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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Canada: Spike in refusals for express entry applications where spouse is shown as ‘non-accompanying'
Representative Image Canada's immigration agency is increasingly rejecting 'Express Entry' applications for permanent residency, or is issuing procedural fairness letters (PFLs) in cases where applicants have declared their spouse as 'non-accompanying' often with the intent of improving their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. In many instances, the spouse was already residing in Canada – working or studying. It is not just those outside Canada who can apply to become permanent residents under the Express Entry route – it is also open to those already in Canada such as on temporary work visas. Express Entry is Canada's point-based mechanism used to manage immigration applications for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents. Based on various parameters such as age, education, French language proficiency etc, candidates are given a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS). Post which, they are placed in the Express Entry pool and ranked relative to each other. Periodical draws are held and those attaining the cut-off CRS score get an invite to apply for permanent residency. When an individual applies without including his/her spouse ( shown as 'non-accompanying spouse'), the individual is assessed as a single applicant, which the point distribution system tends to favour. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Take a Look - How Watching Videos Can Boost Your Income TheDaddest Undo A single applicant can get up to 40 more points under the 'Core Human Capital' section because spouse-related sub-factors are not considered. Being a single applicant helps boost scores if the spouse's credentials (education, language, etc) are weak and would drag down the scores. Kubeir Kamal, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) told TOI, 'This tactic of declaring a spouse as 'non-accompanying' has unfortunately become widespread, particularly among applicants who are already residing in Canada with their spouse on temporary status (eg: one is on a closed work permit and the other is on an open spousal work permit). In such cases, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is rightly scrutinizing whether the spouse was ever genuinely intended to be excluded. ' Added Manish Kapoor, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant, 'IRCC has increasingly taken the position that if an applicant's spouse is physically present in Canada, it implies an intention to permanently reside. As such, declaring the spouse as non-accompanying may be interpreted as a misrepresentation under sections 16(1) and 40(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which require applicants to answer truthfully and prohibit the withholding of material facts. ' Kamal cautioned that if both partners are living and working in Canada, declaring a spouse as 'non-accompanying' without a valid and well-documented reason such as custody arrangements, or family obligations, can be seen as a deliberate misrepresentation, which in addition to refusal of the application can lead to a five-year ban from re-applying. 'If spouse is outside Canada, you may still list them as non-accompanying if it's truthful and justifiable—for instance, owing to custody of children or job obligations of the spouse in the home country. In this case, a strong letter of explanation and supporting evidence is required. Further, intentions must be aligned with the declaration: If you say they're non-accompanying, don't sponsor them immediately after landing!,' said Kamal. 'Historically, similar applications were approved without issue, raising concerns about consistency in decision-making in the application of policy. Many applicants argue that they have valid reasons for listing their spouses as non-accompanying and have provided clear explanations, yet refusals continue to rise. It will be important to watch how the Federal Court interprets the concept of an 'accompanying spouse,' particularly as an increasing number of applicants seek judicial review. The outcome of these cases may set a significant precedent for future immigration decisions,' added Kapoor.. Traditionally, India has been a top-source country for those getting invitations to apply for permanent residency under the Express Entry system. In 2023, nearly 52,100 Indians were invited to be permanent residents (bagging 47% of the total invites). Country-specific data for 2024 is not available. Of late, the modalities of the Express Entry mechanism have changed. All-program or general draws have become a rarity. Of late, IRCC has issued invitations to become permanent residents extensively based on category based Express Entry draws such as French‑language proficiency, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), or occupational specific draws such as health‑care, education, and trades. Further, from March 25, candidates no longer earn additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for holding a valid job offer – this change was done to prevent fraud through illicit sales of 'Labour Market Impact Assessments'. Immigration experts point out that there are bonafide ways to improve the CRS score such as improving language results, obtaining proficiency in French or even by exploring PNP options.
