Latest news with #ExpressEntry
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
Canada Express Entry draw August 2025: 225 foreigners invited for PR
Canada's immigration department has issued 225 invitations to apply for permanent residency under the Express Entry system, in a draw held on August 6. The invitations went to candidates in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), who needed a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 739 to qualify. In addition, profiles had to be created before 6:35 a.m. UTC on April 23, 2025. This is the first Express Entry draw for August. In July, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) held a healthcare and social services draw on July 22, another PNP draw on July 21, and a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw on July 8. So far in 2025, IRCC has issued 49,628 invitations to apply (ITAs) through Express Entry. Draws this year have primarily focused on PNP candidates, but other streams have also been active. Here's how they break down: • 14 draws for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) • 7 draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) • 3 for French-language proficiency • 3 for healthcare and social services • 1 draw for the education stream Since June 10, IRCC has kept a steady rhythm, alternating between PNP and CEC draws every two weeks. In parallel, a healthcare and social services draw has been held each month since May. What is Express Entry and who qualifies? Express Entry is Canada's flagship application system for skilled immigrants looking to become permanent residents. It includes three federal programmes: • Federal Skilled Worker Program • Federal Skilled Trades Program • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Candidates in these streams enter a common pool and are scored using the CRS. Those with the highest scores receive ITAs when draws are conducted. PNP candidates, although selected by provinces, are also entered into Express Entry. A provincial nomination gives them an extra 600 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of being selected. What happens after you get an Express Entry invitation? If you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your full application online. Here's what that process involves: • Gathering documents such as language test scores, work reference letters, bank statements, police clearances, and medical results • Uploading the completed application to your IRCC account • Paying the required fees—currently around CAD 1,365 per adult • Completing biometric enrolment and medical exams if requested IRCC generally processes applications within six months. Approved applicants will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). If the applicant is already in Canada, the process can be completed virtually. Those outside Canada will need to travel to officially activate their permanent resident status. How does the Provincial Nominee Program help skilled workers? The Provincial Nominee Program lets provinces and territories nominate people who match their local labour needs. Each province has its own streams with different eligibility criteria. Many PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry. Once a candidate receives a nomination, they gain 600 extra CRS points—enough to push their profile to the top of the pool. The programme offers: • Tailored pathways for skilled workers and entrepreneurs • In some cases, quicker processing times than other routes • Wider settlement options beyond major cities Quebec is not part of the PNP system and instead runs its own selection process for economic migrants.
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.
India Today
13-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Planning to Work Abroad? Try These 6 Countries in 2025
Planning to Work Abroad? Try These 6 Countries in 2025 By Shruti Bansal Here are six of the most attractive countries offering relatively accessible work-visa routes in 2025, based on streamlined systems, demand for skilled labor, digital nomad options, and favorable policies: The Express Entry and Global Talent Stream offer expedited processing (often within two weeks) for in-demand professionals in IT, healthcare, and trades Provincial Nominee Programmes also allow targeted recruitment. Work visas like the Essential Skills and Accredited Employer Work Visa are accessible, especially for those in professions on the skills shortage list Student Village As of June 23, 2025, Indian degree-holders can bypass qualification assessments, speeding up processing. 2. New Zealand Implemented a po ints-based system from 2023–24, making it easier for skilled workers (engineers, IT, healthcare) to migrate The new system accelerates permit issuance for high-skilled applicants. 3. Germany The long-term Golden Visa offers 5–10 year residency without a local sponsor. A new route allows skilled Indians to apply via nomination and a one-time fee of Rs23 lakh (~US $30 k) The UAE ranks #2 globally for digital nomad appeal, thanks to fast policies, connectivity, and infrastructure. 4. United Arab Emirates (UAE) The Graduate Route allows students to work post-study, and skilled-worker routes remain open. However, major changes to Skilled Worker visa rules—including salary thresholds and digital processing—come into effect on July 22, 2025, affecting eligibility. Still remains a strong destination for tech, healthcare, and engineering talent. 5. United Kingdom Offers multiple attractive pathways: Digital Nomad (D7/D8) visas, plus investor or fund-based Golden Visas Note: Traditional Golden Visa backlog has grown significantly—with 50,000+ pending and delays projected into 2030—it's best for fund or job-creation routes now . 6. Portugal
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
From student to permanent resident: How international graduates in Canada can transition to PR
