Canada Express Entry starts 2019 off with a bang! The first Express Entry draw of 2019 issued 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence, setting the new record for the largest first draw ever. If this is any indication of the year to come, we can expect a truly memorable year for the Canadian Express Entry system.

What Is the Canadian Express Entry System?

The Canadian Express Entry system was introduced to hasten the application process for those who would like to immigrate to Canada. Our country is in great need of Skilled Workers and the Express Entry system streamlines this process, allowing candidates to come to Canada in as little as 6 months.

The Express Entry system manages the pool of candidates of Canada’s three Federal Immigration Programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

If you would like to be considered for fast processing under Express Entry, you will need to create an online Express Entry profile. During this process, you will be asked a series of questions relating to your age, education background, work experience, language skils, ability to adapt to Canadian life and more. Your answers to these questions will determine your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is used to determine your rank in the pool of candidates. During regular Express Entry draws (typically every two weeks), candidates with the highest ranking CRS scores are issued ITAs for Canadian permanent residence.

Once you receive an ITA, you are given 60 days to submit your complete application for Canadian permanent residence.

Latest Canada Express Entry Draw

Now that you know more about the Express Entry system, let’s dig into the details of the first Express Entry draw of 2019.

The minimum CRS score of the latest draw was 449. This means that candidates who meet the requirements for one of the Federal Economic Programs and have CRS score of 449 or above were issued ITAs.

The tie-break rule was used and the time stamp chosen was January 2,2019 at 11:40:53 UTC. The tie-break rule is used when there are multiple candidates who meet the minimum CRS score of a particular draw but there are not enough ITAs available for all of them. In this case, candidates who entered the Express Entry pool first are given priority over those who entered their profile later. Candidates with a minimum score of 449 who entered their profile into the pool before January 2,2019 at 11:40:53 UTC were all issued ITAs.

The following are hypothetical examples of the kind of profiles that received an ITA in the first Canada Express Entry draw of 2019.

Jennifer is a 29-year-old high school teacher with 6 years of work experience in her field. She has a bachelor's degree in education and also holds a postgraduate degree in high school education. She scored an 8 on all four categories - reading, listening, speaking and writing - of the IELTS test. Her CRS score is 474 which would have resulted in her receiving an ITA.

John is a 28-year-old analyst and his wife Jane is a programmer. Both John and Jane have 5 years of work experience in their field. Either of them have ever worked or studied in Canada but they hold bachelor degrees from their home country. John scored an 8 in all categories of IELTS and Jane scored a 7. John is the principal applicant and his CRS score is 453.

Canada’s latest multi-year immigration plan revealed that 1.3 million immigrants will be welcomed into the country by 2021. To meet this great target, 2019 will see larger quotas for all the Canadian immigration programs. The admission target for Canada’s Federal Economic Programs in 2019 is currently set at 81,400, 6500 higher than last year.

We firmly believe that Express Entry draws will be even larger than the first draw of the year so that Canada can meet their immigration targets. Looking at trends from previous years, we know that draws normally become bigger as the year progresses. Given that draws never exceeded 3,900 last year, 2019 looks to be a pretty exciting year for Express Entry.

How to Get Your Own ITA

The best piece of advice we can give you is to improve your CRS score. The Canadian immigration system is merit-based, meaning skilled workers with the highest CRS scores will be rewarded with ITAs. Make sure your application is the best it can be with our expert help. But before you apply, let’s first make sure you qualify for Canadian immigration with our comprehensive online evaluation system.

The Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was one of the standout immigration programs of 2018. Thanks to the PNP, 55,000 newcomers became permanent residents of Canada last year. This is the highest number of nominations since the program was first created in 1996. With even larger immigration targets for the coming years, what can we expect from PNPs in 2019? These 4 Canadian Provincial Nominee Program improvements for 2019 are sure to have a great impact on the new year.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program?

For those of you who are not familiar with the program, we’ll have a quick explanation before we get on to the improvements. The PNP is a provincial and territorial specific Canadian immigration program that is shaped by the particular needs of a province or territory. In brief, it is a program that allows a province or territory to invite people who possess the skills and experience needed in the area to come live and work there.

Each province and territory has their own PNP that is on the lookout for the right candidates to come and work in Canada. If, for instance, Ontario is in great need of teachers, then there will be a stream foreign teachers can follow to immigrate to Ontario through the province’s PNP program.

Admissions to the PNP program are expected to grow to 61,000 this year and will continue well into 2021. This exponential growth is in part as a result of the immense popularity of the program and its efficacy in bringing over the right skilled workers to Canada.

