by Immilaw Team | Nov 3, 2021 | Canada Immigration
Immigration applicants under Express Entry have to earn a competitive CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking System) to receive a federal invitation. However, the applicants don’t need to have a job offer ready; express Entry candidates with high CRS stand a greater chance of getting a PR application approved.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is an alternate immigration route to Canada as popular as the Express Entry System. The PNPs set up by the different provinces strive to apply a more balanced set of criteria to allow a predetermined number of applicants every year to settle down in their provinces as permanent residents. Each province has its nomination criteria. For any applicant to be eligible to immigrate via a PNP, they must earn a nomination by the said province/territory.
How Does Saskatchewan PNP (SINP) Work?
Nine provinces and two territories in Canada, including Saskatchewan, have set up their PNPs. For example, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) offers two immigration pathways to Canada to earn a chance to work and live in the Saskatchewan Province of the country. In addition, the SINP is open to international immigrant applicants.
Saskatchewan is a province made up of prairies and is located in Western Canada. Activities such as farming, agriculture export, fishing, and forestry contribute to the province’s economy.
The SINP gives foreign nationals a chance to settle down and become permanent residents if they wish to do so. There are different streams of immigration that one can apply through SINP. However, two busy immigration pathway programs allow applicants to apply for permanent residence without a job offer.
1. Saskatchewan Express Entry-linked Scheme
An applicant intending to use this stream should have an active profile in the Express Entry scheme to apply. This enhanced version of the PNP allows candidates nominated by the Saskatchewan province to receive an additional 600 points towards the CRS score, guaranteeing a chance to apply for permanent residence here. To receive a nomination from Saskatchewan, the candidate should apply via Express Entry by creating a profile in the category and expressing an interest in settling down in the province.
To apply in the International Skilled Worker (Express Entry) category, the applicant must meet the following basic requirements:
- Score a minimum of 60 on 110 points on the SINP assessment grid;
- Have an active Express Entry Profile Number and the IRCC Job Seeker Validation Code;
- Meet language standards set by Express Entry and have test results in hand;
- Have minimal work experience levels in their field of training/education in a professed in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan (NOC 0, A, or B);
- Have a post-secondary school or training equivalent to a minimum of one year of Canadian education;
- Show the presence of adequate funds in hand to cover settlement fees in Saskatchewan.
2. Saskatchewan Occupation-in-Demand Scheme
residence in this category. The province prefers to allow applicants who have skills to fill gaps in the job market. To be eligible to apply through this scheme, the applicant should have at least one year’s experience in one of the jobs found in Saskatchewan’s list of Occupations In-Demand.
The following are the specific requirements that an applicant must meet to apply in the International Skilled Worker (Occupation In-Demand) category:
- Score a minimum of 60 on 110 points on the SINP assessment grid;
- Live outside Canada/have proof of legal status in Canada;
- Should not be a refugee claimant;
- Have scored at least four as per the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) tests;
- Should have completed post-secondary education/training/apprenticeship and must have an equivalent foreign education credential;
- Must have work experience that is related to the occupation/education;
- Must possess stipulated work experience related to their field of education/training in a skilled in-demand occupation in Saskatchewan at the time of application (NOC 0, A, or B);
- Show the presence of adequate funds in hand to cover settlement fees in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan has already invited 2,733 candidates via Saskatchewan Express Entry and 3,433 via Occupations In-Demand to apply for permanent residence in 2021. Ontario has also issued invitations through its PNP (Human Capital Priorities Stream), which does not require an applicant to have a ready job offer to apply for permanent residence in the province.
Contact Immilaw Immigration to find out more about your options for Canadian immigration, and you can fill out our immigration assessment form. You can call us at 613-276-1454, or you may send in your query at info@immilawimmigration.com. We will schedule a consultation for you with one of our immigration lawyers.
by Immilaw Team | Oct 29, 2021 | Study Abroad
Can you work while studying in Canada? Yes, but you need to meet certain requirements for that. The Government of Canada introduced changes to the terms and conditions that apply to study permits in 2014. With these changes, many international students have permission to work while studying in Canada. In addition, full-time international students can work for up to 20 hours a week when schools are open and take up full-time employment during the breaks.
It is also important to note that an international student cannot start working while studying in Canada unless the study course has commenced.
However, in some cases, the study permit will not allow an international student to work while pursuing studies in Canada, such as:
- When the study permit is for a course that is less than six months in duration
- The study permit specifies that the student holding the permit has restrictions when it comes to employment.
