In 2018 alone, the enrollment of international students rose by 110% and it’s still increasing this year. If you are searching for somewhere to study overseas, why not study in Canada? Many international students are making it their first choice due to prestigious universities as well as celebrated diversity across campuses. According to the 2018 World Happiness Report, Canada is recognized as one of the top-most welcoming countries in the world when it comes to foreign nationals.

Gaining study experience in Canada can provide international connections and boost work opportunities in the future. There are several avenues for graduates to take towards permanent residence while still living and working in the country. Find out why so many people choose to study and immigrate to Canada by reading more below.

Top Universities

Canada is home to some of the best universities in the world. Due to the country’s diversity and multiculturalism, these universities are encouraged to enroll many international students. This also means that there are plenty of support programs to help new students settle in and get to know Canada.

University of Toronto

UT is known for having a wide variety of international students enrolled in its campuses as well as having a focus on research. The university is ranked 19th in the entire world and draws students from over 160 countries. It’s no wonder that most of the students applying from abroad want to study at this iconic institution.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia is ranked as the 34th best university in the world and is also one of the oldest to be found in Canada. International students flock here for the esteemed academic faculty while also hoping to receive a globally recognized education.

University of Calgary

Lastly, the University of Calgary is in the top 250 universities in the world with around 10% of its entire student population being international students. It’s biggest faculties include engineering and commerce, offering a lot of internships and co-op opportunities for students to engage in locally.

How to Study in Canada

There are a few ways that foreign nationals can study in Canada but the most direct way is to obtain a study permit. This will allow candidates to study anywhere in Canada while being able to change their degree, field of study and institution.

Study Permit

Those who are looking to study at a recognized Canadian institution need to first apply to the university and upon receiving their Letter of Acceptance, apply to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) body for a study permit or student visa. This permit will allow students to live in Canada for the duration of their studies.

To be considered eligible for the study permit, applicants will need to check the following boxes:

• A Letter of Acceptance from a recognized university;
• Sufficient financial support for the duration of the studies;
• A police clearance certificate;
• A medical exam that proves good health;
• Ties to home country proving return after completion of studies;
• and $10, 000 CAD to finance every year you spend studying.

Permanent Residence

Once you have graduated, you will have 90 days before your study permit expires. You will then have to either leave the country or apply for a temporary work permit which will allow you to continue working in the country for a period of three years. Within this time, you can also apply for one of the programs below to be considered for permanent residence.

Opportunities to Immigrate

With over 80% of recognized Canadian employers stating that they are partners in co-ops and internship opportunities, there is plenty of opportunity for international students once they are done with their studies. The following are the most popular immigration routes to take after graduation.

Express Entry

The Express Entry system was created in 2015 to umbrella the three federal programs and fast-track them to be processed in as little as six months. These programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class.

To apply, candidates need to create an online profile detailing their backgrounds. This profile will then be measured against criteria outlined by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is detailed below.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Provincial Nominee Programs

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was designed to address specific labour market concerns happening locally in each of the 11 participating provinces and territories. The following are streams that are specifically aimed at graduates of post-secondary qualifications.

What We Do

We are three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have all been through the immigration process before. We can help you to develop a personalized immigration strategy and will help you every step of the way. Choose the best to get evaluated today and be wary of websites that could be a scam and choose BCanadian where you know that the experts involved can be trusted.

Sign up to get evaluated by us and get started, either with your studies in Canada or with plans to immigrate post-graduation. We’re here to be your helping hands on your journey and can help with everything from a study permit to tell you about the over 60 different immigration streams offered by the Canadian government.

One of Canada’s Atlantic provinces, New Brunswick is best known for its manufacturing and tourism industries. Rich in natural resources, the province has been in the forestry trade for decades with most of its workers living in Saint John’s. The capital city, however, is Fredericton. Known as the only officially bilingual province in the country, New Brunswick still has a mostly English population with 30% of the population identifying as French-speakers.

Due to its size and the fact that it is a lesser-known province, New Brunswick has been on the sidelines when it comes to the influx of foreign nationals into Canada. There are many in-demand vacancies across the region that are not being addressed because of this but this is good news for those who are looking to immigrate to Newbrunswick. This could be your chance to join over a million successful candidates who are starting over in Canada within the next three years.

Perks of New Brunswick

Immigrants benefit from many perks in New Brunswick, including a high quality of living paired with low living costs. These smaller communities can provide a family feeling that is difficult to find in larger centres with many local festivities every month as well as opportunities to participate in workshops and town meetings.

Housing & Community

The average house in certain areas of New Brunswick will cost $160, 000 which is among the lowest in the whole of Canada. Communities here are also proud of their very low crime rates and general warmth when it comes to taking care of their neighbourhoods. This can be vital when settling somewhere new as you will have support and guidance while finding your feet.