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Business Standard
24-07-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Canada invites 4,000 foreigners in healthcare, social services for PR
Canada has issued 4,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency in its latest Express Entry draw held on July 22, 2025. The draw focused on candidates working in 37 healthcare and social services occupations. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off for this draw was 475, down 29 points from the previous category-specific draw for the same sector held in June 2025. Candidates needed to have created their Express Entry profile before 1:08 p.m. UTC on March 13, 2025 to be eligible. Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses General practitioners and family physicians Dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and optometrists Psychologists, social workers, and counsellors Licensed practical nurses, medical technologists and technicians Veterinary technicians and veterinarians Massage therapists, chiropractors, dieticians and audiologists Nurse aides and patient service associates Paramedical occupations Pharmacy and therapy assistants A complete list of all 37 eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes was published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Canada's Express Entry system in July 2025 This was the fourth Express Entry draw of the month. Previous draws included: July 21: 202 ITAs under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) with a CRS cut-off of 788 July 8: 3,000 ITAs under the Canadian Experience Class with a CRS cut-off of 518 July 7: 356 ITAs under another PNP draw with a CRS cut-off of 750 So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 49,403 ITAs through the Express Entry system. The total number of candidates in the pool stood at 256,914 as of July 20, 2025. Category-based selection helps lower CRS candidates For candidates with CRS scores below 500, category-based selection continues to be one of the most accessible pathways to permanent residency. To qualify under this route, applicants must: < Have a minimum of six months of full-time, continuous work experience < This work must be in one of the designated occupations < The experience can be gained inside or outside Canada What is the Provincial Nominee Program? Canada's PNP allows provinces and territories (except Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate skilled individuals for permanent residency. Each region has its own selection streams targeting workers, graduates and business owners who can contribute to the local economy. Express Entry draws this year have largely concentrated on PNP candidates, while other draws have been directed towards French-language speakers, Canadian Experience Class applicants, and category-specific occupations.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Married? You just lost 40 points; How Canada's immigration system is rewarding singles and punishing families
Canada 's immigration system, which was long praised for its meritocratic and transparent points-based approach, is now drawing criticism for unintentionally putting married applicants at a disadvantage. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to evaluate skilled worker candidates under Express Entry awards significantly more points to those who are single, or who declare their spouse as "non-accompanying." Under the CRS, a candidate without an accompanying spouse can gain up to 40 extra points out of a possible 600. These points can make or break a candidate's success in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo With immigration targets tightening and the minimum cutoff scores rising, most recently reaching 529 points on June 12, 2025, this loophole is becoming increasingly consequential. Immigration lawyer Matthew Jeffery explains that the system only favors married applicants when their spouse is highly educated, fluent in English or French, and has relevant work experience. 'If the spouse does not have these things, it can result in a lower score for the primary applicant,' he says. Live Events Declaring spouse as non-accompanying To preserve their chances, applicants may legally declare their spouse as non-accompanying, essentially postponing their spouse's immigration and allowing the principal applicant to retain a higher score. 'This is not manipulation,' says Calgary-based immigration consultant Mandeep Lidher. 'It is a lawful and system-sanctioned pathway for applicants who may otherwise be disadvantaged by their spouse's limited language scores, education, or lack of Canadian work experience.' Procedural fairness letters Ottawa is aware of the practice and has begun issuing procedural fairness letters (PFLs) to applicants suspected of using the rule deceptively. In one letter, an immigration officer expressed 'serious concerns' over a married applicant declaring their spouse as non-accompanying, despite both individuals already living in Canada. 'It appears that you have decided to include your spouse as 'non-accompanying' to meet the minimum required score,' the officer wrote, adding that the applicant would not have qualified if the spouse had been listed as accompanying. Misrepresentation can lead to refusal and ban While it is legal to declare a spouse as non-accompanying if done transparently, experts warn that misrepresentation, such as hiding marital status or falsely claiming a spouse will remain abroad, can lead to application refusal and even a five-year ban from reapplying. 'Honesty is paramount,' Toronto-based immigration consultant Kubeir Kamal told CTV News . The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on misrepresentation: 'If a spouse is declared as not accompanying while the intent is for the spouse to come with the principal applicant, an officer may find that the applicant misrepresented themselves.' Canada prepares to lower its annual immigration targets, dropping from 500,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, and further still in 2026 and 2027, but the margin for error has narrowed.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Canada's 2025 PR Rules Simplified: New Pathways and Key Changes Explained
Pathways to Permanent Residency The Express Entry system is a popular choice for skilled workers who want permanent resident status in Canada. Your Canada permanent residency qualification needs a score of at least 67 out of 100 points based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will also assess your application, with recent cut-offs ranging between 521 and 542 points for Canadian Experience Class draws. Recent Changes That Benefit You The federal government has reduced the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) landing target from 110,000 in 2024 to 55,000 for 2025. This change points to a more competitive yet available environment for applicants seeking Canada PR visa approval. You can turn these changes to your advantage with proper preparation and a clear understanding of Canada PR requirements. Why Canada Continues to Attract Indians Canada gives compelling reasons for immigration, especially if you're from India. The country's educational excellence and financial stability shine through its six universities, ranking among the top 120 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and with a per-capita income of $51,690. Canada's Indian population continues to grow, with 2.46 lakh Indians immigrating between 2016 and 2021, making up more than 10% of the total immigrant population. As India's No.1 Overseas Career Consultant, Y-Axis