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Tag Archives: Canada PR

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October 22, 2024
October 22, 2024

Common Mistakes to Avoid While applying for Canadian Immigration Application

Author By Admin Categories Immigration

Common Mistakes to Avoid: While applying for Canadian Immigration Application

Canada is among the countries that enjoys a high number of immigration due to factors such as quality, diverse culture and good economy. However, moving through immigration may not be easy, and even a minor error is likely to cause a lot of issues such as delay, rejection, or permanent disqualification. Below are some common mistakes applicants make when applying for Canadian immigration, and how to avoid them:

  1. Inaccurate or Incomplete Documentation

Of all the possible causes of a denied or delayed immigration application, inadequate or improper documentation is one of the leading causes. Candidates either fail to attach some important documents or may provide the documents of prior year.

How to Avoid It:

  • Refer to the IRCC website for current list of documents required as per your stream (Express Entry, Family Sponsorship, PNP etc).
  • Make sure all the required tear has been filled, signature obtained whenever necessary and all the documents translated in English or French if there is need of translator.
  1. Misrepresentation of Facts/Information

Thus, any sort of deception irrespective of whether it is done intentionally or un intentionally is likely to lead to a number of penalties provided under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the most severe being a prohibition from applying for Canada immigration for a period of time not less than five years.

How to Avoid It:

  • You need to be very honest in your application. When completing your application never lie or exaggerate on matters concerning past work experience, education or any other thing concerning you.
  • Double-check your forms to remove any errors before submission. Go through all the forms once before you sign them and submit them, you can also try having the documents checked by a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.
  1. Not Meeting the Eligibility Criteria

Canadian immigration programmes have their own prerequisites requirements for example language test, student academic qualification, working experience etc. Non-Compliance with the stipulated eligibility criteria is, therefore, is one of the leading causes of rejection.

How to Avoid It:

  • Candidate should carefully assess all the eligibility requirements from official website of immigration or through consultant for chosen immigration program. Candidates can check their Express Entry Score through tools loke Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) calculator to make sure if it is competitive score or not.
  • Continuously improve your qualifications it it is necessary such as Language proficiency, gaining additional work experience, or acquire an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
  1. Not following/Missing Deadlines

Immigration application for different programs of Canada has a very strict deadlines for filing the application itself and for filing the response to the requests for further information or documents that may be required.

How to Avoid It:

  • Keep monitoring your email and IRCC account regularly for any update or notification to respond timely.
  • Keep a track of your deadlines for each stage of your application. Make sure that your response should be filed as early as possible within the deadline.
  1. Failure to provide proof of Funds

For many Canadian immigration programs, such as Express Entry, applicants must provide proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family upon arrival in Canada.

How to avoid it:

  • Ensure that your proof of funds meets the specific requirements for the immigration stream you are applying for. This could include providing official bank statements that demonstrate liquid funds.
  • Keep in mind and ensure that certain types of assets for example (borrowed money or equity) may not be accepted as valid proof of funds. So, avoid providing such sources of funding as they will surely help reject your application.
  1. Overlooking Medical and Police Clearances

Canadian immigration requires immigrants to:

  • Undergo medical examinations
  • Submit police clearance certificates

These are required to ensure that they do not pose a public health or safety risk.

How to Avoid It:

  • Scheduling medical examination with an IRCC-approved physician early in the process to avoid any delays.
  • Obtain police clearance certificates from every country where you’ve lived for six months or more since the age of 18, as this is a mandatory requirement for most applications.
  1. Not Using Correct and Updated NOC Code

Evaluation of your work experience is conducted according to the national Canadian Occupational Classification (NOC). Depending on your choice of the incorrect NOC code or not attaching a code to your application, it may be declined. If you choose the wrong NOC code, your application might be rejected.

How to Avoid It:

  • Ensure that you get the right NOC code and also check whether the one in the list provided by system is updated, because the system updates NOC codes from time to time
  1. Misleading & Inconsistent Information

Red flags can be raised and your process can be delayed if there will be any inconsistent to conflicting information in different sections of your application, or if there is conflicting fact between the information you provided and your documents. It ultimately can lead you to rejection.