Medical Care & Education

It’s understandable to worry about the quality of education and healthcare in smaller cities but there’s no need with any of the areas in Canada. This is especially true in New Brunswick where all residents under the age of 20 are entitled to free education and more than 86% of students graduate from high school - the highest in the country. From here, many of Canada’s oldest and most respected universities await.

Public medical care is free when you immigrate to New Brunswick, with added benefits like prenatal care included. This is open to all permanent residents while still giving the public choices about the care they receive. In other words, there are also private sector doctors and clinics available to residents should they choose not to use the national healthcare plan.

Job Vacancies

There are over 3, 000 job vacancies at any given time in the province, ranging between different sectors. This is smaller than the big cities but the local population is also smaller, which is why they are going unfilled. You can also expect to earn a decent living in relation to other costs with the median family income sitting at $65, 910. To get an idea of whether or not you qualify, you can view the most in-demand occupations in the table below:

New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed to target specific deficits in the labour market for each province. Applicants can either apply directly through the province’s streams by creating an online profile or they can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a Provincial Nomination (PN) once inside the Express Entry pool. Some provinces select candidates from the pool instead through sending a Notification of Interest (NOI).

Various immigration streams are available to those who want to immigrate to New Brunswick including ones for entrepreneurs, recent graduates and skilled workers. Through all the different immigration programs, the province hopes to accept as many as 7, 500 immigrants every year. Candidates need to meet certain criteria under each program/stream in order to be considered. If eligible, candidates will then be issued with a nomination and invited to apply for permanent residence through the Canadian federal government.

Where We Come in

We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have all been through the immigration process before. This puts us in the best position to make an assessment of your chances during the application period. Think of us as your personal assistants - we make all the calls and appointments necessary while providing you with a personalized immigration strategy.

Sign up to get evaluated by us today and start your journey to immigrate to New Brunswick or anywhere else in Canada. Give yourself the chance to make the best choice possible from the over 60 different programs that are on offer by the Canadian government.

Starting your Canadian immigration process is difficult. The adjustments, application procedures and the documentation required can be quite daunting. For this reason, people seek help with the visa application process. It is advisable to get trustworthy assistance for your Canadian visa application considering all the fraudulent immigration agencies out there these days. You should always keep in mind that some businesses take advantage of those seeking immigration services.

Unsuspecting clients usually fall prey and accept services by unauthorized practitioners. This could have long term financial and other detrimental consequences such as identity theft.

At MDC the Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) provide expert advice and pride themselves on their ability to offer you a truthful and consistent service. You are guaranteed to receive the guidance necessary in your Canadian visa application process.

Below we have put together some common forms of immigration fraud and tips to help you foresee scammers.

1. The News Seems Too Good to Be True

If you have doubts or when the news seems to good to be true, consider a second opinion. If you’ve been in a situation where your Canadian visa application has been rejected and now it seems to be an easy application, it might be a scam. After all, everyone wants good news but a Canadian visa application will only be successful if the candidate meets all the necessary criteria. The process can be quite challenging, that is why we suggest you do your research or seek advice from our well informed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have the expert knowledge to guide you through your Candadian visa application.

2. Strange Payments for Vague Reasons

While a Candadian visa is not free, nor the expert service offered by RCICs. only scammers will expect hasty payments through odd payment services such as Western Union etc.There are specific and clear payment instructions that immigration service providers like MDC put in place and candidates should only be requested to pay following these instructions. MDC offers cost effective evaluations to consider your unique needs, to save you time and to meet the deadlines.

3. Offer a Candadian Visa Without a Proper Eligibility Procedure

Receiving your Canadian visa is excellent but only if you actually followed the Canadian visa application process properly. If you receive no feedback on your eligibility or information about your application and simply receive a green light without a proper explanation of why you are eligible, it is almost impossible to have landed a Canadian visa legally.

It is best to ensure that you are sending your personal documents to a trusted and registered company. At MDC RCIC’s call applicants to give you all the information you may need as well as answer any questions you may have about the visa process. It’s that simple. Some RCIC’s are immigrants themselves and therefor use their own personal experience, knowledge, and passion to guide you through the immigration process.

4. Fabricating Documents and Promising Specific Results

RCICs provide you with personalized assistance to lead you to the right immigration option according to your personal goals and qualifications. Each candidates visa application is unique and there can never be a guaranteed outcome that the process will be successful. No applicants will receive immigration benefits and no immigration service will offer to write any documentation or alter any documents for the applicant. As such favours are illegal and we can assure you that it might be a scam.

At MDC, we carefully approach your immigration application within a set timeline. You will always be aware of the progress as this is a transparent procedure and includes the applicant at all times.

