The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently launched a new application tracker for Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates. This new tool will help streamline the immigration process by providing greater transparency and accessibility to applicants.

The Express Entry system is a popular immigration program for skilled workers seeking to live and work permanently in Canada. It allows applicants to submit their profile to the IRCC and be entered into a pool of eligible candidates for a permanent residency visa. The PNP, on the other hand, is a program that allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who wish to immigrate to their specific region.

The new IRCC application tracker is designed to provide real-time information to applicants on the status of their Express Entry ( Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and PNP applications. This tool allows the applicants to see their application status and pending steps. The tracker will also provide essential updates on any changes to the immigration process or requirements, making it easier for applicants to stay informed and respond in time.

With the new application tracker, candidates will no longer have to rely on multiple iterations or make repeated inquiries to determine the status of their application. Instead, they will have immediate access to accurate and up-to-date information, reducing applicants’ stress and uncertainty.

In addition to the application tracker, the IRCC has made various other improvements to the immigration process to enhance the user experience. This includes a more user-friendly online application system and a dedicated applicant query response centre. These improvements demonstrate the IRCC’s commitment to providing quality services to those seeking to immigrate to Canada.

In conclusion, the launch of the IRCC application tracker is a significant step forward for the immigration process in Canada. It will help make the process more transparent, accessible, and efficient for applicants, providing a better experience for everyone involved. If you’re interested in immigrating to Canada through the Express Entry or PNP programs, take advantage of this new tool to stay informed and on track throughout the process.

General Alberta Express Entry Stream:

The government may request applications from candidates with strong ties to Alberta or who can contribute to its economic development and diversification priorities. The program may also be open to international graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Accelerated Tech Pathway:
If a candidate is currently employed by one of the Alberta-based tech industry employers in a qualifying tech occupation or has a job offer from one, they may be eligible for expedited processing under the Alberta Express Entry Stream.

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program – Accelerated Tech Pathway NOC Codes:

0013 Senior managers – financial, communications and other business services 0112 Human resources managers

0131 Telecommunication carriers manager 0211 Engineering managers

0212 Architecture and science managers

0213 Computer and information systems managers

0512 Managers – publishing, motion pictures, broadcasting and performing arts 0601 Corporate sales managers

1123 Professional occupations in advertising, marketing and public relations 1121 Human resources professionals

1223 Human resources and recruitment officers 2131 Civil engineers

2132 Mechanical engineers

2133 Electrical and electronics engineers

2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) 2161 Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries

2171 Information systems 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

2221 Biological technologists and technicians

2232 Mechanical engineering technologists and technicians

2233 Industrial engineering and manufacturing technologists and technicians

2241 Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians 2253 Drafting technologists and technicians

2281 Computer network technicians 2282 User support technicians

2283 Information systems testing technicians 3211 Medical laboratory technologists

3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants

3219 Other medical technologists and technicians (except dental health)

4163 Business development officers and marketing researchers and consultants 5131 Producers, directors, choreographers and related occupations

5241 Graphic designers and illustrators

7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system) 7242 Industrial electricians

7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers

Application Steps Overview:

The Alberta Express Entry Stream has 3 steps:

1. Candidates must have an Express Entry profile with the Government of Canada to be considered under this stream.

• In order to apply for the Accelerated Tech Pathway, candidates must send information about their Express Entry profile as well as their Alberta employment or job offer with a tech employer in Alberta to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) using an online form.
• Other Express Entry candidates must receive a Notification of Interest (NOI) letter from AAIP in their Express Entry profile. Candidates must email a copy of the NOI letter to AAIP and state they are interested in applying.

2. Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria for applying will receive an email from AAIP inviting them to apply.

3. The candidate must meet assessment criteria and submit a completed application. Completed applications will be considered for processing from a pool of eligible applications.

Read about the exact eligibility requirements , application process and post-nomination procedures. Please feel free to reach our office at 519-954-1526 or support@easycanadavisa.com for guidance on this new and exciting process.

Note:

• Candidates cannot apply directly to the Alberta Express Entry Stream.
• Candidates must be invited to submit an application. The AAIP invites candidates who demonstrate they meet minimum eligibility criteria. See the steps outlined above.
• You cannot use a nomination under a different AAIP stream to apply under the Alberta Express Entry Stream or the federal Express Entry system.
• If the AAIP discovers fraud or misrepresentation in an application, a candidate may be banned for up to 5 years from reapplying to the AAIP.
• Alberta Express Entry Stream nominees cannot extend their nomination.

Six thousand caregiver applications will be prioritized by the end of 2021; 1,500 by June 30, 2021

A new processing plan drafted by the IRCC for 2021 which caters to caregivers from abroad has now been made official. In brief, listed below are the new features of this plan:

• Approve Permanent Residence to 6000 eligible caregivers (including their immediate family members) who have completed their in-Canada work experience by December 31, 2021.
• For Home Child Care Provider and for Home Support worker pilot applications, at least 1500 first-stage decisions shall be made by June 30, 2021.
• Guarantee that applicants receive acknowledgment of receipt letters by May 31, 2021.

Caregiver Eligibility Criteria :

 Applicants must meet the following criteria to be approved:

• education
• official language proficiency

In addition, applicants must provide proof of either of the following:

• at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience
• a job offer and the ability to perform the work

Education:

The applicant should have ANY of the following:

• Canadian one-year post-secondary (or higher) educational credential
• foreign educational credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report issued by an organization designated by IRCC.

Foreign Credentials:

For applicants with a foreign educational credential, the ECA report must

• indicate that the credential is equivalent to a completed Canadian one-year post-secondary (or higher) educational credential
• be less than 5 years old on the date of application receipt

have been issued on or after the date the ECA organization was designated by IRCC

Applicants With 24 Months of Experience

The applicant should submit proof of qualifying full-time work experience (at least 30 hours per week) of at least 24 months in Canada in the last 3 years before applying. The work done must meet the following requirements:

Home Child-Care Provider Pilot applicants must have qualifying work experience as Home Child-Care Providers (NOC 4411). In this job, they must have looked after children under the age of

Note: Foster parents cannot apply under this pilot program.

Home Support Worker Pilot applicants must have qualifying work experience as Home Support Workers and related occupations (NOC 4412).

Note: Among the sub-occupations under NOC 4412, housekeepers and related occupations are not eligible to apply under the home support worker class. It is the applicant’s job to convince the IRCC officer that they mainly performed the personal care and support services as outlined in the NOC description (other duties such as housekeeping duties including laundry, washing dishes etc., may be included only as additional responsibilities).