Please remember that if you receive a Provincial Nomination from a province, you must commit to living and working there. You cannot move to another province for quite some time.

Now that you are all familiar with the Canadian Provincial Nominee Program, let’s talk about the improvements for 2019.

1 - Ontario Drops Minimum CRS Score

Ontario was the frontrunner for nominations in 2018. With an initial allocation of 6,600 nominations, a total of 6,850 nominations were issued by the end of the year. 2019 will be an even bigger year for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), as the province requested an even larger allocation of 7,600 nominations this year.

The great change that will likely help to meet this great target is that the OINP no longer has a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirement for Express Entry candidates. Previously, you needed to have a minimum CRS score of 400 to be considered for a nomination.

From now on, the minimum score will rather be determined based off of the province’s current needs. In other words, the CRS requirement will drop so as to let candidates, who possess the right skills and experience, qualify for the program. This revision will ensure that the right candidates will make the move to Ontario.

We have already seen this change in action in 2018. A draw for the Human Capital Priorities Stream dropped to a low of 350 for candidates who had a job offer in Ontario. Having a job offer is not an official requirement for the stream, but it does prioritize your case.

2 - New Express Entry-Linked Streams

2018 saw the introduction of Manitoba, Alberta and Nova Scotia’s new Express Entry-linked Provincial Nominee Program streams. Now every province and territory of Canada has at least one Express-Entry linked program.

Manitoba’s Express Entry Stream

Manitoba’s new Express Entry Stream invited 1,155 candidates to apply for a provincial nomination in 2018 across seven draws. The Stream works similarly to the actual Express Entry system as both use an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. If you are an Express Entry candidate that is interested in immigrating to Manitoba, you will first have to create a seperate EOI profile with the Manitoba PNP.

Qualifying candidates are ranked against each other based on the score of their EOI profile. Those with the highest ranking scores will be issued invitations to apply for a provincial nomination.

Alberta’s Express Entry Stream

The Albertan Express Entry Stream uses a Notification of Interest (NOI) system, which is slightly different than the EOI process. Through this stream, the Alberta Nominee Program searches through the Express Entry pool for candidates who have a CRS score of at least 300 points and who have working experience in an occupation that meets Alberta’s current labour and economic needs.

If you are interested in this stream take note of the following prioritized cases.

• Candidates with a job offer or work experience in Alberta;
• Candidates with a tertiary qualification from a Canadian institution; and
• Candidates with a child or sibling living in Alberta

Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities Stream

The Labour Market Priorities Stream is Nova Scotia’s third Express Entry linked stream. As the name implies, this stream allows the Nova Scotia Nominee Program to nominate candidates who have work experience in a profession in great need in Nova Scotia’s labour market to apply for a provincial nomination. Candidates are chosen directly from the Express Entry pool.

There was only one draw for this stream in 2018 and it is expected to enjoy more popularity in 2019. The draw targeted those with work experience in early childhood education, remember this will change depending on the kind of work that is needed in the province.

3 - Saskatchewan Adopts EOI System

Saskatchewan switched their Express Entry and Occupation In-Demand streams to an EOI system in 2018, which has led to more frequent draws in 2018. Since the swap, Saskatchewan has held a draw at least once a month.

Like other EOI systems, for instance Alberta’s EOI system discussed above, candidates are entered into a pool wherein they are ranked against other candidates based on a list of factors, including age, language ability, work experience etc. Those with the highest ranking scores get issued an Invitation to Apply for a provincial nomination.

4 - Prince Edward Island Takes Initiative

Unlike other EOI systems, Prince Edward Island will contact you even before you have submitted your EOI profile! Clearly, they are very eager to find candidates who can potentially address the labour market needs of the province through their unique Canadian Provincial Nomination Program.

These four improvements to the Canadian Provincial Nomination Program are making it easier to immigrate to Canada. 2019 will be a great year for PNPs and we are sure the government’s 2019 target of 61,000 will quickly be met. If you would to make the move to Canada in 2019, you should start as soon as possible. That’s where we come in. We can make the process even easier. Simply sign up for our services today.

Canada will welcome over a million newcomers by 2021 according to the latest immigration targets. Each year will see a greater number of immigrants into the country than the last. Canadian immigration in 2019 will start this process and as of last week it has begun. Both Saskatchewan and British Columbia held their first draws of the year together issuing 251 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

Saskatchewan Invites 90 Entrepreneurs in First Draw of 2019

Saskatchewan's Entrepreneur Stream breaks in the new year by issuing 90 invitations to apply to candidates who would to purchase, manage or start a business in Canada. The draw was held on the 3rd of January and the lowest scoring candidate had 115 points on the assessment grid.

