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Syed Khan – 14 August 2021,

A research poll reveals more than 75% of Nova Scotians are eager to welcome more newcomers, including immigrants, to their province. Over 92 percent of Nova Scotians want the province to recruit doctors from other countries.

The online poll — which was conducted by Halifax-based Narrative Research — between July 23 to July 28, surveyed 521 Nova Scotia residents who are 18 and older from the company’s online panel, East Coast Voice. In accordance with CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards, a margin of error is not applied.

The candidates were asked about the extent to which they supported or opposed having the new provincial government act on what they deemed to be “key issues, including include access to mental health care, introducing a guaranteed minimum income, and reducing the cost of childcare in Nova Scotia.

Increased access to health care and taking more aggressive measures to protect the environment were the top actions Nova Scotians want the new government to take.

In related news, the Federal Government of Canada announced on Wednesday that vaccine passports for foreign travel will be introduced this fall. These passports will include information on what vaccines were administered, the date of vaccination, and where the doses were received. Nova Scotia promised a ScotiaPass for residents and those business owners can use it to control access to their businesses.

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 – 13 August 2021,

The Federal Government of Canada announced on Wednesday that vaccine passports for foreign travel will be introduced this fall. These passports will include information on what vaccines were administered, the date of vaccination, and where the doses were received.

Quote from the Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino- “For Canadians who decide to travel, using a proof of vaccination will provide foreign border officials with the vaccination history needed to assess whether a traveler meets their public health requirements and provide a trusted and verifiable credential for when they return home”

The federal government must discuss the issuing of these passports with the country’s 10 provinces and three territories since the latter keep the records on vaccinations.

A few individual provinces made announcements regarding vaccine passports within their boundaries.

• Manitoba said it will issue proof-of-vaccination cards to residents
• Nova Scotia promised a ScotiaPass for residents and those business owners can use to control access to their businesses
• Alberta said it will not introduce any passport system, as reported by the CBC
• In Quebec, a system using a smartphone app will be introduced in September. Without the app as proof of vaccinations, entry to non-essential businesses such as restaurants and bars will be refused

During a virtual meet on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Among the topics discussed were the proof of vaccination passports, including the EU Digital COVID Certificate, said a statement from the prime minister’s office obtained by Anadolu Agency. No further details were made available. It was also announced that Canada is working with other countries so that digital passports will allow Canadians to enter their territory.

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 – 12 August 2021,

On August 10, 2021, the IRCC launched a new PR Online Application Portal for authorized immigration representatives. This enables them to submit non-Express Entry PR applications online on behalf of the applicants they represent

The Immigration representatives will be allowed to authorize from a single account for multiple clients for non express entry PR application streams submitted through paper application forms. This PR Online Application Portal is not related or linked to the Authorized Paid Representative Portal.

Steps to create a PR Online Application Portal account

To create a PR Online Application Portal account, clients need to provide information:

• Membership ID number
• Name
• Business address
• Valid copy of an identity document
• Driving license
• Valid passport
• Permanent residence card

1. After accessing the PR Online Application Portal, the authorized representatives will confirm the client’s email address.
2. The client will receive an email, and a notification will be sent after submission of PR application
3. The representative will assist the client in applying for permanent residency by filling out forms (digital and PDF formats) and uploading the required documents, including payment receipt for application fees.
4. If the forms require a third-party signature, for instance, family class sponsorship forms other forms or requiring a sponsor’s signature, they need to be printed and signed by hand by both the principal applicant and sponsor.
5. After this the e-copies of the signature will be uploaded. The same procedure will be applied to the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form (PDF, 2.2 MB)

Steps to follow for clients

1. After filling the application, the client needs to log in to the portal by using the credentials.
2. The clients can check the status in the portal and electronically sign the declaration form and consent form
3. The client should review properly before signing the declaration form.
4. Then the authorized representative will submit your form on your behalf.
5. The client can make changes only in signatures on the declaration and consent page, and the IMM 5669 form and the rest are not allowed.