Breaks in work experience: At the time they apply for permanent residence through the Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot, applicants do not have to be employed.Canadian work experience does not need to be continuous to qualify, but the period of 24 months of required employment does not include

• any extended absence from Canada (including any time worked for an employer outside Canada)
• periods of unemployment
• prolonged sickness
• parental leave

A reasonable period of vacation time will be counted towards meeting the work experience requirement. For example, a 2-week period of paid vacation leave within a given 52-week period in which the applicant was engaged in qualifying work would qualify, whether that period of vacation was taken in Canada or outside Canada. Any periods of self-employment or periods of employment during which the applicant was engaged in the full-time study will not be included when calculating the period of qualifying work experience. All applicants must have had temporary resident status during the period of work experience acquired in Canada. Only authorized work will be counted towards the work experience requirement..

Applicants Without 24 Months of Qualifying Canadian Work Experience

Applicants who do not have at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience must also provide proof of both of the following:

• a job offer
• the ability to perform the work

Job Offer

• from a single Canadian employer
  • The employer cannot be an embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada.
  • The employer can comprise more than one individual (for example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith), but must constitute one simple employer (that is, one single CRA business number).
• for a position outside the province of Quebec
• for full-time employment (full time means at least 30 hours of paid work per week)
• non-seasonal
• in a home child-care provider or home support worker occupation
• genuine and likely to be valid when the applicant is issued the initial occupation-specific open work permit

The job offer must also describe the work and duties to be performed by the applicant. These duties must align with the actions described in the lead statement for the eligible occupation, as set out in the occupational descriptions of the NOC.Note: The main duties of a job offer cannot be for foster parent or housekeeper occupations.

Ability To Perform The Work

Note: If the applicant has provided proof of at least 24 months of eligible Canadian work experience in their initial application, they do not need to be assessed for their ability to perform the work.Applicants who have not obtained at least 24 months of qualifying Canadian work experience must demonstrate that they are able to perform the work described in the lead statement of the occupational description of the NOC.

• NOC 4411 if applying for the Home Child-Care Provider Pilot
• NOC 4412 if applying the Home Support Worker Pilot

Failure to do so may result in a refusal.Note: Foster parents are excluded from NOC 4411 and housekeepers are excluded from NOC 4412.

Supporting Documentation

When assessing an applicant’s ability to perform the work, officers can refer to supporting documentation provided in the application. This may include, but is not limited to

• proof of relevant previous work experience (either paid or unpaid), for example:
  • employer reference letters
  • employment records
  • work contracts
  • pay stubs
• copies of relevant education credentials or training, which can include diplomas or certificates
• a copy of the applicant’s most recent work permit in Canada (if they’ve been working in Canada)

The new public policy will take effect on May 3, 2021. Applicants to the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker pilots in 2020 will not need to reapply.

Back in November 2020, Canada set an ambitious target of 401,000 new permanent residents in 2021 for its 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan. Thanks to the ongoing extended border closures and the hardship related to admitting permanent residents from overseas, Canada has decided to give priority to temporary residents in certain trades who can boost and drive the future of its economy. To achieve such a lofty goal, the following policy drafted by the CIC would be of absolute necessity.

The subsequent guide is meant to give a simplistic overview of what has been published by the IRCC recently regarding granting permanent residence to recent graduates.

CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICANTS:

The foreign national is required to:

1. Have completed, before the date when the PR application is received by the CIC, and no earlier than Jan 2017, a program of study in one of the Designated Learning Institutions which includes:

1. 1. a public post-secondary institution, such as a college, trade/technical school, university or in Quebec CEGEP
   2. a private post-secondary school in Quebec that operates under the same rules and regulations as public institutions in Quebec
   3. a private or public post-secondary institution in Quebec offering qualifying programs of 900 hours or longer leading to a diploma of vocational studies (DVS) or an attestation of vocational specialization (AVS)
   4. a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees under provincial law but only if the program of study completed was a degree as authorized by the province, which may not include all programs of study offered by the private institution.

1. In the above institutes mentioned the type of course you did is important as you are required to have been granted ANY one of the following credentials:

1. 1. a degree (Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate) which must be a degree issued on completion of a program of at least 8 months in duration;
   2. a degree, diploma, certificate, or attestation issued on completion of a program of any duration leading to an occupation in a skilled trade (listed in Annex A); or
   3. one or more diploma/certificate/attestation where the following conditions are met:

1. For diplomas/certificates/attestations, each program of study must be at least 8 months in duration and the combined length of the credential(s) must be equivalent to a two-year credential (at least 16 months in duration).
2. For the DVS and AVS, each program of study must be at least 900 hours in duration and the combined program of study must be at least 1,800 hours in duration.

When combining one AVS with one DVS, the length of the AVS may be less than 900 hours if the combined length is at least 1,800 hours.

• For greater clarity, each combined credential must meet the eligible program requirements, including the completion no earlier than January 2017.

1. Have been authorized to study throughout their education in Canada;
2. Be employed in Canada with a valid permit or authorization to work, must not be self-employed unless working as a medical doctor in a fee-for-service arrangement with a health authority.
3. Have attained a level of proficiency of at least CLB 5 in either official language

IELTS -> R-4      OR       CELPIP -> R -5

W-5                                        W-5

L-5                                         L-5

S-5                                        S-5

The evaluation must be less than two (2) years old when the permanent residence application is received;

1. Reside in Canada with valid temporary resident status (or be eligible to restore their status) and be physically present in Canada at the time the application for permanent residence is received and when the application is approved;
2. Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec;
3. Have submitted an application for permanent residence using the forms provided by the Department for this public policy and which must include at the time of application all proof necessary to satisfy an officer that the applicant meets the conditions (eligibility requirements) of this public policy, except for evidence required to demonstrate physical presence in Canada at the time of application approval;
4. Have submitted their application for permanent residence under this public policy using electronic means (apply online); and
5. The foreign national is not inadmissible under the Act and Regulations

This public policy also extends to family members of the applicant in Canada. The definition of family member (under subsection 1(3) of the Regulations) simply means those persons related to the principal applicant as a result of marriage or common-law relationships such as spouse or children. Note: This does not include parents or grandparents.

All that a family member currently in Canada needs to qualify for PR is to have been included in the PR application under this new public policy as an “accompanying family member” and not be inadmissible as per the Act and Regulations.

The same criteria applies to family members of the applicant currently living abroad as well. However, there is an exemption for some requirements needed for family members abroad; they are not needed to indicate the class under which they applying for. By classes, we mean:

• (a)the family class;
• (b)the economic class, consisting of the federal skilled worker class, the Quebec skilled worker class, the provincial nominee class, the Canadian experience class, the federal skilled trades class, the Quebec investor class, the Quebec entrepreneur class, the start-up business class, the self-employed persons class and the Quebec self-employed persons class; and
• (c)the Convention refugees abroad class and the country of asylum class.

INTAKE & DATES FOR APPLICATION:

INTAKE-A maximum of 40,000 applications will be accepted for processing. Any application submitted after that threshold shall not be considered.