How to Apply for the Saskatchewan Immigration Entrepreneur Stream

If you would like to start a business in Saskatchewan and immigrate to the province, you will have to follow a lengthy and somewhat complicated process. In brief, the three steps of the application process involve an expression of interest, invitation to submit application and a nomination.

To succeed with your expression of interest you will have to have:

• A net worth of at least $500,000;
• At least three years of experience as an entrepreneur or manager; and
• If you plan to make your investment in Regina or Saskatoon, you must invest at least $300,000. If you are outside of this area, you will only need to make an investment of $200,000

Once you have submitted your expression of interest, you will be given a score based on Saskatchewan's selection criteria. The top scoring candidates will be invited to submit an application during a Saskatchewan immigration draw. Entrepreneur stream draws are typically held every three months, but as of 2019, draws will take place at least every two months.

After receiving your invitation, you will have to submit your application, which must include the following:

• A Business Establishment Plan, which serves as confirmation of the figures mentioned your expression of interest. It must also include at least a third of ownership of a company in Saskatchewan;
• A commitment to have an active role in the daily management of the business;
• Creation of at least two jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents if the business is located in Regina or Saskatoon

British Columbia Immigration Issues 151 Invitations to Apply!

British Columbia leads the charge for Canadian immigration in 2019, issuing 151 invitations to apply for permanent residence to deserving candidates. The 2nd of January draw was held across five streams of British Columbia’s Provincial Nominee Program.

The draw targeted skilled workers and international graduates. Some entry level and semi skilled candidates were also issued invitations to apply. The minimum score for skilled workers was 85 through both the direct provincial and express entry streams. 95 was the minimum score needed for international graduates and entry level and semi-skilled workers only needed 68.

Why Apply for a Provincial Nomination?

Securing a Provincial Nomination nets you an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for the Canada Express Entry system. 600 points will essentially guarantee you a spot in the next Express Entry draw, which is your fast track option to Canadian immigration.

To secure a Provincial Nomination you must have the background and skillset a particular province or territory needs. For this reason every province and territory has their own set of requirements based off of their particular needs, which change over time. You will need to stay up to date with Canadian immigration trends and news to earn a nomination. Keep your eyes on our blog and we will keep you informed about everything you need to know about Provincial Nomination Programs and more.

Where to Start?

If you would like to immigrate to Canada, we possess the skills to get you there. Our expert team of RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) have personal experience with the Canadian immigration system having moved to Canada through the system themselves. For this reason they are the perfect team to get you to Canada.

Sign up for our services today to get started on your move to Canada. Make Canadian immigration 2019 work for you!

The Canadian Express Entry system continues to be the most popular route to Canada. 2018 was a record breaking year issuing more invitations to apply for permanent residence than ever before, in fact, a staggering 86,000 newcomers were welcomed into Canada thanks to the Express Entry system. So what’s in store for 2019? Will we see another broken record or will the numbers stay the same? In this article we will reveal 5 Express Entry Canada tips you will need to know for successful immigration in 2019.

What is Express Entry?

Immigration is a time consuming process no matter who you are or to what country you plan on moving to. For this reason, Canada started the Express Entry system in 2015 to hasten and simplify the process.

If you are a skilled worker, you can now apply for one of Canada’s Federal Economic programs through Express Entry. The first step is making your online Express Entry profile. During this time you will be given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on several factors, including your age, language ability, work experience, educational background and more.

Candidates with the highest ranking scores get issued Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws held by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to complete your full application for Canadian immigration.

1 - Greater Targets Greater Competition

2019 will see even larger immigration targets for Canada than any other year as part of the country’s great immigration plan of 2019-2021. Specifically the target for Express Entry admissions is set at 81,400, 6,500 more than 2018. Your first reaction might be that your chance to immigrate to Canada in 2019 will be better because of this great target; however, that may not be the case.

If Canada needs more newcomers through Express Entry, it is likely that we will see a drop in the CRS score required to qualify for a particular draw. A drop in CRS means more candidates will qualify for immigration, making the competition for ITAs more stiff between candidates. If you would like to overcome this obstacle, you should follow our second tip below.