has been assisting individuals in achieving their immigration goals since 1999. With over 50 company-owned and managed offices across India, UAE, UK, Australia, and Canada, and a team of 1,500+ employees, Y-Axis has served over 1 million customers, providing expert guidance in visa documentation, job search services, and immigration processes. How Do the New Canada Permanent Residency Rules Affect Different Applicant Types? The New Immigration Levels Plan targets 395,000 permanent residents for Canada in 2025. The numbers will drop to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. The year 2025 could be your best chance to apply for Canada PR since competition will increase in later years. What's changed for Indian applicants in 2025? Significant Impact on Indian Candidates shows in the numbers. Indian applicants received 52,106 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in 2023. This made up 47.2% of all invitations under the Express Entry route. Over the last several years between 2013 and 2023, Indian immigration to Canada jumped by 326%. The numbers went up from 32,828 to 129,715. Reduced Job Offer Advantage has changed the game. Indian candidates who used to rely on job offers to boost their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores will need stronger applications in other areas. The focus has shifted to education, language skills, and work experience. New Pathways Opening brings fresh chances in specific sectors. Canada now gives more economic admissions under 'Federal Economic Priorities' to skilled workers. Healthcare and skilled trades are among the critical sectors. What Are the Key Steps to Apply Under the New PR Process? Canada PR process step by step in 2025 Verify Eligibility is your starting point. You must qualify for at least one of three federal immigration programs to enter the Express Entry pool. Each program needs skilled work experience. Submit Expression of Interest through an online profile. Your profile should include personal details and your spouse's information (if applicable). Add specifics about age, education, and work experience. Complete Required Tests and Assessments with a government-approved provider for language proficiency tests. You need Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) to verify your foreign education matches Canadian standards. Wait for Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Canadian federal government. The government gives you 60 days to submit your complete application. Gather Supporting Documents beyond what you've already provided. These include police certificates, proof of funds, medical examination results, and biometrics. Submit Online Application through the permanent residence portal. The process requires payment of all fees, including the Application Processing Fee and Right of Permanent Residence Fee. Receive a Decision within six months, usually. Approved applications lead to a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and permanent resident visa when applicable. How to get PR in Canada from India with updated rules Document Authentication Requirements are now simplified for Indian applicants. Translations need an affidavit from the translator if they lack certification. Financial Proof Standards need you to show enough unencumbered funds. These funds should support you and your family members after arrival in Canada. You should research your intended region's cost of living. Educational Assessment Process requires evaluation of Indian qualifications. Designated organizations determine Canadian equivalency. Biometric Collection Changes require fingerprints and photographs. You and your family members must visit designated service points. The Medical Examination Protocol needs tests from an IRCC-approved panel physician. Your family must take medical exams even if they stay behind. Police Verification Certificate remains mandatory for Indian stays. Anyone who spent six or more consecutive months in India since age 18 needs this. Landing Process marks the final stage. Your permanent residence becomes official when you enter Canada before your COPR expires.
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Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada Express Entry opens doors for 1,000 foreign teachers to work, live
Teachers hoping to settle in Canada may find new opportunities after the country launched its first Express Entry draw for the education category on May 1, 2025. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 1,000 candidates to apply for permanent residency through this draw. The education-specific draw, conducted under the Express Entry system which manages skilled immigration applications, is the first of its kind. It follows the introduction of a dedicated education category in February 2025, responding to teacher shortages across many Canadian provinces. 'Canada needs skilled educators to meet growing demands, and this draw is a step towards that goal,' IRCC stated. Eligibility criteria for the May 1, 2025 draw Candidates invited had to meet several conditions, including: Proof of academic qualifications in education Language proficiency in English or French Teaching experience in one of the targeted fields: Elementary and secondary school teaching Early childhood education Special needs education Educational administration and policy development A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 479 An Express Entry profile created before August 10, 2024 Shift in immigration priorities The launch of an education-focused category reflects a wider shift towards industry-specific immigration selection. In recent months, Express Entry draws had largely focused on candidates nominated by provinces through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or those with strong French-language skills. The IRCC has previously conducted category-based draws for healthcare workers, STEM professionals, and French speakers. This approach allows Canada to adjust its skilled migration intake according to labour market pressures. New Express Entry updates for 2025 Several changes have been introduced to the Express Entry system this year: < Education occupations have been added as a new priority category < The transport category, which previously included truck drivers and airline pilots, has been removed < The healthcare and social services categories have been expanded, adding eight new occupations, including pharmacists and social workers priority draws will now focus on: French-language proficiency Healthcare and social service occupations Trades occupations Education occupations These categories are expected to have more frequent and focused draws throughout the year. Fewer opportunities for tech and transport workers The new education category includes a wider range of roles, such as kindergarten teachers, teaching assistants, early childhood educators, and instructors for persons with disabilities. At the same time, the STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) category has been narrowed. Positions like architects, software engineers, data scientists, and computer systems managers have been removed. Meanwhile, insurance agents and brokers have been added. The removal of the transport sector from the priority categories means that truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, and airline pilots will no longer benefit from targeted invitations through Express Entry. Those invited on May 1 have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency. If approved, they will be able to settle in Canada and take up roles in the education sector.
