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round of invitations

The IEC’s first round of invitations began on January 8

International Experience Canada / By

International Experience Canada (IEC) 2024 opened on December 11, 2023, allowing youth from eligible countries to submit profiles. The first round of invitations started on January 8, 2024, with the number of issued invitations expected to be announced on January 12, 2024. The IEC 2024 fees are CAD 172, with additional fees for some programs.  Iceland and Finland are joining the IEC in 2024, and South Korean youth can participate in more programs this year. IEC work permit holders require health insurance during their stay. To participate, candidates must submit a profile and receive an invitation before applying for a work permit. Invitations are issued weekly, and applications must be made within ten days of accepting the invitation. New Changes announced in the International Experience Canada program Who can Participate in the International Experience Canada (IEC) 2024? Your country or territory of citizenship must have a Youth Mobility Agreement (YMA) with Canada in order to participate in International Experience Canada (IEC). Certain IEC-recognized organizations (RO) can assist a small number of youth from non-partner countries in participating in IEC in some cases. Some countries restrict your participation to one time. Others permit you to participate twice in different categories. Because each country is different, you should check to see if you are eligible to apply. Even if you are invited to apply, you cannot participate multiple times per country. Following the submission of your application, an officer will evaluate your eligibility, including previous participation. Before submitting an application, make sure that you have thoroughly reviewed all of the requirements. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “The IEC’s first round of invitations began on January 8″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

employment rate in Canada

The employment rate in Canada among immigrants increased in 2023

Work in Canada / By

Statistics Canada published a new study exploring links between the employment rate in Canada of core working-age immigrants and the duration of their stay in Canada. The data highlights that immigrants with over ten years of stay had the highest employment rates, while recent arrivals (within the last five years) had the lowest.  Specifically, employment rates were 77.8% for immigrants who landed five or fewer years ago, 81.9% for those who landed between 5 and 10 years ago, and 84.5% for those in Canada for over ten years. The overall employment rate for immigrants in 2023 was 82.6%, slightly lower than the 86.3% rate for Canadian-born individuals. In December, there were more people working in professional, scientific, and technical services (+46,000; +2.4%), health care and social assistance (+16,000; +0.6%), and “other services” (including personal and repair services) (+12,000; +1.5%). Five industries experienced declines, led by wholesale and retail trade (-21,000; -0.7%) and manufacturing (-18,000; -1.0%). In December, employment increased in four provinces, led by British Columbia (+18,000; +0.6%), while it decreased in Ontario (-48,000; -0.6%). Total hours worked increased by 0.4% in December and by 1.7% year on year. IRCC sets new wage rules for employers recruiting temporary foreign workers On the other hand, in 2019 the employment rate for immigrants who arrived in Canada five years or less was 71.1%. Although this rate has also increased since dropping to 69.3% in 2020, the employment rate for this subgroup reduced slightly from 2022 (78%) to 2023 (77.8%). The employment rate in Canada for core-aged Men and Women Following two months of little change, employment among core-aged men (aged 25 to 54) increased by 25,000 (+0.4%) in December. For the third month in a row, employment among women of the same age group stayed virtually unchanged. The employment rate for the core-aged population fell from January to December, as population growth (+2.9%; +446,000) outpaced employment growth (+1.9%; +243,000). The employment rate for women in this age group fell 0.8 percentage points from a record high of 82.2% in January to 81.4% in December. The rate for men aged 25 to 54 fell 0.8 percentage points between June (88.2%) and December (87.4%) in 2023. Despite recent labor market cooling, employment rates for both core-aged women(+2.1 percentage points) and core-aged men (+0.9 percentage points) remained higher than the average observed from 2017 to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2023, employment for young women aged 15 to 24 increased by 13,000 (+1.0%), while it remained virtually unchanged for young men. When compared to the other major demographic groups, youth employment fell more abruptly from January to December. Female youth rates dropped by 4.0 percentage points to 56.7%, while male youth rates dropped by 2.1 percentage points to 56.0%. Employment rates for both female (-2.4 percentage points) and male (-1.4 percentage points) youth were lower in December than they had been from 2017 to 2019. In December 2023, employment among men aged 55 and older fell by 27,000 (-1.1%), the first significant drop since February 2023. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “The employment rate in Canada among immigrants increased in 2023″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