DATES- Start date is 6^th May 2021 and end date is November 5^th 2021. You will be given time to submit your application during this time period, but once the limit of 40,000 applications is reached, the application won’t be considered.

ANNEX A – Eligible Skilled Trades

Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades

7201 Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations

7202 Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations

7203 Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades

7204 Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades

7205 Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers

7231 Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

7232 Tool and die makers

7233 Sheet metal workers

7234 Boilermakers

7235 Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

7236 Ironworkers

7237 Welders and related machine operators

7241 Electricians (except industrial and power system)

7242 Industrial electricians

7243 Power system electricians

7244 Electrical power line and cable workers

7245 Telecommunications line and cable workers

7246 Telecommunications installation and repair workers

7247 Cable television service and maintenance technicians

7251 Plumbers

7252 Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers

7253 Gas fitters

7271 Carpenters

7272 Cabinetmakers

7281 Bricklayers

7282 Concrete finishers

7283 Tilesetters

7284 Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers

7291 Roofers and shinglers

7292 Glaziers

7293 Insulators

7294 Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)

7295 Floor covering installers

Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades;

7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades

7302 Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews

7303 Supervisors, printing and related occupations

7304 Supervisors, railway transport operations

7305 Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators

7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics

7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

7313 Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

7314 Railway carmen/women

7315 Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors

7316 Machine fitters

7318 Elevator constructors and mechanics

7321 Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers

7322 Motor vehicle body repairers

7331 Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics

7332 Appliance servicers and repairers

7333 Electrical mechanics

7334 Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics

7335 Other small engine and small equipment repairers

7361 Railway and yard locomotive engineers

7362 Railway conductors and brakemen/women

7371 Crane operators

7372 Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction

7373 Water well drillers

7381 Printing press operators

7384 Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c.

Major Group 82, supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production

8211 Supervisors, logging and forestry

8221 Supervisors, mining and quarrying

8222 Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services

8231 Underground production and development miners

8232 Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers

8241 Logging machinery operators

8252 Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

8255 Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services

8261 Fishing masters and officers

8262 Fishermen/women

Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;

9211Supervisors, mineral and metal processing

9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities

9213 Supervisors, food and beverage processing

9214 Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing

9215 Supervisors, forest products processing

9217 Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing

9221 Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling

9222 Supervisors, electronics manufacturing

9223 Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing

9224 Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing

9226 Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing

9227 Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly

9231 Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing

9232 Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing

9235 Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators

9241 Power engineers and power systems operators

9243 Water and waste treatment plant operators

Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks

6321 Chefs

6322 Cooks

Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

6331 Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale

6332 Bakers

During Trump’s administration Canada has experienced a tremendous increase of US citizens eager to immigrate to the Maple Leaf Country, as per the reports approximately 85% of skilled workers have originated from the US. Experts believe even under the new president the situation will not improve any sooner.

Most of the US citizens prefer to immigrate to Canada all thanks to the country’s liberal views, excellent education system, free health care facilities, and easy immigration policies also its immigration system such as Express Entry has made the immigration pathway much easier and quicker, cutting the visa application processing period to just six months.

Present Canada immigration target is almost three times more than that of the US. On 30^th Oct 2020 Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRRCC) has made fresh announcements regarding new immigration plans for 2021-2023, stating that the country aims to welcome:-

  401,000 new immigrants to apply for permanent residency in 2021,

  411,000 immigrants to apply for permanent residency in 2022,

  421,000 immigrants to apply for permanent residency in 2023

It is an attempt to make up for the shortcomings due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19. Experts believe, due to an economic slowdown and high unemployment rate the fact is even during the Joe Biden administration, the United States will not have enough place to accommodate a high number of skilled workers willing to work in the country.

Practically speaking it will be a tough job for newly elected president Mr. Joe Biden to increase the immigration graph largely due to the impact of the pandemic on its economy. As per the reports Canada has already made up for around 75% of job loss due to the global pandemic and simontensouly increased its immigration figure for the next three years, which shows the country’s dedication towards expats who are keen to join its community and ample of opportunities available for skilled immigrants.

Comparatively, Canada has eight times smaller labor force than that of the United States yet the country receives double the number of skilled talent in absolute terms and around twenty times more on per capita basis.

Also, due to limited number of Green Card that the US offers, talented skilled workers will continue to walk towards north infact this has been an unchanged trend for the last five years. In the past Canada-US relationship has faced a number of challenges. The fact is severe political, cultural, and human ties will continue to spread prosperity throughout North America.

Yes, you read that right. Canadian schools that have the COVID-19 readiness plans in place can now start accepting new study permit holders ( as of October 20^th ). So, before you start backpacking to come to Canada, make it is on the Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) list first, as only they have been approved to do so yet. Students who are not going to be attending a DLI shall not be allowed to board the flight to Canada.

The DLIs, in order to welcome the incoming international students, need to have a coronavirus readiness plan approved by their province or territory. They should have outlined plans which should describe how they intend to manage the mandatory quarantine period for students, including arrangements for transportation to the student’s quarantine location. Also, they must provide real-time information to the students regarding where they can get the items for the quarantine such as food, medicine, and health insurance. Prospective students should get in touch with their respective schools directly should they have questions regarding the readiness plans.

Previously, only those international students who had received a valid study permit as of March 18, 2020, could travel to Canada; however, as of now, the DLIs can accept students regardless of when they obtained the study permit.

Here’s the lowdown on the current update:

If you plan to enter Canada as a student, you would need to meet these two requirements:

• You must possess a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows you were approved for a study permit.
• You must be potentially attending a designated learning institution (DLI) with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by its province or territory.

Your travel to Canada will be considered essential only if you have all of the required documents and your DLI is on the approved list.

As a student, your travel to Canada won’t be considered essential if:

• your study program has been cancelled or suspended
• you’re entering Canada for any reason other than to study

Students would still need to quarantine for 14 days once they arrive in Canada.

As of this writing, all post-secondary DLIs in Quebec are approved. 39 post secondaries are open in Alberta and British Columbia, 10 in Manitoba, 13 in New Brunswick, 3 in Newfoundland & Labrador, 14 in Ontario, 5 in Prince Edward Island, 7 in Saskatchewan and one in Yukon. DLIs have not yet been approved in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Nunavut, or North West Territories.

IRCC UPDATES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OCTOBER 2020

• As mentioned earlier, your visa would remain in a deactivated state if your college is not on the COVID-19 ready list (for those who have received visas)
• If you currently have an AIP (Approval in Principle) for 2021, then you must have deferred the program and also must have notified the IRCC about the deferral with the new LOA (Letter of Acceptance) through the web form on their site.
• Only those applicants whose DLIs are on the list will be prioritized and advance to the next stage of approval.
• Even if you are going to be completing a full year of your course online, you will still be eligible for a PGWP (1year programs)
• Students whose classes would start in January can enter Canada 3 weeks prior to their first day of class.
• To enter Canada, you don’t require a POE (Port of Entry Letter) if your DLI is on the approved list. You would however need to carry your LOA (Letter of Acceptance), quarantine package from your DLI (or quarantine plan), passport and visa. CBSA officers will ask proof or supporting documents for the information you mention in the quarantine plan.
• When the VACs open, the request for Biometrics will be sent. You may give Biometrics in any other country, but not upon arrival to Canada (No biometrics, No visa)
• The DLI list shall be updated every 2 weeks

CRB (CANADA RECOVERY BENEFIT)   UPDATES

The following information has been updated as of October 5, 2020.

