News updates

Manitoba nominated 250 candidates in February and March 2021

On April 29, 2021, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) published new nomination issuance statistics. In February, the province nominated 1 skilled worker, 4 business candidates, and approved 4 business concepts. In March, MPNP nominated 108 skilled workers and approved 2 business concepts. Manitoba also refused 3 profiles of skilled workers in February and 1 in March. MPNP invited 503 skilled workers, 1 business candidate and approved 1 business concept in February, while in March it sent LAAs to 634 skilled workers, 2 business candidates, and approved 6 business concepts. MPNP received 424 applications from skilled workers and 4 applications from business candidates in February and 565 applications from skilled workers and 5 applications from business candidates in March. In total, MPNP nominated 363 foreign nationals, including 19 nominees from Express Entry in 2021. #Manitoba, #MPNP, #Skilled_workers, #business_immigration, #PNP, #nomination_certificates

April 30, 2021

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