published on 16 February 2022 @ 5:00 pm · COMMENT
Immigration Update
Express Entry Update: Provincial Nominee Draw
On February 16, 2022, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued a new round of invitations to apply for permanent residence. Invitations were issued to candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. The minimum score selected was 710, and 1082 candidates were invited to apply.
To qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class, candidates must have received a nomination certificate from a Canadian province or territory. Candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination certificate can be awarded 600 additional points under the federal Express Entry system.
This draw invited only candidates who qualify for selection under the Provincial Nominee Class. As of this time, we continue to see a pause on draws under the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Trades programs. We anticipate that the continued pause on Express Entry draws, particularly under the Canadian Experience Class program, will result in a significant increase in demand for provincial nomination programs. As a result, the scores required for selection under provincial Expression of Interest systems, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario, are likely to increase in the coming months.
Immigration Targets for Canada Are Growing: Emphasis on Employed Work Permit Holders in Canada
Last year, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 new permanent residents. Immigration already accounts for almost 100% of labour force growth. On February 15, 2022, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2022?2024 Immigration Levels Plan, that aim to continue welcoming immigrants at a rate of about 1% of Canada’s population, including 431,645 permanent residents in 2022, 447,055 in 2023, and 451,000 in 2024. The Minister has promised the following:
• overall admissions amounting to 1.14% of the Canadian population by 2024.
• a long-term focus on economic growth, with nearly 60% of admissions in the Economic Class.
• Emphasis on settling foreign workers currently employed in Canada.
• help for vulnerable populations, like the special measures for granting permanent residence to refugee claimants working in health care during the pandemic.
• support for global crises by providing a safe haven through humanitarian immigration to those facing persecution.
• talent retention of those already in Canada by granting permanent status to temporary residents accepted through the time limited pathways for essential workers launched in spring 2021.
In addition, the minister has indicated a commitment to family reunification and 12 month processing standards for spouses and children, resettling at least 40,000 Afghan nationals over the next 2 years and improving the delivery of processing services to better communicate with representatives and their clients.
filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE