BC PNP International Post-Graduate Stream

Immigrating to Canada via Study Visa Pathway? Your choice of school and program is crucial. Your Education Agent may connect you with their partner schools but only an experienced and authorized immigration consulting firm can pave for you the right way. 

In this post, we will talk about British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) International Post-Graduate Stream.

Express Entry Selection Invitation to Apply from New Brunswick

Remember the New Brunswick Information Session in Manila and Cebu that we posted here last month? Well, some of our clients attended the info session and just recently one of them received an Invitation to Apply!

Manitoba In-Demand Occupations List Update - July 2019

Manitoba's  In-demand Occupations List has been updated with information indicating whether some occupations will only be considered as in-demand under some streams.  It also adjusted the CLB requirements for some occupations to improve consistency across specific NOC group. Furthermore, some occupations have been removed from the list.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

If you have an Express Express Entry Profile and your current CRS Score is lower than 400 points, do you still have a chance to get selected? The answer is YES. And there are ways more than one to make this happen, one of which is via Alberta Express Entry Stream.

New Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program Effective April 2018

Consistent with Canada's goal to bring in up to 1 Million New Immigrants in the next 3 years, Provincial Governments are adjusting their respective Provincial Nominee Programs. Manitoba recently announced that effective April 2018, they will introduce new Manitoba Provincial Nominee Programs. The goal is to make it user friendly, to make it easy for the applicants.

OINP System Glitch - Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream

As of Nov 2, 2017, Ontario’s Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream is accepting new applications. If you have an active Express Entry Profile and you met the OINP Criteria, you should be receiving an invitation or Notification of Interest (NOI).

British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Tech Pilot (BC PNP Tech Pilot)

In order to address British Columbia's critical skills requirement for the province's technology sector, BC PNP recently launched BC PNP Tech Pilot.  This new BC PNP Stream will be targeting bot Internationally Trained Workers and International students who have completed their education in BC or anywhere in Canada.

To be eligible, applicant must have the experience and qualifications in any of the eligible occupations for the BC PNP Tech Pilot.  Applicants need a full-time, indeterminate (permanent, or with no set end date) job offer from an eligible B.C. employer.

Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-category is now open! | SINP EE Stream

If you are currently in the Express Entry Pool and you have experience in any of the following
SINP In-Demand Occupation List, consider applying to SINP EE Stream and do it NOW:

Summary of Provincial Nominee Program Express Entry Stream (PNP EE Stream)

If you are currently included in the Express Entry Pool and you are looking for ways to increase your ranking, PNP Express Entry is one of the ways to do it.

MPNP Skilled Worker Category Is Now Closed?

Because there are no Expression of Interest (EOI) draw since January 13, 2016, there is a rumor circulating around that the the MPNP Skilled Worker Category is already closed.  In fact, I received several emails about it asking if MPNP Skilled Worker Category Is Now Closed?.

SINP International Skilled Workers Without an Employment Offer | Cap Reached as of January 10, 2014

As of January 10, 2014, the intake threshold for International Skilled Worker applications without job offers has been reached.  The SINP will no longer accept applications that do not have a Job Approval letter and Job Offer attached.  This update was posted at SINP website today. 

This doesn't mean that you will no longer have the opportunity to live and work in Canada.  There are other immigration programs to legally live and work in Canada such as the Federal Skilled Workers Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Quebec Skilled Workers Program and other Provincial Nominee Programs.  If you have a friend or relative in Manitoba who is willing to endorse your application, you may be able to immigrate with your family.

Find out how you may be eligible.  Send resume to canada@proimmigrationadvisers.com or take our FREE Online Assessment.

Open Work Permit for FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot Applicant

If you are one of those invited to apply under Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) Program Backlog Reduction Pilot program and got a positive assessment from the province, you can now enter Canada earlier with an Open Work Permit.

Information about this option is availble  in Operational Bulletin 470 (Open Work Permit Requests from Provincial Nominees Identified Through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Backlog Reduction Pilot) 

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:      

1. The applicant must be a participant in the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot.     
2. The WP application must be accompanied by a letter of support from the nominating province that:         

- confirms the applicant is being nominated under the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot; and        
- indicates the WP will only be valid for work in the nominating province. 

A Labor Market Opinion (LMO) is not required for this program. 

Manitoba Affidavit of Support (MAS) Out, Settlement Plan In

If you are applying for Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), take note of this important changes.  MPNP has replaced the previous mail form Manitoba Affidavit of Support (MAS) with the Settlement Plan. Submitted MPNP applications with the old MAS form will continue to be accepted until October 1, 2012.


