IRCC opened public consultations from 27th June 2024 to 28th July 2024 to discuss the new Express Entry categories. They also reviewed the existing categories and set new priorities for the selection of candidates through the Express Entry (EE) system. Let’s take an in-depth look at the Express Entry public consultation and the new categories they might introduce for the draws in 2025.
What is the Express Entry System?
Introduced in 2015 by the Canadian Government, the Express Entry system is an online application management system for immigrants to submit their permanent residence applications.
Potential candidates should be first eligible for any one of the federal economic immigration programs:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Canadian Experience Class
Eligible candidates can create an online profile in the EE system. The profile consists of information about their work experience, skills, education, language ability, etc. The IRCC scores each profile based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranking candidate gets an invitation to apply for permanent residence through regular draws, usually every two weeks.
Candidates who received the invitations have 60 days to submit a complete application for PR. The Canadian Government reviews the applications and sends a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to the eligible candidates. The entire process takes around six months or less.
What about the Express Entry Category-Based Selection System?
Introduced in 2023, the category-based selection system is the process through which Canada targets specific groups of candidates who can help bridge the country’s labour market and economic gaps. The categories could be occupations, language proficiency, work experience, skills and other criteria. These category-based selections form an integral part of the broader Express Entry framework.
CLB level 7 proficiency in the French language
Or,
At least 6 months of work experience in the below-mentioned occupations:
Transportation
Healthcare
Agriculture and agri-food
STEM
Trade
No changes were made to these categories in 2024.
IRCC, however, opened public consultations between 27th June and 28th July to review these categories and introduce a new one for 2025 Express Entry draws. Feedback from partners and stakeholders will decide the fate of the existing and new Express Entry categories.
What are the Express Entry Priorities set by IRCC for 2025?
The new Express Entry categories 2025 are to determined on the basis of three priorities set by IRCC:
(1st Priority) Structural Labour Shortages
IRCC wants to address the labour shortages in the existing occupation-based categories in 2025. Doing so will help Canada offer health services to its citizens and their families and improve the country’s housing supply.
They are collecting real-time evidence from stakeholders and partners to understand the urgency of each category. This will help them decide whether to discontinue any of the occupation-based categories in 2025.
IRCC is also deciding on who to send the invites for the occupation-based categories in 2025. It can be the temporary residents who are living in Canada already or new skilled workers from outside.
Check out the surveys done under this priority
Rating all occupation-based categories based on the following:
Great need
Average need
Little need
No need at the time
Not sure/don’t know
2 reasons why IRCC should focus on temporary residents to address the labour shortages
Time taken to integrate them into the Canadian labour market
Time taken to recognize international education and experience
Work experience or education in Canada
Acknowledging the contributions made by the ones already living in Canada
Pressures related to population growth that impact Canadian communities
Others. Please specify.
2 reasons why IRCC should focus on hiring new skilled workers from outside to address the labour shortages
New skilled workers boost the country’s economy
Temporary residents who are currently living in Canada will get access to multiple immigration pathways
Grant them PR on the basis of their Canadian experience and education
Qualified residents in Canada already meet the needs
Others. Please specify.
The possible introduction of a new education-based category in 2025
IRCC is most likely to introduce a new category for education. It would depend on the following factors:
The severity of labour shortages in this particular sector
How does permanent economic immigration impact the above?
Here are the occupations IRCC may include as a new category of education:
Instructors for people with disabilities
Kingergarten teachers
Elementary school teachers
Secondary school teachers
Early childhood assistants and educators
Secondary and elementary school teacher assistants
Educational counsellors
The surveys also discuss if any other occupations need to be added to the above list. It is yet to be decided the criteria for the selection of candidates in this category.
(2nd Priority) Francophone Immigration
Francophone immigration helps meet the labour needs of bilingual and French-speaking workers in Canada. IRCC plans to target 6%, 7% and 8% of French-speaking permanent residents in 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively.
