When will Canada resume FSW Draws in 2021?

Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit Canada, most Express Entry draws were sent to the Federal Skilled Worker applicants. However, as the pandemic started to spread across Canada, forcing the government to put border restrictions, the significant portion of draws began to target individuals who were already in Canada.

The rising number of Covid-19 cases followed by national lockdowns, and border restrictions shattered the dreams of even the most eligible FSW candidates with impressive scores in Canada CRS points calculator system.

However, the good news is- Canada’s immigration system is getting back to its normal form. The number of Covid-19 cases have started to decline in Canada, so people can expect the coming back of FSW draws soon.

Express Entry Draw Trends in 2021

The government of Canada conducts Express Entry draws in every two weeks. For most of the year, these draws invited applicants who had applied under Provincial Nominee Programs. After PNPs, all Express Entry draws sent invitations to Canadian Experience Class candidates. The same pattern was followed almost half of the year.

Although, Canada did change its pattern a few times in 2021. The first time, the Canadian government conducted Canadian Experience Class draw, wherein over 27,000 candidates with a CRS point score as low as 75 were invited to apply. After this, no Express Entry draw was conducted until March 8, 2021.

In September 2021, IRCC opted for the same pattern again. In the same month, the government held a PNP-specific draw and did not hold a CEC draw the next day. The next CEC draw was held after two weeks, followed by a PNP draw, on September 15, 2021.

Two weeks later, IRCC conducted another draw following the same pattern. In the same month, another PNP draw was held with no CEC draws being held for some time.

The path-breaking CEC draw, which invited over 27, 000 applicants depicted IRCC’s willingness to meet its immigration target. The most recent draw conducted by IRCC was held on October 13, 2021. The draw was targeted at PNP applicants with only 681 invitations being issued.

Calculate your comprehensive ranking system score. Discover your Canada PR visa eligibility with us. Call now to grab the opportunity. 

Canadian Borders Now Open for Fully-Vaccinated Foreigners

On September 7, the federal government of Canada has officially opened its borders for fully vaccinated travelers. The opening of borders instills a sense of confidence in people seeking Canada immigration from their home country. All travelers to Canada must be fully vaccinated and have Covid-19 test 72 hours before entering Canada.

However, medical experts in Canada believe that while the government continues to implement strong measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, allowing fully vaccinated people will not eliminate the risk of the virus.

Who is considered fully vaccinated?

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveler must submit proof of both vaccine shots and a combination of vaccines accepted by the Government of Canada. The vaccine must have been taken at least 14 days before entering Canada.

Currently, Canada has approved the following vaccines:

•         Moderna Covid-19 vaccine
•         Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
•         AstraZeneca/Covishield COVID-19 Vaccine
•         Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

 

Foreigners who are not fully-vaccinated or have not taken the afore-mentioned vaccines are exempt under Canada’s current restrictions from entering to Canada. The relaxations are available only to certain categories of individuals, such as Canada PR visa holders, study or work permit holders, diplomats, or those traveling for essential reasons. Travelers who are not fully-vaccinated must follow 14-days quarantine rule in Canada.

Fully vaccinated travellers must also meet all other entry criteria, including:

• Submitting all required COVID-19 information into Arrive CAN prior to travel (if arriving by air, information must be submitted before boarding a flight)
• meeting the pre-entry testing requirements
• being asymptomatic upon arrival
• having a paper or digital copy of your proof of vaccination in English or French (or certified translation); 
• Having a suitable quarantine plan, in case you don't get the exemption or test positive after entry.

Travelers with unvaccinated children

Unvaccinated children under the age of 12 may enter Canada with their fully vaccinated parents. They are also not required to follow quarantine rules in Canada. However, these children cannot attend daycare schools for at least 14 days after arriving in Canada.

Foreign children between the age group of 12 to 17 traveling with fully vaccinated parents may enter Canada, however, they must quarantine themselves for 14 days.

Unvaccinated children above five years must produce Covid-19 test reports upon arrival and 8 days after arrival to Canada.

To Sum Up

Flying from India is still suspended until further notice. Meanwhile, Indians may prepare their Canada express entry file and gather other necessary documents for their PR visa application.

Which Canada PNP Program is Right for You?

Provinces and territories in Canada, with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, run Provincial Nominee Programs, through which they nominate eligible foreign workers for permanent residence under various categories or ‘streams’ – provided they have the skills and qualifications required to meet local labor market requirements. Each Canada PNP program stream has different eligibility criteria and procedure for nomination.

Broadly, foreign workers are nominated either through base nomination streams or enhanced nomination streams. In case of base nomination streams, the candidate first verifies eligibility for the stream, then submits an application to the province, and receives a nomination certification if the application is approved. Once nominated, the candidate applies for permanent residence to the federal government.

Enhanced nomination streams are connected to the federal Express Entry System. These streams are meant for people who have filed an Express Entry profile. The provincial government searches through the Express Entry pool of candidates to select eligible foreign workers, and invites them to apply for provincial nomination. If nominated, 600 points are added to the candidate’s Express Entry point score, which practically guarantees an invitation to apply for PR to the federal government.

Some provinces have special requirements for different categories. For instance, the Alberta PNP nominates Express Entry candidates who have 300 or more points, as well as foreign workers who have a valid job offer from an employer in the province. Saskatchewan has its own point-based selection system, through which it determines the eligibility of candidates. 

Similarly, the ManitobaPNP also has its own point system and nominates foreign workers who have a connection to Manitoba through the support of relatives or friends in the province, prior work experience or education in Manitoba, or are invited through strategic recruitment initiatives. Some provinces like British Columbia and Ontario also have specific programs for in-demand occupations, such as tech-sector workers.

Before proceeding with the application process, it is important to select an ideal province or territory, and an eligible stream. To understand the detailed nomination requirements for your desired province and territory, and identify the most ideal Canada PNP program category for your unique profile, seek the trusted guidance of India’s most experienced consultants at Visa Experts, who offer authorized representation for lawful migration to Canada.

Now is the Best Time for Canada Immigration – Here’s Why!

 In recent years, Canada has remained the most popular choice among people seeking a higher quality of life overseas – owing to its multiculturalism, rewarding job opportunities, social security and welcoming immigration policy. While migration levels fell during the pandemic, experts predict a boom in Canadaimmigration over the coming years.

Firstly, the Canadian government has already set a very high target of welcoming more than 400,000 new permanent residents every year from 2021 to 2023, which has provided hope to a lot of prospective immigrants, especially since many applicants have been granted PR throughout the pandemic. Canada is already on track to meet the target for 2021, and is focusing on immigration as a crucial tool for post-pandemic economic recovery. So, the future is bright for immigrants in Canada!

Second, there are a plethora of immigration pathways for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and so on. There are more than 104 immigration programs for those who can contribute to the Canadian economy by participating in the workforce, managing local businesses, etc. Each of these has different Canada PR requirements, and aspirants simply need to identify the correct pathway for their unique profile.

Finally, the pandemic has highlighted the benefits of access to safety and healthcare in developed economies. Since Canada is one of the few countries that regularly welcomes foreign workers, there is bound to be an increase in the number of applications from developing countries post-pandemic. To gain the first movers advantage, it is wise to start planning for a Canada PR Visa before the applications pile up and competition increases.

The process involves several stages – choosing an appropriate visa pathway, meeting the detailed eligibility criteria, collecting the required documents, preparing a complete application package, paying the fees and adding accompanying family members (if any) to the application. It is in a candidate’s best interest to seek authentic guidance from a legitimate source. The consultants at Visa Experts provide strong support at every step, with the services of an authorized representative – to help aspirants lawfully pursue Canada immigration.