By now anyone who had and is currently relying on the CERB would be more than happy to know that the Government is planning to replace it with the soon-to-be-implemented CRB (Canada Recovery Benefit). This new proposed benefit scheme would work similar to CERB, but with a few additional restrictions.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT BETWEEN CERB & CRB?

 The most notable difference between CERB and CRB is that with CRB, there was a cap of $1000 employment income that you could earn outside of it; in other words, you can earn more with the CRB. While on the CRB, workers can earn up to $3800 per month or $46,000 per annum. There is a catch though; claimants must pay $0.50 for each dollar above their net annual income if it exceeds $38,000.

The next interesting aspect of CRB that sets it apart from CERB is that the CRB payment are in fact retrospective meaning you will only receive payment after two weeks from the date of applying for the benefit (during which you must experience a loss of income). The CERB was prospective you would receive the payments in advance for the upcoming two weeks.

As an example, if you were to switch from CERB (which ended on September 27, 2020) to CRB, you would be eligible for the first CRB payment on October 11, 2020.

Another key facet is that the CRB applications would be handled exclusively by the CRA, whereas the CERB had both the CRA and Service Canada pulling the strings. Why this is important  you will need a CRA account to apply for CRB (for CERB all you needed to do was either call or click on a link in Service Canada. This could potentially make it harder for people who don’t meet the $5000 previous year income threshold.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To be deemed eligible for the CRB, you need to meet the following conditions for the two-week benefit period.

• You had a 50% reduction in your average weekly income while comparing to the previous year due to COVID-19.
• You were not working for reasons relating to COVID-19
• You didn’t apply for any of the following: Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB), short-term disability benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, EI benefits or Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) benefits
• Have a SIN, was present in Canada, above 15 years old
• Earned at least $5000 (before deductions) in 2019, 2020 or 12 months prior to date of application from employment income, self-employment income or maternity and parental benefits from EI or similar QPIP benefits.
• You did not quit your job or reduced hours voluntarily on or after September 27,2020
• You were actively seeking work during these 2 weeks either as an employee or in self-employment

 IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE:

• You can receive $1000 for the two weeks, however, it will actually be just $900 because $100 of taxes are withheld. Yes, just like the CERB, CRB is also taxable.
• You can apply for a maximum of 26 weeks (or 13 income periods). The CRB program lasts 52 weeks.

– Please note the eligibility requirements that you have to confirm for each period that you apply. They are different than CERB. (https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit/crb-who-apply.html)

The earliest you can apply for the CRB is on Oct 12, 2020. You can apply for the CRB here at https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/benefits/recovery-benefit.html

Recently, Ontario had made public its interest to issue changes to the ever-popular OINP (Ontario Immigration Nomination Program). It is slated to introduce an Expression of Interest or EOI system for the following streams that come under the OINP:

• Employer Job Offer Category: Foreign Worker;
• Employer Job Offer Category: International Student;
• Employer Job Offer Category: In-Demand Skills;
• Masters Graduate; and
• D. Graduate.

If you are an international student or foreign worker, you would certainly have felt the anguish and disappointment when trying to submit your applications for the corresponding OINP draws held recently. The last draw for international students closed within minutes and the one held for foreign workers in July reached the registration limit within an hour. This puts those candidates without high-speed internet access or the proper time of day to sit in front of the screen to apply at a significant disadvantage. Hence, this “first come, first served” basis has attracted quite the disdain.

Taking into consideration the ensuing hardships and mounting criticism so far, Ontario has decided to do things differently in the following months. The process for the new OINP process is quite similar to Express Entry:

1)OINP applicants create a profile in the program’s new EOI pool

2)Applicants will be asked to substantiate their personal, labour market, human capital information, etc.

3)ITA issued by considering the scores for each candidate and then the candidate shall be nominated for the OINP stream.

This takes the pressure away from the individuals by not needing to be present for the precious and exclusive window of application. Instead, Ontario will be selecting the candidates out of the pool when it holds the draw.

At the moment, Ontario hasn’t released the details pertaining to the calculation of EOI points or the factors behind them other than generally stating that it would depend on certain factors such as level of education and language. All the potential changes would go into effect only after a 45-day public consultation period that ends on October 23,2020.

BIOMETRICS COLLECTION IN CANADA:

Presently, only those who have applied for Permanent Residence can go for Biometrics collection at Service Canada locations. Service Canada officers will call you at the number had provided and schedule an appointment for you. Don’t call Service Canada as they won’t be able to tell you the status of your appointment or application. Don’t go to a Service Canada location unless you have been contacted by Service Canada. Needless to say, don’t try to beat the system by attempting to get biometrics done at other Canadian Ports of Entry. Things to keep in mind to avoid fraudulent Service Canada calls:

1)They’ll never ask for your financial information or ask to pay any further fees as they have already been paid while submitting your application for Permanent Residence.

2)They won’t ask for your SIN number as that is not necessary at this point in the process.

Alternatively, if you had assigned a representative to take care of your application, they would be contacted to confirm your availability and preferred location. They would also be contacted a second time to confirm your appointment through them.

They would, however, ask for your BIL (Biometrics Instruction Letter) number found in your IRCC application as well as confirm your preferred date and location of the biometrics appointment. When going for the appointment, you would only need to bring the BIL and passport or travel document.

BIOMETRICS OUTSIDE CANADA :

For those applying from outside Canada, if the site closest to you is closed an automatic extension for the deadline to submit biometrics will be issued. Until the sites start offering collection services again, you don’t have to give biometrics. New BILs are not needed when going for an appointment at a later date than that mentioned in it.

Keep visiting canada.ca/biometrics for updates on when biometrics collection will start again.

As things look bleak amid the pandemic, Canada has introduced 3 new measures to ensure individuals are provided with ample opportunities to obtain study and work permits.

 The following are the new measures made public by the IRCC on PGWP (Postgraduate Open Work permit) eligibility for international students who did their courses online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

• If students would be completing 50% of their studies in Canada, they can continue to study online while being overseas up until April 30, 2021, without any deduction from the length of their PGWP.
• If a student had enrolled in an 8-12 months program that has a start date from May to September 2020, they may complete the entirety of their studies abroad and still be eligible for PGWP! (no need to be in Canada)
• International students who have done more than one eligible program, with one program that has start date between May and September 2020 (and study online up to April 30, 2021) can combine the lengths of their programs while applying for a PGWP given that at least 50% of studies is done in Canada.

