canada | Page 12 of 26 | Bison Immigration Consulting

The Canadian Passport Climbs to 7th Best Globally

In the latest release from Henley and Partners, the 2024 Passport Index has positioned the Canadian passport as a symbol of substantial global mobility, ranking it seventh amongst the world’s most influential travel documents. The ranking, which tapped into the International Air Transport Authority’s extensive database, reflects the scope of visa-free access that Canadian passport holders enjoy. With the freedom to traverse 187 nations without a prior visa arrangement, the Canadian passport continues to uphold its esteemed reputation on the global stage.

Dual citizenship offers an added layer of advantage for Canadian citizens, with a Canadian passport Canadians can navigate the world with enhanced ease. 2024 marks the consecutive second year that the Canadian passport shares its rank with counterparts from Czechia, Hungary, and Malta. Singapore leads the global ranking with unmatched visa-free access to 195 countries, while noteworthy G7-member, the United States, takes the eighth spot offering visa-free access to 186 destinations.

The acquisition of a Canadian passport commences with the pivotal step of securing Canadian citizenship. For those not born on Canadian soil, the process typically initiates with achieving permanent residency status, followed by fulfilling a residency requirement of at least 1,095 days within a five-year period. Notably, eligibility for citizenship can be directly inherited from a Canadian parent, with recent regulations broadening this right under certain conditions.

The pathway to Canadian citizenship includes the requisite payment and filing of taxes during the pertinent residency period, success in the citizenship knowledge examination, and verification of English or French language proficiency corresponding to at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4. Post these accomplishments, the naturalisation process takes on an expected duration of three years.

Following the citizenship celebration and the official issuance of a citizenship certificate, the doors to applying for a Canadian passport are opened. The Canadian passport application drill entails submission of a citizenship proof, current travel documents, professional references, identity verification, and a pair of uniform passport photographs. For first-time applicants, enlisting a guarantor who meets certain criteria is a must. Passport applications can be smoothly handled online or in-person through Service Canada centres.
Steadfast in its global appeal, the Canadian passport not only reaffirms its commendable position in international standings for the year 2024 but also illuminates the streamlined pathway for aspiring citizens to walk upon. As a fusion of rights and responsibilities, the process embodies the core values of Canada, extending an invitation for new members to join a society celebrated for its openness and diversity.

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How Does the Parents and Grandparents Program Work?

How Does The Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program Work?

Headline: Unraveling the Selection Mechanism for the Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program

Every year, the Canadian government, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), enables permanent residents and citizens to bring their senior family members to Canada using the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). The selection method for sponsors under this program relies on a unique lottery system, and there have been some updates to the process based on the government’s recent guidelines.

Understanding the PGP Sponsor Selection Process by IRCC

The latest iterations of the PGP have seen IRCC select potential sponsors from those who showed interest by filling out forms in 2020. An IRCC officer takes a predetermined quantity of these forms’ email addresses and loads them into a tool designed for mass email distribution. Consequently, the potential sponsors receive emails with an Invitation to Apply (ITA), urging them to forward their sponsorship and permanent residence forms.

For the intake of 2024, IRCC dispatched 35,700 ITA emails, aiming to accept about 20,500 completed sponsorship applications. This number exceeds the expected applications, predicting that not every ITA recipient will proceed with an application.

Guidelines for the 2024 Parents and Grandparents Program

Participants who were sent ITAs in 2024 had to adhere to specific rules. They were required to enclose the same “status in Canada” documentation that was submitted with their initial 2020 interest to sponsor form. If any details contrasted between the initial interest form and the latest application, the sponsor was expected to clarify the discrepancies and provide convincing proof that the application is for the appropriate person.

IRCC adheres to a “first-in, first-out” processing policy for these sponsorship applications, ensuring that the submissions for 2024 are queued after those already in the existing sponsorship application inventory. Since 2021, PGP has been choosing from the interest forms collected in 2020, and this trend will likely continue due to the surplus of applications and the program’s expansion plans.

Reflecting on PGP’s Current State and Prospects

The Parents and Grandparents Program has borne its share of criticism, especially with a towering backlog and the program’s limited slots compared to demand. After the 2023 intake, for instance, a backlog of 108,000 interest forms remained. This suggests that IRCC might continue processing the pool of 2020 applicants for another three years, even with a projected increase in admission quotas for the coming years.

Conclusion

The PGP’s lottery system is central to Canada’s family reunification goals, but it presents significant challenges such as backlogs and limited admission space. Despite this, updates like the recently disclosed selection mechanics bring a level of transparency to the process, which applicants and their potential sponsors can use to better navigate the system. Stay updated on Canadian immigration processes and further developments in sponsorship programs by regularly checking for new articles and information.

Parents and Grandparents Sponsorship Program

Provincial Nominee Program Draws Conducted in British Columbia and Manitoba

The landscape of immigration to Canada continues to evolve as provinces like British Columbia and Manitoba take steps to address their unique labor market needs. This past week, both provinces conducted draws through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), targeting skilled professionals whose expertise aligns with specific economic requirements of each region.

In the latest series of invitations, British Columbia has rolled out its Provincial Nominee Program, the BCPNP, to target a precise group of job sectors. There were a total of 147 invitations extended to skilled workers across various sectors, with international graduates included in the ceiling. Each industry had its own cut-off score based on current labor demands in the province. Scores ranged from 80 for veterinary care roles to a high of 120 required for technology sector positions. Childcare (33 invitations), construction (27 invitations), healthcare (22 invitations), and technology (64 invitations) sectors all saw a demand for skilled workers.

