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Ontario Immigration invited over 1,186 candidates in two draws, a general and a targeted one, held on 7 December. In the draws, ITA’s were sent out through three streams, the streams are as follows.

1. Foreign Worker Stream
2. International Student stream
3. In-Demand stream

Name of the stream	No. of Expression of Interest (ITA’s) sent	Minimum CRS score
Foreign Worker Stream (General Draw)	470	37
Foreign Worker Stream (Targeted draw)	33	N/A
International Student Stream	583	62
International Student Stream (Targeted draw)	37	N/A
In-Demand Stream	10	N/A
In-Demand Stream (Targeted draw)	53	N/A

For the In-Demand stream, targeted draw, candidates from the following occupations were invited:

NOC code:	Type of occupation:
NOC 3413	Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
NOC 4412	Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers
NOC 8432	Nursery and greenhouse workers
NOC 8431	General farm workers
NOC 9446	Industrial sewing machine operators
NOC 9422	Plastics processing machine operators
NOC 9461	Process control and machine operators, food, beverage and associated products processing
NOC 9536	Industrial painters, coaters and metal finishing process operators
NOC 9523	Electronics assemblers, fabricators, inspectors and testers
NOC 9526	Mechanical assemblers and inspectors
NOC 9537	Other products assemblers, finishers and inspectors
NOC 9421	Chemical plant machine operators
NOC 9437	Woodworking machine operators
NOC 9418	Other metal products machine operators
NOC 9417	Machining tool operators
NOC 9416	Metalworking and forging machine operators
NOC 9411	Machine operators, mineral and metal processing
NOC 9462	Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers and related workers.
NOC 8611	Harvesting laborer

For more information, candidates can visit OINP ( https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-immigrant-nominee-program-oinp ) or

contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 07, 2021

British Columbia Immigration issued 318 invitations in its latest draw via the BC PNP. In the draw held on 7 December, candidates were invited in two draws.

The first draw was a general one that invited candidates from all sub-streams of the BC PNP. The second draw invited candidates from two specific NOC codes:

1. 0621 for Retail and Wholesale Trade Managers
2. 0631 for Restaurant and Food Service Managers

The summary of the draws is as follows:

Type of Draw:	No. of Invites issued:	No. of Streams included:	Minimum CRS score required to qualify:
General Draw	267	5	71-100
NOC specific draw held to target two NOC occupations	51	4	103

The four streams under the NOC specific draw are as follows:

• SI – Skilled Worker stream
• SI – International Graduate stream
• EEBC – Express Entry BC Skilled Worker stream
• EEBC – Express Entry BC International Graduate stream

The BC PNP offers interested candidates three ways to apply for PR. Each pathway is categorized into several different categories candidates can apply in. Choosing the category depends on your NOC skill level, work experience, type of job, etc.

Till now, in 2021, British Columbia Immigration has invited over 10,400 candidates through various BC PNP streams.

The Skilled Worker Stream of BC PNP targets skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in the province. It functions on a points-based invite system.

About the BC PNP Tech draw:

• This draw was first launched in 2017 as a pilot project in response to the fast-growing demand for talent in BC’s technology sector.
• It was made a permanent program in June 2021.
• The stream targets skilled workers and aims to expand the province’s pool of skilled workers.
• Invitations are issued on a weekly basis to candidates who qualify and who have a valid job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations.
• The minimum duration of the job offered when applying for BC PNP Tech must be full-time for a duration of 365 days or more.

For more information, candidates can visit BC PNP ( https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program ) or

contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 06, 2021

Alberta Immigration invited 100 Express Entry candidates through the AINP to apply for a provincial nomination. The minimum CRS score required to qualify was 350 points. This draw was held on 24 November, with results becoming known to the public recently.

Alberta Immigration provides a list of ineligible occupations rather than a list of eligible occupations. Candidates who have work experience in occupations like food service supervisors, transport truck drivers, and cooks are the ones who mostly apply for this stream.

Up until now in 2021, Alberta Immigration has issued 6,094 nominations out of the 6,250 it is allowed to.

