Skylark Immigration Services

01/15/2023

British Columbia and Manitoba have issued invitations to apply to candidates through their most recent rounds of provincial nominee program (PNP) draws.

Most Canadian provinces and territories (except for Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Through these programs, interested candidates may be invited to apply for provincial nomination. Receiving a provincial nomination can be advantageous for gaining permanent residence.

Quebec’s immigration programs are administered by the province and are distinct from Canada’s immigration programs. Quebec is the only province that has control over all economic class immigrants.

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) accounts for 105,000 PR admissions per year. It began in 1998 and the annual number of PNP admissions has since increased steadily. Both federal and provincial governments consider it an effective tool to promote economic development outside of urban centers.
By: Edana Robitaille

British Columbia and Manitoba have issued invitations to apply to candidates through their most recent rounds of provincial nominee program (PNP) draws. Most Canadian provinces and territories (except for Quebec and Nunavut) operate their own PNPs. Through these programs, interested candidates may b...

01/15/2023

A recent study called From Student to Immigrant? Multi-step Pathways to Permanent Residence suggests that too many Canadian international students face multi-step, indirect pathways to Canadian permanent residence (PR).

The Conference Board of Canada is a non-profit research organization that focuses on analyzing economic trends, organizational performance and issues related to public policy.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) needs to work to improve international student pathways to PR in Canada.

Vimal Sivakumar

A recent study called From Student to Immigrant? Multi-step Pathways to Permanent Residence suggests that too many Canadian international students face multi-step, indirect pathways to Canadian permanent residence (PR). The Conference Board of Canada is a non-profit research organization that focuse...

01/15/2023

Canada held its first Express Entry draw of the year today, and the first since November 23.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507. Eligible candidates were invited from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All are programs that operate under the Express Entry system.

This draw marks an increase in the number of ITAs issued, and is the largest all-program Express Entry draw since they resumed last July. There were 750 additional invitations over the November 23 draw, which invited 4,750 candidates, as well as a higher CRS score than has been seen since the draw on September 28.

By: Edana Robitaille
Source:

Canada held its first Express Entry draw of the year today, and the first since November 23. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507. Eligible candidates were invited from the Canadian E...

01/15/2023

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently held consultations with the public and stakeholders to adapt the Express Entry application management system to better target Canada’s economic needs and labor shortages.

The department plans to do this by creating Express Entry categories that target key attributes such as educational credentials, work experience, or knowledge of an official language, rather than solely on a high score within the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

IRCC said it is considering inviting Express Entry candidates based on occupational background, sectors of the economy with labor shortages, whether candidates have resided in Canada as international students or temporary foreign workers, and the French-language proficiency of candidates.

By: Edana Robitaille
Source:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently held consultations with the public and stakeholders to adapt the Express Entry application management system to better target Canada’s economic needs and labour shortages. The department plans to do this by creating Express Entry categor...

01/06/2023

Canada has more than 100 different options for foreign nationals looking to come to this country. Many of these pathways can be categorized under two general programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Both the TFWP and the IMP exist to aid Canada’s economic growth, yet these two programs have different stated policy objectives and eligibility requirements.

By: Vimal Sivakumar
Source:

Canada has more than 100 different options for foreign nationals looking to come to this country. Many of these pathways can be categorized under two general programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). Both the TFWP and the IMP exist to aid Can...

01/06/2023

Today, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Canada exceeded a record-breaking target for admissions of permanent residents in 2022.

In a Tweet, IRCC stated that Canada welcomed over 437,000 new immigrants last year. This is higher than the target they had set at 431,645 new immigrants and marks an all-time record for Canadian permanent residence admissions in one year. The previous record was set in 2021 when Canada landed over 405,000 new immigrants.

“Today marks an important milestone for Canada, setting a new record for newcomers welcomed in a single year.” said immigration minister Sean Fraser. “It is a testament to the strength and resilience of our country and its people. Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents to our communities, and enriching our society as a whole. I am excited to see what the future holds and look forward to another historic year in 2023 as we continue to welcome newcomers.”

By: Edana Robitaille
Source:

Today, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Canada exceeded a record-breaking target for admissions of permanent residents in 2022. In a Tweet, IRCC stated that Canada welcomed over 437,000 new immigrants last year. This is higher than the target they had set at 431,645....

01/06/2023

Educational credential assessments (ECAs) are required documentation that individuals need to include with their Express Entry applications. World Education Services (WES) helps those residing inside and outside of Canada with this vital step in their Canadian immigration journey.

Source:

Express Entry is a key immigration pathway for the Canadian government. There are several skilled worker programs managed under Express Entry: Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and a portion of the Provincial Nomine...

01/06/2023

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced its intent to provide an additional $5.8 million in support for 10 projects under the Racialized Women Newcomers Pilot Program. The announcement was made in Halifax on December 9 as part of a 16-day awareness campaign about ending gender-based violence against women.

The Racialized Newcomer Women Pilot Program started in 2018, then called the Visible Minority Newcomer Women at Work Program, with the intent of helping newcomer women overcome barriers to finding employment. When it was established, the program committed $31.9 million over three years to support employment and career advancement for racialized newcomer women. Budget 2021 included $15 million in funding over the following two years.

“Racialized newcomer women face significant challenges in entering the workforce,” said immigration minister Sean Fraser. “This isn’t just about getting women jobs, it’s also about providing a sense of dignity and belonging. This support is integrated within the work the Government of Canada is doing to prevent and end gender-based violence by ensuring that gender equality is supported across all sectors. Canada’s gender equality is for all women.”

By: Edana Robitaille
Source:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced its intent to provide an additional $5.8 million in support for 10 projects under the Racialized Women Newcomers Pilot Program. The announcement was made in Halifax on December 9 as part of a 16-day awareness campaign about ending gen...

01/06/2023

An internal memo from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 18, 2022, recommends the implementation of clear guidelines for the establishment of pilot programs following an internal audit conducted last March by the Internal Audit and Accountability Branch of IRCC.

There have been 11 pilot programs established since April 2013. Of these programs, one has been made permanent, three are being transferred to permanent programs, three have been replaced or redesigned and four are active pilots.

All programs are established through Ministerial Instructions. Ministerial Instructions are a provision within the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA) that allows the immigration minister to issue special instructions to immigration officers that will help the government reach its immigration goals.

By: Edana Robitaille
Source:

An internal memo from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on July 18, 2022, recommends the implementation of clear guidelines for the establishment of pilot programs following an internal audit conducted last March by the Internal Audit and Accountability Branch of IRCC. There have b...

01/03/2023

We at Skylark Immigration Services wish you all a Happy New Year!

01/03/2023

The Immigration Levels Plan:

Perhaps the most impactful announcement of the year was the immigration levels plan. On November 1st, IRCC announced its plan to welcome newcomers over the next three years. Canada will look to welcome over 1.45 million new immigrants between 2023 and 2025; through its economic, family, humanitarian, and refugee class streams.

By: Asheesh Moosapeta
Source:

Canada’s immigration system saw many key developments in 2022, as the country dealt with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has continued to assess Canada’s economic and societal needs through immigration—yielding new and important developm...