The pandemic isn’t over yet. And the Canadian airports reminded us of the same once again. The four major Canadian airports have resumed the random COVID-19 testing even for vaccinated travellers to curb the spreading of the pandemic. The testing stopped on 11th June. But, the Canadian government resumed it on the 19th of July.
Don't worry; the process doesn’t have to be messy. Travellers selected for the testing will receive a notification via email 15 minutes before the customs declaration.
The four Canadian airports that resumed COVID-19 testing include Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Toronto. The government has also informed you that you can get the testing done through an in-person appointment at a testing centre.
Who is Eligible for the COVID-19 Testing at Canadian Airports?
Any traveller, including Canadian citizens and PRs, may be asked to do the testing at the airport. If you are fully vaccinated, you may have to leave the airport for the testing. You can proceed with the travel hassle-free without having to wait for the results.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you have to do the test upon arrival. You have to do so on days one and eight. Your stay would include a two-week quarantine anywhere that accommodates your quarantine requirements.
This is a mandatory step. Thus, you may have to pay hefty fines if you refuse the test.
If the results are positive, you need to isolate them for 10 days.
What is the Status of the Testing Process?
As mentioned earlier, fully-vaccinated travellers need to step out of the airport for the test. This decision was made to prevent chaos at the airport. But, the long queues at the testing centre are already causing disappointment among people. Many have been reported to miss their flights because of the long wait times at the testing centre.
People have already expressed their disappointment with the current process at Canadian airports. They have also stated that the ArriveCAN app unnecessarily stretches the average processing times, rendering the app unreliable and a technological failure.
The eminent team at Onkar Immigration is here to guide you through the updated airport rules throughout Canada. Whether you are travelling to or from the country, understand the airport rules thoroughly with our assistance.
The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program or PNP makes it easier for interested immigrants to acquire a permanent residency in Canada. Currently, eleven Canadian territories participate in the Provincial Nominee Program, with at least one immigration stream that aligns with the Express Entry selection system. Under this system, the Canadian provinces can invite candidates to apply to their PNPs through draws and updates. Here is a detailed overview of the PNP draw results in BC, Manitoba and Saskatchewan released in July.
How Successful are Provincial Nominee Programs for Immigrants?
PNP was launched in 1998, and it could welcome 400 immigrants only. The same program, however, welcomes at least 80,000 immigrants every year currently. The candidates in PNP draws are invited on the basis of their potential to improve the country's economic development.
Recently, the IRCC resumed Express Entry draws for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class. This has been an all-program draw for the first time since 2020. Approximately 1500 Express Entry candidates received invitations to apply for permanent residence.
Note: All the candidates had a minimum CRS or Comprehensive Ranking System score of 557 to be eligible for this opportunity.
PNP Draw Invitations for British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
British Columbia
The PNP draw for British Columbia occurs on a weekly basis. The recent draw, however, was conducted on 5th July. Invitations for applying for permanent residence were sent to at least 128 eligible candidates from specific sectors. A tech draw invited 100 candidates who had to meet the eligibility criteria of British Columbia's Express Entry or SKills Immigration Categories. The invited applicants also had to maintain a minimum score of 85 points for eligibility.
Here are the occupations eligible for PNP draw invitations:
Less than five animal health technologists, veterinarians (3114) and veterinary technicians (3213) with a minimum score of 60 points
21 early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) with a minimum score of 60 points
Seven healthcare workers with a minimum score of 60 points
Saskatchewan
The PNP program of Saskatchewan invited 677 candidates for the first time since May to apply for a provincial nomination. There were two categories of candidates in the July 6 invitation round. For instance, the Express Entry candidates sent 279 invitations while Occupations-in-Demand candidates sent 398 invitations. Both the candidates had to meet the score requirement of 73 and a professional work experience in any 21 occupations.
Saskatchewan additionally issued 5 invitations to apply for PNP to a Ukrainian national to support the Ukraine crisis. The province also issued invitations under the Entrepreneur sub-category, where it was mandatory to score 80-130 points to be eligible for the application.