2 - High CRS Scores Still The Way Forward

Canadian immigration is a merit-based system and as explained above, this merit is determined by your CRS score. The higher your CRS score the more likely you will be selected in the Express Entry draw. Therefore, you will have boost your CRS score as much as possible if you would like to call Canada home in 2019.

There are several ways you can improve your CRS score, for instance you can retake your IELTS test or you can study further. Some factors are unfortunately out of your control, like your age. Our team of RCICs will help you improve your CRS score by giving you personal advice based off of your unique profile. Our expertise could be what you need to make your application a success.

3 - Biometrics Are a Must

As of 2019, Biometrics are a must for anyone who would like to immigrate to Canada. Simply put, Biometrics are a new method of identification Canada uses to make sure you are who you say you are. It sounds more complex than it really is. In essence all you need to do is give your fingerprints and you will have to have your portrait taken.

For more information about Biometrics, you can watch this informative video.

4 - Provinces And Territories Have Their Own Express Entry Categories

Apart from the main Federal Economic Programs you can apply for through the Express Entry system, each Province and Territory of Canada has their own Express Entry category as of 2018. It is essential that you familiarize yourself with each of them because you may qualify for one of them eliminating the competition of the larger Express Entry pool from which candidates are chosen.

Some provinces even have multiple Express Entry categories.

5 - What the Election Year Could Mean for Immigration

2019 is an election year for our country. Meaning the time is coming for us to decide if Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gets to serve a second term in office. As we all know by now one of Trudeau’s main platforms is his openness to immigration. Thanks to him we have seen a great influx of skilled workers entering Canada.

The conservatives of Canada do not look as kindly on the matter of immigration. In 2018, Quebec voted for François Legault the leader of the CAQ conservative party in the provincial by-elections. Following his coming into power, Quebec lowered their immigration targets for the coming years.

This wave of conservatism makes us wonder what could happen to immigration in Canada following the next elections. One thing is for sure, now is the perfect time to get your application started. Follow our 5 Express Entry tips for success.

There we have it! The Canadian Express Entry record of 2017 has been broken with the latest draw of 2018. The latest Express Entry draw brings with it quite a few surprises that are definitely worth taking note of. If you would like to immigrate to Canada within 6 months this is the immigration system for you. Learn more about the latest draw so that you can secure your spot in the next draws of 2019.

Breakdown of the Latest Express Entry Draw

The draw was held on 19 December, 2018, merely a week after the previous draw of December 12. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System Score (CRS) needed to be selected in the draw was only 439! If you are not amazed by this low figure, you should be. This is the lowest CRS score of the entire year!

Yet another 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada have been issued. This continues the trend of the last few draws of 2018. This brings the total number of ITAs issued in 2018 to a staggering 89,800, thus breaking the record number 86,023 ITAs of 2017.

As per usual, the tie break rule was used in the latest draw. All candidates with a CRS score of more than 439 and candidates with a CRS score equal to 439 who entered their profiles into the Express Entry pool before February 6 2018 at 19:31:37 UTC, received ITAs.

The following are hypothetical examples of the kind of profiles that let candidates receive ITAs in the latest draw.

Jonathan is a 27-year-old IT specialist who has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. He is unmarried and decided to immigrate to Canada. He has four years of work experience in Australia but he has never worked in Canada. He scored an 8 on all categories of the IELTS test. This brings his CRS score to 441, enough to receive an ITA in the latest draw.

Maria is a 33-year-old teacher who has been teaching in New Zealand for the past eight years. She is married and is fluent in English. Her tertiary education included a post graduate degree in child psychology. She has never worked in Canada but would like to make the move to the country as soon as possible. Her CRS score is 452.

Mohammed is a 29-year-old engineer from Saudi Arabia. He is married and has 6 years of work experience. He scored an eight for his IELTS test in all categories whereas his wife scored sevens. He has a postgraduate degree and has never worked in Canada. His CRS score is 440.

How Does the Express Entry System Work?

2018 has seen the most ITAs issued to deserving candidates than any other year since the Express Entry system first started.

The Express Entry was established in 2015 to hasten the processing of immigration applications. The system manages the pool of candidates for Canada’s three main Federal Skilled economic immigration programs the Skilled Trades Class, Skilled Worker Class and Canadian Experience Class.

The success and popularity of the Express Entry system is largely thanks to the shorter processing time of 6 months meaning successful candidates can immigrate to Canada in under 6 months!

If you interested in immigrating to Canada, this is how the system works. First, you need to create an online Express Entry profile by answering some questions about your background, like your age, work experience, language ability, education etc. Once you have answered all these questions, you will be assigned a CRS score which determines your rank in the Express Entry pool. Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to be selected in an Express Entry draw. There are several ways you can improve your CRS score, so do not worry if yours is below the average minimum CRS cut off point.

