By Stephanie Ford   A Spotlight on Alberta’s Provincial Nominee Program Earlier this year, Alberta announced changes to its provincial nominee program. Now called the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP), the economic immigration program is focused on filling job shortages in Alberta and providing pathways for business owners. Read on to discover what you need to know about the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program: Major Changes The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program streams look significantly different to those offered under the AINP. But the reality is that most program eligibility is still the same, they just have a different name. For instance: Its…

By Stephanie Ford Statistics Canada and the Employment and Social Department Canada (ESDC) work together to develop the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This system is used to classify occupations in Canada, and is used by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada department (IRCC) for immigration purposes. Following the planned review of the NOC system in 2021, NOC codes have undergone significant changes for 2022. Here’s what you need to know: When will the NOC Codes Change in Canada? An IRCC internal memo outlines that the department intends to start using the updated NOC system in November 2022. The precise date the IRCC will switch…

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, Carla Qualtrough, has announced improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program to address Labour shortage in Canada. These changes are part of the initiative called Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map, an effort to continue meeting the labour market needs as well as improving worker protections and building workforce for the long term in Canada. Five key changes were announced today, three are effective immediately and two will be in force as of April 30th: What has been implemented today: Limit to the number of low-wage seasonal positions has been waived…

By Stephanie Ford  In March 2022, British Columbia's Ministry of Municipal Affairs announced changes to the BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Skills Immigration Stream. These changes are in response to the critical need or more healthcare workers and early childhood educators (ECE) in the province. Here's what you need to know about these changes to the BCPNP. Overview of the BC PNP Program Under the BC PNP, applicants who currently live in the province may be invited to apply for the provincial nominee program based on their individual attributes. Essentially, applicants are invited based on what skills and experience they can bring…

By Stephanie Ford The region known as Atlantic Canada is comprised of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. These four provinces have a distinctly vibrant coastal vibe, boasting beautiful white sand beaches, scenic coastal drives, and an undeniably laidback attitude, even in the cities. Want to Immigrate to Atlantic Canada? Yes, you CAN DO it! Newfoundland and Labrador lie to the north of the other three Atlantic provinces, with Quebec to its west. New Brunswick is bordered by Quebec and the US state of Maine to the west, with Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island clustered around…

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has just released the 2022-2024 Immigration Levels Plan, aiming to admit 431,645 new immigrants in 2022, 447,055 in 2023 and 451,000 in 2024. These figures represent an increase of around 20,000 new permanent residents than the figures established last year. In 2021, IRCC had set for 2022 and 2023 the admission of 411,000 and 421,000 permanent residents, respectively. The highest number of admissions (56%) will come through the economic category, which includes Express Entry programs, provincial programs and public policies such as temporary to permanent resident pathways, economic pilots such as caregivers and agri-food pilots, and…

    Canada is a popular destination for international students looking to further their studies. In fact, in the three years before the pandemic, Canada welcomed more than half a million international students annually (Source: Statista). Students choose Canada because it's a safe and non-discriminatory country that offers high-quality education and opportunities for individuals from around the world. So, for international students who want to study in Canada, all that's left is to figure out how to finance their studies.   5 Ways to Finance Studies in Canada as an International Student  Author: Stephanie Ford at Obiter Marketing.  Study in Canada on a Scholarship for International…

Moving to another country for better job prospects or higher education might seem exciting but at the same time can be overwhelming. Being a layperson unfamiliar with the immigration processes, its rules and regulations, diving head-on into the unknown can be nerve-wracking. Therefore in such situations, enlisting the services of an immigration consultant will ease some of that stress and make the process easier. These consultants are aware of all the norms and regulations, and they will go out of their way to help improve the chances of your application’s approval.

Quebec is the largest Canadian province and is the only province where the official language is French. It is home to the second largest French speaking city in the world, Montreal. Quebec’s strong economy is based on skilled workers, natural resources, and innovation. Want to immigrate to Quebec? Yes, you CAN DO it!! Quebec is located in Eastern Canada and is made up of 17 administrative regions. The capital city, Quebec City, is home to UNESCO World Heritage treasure Old Quebec. It is known for its vibrant French culture, incredible food scene, world-class shopping, and the only remaining fortified city north…

Canada is an exceptionally beautiful country with a high quality of life, accessible and affordable healthcare, and good working conditions. In addition to this, Canada embraces diversity and multiculturism, and it has a relatively ‘friendly’ immigration policy. So if you’re planning to live, study, work or travel in Canada, you CANDO it!

