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B.C. invited 74 tech workers to apply for a provincial nomination on 21st September. The invitations were issued through the BC PNP Tech, which is a stream under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Candidates invited through B.C’s Tech draws must meet the requirements of one of British Columbia’s Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories, which are managed by the Skills and Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Candidates who received invitations in this draw were from the Skilled Worker and International Graduate subcategories and needed a minimum provincial score of 80. Invited candidates now have 30 calendar days to apply for the nomination.

BC PNP Tech program

The BC PNP Tech was launched in May 2017 as a pilot project following a labour market study that found the biggest issue facing B.C.’s technology sector was access to talent. Following the success of the project, B.C made it a permanent program. The program is designed to enable employers in British Columbia’s technology sector to continue to attract and select international talent when qualified workers are not available locally.

More specifically, the BC PNP Tech is a fast-track immigration pathway for in-demand tech workers and international students. Candidates need to be registered in one of B.C.’s existing provincial immigration streams and have a valid job offer of at least 12 months in one of 29 eligible occupations to qualify for the stream.

Unlike other BC PNP streams, job offers under the BC PNP Tech must be for a minimum of one year, with at least 120 days remaining at the time of application to the BC PNP. It must also be full-time and from an eligible employer in the province. Invitations through the province’s tech program are sent out weekly to the top-scoring candidates who meet the eligibility requirements.

Candidates who are invited to apply for a provincial nomination will need to submit a complete application. Once this is done, most tech applications will be processed within two to three months. If they are approved, candidates will receive a nomination confirmation that can be used to apply for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) under the Provincial Nominee Program Class.

PNP candidates automatically earn 600 points for their score in the Comprehensive Ranking System and thus have a very good chance of obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence via Express Entry.

The Province of Prince Edward Island held its regular monthly immigration draw on September 16.The province invited a total of 143 immigration candidates through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which brings the number of invitations issued this year by Prince Edward Island to 1,337. Most of the invitations, 129, went to Express Entry and Labour Impact candidates. The remaining nine invitations went to Business Impact candidates who had at least 72 points in the province’s immigration system.

PNPs allow Canada’s provinces and territories to select immigration candidates who meet their labour market needs.  This is true of Prince Edward Island, which administers the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) within federally-approved guidelines.

PEI PNP Express Entry Category

The PEI PNP’s Express Entry Category is an enhanced PNP, which means it is linked with the federal government’s Express Entry system. In order to be considered for this stream, candidates need to have a profile in the system. Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination are given an additional 600 points toward their CRS score and are effectively guaranteed an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

In order to be considered for a provincial nomination from P.E.I., Express Entry candidates need to create an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile with the PEI PNP.

EOI profiles are given points based on the province’s unique points grid. The highest-scoring candidates are then invited to apply through monthly draws.

Labour Impact Category

The Labour Impact Category is for foreign nationals who have a valid job offer in P.E.I., and have support from their employer. It is divided into three streams: Skilled Worker, Critical Worker, and International Graduate. Candidates in this category must also submit an Expression of Interest in order to be considered for a provincial nomination through the Labour Impact Category.

Business Impact Category

Business Impact Category candidates need to meet the minimum provincial score requirement in order to proceed with their applications. The score is different in every draw. The invitations that P.E.I. sent in today’s draw were issued under the Work Permit Stream, which is for foreign entrepreneurs who want to own and operate a business on the island.

British Columbia held two draws through its Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) on 14 September.A total of 365 Skilled Worker and International Graduate candidates received invitations to apply for a provincial nomination under the province’s Express Entry BC (EEBC) and Skills Immigration categories in a general draw. The minimum required score for candidates varied by category.

The cut-off scores for Express Entry BC (EEBC) subcategories were:

Skilled Worker: 86

International Graduate: 75

Candidates in this category needed to have already submitted profiles under Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada‘s Express Entry system. Once they receive their invitation to apply for a provincial nomination from B.C., successful candidates will earn an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points which will effectively guarantee that they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence under IRCC’s Express Entry system.

The cut-off scores for the three Skills Immigration (SI) subcategories were:

Skilled Worker: 90

International Graduate: 77

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled: 69

Due to a high number of people registered in the BC PNP Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) in certain occupations, B.C. also held an additional draw to balance the needs in all sectors of the provincial labour market. The separate draw was conducted under SI and EEBC categories and targeted candidates whose occupation falls under NOC 0621 or NOC 0631. The draw resulted in 99 invitations with scores of 105.

So far this year over 8,500 invitations to apply for provincial nominations have been issued by the BC PNP. British Columbia issues weekly invitations, including some specifically targeting candidates working in the technology sector.

