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New Pilot Program Grants Caregivers Permanent Resident Status Upon Arrival

As the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot conclude later this month, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, announced new, enhanced caregiver pilots. This initiative ensures caregivers can continue to come to Canada while the Government of Canada works towards making these pilot programs permanent.

The new pilot programs will grant caregivers permanent residence (PR) upon their arrival in Canada. Additionally, they will be permitted to work for organizations that provide temporary or part-time care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness. This new pathway will simplify finding suitable employment with reliable employers and offer clear, straightforward access to permanent resident status immediately upon arrival in Canada.

Through these new pilot programs, candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:
– Achieve a minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
– Hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
– Have recent and relevant work experience
– Receive an offer for a full-time home care job

These new pilot programs signify an important step in Canada’s efforts to address the evolving home care needs of its diverse population. More information, including full eligibility criteria and application details, will be available prior to the programs’ full launch.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Is a Language Test Required for Canadian Immigration?

Do you want to migrate to Canada? If you are looking to make your move through the country’s economic immigration initiatives, proficiency in English or French is essential. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) mandates language testing for 12 economic immigration streams. The Agri-Food Pilot, Atlantic Immigration, and the Caregivers programs are a few where language benchmarks must be met.

Key immigration routes such as the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class programs under Express Entry also require test scores. Programs targeting Hong Kong residents, aspiring entrepreneurs under the Start-Up Visa, and those applying through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot also fall under this criterion.

Candidates will need to identify and register for a test with an approved agency, which comes at a fee. IRCC recognizes three tests for English applicants – the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP-General), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS-General Training), and the Pearson Test of English (PTE Core). French speakers must opt for either the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) Canada or the Test de connaissance du français (TCF) Canada.

After crossing the language test bridge and obtaining your results, the IRCC will verify the language results. If you’re an Express Entry hopeful, input your results in your profile. Test results are a vital component of your application, and they must be current – dated no more than two years. If your test result expiry date is on the horizon; consider a retake to ensure your scores reflect your current abilities. This is particularly vital for maintaining an updated Express Entry profile.

Exploring Canada’s economic immigration programs, understanding the mandatory language requirements is a stepping stone to charting your immigration path. Whether you’re a caregiver, a tech entrepreneur, or a skilled worker, language proficiency is your key to opening the right doors in Canada.

Canadian immigration is an opportunity-filled venture for those who meet the prerequisites, including language proficiency. With several economic immigration programs available, it’s essential to understand the language test requirements and validity for a smooth application process. Prepare accordingly, and you’ll set the stage for potential success in your Canadian immigration journey.

For more information please email us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

Express Entry Invites Candidates After Hiatus

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has restarted the Express Entry system with the latest batch of invitations. A total of 2,985 candidates aiming for provincial nomination have received Invitations to Apply (ITAs). To qualify for this round, individuals needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 676.

Marking the first targeted draw since the new category-based draws were brought into effect back in June 2023, this specific draw was confined to candidates within the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), diverging from the typical process that encompasses all programs. The draw on May 30 comes on the heels of a draw freeze that had lasted since April 24, the reasons for which have not been disclosed by the IRCC. Despite the pause, the department assures that future draws are set to proceed on a pre-arranged, though currently not public, timetable. The IRCC has suggested that the number and frequency of future draws will align with the immigration goals for 2024 and 2025, with operational capacity also playing a role in these decisions.

The draw history before the break includes four draws in April, with a variety of focus areas including general draws, sector-specific draws for STEM and French proficiency. The emphasis on French language skills is set to dominate category-based selection draws in 2024, reflecting the high employability and integration success associated with bilingual applicants. For 2024, STEM-related professions are set to claim the second-largest share of ITAs at 25%, followed by healthcare occupations at 15%, while transport, trades, agriculture and agri-food sectors will represent a minor share.

Express Entry is a management system for applications to Canada’s prominent economic immigration pathways: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. All candidates are scored under the CRS, evaluating factors like work experience, language skills, and education. High-scoring individuals stand a better chance of receiving an ITA.

Since May 2023, Express Entry has incorporated category-based draws aimed at applicants with specific work experiences or language skills, including those in healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, and agriculture/agri-food sectors, along with strong French proficiency.

The resumption of Express Entry draws signals a proactive movement by the IRCC to maintain a vibrant, skilled workforce entering Canada. Aspiring immigrants should note that the draw patterns are informed by the nation’s economic needs and capacity. Continuous updates and an understanding of the Express Entry system’s nuances are vital for anyone aiming to make Canada their new home.

For more information email us hello@bisonimmigration.com

Graduates with Master’s degrees now qualify for a 3-year work permit

Great news for international students pursuing master’s programs in Canada! Master’s students in programs less than two years in length are now eligible for a three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP). This is a significant change that will provide more opportunities for international students to gain valuable work experience in Canada.

The decision to expand the eligibility for longer work permits for master’s students was made by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in recognition of their potential to contribute to Canada’s labour market. The length of the PGWP for students in programs other than at the master’s level will continue to correspond with the length of the study program, up to a maximum of three years.

In addition, students in programs at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions (DLIs) that are at least two years in length are also eligible for a three-year PGWP. Furthermore, IRCC will soon amend rules for spousal work permits for international students at an undergraduate level, making only spouses of master’s and doctoral level students eligible to receive a spousal work permit.

Understanding PGWP Eligibility Criteria

For international students to be eligible for a PGWP, they must have completed studies in an eligible DLI, studied in a program that led to a degree, diploma, or certificate, held full-time student status in Canada during every academic session, and graduated from a recognized educational institution in Canada. As of September 2024, students attending certain types of programs will no longer be eligible to apply for a PGWP.

These recent changes in the eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits for international students will provide more opportunities for them to gain valuable work experience in Canada after completing their studies. This is an exciting development that reflects Canada’s commitment to attracting and retaining top international talent.

Express Entry Draw: What to Do If You Are Not Invited

Many individuals have their profile expire before receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence (PR). There are more than 200,000 profiles in the federal Express Entry candidate pool. If your profile is expiring soon, here’s what you need to know.

Will my information be saved when my profile expires?

Unfortunately, no. Once your profile expires, the system will not save the information. If you find that your profile is expiring, it is advised to create a new profile if you wish to stay in the pool.

How can I create a new profile within the pool?

Creating a new profile within the system is a straightforward process. If your old profile is

expiring and you would like to remain in the pool, you must first withdraw your old candidate profile before making a new one.

How can I increase my eligibility while I am in the pool?

To increase your chances of receiving an ITA, consider increasing your CRS score by improving your official language ability, level of education, securing a job offer, receiving a provincial nomination, increasing eligible work experience, and more.

Candidates may also be eligible for category-based selections, which invite candidates primarily for their official language ability or professional experience in in-demand positions.

If your Express Entry profile is expiring, be sure to create a new profile to stay in the pool. Additionally, consider increasing your CRS score to improve your eligibility for an ITA. For more information and assistance with Canadian immigration, feel free to contact us at hello@bisonimmigration.com

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