Quebec held a new Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) draw and invited 513 candidates for permanent residence on December 1, 2022. The draw invited those with scores equal to or higher than 589 points. The extraction from the Arrima bank will take place on November 28, 2022, at 6:30 a.m.
Furthermore, the draw targeted applicants with a legitimate job offer outside the territory of the Montreal Metropolitan Community in one of the below listed occupations. Check out in later part of this post/article score calculation criteria.
- List of Occupations invited in December 1 Arrima draw
- 0213 – Computer systems managers
- 2147 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 2131 – Civil Engineers
- 2132 – Mechanical Engineers
- 2133 – Electrical and electronics engineers
- 2141 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers
- 2231 – Civil engineering technologists and technicians
- 2232 – Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians
- 2233 – Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians
- 2171 – Computer analysts and consultants
- 2172 – Database Analysts and Data Administrators
- 2173 – Software Engineers and Designers
- 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers
- 2175 – Web Designers and Developers
- 2241 – Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- 2281 – Computer network technicians
- 2282 – User Support Agents
- 3012 – Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses
- 3233 – Practical nurses
- 3413 – Caregivers/Aids and Beneficiary Attendants
- 4031 – Secondary school teachers
- 4032 – Elementary and preschool teachers
- 4214 – Early childhood educators and assistants
- 5241 – Graphic designers and illustrators
- 6221 – Technical Sales Specialists – Wholesale
What is Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program?
If you want to immigrate to Quebec to work permanently, the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) is for you.
To apply to this program, you must first express your interest in immigrating to Quebec. Then, if your profile matches the criteria required in Quebec, you will get an invitation to apply for permanent selection.
Next, to be selected, you must have professional skills and training that will help boost your employment integration in Quebec. Additional factors for consideration include the following:
- Language abilities
- Age
- Spouse characteristics
- Having dependents such as children
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Score Calculation For Quebec Arrima Draw
Foreign nationals are categorized to identify the best applicant who will receive an invitation to apply for permanent selection. These candidates are ranked based on the following Human Capital factors.
1. Knowledge of French
2. Knowledge of English and French
3. Points for Age
4. Length of professional experience
5. Level of education
Responding to Quebec’s labour requirements
Length of experience in the profession and workforce diagnosis
Workforce diagnostic for the profession is understood in terms of the list of medium-term diagnoses for the 500 professions in the current National Occupational Classification.
For the invitation, the profession is distinguished from full-time employment on the extraction date from the interest bank expression.
To be considered, experience in the profession must have been obtained within the five years preceding the date of extraction from the expression of interest bank.
1. Field of training
2. Québec diploma
3. Professional experience duration in Québec
4. Professional experience duration in Canada (outside Québec)
5. Valid job offer
Points classification for spouse or de-facto spouse
Level of education
2. Quebec diploma
Source: Gouvernement du Québec
- New IRCC Temporary Policy For Spousal Open Work Permit Eligibility
Starting on January 30, 2023 – The IRCC will temporarily extend open work permit eligibility to spouses and dependent children of most work permit holders at all skill levels.
As announced, phase 1 of this new temporary policy will now come in effect beginning January 30.
Phase Effective Date Phase 1 – allows family members of employees who come to Canada to apply for an open work visa through the high-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program or the International Mobility Program. January 30, 2023 Phase 2 – Following consultations, the legislation will be expanded to include family members of employees from the low-wage stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. To be decided Phase 3 – Consultation with agricultural partners and stakeholders will be conducted to examine the practical viability of expanding the measure to cover family members of agricultural employees. To be decided Before this temporary policy, spouses were only eligible for a spousal open work permit, if the principal applicant worked in a high-skill occupation, defined under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
However, now spouses will be eligible for open work permit if the principal applicant is working in any occupation under TEER 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
IRCC shared eligibility and ineligibility under this new spousal open work permit temporary policy as mentioned below.
Who is eligible?
Spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child of a work permit holder is eligible, if the work permit holder in Canada:
- works in a job of any TEER (Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities) category (0 to 5), or
- have an open work permit such as PGWP (post-graduation work permit holder) at all skill levels, or
- are permanent resident applicant under economic class currently holding a valid work permit
Who is not eligible at this time?
Spouses and dependents of work permit holders in TEER 4 or 5 jobs are not eligible at this time, if the work permit holders are currently working:
- under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program’s (SAWP) low-wage stream; and
- the Temporary Foreign Worker Program’s Agricultural Stream
Children qualify as dependants if they are:
- unmarried or don’t have a common-law partner, and
- less than 22 years of age
Children aged more than 22 years can also qualify as dependants only if they are:
- unable to support themselves financially because of a physical or mental condition, and
- rely on their parents for financially since before they were 22
- Canada Immigration Backlog Drops To 918,300
Finally, the Canada immigration backlog drops below 1 million. As per new updated IRCC data, overall backlog has now reduced to 918,300.
Additionally, 1.055 million applications are still being processed within IRCC service standards. This number has increased from 1.02 million since November 30 data.