- Similarly, international students can work 20 hours a week even if they are not enrolled in full-time study programs.
- The student is currently in the last semester of a study program, and the full-time course load is absent as part of the requirements to complete the program.
- The student is pursuing graduate study and has already completed all the requirements as regards the coursework.
This can assist the international student in providing for themselves as well as meeting new people. This can prove to be valuable during a job hunt later on.
In cases where the study permit becomes invalid, the international student loses all authorization and has to stop working immediately. If an international student works without any legal authorization, they stand a chance of earning a ban on their immigration application.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Any international student who wants to work in Canada should first apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN). It is compulsory for any person who is working in Canada to have a SIN. The student can submit the SIN application in person or send it in by mail. The following conditions (1 or 2 or both) need to be present in the application form:
- The student may accept employment on the institution’s campus (where they are registered for full-time studies)
- The student may accept on-or off-campus employment (if the student meets all eligibility criteria as per R186(f), (v) or (w) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations)
If these conditions are not yet included in the study permit, the student can request their addition.
Differences Between Off-Campus and On-Campus Work Permits:
Before the changes in 2014, study work permits were of two types: off-campus and on-campus types.
- Off-campus work permits allowed students to work anywhere outside of their educational institution.
- On-campus work permits allowed students to work only inside their educational campus premises.
For most work permits, the new regulations allow international students to work both on and off-campus.The authorization for the international student is clearly stated on the work permit. The work permit also clearly lists employment authorization and where the student can or not accept employment. Suppose a student desires to work during their study program, which is not explicitly mentioned on the permit. In that case, it is the student’s responsibility to get the work permit updated before venturing to take up employment.
PG (Post Graduation) Work Permit
This work permit allows any international student who has graduated from a DLI (Designated Learning Institution) to remain in Canada after their study period is over. The postgraduate student can work anywhere in the country for any employer for up to 3 years. However, only some programs at the DLI are eligible for a PG work permit. The student should apply within 180 days of receiving the confirmation of completion of the program for the PGWP.
Before enrolling in a study program, any international post-graduate student at the DLI who wishes to work should check their PGWP eligibility. The PG open work permit allows the student to work for any Canadian employer. In addition, this work experience can help an applicant qualify for permanent residence via the PNP or Canadian Experience Class program.
Co-Op Students and Interns – Work Permits
Students who are doing study courses requiring them to complete paid/unpaid Co-op/internship work experience for formal completion of the program are free to apply for a Co-op/intern work permit. But, they have to meet some specific conditions:
- The student must have a valid study permit in the first place.
- The study program should have a work component as a compulsory part of the course.
- The student should produce a supporting letter from the study institution, which states that the student should complete work requirements to get a degree formally.
- The Co-op/internship period makes up for less than 50% of the study course.
The study program cannot include the following:
- English/French as a second language course
- A general interest course
- A course that helps to prepare for another study program
On meeting all the criteria mentioned above, the student can apply for the work permit on paper or online via the website.
In cases where the institution indicates the need for a Co-op/internship in the initial letter of acceptance, and if the international student applicant includes the letter in the application for the Canadian study permit, the authorities process the work and the study permits together.
The student can apply for a Co-op work permit after obtaining the study permit on paper or online via the website. Again, the university/college will help out with this because the placement is part of the study program.
At ImmiLaw Immigration our Canadian immigration lawyers can help you to secure a work permit if you are an international student in Canada. We can also fast-track your study and work permit applications and make submissions on your behalf. You may contact our office at 613-276-1454. You can also send your query to us at info@immilawimmigration.com. We will schedule a consultation for you with one of our immigration lawyers.
by Immilaw Team | Oct 14, 2021 | Canada Immigration
Applications for spousal sponsorship in Canada receive top priority because it is crucial for families to be together. In this article, we answer some of these questions our clients regularly ask.
- How long does the spousal sponsorship process take in Canada?
- Is spousal sponsorship in Canada easier if you hire a Canadian immigration lawyer?
- How to choose an immigration lawyer?
- Is it possible for me to apply on my own for spousal sponsorship in Canada?
Spousal sponsorship applications can take up to 12 months to process. The process is often faster; however, depending on the nature of the specific case, it may take longer for some. In some complicated cases, the visa officer is likely to ask you for more proof regarding your relationship status, and this can typically delay the spousal sponsorship process.
The best way to ensure that this process takes minimum time is to do it right the first time by hiring an immigration lawyer in Canada. Though it is possible to apply on your own, it is more important to make a correct submission that convinces the visa officers that your relationship is genuine. Moreover, the CIC receives many fraudulent applications daily. So, the visa officers are wary and on guard constantly.