Temporary Foreign Workers

IRCC sets new wage rules for employers recruiting temporary foreign workers

Work in Canada / By

From January 1, 2024, employers recruiting through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) must adjust foreign workers’ wages to match updated prevailing rates, as per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Although some employers are exempt, this usually requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The Job Bank updates provincial wage differences annually.  Canada is inviting foreign workers to boost its economy amid labor shortages, with potential losses of $38 billion due to shortages, as the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) reported. Foreign workers in Canada are legally entitled to the same rights as Canadians, with employers required to ensure a fair work environment and access to healthcare. Even if the prevailing wage falls, the updated wage can never fall below the wage identified in the positive LMIA at any time during a TFW’s employment period. Employers who fail to update wages on time may face sanctions under the TFW Program’s employer compliance regime, which includes administrative monetary penalties and program bans. Job duties and working conditions for the Temporary Foreign Workers TFWs hired through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) must only perform duties related to the occupation for which they were hired. All workers in Canada, including TFWs, are protected by Canadian law. Exploitation of TFWs is a violation of Canadian laws and human rights. Employers must do the following: TFWs should be paid for all work (including overtime if required by law). Insurance for workplace safety is provided. offer TFWs the same benefits as other workers, and not take the TFWs’ identification. Canada Ranks #1 as the world’s preferred work destination Most occupations are covered by provincial or territorial legislation dealing with labor and employment standards, such as: Working hours,  working conditions, and  termination of employment are all factors to consider. In fact, every province or territory has a Ministry of Labour that can provide information to help employers and TFWs with work-related questions or issues. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “IRCC sets new wage rules for employers recruiting temporary foreign workers” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

invitation rounds in 2024

PEI published the schedule for invitation rounds in 2024

Prince Edward Island / By

On January 4, 2024, the Office of Immigration of Prince Edward Island published a schedule for invitation rounds in 2024 via the Expression of Interest system for individuals to apply for the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP).  PEI schedule for invitation rounds in 2024 The invitation rounds are scheduled for the following dates:  January 18, 2024 February 1, 2024 February 15, 2024 February 29, 2024 March 21, 2024 April 4, 2024 April 18, 2024 May 2, 2024 May 16, 2024 May 30, 2024 June 20, 2024 July 4, 2024 July 18, 2024 August 1, 2024 August 15, 2024 August 29, 2024 September 19, 2024 October 3, 2024 October 17, 2024 October 31, 2024 November 21, 2024 December 5, 2024 December 19, 2024 PEI PNP Draws 2023 The Office of Immigration reserves the right to modify the schedule based on program requirements. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “PEI published the schedule for invitation rounds in 2024″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

preferred work destination

Canada Ranks #1 as the world’s preferred work destination

Work in Canada / By

A recent study from the UK-based firm Givetastic has put Canada at the top of the list of most preferred work destinations worldwide. This conclusion was drawn after examining the average monthly search volume for keywords such as “jobs” and “work,” translating as needed.  The study surveyed individuals in 164 countries and highlighted Canada’s strong healthcare system, employee benefits, and thriving job market as major draws. Remarkably, Canada was the top pick for 56 countries, representing 34.1% of the world’s nations. This underscores Canada’s standing as a leading global employment center. The study found that several nations, including Bangladesh, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the US, Chile, Kenya, and Ecuador, ranked Canada as their top destination for employment.  For many reasons, Canada is a popular place for foreign nationals to work and immigrate. The country’s main advantages are its excellent standard of living, universal healthcare, and top-notch educational system.    In addition to being a peaceful country with a low crime rate, Canada is safe and welcoming to immigrants and their families.   Canada is one of the most diverse countries in the world and is ranked as the dreamwork destination. It encourages tolerance and acceptance of all cultures and religions, which makes it simpler for immigrants to settle down, assimilate into Canadian society, and get involved in their new communities. The country also offers a variety of work/study permit programs, sponsorship opportunities, and immigration streams in an effort to promote a diverse workforce and guarantee socioeconomic growth.  According to Givetastic’s research, the world’s preferred work destinations are: According to Givetastic’s research, the top dream job destinations were: Canada (top choice in 56 countries) Germany (13 countries) Qatar (11 countries) U.K. (8 countries) Switzerland, Australia (7 countries each) Spain, U.S. (6 countries each) Malta (5 countries) Niger, Portugal (4 countries each). What are the Canada Immigration Programs for Professionals and Skilled Workers? There are several Canadian immigration programs for professionals and skilled workers, a few of those are: Express Entry, Immigrate as a skilled worker. Family sponsorship.  Provincial Nominee Programs.  Atlantic Immigration Program.  Caregivers.  Start-up Visa (SUV). Self-employed Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Agri-Food Pilot Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “Canada holds the top spot as the world’s preferred work destination” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