What to do if your application is returned

If the applications are incomplete, they will be returned through the PR Online Application Portal. The representatives can resubmit the form after filling the form with required documents or any other necessities. Few applications might also return due to the acceptance in limited numbers or if the client doesn’t meet the requirements.

Syed Khan – 11 August 2021,

Today, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced that the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants will officially be opened on November 23, 2021.

The College will become the official regulator of immigration and citizenship consultants across the country, improving oversight and rooting out scamming criminals. It is described to be “an arm’s-length institution”, regulating the profession by protecting both the public and consultants in good standing from those who take advantage of vulnerable people. The creation of the College is a significant part of the government’s efforts to fight fraud in our immigration system. It builds on progressive action over the previous years, including an investment of $50 million to fight fraud and new educational tools to help applicants identify fraudulent activity.

Canada is one of the best countries to settle in and travel to in the world, with millions of people from over +70 countries hoping to come here and visit, work or build a life for themselves. To navigate the immigration system and get your application processed efficiently, many people turn to agents or agencies who offer consultant services for help.

While most of these consultants operate without dishonesty or fraudulent practices, sometimes unscrupulous actors can exploit this system and take advantage of innocent, unknowing people. These people trust and spend a lot of time, energy, and money to come to Canada. This is why the Government of Canada is taking meaningful action to put an end to immigration fraud and protect those who wish to come here.

What will be the objective of The College?

• The College will regulate immigration and citizenship consultants under a statutory framework put in place by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act.
• It will have significant new powers and tools to investigate professional misconduct and to discipline its licensees.
• It will be subject to appropriate government oversight.
• It fulfills a mandate commitment to strengthen oversight, uphold the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and protect all those who wish to come here.
• The College will have the ability to request court injunctions to address unlicensed actors providing immigration or citizenship advice without authorization.
• The College will have the authorities necessary for the regulation of consultants, in particular tools to investigate professional misconduct and discipline its licensees. This includes the power to enter the premises of a consultant or service for the purpose of gathering information to support an investigation and the power to compel witnesses to appear and testify before its Discipline Committee.

Quotes from the Government officials

“Those who wish to come to Canada deserve honest, professional and ethical advice—and we have a responsibility to ensure they’re getting it. Our new College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants is a major milestone in these efforts. The creation of the new College delivers on our promise to better protect newcomers and bolsters Canada’s immigration system so it can continue to be the envy of the world.”

– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

The College’s initial board of directors will be comprised of 5 public interest directors and 4 members of the College (consultants). Public interest directors will be appointed by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship prior to the College opening.

A code of professional conduct for the College is currently in development as part of the regulatory process. The code will play a major role in establishing and maintaining strong ethical and professional standards that all licensees must abide by. Obtaining the statutory authority to regulate itself under the College Act marks a key milestone in the development of this growing profession.

All these changes undertaken by the Government of Canada will support better protection of Canadians, newcomers, and licensed immigration consultants of good standing.

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 – 10 August 2021

Canada has extended its ban on direct passenger flights from India until September 21 amid the South Asian country’s ongoing struggles to contain the spread of Covid-19 within its borders. The ban was first imposed on April 22 and has already been rolled over several times. It is the fifth time the ban has been extended.

This extension has come at a time when several jurisdictions have been relaxing restrictions for Indian travelers. The decision is expected to further aggravate the plight of those applying for student visas for higher education in Canada.

Ministry of Transport Canada said. “Based on the latest public health advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada is extending the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that restricts all direct commercial and private passenger flights to Canada from India until September 21, 2021, at 23:59 EDT,” in a statement.

Indians wishing to fly abroad have been facing hurdles with several European and Western countries imposing a ban on flights originating from India. During the second wave of Covid-19, the country saw a rapid spread of the virus, leading to several countries deciding on flight bans.

However, while direct flights are banned, Canada is allowing Indian travelers to enter its borders through an indirect route. The rule is that anyone entering Canada by transiting through a third country must have a Covid19 molecular test done from a country other than India before continuing their journey to Canada.