For international students to qualify for the above measures, they need to have submitted a study permit application prior to starting a program  with a designated learning institution in the Spring/ Summer/ Fall 2020 semester or Jan 2021 semester. They need to be approved eventually for a study permit to be eligible.

The IRCC is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and keeping a close watch on the changing international situations and one can expect additional announcements/ changes in the upcoming weeks or months.

GET APPROVAL WITHOUT BIOMETRICS

Biometrics collection service still remains unavailable at Service Canada

Due to the persisting onslaught of COVID-19, Service Canada locations across Canada are still unavailable to provide new appointments to candidates who have currently received ITAs in the recent draws which required very low CRS scores.

It may seem like you are in a tight spot if you can’t submit the biometrics within the timeframe specified in the ITA, but all’s not lost. The CIC has set out some relief measures to quell the anxiety and risk of losing your chance to get PR during this pandemic. Let’s look at the different scenarios a temporary resident can find himself/herself in and see what needs to be done.

First and foremost, you can be considered exempt from giving the biometrics if you are applying from within Canada:

• to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
• to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
• for a work or study permit
• for a visitor visa
• for a temporary resident permit

This applies to all the existing applications in progress as well as new ones. your PR application requires biometrics; there’s no exception to that.

For the above-listed scenarios, it applies even if says the following:

• your application form for a work permit, study permit or visitor visa says it’s for applicants outside Canada
• our online application system asks you to pay a biometric fee (CAN$85)

This above temporary measure does not apply if you’re outside Canada.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE AN APPOINTMENT ( for applications other than PR)

As additional merit, you don’t need to pay for the biometrics, even if the system tells you to pay it. If you have paid, it would be automatically refunded once the application has been finalized. As of now, you can even ignore the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) that tells you how to give your biometrics.

Deadline for submitting Biometrics for PR

As per the latest updates, it is said that no application will be refused on the sole basis of being unable to submit biometrics within the period indicated on your BIL. This means that you actually have more than the 30 or 90 days mentioned in the BIL. Also, when the sites reopen, you don’t have to make another appointment; the original BIL will be considered as proof of payment.

As the biometrics collection is temporarily suspended at Service Canada, do not go to other biometrics collection points such as Canadian ports of entry (POEs) or other international collection sites.

Biometrics collection outside Canada

If it has been deemed that the site closest to you is closed, the CIC shall automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics.

You don’t have to give your biometrics until the sites start offering collection services again. If you have an appointment at the following locations:

• at a VAC—the VAC will tell you if your appointment is cancelled
• at a US ASC—some ASCs are starting to reopen

When biometrics collection sites reopen

Even if you can’t travel to Canada yet, you can start giving out your biometrics as the collection centers slowly reopen. VACs and ASCs are starting to reopen slowly.

You have to book an appointment as soon as services resume. You can check canada.ca/biometrics for updates.

As a side note, a new public policy allows former workers and students who have applied for a closed work permit to continue working until a decision on their restoration application is made. In order to pull it off, they would need to:

• have a job offer
• submit a work permit application that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment
• notify IRCC through the process set up for eligible foreign nationals

However, all things considered, your PR application requires biometrics. For now, there’s no other way than waiting to see when the biometrics services restart.

The following is a brief overview of the relevant developments concerning international students and
immigration during the ongoing pandemic. It has been made by sifting through the Canadian
Bureau for International Students, Universities Canada, and Colleges and Institutes Canada.
For convenience’s sake, listed below are situations that international students are most likely to find
themselves in:

You possess a study/work permit that’s about to expire in the coming weeks and
are unable to obtain a new passport or access the necessary documents. Would
you are given an extension?

The prudent course of action you can take at this juncture would be to apply online to renew your
permit, which would trigger implied status. This will allow you to continue working or studying in
Canada until your application is undergoing processing. Moreover, you must also attach an
explanatory letter stating why you don’t currently have access to the required documents. Don’t
worry as your application won’t be denied if it is incomplete; you will be given 90 days to submit the
documents.

If you had your May acceptance deferred to September, would you need a new
Letter of Acceptance?

If you were in Canada at the time of the deferral, you need to start your studies within 150 days from
the date of deferral, or the following semester, whichever happens, to come first. Otherwise, you
would need to change your status ( for example, to a visitor status), or leave Canada.

You don’t currently have received a study permit, can you still start studies online
from abroad?

Yes, you may. However, there is a caveat; for your studies to contribute to your future PGWP
eligibility, you need a study permit/ study permit approval. Moreover, you can only attend the course
up to 50% of the curriculum online, for the rest, you need to be in class to maintain eligibility for
PGWP.

If you are a new graduate on implied status awaiting a decision to be made on
PGWP application with a job offer letter, would you be allowed to come to
Canada?

If your study permit is no longer valid, you need to have a Letter of Introduction to be exempted from
the existing travel restrictions

If I start my studies online from abroad without an approved study permit, would
this time be included towards a future PGWP application?

No. Unfortunately, the time spent studying online from abroad without a valid study permit or
approval will not count towards your eligibility for PGWP.

Being an international student, you accessed the Canada Emergency Response
Benefit (CERB). Will this in some way affect your eligibility for PR or PGWP?

Even if you have accessed CERB, it will not affect your eligibility for PR or PGWP.

Can you work full-time if your semester has been suspended?

A suspended semester is not considered to be a scheduled break, so you are only allowed to work
the same number of authorized hours detailed on your study permit.

Would your parents be allowed to come to Canada if you are on a valid study
permit?

Immediate family members who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are exempted
from travel restrictions and can come to Canada provided that they first obtain authorization from
IRCC to board a flight.
In order to do this, submit a request by sending an email to IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-
Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
Also, if your parents do not already have a temporary visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization
(eTA), they will first need to apply for one.

Fast-track option for Indian students who want to begin their
studies in Canada in 2020: the Student Direct Stream

Under the newly implemented Student Direct Stream, Canada aims to expedite the process for
study permit applications of Indians within just 20 calendar days.
To be considered eligible for the SDS, Indians must meet the following additional criteria, such as,
but not limited to:

 Being able to score at least 6 in each skill of the IELTS Academic test (reading, writing,
listening, and speaking)
 Obtain a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) of CAD 10,000 from a participating financial
an institution that meets the criteria for the SDS.
 Be able to prove that you have paid tuition fees for the first year of your studies in Canada.

The SDS is a very cost-effective option for Indians that want to begin their studies in Canada this fall.
To add to the good news, you can still begin your program online in India and remain eligible for the
PGWP by completing up to 50% of the course online

There’s good news and bad news. First the bad news: Canada is set to invite 170,000 fewer immigrants this year. The good news: Canada is going to invite 170,000 fewer immigrants this year. Confused? It is good news for those immigrants already in Canada and bad news for those trying to come to Canada.