Since March 2020, international students can complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This measure, set to expire in December 2021, has been extended to August 2022. The rule applies to international students who: are enrolled in a PGWP-eligible program; began, or will begin, a program in any semester from spring 2020 to summer 2022; have a study permit or approval for a study permit, or applied for a study permit prior to starting their program and are eventually approved; and meet all other PGWP criteria. For those completing 2 study programs, they can finish 100% of…

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has resumed processing LMIA applications for certain low wage occupations in Accommodation and Food Services and Retail Trade sectors, in regions where the unemployment rate is below 6%. This means that Canadian employers can now submit new LMIA applications for the following occupations: 6541 - Security guards and related security service occupations 6611 - Cashiers 6622 - Store shelf stockers, clerks and order fillers 6711 - Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations 6721 - Support occupations in accommodation, travel and facilities set-up services 6731 - Light duty cleaners 6732 - Specialized cleaners 6733 - Janitors, caretakers and building superintendents 7611…

Saskatchewan, one of the three prairie provinces, extends outstanding opportunities to residents and tourists alike. With incredible natural scenery, a rich cultural offering, and strong economic growth over the past decade, the sky is the limit in Saskatchewan. Want to immigrate to Saskatchewan? Yes, you CAN DO it! Saskatchewan is centrally located in Canada, with Alberta to the west and Manitoba to the east. The Northwest Territories lie to the north of Saskatchewan, and the US states of Montana and North Dakota are to the south. The province’s capital city, Regina, is known for its green spaces, a thriving arts and…

With the Canadian borders opening gradually, some category of workers can now apply for a work permit at the Port of Entry (POE). Workers can apply if they: are fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved in Canada; have a valid job offer in Canada when applying for an employer-specific work permit or if not fully vaccinated; will not be working as a live-in caregiver or as a seasonal agricultural worker; do not need to get a temporary resident visa to work in Canada or have a positive LMIA; or are a national or permanent resident of the U.S., Greenland or Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Documents…

Public Policy allowing visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada has been extended until February 28, 2022. The original public policy that came into effect on August 24, 2020 was set to end on March 31, 2021 was extended on April 1 until August 31, and has now been extended again to February 28, 2022. Besides allowing foreign nationals with visitor status applying for a work permit, the policy also allows former foreign workers in Canada to work while a decision on their work permit application is pending. In both cases, the work permit needs to be supported by a…

Starting today, fully vaccinated travellers, from any country, can enter Canada for non-essential travel. Check what changes from today: Fully vaccinated travellers who meet all of the mandatory requirements do not have to quarantine upon arrival in Canada. Travellers MUST show their ArriveCAN receipt to board their flight. All travellers must have proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular test taken within 72 hours before arrival, or a positive result taken 14-180 days before arrival. Antigen tests will not be accepted. Fully vaccinated travellers do not need testing, unless they have been randomly selected to complete a Day 1 Covid-19 molecular test. Travellers entering Canada for exempt…

The province of New Brunswick has announced a new permanent residency stream for international students studying at an eligible private career college in the province. The participating educational institutions are: Atlantic Business College Eastern College McKenzie College Oulton College These colleges do not offer programs eligible for Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). The new stream is meant to support international students to work and settle in New Brunswick after graduation. It will allow them to apply for permanent residency as soon as they graduate and keep work in the province while waiting for their application to be processed.   The pilot will target occupations in demand in New Brunswick.…

Alberta holds stunning natural scenery, vibrant cities, strong oil and gas industries, and below average cost of living. It embodies diversity and leans heavily on immigrants to fill skills gaps and grow its economy. Want to immigrate to Alberta? Yes, you CAN DO it! Alberta is the westernmost of the three prairie provinces in Canada, and one of only two landlocked provinces in the country. It is known for its vast natural resources, ranging from the country’s largest deposits of oil and gas through to the stunning natural scenery – particularly in Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper. The abundant work opportunities,…

Ontario is Canada's most populous province, the one that contributes the most to the country's gross domestic product and receives the highest number of immigrants. Want to immigrate to Ontario? Yes, you CAN DO it!   Located in east-central Canada, Ontario has a lot to offer to residents and visitors alike. From abundant nature to large urban centers, the province offers the most diverse options for leisure, work and business opportunities, having become the one that most attracts foreigners in search of a new place to settle. The capital Toronto is Canada's most populous city, with nearly 3 million inhabitants[1], and has the…

IRCC has announced that additional 30,000 applicants to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will be invited to apply, starting September 23, 2021. Invitations will be sent over the course of two weeks to potential sponsors who have already submitted their application in 2020. They will be selected randomly as previous years. New applications are not open yet. Applications need to be submitted online through the new Permanent Resident Digital Intake tool, within 60 days from the day the invitation to apply is received. IRCC will assess potential sponsors’ income for tax years 2020, 2019 and 2018. Due to the COVID-19…