If you are selected in a draw, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. You will have 60 days to complete your application so act quickly! Once your application is approved, you can pack your bags for Canada.

This is What We Offer You

We take all the hassle and fuss out of the Canadian immigration process to make the journey easy for you. Once you sign up with us, the first step will be getting evaluated. There are over 70 immigration programs in Canada and we will comb through them to find the perfect one for you. Simply sign up today and we will get started on your application.

The latest Express Entry draw 2018 issues 3,900 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence in Canada. Now there are only 124 ITAs standing between 2018 and the record number of ITAs issued in 2017. There is still time for another draw before we see the end of this year, meaning 2018 may be the record breaking year we have been hoping for. FInd out more about the latest Express Entry draw 2018 right here and learn what it could mean for your application.

Latest Express Entry Draw 2018 Continues 3,900 ITAs Trend

The 106th Express Entry draw 2018 held on the 12th of December issued yet another 3,900 ITAs to eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool. This brings the total number of ITAs issued in 2018 to a staggering total of 85,900, just 124 away from breaking 2017’s record of 86,023.

The latest Express Entry draw had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) of 445, which is the same minimum score of the last draw held on the 28th of November. The tie-break rule was used in the latest draw, meaning candidates who had a CRS score of 445 or higher and who entered their completed Express Entry profile into the Express Entry pool before November 28, 2018 at 09:51:43 UTC, received an ITA.

The tie-break rule is used in the situation where a quota for a draw has been set but there are too many candidates who have a CRS score matching the minimum cut off score. In this case, IRCC will issue ITAs to candidates who entered the Express Entry pool first. This is the only scenario where the Express Entry system uses a first-come-first-served model to issue ITAs. The majority of 2018’s draws implemented this rule, so it is really important for you to complete your Express Entry profile as soon as possible to improve your chances of earning Canadian permanent residence.

To illustrate how the tie-break rule works read the following hypothetical scenario:

Sarah and Tim both have a CRS score of 445. There are two spots left in the draw and the minimum CRS score has been set at 445, meaning either Sarah or TIm must get the ITA. Sarah entered her profile into the pool on the 27th of November whereas Tim entered his on the 29th of the same month. So who gets the ITA? Sarah of course! This is because she entered the pool before Tim did.

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds an Express Entry draw round about every two weeks, meaning there is a chance that there will be another draw before 2018 ends. This time last year, IRCC had issued 83,273 ITAs, in other words, 2018 has already surpassed ITA numbers of 2017. So what stands in its way to break the record?

How Does the Express Entry System Work?

The Express Entry system manages immigration applications for the pool of candidates who qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, Canadian Experience class and some subcategories of the Provincial Nomination Programs.

Candidates who meet the requirements of one of these programs must create an online Express Entry profile if they would like to immigrate to Canada. When they make their profile, they will have to answer a series of questions relating to their age, language ability, work experience etc. The answers to these questions will determine their CRS score.

Once they have completed their profile and they have been assigned CRS scores, their profiles will be entered into the Express Entry pool of candidates where they are ranked against each other based on their CRS scores. The profiles with the highest CRS score stand the best chance at immigrating to Canada.

If you are struggling to build up your CRS score, get familiar with the various Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs). PNPs allow the provinces and territories of Canada to nominate candidates who possess the skills and experience needed in the province or territory to immigrate to Canada.

All the provinces and territories of Canada who have a PNP have at least one subcategory linked to the Express Entry system. Candidates who receive a provincial nomination earn 600 points towards their CRS score, essentially guaranteeing them a spot in the next Express Entry draw.

It has recently been revealed that more and more candidates who receive an ITA had a provincial nomination. This makes sense seeing as IRCC is bolstering quotas for admissions through PNPs for 2019 to 2021. 2019 will likely see 61,000 candidates immigrate to Canada through PNPs and this number is expected to rise to 71,300 by 2021, a near 30 percent increase of 2018’s target.

Apply for Canadian Immigration With MDC

If you would like to call Canada home in 2019, you should start your immigration application now. Our team of RCICs (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants) will make the entire process easier and more cost effective for you. With our team working on your application, you can relax while experts ensure your application is completed and delivered error-free and on time. Improve your chances of immigrating to Canada - sign up for our services today!