Skills Immigration category

This pathway to permanent residence is for eligible foreign workers who already have a job offer in B.C. Skills Immigration (SI) consists of five subcategories, the first four of which are aligned with the federal government’s Express Entry system:

Skilled Worker Category — for people who have a job offer and several years of experience in a skilled occupation;

Healthcare Professional Category — physicians, nurses, psychiatric nurses, or allied health professionals with job offers in one of 11 eligible occupations may apply for this category;

International Graduate Category — for workers who have graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college in the last three years;

International Post-Graduate Category— Master’s or Ph.D. graduates from eligible B.C. post-secondaries in the natural, applied, or health sciences may apply for this category without a job offer; and

Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker Category — for entry-level or semi-skilled workers with jobs in tourism, hospitality, food processing, or long-haul trucking, or those in entry-level or semi-skilled positions living and working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia. This is the only SI category that does not apply to candidates in the Express Entry system.

To apply for the Skills Immigration or Express Entry BC categories candidates must first create a profile through the BC PNP’s online portal and register under its Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS).

Applicants are evaluated and issued a score based on factors such as level of education, work experience, proficiency in English and location of employment.

Canada invited 521 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence on 15 September. All invited candidates had previously received nominations under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which amounts to an automatic 600 points added to their base Express Entry score. As a result of the award, candidates needed a score of at least 732 in order to be invited.

In the previous PNP draw which took place two weeks ago, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 635 candidates with scores of at least 764. 18 PNP draws, more than 100,000 ITA’s Since the start of 2021, IRCC has only held PNP and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Express Entry draws. This is now the 18th PNP-specific draw of the year.

Usually, IRCC holds a PNP draw on Wednesdays followed by a CEC draw on Thursday. However, the CEC draw expected on September 2 did not come. The most recent CEC draw happened yesterday. The first time the Express Entry draw pattern was broken this year was on February 13, when IRCC invited every single CEC candidate in the pool. After that, it did not hold another CEC draw for more than a month. IRCC also held an irregular CEC draw in April, and May.

Compared to the same time last year, IRCC has nearly doubled the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued. This year, the department is aiming to admit 108,500 newcomers through the Express Entry system. The minimum score requirements have been up and down due to the nature of CEC- and PNP-only draws. CEC draws typically have lower cut-offs because the draws are concentrated in the one group of applicants.

PNP candidates automatically get 600 points with their provincial nomination, so PNP draws will always be higher than any other type of Express Entry draw.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with scores of at least 462. Invited candidates now have 60 days to apply for permanent residency. This draw comes later than expected, as this year IRCC has typically held a CEC draw after a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw. Usually, IRCC holds a PNP draw on Wednesdays followed by a CEC draw on Thursday. However, the CEC draw expected on September 2 did not come.

Although IRCC is backlogged, the department has pushed its resources to focus on processing CEC applicants, according to the government webpage. Currently, officers are finalizing CEC applications received in January. The department says all other Express Entry applicants can expect delays.

In order to meet its 2021 immigration targets amid travel restrictions, IRCC has focused its efforts on immigration applicants who are already in Canada. The majority of CEC candidates in the Express Entry pool apply from inside the country, since Canadian experience is a key eligibility factor. CEC candidates must have at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience in a skilled occupation.

IRCC has nearly doubled the number of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued year-over-year. With more invitations comes a higher chance that IRCC will admit its target of 108,500 newcomers through the Express Entry system in 2021. The minimum score requirements have been up and down due to the nature of CEC- and PNP-only draws. CEC draws typically have lower cut-offs because the draws are concentrated in the one group of applicants. They are not competing with others in the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

PNP candidates automatically get 600 points with their provincial nomination, so PNP draws will always be higher than any other type of Express Entry draw. PNP draws since June have ranged from the low 740s to 760.

A Canadian government study highlights some occupations that have increased in demand in Manitoba because of the pandemic.

Granted, many jobs were negatively impacted because of Manitoba’s public health measures. For example, many jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors were lost because of pandemic-related shutdowns. However, for other sectors, demand increased.

The following are nine of the jobs that increased in demand. The jobs are listed with their National Occupational Classification (NOC) code.

1. Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 5241)

Graphic designers and illustrators conceptualize and produce graphic art and visual materials to communicate information for packaging, publications, advertising, films and other media.

Employment for graphic designers and illustrators was 114 per cent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Although advertising was reduced after retailers reduced their ad spends and live events were cancelled, graphic designers and illustrators saw their work shift towards online shopping platforms as more and more retailers moved online.

2. Cleaning supervisors (NOC 6315)

Cleaning supervisors are responsible for supervising and coordinating the work of specialized cleaners, janitors, caretakers and superintendents.

Many are employed in hospitals, health care institutions, hotels, schools and other companies.

Employment for cleaning supervisors was 68 per cent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Enhanced cleaning procedures became a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, so this dramatic increase may come as no surprise.