international student program

IRCC had started to enhance the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program

Study in Canada / By

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) began implementing steps to improve the credibility of Canada’s international student program. The government verifies international students’ acceptance letters through an online portal for Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). Institutions have ten days for verification, the failure of which will cause the student visa application to be canceled. This change was prompted by past abuses of Canada’s international student systems.  A proposed “Trusted Institutions Framework” will introduce a two-tiered system for issuing study permits and may limit the number of student visas for better academic support. Other 2024 changes include:  increasing the cost-of-living requirement,  reconsidering the work cap, ending the measure allowing time spent abroad towards the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), and  aligning international student enrolment and PGWP issuance with labor market and demographic needs. We encourage potential international students to check their eligibility to ensure they meet all stream requirements and apply for the updated requirements and scoring. Canada acknowledges the significant social, cultural, and economic benefits that international students bring to the country, and for those benefits to continue, IRCC must address challenges to the program’s integrity. Taking action against nefarious actors who have preyed on genuine students for financial gain through these measures, identifying every fraudulent letter of acceptance soon after it is submitted.  Institutions that show strong support for international students will be recognized, and their applicants will be moved to the front of the processing line, allowing IRCC to better select and retain students who are best suited to meet the needs of Canada’s economy and immigration goals. What are the new changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and what is it? If you recently graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) and would like to work temporarily in Canada, you may be eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). PGWPs are a great way to gain valuable work experience in Canada and are valid for eight months to three years. Having work experience in Canada opens up a lot of possibilities for an applicant looking for permanent residence in Canada.  The International Student Program has improved its Letter of Acceptance verification system and reviewed the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. International students in Canada hope for a PGWP extension in 2024, given the limited options for permanent residency. By mid-2023, Canada had approximately 2.2 million temporary residents, with over 1 million holding work permits – which has almost doubled in a year.  Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “IRCC had started to enhance the integrity of Canada’s international student program” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

Canadian Immigration in 2024

Insights into Canadian Immigration in 2024

Express Entry, Permanent Residence, PNP, Study in Canada, Work in Canada / By

The Express Entry System,  Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), International Student Programs, Parents and Grandparents Program, and IRCC plans to leverage AI are a few of the insights into Canadian Immigration in 2024. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to welcome 485,000 permanent residents in 2024. The Express Entry System will continue holding category-based draws, focusing on specific labor gaps. In the first year of category-based draws, the IRCC identified to give priority to the immigration candidates included: proficient in French recent work experience in any of the primary sectors, including trades, agri-food/agriculture, healthcare, STEM, and transportation In addition, this year, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), Canada’s largest immigration pathway, will introduce new guidelines and multi-year plans. The provinces and territories will have advance notice of the 2025 allotment as the IRCC releases new multi-year plans for PNPs, which will enable them to better plan their immigration strategies. Furthermore, the International Student Program will improve its Letter of Acceptance verification system and review the Post-Graduation Work Permit program. International students in Canada hope for a PGWP extension in 2024, given the limited options for permanent residency. By mid-2023, Canada had approximately 2.2 million temporary residents, with over 1 million holding work permits – which has almost doubled in a year.  The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) will be increased to 32,000 in 2024 according to the new Immigration Levels Plan. The intention is to increase intake so that more PGP candidates can come to Canada. Lastly, IRCC plans to leverage AI to streamline the immigration process, and a new advisory board will focus on immigration policy. The following are some ways that the digital revolution will enhance the candidate customer experience: improving the standard for services improved partnerships with organizations and employers increasing the accessibility of applications by using virtual and digital technologies Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “Insights into Canadian Immigration in 2024″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

