It’s a good idea to learn about job seeker best practices and Canadian employer expectations. This will improve your chances of securing interviews and landing the job.

2. Get Networking

Making connections in Canada is a powerful way for job seekers to get ahead. Engage with seasoned professionals in your field through online and in-person events and industry associations. Remember: someone in these networks may have a lead on a fantastic job or might connect you with the right person who can propel your career forward. Networking not only keeps you informed about the latest industry trends, but also allows you to learn valuable insights from experienced Canadian professionals working in the field today. It’s a great way to inspire and jumpstart your own professional journey.

3. Tap into Employment Services, Job Sites, and Job Fairs

Discover the many resources available for job seekers in Canada like you. Consider registering for one of the free employment services provided by the Government of Canada. These services help you connect with employers and provide a wide list of job opportunities across the country. Leveraging popular job sites are also helpful, as employers actively look for candidates there. Make it a priority, as well, to attend some job fairs, whether virtual or in person in your area; these career events are a good way to directly connect with employers and learn about job openings. By using these services, fairs, and online platforms, you can significantly expand your reach and increase your chances of finding suitable employment fast.

4. Assess Your Credentials

As a newcomer to Canada, you may need to verify your qualifications to secure a job. Ensure your professional credentials are recognized in Canada by checking with organizations like the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC). This step is useful for a smooth transition into the Canadian workforce.

5. Elevate Your Resume: Certification and Volunteer Experience

You can also boost your job search by acquiring a Canadian certification in your chosen field. It’s a great idea to enroll in courses or programs aligned with the Canadian job market to expand and validate your skills, knowledge, and experience to potential employers. This will show potential employers your dedication to continuous learning and can significantly improve your employability.

Another great way to gain Canadian work experience and grow your network is through volunteering. Many organizations appreciate the skills and dedication newcomers bring as volunteers. Doing volunteer work not only highlights your abilities and enhances your skillset, but also demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impact in your community. Participating in relevant volunteer opportunities can provide valuable experience and even secure references to enhance your resume.

6. Seek out the Right Mentor

Additionally, you can accelerate your job search in Canada by finding the right mentor, one with industry experience who is eager to guide and support you in your professional journey. A good mentor can offer you valuable insights, career advice, and assistance in navigating the Canadian job market. In sharing their experiences and perspectives, they can help you set realistic goals and expectations. Cultivating a strong mentor-mentee relationship is crucial for overcoming challenges and accessing new opportunities.

By embracing these insights, you can enhance your chances of finding a suitable job in Canada. Remember to stay persistent, learn about the local job market, and maintain a positive outlook throughout your job search journey. As a newcomer, your unique skills, diverse perspectives, and strong work ethic are all assets that can benefit a Canadian employer. With the right approach and a confident mindset, you’re well on your way to achieving professional success in Canada.

Why Choose TD?

150 years helping Canadians

TD has a proud history of delivering financial solutions to Canadians for more than 150 years. TD also brings a century of experience helping newcomers navigate the unique challenges of the Canadian banking system.

With over a thousand branches, a reputation for excellence in financial services, and the ability to also serve you in more than 60 different languages, TD has become one of the largest and most trusted banks in Canada, now serving 16 million Canadians.

TD offers online support and resources of interest to newcomers on topics such as banking basics, moving to Canada, credit score essentials, and more. TD is open longer hours for your convenience and has thousands of ATMs across Canada to help you take care of your everyday banking needs quickly and easily.

February 19, 2024

(IRCC) has officially confirmed to continue Express Entry Canada categories

By Admin Immigration

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially confirmed that it will continue using the six categories currently eligible for category-based selection in Express Entry draws in 2024.

In an email alert from IRCC, the department said that it will continue selecting candidates with, “particular qualifications such as education, work experience, or language skills to support identified economic needs and priorities.”

The six categories target candidates with:

1. French language proficiency

2. Work experience in healthcare occupations

3. Work experience in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations

4. Work experience in trade occupations

5. Work experience in transport occupations

6. Work experience in agriculture and agri-food occup ations

Category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates were introduced in May 2023 as a method of helping Canada to meet its economic goals.

The categories were chosen in 2023 following public consultations with provinces and territories and other stakeholders such as unions, employers, settlement service provider organizations, worker advocacy groups and immigration researchers.

By singling out Express Entry candidates who meet the criteria for these categories, IRCC aims to invite newcomers who can help fill urgent gaps in Canada’s workforce, in sectors that are critical to the economy and well-being of Canadians as well as meet its mandate to promote the French language outside of Quebec.

When the categories were introduced, IRCC noted that they would be reviewed each year as part of IRCC’s yearly report to parliament and amended as necessary.

Category-based selection in 2023

The first category-based selection draw took place on June 28, 2023, and invited 1,500 Express Entry candidates in eligible healthcare occupations.

Throughout the rest of the year, IRCC invited more than 16,000 Express Entry candidates through category-based selection over 17 separate draws. So far in 2024, there has been one category-based selection draw inviting 7,000 candidates with French language proficiency.

Who is eligible for category-based selection?

The first category-based selection draw took place on June 28, 2023, and invited 1,500 Express Entry candidates in eligible healthcare occupations.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an application management system that oversees three prominent economic immigration programs in Canada: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

All three programs use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assign scores to candidates based on their human capital attributes. These include work experience, age, language ability, occupation and age, and others.

Each factor is scored and added together for a total that becomes a candidate’s overall CRS score. The CRS score is then ranked against other candidate’s scores and those who have the highest scores are the most likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) in an upcoming Express Entry round of invitations.

Once a candidate receives an ITA, they have 60 days to submit their final application for permanent residency to IRCC.

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