Since Canada has temporarily shut its door to foreign nationals for a while now, and to keep up its immigration targets for 2020, its only viable choice at the moment is to issue more ITAs to aspiring candidates who are already within its borders. This has been made evident through the latest string of Express Entry draws with scores plummeting down all the way to 440 CRS points recently. Not only that, but it also seems very likely that the CIC is going to continue posting up to 4 draws a month for the Canadian Experience Class stream.

What this means is that now is the most opportune moment to tally up your points and get into the Express Entry pool by boosting your existing scores, either through IELTS/CELPIP or updating your profile to see if it is within reach.

From the way things have been shaping up, the IELTS organization has made plans to reopen its many testing centers across the globe to ensure that candidates can take a dig at clearing it. If one were to check the exam dates now, the earliest one could book an exam date will be somewhere in July. So, hurry up as seats are being filled as you read this!

Coming to the PNPs, they have become unpredictable as of late. However, BC is one province that keeps holding the BC Tech Pilot ( BC PNP) practically every week. More details would be released this month regarding its future. It has already held two draws on June 2^nd. The provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario are slated to resume their respective nomination programs later this month. Quebec is in talks to introduce two new pilot programs for nurses aides and tech workers, the details of which would be released “ within a few weeks”.

Last, but not least, Canada is about to decide whether or not to renew its Open Work Permit Pilot for spouses and Common-law partners for the fifth time. The deadline for the renewal is estimated to be June 31^st. Speaking of spouses and common-law partners, it is highly likely that if the current trend of curve-flattening (coronavirus pandemic) continues, family members who are stuck overseas with the COPR (Confirmation of PR) could enter Canada post-July 1^st.

Today’s blog is aimed at those candidates who are about to apply for an ITA (Invitation to Apply) and those who have received the ITA but still have some documents pending.

THE BASICS:

To create an Express Entry profile, a candidate needs to provide corresponding proof of his/her language ability, relevant work experience proof of education level etc. Once the candidate meets the requisite CRS points for the respective draw, he/she may be issued an ITA. You can check your CRS points here at https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp . The documentation checklist for every candidate varies based on the candidate’s circumstances, nationality, civil status among other factors. However, all applicants need to submit copies of the following after getting ITA:

• Valid Passport
• WES (proof of education from the country of origin)
• Birth Certificate
• Language Test Results
• Work Experience Documentation
• Police Clearance Certificate(s)
• Upfront medical receipt
• Photographs of principal applicant (and family members)
• Canadian Education documents
• Status Documents

Even from the short above-mentioned document checklist, some paperwork, particularly those pertaining to work experience and background checks from the respective country of origin can prove to be a daunting task especially now during the pandemic.

The work experience letter from your country needs to be in the Canadian format for it to be accepted by the CIC. It should include: your full name, job title, joining and end dates of employment, wage (either hourly, bi-weekly or monthly), number of hours worked in a week along with the roles and responsibilities handled during your tenure. Unless these details are mentioned in the letter, it would be hard to classify the job title under the NOC codes and getting the necessary CRS points. To find your job’s NOC code, click on https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/eligibility/find-national-occupation-code.html.

If you were an international student, who has completed his/her course in Canada and is currently on your work permit (nearing one year of experience), your recommended course of action is to obtain your WES, IELTS/CELPIP, PCC and get your medicals done as quickly as possible. The current updates and links for the same are provided towards the end.

Depending on the situation, any of the following documents (not all) may also need to be submitted and candidates are encouraged to gather as much of these as possible at the earliest:

• Translations to English or French(if documents are in a language other than these)
• Copies of work contracts and/or pay stubs
• Documents relating to income taxation
• Canadian Education Credential OR Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
• Official transcripts of post-secondary education study program courses taken
• Secondary education documents
• Original letter from a Canadian employer indicating an offer of arranged employment
• Proof of family relationship(s) in Canada
• Proof of settlement funds
• Legal documents showing changes in name or date of birth
• Marriage certificate(s)
• Signed Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union and documents attesting to cohabitation for a period of at least 12 months
• Divorce or annulment certificate(s)
• Death certificate(s) for former spouse(s) or common-law partner(s)
• Children’s birth certificates
• Adoption papers
• Proof of full custody for children
• Travel documents (non-passport)
• Certified copy of a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade occupation issued by a Canadian province or territory
• Letter(s) of explanation
• Affidavit

All the required documents have to be uploaded and submitted electronically. As of now, candidates who have received the ITA are provided with 90 days to complete their applications. Do check your ITA carefully to know your deadline.

RECENT UPDATES:

1. 
   

   WES:

For the IRCC to acknowledge your proof of education back in your country of origin, it must undergo an evaluation from WES. It can take anywhere from 1-3 months to receive your completed WES evaluation. So, it is advised that you start applying for it at the earliest to increase your chances of entering the Express Entry pool early. Find out more about WES on https://www.wes.org/ca/about-wes-credential-evaluation/. If the person has done a University education in Canada, then WES is not required.

2. 
   

   PCC:

The PCC is a certificate that serves as a background check for candidates. You need to provide a PCC from your country of origin as well as all other countries you have resided for more than 6 months in the last 10 years including one from here in Canada. Do check with your country of origin’s consulate website to obtain PCC at the earliest. If you are from India, you can apply for your PCC through https://www.cgitoronto.gov.in/page/police-clearance/.There was a halt on appointments for obtaining PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) in Canada as well recently. The good news now is that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) has made it possible to get PCC through some of its locations. You can act upon this opportunity and schedule an appointment through https://www.f1fingerprint.ca/.

3. 
   

   Medical Evaluations:

With the provincial lockdowns easing, now more and more locations are reopening to accommodate the demand for medical evaluations.  Only a panel physician approved by the CIC can do this for you. Find out your nearest CIC approved panel physician through https://secure.cic.gc.ca/pp-md/pp-list.aspx. If you are going for the medical evaluation prior to getting an ITA, you may go ahead with an upfront medical exam. You can’t go for an upfront medical exam if you are being sponsored as a spouse, parent or child.  If you already have an ITA, you would be asked for your IME (Immigration Medical Exam) number when scheduling an appointment.

If you live in the GTA, you can book an appointment for getting the Upfront Medical exam from https://www.completeimmigration.ca/site/contact-immigration-medical-exam-brampton-gta as it is currently operating.

4. 
   

   Language Test Results:

The most ubiquitous language proficiency test that most candidates opt for is the IELTS. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, most test takers have found that their exam dates got either cancelled or shifted to a later date. While there are no dates set in stone, some candidates still do manage to attempt the exam during these trying times. You can get more than 135 CRS points just by cracking the language exams. What most candidates don’t realize is that the IELTS can also be taken as a Computer-based test which can give them the results back in just 3-5 days. Also, it offers more dates currently than its paper-based counterpart. You can book a date for IELTS on https://ieltscanadatest.com/take-ielts/test-dates-2019/.