5. Poor Communication From Free Services

If communication between you and the company is filled with poor English and grammatical mistakes, you should be wary. This is concerning because it shows the company does not pride themselves in their service. If the email comes from a free service like gmail or outlook instead of a dedicated email address from a company, it is probably a scam.

At MDC we are three RCIC’s, David Allon, Ying Liu and Jimmy Park who will always give you honest and reliable information.

We believe that immigrating to Canada is a real possibility for thousands of people, but a Canadian visa application requires preparation, time and attention.

We provide guided assistance with the various immigration laws and regulations to represent our clients in an ethical manner as members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council. We are authorized by the Canadian and provincial governments and we abide by the rules of professional conduct to serve our clients best interests. You don’t want to miss out on this expert service!

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP) which governs labour needs for the Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador) in Canada has been extended for another two years. This allows the immigration systems to be assessed for their mid and long-term impacts as the provinces attempt to address growing labour market shortages across the country.

Now that the program is able to maintain its momentum, the provinces are helping to contribute to the goal of welcoming over a million immigrants into Canada within the next three years. This program also aids smaller communities by helping foreign workers immigrate to Canada where their crucial skills are needed most, as opposed to bigger centres that have been more popular with immigrants over the years.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program was created to allow designated employers to hire foreign skilled workers and international graduates who studied in one of the Atlantic provinces. This has really made an impact, especially in smaller regions that are less likely to attract foreign workers in key occupations that fall under the skill type 0, A or B under the National Occupation Classification (NOC).

In order to be considered, foreign workers must have:

• A full-time job offer;
• 1 year of full-time job experience;
• Evidence of a connection to the Atlantic provinces

Due to the high demand and success of the Manitoba Immigration program, there have been calls to add an additional 500 possible applicants to the quota given by the Canadian government for 2020.

Previous Trends

Trends since 2017 have shown that the program has already had 1, 896 employers participate, offering 3, 729 job offers to applicants in only a few years of running. A total of 2, 535 have been approved for permanent residence during this time. This means that plenty of families are happily settled in Manitoba, filling crucial vacancies in the local economy for recognized Canadian companies.

There have also been some innovations in the program that makes it easier for those that are about to apply for have already applied. Examples of this include giving international graduates 24 months after graduation to apply and giving employers in the healthcare sector the ability to hire internationally trained nurses as home carers and support workers. However, one of the main advantages of the program is that designated employers do not have to obtain a Labour Market Impact Assessment if they are hiring workers in occupations listed under this program.

The Provinces

Nova Scotia

One of the Maritime Provinces as well, Nova Scotia is made up of over 3, 800 coastal islands and is the second-smallest of Canada’s 13 provinces. The capital city is Halifax where the most spoken language is English.

New Brunswick

This little province is officially the only province that is bilingual according to Canada’s constitution, despite there being such a diversity of languages spoken across the country. It’s capital is Fredericton but it’s largest city is Moncton, one of the most liveable cities in Canada for immigrants.

Prince Edward Island

PEI’s largest city and capital is Charlottetown, named after the queen consort of the British monarch at the time. There is the main island where most of the population lives while 231 other smaller islands dot the surrounds.

Newfoundland & Labrador

This province has the highest concentration of native English speakers in Canada and 92% of the population lives on the island of Newfoundland. The capital is St. John’s on the Avalon Peninsula and it’s known as North America’s easternmost city.

What We Do

We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are well-versed in Canada’s immigraton policies as well as what the necessary requirements are from applicants. We know the application period can be stressful (from our own personal experiences) but it doesn’t need to be when you have a professional on your side.

It’s our job to ease your fears and create a personalized immigration strategy for you that will ensure the best possible chance of success. We make all the calls for you and assess your chances of achieving permanent residence through any of the programs available to you.

Sign up with us to get evaluated for one of the nearly 70 different immigration programs available to applicants. Start your new life in Canada today and provide a high quality of life for your family. Choose to live in one of these rural communities versus urban centres and receive a warm welcome once you achieve permanent residence.

We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have all been through the immigration process before. This puts us in the best position to make an assessment of your chances during the application period. Think of us as your personal assistants - we make all the calls and appointments necessary while providing you with a personalized immigration strategy.

Sign up to get evaluated by us today and start your journey to immigrate to New Brunswick or anywhere else in Canada. Give yourself the chance to make the best choice possible from the over 60 different programs that are on offer by the Canadian government.

The May Express Entry draw marks another timely addition to the frequent Express Entry draws that have already taken place in 2019. Due to the frequency of the draws, we’ve seen the cut-off score drop once again by a single point. While this may seem insignificant, for some applicants it makes the difference of being drawn immediately or waiting a few more months to achieve their Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.