Steps to apply for the stream:

• The candidate should make an Express Entry profile on the website
• They should receive an NOI from Alberta Immigration when they apply via an Express Entry profile.
• The candidate checks their criteria and submits an application.
• Complete applications go into a pool of eligible applications for consideration for processing

The candidate receives a Notification of Interest if they:

• have an active Express Entry profile in the federal Express Entry pool
• have stated an interest in immigrating permanently to Alberta
• are working in an occupation that supports Alberta’s economic development and diversification
• have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 350

Adaptability Factors that increase chances of a candidate receiving an NOI:

• Has an Alberta job offer and/or work experience
• Is a graduate of a Canadian post-secondary institution
• Has had a parent, child, brother, and/or sister who is a permanent resident living in Alberta, or a Canadian citizen living in Alberta

Factors that decrease candidate’s likelihood of receiving an NOI:

• Candidate’s Express Entry profile expires in 5 months or less
• Candidate works in an occupation on the list of high-wage and low-wage occupations in the province of Alberta set out on the online Government of Canada Refusal to Process a Labor Market Impact Assessment list on the Alberta Opportunity Stream Ineligible Occupations list
• The candidate has a high volume of submissions across all AINP streams

Express Entry has three Federal High Skilled programs under it:

• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

For more information, candidates can visit AINP ( https://www.alberta.ca/ainp.aspx ) or contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 05, 2021

Hundreds of Afghan refugees arrived in Canada on 2 December at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. These groups of refugees are sponsored by the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, which allows Canadians to resettle specific individuals or families who qualify as refugees under Canada’s refugee and humanitarian program.

Till now Canada has welcomed over 4,000 refugees, most of these people who have worked for Canada during and after the military mission in Afghanistan. The federal government has selected 34 resettlement locations across Canada for these refugees. They will undergo quarantine and get vaccinated for COVID-19. These private sponsors help refugees get educated, find jobs, and get settled in Canada comfortably.

Private sponsors are groups of Canadians or organizations, including faith-based associations, ethnocultural groups, or settlement organizations. Privately sponsored refugees are those that are settled in addition to those resettled by the Canadian government. Upon arrival in Canada, they become permanent residents of the country.

Quote by the IRCC:

“In the coming days, this group of refugees will be welcomed into their host sponsor communities and will quarantine with the support of their private sponsors”. These new arrivals are vulnerable Afghan refugees, including women leaders, human rights defenders, persecuted minorities, LGBTI individuals and journalists.

Quote by Immigration Minister Sean Fraser:

“While some of their extended family members may have come to Canada through existing programs over the years, others have not and may now be in a precarious position as a result of their relationship to the interpreters. For those newly arrived in our big, cold country, private sponsors offer a warm welcome. It’s no wonder that many refugees think of their sponsors as family. As we welcome Afghan refugees, private sponsors are essential in helping vulnerable newcomers thrive in their new communities. I look forward to welcoming many more new arrivals in the weeks and months to come.”

Meanwhile, the IRCC has also announced a new pathway for the extended family members of Afghan refugees to come to Canada and join their families. Applications for this program will be opened from 9 December onwards. The Canadian government plans to welcome more than 40,000 such refugees.

Eligibility criteria for the extended family members of Afghan refugees:

• Are a citizen of Afghanistan and can provide relevant identification
• Are direct family (parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or grandparent) of an Afghan refugee who has already been granted permanent residency
• Do not live or reside in Canada at the time of the application
• Were present in Afghanistan on or after July 22
• Can provide a statutory declaration from their family member already in Canada
• Candidates don’t need to currently be in Afghanistan or return to Afghanistan to be eligible

For more information, candidates can visit the IRCC website ( https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/special-measures.html ) or

contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 04, 2021

In the findings of the latest traveler trends survey published by Expedia, almost 60% of Canadians are hoping to go all out for their travel and trips in 2022. As Canada eases restrictions on borders and cases of COVID-19 under control, businesses across the country have started returning to normal. However, there is a looming worry over imposing travel restrictions again in the face of the newly detected Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

While Canada has introduced booster shots and vaccine passports for travelers, the long-term protection offered by these is still under debate. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has issued announcements regarding the same and recommends vaccine booster shots as more such cases are identified.

Saskatchewan Immigration has also announced a new pilot program set to accept applications from 15 January 2022, called the “Hard to Fill Skills” Pilot to fill labor demand in occupations like heath, hospitality, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, retail and ag-tech. This program will help SINP in recruiting international workers for over 23 in-demand entry level occupations which may require on the job training.

International student enrolments at Canadian business schools are projected to be higher than the levels of pre-pandemic. The data collected by IRCC shows that immigrants are an important part of Canada’s economy, contributing to it by studying and working here. Many of the immigrants who apply for Permanent Residence in Canada first come here under study permits or as international students. A large magnitude of students now prefers Canada as their next destination as many programs are being offered that help students progress to PR smoothly.

One such program that attracts international students is Canada’s Post Graduate Work Permit Program (PGWP). This program allows students who have graduated from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions to obtain an open work permit, stay in Canada, and eventually become a citizen.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 03, 2021

Canada’s economy is continuing its steady rise and shows signs of pre-pandemic levels as it moves into its post-pandemic recovery period.

In the findings published by the latest Statistics Canada Labor Force Survey, unemployment levels are at an all-time low, at 6% in November. Almost 154,000 jobs were added this year with many factors contributing, including steady immigration and work benefits to attract new employees. The industries that added the most jobs were mostly service industries like healthcare, retail, and construction. The latest GDP data shows Canada’s economy continues to grow in the face of the pandemic.

Employment levels rose all over Canada, with Quebec at the top having only 4.5% unemployment. The francophone province of Canada added over 45,000 jobs.

Montreal added over 56,000 jobs in November, with unemployment rates decreasing by 1.6%. These statistics are near pre-pandemic levels and show the growth of the economy at 5.4%, a good sign for Canadian businesses and industries.

The provinces that emerged at the top for lowest unemployment levels include Saskatchewan at 5.2%, Manitoba at 5.1%, and British Columbia at 5.6%. The provinces of Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick added comparatively lesser jobs in November.

In the age groups of over 25, the unemployment for men was at 5.5% while it was 5.1% for women, which is a staggering high achieved after adding over 66,000 jobs for women. Over 48,000 jobs were added for men, a slight decrease from the usual statistical levels. All of these jobs were full-time work which shows Canada’s recovery from the pandemic in a positive light.

There was a massive decrease in long-term unemployment, with those out of jobs for 52 weeks for more dropping to 23.4%.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – December 02, 2021

Manitoba PNP, in its December 2 draw, issued 438 Letters of Advice to Apply (LAA’s), to skilled workers and international graduates. The LAA’s were issued through three MPNP streams. This was the 131st draw in the history of MPNP that spans over 20 years. The summary of the draw is given below:

Name of MPNP stream:	The number of LAA’s issued:	The minimum score required to qualify:
Skilled Workers stream	358	More than 449
International Education Stream	29	N/A
Skilled Workers Overseas via a Strategic Recruitment Initiative	51	726

About the streams:

The Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream

It is based on the specific requirements of hiring Manitoba employers. This stream targets the selection of foreign-trained workers having required skills and nominates them for Canada PR. The stream has two pathways to Manitoba immigration.

a) Manitoba Work Experience Pathway

b) Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream

It is a stream aimed at International SW’s with skills in fit in with Manitoba’s In-Demand Occupations. Applicants and spouses with close family connections, google language proficiency, training, and experience to find jobs quickly, all of the above points give the candidate a priority. It includes both a Canada Express Entry Pathway and a direct provincial pathway.

a) Manitoba Express Entry Pathway

b) Human Capital Pathway

The International Education Stream

This focuses on international graduates from Manitoba colleges and universities. Under the stream, applicants are no longer required to work for six months in their field before applying for an MPNP nomination.

a) Career Employment Pathway

b) Graduate Internship Pathway

c) Student Entrepreneur Pathway

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – November 27, 2021

Canada has added 3 more countries to its indefinite travel ban list. Now, the list includes the following countries:

• Namibia
• Malawi
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Mozambique
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Lesotho
• Eswatini

This is to curb the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron which is believed to have over 20 mutations and is highly resistant to vaccines (source: WHO).

All international travelers arriving in Canada by air are required to take a COVID-19 test (except those traveling in from the United States)

The Canadian Airports Council has also made an announcement saying that at this moment, airports cannot test all overseas arrivals on-site without making travelers undergo long wait times.

At this moment, only randomly selected international flight travelers are being tested at the airport. There has been no announcement on when this measure will come into effect.