The backlog has been continuously reducing since September 30, 2022 as follows:
Date Backlog Total Applications
Under ProcessingDecember 31, 2022 918,300 1,973,800 November 30, 2022 1,086,200 2,111,400 October 31, 2022 1,202,790 2,239,700 September 30, 2022 1,322,500 2,610,700 Overall, there were 1.97 million applications that were being processed at IRCC. This data has been updated by IRCC today and is true as of December 31, 2022.
IRCC minister confirmed that backlog data is different from service standard data.
For example, if spousal sponsorship specifies a processing period of 12 months, an application that is being processed within 12 months is “NOT” a backlog. Rather, it will be classified as standard processing.
However, if it surpasses the 12-month service requirement, it is referred to as a backlog.
It should be noted that IRCC’s goal is to complete 80% of applications within service standards. Click here to view the category-wise IRCC service standards.
Application Type Overall Processing Inventory Backlog Within Service Standards Citizenship 301,000 85,000 216,000 Permanent Residence 620,800 361,300 259,500 Temporary Residence 1,052,000 472,000 580,000 Total 1,973,800 918,300 1,055,500 Below are the category-wise Canada Immigration backlog projections by IRCC
1. Federal High Skilled Backlog
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 89% Feb 22 92% Mar 22 98% Apr 22 99% May 22 100% Jun 22 100% Jul 22 99% Aug 22 90% 86% Sep 22 68% 72% Oct 22 45% 59% Nov 22 31% 46% Dec 22 22% 20% Jan 23 – 20% Feb 23 – 20% Mar 23 – 20% 2. Provincial Nominee Program (Express Entry) Backlog
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 56% Feb 22 55% Mar 22 54% Apr 22 51% May 22 47% Jun 22 45% Jul 22 43% Aug 22 42% 39% Sep 22 40% 35% Oct 22 42% 31% Nov 22 42% 28% Dec 22 41% 20% Jan 23 – 40% Feb 23 – 39% Mar 23 – 38% 3. Spouses, Partners and children applications Backlog
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 34% Feb 22 32% Mar 22 30% Apr 22 29% May 22 27% Jun 22 27% Jul 22 26% Aug 22 25% 24% Sep 22 25% 23% Oct 22 24% 22% Nov 22 24% 20% Dec 22 24% 19% Jan 23 – 24% Feb 23 – 24% Mar 23 – 24% 4. Citizenship Backlog
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 46% Feb 22 45% Mar 22 42% Apr 22 40% May 22 39% Jun 22 37% Jul 22 34% Aug 22 31% 31% Sep 22 31% 30% Oct 22 28% 29% Nov 22 27% 27% Dec 22 28% 26% Jan 23 – 26% Feb 23 – 25% Mar 23 – 24% 5. Study Permits Backlog
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 42% Feb 22 34% Mar 22 27% Apr 22 32% May 22 31% Jun 22 30% Jul 22 31% Aug 22 38% 39% Sep 22 31% 42% Oct 22 26% 33% Nov 22 27% 31% Dec 22 33% 33% Jan 23 – 36% Feb 23 – 33% Mar 23 – 23% 6. Work Permits Backlog
**As per IRCC, approximately 73% of work permits applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 48% Feb 22 51% Mar 22 29% Apr 22 23% May 22 26% Jun 22 28% Jul 22 28% Aug 22 34% 29% Sep 22 27% 35% Oct 22 23% 49% Nov 22 28% 55% Dec 22 26% 60% Jan 23 – 58% Feb 23 – 47% Mar 23 – 30% 7. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) or Visitor Visa Backlog
**As per IRCC, approximately 20% of temporary resident visa or visitor visa applications are from the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.
Month Backlog (Actual) Backlog (Projected) Jan 22 70% Feb 22 74% Mar 22 55% Apr 22 55% May 22 56% Jun 22 71% Jul 22 67% Aug 22 71% 68% Sep 22 74% 71% Oct 22 74% 70% Nov 22 70% 67% Dec 22 70% 66% Jan 23 – 77% Feb 23 – 76% Mar 23 – 73% Source: IRCC official website
- Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) for Canada Immigration
Most immigration and visa programs for Canada require a police clearance certificate commonly known as PCC or just police certificate.
A PCC is a simple statement that you need to get from the police. It states if you have a criminal record/charges against you or not.
The purpose of this certificate is to assure that you are not a security risk to Canada. IRCC needs to know that you have not been involved in any criminal activity.
However, if you have a criminal record, IRCC will assess your admissibility on the basis of this certificate.
If the immigration officer feels that you with your past criminal activity pose a danger to Canada, they may deny your entry.
PCC can usually take around a month or more depending upon your country of birth/citizenship/long stay.
So, it is always advisable to apply it proactively to avoid unnecessary delays in processing.
This article lists everything you need to know about getting a police certificate.
When do you need a PCC for Canada immigration?
Most immigration programs in Canada require you to provide a police clearance certificate. Furthermore, you may also need a PCC for Canadian Citizenship.
If you are applying for a PR through any category (Express Entry, International Experience Candidate, or Provincial Nominee Programs) you need this certificate.
Every person aged 18 or over needs to prove that they are not criminally inadmissible. Furthermore, Any family member applying with the primary applicant also needs a certificate.
Also, spousal sponsorship also needs a police certificate.
So, anybody planning to come to Canada permanently or for a long period of time needs this certificate.
What should the police certificate include?