Canada is well on its way to achieving its immigration goals for this year, with a goal of 81, 400 for 2019 with 31, 250 invitations already issued. Seeing as 2018’s Express Entry quotas already broke immigration records at 89, 800 invitation issued, this year is expected to far exceed its goal as well. Labour market shortages are still growing across the country, making now the best time for applicants to apply for their skilled worker visa before all of the spaces are filled.

Express Entry

The Express Entry system was created in 2015 to umbrella the three federal programs which are, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. All of these are aimed at getting skills fast-tracked into Canada in as little as six months to address the growing labour market shortages.

To apply through Express Entry, applicants need to create an online profile stating which program they are applying for as well as information about their background. These profiles are then scored according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is a set of criteria detailed below. Once deemed eligible for their selected program, applicants are entered into the Express Entry pool from where the highest scoring candidates are drawn and issued with Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. These draws typically take place every two weeks.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Improving Your Score

There are many ways that candidates can improve their scores, starting with the CRS criteria. This could mean studying further (in and outside of Canada), gaining further work experience (in and outside of Canada), improving your French or English or obtaining a job offer letter from a Canadian employer.

However, the most effective way to ensure a successful ITA is to achieve a Provincial Nomination (PN). This is done separately from your Express Entry profile through submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to your choice of the 11 provinces and territories that participate in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates need to select a stream they are eligible for and meet the set requirements outlined by that province/territory. Achieving a nomination adds 600 points to your profile, effectively guaranteeing your chances of being drawn.

The 1 May Draw

The latest draw for the federal programs or skilled worker visa took place on 1 May 2019 and issued another 3, 350 invitations to prospective candidates. The cut-off score was 450 and, using the tie-break rule, the timestamp was set at November 5, 2018, at 12:27:07 UTC. This means that applicants who achieved a score of 450 or more who entered the Express Entry pool before this date and time achieved an ITA this time around.

The reason for the cut-off score lowering is that as draws happen more frequently (or at least consistently at two-week intervals), the Express Entry pool doesn’t have as much time to be replenished by higher-scoring candidates. This is positive for those who are missing just a few points in order to be selected in the next draw as the score could continue to drop, having reached lows of 430 in the past. The number of invitations issued are also being boosted by Express Entry-linked streams under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Hypothetical Candidates

Below are examples of candidates who would have been drawn from the May Express Entry pool due to their respective qualifications, work experience or other such factors. See how your score measures up in order to determine your chances of being selected in one of the next rounds.

Derek is a 28-year-old nurse from Hungary with two years of work experience. He is married to a French woman who also has two years of work experience with a degree and high proficiency in French. His profession meets the labour impact assessment standards and he has obtained an offer of employment in Canada. With his wife’s profile making up a percentage of his overall score, Derek achieves a final total of 517 points.

Saraya is from the UAE and is a 30-year-old with a master’s degree in fine arts. Her English is good, achieving her a Level 10 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test while her French is still developing at a Level 5. She has a sister living in Canada (as a citizen) and she has obtained an offer employment in one of the provinces but did not apply for a nomination. With six years of work experience and studies at a Canadian university, her score is totalled at 457.

What We Do

We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are here to be your guiding hand through the immigration process. We have all been through the application period ourselves, putting us in the best position to give you advice and ease all of your worries about the different procedures.

With over 60 different programs to apply for, we make it easy to decide which is right for you by implementing a personalized immigration strategy. This means that we make all the calls for you, procure the correct documents and submit them on your behalf. Make a stressful process easy and choose to work with an RCIC.

Sign up with our services today in order to get started on your journey to immigrate to Canada through the skilled worker visa. You can join those who were drawn from the May Express Entry pool and achieve your ITA for permanent residence with the right professionals on your side.

There have already been 27, 900 Invitations to Apply (ITA) issued through the Express Entry system in 2019 so far. This compared to the same time last year, shows an increase of 6, 900 invites issued. This means that the total for this year’s draws could exceed the target as 2018 was already a record year, issuing 89, 800 ITAs. The April Express Entry Draws have started off strong, issuing invitations through several Express Entry-linked PNP streams as well.

The government is going ahead with plans to welcome over a million immigrants to Canada within the next three years, meaning that the open immigration streams will likely continue to stay busy but will also increase their quotas to meet the demand. Move to Canada through Express Entry while you still have the chance and join those successful candidates who have been issued with ITAs for permanent residence.

How Express Entry Works

Express Entry was created in 2015 to fast-track the federal programs which are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. This process takes as little as six months from start to finish, which is the fastest route you can take to immigrate to Canada.