Quote by Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos:

“All air travelers coming from outside Canada, apart from the United States, will now need to be tested at the airport (where) they are landing in Canada. They will then need to isolate themselves until they get the results of their test”

Quote by Daniel Gooch, President of the Canadian Airports Council:

“We want to avoid chaos. And we want to ensure that travelers who have booked trips are comfortable to travel.” (Source: Reuters)

Canada has implemented a number of new measures which include:

• Banning entry of all foreign travelers who have travelled through these countries in the last 14 days.
• All travelers to Canada must take a COVID-19 test on arrival, and wait for the result at an assigned hotel.
• Canadian citizens and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours are not required to present a negative PCR test result.
• Citizens and permanent residents who left Canada for more than 72 hours will have to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in Canada. The test must be taken in the connecting country, no less than 72 hours before arrival in Canada.
• An update has been made to the list of accepted vaccines: The list is as follows:
• Pfizer
• Moderna
• AstraZeneca
• COVAXIN
• Johnson & Johnson
• Sinopharm
• Sinovac

The full public health statement by the Canadian government can be read here: ( https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/11/remarks-from-the-chief-public-health-officer-on-november-26-2021.html )

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.

Syed Khan – November 30, 2021

British Columbia Immigration issued 89 invitations in its latest draw via the BC PNP. In the draw held on 30 November, candidates were invited through four streams, all of them having a minimum score of 78 points on the grid.

The four streams are as follows:

• SI – Skilled Worker stream
• SI – International Graduate stream
• EEBC – Express Entry BC Skilled Worker stream
• EEBC – Express Entry BC International Graduate stream

The BC PNP offers interested candidates three ways to apply for PR. Each pathway is categorized into several different categories candidates can apply in. Choosing the category depends on your NOC skill level, work experience, type of job, etc.

Till now, in 2021, British Columbia Immigration has invited over 10,200 candidates through various BC PNP streams.

The Skilled Worker Stream of BC PNP targets skilled and semi-skilled workers in high-demand occupations in the province. It functions on a points-based invite system.

About the BC PNP Tech draw:

• This draw was first launched in 2017 as a pilot project in response to the fast-growing demand for talent in BC’s technology sector.
• It was made a permanent program in June 2021.
• The stream targets skilled workers and aims to expand the province’s pool of skilled workers.
• Invitations are issued on a weekly basis to candidates who qualify and who have a valid job offer in one of the 29 eligible occupations.
• The minimum duration of the job offers when applying for BC PNP Tech must be full-time for a duration of 365 days or more.

For more information, candidates can visit BC PNP ( https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program ) or

contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need

Syed Khan – November 29, 2021

The IRCC has recently announced an extension on the time period in which international students can complete their studies online and still qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. According to this recent announcement, between March 2020 – August 2022, all studies done online count towards the PGWP.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP) helps international students who have graduated from eligible Canadian DLI’s to obtain an open work permit to gain valuable Canadian work experience. Applicants can receive only 1 post-graduation work permit in their lifetime.

Requirements for the PGWPP:

• Candidates must currently hold valid temporary status (OR) should have left Canada.
• Must hold a graduation degree from an eligible Canadian designated learning institution. Should include a transcript and an official letter from the eligible DLI confirming that they have met the requirements to complete their program of study.
• Must complete an academic, vocational or professional training program at an eligible institution in Canada that is at least 8 months in duration leading to a degree, diploma or certificate.
• Should have maintained full-time student status in Canada during each academic session of the program or programs of study they have completed and submitted as part of their post-graduation work permit application.

Factors that lead to disqualification of the candidate:

• The candidate has previously been issued a post-graduation work permit
• Has received funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• Has participated in the Government of Canada Awards Program funded by GAC
• Has obtained the Equal Opportunity Scholarship, Canada–Chile
• Has participated in the Canada–China Scholars’ Exchange Program
• Has participated in the Organization of American States Fellowships Program
• Has completed the majority of the credits toward the completion of their program of study by distance learning
• Has completed a program of study delivered by a non-Canadian institution located in Canada, regardless of their length of stay in Canada

For more information, candidates can visit the IRCC website ( https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/study-permits/post-graduation-work-permit-program/institutions.html ) or contact ICanHelpImmigration Services for a detailed consultation

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need