The spousal sponsorship application is approximately 120 to 150 pages long, and filling the application is a long and arduous task. As a result, CIC returns wrongly filled and incomplete applications three months later.
Reasons for Refusal of Spousal Sponsorship Applications
There are a few common reasons for spousal application rejections:
- It is not easy to follow online instructions for filling up spousal sponsorship applications on your own. The process is complex, and applicants only realize many mistakes after rejecting the application forms three months later.
- Rejection of the application forms takes place when the applicant uses outdated application forms or submits incomplete forms. CIC returns such application forms. This can cause a delay of two or three months. In such cases, a PR ban for two years can also come into effect.
- Spouses from non-visa-exempt countries require a TRV to travel to Canada. Therefore, they will not travel to Canada for at least two years unless they possess a TR visa. In cases of refusal of the spousal sponsorship application, IRCC does not approve a TR visa.
Hiring an immigration lawyer and its advantages
Hiring an immigration lawyer makes it easy to file the spousal sponsorship application form with a higher chance of success. Immigration lawyers will make sure to prepare the application form thoroughly and adequately. This will prevent the three-month delay or the spouse from falling out of status in the country.
Hiring an immigration lawyer means they will foresee all the potential issues that cause the visa officer to flag applications for the interview or issue a letter that doubts the genuineness of the relationship or altogether refuse the application.
Spousal sponsorship applications of couples in genuine relationships also see rejections if the genuineness of their relationship status is not projected powerfully or convincingly. This is even more necessary for common-law partners and others whose relationships are just about two years old.
How to choose the best immigration lawyer in Canada
It is a fact that all lawyers are competent in handling spousal sponsorship applications and ensuring a higher chance of success. Therefore, it is essential to select the best Canadian immigration law firm like ImmiLaw Immigration with due diligence and select one adept at working in immigration or handling your application file.
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Points to keep in mind when choosing your immigration lawyer in Canada
- Confirm that the immigration lawyer has handled cases at the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) or Federal Court. Such a lawyer will know to spot potential issues even before they occur. They would also have experience in arguing ‘refused’ spousal sponsorship cases. These would be cases in which the applicants applied on their own or hired weak legal representation. Immigration lawyers also make it a point to draft extensive submission letters attached to the spousal sponsorship application forms. This forms an essential part of the application process and is the first item that the visa officer reads.
- Immigration lawyers attach a submission letter that presents all the issues to the authorities. The contents of this letter depend on each client’s facts and circumstances. It is also important that the immigration lawyer sends the client a copy of the submission letter for review. Client review is essential as it can help to avoid presenting incorrect facts, which amounts to misrepresentation. Misrepresentation is a severe offense and can lead to a five-year ban.
- Spousal sponsorship applications run to about 150 pages, and close to 60 documents go with every application. Though it is not compulsory to hire an immigration lawyer, it is frustrating and difficult for applicants to do this correctly all by themselves. Moreover, for a law firm to collect all these documents by email is not a practical solution. However, it is vital to choose a law firm that uses file-hosting services like Dropbox, through which they can assign shared file access to each of the clients. This allows the firm to be responsive, and they can immediately respond to the client’s queries.
- Lawyer License and Website : You must go through the website of the immigration law firm to get an idea about its credentials and to confirm that lawyers are licensed and experienced.
You can send in your queries to us at info@immilawimmigration.com or call us at 613-704-5757. We will schedule a consultation for you with our expert Canadian Immigration lawyer after we assess your eligibility.
by Immilaw Team | Sep 29, 2021 | Canada Immigration
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino, on April 14, 2021, announced IRCC’s latest intentions to create new immigration pathways to obtain permanent residence for Essential workers and International students who are currently working in Canada.
Available pathways for Permanent Residence (PR) under the ‘temporary residence (TR) to PR’ immigration programs
The ‘TR to PR’ immigration programs is implemented via particular public policies to grant temporary residence status to temporary workers and international students working in Canada. As a result, these workers possess the necessary skills and experience that will aid Canada’s economic recovery positively from its current level following the COVID 19 pandemic.
IRCC has published four particular public policies (listed below) that will facilitate TR to PR pathways.
- International Graduates in Canada
- International Graduates (French-speaking) in Canada
- Foreign nationals living in Canada having recent Canadian work experience (in sought-after occupations)
- Foreign nationals (French-speaking) living in Canada having Canadian work experience (in sought-after occupations)
TR to PR immigration program for International Students – Qualification criteria
To qualify under the new immigration pathway programs for international students, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- They should have graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada after January 2017; the study program should be of at least eight months’ duration.