(3rd Priority) Current labour needs in crucial industries
IRCC is going to focus on emerging labour needs throughout Canada and introduce new occupational categories accordingly. Here are some of the potential occupational categories you can expect in 2025:
Applied sciences such as biomanufacturing
New technologies such as eco-friendly technology
Natural resources such as the production of electric vehicle battery
IRCC is yet to decide if they want temporary residents already living in Canada or new skilled workers from outside for this priority.
Stay Informed with your Immigration Consultant
The proposed new Express Entry categories for 2025 reflect the proactive approach to address Canada’s economic and labour market needs. This forward-thinking approach underscores Canada’s dedication to maintaining a robust and dynamic immigration system that benefits both newcomers and the nation as a whole. You should stay informed on all the updates with your immigration consultant to make the most of the opportunities here.
Good news might be on the way for international students living in Canada. IRCC made a recent announcement where they proposed a list of changes to make things better for eligible international students. One of the most particular changes proposed by IRCC is for international students who wish to change their DLI. They may have to apply for a new study permit.
DLIs stand for Designated Learning institutions. These are the only institutions in Canada that accept international students.
What does IRCC Propose for International Students?
IRCC is proposing a wide slew of changes for international students in Canada. There is one particular proposal for the students who plan to change their DLIs. Here are the relevant changes they are proposing:
You must apply for a new study permit if you want to switch DLIs. The application should be submitted before the new program starts.
Students can attend the new DLI while waiting for a decision on the new application. They should, however, stay in Canada unless they receive the approval.
How does this affect International Students in Canada?
Generally, proposals brought forth by IRCC impact costs and benefits that different stakeholders receive. In the above-mentioned policy, it can impact both DLIs and international students.
It is now mandatory for DLIs to verify the Letters of Acceptance or LOAs as a part of the new study permit application process. The DLIs will incur compliance and administrative expenses for verifying LOAs—a crucial element of the new study permit application procedure. These costs are projected to total $4.8 million present value (PV) over 10 periods. Initially, LOA verification will take approximately three minutes per application, but this time is expected to decrease to 30 seconds as institutions gain familiarity with the process.
International students, on the other hand, incur a financial cost of $150 per new application. The time students need to invest in each application is 30-45 minutes. The processing times of applications are most likely to get longer.
When will the IRCC Adopt these Changes?
IRCC has just proposed the changes. Nothing has been confirmed yet.
The changes are currently in a consultation phase, which involves a 30-day period. The majority of changes that reach the consultation phase result in policies. Different regulatory bodies make significant decisions during this stage. The common ones included are provincial and territorial ministries, student representative organizations, national education associations and more.
The LOA verification process is a classic example of a proposal being adopted into a policy after consultation. As long as the above-mentioned policy is concerned, it will remain in the consultation phase till 29th July 2024. The IRCC will decide on the next steps based on the feedback.
Stay Informed On Study Permit Changes
Staying informed about study permit changes is crucial for prospective international students and educational institutions alike. Understanding the latest regulations and requirements can ensure a smoother application process, avoid unnecessary delays, and enhance the chances of success. Regularly checking updates from reliable sources, seeking guidance from educational consultants, and engaging with support networks can provide valuable insights and assistance. By remaining proactive and well-informed, students can better navigate the complexities of study permit applications and focus on achieving their academic goals abroad
Quebec limits sponsorship applications for spouses, parents, and grandparents from 26th June 2024. There are, however, some exceptions to this new policy. MIFA will accept 13,000 applications from the said date for two years. Do you depend on sponsorship programs to reunite with your family or friends in Quebec? Well, in that case, this change in the number of sponsorship applications to be accepted till 2026 will affect your decision-making. So, let’s dig a little deeper into this new policy so you can make the best out of it.
Quebec Sponsorship Applications Cap Overview
Below are the types of sponsorship applications eligible for the change along with their respective limits.
Spouses, dependent children (18 years or above) and common-law spouses- 10,400
Grandparents, parents and other eligible relatives- 2600
Are there any exceptions to the capping?