Each country has a different police verification certificate. However, your certificate must include-
- Logo of the authority
- Date of issue
- A clear subject line that shows it is a police clearance certificate, judicial record extract, good conduct certificate, or similar
- Statement attesting lack of criminal record or list of offences
- Seal/sign of the official authority.
If your police certification is in another language, you must also provide an official/certified translation of the document and an affidavit with your application.
Where to get your police certificate from?
You need to get the certificate from the country of current residence (if outside Canada) and from each country you have resided in for more than 6 months since your 18th birthday.
The process of getting this differs from country to country. Click here to know “How to get a police certificate” depending upon your country of citizenship.
In some countries, this certificate is also called a judicial record extract or even a good conduct certificate.
So, it is important to ensure that the police certificate you are getting is accepted by CIC.
Also, if you’re unable to get a police certificate from your country, you’re responsible to show why you can’t get one.
To prove that you can’t get a police certificate, you must:
- show proof that you requested a police certificate from the correct authorities and
- write a letter explaining all the efforts you have taken to get one
- IRCC Doubles PR Quota For Out-Of-Status Construction Workers In GTA
Today, IRCC announced doubling the Permanent Residency (PR) quota, for the out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Julie Dzerowicz, Member of Parliament for Davenport and Peter Fonseca, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville made this announcement today, on the behalf of IRCC Minister Sean Fraser.
Out-Of-Status Construction Workers pilot program was initially announced in 2019 with allocation of PR spots to 500 out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Today, IRCC extended and expanded, doubling its scope to 1,000 out-of-status construction workers in the GTA.
GTA for this pilot program consists of City of Toronto and the regions of Durham, Halton, Peel, York. This pilot is currently open until January 2, 2024.
Eligibility For Out-Of Status Construction Workers Pilot Program?
Applicants with significant work experience in construction occupations in the GTA, family members in Canada, and a referral letter from the CLC.
Furthermore, they have no reason for being inadmissible other than overstaying their visa and working without authorization.
You can apply for permanent residency under this governmental policy, if you:
- have entered Canada as a temporary resident but currently have no status
- live in Canada and have been here for at least 5 years
- have worked a minimum of 4,680 hours in these 5 years (1 full-time job OR 1 or more part-time jobs OR a combination of full-time and part-time work)
- have family in Canada (mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin)
- be referred by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC)
- be otherwise admissible to Canada
List of Eligible Occupations For Out-Of Status Construction Workers Pilot Program
- NOC 72010 – Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations
- NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
- NOC 72012 – Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades
- NOC 72013 – Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades
- NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
- NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
- NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
- NOC 72102 – Sheet metal workers
- NOC 72103 – Boilermakers
- NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
- NOC 72105 – Ironworkers
- NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
- NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
- NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
- NOC 72202 – Power system electricians
- NOC 72203 – Electrical power line and cable workers
- NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable workers
- NOC 72205 – Telecommunications installation and repair workers
- NOC 72300 – Plumbers
- NOC 72301 – Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers
- NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
- NOC 72310 – Carpenters
- NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
- NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
- NOC 72321 – Insulators
- NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
- NOC 72021 – Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews
- NOC 72022 – Supervisors, printing and related occupations
- NOC 72023 – Supervisors, railway transport operations
- NOC 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
- NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
- NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
- NOC 72402 – Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- NOC 72403 – Railway carmen/women
- NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
- NOC 72405 – Machine fitters
- NOC 72406 – Elevator constructors and mechanics
- NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
- NOC 72411 – Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators
- NOC 72420 – Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics
- NOC 72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers
- NOC 72422 – Electrical mechanics
- NOC 72423 – Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics
- NOC 72429 – Other small engine and small equipment repairers
- NOC 72500 – Crane operators
- NOC 72501 – Water well drillers
- NOC 72999 – Other technical trades and related occupations
- NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
- NOC 73101 – Tilesetters
- NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
- NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
- NOC 73111 – Glaziers
- NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
- NOC 73113 – Floor covering installers
- NOC 73200 – Residential and commercial installers and servicers
- NOC 73310 – Railway and yard locomotive engineers
- NOC 73311 – Railway conductors and brakemen/women
- NOC 73400 – Heavy equipment operators
- NOC 73401 – Printing press operators
- NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
- NOC 75110 – Construction trades helpers and labourers
- Express Entry Draw Sent 5,500 New Invites For PR-January 18
Today, second Express Entry Draw of 2023 again invited 5,500 profiles to apply for permanent residency (PR).
Applicants having a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 490 or above received the invitations.
Initial cut off score mentioned on the official website of IRCC was 507 which was incorrect.
IRCC has also updated the correct CRS cut off score on their official website as of now.
So, the CRS cut off score has reduced by only 17 points to 490 as compared to Express Entry draw on January 11, 2023.
Furthermore, number of invites remained same as in the previous draw. This draw came in as a surprise because Express Entry draws are usually held bi-weekly.
This is also one of the reason for drastic drop in CRS cut off score.
Below are the details of today’s All Program Express Entry draw.
- Number of invitations issued: 5,500
- Rank required to be invited to apply: 5,500 or above
- Date and time of round: January 18, 2023 16:13:57 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 490
- Tie-breaking rule: November 24, 2022 21:14:59 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
All program Express Entry draws include all the the Express Entry profiles under Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP).