This Settlement Plan Form is not new for those applying under the MPNP Family Support Stream.  But for MPNP General Stream, this is new. 

Click here for the Settlement Plan Part 1, to be accomplished by the MPNP applicant.

Click here for the Settlement Plan Part 2, to be accomplisged by MPNP Supporter.

The Settlement Plan must be reviewed and endorsed by a friend or distant relative who has been living in Manitoba continuously for at least one year as Canadian citizen or permanent resident, who resides in the area to which you are destined and who is not currently supporting the settlement of another MPNP applicant, nominee, or person in another Canadian immigration program.

For MPNP General Stream, only one friend or distant relative is needed.  

DISCLAIMER
Information posted here at www.gatewaytocanada.com is not a legal advise.  Information about Canadian Visa Application is available for free at http://cic.gc.ca. If you want to hire a representative for your Canada Visa Application, please be informed that only Registered Immigration Consultants and Lawyers who are member and with good standing with Canadian Law Society, can represent you for a fee.

BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot

As promised, here's the additional information about BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot Project as mentioned in my Update on FSW Backlog Pilot blog post last week. This is a new stream under British Columbia - Provincial Nominee Program.

The criteria to be eligible under the BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot Project are:

1. You have intention to reside in British Columbia

2. You are not more than 50 years old on the date their application is received by the BC PNP.

3. You must demonstrate that he or she meets the minimum English language requirement by submitting a test report from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (General Training test only), or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) (General test only).

The minimum English language requirement is benchmark 6 or higher under the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (CLB) for each of the four skill areas (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

The CLB 6 equivalency scores for IELTS are:

Listening 5.5
Reading 5.0
Writing 5.5
Speaking 5.5

4. Intention to work in the following eligible occupations:

2131 - Civil Engineers
2132 - Mechanical Engineers
2133 - Electrical & Electronics Engineers
2231 - Civil Engineering Technologist and Technicians
2232 - Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
2234 - Construction Estimators
2241 - Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
2281 - Computer Equipment Operators, Network Operators & Web Technicians

5. Work Experience. Applicant must have a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent work experience obtained within the last five years that is directly related to employment in a qualifying occupation.

6. Education. Applicant must have completed at least 12 years of full-time equivalent formal education and must have the educational background required for employment in BC in the qualifying occupation.

7. Ability to Become Economically Established - Settlement Plan and Funds.

More information about BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot here. You must receive an invitation from Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa before you may apply under this pilot project.

Provincial Nominee Program Evaluation Result

Is Provincial Nominee Program really effective in attracting immigrants and solving Canada's labor shortage problem? According to the the results of the Provincial Nominee Program evaluation, it is.

Here's an excerpt from the speach deliveres by The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism ay a news conference to announce the results of the Provincial Nominee Program evaluation:

So today, I am pleased to announce that the results of the evaluation confirm the continuing need for the Provincial Nominee Program. Overall, it’s working well and is addressing local and regional labour market needs in the provinces and territories, attracting investment and contributing to population growth. The evaluation found that the majority of immigrants nominated by provinces and territories are establishing well economically, particularly those with knowledge of an official language, although there were differences in outcomes by province and territory and by stream within the PNP. [Source]

More iformation about the program - Provincial Nominee Program

Exploratory Visit to Manitoba

So you want to apply for MPNP Strategic Initiative? First, you need to plan for your exploratory visit to Manitoba.

An exploratory visit to Manitoba is an opportunity to discover Manitoba and to make a more informed decision about choosing Manitoba as an immigration destination in Canada.

Five steps to planning a successful exploratory visit from MPNP Website.

1. Research and learn as much as you can about Manitoba before you visit. The following websites will help you to find important information about employment opportunities, housing, education, cost of living and different Manitoba communities.

2. Review the criteria for exploratory visits to Manitoba described above and ensure that you are able to meet all the requirements.

3. Contact the MPNP office by e-mail at immigratemanitoba@gov.mb.ca at least two months before your visit to communicate your interest in undertaking an exploratory visit as well as your ability to meet all requirements. You should include a detailed resumé listing your education, training and work history as well as electronic copies of any additional documentation that could support your request.

4. The MPNP will provide you with a response by e-mail with one of the following responses:

We are unable to approve your request for an exploratory visit with an interview with MPNP at this time. OR

The MPNP is prepared to consider an interview with you, pending available resources. Please contact our office by e-mail at immigratemanitoba@gov.mb.ca and provide additional details of your visit.

5. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the proper travel documents required by the Government of Canada to visit this country. The MPNP will not provide you with a letter of invitation in order to obtain a visitor visa if required and cannot intervene on your behalf if your visa application is denied.