Alternatively, the IRCC also accepts language test results for CELPIP as well. Compared to the IELTS, a majority of candidates have found CELPIP to be easier and shorter, along with more flexibility with the bands. To learn more about CELPIP, visit https://www.celpip.ca/.

If you feel that you may need help in preparing for either CELPIP or IELTS, contact our agency at (519) 954-1526 Monday to Friday from 11 am to 4 pm.

The role that international students play in the Canadian economy is one that cannot be looked over.
The 640,000 international students in addition to creating a diverse and wholistic learning
environment, contribute some $22 billion to the economy each year which supports around 200,000
Canadian jobs.
Recognizing that difficulties that international students face during COVID-19, Canada has
announced a variety of special measures to help the international students already in the country,
and those who hope to come into the country soon. The following are the latest updates concerning
international students:
Implied status
Current and Post-Graduation Work Permit holding international students who wish to extend their
stay in Canada during the coronavirus impact may be eligible for implied status. Implied status
provides international students the chance to continue their studies and/or work while Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews their work/study permit extension application
Working hours
IRCC has temporarily allowed international students to work more than the previously allowed 20
hours if they are working in 10 priority sectors. This rule holds water until August 31. These 10
sectors are:

 Energy and utilities
 Information and Communication Technologies
 Finance
 Health
 Food
 Water
 Transportation
 Safety
 Government
 Manufacturing

CERB

The federal government provides income support through the Canada Emergency Response Benefit
(CERB) which offers $500 per week for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers whose lives have been
disrupted by the pandemic. International students who qualify for the requirements may receive the
benefits.

PR pathways

Since the start of the coronavirus crisis, both levels of government have issued more invitations to
apply for permanent residence to those with Canadian experience due to the high levels of
education and linguistic proficiencies that international students bring with them to the Canadian
economy.

More time to submit immigration applications

IRCC understands the impact that COVID-19 might have had on the abilities of immigration
applications. IRCC announced that it will not turn incomplete applications and that they will provide
an additional 90 days to complete the application considering the COVID-19 pandemic.

PGWP

The Post-Graduation Work Permit helps international students gain Canadian work experience.
International students have no need for concern with regards to their PGWP since IRCC has
announced that students who were slotted for a study permit to begin their Canadian education in
May or June will be able to begin their program online without affecting their eligibility to eventually
apply for a PGWP. The same applies to international students already in Canada.

More support for international students on the way

Canadian response to the pandemic situation has surpassed that even of the United States. It has
done more than what anyone could have expected when compared with other countries. The care
and concern that the government has shown to accommodate its foreign nationals have helped
cement Canada’s status as a truly inclusive and diverse country made up of a cultural mosaic.
Considering the current trends, it is highly probable that more help would be coming for international
students.

So far, the federal government of Canada has done a commendable job in providing much-needed financial support during the COVID-19 pandemic through the CERB. However, international students felt left out as the way things stand, they are not eligible to apply for CERB.

The financial hardships that international students face in these cash-strapped times have been continuously reported and a substantial number of them have difficulties paying rent or having to choose between keeping a meal on their table.

The honourable PM Justin Trudeau has factored that too into consideration and has now announced that the government will be setting aside $9 billion for the purpose of providing financial assistance to postgraduate students by means of a benefit, called “ Canada Emergency Student Benefit” that would be in place from May to August 2020. Read on to find out how international students can be eligible for the same. Below are the key takeaways from Trudeau’s official statement today:

•  According to the official press release, if you are a student who graduated in December 2019 or planning to go to college in September, you can be eligible to receive $1250 per month or it can go up to $1750 per month if you have dependents or disabilities. It can be claimed by students who currently have a job, but still, only earn up to $1000 a month.
• That’s not all. The government is going to create 76,000 jobs for young people aside from the Canada Summer Jobs program.                                                                                                                 
• Furthermore, for those students who are volunteering in the “fight against COVID-19”, the PM has announced that they would be eligible for $1000 to $5000, based on their hours through the newly established Canada Student Service Grant.
• Student grants given out in the 2020-2021 academic year shall be doubled.

The benefit shall be delivered through the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency):

“To all the students watching today, let me say this: As you’re building your future – thinking about how to contribute, or about starting a family or career – all of a sudden you’ve been faced with this crisis. The uncertainty may feel overwhelming,” Trudeau said.

“But in Canada, we look out for each other…these measures will help you get through this, so you can build that career and future you’ve been working for.”

“For today, for the summer, for next year, we are going to be there for you,” Trudeau quoted.

International students now eligible for PGWP with online courses

International students who are currently in possession of a valid study permit or were approved for one prior to March 18 2020 are exempted from the existing travel restrictions (meaning you can come to Canada). However, if your study permit was approved after March 18 2020, you are NOT exempt from the travel restrictions until June 30.

You’ll first need to pass a health check conducted by the respective airlines you are travelling with to board. Any person showing symptoms of COVID-19 shall not be allowed to enter Canada by air. Upon arrival, you must mandatorily isolate yourself for 14 days even if you have no symptoms.

Online Course Work Will Not Mean Ineligibility For International Student Graduates Seeking Canadian Work

Due to the pandemic, nearly all institutions have moved in-class courses to an online-only format. No need to fret, as the IRCC has made it clear that this won’t affect your eligibility to apply for a PGWP (Post Graduate Work Permit). What’s more relieving is that students who are slated to start in May or June can complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they are not able to reach sooner. 

Canada Still Accepting Spousal Immigration Applications Despite Coronavirus

The federal government has announced that they will continue to accept and process both spousal and common-law sponsorship applications for partners either in Canada or abroad. However, there are a few key reforms to pay attention to:

1.    Intake of incomplete applications

You can hand in an incomplete application and still start the process. All you need to do is provide a detailed letter explaining why there is a delay in submitting the other documents due to COVID-19 delays. This is applicable when filing for new spousal or common-law partner sponsorship applications. Additionally, on top of the initial 60 days to complete the applications, IRCC officers have been instructed to provide an additional 90 days deadline to hand in the remaining documents.

2.    Collecting social assistance may not make you ineligible to sponsor

It is important to know collecting which form of social assistance would render one ineligible to apply for spousal or common-law sponsorship. Those of you who have been recently laid off and are receiving the following aids from the Government would still be considered eligible to sponsor your spouse or common-law partner.

• CERB
• Employment Insurance
• subsidized housing
• tax credits
• child care subsidies
• Provincial Benefits

3.    Spouses and common-law partners exempt from travel restrictions

Immediate family members of Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents are exempt from the travel restriction in place that bans other foreign nationals from entering Canada till June 30 2020. Spouses and common-law partners are considered “immediate family members”, and so are allowed to enter Canada in the present scenario. It would greatly expedite their interaction with Immigration at the airport when they land if they have following documents:

• Marriage certificate or evidence of common law status
• Canadian Passport or Permanent resident Card
• Birth Certificate
• Other documents that demonstrate an immediate family connection

Paper and electronic versions of the above-mentioned documents are also accepted.