Additionally, it also consider profiles under any of the aforementioned categories having a provincial nomination.
Next Express Entry draw cut off is also projected to be around 485 as per CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of January 18, 2023 listed below.
CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of January 18, 2023
Latest processing time for Express Entry as of January 18
As of January 18, Express Entry processing times increased for all the three categories as listed below:
- Canadian Experience Class – 20 months
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – 30 months
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – 63 months
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry – 12 months
Full History of Canada Express Entry Draws since January 2022
Date Immigration program Invitations issued CRS Score Cut-Off January 11, 2023 No Program Specified 5,500 507 November 23, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 491 November 9, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 494 October 26, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 496 October 12, 2022 No Program Specified 4,250 500 September 28, 2022 No Program Specified 3,750 504 September 14, 2022 No Program Specified 3,250 510 August 31, 2022 No Program Specified 2,750 516 August 17, 2022 No Program Specified 2,250 525 August 3, 2022 No Program Specified 2,000 533 July 20, 2022 No Program Specified 1,750 542 July 6, 2022 No Program Specified 1,500 557 June 22, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 636 752 June 8, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 932 796 May 25, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 590 741 May 11, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 545 753 April 27, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 829 772 April 13, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 787 782 March 30, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 919 785 March 16, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 924 754 March 2, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,047 761 February 16, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,082 710 February 2, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,070 674 January 19, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,036 745 January 5, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 392 808 What is Express Entry System?
Express Entry system is the fastest way to get Canadian Permanent Residency (PR). It has processing time of 6 months after submission of documents following the ITA.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a points-based methodology, is used by Express Entry to rate applicant profiles. The highest-scoring applicants are given an Invitation to Apply (ITA), after which they can submit an application for permanent residence.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) all use Express Entry as their application management system (FSTP).
Candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) who are in the Express Entry pool are already qualified for at least one of these programmes.
- Targeted Express Entry Draws-Know New Categories Proposed By IRCC
Canada immigration will be holding targeted Express Entry draws during 2023, in alignment with Bill C19 and immigration minister’s mandate letter by creating different categories.
IRCC shared their official priority and possible new categories for the Express Entry draws targeting at different categories.
The Immigration Department opened feedback on these new categories until January 8, 2023.
Their goal was to hear public opinion on hearing the perspectives on economic immigration. Specifically, they wanted to know which categories should be prioritized.
These new possible categories shared by IRCC gives us an idea of what we can expect in targeted category based Express Entry draws in 2023.
Good news is that IRCC clearly stated that targeted draws will comprise a portion of overall invitations to apply.
Furthermore, they stated that normal Express Entry draws based on the Comprehensive Ranking System scores and individual programs will still continue.
List of possible new categories for targeted Express Entry Draws
IRCC is developing categories for targeted Express Entry draw focusing on:
- solving chronic labour shortages and planning for the future; and
- encouraging Francophone immigration and economic growth in Francophone minority areas.
1. Selecting candidates based on work experience in a particular occupation or sector
A proposed Express Entry category for selection that involves work experience in specific occupation or sectors having chronic labor shortages.
Between 2019 and 2021, the most popular primary occupations invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry were:
- food service supervisors
- administrative assistants
- financial auditors and accountants
- retail sales supervisors
- software engineers and designers
- professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations
- cooks
- computer programmers and interactive media developers
- information systems analysts and consultants
- user support technicians
- restaurant and food service managers
- administrative officers
2. Transitioning international student graduates to permanent residence
A prospective Express Entry category focusing on overseas student graduates might respond more immediately to key shortages that remain across several industries and vocations.
Graduates holding a degree or diploma in in-demand disciplines from a Designated Learning Institution, for example, might fall into this group.
International student graduates are also well-positioned for permanent economic immigration since they are fluent in at least one official language, have Canadian educational credentials, and job experience.
3. Transitioning temporary foreign workers to permanent residence
A category for selection in Express Entry focusing on transferring talented temporary foreign workers, like with international students, might increase response to chronic economic demands.
Temporary employees are strong candidates for permanent residence since they may find work in their industries (i.e., better job-skills match).
Requiring experience in a high-demand profession may alleviate the most pressing shortages.
4. Selecting Francophone and bilingual candidates
IRCC may assist fill ongoing labour shortages in Francophone minority areas by developing a category for Express Entry selection based on fluency in French and expertise in in-demand sectors or vocations.
Increases in the number of French-speaking individuals accepted through Express Entry might boost economic growth in Francophone minority areas.
Source: IRCC
- First Express Entry Draw Of The Year Sent 5,500 New Invites
Today, Express Entry Draw invited 5,500 profiles to apply for permanent residency (PR). Applicants having a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507 or above received the invitations.
CRS cut off score jumped by 17 points as compared to Express Entry draw on November 23, 2022.
Furthermore, number of invites increased by 750 as compared to the previous draw. This is the 1st all program Express Entry draw this year.
Below are the details of today’s All Program Express Entry draw.