How to Avoid It:

  • Make sure that you are providing transparent information by all means and it is also consistent with the documents and proofs you are providing. Provide up to date and accurate information regarding work experiences, educational background, and family details.
  • Review all your documents obtained from employers or educational institutes and cross match in your application as well.
  1. Ignoring/ Not fulfilling Provincial Requirements

If you are planning to apply through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), each province has its own specific criteria for acceptance or rejection of application. If you fail to meet these criteria or overlook and additional document required by that province can increase your chances of rejection.

How to Avoid It:

  • Thorough research of specific immigration requirements of province is necessary. All the provinces offer immigration in different fields depending upon their economic needs or trends.
  • Keeping a close contact with immigration program and authorities can ensure that all requirements are met accordingly.
  1. DIY / Not Seeking Professional Help

Many immigrants prefer to apply by themselves and do not consult any immigration consultant or lawyer. It is possible to apply though yourself but any misinterpretation or a small misunderstanding can increase your chances of errors and finally a rejection of application.

How to Avoid It:

  • Consider hiring a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or immigration lawyer to guide you through the process and review your documents.
  • If you go for DIY, you need to make sure that enough resources are available on the IRCC website to go through the application process.

Final Thoughts

It is a rigorous process to go through when seeking an immigration in Canada. Being keen on not repeating some of the most vital but often committed errors like documenting wrong or incomplete data; failing to meet statutory time lines; or providing contradictory data can go a long way in avoiding work delays or denial of benefits. General, one must always be informed, be organized and maximize on thoroughness when going through the application process.

 

October 22, 2024
October 22, 2024

How Pakistani Entrepreneurs Can Move to Canada: Startup Visa Explained

Author By Admin Categories Immigration

How Pakistani Entrepreneurs Can Move to Canada: Startup Visa Explained

Entrepreneurs from countries like Pakistan are more likely to migrate to Canada since improving immigration policies in Canada are tremendously attracting to them. Canada Startup Visa Program is certainly an attractive program for innovative entrepreneurs who wish to establish their business, provide jobs and to compete globally in Canada. This program is definitely an attractive move for Pakistani entrepreneurs who wish to shift to Canada.

  1. What is the Canada Startup Visa Program?

The Canada Startup Visa Program that gives immigrant entrepreneurs permanent residence (PR) if they have the potential to build innovative businesses in Canada. This is a distinctive initiative that permits settling in Canada while being the owner of a company that has the potential not only to innovate but also to be internationally viable.

Unlike conventional visa schemes, this visa is designed for entrepreneurs who want to bring their start-up to Canada to build and grow their business with support from Canadian investors or business incubators. Successful applicants can come to Canada with their families and build their businesses.

  1. Key Requirements for the Startup Visa

To be eligible for the Canada Startup Visa, Pakistani entrepreneurs must meet certain criteria:

  1. a) A Qualifying Business

Your start-up business must be innovative and create jobs for Canadians. At the time you become a permanent resident, you must own 10 per cent or more of the voting rights of the business, and no other person or group of individuals may own more than 50 per cent of the voting rights.

  1. b) Letter of Support from a Designated Organization

Your startup should be backed by an institution (venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator). This part is the key to your application for two reasons. First, these institutions play a critical role in deciding whether your idea is good or not.

The nominated organisation will give you a letter of support, which is evidence that they agree to support your start-up, either by investment, business advice or incubation.

  1. c) Sufficient Settlement Funds

Canadian immigration policies mean that you need enough money to leave Canada and come back for good once your business has come to be prosperous. The amount you required totally depends on the size of your family, typically it ranges between CAD $12,000 to $35,000.

  1. d) Proficiency in English or French

Entrepreneurs must be proficient in wither English or French through IELTS or TEF (for French). Minimum score required is at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

  1. The Application Process

The process to apply for a startup visa from Pakistan can be divided into a few key steps:

  1. a) Secure a Letter of Support

First, one has to present the concept of the startup to one of the selected organizations as an idea. You will need a good business plan, good business proposition, and good argument that your business will succeed in Canada. The Letter of Support is crucial to your application, and, if your idea is accepted, the organisation will provide it to you.

  1. b) Submit Your Visa Application

The Letter of Support is then used to apply for the Startup Visa at the Canadian immigration authorities. You must submit also all documents which are necessary to be sent to the admission office with your application inclusive business plan, proofs of financial ability, result of language test, and others.