MPNP Strategic Iniative

If your occupation is not included in the list of priority occupations, you are unlikely eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program, unless you have an Arranged Employment. Finding an employer in Canada who is willing to sponsor you is not that easy.

One of the alternatives if you want to live and work in Canada is Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. There are many application streams available depending on your circumstances. If you have immediate relatives or two friends willing to sponsor you, you may be eligible!

What? You don't know anybody in Manitoba? No problem. There's MPNP Strategic Initiative available for you!

You could be eligible to apply under MPNP Strategic Initiative if you have been interviewed by a MPNP officer and received an invitation to apply as part of a targeted promotion and recruitment initiative or have been given an invitation to apply after participating in a pre-approved Exploratory Visit to Manitoba and had an interview with a MPNP officer.

You need to meet the following criteria for exploratory visits to Manitoba

1. You are between the ages of 21 to 49.

2. You have completed a minimum one-year post-secondary education or training program for which you received a diploma or certificate.

3. You have worked at least two years in the past five years in a full-time occupation and can demonstrate that you could be employable in Manitoba in that occupation within the first year of permanent residence in Canada.

4. You can demonstrate a minimum of six points in English or French based on the Manitoba PNP language grid and/or a minimum score of five on an IELTS.

5. The MPNP is satisfied that you do not have stronger ties to other provinces in Canada and have good potential to settle permanently in Manitoba.

6. You must contact the MPNP at least two months in advance to discuss the possibility of an exploratory visit.

7. The MPNP agrees before you arrive in Manitoba to have an interview with you during your exploratory visit.

For more information about MPNP Strategic Initiative, visit www.immigratemanitoba.com.

Too incomplete to be assessed | MPNP Application

It looks like that more and more MPNP applications are being returned because it's too incomplete to be assessed. I've been receiving emails from my blog readers asking about it. I actually encountered similar issue with one of my clients few months ago. The problem with this kind of refusal is that MPNP does not identify which documents are lacking.

Here's how the refusal letter looks like:



In my client's case, there is no way that it will be incomplete, considering that we kept a scanned copy of the application forms and supporting documents sent to Manitoba - every single pages of them. As to why is was classified to be TOO INCOMPLETE TO BE ASSESSED is a total mystery. The recourse here is to refile the application. But this is really not fair.

I hope Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is not ending soon like rumored earlier? But why are they refusing an application like they are no longer interested in accepting new applications? Do you have similar experience?

AINP on Hold (Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category)

Here's a not so good news for those planning to file an application under AINP Family Stream and and the U.S. Visa Holder Category.

The AINP is currently not accepting applications under the AINP U.S. Visa Holder Category and the AINP Family Stream. Applications postmarked after August 23, 2010 will be returned. Applications postmarked on or before August 23, 2010 will be accepted for processing and will be processed according to AINP Processing Times and U.S. Visa Holder Category or Family Stream criteria.

This is in response to current job market conditions in Alberta.

Effective immediately, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) will not accept new applications in the Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category. This change is temporary until further notice.

“Our focus needs to be on jobs for Albertans and Canadians first,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration. “We will continue to process applications for people who have the skills our growing economy needs.”

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program was first introduced to help Alberta build a strong workforce of skilled immigrants. In 2008 the Family Stream and the U.S. Visa Holder Category were added. Both these programs were very successful and have resulted in a large number of applications.

The federal government limits the number of people Alberta can nominate for permanent residence. In 2010 Alberta is allowed to nominate 5,000 people. With limited numbers, Alberta's focus will be on nominating people who currently work in permanent jobs and those who have job offers in occupations that are in demand in Alberta.

Alberta will continue to accept immigration applications in the following areas:

Skilled workers

Semi-skilled workers in certain occupations

International students

Compulsory trades

Engineering occupations; and

Self-employed farmers.

Source: Alberta puts two immigration programs on hold

Refused MPNP application

One of my blog readers asked for remedy to her refused Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) which she filed a couple of years ago. Her application was refused because she wasn't given points for adaptability factor.

Here's the reason provided by Manitoba Immigrations:

Application Guidelines clearly state (page 19 of the Application Kit) that Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) may refuse an application if the Program Officer is not satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated sufficient settlement supports from close relatives, distant relatives or friends with clearly established ties to the province and to the applicant. In your case, you were unable to establish ties to Manitoba are stronger than the ties to have to another Province in Canada where your brother resides. You have therefore been unable to demonstrate your intention to establish in Canada.

The applicant may make an appeal for review within 60 days. However, this would really be a tough case.