- Number of invitations issued: 5,500
- Rank required to be invited to apply: 5,500 or above
- Date and time of round: January 11, 2023 16:14:19 UTC
- CRS score of lowest-ranked candidate invited: 507
- Tie-breaking rule: December 06, 2022 11:00:07 UTC
If more than one candidate has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles.
All program Express Entry draws include all the the Express Entry profiles under Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP).
Additionally, it also consider profiles under any of the aforementioned categories having a provincial nomination.
Next Express Entry draw cut off is also projected to be above 500 as per CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of January 11, 2023 listed below.
CRS score distribution of candidates in the Express Entry pool as of January 11, 2023
Latest processing time for Express Entry as of January 10
As of January 10, Express Entry processing times increased for all the three categories as listed below:
- Canadian Experience Class – 20 months
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – 30 months
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – 63 months
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry – 12 months
Full List Of Canada Express Entry Draws In 2022
Date Immigration program Invitations issued CRS Score Cut-Off November 23, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 491 November 9, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 494 October 26, 2022 No Program Specified 4,750 496 October 12, 2022 No Program Specified 4,250 500 September 28, 2022 No Program Specified 3,750 504 September 14, 2022 No Program Specified 3,250 510 August 31, 2022 No Program Specified 2,750 516 August 17, 2022 No Program Specified 2,250 525 August 3, 2022 No Program Specified 2,000 533 July 20, 2022 No Program Specified 1,750 542 July 6, 2022 No Program Specified 1,500 557 June 22, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 636 752 June 8, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 932 796 May 25, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 590 741 May 11, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 545 753 April 27, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 829 772 April 13, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 787 782 March 30, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 919 785 March 16, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 924 754 March 2, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,047 761 February 16, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,082 710 February 2, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,070 674 January 19, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 1,036 745 January 5, 2022 Provincial Nominee Program 392 808 What is Express Entry System?
Express Entry system is the fastest way to get Canadian Permanent Residency (PR). It has processing time of 6 months after submission of documents following the ITA.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a points-based methodology, is used by Express Entry to rate applicant profiles. The highest-scoring applicants are given an Invitation to Apply (ITA), after which they can submit an application for permanent residence.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) all use Express Entry as their application management system (FSTP).
Candidates for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) who are in the Express Entry pool are already qualified for at least one of these programmes.
- Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program – Know How It Works
The Canada Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) permits employers to employ temporary foreign workers (TFW) when locals such as Canadians and permanent residents are unavailable.
These employers may hire TFWs from participating countries between January 1 and December 15 for a maximum of 8 months, provided they can offer the workers 240 hours of work in 6 weeks or less.
Learn more about the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, who can apply, the application process and more below.
Who can apply for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)?
To be eligible for this program, worker must be from participating countries. Furthermore, work activity must be on-farm primary agriculture and production must be in specific commodity categories.
Participating countries
You must be a national of the following countries to participate in this program:
- Mexico
- Caribbean countries of:
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- St. Kitts-Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
National commodity list
- Apiary products
- Fruits, vegetables (including canning/processing of these products if grown on the farm)
- Mushrooms
- Flowers
- Nursery-grown trees including Christmas trees, greenhouses/nurseries
- Pedigreed canola seed
- Seed corn
- Grains
- Oil seeds
- Maple syrup
- Sod
- Tobacco
- Bovine
- Dairy
- Duck
- Horse
- Mink
- Poultry
- Sheep
- Swine
How to apply for the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program?
Each foreign government has its method of recruiting and selecting employees. The governments of participating countries will:
Recruit and choose the workers and ensure employees have the essential documentation
Have to maintain a pool of qualified workers, and assign representatives to help the workers in Canada
The government of participating countries are also responsible to ensure selected workers are:
- experienced in farming
- at least 18 years of age
- able to satisfy the:
- Canadian immigration laws, and
- laws of the worker’s home country
Pay your application fees
Your fee amount and payment options depend on the location you are applying from. In addition, you may also need to pay for biometrics.
To learn more about the fee amount and how to pay, refer to this IRCC link. First, enter where you are applying from and the type of application you are submitting. Then, select the best fit options from the drop-down menu, and hit “Get payment instructions.”
Working with other employers
While in Canada, it is possible that you may need to work on more than one farm and have different employers. However, you do not need a new work permit to work for different employers.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that you will not be asked to work for a different employer on another farm without your consent.
Remember that if you are on an employer-specific work permit, you can only work for the employer listed on your work permit. Moreover, before you apply for this program, your employer must have a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Use National Occupation Classification 2021
With the implementation of the new TEER system, IRCC has updated to use the latest version of the National Occupation Classification (NOC), which is NOC 2021.
As a result, if you have on or after November 16, 2022, ensure that you use the NOC 2021 codes. Nevertheless, if you submitted your application before November 16, you can continue using the NOC 2016 in your application.
For more information of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, check out IRCC’s official page.
- Implied Status Meaning For Visitors, Students Or Workers-All You Need To Know
Visitors, students, or foreign workers can lawfully remain in Canada until a decision is made on their application if they apply to extend their status before it expires. This time between the decision made and after expiry of temporary residents’ status is called implied status.
In this article, you can learn more about implied status and how it may affect the period of your authorized stay.
- Canada implied status
- Travelling outside Canada while having an implied status
- How implied status affects the length of the authorized stay?