  1. c) Work Permit Option

Even before you are processing your permanent residency application, you need to look for another way and that is through applying for a temporary work permit which will allow for the move to Canada and start creating your business as you wait for your application to be processed. It can assist you to get up and running and set up your start up, even before getting PR.

  1. d) Wait for Decision

Application for the Startup Visa takes different processing time, though the average time it takes ranges between 12-16 months. At this stage, you can still develop your business and satisfy other Canada’s demands.

  1. Benefits of Moving to Canada as an Entrepreneur

Canada’s thriving economy, multicultural society, and pro-business environment make it a perfect destination for Pakistani entrepreneurs. Here are a few benefits:

  1. a) Permanent Residency and Citizenship Pathway

The Startup Visa grants you permanent residency, which entitles one to virtually all the rights accorded to actual citizens of Canada but cannot vote. PR status lasts for a few years after which you can apply for Canadian citizenship.

  1. b) Access to Funding and Business Support

Canada offers access to a wide range of venture capitalists, angel investors, and government grants. This is ideal for Pakistani entrepreneurs looking for financial backing to scale their businesses.

  1. c) Quality of Life

Canada provides a broad variety of venture capital investors, angel investors, and grants from the government. This is perfect for Pakistani entrepreneurship to seek funding to expand their companies.

  1. d) Support for Startups

Canadian government has started a range of programs and incentives which are designed to support startups. These initiatives include tax credits, researcher grants, and easy access to business networks. This environment is very helpful for startups to thrive and grow quickly.

 

 

  1. Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

While the Startup Visa Program offers exciting opportunities, there are some challenges Pakistani entrepreneurs may face:

  1. a) Finding a Designated Organization

It is often possible to get support from an organization delegated, however, it might be rather invasive to be competitive to become a newcomer to the Canadian market. Government and entrepreneurs should concentrate on preparing a good business plan and showing how the business, enterprise adds value to Canada.

  1. b) Cultural and Market Differences

Perhaps it is true to say that adopting to Canada’s business culture and market requires time. These challenges are highlighted as follows: Networking, engaging with Canadian business incubator programs, and asking for mentorship.

  1. c) Startup Failure Risk

Every business always faces the probability of not making it out to profitability. Nevertheless, the Startup Visa Program does not nullify your permanent residency if your business flops but you have acted diligently in trying to make the business work.

Final Thoughts

The Canada Startup Visa is thus a great chance for Pakistani ambitious businesspeople willing to go international. A lot going on right from preparing yourself and your documentation, acquiring the Letter of Support from the designated organization and following all the rules and regulations of Canada immigration, you get the opportunity to start on the path for becoming a permanent resident of one of the most business-friendly countries in the world.

Canada’s strong business environment and the effective support for Pakistani business people to fulfil their potential in the global economy makes this the perfect opportunity for successful Pakistanis to invest in the country.

 

Canada Immigration
October 22, 2024
October 22, 2024

Family Sponsorship: How to Bring Your Family Members from Pakistan to Canada

Author By Admin Categories Immigration

Family Sponsorship: How to Bring Your Family Members from Pakistan to Canada

One noteworthy aspect of Canada’s immigration system is the family reunification immigration policy which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for the immigration of certain family relatives. As for Pakistani immigrants in Canada, family sponsorship helps them to reunite with their family members whom they wish to come, work or study in the country. This report discusses the importance of family sponsorship particularly in Canada and the key components including who is eligible, how to apply and factors to consider to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan with family members.

1.Qualification for Sponsoring Family Members

Only certain family members can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident living in Canada. One must be able to comply in order to sponsor:

  • Status in Canada: A Canadian citizen and a Permanent Resident who resides in Canada. A citizen living outside Canada may apply for family reunion but then, will be required to relocate to Canada, after the sponsored relative comes over.
  • Age: A person shall be 18 years and above before allying any of the family members.
  • Financial Requirements: Evidence that the person undertakes or will undertake certain maintenance for the sponsored person for some time so that this person will not come out for social assistance within the sponsorship period.
  • Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: Especially the relatives need to be taken care of, financially, by certain sponsors at least for some defined amount of time generally between 3 to 20 years dependent on the degree of relationship and age of the beneficiary.
  • No History of Sponsorship Failure: If historically you were sponsoring a person who received social assistance, then you are not permitted to sponsor a new person.