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 – 09 August 9, 2021

 Ontario is a magnet for international students as the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) showed the central Canadian province’s share of international students jumped from 37 percent in the early 2000s to almost half, 49 percent, during the 2015 to 2019 period.

Last month Ontario had opened a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system for two of its provincial immigration programs.  Ontario graduates with job offers in the province can now register for a chance to get a provincial nomination through two more immigration programs. The programs that use the EOI system now include In-Demand Skills, International Student, and Foreign Worker, Masters Graduate and Ph.D. graduate.

What is the purpose of the EOI system?

Candidates from these 5 categories can register for Ontario immigration at any time. Through this system, Ontario Immigration uses a scoring matrix to ranks candidates’ profiles. The candidates get points for education, work experience, and intended destination in Ontario, among other factors. The purpose of ranking candidates in such a way is to identify which ones have the skills and experience to succeed in Ontario’s labor market.

How to apply for Ontario’s base PNP:

• Register an EOI profile, registration is free
• After registering, your profile will be entered into a selection pool and given a score based on your answers. Please note that an EOI registration does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply. The OINP will notify you or your representative if you have been invited.
• Your EOI registration is valid for up to 12 months. After 12 months, your EOI will be deleted automatically.
• If you are invited to apply you will have to submit fees along with your application
• Receiving an invitation does not mean you get the provincial nomination. You will have to meet all the eligibility requirements of the stream you are applying for at that time.
• You can only register one EOI profile at any given time.
• The information you provide must be accurate at the time you register. You can update your profile at any time to keep the information current.

Scoring factors as listed on the Ontario government webpage:

• Job offer: NOC skill level

(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)

1. NOC Skill Level A – 10 points
2. NOC Skill Level B – 8 points
3. NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
4. NOC Skill Level D – 0 points

• Job offer: NOC type
• NOC Type 0,1,2,3,9 – 10 points
• NOC Type 4,5,6,7,8 – 5 points

• Job offer: wage

(Not applied to Masters Graduate or PhD Graduate streams.)

1. $40 per hour or higher – 10 points
2. $20 to $39.99 per hour – 5 points
3. Less than $20 per hour – 0 points

• Canadian work experience: length Cumulative
• 12 Months or more – 4 points
• Less than 12 months – 0 points

• Canadian work experience: NOC Skill Level
• NOC Skill Level A – 3 points
• NOC Skill Level B – 0 points
• NOC Skill Level C – 0 points
• NOC Skill Level D – 0 points

• Canadian work experience: earnings history
• $40k or more earnings in a year – 3 points
• Less than $40k earnings in a year – 0 points

• Highest level of education
• PhD – 10 points
• Masters – 8 points
• Bachelors or equivalent – 6 points
• College diploma or trade certificate – 5 points
• Less than college or trade certificate – 0 points

• Field of study

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams)

1. Engineering – 10 points
2. Health care – 10 points
3. Math and Computer Science – 9 points
4. Business and Administration – 7 points
5. Trades – 7 points
6. Social, Legal, and Education – 6 points
7. Arts and Humanities – 5 points

• Canadian education experience

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

1. More than one Canadian credential – 10 points
2. One Canadian credential – 5 points

• Official language ability

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

1. CLB 9 or higher – 10 points
2. CLB 8 – 6 points
3. CLB 7 – 4 points
4. CLB 6 or lower – 0 points

• Knowledge of official languages

(Not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams.)

1. 2 Official Languages – 10 points
2. 1 Official Language – 5 points

• Regional immigration: location of job Offer

(Not applied to Masters or PhD streams.)

1. Outside GTA – 10 points
2. Inside GTA – 6 points

• Regional immigration: location of study

(Not applied to Masters or PhD streams.)