Yes, the following candidates are exempted from the new capping policy.
An adult child of the sponsor who is dependent on a parent because of a disability
A minor child who is dependent on the sponsor
An orphaned minor child related to the sponsor
A minor child who the sponsor wants to adopt
The above-mentioned candidates, however, are not eligible if they are in a common-law relationship or married.
Applications that grant admission to the sponsored person’s dependent are also exempted from the capping. It can be a dependent spouse, common-law partner, or child. But, they should be eligible for coverage and waiting for the approval of their permanent residency in Canada.
What is the Current Processing Times of Quebec’s Sponsorship Applications?
It takes around 28-34 months for Quebec’s sponsorship applications to be processed completely. Other applications usually take around 10 months.
Check out the current processing time of family sponsorship applications.
Type of Application
Current Processing Time
Common-law partner or spouse lives outside of Canada or intends to
10 months
Common-law partner or spouse lives outside of Canada but intends to stay in Quebec
34 months
Common-law partner or spouse lives inside Canada but intends to stay outside of Quebec
10 months
Common-law partner or spouse lives inside Canada and intends to stay in Quebec.
28 months
Parents or Grandparents PR (intends to live outside Quebec)
24 months
Parents or Grandparents PR (intends to stay in Quebec)
48 months
What Does the Limit Expire?
The cap on the sponsorship applications ends on 25th June 2026. The capping is for two years starting from 26th June 2024.
What Happens When Quebec Sponsorship Applications Reach Its Limits?
The MIFI will accept 13000 applications. Let’s say they achieve this number before the two-year frame. In that case, they will return the further applications without collecting the application fee or even processing them.
Why has Quebec Set a Cap on Sponsorship Applications?
Quebec has set a cap on the number of sponsorship applications for two years to promote sustainable population growth. Quebec has set specific yearly immigration levels for 2024 and 2025. It wants to ensure that the number of family class applications aligns with their immigration levels.
Can I Still Submit my Sponsorship Applications?
You can submit your application as long as Quebec hasn’t reached its cap of 13000 applications.
What if they Return my Application?
If your application is returned, that means Quebec has reached its limit. You can use other Canadian immigration pathways or wait for a new cap on Quebec’s sponsorship applications.
The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the best ways for international students to explore career opportunities in the country after completing their education. In 2024, the government introduced several changes to the program for two main purposes. First, they wanted to prevent the abuse of the program. Second, they want to align the entry of international students with the current labour market needs of the country.
The IRCC, however, conducted a survey on the changes to refine the program for eligible international students. Whether you are an international student living in Canada or want to study in Canada, the survey can come in handy to you during immigration.
A Detailed Survey of Changes in the Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program
According to the survey, students need to complete programs that align with the country’s labour shortages and satisfy the language requirements. These are the main criteria for international students to qualify for PGWP once their education is complete. The survey also confirmed that the study programs would be categorized according to Canada’s NOC or National Occupational Classification.
Now let’s check out the questions brought forth in the survey.
PGWP eligibility is allegedly limited on the basis of the shortage of occupations and the subsequent programs of study. In that case, which occupations would be included on the basis of a specific area’s needs?
IRCC and ESDC have added certain jobs based on the shortage of occupations using the CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs)system. This question asks if any more jobs are to be added to the list. We can expect IRCC to add new occupations that are in demand after hearing back from educational institutions.
Are there any exceptions to the changes in PGWP eligibility such as for graduate degree programs or francophone students?
The survey wants to clarify the exceptions to the new PGWP eligibility criteria. Earlier, Master’s and PhD students were exempted from the PGWP changes. Similarly, the occupation-based study program eligibility changes might be not applicable to specific degree programs or consider French-language proficiency.
Is it mandatory for international students to show proof of a job offer even if it aligns with the occupational shortage list for a PGWP with a validity of over one year?