2.Who is eligible for Sponsorship

According to the family reunification Canadian program, it is possible for the sponsors to bring several categories of family members to Canada.

  1. Spouse or Common-Law Partner
  • The legally married couples or common-law couples that have lived together for one year can apply for a spousal sponsorship for their spouses and conjugal partners who are presently in Pakistan.
  • Every spouse or partner will undergo medical and criminal background checks as part of the application procedure.
  1. Dependent Children
  • If you have children, biological or adopted, that are under the age of 22 and single, you have the right to apply for their sponsorship for immigration purposes.
  • However, as per the immigration policy, an adult child, 22 years, who is mentally or physically disabled can still be considered as a minor if he/she is not able to earn.
  1. Parents and Grandparents
  • Under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to sponsor the parents and grandparents.
  • Through a minimum necessary income dossier (MNI), sponsors are expected to prove their ability to look after their parents or grandparents financially before applying to sponsor them by showing how they supported themselves and/or their family through the three consecutive tax years preceding the contemporaneous application.
  • PGP runs a lottery system which means that the interested sponsors first have to submit the expression of interest after which they may be invited to apply.
  1. Other Eligible Relatives
  • In very few circumstances, you may qualify as a sponsor for a sibling who is an orphan, a brother’s son, a brother’s daughter, or a granddaughter under the age of 18 who is unmarried or who lives in free union.
  • Where there is no living relative of you in Canada whom you want sponsored and also no family members to be sponsored in Canada, you may sponsor other relative of any age.

3.Application Process for Family Sponsorship

The family sponsorship process includes a number of steps which are important in the process:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

You need to make sure that you qualify in order to sponsor a family member before you apply. You must also make sure that your family member (spouse) is eligible to come to Canada (does not have a criminal record or serious medical issues).

Step 2: File Sponsorship Application

The sponsorship process begins with the submission of an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are two applications:

  1. Sponsorship Application: This is the proof that you are sponsoring your family member.
  2. The immigration application: Which is then done by the immediate family member being sponsored, who will go through medical exams, bring police certificates and subject themselves to background checks.

Step 3: Pay Processing Fee

Family Sponsorship Fees Family sponsorship incurs multiple fees: one for the sponsorship, another fee for processing each sponsored family member and then there is the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).

Step 04: Application Process and Decision

IRCC will also assess the sponsorship application to confirm that the sponsor, as well as the family member(s), qualifies. There are different sponsorship types:

  • Spousal sponsorships are at an average of 12 months.
  • The demand and lottery system can make parent, as well as grandparent sponsorships longer.
  • Dependent child sponsorship may be a different case, but should also be processed more quickly than other types of applications.

Step 5- Approval and Travel to Canada

If the application is approved, your family will be given a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a visa to come to Canada.

4.Letter of Offer Form and Sponsorship Agreement with Undertaking

If you qualify to sponsor, you will sign a sponsorship agreement with the Government of Canada. This is a legal contract that legally binds you to provide financial support to your family member for a certain period of time. It gives rise to a circumstance where the time duration of the whole process is subject to whom you are sponsoring:

  • Spouse or Partner: 3 years
  • Children: 10 years or until they turn 22 (or over), whichever comes first — Maximum of 3 years for children over 21 (dependent).
  • Parents and Grandparents: 20 years

Missing this commitment can have serious consequences and you may face legal action such as being banned from sponsoring again or even be required to pay back any social assistance the person you sponsored received.

5.Things to Think of For Pakistani Families

  1. Cultural and Social Integration

The multiculturalism in Canada facilitates Pakistani families to integrate into the society. There are significant Pakistani populations in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary who have established cultural associations, mosques for religious practice and community organizations.

  1. Healthcare and Education Outreach

For your sponsored family members, this means they will be free to benefit from Canada’s superior public services including nearly universal socialised healthcare and publicly funded education for children. Permanent residents may also qualify for other social programs, such as pensions and employment insurance.

  1. Time Delays Processing Challenges

Processing times can vary based on the type of family sponsorship you are using; Parents and grandparents not included. This could be a burden to many Pakistani families if they are hoping for their family members will arrive soon for assistance or company.