In order to apply for one of the federal programs under Express Entry, applicants need to create an online profile which details their background. This profile is then measured against the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which awards points based on the criteria below. Eligible candidates are then entered into the Express Entry pool where the highest-scoring candidates are pulled and issued with Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Ways to Improve Your Score

There are a few ways that you can improve your score, even while already in the Express Entry pool. Your profile expires after 12 months if you are not drawn but this does not have to be the end! You can spend the time before applying again improving your CRS score in these ways:

• Achieve a Provincial Nomination (600 points)
• Study further (in and outside of Canada)
• Gain more work experience (in and outside of Canada
• Secure an offer of employment from a Canadian employer
• Better your language skills

Latest Express Entry Draw

The Express Entry draw that took place on April 17 issued another 3, 350 ITAs for permanent residence. The cut-off score was 451 which likely stayed so consistent due to the frequency of draws. The more often draws take place (so far every two weeks), the lower the cut-off score tends to be due to a tighter amount of time for the pool to be able to replenish candidates.

The tie-break rule was used with the timestamp set at 15:01:49 UTC on April 2, 2019. This means that everyone who entered the Express Entry pool before this time who achieved a score of 451 or more received an invitation this time.

Manitoba Draw

The province of Manitoba held a draw on 11 April which works on an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This means that candidates need to submit an EOI to the province of their choice, meet certain criteria and then, if successful, they are issued with an invitation to apply for a Provincial Nomination (PN).

There were 403 invitations sent out through the Skilled Workers Overseas Stream with 352 going to two groups, one being Express Entry-linked. The lowest Express Entry score for this group was 561 which is quite high. The other 51 invites went through the Strategic Recruitment Initiatives where the lowest score was even stronger, at 695.

Saskatchewan Draw

Saskatchewan on the other hand held their draw on April 17, through a Notification of Interest (NOI) whereby the process works in the opposite way, with the province letting the candidate know they are interested in them. This time they targeted certain occupations, some of which are new on their in-demand list. There were a total of 324 invites issued through the Express Entry and Occupation In-demand streams. The occupations target are below.

Prince Edward Island Draw

Lastly, Prince Edward Island (PEI) held their draw on April 18 through the Express Entry, Labour Impact and Business Impact streams where 130 total invites were issued. 2019 has seen PEI issue a total of 570 invitations, all through their EOI system.

Candidates who received their invitations through the Express Entry and Labour Impact streams can now apply to the PNP streams in order to be considered for permanent residence. The Business Impact candidates in the Work Permit Stream can apply for a letter of support to achieve a temporary work permit.

How We Help

Let us help you to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker just like those in the April Express Entry Draws. We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who keep up to date with the changing immigration policies posed by the federal government.

Think of us as your personal assistants in the immigration process who can ease all your fears during the application period. We have all been through the process ourselves and are in the best position to understand your concerns. We can also develop your own personalized immigration strategy and help you to boost your profile through the Express Entry system.

Sign up with our service to get an expert assessment better your chances to immigrate to Canada with a skilled worker visa. Join thousands of successful immigrants in over 60 different programs across Canada with the assistance of our consultants.

One of Canada’s prairie provinces, Saskatchewan is known for its boreal forests and crystalline waters. The province has over 100, 000 lakes and is comprised nearly 10% of freshwater. While it’s one of the colder provinces, it is also one of the most picturesque, having been home to native tribes for eons. It’s capital, Regina, is a growing metropolis with two major universities as well as a collection of museums and art galleries for visitors to explore through.

There are various ways to immigrate to Saskatchewan, however, it’s up to you to decide which stream is the best for your skills, qualifications and education in and outside of Canada. In order to address labour market shortages in the province, Saskatchewan offers its own Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which allows candidates to settle directly in the province. Find out how to immigrate to Saskwatchewan with our guide below and get your journey started.

Why Saskatchewan?

Saskatchewan is a wonderful place to immigrate to due to its relatively low cost of living and high quality of life. It’s biggest city is Saskatoon which sits on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. This hub is home to national historic sites and blossoming natural wonders. The city is also home to many folk and theatre festivals that the agricultural districts are known for.

Education in Saskatchewan is conducted in English, making an easy transition into the community for those who struggle with French (which is sometimes the official schooling language). The public schooling system for primary and secondary education is completely free, meaning your family will be able to live anywhere in the province without the worry of tuition.

In terms of healthcare, the medical practitioners in Saskatchewan work according to the Medical Care Insurance Plan where residents are paid for by the government. Other perks of living in the province include short commutes (average of 20 minutes) and low housing cost with the rent for a family home starting at $1, 600 in the city. This is still in line with major centres but when one considers that the average yearly salary in Saskatchewan is $53, 265, this is quite reasonable.