Canada implied status
Temporary residents must apply at least 30 days before their current permit expires to extend their stay in Canada.
If their application is being processed when their current permit expires, they can remain in Canada under the same conditions as their previous permit.
For example, a temporary worker who applies to extend their work visa before it expires can continue to work in Canada for the same company while waiting for a decision.
Nevertheless, the temporary worker must stop working on the day their existing permit expires unless they have applied for another permit.
This can be extension of their work permit to work for a different employer or changing to a study permit.
If the status extension application is approved, the applicant (and their family member) can remain in Canada as long as they comply with the new permit conditions.
Moreover, the new permit would include an issue date. It could imply a waiting period between the issuance of the new permit and the current permit’s expiration.
However, it will not be a problem if the person later decides to seek permanent residency. This waiting period between expiration of existing permit and issuance of new one will be considered legal stay in Canada.
Immigration officer will recognize that this period is covered by implied status.
Travelling outside Canada while having an implied status
It’s crucial to remember that implied status only applies while the applicant is still in Canada.
A temporary resident with implied status who departs the country may be allowed to return as a temporary resident if certain conditions are met, which may include the following:
- The individual does not require a temporary residence visa or is exempt, or
- Has a valid temporary resident visa (TRV)
However, until a decision is reached about the application for the extension of status, a person with implied status would not be able to resume work or study.
Additionally, the applicant must show the officer at the port of entry proof of enough financial support while awaiting the outcome.
Therefore, it is strongly advised that anyone with implied status who departs the country do so with documentation proving that they have applied for a permit extension.
Upon departing Canada, a person having implied status (either to work or study) effectively forfeits that right until a decision is made regarding the application to work or study in Canada.
For instance, a student who has applied to extend their study permit and leaves Canada might be permitted to return. However, until a decision is reached on the application, they will not be able to study in Canada.
However, they could have legally continued to study in Canada if they had stayed on implied status.
How implied status affects the length of the authorized stay?
If the application for extension has been approved
If the extension application is approved, the document’s date of issuance shows when the decision on the application was made.
The applicant’s authorized stay period is now equal to the validity of the new document.
The border services officer may impose a period of stay, if the applicant leaves Canada and returns. Meanwhile, the application for an extension is refused before the end of this period.
In that case, the applicant may remain in Canada until the end of the stay specified by the border services officer.
If the extension application is refused
If the extension application is refused, the applicant is deemed in status until a decision is reached on their application.
Moreover, the 90-day restoration period begins on the date of refusal.
If the applicant leaves Canada and returns, the border services officer imposes a period of stay, and the application for extension is refused before the end of this period, the applicant may remain in Canada until the end of the stay specified by the border services officer.
If the extension application is withdrawn
There is no longer a pending extension application as of the day the withdrawal is registered, if the extension application is withdrawn. Consequently, the authorized stay period expires on that day.
If the applicant left Canada, the border services officer imposed a period of stay upon re-entry, and the extension request is withdrawn before the expiration of this period, the applicant may stay in Canada for the duration of the stay specified by the border services officer.
If the extension application is rejected
It is viewed as if the application was never submitted, if the application for an extension is rejected (deemed incomplete).
As a result, the applicant will continue to be in status until their current temporary resident status expires.
Source: IRCC
- Canada Unemployment Rate Drops To 5% – New StatCan Report
January 6 – New Statistics Canada data shows that the unemployment rate decreased to 5% in December as compared to November 2022.
This unemployment rate is just above the record low of 4.9% recorded in June and July of 2022.
Sectors December 2022 (in thousands) %Age Change November to December 2022 Employees 17098.0 + 0.5% Public sector employees 4243.5 – 0.4% Private sector employees 12854.5 + 0.9% Self-employed 2672.3 + 0.4% Overall, employment increased by 104,000 (+0.5%) in the month of December 2022.
Province-Wise Unemployment Rate In Canada
Provinces Unemployment rate Monthly changes (in pts) Ontario 5.3% – 0.2 Alberta 5.8% No Change British Columbia 4.2% – 0.2 Quebec 4.0% + 0.2 Manitoba 4.4% No Change Saskatchewan 4.1% – 0.1 New Brunswick 8.1% + 0.8 Nova Scotia 6.7% + 0.7 Prince Edward Island 5.6% – 1.2 Newfoundland and Labrador 10.1% – 0.6 In December, employment rose in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan. The other provinces saw minimal change.
Employees absent due to illness or disability were at 8.1% of the time in December, up from 6.8% in November.
This was greater than the pre-pandemic December average of 6.9% observed from 2017 to 2019.
Employment among young people aged 15 to 24 increased by 69,000 (+2.7%) in the last month of 2022.
There was a rise in full-time employment among non-students as well as an increase in part-time employment among students.
Industry-Wise Employment In Canada
Industry December 2022 (in thousands) %Age Change November to December 2022 Wholesale and retail trade 2855.3 -0.3 Health care and social assistance 2608.0 -0.7 Professional, scientific and technical services 1844.0 1.3 Manufacturing 1754.9 -0.4 Construction 1544.3 2.3 Educational services 1483.8 -0.7 Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing 1362.9 0.2 Public administration 1154.6 0.9 Accommodation and food services 1099.0 1.2 Transportation and warehousing 1013.4 3.0 Information, culture and recreation 840.0 3.1 Other services (except public administration) 757.6 1.3 Business, building and other support services 711.9 0.4 Natural resources 334.8 -0.6 Agriculture 260.6 0.5 Utilities 145.3 -2.9 The number of construction workers increased by 35,000 (+2.3%). Increases were recorded in four provinces, with Ontario (+16,000; +2.7%) and Alberta (+13,000; +5.8%) leading the way.