Canadian Immigration Processing Fees to Increase on April 30

By April 30 at 9 a.m. EDT, the new fee regulations shall come into effect. Completed applications received before April 30 shall be processed with the existing fee, however, those applications received on or after that time which do not include the correct fees shall be returned to the applicant as incomplete. Permanent Residence processing fee for the following applicants are going to be increased as follows:

• Principal applicants under the Economic Business Class (self-employed, start-up visa, Quebec entrepreneur, Quebec investor and Quebec self-employed) will need to pay $1575 instead of the $1050 earlier.
• Foe those in the economic non-business class will go up from $550 to $825. This will not be applicable to principal applicants and their families under the Caregivers program.
• The fees for spousal and common-law partners of all the economic classes shall bump from $550 to $825.
• Processing fee for dependent children of all the economic classes would become $225 instead of $150.
• A very minor increment from $490 to $500 is to be expected for the right of Permanent Residence.

The corresponding fees for PR cards, PR travel documents/certification or replacement immigration documents would remain the same. New fee amounts will be released in 2022 as per Consumer Price Index.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, scores of workers in Canada have lost their jobs and it is estimated that up until now, 1.6 million EI (Employment Insurance) applications have been filed. The federal government realized that EI alone won’t help individuals sustain their current lifestyle during this outbreak. As a result, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) was introduced to temporarily assist those who have lost income during this period regardless of whether you have EI or not.

It would provide eligible applicants $500 per week for 16 weeks. The application procedure and eligibility criteria can be found below.

How to apply

Applications would start being processed by the CRA on April 6^th. Those who are currently without work and are eligible for EI should apply for Employment Insurance now.

Even if you are not eligible for EI, you may apply for CERB through the Canada Revenue Agency.

Provided below is a chart table from the CRA on the days to apply for CERB corresponding to your birth month. You may apply online or via phone.

Eligibility Criteria

The CERB can be claimed by workers who:

• Reside in Canada and are at least 15 years of age.
• Have stopped working because of COVID-19 or those who qualify for EI regular /sickness benefits
• Had income of at least $5000 in 2019 or 12 months prior to submitting the application (this includes those who have been self-employed). This income may also be a combination of: self-employment, maternity and parental benefits under EI and/or similar benefits within Quebec under Parental Insurance plan.
• Are expected to be without income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial 4-week period.

Note: You do not need a medical certificate to apply for the CERB; all you need to do is fill out an online application.

You will start getting the benefits within 10 days of the application (no waiting period)

You can either choose direct deposit or cheque as payment methods (the former will get you the benefits quicker)

Benefits received are not to be considered tax-free. They won’t be deducted at the source, but you have to declare them as income while filing taxes for 2020.

Due to the swelling number of cases relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Canadian universities/colleges have either shut down their on-campus activities or shifted to online classes. The following is an advisory from The Consulate General of India Toronto issued on March 22, 2020, for Indian students who may be affected by such decisions.

• Check with your institution on how to avail essential services such as student health insurance, international student services, etc.
• Students are advised to reach out to their respective institutions to seek clarity on study permit extension and how the online mode of class delivery could impact their course credit and visa status
• Although most colleges and universities are requesting students to move out of Residence, international students may not be in a position to do so or return home due to travel restrictions. In such cases, they would need to fill out the Residence Extension Request form (available with each institution) explaining their individual situations. Most colleges so far have given encouraging responses. However, if your institution cannot provide a viable solution, it must be brought to the notice of the Consulate if that institution is under its jurisdiction.
• As of now, Canada has closed its borders to foreign travelers. So, in order to remain updated regarding local situations visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid19.html for more information.
• All plans to travel to India from Canada would have to be set aside for now as India has barred all international commercial flights from landing on its soil till March 29, 2020. For more clarifications regarding travel advisories issued by the Government of India regarding this matter, do refer to https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.
• Indian students are advised to register with the Government of India’s MADAD portal to receive regular updates. You can register on https://portal2.madad.gov.in/AppConsular/user/RegistrationBaseAction?request_locale= en&userType=Student
• If you experience the COVID-19 symptoms such as dry cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing, it is advised that you isolate yourself and use the self-assessment tool available on https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en to know what to do next.

For all other emergencies, students can reach out to the help-line numbers of the Consulate at +1647-668 4108

Valid study permits and work permits accepted at the border for coming
to Canada now.

After a dismal week shutting down hopes of international students and workers alike as a result of talks
surrounding the international border restrictions, there is a silver lining to be seen today as the Deputy
Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland made it clear that “ valid study and work permits to come to Canada
will be respected at the border, and this includes temporary workers too”. The same shall also be
respected at the US-Canada border as well as other international borders. The only caveat is that those
individuals must self-isolate for a minimum of two weeks in line with national preventive measures,
which sounds more than reasonable. The following is a list of situations deemed as “essential travel”
that shall be permitted through the borders. Travel for the purposes of tourism and recreation is
deemed as “non-essential” travel and is prohibited at the moment.

   Citizens of the USA and legal Permanent Residents returning back to the States.
   Travel for medical purposes ( for instance, to obtain treatment in the United States)
   To attend educational institutions( aka international students with valid study visas)
   For work in the United States (individuals working in farming or agricultural sectors who need
to travel between US and Canada to further their work)
   Travel as part of emergency response or public health response( government
officials/emergency responders who need to go to US to support efforts regarding COVID-19)
   Truck drivers for the movement of cargo across the border for lawful cross-border trade.
   Travel for diplomatic
   Active personnel and family members of U.S Armed Forces, military-related travel/operations
As the Deputy Minister stated, work that requires 2 to 6 months is being done in just 2-3 days, and so a
lot of information is yet to come out. At the moment, there is uncertainty regarding the case of those
with CoPR.

LATEST EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW

In other news, the latest Express Entry draw has been announced which is inviting 668 candidates to
apply for Permanent Residence. The minimum CRS points required was 720. This draw only includes
candidates that had provincial nominations aligned with Express Entry.
Despite the coronavirus measures dragging down IRCC services, Canada is still in the process of
striving to meet its immigration targets set for 2020. Those express Entry candidates with a provincial
nomination would receive an additional 600 CRS points, thereby effectively guaranteeing ITAs.
In the last few weeks, PNP in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and the Prince Edward Islands
issued more than 5000 ITAs to express entry candidates. To effectively find out how to increase your
CRS points, there are plenty of options available including improving your language assessment bands
(write IELTS) or consult with an immigration agent to find out more.
The IRCC shall continue to process applications related to draws in the coming weeks too.