  1. Immigration Scams

It’s crucial to be aware of fraudulent immigration consultants who target families trying to sponsor relatives from countries like Pakistan. Only deal with licensed immigration consultants or lawyers registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

  1. Alternatives to Family Sponsorship

If family sponsorship is not immediately feasible, other options for family members include:

  • Visitor Visa: Family members can apply for a temporary visa to visit Canada, though they must prove that they intend to return to Pakistan after their visit.
  • Super Visa: Parents and grandparents can apply for a Super Visa, allowing them to visit Canada for up to 2 years at a time over a 10-year period.

 

Conclusion

Canada’s family sponsorship program is one of the most generous in the world, offering a path to permanent residency for spouses, children, parents, and even extended relatives. For Pakistani immigrants, the program provides a means to reunite with loved ones in a country that values family bonds and offers ample opportunities for a high quality of life. While the process can be time-consuming and requires careful planning, the benefits of living together as a family in Canada are well worth the effort. It’s advisable to work with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer to navigate the process and ensure that all requirements are met efficiently.

April 3, 2024
April 3, 2024

Canada’s Permanent Residence Fees

Author By Admin Categories Immigration

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, as of 9:00:00 AM Eastern Time on April 30, 2024, the department will be increasing certain permanent residence (PR) fees.

IRCC notes that this fee increase is being introduced according to Canada’s Immigrant and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), calculated “in accordance with the cumulative percentage increase to the Consumer Price Index for Canada, published by Statistics Canada.”

Discover if You Are Eligible for Canadian Immigration
Changes to PR fees

The following fee increases, which are marked as applicable to the period between April 2024 and March 2026, apply as follows:

ProgramApplicantsCurrent fees (April 2022– March 2024)New fees
(April 2024–March 2026)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee3Principal
applicant and accompanying spouse or common-law partner		 $515$575
 Federal
Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic
Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)		Accompanying
spouse or common-law partner		$850$950
Federal
Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic
Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)		Principal
applicant		$850$950
 Federal
Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic
Immigration Class and most economic pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)		 Accompanying
dependent child		 $230 $260
Live-in
Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home
Support Worker Pilot)		Accompanying
dependent child		$155$175
Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)Principal
applicant		$570 $635
Live-in
Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home
Support Worker Pilot)		Accompanying
spouse or common-law partner		$570$635
Business
(federal and Quebec)		Accompanying
dependent child		$230$260
Business
(federal and Quebec)		Principal
applicant		$1,625$1,810
Business
(federal and Quebec)		Accompanying
spouse or common-law partner		$850$950
Family
reunification (spouses, partners and children; parents and grandparents; and
other relatives)		Sponsorship
fee		$75$85
Notes from IRCC

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

·         Sponsored child (of a principal applicant under the family reunification class) – the child must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse/partner

·         Principal applicants under the humanitarian and compassionate consideration and public policy classes

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

 

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

March 12, 2024
March 12, 2024

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

Author By Admin Categories 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.

February 27, 2024
February 27, 2024

Can I travel outside Canada after submitting my citizenship application? 

Author By Admin Categories 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.

Canada Immigration
February 24, 2024
February 24, 2024

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

Author By Admin Categories 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:

  1. Have been living in Sudan on April 15th, 2023;
  2. Not have another country to return to other than Sudan or Canada;
  3. Be the child (of any age), grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of an eligible anchor*
  4. Provide a statutory declaration from their anchor stating that:
  5. They plan to support you and any family members accompanying you for one year; and
  6. They have not and will not accept any money from you or your family members.
  7. Plan to live in a province or territory other than Quebec; and
  8. Not be admissible for reasons other than financial ones.
  9. In addition to the above criteria, individuals may apply if:
  10. Their spouse or common-law partner is missing, presumed dead, deceased, or can’t leave Sudan;
  11. 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
  12. 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:

  1. Be 18 years or older;
  2. Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
  3. Live in Canada (but not in the province of Quebec);
  4. Prove they have enough income/funds to meet the financial requirement.
  5. An anchor cannot be:
  6. In the process or applying to renounce their Canadian citizenship or PR status;
  7. In jail or prison;
  8. Subject to a removal order in Canada;
  9. 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);
  10. In default of a sponsorship undertaking, support payments or repaying any debt owed to the Government of Canada;
  11. Bankrupt;
  12. Receiving social assistance for any reason other than a disability; and/or
  13. 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
February 24, 2024

Who received ITAs in the recent general Express Entry draw?