Employment in transportation and warehousing increased by 29,000 (+3.0%) in December, recouping 18,000 lost in September and marking the industry’s first significant growth since November 2021.
Furthermore, employment in information, culture, and leisure increased by 25,000 (+3.1%) in December, following a 16,000 increase in November.
The number of individuals employed in professional, scientific, and technical services increased by 23,000 (+1.3%), with growth concentrated in Ontario (+22,000; +2.8%).
There were also more persons employed in accommodation and food services (+13,000; +1.2%), public administration (+11,000; +0.9%), and “other services” (+10,000; +1.3%).
However, employment in healthcare and social assistance dropped (-17,000; -0.7%), despite a record high number of job openings in the business in recent months.
- Here Are Canada Work Permit Options Without an LMIA
Most people who move to Canada and want to settle here know about Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
An LMIA is a labor market test that the government requires when an employer is looking to hire a foreign national due to labor shortages.
However, there are a few ways that allow people to work in Canada temporarily without needing an LMIA. This is because of various economic, social, and cultural policy reasons.
One of the most common ways this happens is through the Canadian interests category of the International Mobility Program (IMP).
The IMP generally has four common streams that work without requiring an LMIA. These four streams are listed below –
1. Significant benefit
You may work in Canada without an LMIA if your work contributes significantly to the country’s culture or society. In this stream, foreign workers who want to perform duties that will benefit Canadians, get a work permit.
These duties should create or maintain social, cultural, or economic benefits. Also, you should help create new opportunities for the people of Canada.
Apart from this, there are other objective measures that you need to fulfill. You should have proof of-
- An official academic record shows you have a degree, diploma, or certificate. Having a similar achievement from a learning institution relating to their work area also works.
- Work from current or former employers. This should show that you have 10 or more years of experience in the occupation for which you’re coming to Canada
- Your membership in organizations requiring excellence of its members
- Any national or international awards or patents you received (if applicable)
- That you have ever been the judge of the work of others (if applicable)
- Receiving recognition for achievements and significant contributions to the field. This could be by peers, governmental organizations, or professional or business associations
- Your scientific or scholarly contributions to the field
- Whether you have held a leading role in an organization with a distinguished reputation.
A few programs that exist under this stream are –
Entrepreneurs/Self-Employed
If you want to start a business in Canada, this program is for you. However, you must be the sole or majority owner of the company. Also, you need to prove that your business will benefit Canadians greatly.
Intra-Company transfers
You can apply for a work permit under this stream if you are coming to Canada to work for an affiliate, parent company, subsidiary, or Canadian branch of their foreign employer.
PNP Nominees as Entrepreneurs
This stream is for potential nominees through PNP coming to Canada as an entrepreneur. They get work permit without LMIA to start and operate their business in Canada, once selected by a particular Entrepreneur stream.
2. Charitable and religious workers
Charitable and religious workers stream doesn’t need an LMIA. Under this, people who want to come to Canada and conduct religious or charitable duties, do not need an LMIA.
Charitable work is any work that aims to relieve poverty. Moreover, work done to advance education also falls under this.
So, any work that provided benefits to society is considered charitable. Note that any organization that is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is seen as more credible.
If you are a volunteer for charitable work you do not need a work permit. Also, a standard charitable worker needs a work permit but remains LMIA-exempt
If you apply as a religious worker, you need to be part of, or share, the beliefs of the particular religious community where you intend to work or have the ability to teach or share other religious beliefs.
3. Reciprocal employment
Another common way of working in Canada without an LMIA is by getting employment opportunities in Canada as a product of similar opportunities provided to Canadians working abroad.
So, this stream provides work permits to people who perform duties in Canada that help create or maintain international relationships.
Also, it should provide employment opportunities to Canadian citizens or permanent residents in other countries too.
There are international agreements and international exchange programs that let them work here. These programs mutually benefit non-Canadians coming to work in this country and natural-born Canadians working in countries around the world.
For example, the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement is a measure of reciprocal employment provided to Canadians in many international locations.
Also, programs like International Experience Canada (IEC) provide opportunities for Canadians to flourish through experiencing life abroad.
So people applying through the IMP from countries upholding working relationships with Canada don’t need an LMIA.
4. Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the most common prominent non-LMIA programs. It is a part of this stream.
This program provides international students who graduate from an eligible program an open work permit.
You can complete the program from any Canadian-designated learning institution. After this, you get a work permit for up to three years.
However, the actual length of a permit depends on the length of the educational program from which you graduate. You can work for a Canadian employer of your choice.
You do not need an existing job offer at the time of application. This program is one of the most popular ways through which Canada provides most of its non-LMIA work permits on an annual basis.
Also, this program provides work permits to the spouses of and common-law partners of full-time students and foreign nationals who have come to Canada as skilled workers.
