Canada : New Express Entry Draw & Post-graduation Work Permit Updates

Stay updated with the latest developments on Canada PR!

Get insights on the new Express Entry Draw and recent changes in the Post-graduation Work Permit program.

Discover now to plan your future in Canada efficiently

BIGG News: New Free Canada Immigration Program

We hereby present to you the most recent advancements in the context of Canadian Permanent Residency protocols, delineating fresh particulars emanating from the dynamic provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, paralleled with noteworthy announcements from Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.

Moreover, we are prepared to elucidate the recent determinations regarding the protraction of the transition period for distance learning modalities, which is presently scheduled to persist until December 2023. We kindly invite you to stay updated with our thorough and complete information.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – A Glimpse

Before we delve into the specifics, let’s understand what the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is. The PNP is a cooperative framework between the federal and provincial governments, aimed at identifying and nominating economic immigration candidates who are deemed to blend successfully into the provincial workforce.

Each year, the federal government earmarks a certain number of nominations for each province, excluding Quebec and Nunavut. By the end of 2023, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to welcome 105,550 new permanent residents through the PNP.

Let’s explore the latest developments in various provinces:

Ontario

On August 30th, Ontario ushered in promising opportunities for 772 candidates through the Master’s graduate stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). Here’s what you need to know:

• General Draw: No specific occupation was highlighted; candidates needed a score of at least 44 to be eligible.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Holding an Ontario master’s degree
  • Securing a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of seven in an official language
  • Demonstrating sufficient settlement funds
  • Residing in Ontario for at least one of the past two years.

British Columbia

British Columbia was abuzz with activity, inviting over 150 candidates from skilled worker and international graduate streams across four separate draws on August 29th. Here are the details:

• Tech Occupations: A targeted draw invited 102 candidates, requiring a minimum score of 88.
• Other Draws:
  1. Early Childhood Educators and assistants: 28 invitations
  2. Healthcare professionals: 20 invitations
  3. Other priority occupations: Less than five invitations, with a minimum score of 60 required.

Alberta

Alberta announced the results of a draw held on August 24th under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP). Here’s a glance at the statistics:

• Invitations: 168 candidates were called upon, encompassing family connection and primary occupation in demand streams.
• CRS Score: A minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 302 was necessary.
• Family Connection: Candidates with immediate family members residing in Alberta were favored.

Manitoba

Manitoba unveiled its first region-specific draw of the year on August 30th, highlighting the following aspects:

• Invitations: 288 invitations were rolled out in the skilled worker stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP).
• Eligibility: Candidates declaring employment in Manitoba and intention to settle outside Winnipeg were preferred, requiring a minimum score of 600.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island stepped up with the following updates:

• Date: August 31st
• Invitations: 22 candidates were beckoned through the labor and express entry stream of the PEI PNP.
• Sectors: Healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and construction sectors were in focus.
• Cumulative Invitations: Since September 2022, 2602 candidates have been invited, with 97% in the labor and express entry stream.

Now, transitioning from the PNP updates, let’s move to another critical aspect that’s making news.

Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP) – Extended Transition Period

The IRCC has taken a significant step by extending the distance learning measures until December 31st, 2023. This move is geared towards aiding students who completed less than 50% of their PGWP eligible studies outside of Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what you need to know:

Background

Prior to the pandemic, international students were required to complete no more than 50% of their studies online, and the time spent studying online outside Canada did not contribute towards PGWP eligibility. However, owing to travel restrictions, this rule was relaxed.

Current Update

Students who embarked on their studies overseas before August 31st, 2022, can count 100% of that time towards their PGWP eligibility. However, those starting between September 1st, 2022, and December 31st, 2023, can only count 50% of the time.

Eligibility for PGWP

A PGWP serves as an open work permit, allowing international students to stay back and work in Canada post their studies. The permit’s duration depends on the length of the study program, extending up to a maximum of three years.

To be eligible, students must:

1. Complete a minimum eight-month long program at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).
2. Receive a transcript and an official letter from the DLI confirming the completion of their program of study.

With a PGWP, students can garner Canadian work experience, a valued asset for various federal and provincial immigration programs that prioritize candidates with Canadian education and work experience