For those aiming to settle in British Columbia, the Skilled Worker category demands a blend of post-secondary education, relevant work experience, and a permanent job offer from within the province that is rated under certain skill levels of the National Occupational Classification’s (NOC) TEER matrix. Further, if a position falls under a regulated profession, applicants must possess the provincial certification or licensing to qualify.

On a similar note, Manitoba’s immigration authorities selected skilled workers through two distinct draws under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The first draw zeroed in on specific occupations, particularly home support workers and healthcare professionals, issuing 145 invitations. Another 58 invitations were handed out through the Strategic Recruitment Initiative of the Skilled Worker Overseas stream, with a requirement of a minimum score of 724.

A special note for those with a valid Express Entry profile: of the 203 total invites from MPNP this week, 29 went to candidates with an Express Entry profile, revealing a valuable pathway for potential immigrants to secure provincial nominations.

British Columbia and Manitoba have made their intentions clear by actively seeking skilled workers to support their provincial economies. The recent provincial nominee programs underscore the ongoing need for immigration to fill key occupations. For aspiring immigrants, keeping abreast of these draws and understanding the requirements are pivotal steps towards their dream of inhabiting and contributing to Canada. As always, pursuing Canadian immigration can be a complex process, and obtaining the right guidance is paramount.

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Canada Invites 964 PNP Candidates in Latest Express Entry Draw

In its recent Express Entry draw, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended an invitation to 964 Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) applicants to apply for permanent residency. Following this draw, candidates were required to have a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 686. The latest of several draws this bustling month, this selection round was exclusively for those who’ve received provincial nominations.

Happening every other session, the Express Entry system experienced a mix of program-focused draws, alternating between the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and category-specific selections. Pertaining to the latter, significant numbers of invitations – reaching 5,000 across two sessions – were earmarked for individuals with French language abilities. Additionally, healthcare professionals and tradespeople have been sought, with 3,750 invitations to healthcare candidates early in the month, followed by 1,800 to individuals in trade roles thereafter.

This concentration on program-specific draws commenced on May 30, following a year’s hiatus, marking a concerted effort by IRCC to prioritize domestic candidates as depicted in their recent strategic goals. Launched in March, IRCC’s focus has been on reducing the temporary resident population while concurrently fulfilling permanent resident targets as part of their Immigration Levels Plan.

Offering a recap of Express Entry outcomes in 2024, a variety of draws occurred across multiple professional categories and skills, signifying the intention of IRCC to appeal to the diverse talents required in the Canadian labor market. Categories include healthcare, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), various trades, transportation, the agri-food sector, and candidates demonstrating French language proficiency.

The Express Entry system is designed to streamline the application process for Canada’s primary economic immigration pathways: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Offering expedited processing, with a standard timeline of six months, Express Entry assesses candidates using the CRS. This points-based system allocates scores for factors such as age, education, skilled work experience, and language proficiency, to determine a candidate’s potential to contribute effectively to the Canadian economy.

Category-based selection is an approach that aims to attract applicants with particular skill sets and proficiencies by holding separate draws for certain fields, initiated by IRCC in May 2023 after discussions with stakeholders.

Conclusion

In summary, Canada continues to solidify its position as a go-to destination for skilled workers across the globe. With a focus on a range of professional sectors and a commitment to language diversity, IRCC is ensuring Canada’s economic landscape grows robustly through strategic immigration policies, including the recent PNP-focused Express Entry draw.

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IRCC Extends Express Entry Invitations to 1,121 Provincial Nominee Program Candidates in Latest Round

The latest development in Canadian immigration comes from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which has rolled out a new set of invitations for hopefuls seeking permanent residence. In an impressive Express Entry draw focusing exclusively on the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), a total of 1,121 candidates have been extended Invitations to Apply (ITAs). A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 694 was required for a candidate to be included in this selection.

This recent PNP draw is of particular note as it represents one segment of multiple draws that have been occurring bi-weekly. On the heels of the previous draw on August 15, which targeted candidates under the French-speaking proficiency category, another pair of draws occurred just days prior: one on August 13 for PNP candidates surpassing a 690 CRS score, followed by a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on August 14 for individuals scoring 509 or above.

Observing the patterns of IRCC’s recent activities uncovers a clear strategy—increasing the frequency of PNP and CEC draws. This aligns with the department’s objectives, which include decreasing the number of temporary residents by converting them to permanent residents while also striving to reach the ambitious permanent resident admissions goals stated in the Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2024-2026. These targets aim to accept 110,770 newcomers via Express Entry in 2024, climbing to 117,500 in 2025.

Candidates receiving ITAs in the latter half of a year are especially crucial to fulfilling the 2025 objectives due to IRCC’s six-month service standard for processing finalized Express Entry applications.

The Express Entry system—an efficient management system for economic immigration class programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class—ranks candidates based on a myriad of human capital factors through the CRS. Candidates gain points for their work experience, language skills, education, and other unique factors, contributing to their total CRS score. Top-ranking individuals receive ITAs for permanent residence in subsequent Express Entry draws.

Adding a twist to the Express Entry system, IRCC announced in May 2023 that it would start hosting category-specific invitation rounds focusing on particular occupations or language abilities for Express Entry contenders.

The latest PNP-centered Express Entry draw by the IRCC represents a determined effort to not only manage Canada’s economic immigration effectively but also to propel the department closer to achieving its long-range admission targets. Candidates eyeing the opportunity for Canadian permanent residency through these programs find themselves at an advantage, particularly with the rise of invitation rounds focusing on unique qualifications. As the IRCC continues to adapt and evolve its strategies, it contributes to a more dynamic and responsive Canadian immigration landscape.

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