Author By Admin Categories 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 19, 2024
February 19, 2024

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

Author By Admin Categories 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.

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.

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.

January 30, 2024
January 30, 2024

Canada ranked as world’s safest country for travel in 2024

Author By Admin Categories Canada Life

According to a Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) report released in late 2023, Canada is considered the world’s safest country for travellers in 2023-2024.

BHTP notes that the overall rankings are based on an average of “all measures from [BHTP’s] State of Travel Insurance research”, which combines “six sub-category scores as the basis” for the rankings.

Furthermore, BHTP notes that it balances its own surveyed “ratings with other indices and information, including the Global Peace Index and the State Department’s own travel safety ratings”, adding that BHTP “also [averages] the GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country.”

Together BHTP uses this variety of measures to “calculate a weighted score that reflects each country’s overall safety.”

Canada’s ranking is up five spots from a year ago

Up from sixth place in BHTP’s rankings last year, Canada has ascended to the top spot in the rankings for the world’s safest places to travel this year.

According to the report, key reasons for Canada’s high ranking include “cold weather and low population density, [which] make for safe travels.”

Further, each of the top 15 countries in BHTP’s rankings was given a dedicated section in this year’s report, which included a section titled “what you need to watch out for.”

For Canada, this section identified wildfires as an area of concern for travellers, noting that “Canada’s plethora of forests were seemingly all burning, which has reduced air quality in most major Canadian cities. This made travel to Canada difficult for people with respiratory conditions.”

Still, the quote included in Canada’s dedicated section of the report (from Gap Year Travel Store) sums up travel safety across the country this way, saying “as travelling destinations go it really doesn’t get much safer than Canada … Violent crime is comparatively low and there is a low incidence of gun-related crime.”

Breaking down Canada’s ranking by sub-category

BHTP’s report uses the following dimensions to produce an overall ranking of the safest countries for travel:

  1. Safety from violent crime
  2. Safety from terrorism
  3. Transportation safety*
  4. Health measures (including disease)
  5. Safety for groups (women, travellers of colour and LGBTQ+ travellers)

Notably, Canada ranked first in all sub-categories included as part of this year’s ranking. Click here to view the top 10 countries according to each sub-category.

*BHTP notes that transportation safety includes “countries with either well-developed road and transportation systems (everywhere but Iceland) or a limited need to travel far (Iceland).”

BHTP rankings by age and income

BHTP also notes that survey respondents for the 2023-2024 version of these rankings “had wildly different perceptions of the world’s safest countries depending on their age and income.”

Still, in most cases, Canada remained in the top four safest countries for travel according to these sub-groups.

In comparison to the overall rankings, the following indicates how Canada’s place in BHTP’s rankings would have differed if presented based on the responses from specific groups of respondents.

Millennials

Among Millennials who responded to BHTP’s survey, Canada ranked fourth in overall travel safety behind Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK).

Gen Z

Among members of Gen Z who responded to BHTP’s survey, Canada remained number one in overall travel safety.

Respondents with a household income over $200,000

Among BHTP survey respondents who fell into this household income category, Canada ranked second in overall travel safety behind only Portugal.

Respondents spending more than $25,000 per year on travel

Among BHTP survey respondents who fell into this travel spending category, Canada ranked sixth in overall travel safety behind the Netherlands, Hungary, the UK, the Bahamas and Portugal.

“Mature” survey respondents

Although the report does not specify the age that qualifies respondents as “mature”, BHTP survey respondents who fell into this age group ranked Canada as the ninth safest country for travel overall. For this group of respondents, Canada ranked behind:

  1. Iceland
  2. South Korea
  3. Sweden
  4. Japan
  5. Denmark
  6. Norway
  7. New Zealand
  8. Ireland
Parents

For parents who responded to BHTP’s survey, Canada remained number one in overall travel safety.

LGBTQ+ travellers

Uniquely, BHTP survey respondents who identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community were the only sub-group of respondents who completely left Canada outside their top 10 safest countries for travel.

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