There has been a sharp increase in the number of temporary residents who are also PGWP holders. If this is a deciding factor in PGWP eligibility criteria, international students need to submit job offer proof to be able to continue working on PGWP. This is applicable to the study programs that will align with the occupational shortage list.
Are there any other eligibility criteria besides a job offer that PGWP holders can seek to extend the permit beyond one year?
This question suggests that students may have to go through another language proficiency test or submit a provincial approval document. This would be necessary for some students to continue working on PGWP beyond the first year.
What about applying labour market-based changes to PGWP eligibility for all graduates rather than for the ones already studying in Canada?
New government policies usually are not applicable to students already living and studying in Canada. This year, 2024, the immigration minister is ready to make a change.
The labour market eligibility criteria are going to change this year. However, the immigration department is still trying to decide whether or not to exclude existing students from these changes or not.
The Minister wants to maintain a stable and non-biased position. Thus, he is most likely to make the decision based on the responses brought forth by educational institutions.
How frequently will the occupational shortage list be revised and how will that impact students who are already pursuing higher studies in the country?
The labour market in Canada keeps changing and so do the associated rules and laws. The department wants to know the exact frequency of the revisions and the time they should be effective.
Do the recent changes to the PGWP align with the candidates’ profiles whom you would want to keep working in your jurisdiction for the long term?
This question aims to find out if the new changes to the PGWP eligibility will retain students in the province or region of the educational institution.
Can the PNP provide a viable pathway for international students to attain their PR if they have job offers in the key sectors? Will the government bring changes to the PNP so they are responsive to PGWP holders and graduates in specific occupations? What about the gaps between PNP’s existing streams and the labour market needs?
This ensures that international students align with the labour market needs of the PNP and apply for permanent residence. The question also clarifies if the existing PNP streams align with the province’s labour market needs or if they need any kind of reforms.
Do You Need Help with the PGWP Program?
The Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is one of the best ways for international students to study and work in Canada. However, the recent occupation-based eligibility criteria and other changes to the program can confuse some of you. In that case, experienced immigration consultants like the ones at Onkar Immigration can guide you throughout the application process and make you aware of the changes.
The Federal Government in Canada may develop several pathways for undocumented migrant workers very soon in the coming month. This initiative is the result of a mandate letter sent by the Canadian Prime Minister to the former immigration minister, Sean Fraser in 2021. It is great news for all migrants with or without a legal status. They can apply for PR even if their permits have expired or they lack supporting migration documents.
What Gave Rise to the Permanent Residency Plans for Migrants?
In 2021, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau sent a mandate letter to Sean Fraser, the former immigration minister. The letter highlighted the importance of regularizing PR status for undocumented migrants residing in Canada and facing the risk of deportation. It also stated that the government needs to rebuild the existing pilot programs and help out the undocumented workers who contribute to Canadian communities.
In September 2023, legal or illegal migrants including students, undocumented people and refugees protested in Canadian cities to demand PR status for all. They demanded the government create an unbiased permanent residency program for all those migrants who have been working and living with their families in the country while facing the threat of deportation.
What is the Canadian Government Planning to do?
The Canadian Government is now planning to run cabinet debates during the summer session of the Parliament. Marc Miller, the Canadian Immigration Minister, brought forth a proposal which reflects how migrants without a legal status can attain permanent residency in the country. The illegal migrants also include former international students whose study permits have expired.
This is particularly unique news since Canada has already put a two-year ban on the admission of international students beyond a specific number. Public support for migration has come down recently as the influx of newcomers has created housing problems in the country.
The executive director of Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, Syed Hussan, however, said that regularizing the PR status of undocumented migrants will NOT affect the housing crisis. On the contrary, the change could improve the country’s economy.
Final Thoughts,
Marc Miller plans to present and discuss the proposal in the cabinet this spring 2024. We can expect the country to consider migrants who are eligible for PR status and provide them with the necessary help. This demand to legalize undocumented migrant workers or students has been consistent for quite a few years. Radio-Canada, for instance, talked about the need to regularize undocumented migrant workers in October 2022.
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