International students in Canada are increasingly seeking permanent residency through programs like Express Entry and the Post-Graduation Work Permit. These pathways offer a structured transition, requiring graduates to gain Canadian work experience and meet specific criteria. Maintaining an updated Express Entry profile and understanding eligibility requirements are crucial for success in this achievable path to PR. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Also Read: Canada to introduce new permanent residency route in 2025 Also Read: Canada updates minimum fund requirements for Express Entry applicants Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Gaining more skilled Canadian work experience Retaking language tests for higher scores Completing a higher level of education Obtaining a valid job offer in Canada Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads International students studying in Canada are increasingly exploring permanent residency (PR) pathways after graduation. With structured routes like the Express Entry system, Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP) and various provincial nomination options, transitioning from student status to permanent residence has become a strategic process for many global learners in which hosts over 8,00,000 international students, as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada , offers some of the world's most accessible immigration pathways through education-to-PR policies. For international students, who make up the largest group of enrolees in Canada, understanding these options early is key to long-term from eligible Canadian designated learning institutions (DLIs) can apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, which allows them to stay and work in Canada for up to three years, depending on the duration of their academic work experience becomes a vital qualification when applying for PR under programs like the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).To apply for permanent residency as a skilled worker, graduates must create an Express Entry profile through their IRCC secure account. Once in the pool, candidates are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points based on education, language proficiency, age, Canadian work experience, and other entering the pool is the first step, only the highest-ranking candidates are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during periodic draws. It is important to note that creating a profile does not guarantee an regularly encourages the candidates to boost their CRS score while in the pool by:Certain provinces actively recruit Express Entry candidates to fill local labour recently updated the settlement funds requirement, effective July 28, 2025, based on 50% of the low-income cut-off. Candidates must update their Express Entry profile to remain are also required to keep their profile up to date if they experience changes in marital status, work status, or education. Providing false information can result in disqualification, inadmissibility, or even a 5-year ban from with expired PGWPs can still remain in the Express Entry pool but must take legal steps to restore their status. IRCC advises that individuals must not work without authorization, as this may affect their eligibility for who do not restore their permits must leave Canada but may continue to be considered for PR while immigration model offers international graduates a realistic path to PR, combining academic credentials with skilled work experience. However, it requires proactive planning and a clear understanding of eligibility requirements and timelines.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Canada Express Entry: 356 foreigners invited for permanent residency
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 356 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) on July 7, 2025, in its latest Express Entry draw, inviting foreign skilled workers nominated by provinces to apply for permanent residency. This draw—exclusively for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) candidates—required a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 750. The cutoff marks an increase of 8 points from the previous PNP-specific draw held on June 23. Fewer invites, higher cutoff The rise in the CRS score is largely due to the smaller number of invitations issued. The draw used a tie-breaking rule of March 19, 2025 at 04:09:09 UTC, which means candidates with a score of 750 who submitted their profiles before that timestamp were prioritised. This was the 12th PNP-only draw of the year and brings the total number of Express Entry ITAs issued in 2025 to 42,201. July 7 Express Entry draw Category: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Date and time: July 7, 2025 Minimum CRS score: 750 Number of invitations: 356 Tie-breaking rule: March 19, 2025 at 04:09:09 UTC What is Express Entry? Express Entry is an online system Canada uses to manage permanent residency applications for skilled workers. It covers three federal immigration programmes: • Federal Skilled Worker Program • Federal Skilled Trades Program • Canadian Experience Class (CEC) PNP candidates, although nominated at the provincial level, are also processed through the Express Entry system, with an additional 600 CRS points awarded upon nomination. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers who have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in Canada within the past three years. This must be in occupations classified under TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3. Eligibility requirements: • Work experience must be legal and skilled, completed in Canada within the last 3 years • Language requirement: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1; CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 • No need to show proof of settlement funds • Must create an Express Entry profile 'Higher language scores and Canadian education can help push up your CRS score, which directly affects your chances of selection,' said Sonia Dhillon, a regulated immigration consultant based in Toronto. Express Entry draws held so far in 2025 • 12 for Provincial Nominee Program • 6 for Canadian Experience Class • 3 for French-language proficiency • 2 for healthcare and social services • 1 for education occupations What's new in Express Entry this year The Express Entry system has undergone some category-based updates in 2025. Education occupations have been added as a new priority, while the transport category (which included truck drivers and airline pilots) has been removed. Healthcare and social services now include new roles such as pharmacists and social workers. • French-language proficiency • Healthcare and social service occupations • Trades occupations • Education occupations