1. Outside GTA – 10 points
2. Inside GTA – 6 points

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 – 8 August 2021,

Responses from the latest Angus Reil poll suggest that majority of Canadians are still cautious about reopening the border and would like to wait until more than 75 % of Canadians were vaccinated.  The Angus Reid Institute surveyed over 2,040 Canadians from July 9 to 13, 2021. The margin of error for the survey is plus or minus two percentage points 19 times out of 20.

As per reports, Canada will be reaching over 55 million vaccine doses in the near future, with over 70% of the Canadian population having received at least 1 dose of the vaccine. Almost 44% of the population in Canada is fully vaccinated. With 68.4%, Canada leads among the countries with 10+ million population in terms of the percentage of the population to have received 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Public opinion of the Government’s handling of the pandemic:

In the survey, around 50% of respondents said that Trudeau has done a good job in handling the pandemic. On the other hand, 46% said that he has done a poor job. Trudeau’s popularity among Canadians is the highest it has been since January of 2020, the start of the pandemiv

Economic blow of the COVID pandemic:

When asked about the economic blow of the Covid pandemic on Canada’s economy and growth, 72% of the respondents said that the worst effects of the economic blow have passed while over 28% disagree and said that the worst is yet to come.

Worry regarding Covid and overall health:

More information from the poll said that about 50% of Canadians are less worried about getting COVID. An overwhelming majority feel that the worst of the pandemic’s negative health impacts have passed.

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 – 7 Aug 2021,

Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino met virtually with provincial and territorial
immigration ministers on August 2, to brainstorm ways to speed up processing times of
PR and increase the number of people applying for permanent residence. During their
virtual meeting, the ministers discussed the regional distribution of immigration, the best
ways to leverage the successes of each regional PNP, better settlement services for
permanent and temporary residents, and strategies to bolster francophone immigration
outside of Quebec. Nova Scotia’s minister of immigration was absent from the federal-
provincial-territorial immigration ministers’ meeting because that province is currently in
the lead-up to an election.

Quotes:
“Canada’s immigration system has played a critical role in our response to COVID-19
and will continue to help fuel our economic recovery. Today, we had productive
discussions with the provinces and territories on how to better and more evenly spread
the benefits of immigration across the country. Our ongoing collaboration, further
strengthened today, has contributed to valuable initiatives that will help support
population growth and a modern immigration system. Together, we can build a stronger
and more diverse Canada.” said federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino.

“Immigration has never been more critical as we navigate the unprecedented
challenges of the pandemic and work towards economic recovery and prosperity in all
regions of Canada. Today, we recommitted to meaningful partnership and collaboration
between provinces, territories and the federal government to achieve flexible and
responsive immigration programming that supports our diverse and evolving labour
market and population growth needs and priorities,” said Arlene Dunn, co-chair of the
Forum of Ministers responsible for Immigration, last week.

What is the FMRI?

The Forum of Ministers Responsible for Immigration is a decision-making body whose
goal is to support a flexible, timely and effective immigration system for Canada. In
2021, the organization established a vision for immigration to Canada and a mission for
the FMRI: to advance joint immigration priorities and enhance Canada’s immigration
policies and programs.
Canada’s 2021‒2023 Immigration Levels Plan had set immigration targets of about one
percent of the Canadian population for each of three years. The IRCC has responded to
the immigration challenge by slashing the CRS scores in an Express Entry draw that
saw more than five times as many Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued as usual.
Another step Canada took during the pandemic was the decision to shift to a completely
digital immigration process to speed things up. In March, this was further boosted by
extending the list of occupations deemed essential.