Ways to Immigrate

There are two main avenues of immigration open to candidates who meet the necessary requirements. Other ways of immigrating would be to secure family sponsorship or begin by obtaining a temporary work visa or study visa through the federal government. See if any of the streams below appeals to you and start learning if you are eligible.

Provincial Nominee Program

The PNP was created in order to address specific critical labour market shortages happening within Canada’s communities that are not being filled by local workers. 11 out of the 12 provinces/territories participate in this program and offer a variety of different streams to prospective applicants. These applicants will need to create a profile through the province’s immigration platform in order to be assessed for eligibility.

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system is for candidates who are applying for a federal program under the government. These programs are the Federal Skilled Workers Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. These were umbrellaed under the new term Express Entry in 2015 in order to fast-track the process and invite more immigrants into the workforce to fulfill growing vacancies. This falls in line with government plans to invite over a million immigrants to join the economy within the next three years.

In order to get started with this process, candidates need to create an online profile that will then be measured according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which is awards points using the criteria below. Eligible candidates are entered into the Express Entry pool where the highest scoring profiles are drawn from the group and issued with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, typically every two weeks.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Sibling in Canada
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Strengthening Your Profile

There are many ways to strengthen your profile, including studying further to better your level of education, practicing your language proficiency, gaining further work experience (in and outside of Canada) as well as obtaining a job offer from a Canadian employer. Finally, there is also the option of applying for a Provincial Nomination.

You will need to meet all the requirements for your selected stream under the PNP for that specific province. If you are successful, the nomination adds 600 points to your total score (according to the CRS) which effectively guarantees that you will be selected from the Express Entry pool. The reason for this is that the cut-off score for the Express Entry draws ranges between 430 and 500 points.

What We Do

We are a group of three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who have all been through the immigration process ourselves. We know what it’s like to navigate changing policies and work through the confusion of which documents to submit and when to submit them. Let us guide you through the immigration process and boost your profile so that you have the best possible chance of successfully achieving your ITA.

Sign up with our services in order to get started on your immigration journey with the best advice possible. There are over 70 different immigration programs to apply for, which can make the process complex. With the help of an RCIC, there is no need for it to be. Let us help you to pave the way towards permanent residence in Canada’s lush province of Saskatchewan.

Alberta is considered as one of Canada’s ‘prairie’ provinces along with Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is the most populous of the three and noteworthy for its balance between cityscapes and breathtaking natural wonders.

Discover how to immigrate to Alberta through Canada’s various immigration structures such as the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Express Entry system’s federal programs. There is a demand for skilled workers in most provinces and Alberta is no different. This follows an announcement by the Canadian federal government to introduce over a million immigrants into the workforce to address these labour market shortages. Find out if you’re eligible and start making plans to immigrate to Alberta today.

Why Alberta?

The capital of Alberta is Edmonton but the province is also home to the well-known city of Calgary. This is the province’s most populous city and also one of the world’s cleanest. This is due to wind-powered public transport, a focus on recycling and local pride at maintaining the city. You’ll find many diverse centres like this throughout the province’s different cities.

In terms of education and healthcare, there are many ways to ensure that your family receives the best in Alberta, for example, you can apply for an Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan Card (get on the waiting list on arrival) and benefit from many free services within the province.

When it comes to leisure activities, Alberta has got them all. Calgary is on the foothills of the Canadian Rockies while the rest of the province houses Banff and Jasper National Park where there are alpine forests and fjords. Sled, ski, hike, canoe or bike through these landscapes where you’ll find incredible wildlife and make memories with your family.

Ways to Immigrate

There are many ways to immigrate to Canada with specific programs tailored to certain candidates through Alberta immigration streams. These streams are designed to target specific candidates that match a need within the province or wider Canada in general. Applicants need to make sure they’re eligible before applying for their selected stream.

Provincial Nominee Program

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was created to address labour market shortages specific to the province offering the immigration stream. Not every province/territory offers their own immigration programs but Alberta offers three different streams under the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

One of the major perks of the Alberta Express Entry Stream (through PNP) is that you only require a minimum CRS score of 300. This is far lower than the average score that results from the main Express Entry draws which are normally higher than 400.

Express Entry System

The Express Entry system controls the federal government’s three programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program and the Canadian Experience Class. These were grouped under Express Entry in 2015 to fast-track (within six months) the process, making it quicker and easier for needed skilled workers to immigrate to Canada.

In order to apply for one of these programs, candidates need to check their eligibility, then create an online profile where they answer questions based on their background and qualifications. Profiles are then scored according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which awards points for the criteria listed below.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

The highest-scoring candidates are then typically drawn from the Express Entry pool every two weeks. They are then issued with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Strengthening Your Profile

There are several ways to improve your profile, starting with your level of education, your years of working experience in and outside of Canada as well as improving your proficiency in Canada’s official languages, French and English.

