News updates

Canada updated the biometrics and identity management definitions

On April 29, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced updates in the Biometrics and Identity Management Operations Unit. The Unit updated the pages for biometrics and identity management and also provided guidance in the program delivery instructions related to naming procedures. Canada’s immigration biometric collection program consists of biographic data, a digital photo, and all fingerprints. The biometric collection helps IRCC to strengthen identity management, enhance security, improve program integrity, and facilitate the processing of legitimate applicants. Identity management is key to the integrity of program and service delivery at IRCC. The department plays a lead role in establishing and managing the identity information of foreign-born residents and Canadians. Identity management spans a continuum of programs and services including temporary residents, permanent residents, refugees, citizenship, and passport. #IRCC, #Biometrics, #immigration_policy

April 30, 2021

Ontario has introduced the points grid for the new Expression of Interest system

On April 28, 2021, Ontario has finally introduced the points grid the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will use to assign points for candidates in the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. Candidates will get points for 14 factors. Factors 1-3 are related to Job Offer. OINP may assign points for NOC skill level (10 points for NOC A, and 8 points for NOC B), NOC type (10 points for NOC Type 0,1,2,3,9, and 5 points for NOC Type 4,5,6,7,8) and wage (10 points for over $40/hr, 5 points for #20-39.99/hr). Factors 1 and 3 are not applied to Masters Graduate or Ph.D. Graduate streams. Factors 4-6 are related to Canadian work experience. OINP will assign points for the length of work (4 points for over 1 year of work experience), NOC skill level (3 points for NOC A), and the earning history (3 points for over $40,000 in a year). Factors 7-8 are related to education. Candidates will get 10 points for Ph.D., 8 points for Masters, 6 points for Bachelors, and 5 points for College diploma or certificate. For some fields of study, OINP will give 5-10 points. Factor 9 is Canadian education. Candidates will get 10 points for more than one Canadian credential, and 5 points for one Canadian credential. Factors 10-11 are related to language abilities. OINP gives 10 points for CLB 9 or higher, 6 points for CLB 8, and 4 points for CLB 7. If the candidate knows both English and French, he/she can get 10 points and 5 points for one of them. Education and Language factors (7-11) are not applied to Foreign Worker or In-Demand Skills streams. Factors 12-13 are related to regional locations. If the location of the job offer is outside GTA, the candidate can get 10 points, and inside GTA - 6 points. If the location of the study was outside GTA, the candidate can get 10 points, and inside GTA - 6 points. Regional location factors (12-13) are not applied to Masters or Ph.D. streams. Finally, factor 14 is strategic priorities. OINP can give extra 10 points to address immediate labour market needs in the province or a region of the province. The maximum points for all 5 streams are the following: • EJO FW - 80 points • EJO IS - 120 points • EJO In-Demand Skills - 80 points • Masters - 78 points • Ph.D. - 80 points #Ontario, #OINP, #nominations, #PNP, #International_students, #Masters_graduates, #Employer_Job_Offer, #PhD_graduates

April 29, 2021

Quebec announced a vaccination campaign for temporary foreign farm workers

On April 26, 2021, Quebec announced new vaccination measures for temporary foreign farm workers. Temporary foreign workers are one of the priority groups of essential workers in environments at high risk of an infection outbreak. As part of the current vaccination campaign, they can now be vaccinated, however, they will have to wait until the end of the mandatory quarantine required upon their arrival. Coming to the vaccination appointment, they have to bring proof of employment, while a Québec health insurance card is not required. #Quebec, #Temporary_workers, #Seasonal_workers, #Agriculture, #farmers, #farmworkers, #farm_workers

April 27, 2021

New Brunswick announced new travel regulations

On April 23, 2021, New Brunswick announced new requirements for non-essential and business travellers, post-secondary students, and people who move to the province permanently. New self-isolation requirements will be effective from April 25 under the mandatory order. All travellers will be required to self-isolate for at least seven days in a designated isolation hotel at their own expense. Returning post-secondary students and their families also will need to stay in an isolation hotel. For them, the cost of the isolation hotel and related expenses will be covered by the provincial government. All travellers will be required to take a COVID-19 test on day 5 and day 10 of their self-isolation. Once they get a negative result, they may complete their 14-day self-isolation at home, as long as no other people are in the household. #Covid_19, #travel_restrictions, #New_Brunswick

April 26, 2021