- The student should have received an Associate/Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate degree from the DLI;
- a degree/diploma/certificate/attestation issued after completion of a program (any duration) which leads to a skilled trade/occupation;
- One or more diplomas or certificates or attestations meeting the following conditions:
For diplomas/certificates/attestations, each study program must last eight months in duration; for any combined length of credential (s), the duration must be equivalent to at least 16 months (a two-year credential).
In the case of DVS/AVS, each study program must be a minimum of 900 hours, and the combined program must be a minimum of 1,800 hours. When combining a DVS with an AVS, the duration may be less than 900 hours; however, the combined duration should be a minimum of 1800 hours.
- The student should have held a valid study permit during their entire education period in Canada;
- The candidate should be currently employed in Canada with a valid work authorization permit.
- The student should have CLB level 5 in English/French (within the last two years if applying under the foreign nationals program) or a minimum of CLB level 5 in French (if applying under the French-speaking program).
- The applicant must be residing in Canada on a valid temporary resident status/be eligible to restore status. They should be physically present in Canada when the application for PR is received and approved.
- The applicant must intend to reside in a province/territory outside Quebec.
In addition to the criteria mentioned, all applicants, including dependent family members, must clear medical and criminal background checks and not fall into the ‘inadmissible to Canada’ category.
TR to PR immigration program for essential occupations – Who All Can Qualify
To qualify for the new immigration pathways for essential occupations, applicants should possess the following criteria:
They should demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of full-time work/equivalent work experience (in an eligible essential worker/healthcare worker category). This period should be within the three years immediately prior to the application. In addition, the work experience (of 1 year) must be in one or more of the below-mentioned eligible occupations:
- Healthcare Workers: 1 year of work experience must be in one or more of the occupations mentioned in the list of occupations.
- Essential Worker: One year of work experience must be in one/more occupations mentioned in the list of occupations or a combination of occupations that are classified in the Healthcare Workers/Essential Worker category.
They should be currently employed in Canada at the time when the application for PR is received (in any occupation);
The applicant should meet the definition of a ‘worker’ and also hold a valid work authorization for the period of qualified Canadian work experience.
The applicant should have attained a minimum CLB level 4 proficiency in English/French (within the last two years) when applying under the foreign nationals program and a minimum CLB level 4 proficiency in French when applying under the French-speaking program.
They should be residing in Canada and have valid TR status (or be at least eligible to restore their status). They should also be physically present in Canada when the PR application is received and approved.
The applicant must intend to reside in a province/territory outside Quebec.
In addition to the criteria mentioned, all applicants, including dependent family members, must clear medical and criminal background checks and not fall into the ‘inadmissible to Canada’ category.
‘TR to PR’ immigration pathway Occupations for applicants to qualify as an Essential/Health-care Worker
To qualify for the new immigration pathways under one of the public policies that target Essential Workers and Health-care Workers, applicants must have Canadian work experience of at least one year (in the last three years) in any one of the listed occupations. The IRCC has identified around 100 occupations that come under the ‘essential’ category.
How to apply for any one of the ‘TR to PR’ immigration programs
Applications for the ‘TR to PR’ immigration programs must be submitted electronically by referring to the specific public policy for which the applicant qualifies. IRCC has set up a new application portal with a special design to process applications submitted under the new TR to PR immigration pathways.
New PR immigration programs – Documents to be submitted
IRCC has yet to publish a checklist for the required documentation. However, candidates have to submit the following documents anyway as part of their application:
- Completed application form
- Documents pertaining to civil status
- Education credentials and transcripts of Canadian education credentials (if applicable)
- Language proficiency proof
- Work reference letters (from Canadian employers, if applicable)
- Copy of passport
- Copies of all Canadian immigration permits
- Police clearances
- Results of medical examination
- Digital photograph
All the above-mentioned supporting documentation deemed necessary by the authorities to assess whether a foreign national meets the requisite conditions of the newly announced public policies should be furnished along with the application.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do I have to show settlement funds while applying under the new TR to PR immigration programs?
The applicant does not have to show settlement funds when applying for any of the new TR to PR immigration programs, unlike the other immigration programs to Canada.
What is the approximate cost of the new TR to PR immigration programs?
Applicants will have to pay a total processing fee of CAD 1050 (along with their applications) under any new PR programs. In addition, the applicant will also have to pay the processing fees for an accompanying spouse and dependent children or common-law partner if they are also included in the application.