Manitoba
348 candidates received an invitation from the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program or MPNP on the 4th of July. Three immigration streams were involved such as:
International Education Stream (sent 79 invitations and required no scores)
Skilled Workers Overseas (sent 83 invitations with at least 711 scores)
Skilled Workers in Manitoba (sent 186 invitations with at least 773 scores)
59 of the invited candidates already had profiles in the Express Entry System.
Interested candidates need to register an EOI with the MPNP. You will then get an LAA through the Skilled Workers Overseas and Skilled Workers in Manitoba streams.
The province first considers the candidates’ human capital factors and their connections to the province to rank their profile out of 1000 points. Once the ranking is done, the MPNP issues invitations to eligible candidates to apply for provincial nomination.
It can be hard to keep track of the PNP draws and updates. Onkar Immigration, however, is here to help you through the complex processes of PNP draws. Consult with us for more information about PNP draws and updates.
Almost 90% of eligible Canadians are vaccinated against the COVID-19, thanks to successful vaccination campaigns. COVID cases have gone down and rates of hospitalisation have reduced considerably. Canada, in fact, has one of the highest rates of vaccination in the world. Keeping these positive changes in mind, the Candian Government suspends vaccination requirements for federal government employees, domestic and outbound travel and federally regulated transportation sectors.
The changes are ineffective at the border since the virus is contagious and the risks of infection may vary by country.
What else to stay abreast of?
The vaccination requirements for crew and passengers of cruise ships remain in effect along with other measures like wearing masks. The Canadian government, however, stayed clear that it could reimpose vaccine mandates depending on the public health situation.
Travellers on all Canadian federal modes of transport had to be vaccinated since October 30, 2021. Unvaccinated travellers, however, had a window of 30 days to provide a negative COVID-19 test report and proceed.
Canada also suspends random COVID-19 testing between 11th June and 30th June 2022 at all airports. This is a step to address congestion. Only unvaccinated travellers will need to go through the testing. From July 1st, however, testing will be done offline.
Canada has always tried to make immigration easier and faster for students, workers, families and spouses. Immigration, after all, has been a major source of boosting the country’s overall economy and bringing in the talent that the country needs for global development.
Thus, you won’t be surprised to know that Canada is working on a fast-track immigration program for international students and temporary foreign workers. That means foreign workers and international students can acquire permanent resident status more quickly.
Detailed Insights Into the Update
According to Minister Sean Fraser, the new program will be a permanent pathway for temporary residents. It almost reminded the country of the TR2PR program, which helped 90,000 international students and essential workers graduate last year.
After Fraser became the immigration minister, it became mandatory for him to expand permanent residence pathways. Currently, he has 120 days to come up with a strategy to achieve the goals dictated by a motion passed in the Canadian House of Commons.
You will get more information about the program by September 8.
Changes in the Express Entry Programs
You may have heard that Canada will again invite CEC and FSWP candidates this July for permanent resident status. But that isn't all.
Gear up for more surprises.
Bill C-19 is almost on track to become law. That is going to give IRCC the right authority to invite Express Entry candidates on the basis of economic goals or education credentials.
IRCC needs to help individuals select the groups of Express Entry candidates that will be involved in these new changes.
Steps to Come to Canada as a Temporary Resident
There are two reasons for people to come to Canada- to study or work. You need to get accepted to a DLI and acquire a study permit if you want to study in Canada. You may also be eligible for a PGWP if you graduate from a full-time program of at least eight months.
Similarly, you need a work permit if you want to work in Canada. The two categories of work permits include- The temporary Foreign Worker Program TFWP and International Mobility Program or IMP.
How to Immigrate through Express Entry?
Before you learn the steps for immigrating through Express Entry, let’s discuss what Express Entry exactly is.
It is an application management system specifically for three Canadian Immigration Programs. The programs include the FSWP, CEC and FSTP. That means you need to be eligible for any one of the programs to get into the Express Entry pool of candidates.
After you get into the pool, you will get a score on the basis of the IRCC’s CRS. The CRS considers factors such as official language facility, study experience, age and other economic factors to give you points. These CRS points determine whether or not you will get the Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence.