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 – 6 Aug 2021,

In the new Expression of Interest draw, the Saskatchewan immigration has set a target
of 65 occupations with over 452 invitations. In the 5th August Saskatchewan Immigrant
Nominee Program draw, Occupations In-Demand candidates received 281 invitations
while 171 invitations went to Express Entry candidates, both with a minimum score of
73 points, four lower than the previous draw.
What is the process to apply for Saskatchewan Expression of Interest?
● Step 1- Submit an EOI profile.
● Step 2- Enter the EOI candidate pool.
● Step 3- EOI candidates selected.
● Step 4- Invitations to Apply issued via regular draws.
● Step 5- Candidates submit full application within 60 days.
● Step 6- SINP officials assess the applications and make a decision.
Requirements for The Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category?
● Score a minimum of 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid
● Have a profile in the Express Entry Pool, with profile number and job seeker
validation code
● Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
● Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.
● Candidates from outside Canada, or with legal status in Canada, qualify for this
Saskatchewan immigration category, provided they are not refugee claimants.
● Provide valid language test results from a designated testing agency matching
those in the Express Entry profile
● Have completed one year of post-secondary education, training or
apprenticeship comparable to the Canadian education system. You must have
earned a diploma, certificate or degree. Degrees and diplomas obtained outside
Canada subject to an Educational Credential Assessment
● Have at least one of the following experience requirements in your field of
education or training occupation:
● One year of work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-
trades);
● Two years of work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or

● One year of work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-
trades).
● Have work experience in a high-skilled, eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0. See
the excluded occupations list.
● Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan where your profession is
regulated or a skilled trade. For skilled trades, a certificate is required from the
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.

Requirements for The Occupation-In-Demand Sub-Category
● Score at least 60 points on the SINP points assessment grid
● Language score of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4. Employers
and regulatory bodies may ask for higher
● Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.
● Pay a non-refundable $300 application fee online.
● Completed one year of post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship
comparable to the Canadian education system. Candidates must have earned a
diploma, certificate, or degree. Degrees and diplomas obtained outside Canada
subject to an Educational Credential Assessment
● At least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in your field of
education or training occupation, and in an eligible occupation in NOC A, B, 0.
● Obtain the appropriate licensure in Saskatchewan if your field so requires, as the
authorities will not process an application without the licensure.

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 – 5 August 2021,

Canada has eased all its restrictions for its travelers from July 5, 2021. The Canadian Government has imposed restrictions before to control the spread of COVID.  Conversely, these relaxations will be effective only for a few categories like citizens and PRs (Permanent Residents).

List of Vaccines accepted:

Travelers are allowed to Canada if they are safely vaccinated, which exempts them from quarantine and testing. Below is the list of vaccines approved by the Government of Canada, as per the press release and tweet by the PHA (Public Health Agency) of Canada.

List of Vaccines accepted:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
• AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine – single dose

List of Vaccines NOT accepted:

• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C)
• Cansino (Convidecia, Ad5-nCoV)
• Gamalaya (Sputnik V, Gam-Covid-Vac)
• Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV, Sinopharm-Wuhan)
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)
• Vector Institute (EpiVacCorona)

ArriveCAN: Travelers need to submit their proof of vaccination or any supporting documents either in English or any other translatable language. Every traveler needs to update the information about proof of vaccination, travel, and quarantine information in ArriveCAN.

Exemptions for Canadian travelers:

The Canadian Government has exempted few people for quarantine and hotel stopover, with the following conditions:

• Persons with asymptomatic conditions
• Persons who are fully vaccinated with any one of the accepted COVID vaccines
• Meeting all the entry requirements
• Updating entry information in ArriveCAN before traveling
• The last dose should be 15 days prior before you travel

Proof of Vaccination for Canadian travelers

Proof of vaccination is a must for Canadian travelers and has to submit via the ArriveCAN portal. If the traveler fails to submit the proper documentation before arriving in Canada, they will NOT be exempted from quarantine and other restrictions.

The traveler has to provide the following details in ArriveCAN:

• Details of the first dose of vaccination (date, place or country, and type of vaccination received)
• Details of the second dose (even though they are yet to receive)
• Photo or PDF of each dose of vaccination received
• If the traveler receives both doses, they need to submit the proof of both doses on a single card or PDF. The acceptable formats are PDF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, with a size limit of 2 MB.

Note: There are NO exemptions for partially vaccinated individuals (or the person who receives a combination of vaccines accepted by the Canadian Government) from testing and quarantine.

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