Did you know you can bring your family to Canada once you become a permanent resident of the country? Many people make the move to Canada through one of several immigration programs aimed at bringing over skilled workers. The problem is that their family doesn’t necessarily possess the same skill set that made them desirable in the first place, which results in families becoming separated.

Thankfully, Canada cares about family reunification! The government has created several family sponsorship programs to help bring families together in the country. One such program that enjoys immense popularity is the Parents and Grandparents Program, which is about to reopen for 2019 applications.

If you are interested in family sponsorship programs, it is important that you become familiar with the new and improved Parents and Grandparents of 2019. Learn how you can bring your family to Canada right here.

What Is the Parents and Grandparents Program?

As the name implies, the Parents and Grandparents program is a family reunification program that allows you to sponsor your parents or grandparents for permanent residency in Canada. The program was first created in 2014 to address the problem of families becoming separated due to immigration.

Imagine being offered the job of your dreams in Canada, but you can’t accept it because you have family obligations to take care of your retired parents. Unfortunately, this story plays out quite often. You can avoid this scenario by becoming a sponsor and bringing your parents to Canada through the Parents and Grandparents program.

Canada cares about the future of their economy, which is why they want skilled workers to immigrate into their borders. They want to make the journey as easy for you and your family as possible. Think about it, both parties benefit. You get the opportunity to work in a world-class economy with high paying jobs and Canada benefits from the work you do!

Problems With the Parents and Grandparents Program

Clearly, the program is attractive to many permanent residents who want to reunite with their families. Every year hundreds of thousands of applications for the program are submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), but the country cannot accept all of them. Seeing as the issue of family reunification is an emotional one, the selection process must be one based on fairness - a concept IRCC has struggled with since the program’s inception.

In 2017, IRCC adopted a lottery system to select applicants for the Parents and Grandparents program. Minister of Immigration, Ahmed Hussen, referred to this strategy as the most fair option because it considers all applications equally. Naturally, leaving things up to chance led to some serious difficulties.

First off, it was impossible to know if you will ever be selected for the program. Tens of thousands of applications are submitted every year while quotas remain quite low in comparison. In 2017, for instance, about a 100,000 entries were made for the first intake but only 10,000 were selected. The remaining applicants were left waiting for the next intake where they had to compete with even more applicants for the luck of the draw.

Second, anyone could enter the pool of candidates. Seeing as the requirements for the program were quite easy to satisfy, many people qualified even if they were not serious candidates. Thus, it was impossible to know if the selected candidates would actually submit completed applications.

Third, there was a large drop-off from lottery selection to complete application, Related to the previous point, many applicants did not complete applications once they were selected for the program by IRCC. Of the 10,000 selected candidates in the first intake of 2017, only a few thousand actually submitted applications. Thus, quotas for the program were difficult to meet.

Fourth, the software the lottery system used was outdated. It was revealed that Excel was used to select candidates for the program, software, which experts believe, can easily be manipulated.

Clearly, the approach was not as fair as IRCC had hoped.

What Is New in 2019?

The Parents and Grandparents program of 2019 will be a welcome departure of the lottery system of 2018 and 2017. It has been confirmed that 2019 will follow a first-come-first-served system to select candidates for the program.

Another great aspect of 2019 is that the quota has been increased to 20,000 from 17,000 in 2018. This new target comes directly from IRCC’s recent announcement of immigration levels for 2019-2021. According to this report we will see a greater number of immigrants being welcomed into Canada in all the different immigration categories.

Do I Qualify as a Sponsor?

So now that you know more about the program, you must be wondering about how you can become a sponsor?

How to Apply for the Parents and Grandparents Program

The program is currently closed because quotas were met earlier in 2018. You can expect it to open for applications in January of 2019. Seeing as the new system follows a first-come-first-served approach, you will have to get your documents to immigration officials as fast as possible. Once you have been selected for the Parents and Grandparents program, you will have 90 days to submit your complete application for Canadian permanent residence through family sponsorship.

This is why you need the help of a professional like MDC. We will ensure that your documentation is correct and delivered in the fastest possible time. The Parents and Grandparents program is time-sensitive, so sign up for our services today and we will get your application through the door as soon as possible.

We are nearly mid-way through December and Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian PR (permanent residence) continue to be issued to deserving candidates. The first week of Provincial Nominations have already issued 1,130 ITAs, making December a month worth watching. British Columbia and Saskatchewan are leading the way with their latest draws. Learn how you can secure a nomination in the following Canadian immigration programs right here.

Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) Issues 743 ITAs

The SINP continues to impress, issuing 743 ITAs for Canadian PR during their latest draw held on 6 December 2018. This brings the total number of ITAs issued by the SINP to 4,080 since adopting the Expression of Interest (EOI) system in July 2018.

The EOI system works similar to the Express Entry system in that candidates must create an online profile detailing their educational background, work experience, age, language ability and more. Once the profile is complete, you are assigned a score. If you have 60 points or more, you will be entered into a pool of candidates where you will be ranked against each other based on your scores. The highest ranked candidates are then selected for Canadian PR if they meet the requirement of a particular stream of the SINP during regular draws.

532 ITAs Go to Occupation In-Demand Candidates

The majority of invitations, 532, went to candidates who qualified for the Occupation In-Demand subcategory of the SINP. The minimum score candidates needed to receive an ITA was 61. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Occupation In-Demand subcategory, it is designed for skilled workers who do not have a job offer in Saskatchewan but are proficient in an in-demand occupation of the province.

The in-demand occupations include agricultural managers, land surveyors, psychiatrists, medical laboratory technologists, medical radiation technologists, paramedics, psychologists, community service workers, early childhood educators, meat cutters, mechanics, welders etc.

If you would like to apply for the Occupation In-Demand subcategory you will need to have work experience in one of the occupations mentioned above during the last 10 years. You will also need to have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of 4, a tertiary qualification and enough funds to settle in the province.

211 ITAs Issued to Express Entry Subcategory Candidates

211 ITAs were issued to candidates who qualified for Saskachewan’s Express Entry subcategory. Candidates also needed to have a minimum score of 61 to receive an ITA.

The requirements for this subcategory are the same as Occupation In-Demand discussed above. However, you will also need to have completed a valid Express Entry profile and you should be entered into the Express Entry pool.

The great thing about earning a provincial nomination is that you score 600 points towards your Comprehensive Ranking System Score (CRS) which essentially guarantees you a spot in the Express Entry draw for Canadian PR.

Latest British Columbia Draw Issues 387 ITAs Across Several PNP Streams

British Columbia had a particularly busy week, issuing 387 ITAS across five Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. It was not revealed how many candidates were issued ITAs out of each stream.

Minimum Score of 85 for Skilled Worker and Skilled Worker Express Entry Streams

Candidates who qualified for the Skilled Worker or Skilled Worker Express Entry Streams of the British Columbia PNP needed to have a minimum score of 85 to receive an ITA. Candidates must also have a job offer for a full-time position in an occupation that fits the National Occupational Classification skill type 0, A or B. You must have at least two years of relevant work experience, the required language ability and enough money to support you and your dependents in the province.

Minimum Score of 95 for International Graduate and International Graduate Express Entry Streams

If you qualified for the International Graduate or International Graduate Express Entry stream and had a minimum score of 95 or more you would have received an ITA for Canadian PR. To qualify for the International Graduate Category, you must have graduated from an eligible Canadian university or college within the last three years and you must have a job offer from a British Columbian employer.

Minimum Score of 68 for Entry Level and Semi Skilled Stream

Candidates who qualify for the Entry Level and Semi Skilled Stream only needed 68 points to receive an ITA. This stream is designed for candidates who have positions in entry level or semi-skilled professions in tourism, hospitality, food processing or long-haul trucking. If you are living or working in the Northeast Development Region of British Columbia in an entry level or semi-skilled position, you can also qualify for this stream.

It’s nearly the end of 2018 so it is time to start thinking about where you would like to be in the following year. If the answer is Canada, we recommend you start your application as soon as possible. 2019 promises to be another exciting for Canadian immigration with even higher immigration targets than 2018. Make sure you get a spot in Canada in 2019 with our help. Start today!

530 Candidates are set to call Manitoba home after the latest Expression of Interest (EOI) draw. Invitations to apply for a provincial nomination were issued to individuals in the province’s Skilled Workers and Skilled Worker Overseas Stream. There was also an unspecified number of ITAs issued to Express Entry candidates linked to the Skilled Worker Overseas Stream.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Manitoba, you will be surprised to find out that it is the first province to have it’s own immigration program, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). The MPNP has been so successful that Manitoba has become the fastest growing population in all of Canada. Since the MPNP’s inception in 1998, 130,000 immigrants have been welcomed into its borders. 2019 will see a further 13,000 newcomers into Manitoba! Commenting on the recent influx of newcomers, Ben Rempel, Minister of Immigration had this to say:

Manitoba is becoming more and more popular among newcomers as it is also much cheaper than living in the big cities of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. If you want to immigrate to Canada, Manitoba could be just for you. Learn everything you need to know about Manitoba immigration to receive your very own ITA right here!