- Check Out Latest IRCC Processing Times As Of January 4
Year 2023 has started, but IRCC is still dealing with processing unprecedented amount of applications.
This article enlists newly updated IRCC processing times as of January 4, 2023.
IRCC updated their online processing tool in 2022 to provide accurate information on average processing times.
These processing times are provided to offer Canada immigration/visa applicants an estimate of how long their applications may take to process.
In addition, prospective candidates wishing to apply for Canadian immigration/visa can get a sense of what to expect before filing their application.
According to the most recent official IRCC data, the Canadian immigration backlog stood at 1.09 million.
Furthermore, 1.02 million applications were still being handled in accordance with IRCC service standards. In total, IRCC was processing around 2.1 million applications as of November 30, 2022.
These processing times are to ensure that Canada immigration/visa applicants get a faint idea of their applications’ processing.
These processing times are meant to give new weekly processing time based on data collected over the past 6 months.
Additionally, the processing time begins when IRCC receives the application and ends when the immigration officer reaches a decision on the application.
IRCC Processing Times for Citizenship & PR cards
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Citizenship grant 24 months No Change Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) 15 months – 1 month Resumption of citizenship 34 months No Change Renunciation of Citizenship 15 months – 1 month Search of citizenship records 16 months No Change New PR card 91 days + 2 days PR card renewals 80 days – 1 Day IRCC Processing Time for Family Sponsorship
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada 17 months – 1 month Spouse or common-law partner living inside Canada 13 months – 1 month Parents or Grandparents PR 38 months No Change - Click here for December 29 processing update!
- Canada Immigration Backlog Reduces To 1.09 Million – New IRCC Data
Processing time for Canadian Passport
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted in person at Service Canada Centre – Passport services) 10 business days No Change In-Canada New Passport (Regular application submitted by mail to Service Canada Centre) 20 business days No Change In-Canda Urgent pick-up By the end of next business day No Change In-Canada Express pick-up 2-9 business days No Change Regular passport application mailed from outside Canada 20 business days No Change Processing time for Economic Class
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Canadian Experience Class (CEC) 20 months No Change Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) 30 months + 1 month Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) 63 months + 1 month Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) via Express Entry 12 months – 1 month Non-Express Entry PNP 21 months – 1 month Quebec Skilled Workers (QSW) 19 months -1 month Quebec Business Class 66 months + 1 month Federal Self-Employed 41 months -1 month Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) 15 months + 3 months Start-Up Visa 32 months No Change Processing Time for Temporary Residence Application
Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Visitor visa outside Canada Varies by country
India: 141 Days
Nigeria: 222 Days
United States: 47 Days
Pakistan: 317 Days
Philippines: 111 Days
UAE: 233 Days
Bangladesh: 221 Days
Sri Lanka: 216 Days
United Kingdom: 219 Days– 4 Days for India
+ 10 Days for Nigeria
No Change for United States
+ 27 Days for Pakistan
– 4 Days for Philippines
+ 3 Days for UAE
– 3 Days for Bangladesh
+ 1 Days for Sri Lanka
+ 39 Days for UKVisitor visa inside Canada Online: 23 days
Paper-Based: 49 daysNo Change for online
– 2 Days for paper-basedParents or Grandparents Super Visa Varies by country
India: 140 Days
Nigeria: 228 Days
United States: 260 Days
Pakistan: 258 Days
Philippines: 161 Days
UAE: 236 Days
Bangladesh: 183 Days
Sri Lanka: 224 Days
United Kingdom: 166 Days– 11 Days for India
– 7 Days for Nigeria
– 55 Days for United States
+ 10 Days for Pakistan
– 3 Days for Philippines
+ 60 Days for UAE
– 11 Days for Bangladesh
– 7 Days for Sri Lanka
– 7 Days for UKVisitor Extension (Visitor Record) Online: 199 days
Paper-Based: 153 days+ 2 Days (Online)
– 8 Days for Paper-BasedStudy Permit Outside Canada 9 Weeks No Change Study Permit Inside Canada 4 Weeks No Change Study Permit Extension Online: 128 Days
Paper-Based: 111 Days+ 10 Days (Online)
No Change (Paper-Based)Work Permit Outside Canada* Varies by country
India: 9 Weeks
Nigeria: 39 Weeks
United States: 9 Weeks
Pakistan: 61 Weeks
Philippines: 11 Weeks
UAE: 26 Weeks
Bangladesh: 28 Weeks
Sri Lanka: 32 Weeks
United Kingdom: 7 WeeksNo Change for India
+ 15 Weeks for Nigeria
– 1 Weeks for United States
– 5 Weeks for Pakistan
– 1 Week for Philippines
– 4 Weeks for UAE
– 3 Weeks for Bangladesh
– 1 Week for Sri Lanka
– 1 Week for UKWork Permit Inside Canada Online: 166 Days
Paper-Based: 60 Days– 1 Day (Online)
+ 4 Days (paper-based)International Experience Canada (Current Season) 6 Weeks No Change Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) 20 Days + 1 Day Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) 5 minutes No Change *Applications for critical occupations are being prioritized. If you are not applying for a job in a critical occupation, your processing time may be longer than shown above.
Source: IRCC