Apply for jobs through Canadian companies before you decide to immigrate in order to get an offer of employment. Under the federal Express Entry system’s programs, you will receive an additional 200 points towards your profile for being able to provide this. This method of entry can also be used in conjunction with the PNP (applied for separately). If you’re successful in achieving a nomination there will be 600 points added to your profile effectively guaranteeing your ITA.

What We Do

We are three Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) who are all immigrants living in Canada. As immigration consultants, we are experts on the different policies and over 60 programs offered by the Canadian government. Give yourself the best chance of achieving your ITA for permanent residence with professional advice about the correct documents to collect, when to submit them and any other concerns that you may have.

While the application period can be stressful, it doesn’t have to be when you have a helping hand involved. When applying for specific programs such as those under Alberta immigration, there are many requirements to take note of but with us on your side, there is no need to do it all alone.

Sign up with our service today in order to get started on your journey to immigrate to Alberta in a necessary occupation. A variety of streams are available through Alberta immigration to suit a multitude of applicants and offers a high quality of life for those who are successful in achieving permanent residence in Canada.

The first Express Entry draw of April, 2019, sees the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) continue to drop for the fourth consecutive draw. The latest draw issued yet another 3,350 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian PR (permanent residence) to qualifying candidates. This brings the total number of ITAs issued this year to a staggering 24,550, proving that 2019 is set to be a great year for Express Entry.

Do you want to immigrate to Canada? Then this is the system for you. Find out how you can come to Canada through the Express Entry system with our expert help. Learn everything you need to know about the latest draw to ensure that you score an ITA in the next draw below.

First Express Entry Draw of April 2019

Thanks to the latest draw, 3,350 newcomers will be welcomed into Canada! The minimum CRS cut-off score dropped to 451, one point less from the previous draw held on the 20th of March. The tie break-rule was also put in effect and was set at the 9th of January, 2019 at 07:35:09 UTC. In other words, candidates who were in the Express Entry pool with CRS scores of more than 451 and those with CRS scores of 451, who entered the pool of candidates before this date and time, were issued ITAs.

The most recent draw continues with the diminishing CRS cut off score trend set by the past three draws. This downward CRS slide is as a result of the consistent two week period that has taken place between draws. We may even see this score drop further given the fact that Canada’s immigration target is higher than ever. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will welcome over 1,3 million newcomers to the country by 2021 and to do this they will have to hold more frequent draws which will surely see the CRS score drop as there is less competition among the pool of candidates. This is also the fifth consecutive draw that issued 3,350 ITAs which already seems like quite a lot but we even see this number rise in coming draws in order to meet the new target.

How the Express Entry System Issues ITAs

The Express Entry system was introduced in 2015 in order to expedite immigration applications so that skilled workers can enter Canada more quickly. It has since become an incredibly successful feature of the immigration system, processing applications in an average of four months! The system manages the pool of candidates of Canada’s three Federal Economic Immigration programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Trades Program and the Canadian Experience class.

In order to have your Canadian immigration application processed through this system, you will first have to apply and qualify for one of the programs mentioned above. Once you have completed this step, you must create a seperate online Express Entry profile. This profile will be assigned a CRS score based on factors like your age, work experience, education, language proficiency, etc. Your profile will then be entered into the pool of candidates where it will be ranked against others based on its CRS score.

Profiles with the highest CRS scores will be issued ITAs once the IRCC holds their next draw. When you receive your ITA, you will have 60 days to complete it otherwise you will be returned to the Express Entry pool where you will be considered for the following draw. If you do not get issued your ITA, your profile will remain in the pool where it will only expire after a year has passed.

What Does My Profile Need To Succeed

As mentioned previously, your profile is assessed according to several factors some of which can be improved. If your application doesn’t immediately succeed you can consider retaking your language tests, returning to school or earning a few more years of work experience. The more points you get, the better your chances of coming to Canada. For this reason, the Canadian immigration is referred to as a merit-based system.

Here are some hypothetical examples of the kind of profiles that received ITAs in the latest draw. Perhaps they will inspire you to put steps into place to improve your own CRS score.

Carl is a 31-year-old teacher from New Zealand with 5 years of work experience who has never been in Canada before. He holds both a bachelor’s degree and a one year certificate which he obtained in his home country. His English ability is considered advanced in all four testing areas, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Carl’s CRS score is 452 which is high enough to be issued an ITA.

Maria is a 29-year-old Mexican sales representative who has been working in Mexico City for the past three years. She has also never been in Canada but hopes to immigrate because her brother is a permanent resident of the country. She is a fluent English speaker and thus scored an 8 in all categories of her IELTS. All of these factors together bring her CRS score to 453 which is enough to be issued an ITA.

