Gain Canada PR Points through Provincial Nomination

Skilled immigration to Canada is a very competitive pursuit, with lakhs of applicants in the running, and limited quotas for visa approval. In such a scenario, candidates must take every opportunity to gain a competitive edge over others. The most effective way of doing this, for applicants under the popular Express Entry System, is to increase their Canada PR points score by fulfilling as many selection factors as possible. 

Express Entry candidates are allocated points out of 1200, based on the evaluation criteria of the Comprehensive Ranking System, and are ranked according to their point score. Those who meet the minimum point requirement or ‘cut-off’ receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR, through regular invitation rounds. The cut-off changes with every invitation round. Only the highest-scoring candidates receive ITAs.

One of the most significant ways of boosting your point score is to obtain a provincial nomination. 11 of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories run Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), through which the local government nominates eligible candidates to apply for permanent residence to the federal government. Those who submit their PR application online via Express Entry can gain 600 additional points for being nominated by a Canada PNP. This point increase essentially guarantees an ITA.

The requirements for nomination vary for each province/territory. Also, each PNP has different sub-categories or streams under which aspirants can apply for nomination. Each stream also has different selection criteria. For instance, the BC PNP requires candidates under most streams to have a job offer from an employer in British Columbia, while some other provinces do not have a job offer requirement.  

In order to find out which province or territory can nominate you for permanent residence, it is advisable to have your profile analyzed by an experienced immigration consultant. At Visa Experts, we help candidates identify the ideal PNP stream for their profile, and explore every option to increase their Canada PR points – to facilitate a smooth sailing move to Canada.

 

Canada PR Visa Processing Fee to Increase from April 30, 2020

With effective from April 30, 2020, Canada is going to increase some of its immigration processing fee pertaining to Canada PR visa as an adjustment for inflation. The increased fee will be applicable to certain categories of immigration applications. Anyone who has submitted his/her application prior to this date, old government processing fee will be applied to their case. However, applications registered after 9:00 a.m. EDT on April 30, 2020, new application fee will be applied as old fee will be returned to the applicant.

Updated Fee Structure

Express Entry System (federal skilled worker class/federal skilled trades’ class/Canadian experience class)

The new Canada PR cost structure will be as follows:

• For the principal applicant, the government processing fee will increase from C$550 to C$825.

• The processing fee for spouse or common-law partner will increase from C$550 to C$825.

• The process fee for a dependent child will increase from C$150 to C$225.

Business class (self-employed/start-up visa)

• The principal now have to pay C$1,575 for the processing fee, which was C$1,050 earlier. 

• The processing fee for a spouse or common-law partner will go up from C$550 to C$825.

• The processing fee for a dependent child of principal applicant will increase from $150 CAD to $225 CAD.

Right of Permanent Residence fee

The right of permanent residence fee will go up from C$490 to C$500.

It is worth noting that it was in 2002 when IRCC last increased the permanent residency fee for Canada PR visa applicants. The fee will now continue to change after every two years in accordance with the consumer price index. 

The primary purpose of the changes in immigration fee is to balance the cost of providing services to prospective candidates and the fee paid by them. The move will put the pressure off from Canadian tax payers and also ensure a balance between the taxpayer and the prospective newcomer applying for Canada immigration. 

Interested in calculating your Canada PR points? Want to learn more about your options for Canada PR visa? Contact our immigration consultants today and kick-start the process of your life-changing journey.