Is it necessary to have a job offer on hand to apply for the new TR to PR immigration programs?
It is not required that applicants have a job offer on hand from a Canadian company when applying for PR under one of these new immigration programs. Eligibility under these programs is based on the applicant’s previous education/work experience in Canada and not on future employment offers.
The new public policies for Essential/Health-Care Workers require that the applicant have at least one year of work experience in Canada (within the last three years).
In public policies for International graduates, the applicant has to be currently working in Canada. However, under these policies, there are no stipulations on the type of work experience required.
What is the time taken to process applications under the new TR to PR immigration programs?
There are no indications in the new public policies regarding the length of time IRCC will take to process these applications. However, these programs are ‘accelerated’ Canadian immigration pathways. The main objective of these newly introduced public policies is to allow foreign nationals/International graduates to obtain PR in Canada and help aid the country’s economic recovery. IRCC has committed to processing approximately 40,000 applications received under the TR to PR immigration programs this year. The remaining applications have been kept aside for processing in 2022.
Can the applicant include the spouse’s and dependent children’s names in the PR application form under the new TR to PR immigration programs?
Under any of the four new public policies facilitating immigration to Canada, eligible spouses/common-law partners, and dependent children, can have their names included in the PR application. That is, they will also be granted PR status under these new programs.
Does the new ‘TR to PR’ immigration program have a cap on the number of applications that will be accepted?
The new public policies for Essential workers/International graduates that facilitate Canadian immigration limit the application numbers that will be accepted for each of the streams.
- 40,000 applications (International Students)
- 30,000 applications (Essential Workers)
- 20,000 applications (Health-Care Workers)
The intake limit for the International students’ category reached its 40,000 limits on May 7, 2021, and for Essential Workers on July 16, 2021.
There is no number cap set for French-speaking Essential Workers/International Graduates in the new public policies for Canadian immigration. This means that IRCC will process all the eligible applications submitted under the two new public policies if the application is submitted before November 5, 2021.
Will IRCC re-open the TR to PR immigration programs if the intake numbers have already reached the set limits?
As of today, the number limits for International students and Essential worker streams have been reached. Therefore, no candidate is eligible to apply under these streams unless they demonstrate the required proficiency in French.
Marco Mendicino, Canada’s Immigration Minister, has indicated that IRCC may re-open the new immigration programs to allow more candidates to put in their applications.
The new public policies introducing these ‘TR to PR’ Canadian immigration programs are valid until November 5, 2021. Therefore, any re-opening of the immigration caps will have to be done prior to this date if the public policies are not extended.
For any applicant who is currently living and working in Quebec, is it possible for them to submit their application under any one of the new TR to PR immigration pathways if they satisfy the eligibility criteria?
Any individual, who satisfies all the new immigration program criteria, including residents of Quebec, may apply. However, in the case of applicants residing in Quebec at the time of submission of the application, they should express their intent to reside outside the province.
After PR status is granted to the applicant under any newly introduced TR to PR immigration programs, can the applicant decide to live anywhere they want in Canada?
All four new immigration pathways have been set up for immigrants who wish to settle in Canada (except inside Quebec).
Is it possible for me to apply for an open work permit if I have applied under one of these new TR to PR immigration programs?
From July 26, 2021, those who have applied to any new TR to PR immigration programs can apply for a ‘TR to PR’ open work permit.
However, to apply for an open work permit in Canada, the applicants must:
- Have applied under any one of the new TR to PR immigration programs
- Possess a valid work authorization
- Possess a work permit that is fixed to expire in a period of four months
- Be currently residing in the country
- Hold a TR status/maintained status/eligible to restore their status
- Continue to meet any language requirements for the new TR to PR pathway stream they have applied under
If all the conditions are satisfied and once approved, the ‘TR to PR’ open work permits will be issued to the eligible applicants until December 31, 2022.
For how long will the new ‘TR to PR’ immigration programs be available?
All the newly introduced four special public policies governing the ‘TR to PR’ immigration pathway programs are to be launched on May 6, 2021 and are scheduled to close on November 5, 2021, or when the intake limit for the applicant numbers for the specific stream has been reached, whichever is earlier. However, any application that is submitted after November 5, 2021, will not be accepted.
If you want to begin your Canadian immigration journey through any of these new TR to PR programs, contact us today at Immilaw Immigration Law Professional Corporation– Canadian Immigration Law Firm to schedule a consultation with one of our Immigration Lawyers!