John and Samantha are a married couple from Australia. John is 34 and his wife is 30. John applied as the principal applicant because his profile is stronger. Whereas Samantha holds a bachelor’s degree, he holds a master’s degree and has three years of work experience. They both scored highly on their respective language tests. All of these factors bring John’s CRS score to 452, enough to be issued an ITA.

If you are ready to make the move to Canada, do so with the help of immigration experts. We are a team of qualified Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants with years of experience under our belt. Our personal experiences of the Canadian immigration system, give us a unique edge and deeper understanding of the application process. Make your journey to Canada easy using our comprehensive services. Sign up today to get started!

We get asked this question nearly every day and for this reason we wanted to take the time to answer it once and for all. To make a long story short, the answer is yes. It is entirely possible to immigrate to Canada without a job offer. There are several Canadian immigration programs that you can qualify for without finding a job first. However, if you have one, it will be significantly easier for you to earn Canadian permanent residence because most programs allocate additional points for an offer of employment.

It is our mission to make the immigration process as simple as possible for our clients. In this article, you will learn all about the best programs you can apply for without a job offer from the Federal Economic Immigration Programs to several Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) categories. Together we will find the perfect route to Canada for you.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the only Federal Economic Immigration Program that you can qualify for without a job offer. That being said, skilled work experience in a relevant occupation is essential. To apply for this program, you will need to meet a list of requirements and score at least 67 out of 100 on its assessment grid. Points are allocated according to factors like your age, work experience, language ability, educational background, ability to adapt to Canada and several others.

You must create a seperate online Express Entry profile to be considered for an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. The profile is also assessed on a points scale, but this time it is measured according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which takes similar factors to the Skilled Worker Program into account. The big difference is that your CRS score is out of a maximum of 1,200.

Once you have been assigned your CRS score, your profile will be entered into a pool of candidates where it will be ranked according its score. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada holds regular Express Draws (typically every two weeks) that issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canadian permanent residence (PR) to profiles with the highest ranking scores.

If you are issued an ITA, you will have 60 days to complete and submit your application for Canadian PR. Do not worry if you didn’t get selected in a draw. Your profile will remain in the Express Entry pool for a year. This gives you plenty of time to maximise your CRS so that you can secure an ITA in the next draw.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Each province and territory of Canada has their own PNP, which allows them to invite foreign nationals to the country if they have skills and experience that is needed in their borders. This often provides foreign nationals with a fast-track option to immigration if they can commit to permanently settling in the province that invited them to apply for a nomination.

There are several categories of PNPs that do not require you to have a job offer to apply. Below we will discuss the best options you can take and how to apply for them.

Alberta Express Entry Stream

The Alberta Express Entry stream is designed for candidates who can meet and address the labour market shortages in the provinces but who also qualify for the Skilled Worker Program. As part of the Express Entry system, applications under this stream enjoy faster processing times but that isn’t even the best part! You only need to have a CRS score of as little as 300 to be considered for this stream.

Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream

Applications under this stream only take between 2-3 months to process. It is designed for candidates who are in the Express Entry pool who have skilled work experience in one of the province’s prioritized occupations. You will also need to indicate your interest in settling in Ontario when creating your online Express Entry profile.

Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker Category

Both the Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry subcategory of the Saskatchewan International Skilled Worker Category do not require you to have a job offer. Instead you will have to have experience in an in-demand occupation for the In-demand subcategory. For the Express Entry subcategory, you will need to complete an Express Entry profile, notify your interest in settling in the province and you need to score a minimum of 60 out of a possible 100 on the Saskatchewan points assessment grid.

Nova Scotia Demand - Express Entry Stream

This is a very popular stream with some stiff competition. You will need to create an online Express Entry profile and you need to have a Canadian Language Benchmark score of at least 7. It is also required of you to score 67 out of a possible 100 on the Nova Scotia point assessment grid.

Manitoba Skilled Worker Stream

The Manitoba Skilled Worker stream is another option you can take to immigrate to Canada without a job offer. You need to score 60 out of a maximum of 100 on the Manitoba point assessment grid. You also need to submit proof of your work experience along with some personal and educational documents proving that you are able to settle and work in Manitoba permanently.

What We Do

If you want to immigrate to Canada but you don’t have an offer of employment from a Canadian employer, you can apply for one of the programs mentioned above. But before you can apply, you will have to know if you actually qualify for one of them. Once you sign up for our services, that is the first thing we will be able to help you with. We will evaluate your profile against all of the Canadian immigrations to find the one you are most likely to succeed with.

After you have decided on the program you want to apply for, we will represent you on your application to make sure all of your documentation is correct and delivered on time. Let’s start your journey to Canada today!