The candidates in the Express Entry pool may also get an invitation to apply for provincial nomination through a PNP. You will be awarded 600 CRS points if you respond to the invitation and get nominated. This bonus guarantees that you will get an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
Things flow smoothly once IRCC receives and approves your response to the ITA. The processing time for responding is six months though the government is trying to fast-track the process. Connect with the team at Onkar Immigration to know about the changes in detail. We provide thorough and stepwise guidance.
Canada is still facing a considerable labour shortage in the health care sector. The government hence is investing in a project to benefit healthcare professionals and the Canadian healthcare system as a whole.
The parliamentary secretary to Sean Fraser pledged about $1.5 million in funding for healthcare workers in Canada. The funds can promote information sharing and collaboration in the health sector. Also, internationally educated health care professionals can get their credentials recognized faster.
Background Information related to this Update
Canada works with CHEO or Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to build on the success of the N4 or National Newcomer Navigation Network. It was launched in 2019 to provide support to newcomers who are willing to navigate the Canadian healthcare system.
The latest investment of $1.5 million will make it faster for internationally trained healthcare professionals to work in Canada.
It isn't restricted to that. The new investment enables N4 to serve as a platform for newcomers to find information on credential recognition and foreign qualification in all territories and provinces outside Quebec.
Alex Munter, CEO and President of CHEO, said, “Newcomers are an integral part of our communities. Their full inclusion in our health-care workforce will help us address staffing shortages, while also incorporating richly diverse voices of lived experience and better supporting other newcomers.”
Where does the funding come from?
The funding of $1.5 million comes from a stream within the IRCC’s settlement program. The program invests in projects that support future settlement programing. As per public records by CIC news, IRCC allocated $1.02 billion in settlement services within 2022-2023.
Express Entry Programs for Health Care Workers
Express Entry entails an online system that manages immigration applications for the federal government. It ranks eligible candidates based on their age, skilled work experience, education and official language proficiency. The candidates with the highest scores get to apply for permanent residence in bi-weekly Express Entry draws.
Draws for FSWP and CEC have been paused due to the pandemic. But, Minister Fraser announced that it would resume in early July.
PNP for Health Care Workers
IRCC has the final say when it comes to choosing who can immigrate to Canada. However, the provinces can nominate eligible candidates through the PNP or Provincial Nominee Programs. Some PNPs cater specifically to health care professionals. Others, on the contrary, have more general work experience requirements. These requirements may end up holding back immigration nomination draws.
At times, PNPs draw candidates from the Express Entry system to invite them for a provincial nomination. They get 600 CRS points to their Express Entry score if the candidates are nominated. The award lets the candidate apply for permanent residence.
Some PNP pathways for healthcare professionals:
The Labour Market Priorities Stream of Nova Scotia occasionally holds draws that invite health care professionals to apply for provincial nomination.
IEN program caters to foreign nurses who can speak French or English.
Saskatchewan brought forth an International Health Worker EOI pool for health care professionals.
British Columbia includes a Health Care Profesional category under Skills, Immigration and Express Entry pathways.
Ontario also invites health care professionals to apply via Human Capital Priorities Stream.
Our team at Onkar Immigration is here to help you match with the best PNP for a smooth Canadian immigration journey. So, consult with the professionals to clear all confusion.
Quebec
There is a completely separate immigration system in Quebec. Programs such as Express Entry isn't available here.
You will, however, find the Quebec Experience Program and Regular Skilled Worker Program here. Healthcare professionals may be eligible for any one of these immigration programs. In both cases, you need to show your proficiency in French.
Caregiver pilot programs
There’s good news for caregivers as well. You may also be able to apply for permanent residence via the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot. You need to have a job offer to work in either of these two eligible occupations and meet the eligibility criteria. You need to comply with the work experience requirements of NOC codes 4411 or 4412.
You can also become eligible for permanent residence. For that, you must show a full-time work experience of at least 24 months in the 36 months before applying. You also need to show post-secondary education credentials and the Canadian Language Benchmark score.
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