Skilled Worker Stream Issues 213 ITAs

Manitoba’s Skilled Worker Stream issues 213 Invitations to Apply for provincial nomination in the most recent draw. Candidates needed to have a minimum score of 375 in addition to meeting the following requirements.

Skilled Worker Overseas Stream Issues 317 ITAs

The Skilled Worker Overseas Stream issued 317 ITAs to eligible candidates. Seeing as this stream has two pathways, ITAs were spread amongst the Express Entry and Human Capital pathway. It was not revealed how many candidates were specifically invited in each pathway. The minimum score needed was 596.

The requirements for the two pathways are quite similar so we will discuss them together.

* Only for the Express Entry Pathway

** Only for the Human Capital Pathway

If you are an Express Entry candidate who is interested in Manitoba immigration, you must register for an EOI profile with the MPNP. The great thing about receiving a provincial nomination through this system is that it scores you 600 points towards your Comprehensive System Ranking, basically guaranteeing you spot in the next Express Entry draw.

Manitoba immigration continues to have one of the most popular and successful Provincial Nominee Programs of all Canadian provinces. In fact, three new PNPs have just recently opened up for international students who want to make Canada their new home.

If you are interested in moving to Canada, Manitoba could be just the right place for you. In fact, they may be looking for people just like you! So sign up for our services today and we will get started on your immigration application as soon as possible. Find out if you can call Canada your home too.

Applications for the International Experience Class (IEC), Canada Working Holiday Visa program are now open for admissions for 2019. If you have have ever wanted to work and live in Canada on a temporary basis, this program could be perfect for you. Learn more about the program and how to apply for it right here.

What Is The International Experience Class?

The International Experience Class allows people from over 33 countries to work and live in Canada. It is part of the country’s initiative to foster economic and cultural exchanges between various countries and Canada. There are currently three categories under the International Experience Class - The Working Holiday Visa, The Young Professionals Visa and International Co-Op.

Canada Young Professionals Visa - Candidates who want to further their professional career with Canadian work experience will find this category to their liking. You will need to have a valid offer of employment from a Canadian employer before you arrive in the country. You will need to work for this employer, in the specified location, for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. The permit is valid for 12 months, but there are exceptions for candidates from some countries.

Canada International Co-Op - The requirements for this program are quite similar to the Young Professionals Visa, but this one is designed for international students. You will need to have a job offer from a Canadian employer before arriving in the country and you must stay in this position for the entire time that you are in Canada. Your permit will be valid for 12 months unless you are from Austria, Australia, Portugal or Switzerland.

Canada Working Holiday Visa - The great thing that separates the Canada Working Holiday Visa from the other two categories of the IEC is that this program gives you an open work permit. With an open work permit, you will be able to hop between employment and employers for the duration of your stay in the Canada. It gives you the freedom to travel the country with money you made from different jobs you completed all over Canada. The open work permit lasts between 12 and 24 months depending on your citizenship.

If you would like to apply for the Working Holiday Visa you will have to meet the following criteria:

Can I Apply For The Canada Working Holiday Visa?

Each category of the IEC has specific quota for the countries that they accept admissions from. In 2019 the Canada Working Holiday Visa will accept 1,750 candidates, the Young Professionals Visa will accept 200 and the International Co-Op 50. Find out if your country of citizenship allows you to apply for a Working holiday Visa below.

How to apply for the Canada Working Holiday Visa

The first step is to fill out an online profile for the Working Holiday Program. After you have completed your profile, it will be entered into a pool of candidates from which the IEC holds regular draws.

If you are selected in a draw you will receive an invitation to apply. It can take a few days, weeks or months to get your invitation. However, once you do receive it, you will have to act quickly. You will have limited time to submit your application so start gathering the required documents as soon as possible. Some of the documents you will need to acquire, include Biometrics, a Medical Certificate and a Police Clearance Certificate among others.

It will take a few months to process your application so do not worry if you do not hear from the IEC for some time. Once everything is processed and your application has been approved, you will receive a Port of Entry Letter of Introduction. This document will serve as your key to Canada so keep it closeby. As long as you follow the rules of the Canada Working Holiday Visa, you will have the experience of a lifetime in Canada.

If this program appeals to you, make sure to start the application as soon as possible. There are limited spots available so get ahead of the rest by signing up with us. We will take care of your application in the fastest possible time.