3. Delivery and courier service drivers (NOC 7514)

These professionals drive cars, vans and light trucks to pick up and deliver products. They are usually employed by drug stores, newspaper distributors, restaurants, dry cleaners and various other businesses. Many are also self-employed.

Average employment levels trended higher year-over-year in 2020. This occupation increased in demand due to the significant increase in retail e-commerce.

4. Computer network technicians (NOC 2281)

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), as well as hardware, software and other computer equipment.

Many of these professionals are employed in information technology units.

Employment for this job was 75 per cent higher in April 2020 and compared to April 2019. It is likely that this job will stay in high demand as more businesses embrace remote work.

5. Insurance agents and brokers (NOC 6231)

Insurance agents and brokers sell various types of insurance including life, automobile, property and health insurance.

Insurance companies may receive increased claims because of uncertainty caused by the pandemic for travel and business. This increase in insurance claims is likely to increase demand for this job.

6. Shippers and receivers (NOC 1521)

These professionals ship, receive and record the movement of parts, supplies, materials and other items to and from an establishment.

Employment for this job was 27 per cent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

This job has increased in demand since retail e-commerce increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

7. Material handlers (NOC 7452)

Material handlers handle, move, load and unload materials. These professionals are typically employed by transportation, storage and moving companies.

Average employment levels for this occupation trended higher year-over-year in 2020.

The pandemic caused retail e-commerce to increase, and as a consequence, demand for this occupation increased as the demand for parcel delivery increased.

In addition, Amazon is planning to open a new delivery centre in Winnipeg in 2021, which will further increase demand for this occupation.

8. Home support workers, housekeepers and related occupations (NOC 4412)

Home support workers provide personal care for seniors, people with disabilities and other clients. These workers may reside with the client. Housekeepers are responsible for housekeeping and home management duties, potentially in a private home.

Employment for these occupations was 87 per cent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Demand for these occupations may continue to increase as older people and other uncompromising persons choose to stay in their homes rather than move to a care giving facility where they could be vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

9. Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers (NOC 6622)

These professionals pack customers’ purchases, price items, stock shelves with products and fill mail and telephone orders. Many are employed in retail businesses, grocery stores, department stores and warehouses.

Average employment levels for this job trended higher year-over-year in 2020.

Consumer spending habits shifted online during the pandemic. This created an increase in demand of this occupation, and many grocery chains hired additional shelf stockers and order fillers.

 

Canada’s provinces and territories attract immigrants to address labour market needs. This is to support Canada’s economic growth.There are various pathways to permanent residence if you have work experience in an in-demand job in a particular province.

In addition, you may use your skilled work experience as part of a permanent residence application through an economic class immigration program. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Canada uses the Express Entry system to manage applications for these programs.

However, it is important to note that Express Entry is strictly for skilled work. Check your occupation’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. Your occupation is skilled if your NOC code is skill type 0, level A or level B.

Only the following occupations of the list above would be considered skilled:

• Graphic designers and illustrators;
• Cleaning supervisors;
• Computer network technicians; and
• Insurance agents and brokers.

Having an Express Entry profile can help you immigrate to Manitoba through the Manitoba Express Entry Pathway.

The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) invited 528 candidates to apply for one of two immigration programs. Of those invited, 316 were eligible for the SINP’s Express Entry subcategory, and 212 through the Occupations In-Demand sub-category.

The lowest-scoring candidate from each sub-category had 66 points as per Saskatchewan’s Expression of Interest (EOI) ranking system.

In this draw, there were 16 eligible occupations for each category. The full list of eligible occupations can be found on Saskatchewan’s government website.

Both groups also needed Educational Credential Assessments to demonstrate their foreign education was comparable to the Canadian standard.

About Saskatchewan’s Express Entry sub-category

The Express Entry sub-category is an enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), meaning it is linked to the federal Express Entry system.

Express Entry manages the pool of candidates for three of Canada’s main economic-class immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

Candidates with Express Entry profiles must also create EOI profiles for Saskatchewan in order to be considered for an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination.

Express Entry candidates who receive a provincial nomination from the province of Saskatchewan are awarded an additional 600 points toward their Comprehensive Ranking System score. This award effectively guarantees them a chance to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

About the Occupations In-Demand subcategory

The Occupations In-Demand sub-category is a base PNP, meaning it is open to immigration candidates who do not have an Express Entry profile.

This sub-category is for highly skilled workers with experience in an in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan, who do not yet have a job offer in the province.

In order to apply for Canadian immigration through this sub-category, foreign nationals need to create an EOI profile through the SINP’s online application system.

Saskatchewan’s EOI system allows the province to select immigration candidates that have the potential to thrive in the prairie province. Candidates will be assessed on how their work experience, education, language ability, age, and connections to the province demonstrate their ability to settle in Saskatchewan.