International Student Stream 2024

New changes in the Ontario-OINP International Student Stream 2024

Ontario / By

Candidates with one-year college graduate certificates are eligible for OINP’s Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream. On January 2, 2024, the Government of Ontario announced changes to the eligibility requirements of the Ontario-OINP International Student stream 2024.  According to the new update, as of January 1, 2024, international students who have completed a one-year college graduate certificate are eligible for OINP’s EJO IS stream. Before, the OINP’s EJO IS stream permitted candidates to apply with a one-year college graduate certificate only if the program demanded degree completion as an entry requirement. The Expression of Interest (EOI) scoring factors for additional Canadian educational credentials and the highest educational credential have been revised to reflect this change. Existing registrants who have not been invited to apply are encouraged to review the updated EOI. The list of eligible educational institutions for this stream has also been revised. We encourage potential applicants to check their eligibility criteria to ensure they meet all stream requirements and apply for the updated requirements and scoring. Ontario Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream Under the Employer Job Offer program, international students who are granted a job in a skilled occupation can apply for permanent residence in Ontario under the International Student stream. The National Occupational Classification’s (NOC) TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 must apply to the job offer for it to be eligible. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “New changes in the Ontario-OINP international student stream 2024″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

last MPNP Draw of 2023

In the last MPNP Draw of 2023, Manitoba invited 89 Ukrainian Candidates

Manitoba / By

On December 29, 2023, the Government of Manitoba held the last MPNP Draw of 2023 for Ukrainian candidates. In the 21st draw for Ukrainian candidates, the province invited 89 candidates through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) in this draw.  To be eligible, applicants must be Ukrainian citizens, have a minimum of CLB 4 in each language band, have connections to the province (close relative, community ties, previous employment, or studies in Manitoba), and score at least 60 points in the EOI registration points-grid, and possess a valid language test in one of the official languages.  Manitoba PNP Draws 2023 In total, the province invited 16,306 candidates in 2023, including 501 Ukrainian nationals. Manitoba Expression of Interest System The Expression of Interest (EOI) ranking system applies to the Skilled Worker and International Education Stream pathways. The Business Investor Stream pathways each have their process for submitting an EOI. Submitting an EOI is the first step toward obtaining permanent residency in Manitoba through the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). An EOI is not a formal application, but rather a profile. Anyone interested in applying to the MPNP must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Candidates answer a series of questions and are assigned EOI ranking points based on their responses. The candidate is then added to a pool of all qualified candidates. On a regular basis, the MPNP invites the highest-scoring candidates in the pool to submit a full application to the MPNP. Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “In the last MPNP Draw of 2023, Manitoba invited 89 Ukrainian Candidates” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates

Express Entry in the Year 2023

Reviewing Canada’s Express Entry in the Year 2023

Express Entry / By

Canada’s Express Entry in the year 2023 application management system underwent significant transformations. Throughout the year’s first half, Express Entry maintained several patterns established in 2022, resuming draws after an 18-month hiatus. These draws encompassed various formats, including all-program draws, Provincial Nominee Program-only draws, and, on one occasion, the draw exclusively for Federal Skilled Workers.  May marked the introduction of six new categories for Express Entry draws by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This change allowed targeted draws for specific occupations like healthcare, STEM, transport, etc., to address labor market needs.  Its success is yet to be determined, but the variety of draws significantly increased, with the first targeting 500 healthcare workers. The Canadian Government invited candidates under a total of 82 NOC codes in five categories (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, and food) through occupation-specific draws and introduced targeted draws for French-speaking candidates. CRS Scores of Express Entry in the Year 2023 CRS Score The lowest CRS score in 2023 was 354 points, as recorded in the Agriculture and agri-food occupations category-based draw on September 28, 2023. On the other hand, on December 6, 4,750 all-program candidates received ITAs, the highest CRS score was 561. Express Entry Year in 2024 IRCC had initially targeted 82,880 Express Entry candidates in 2023 in the previous year’s Immigration Levels Plan. However, between the first draw on January 11 and the final draw on December 21, the department issued 110,266 ITAs, exceeding the targets.  Express Entry, the backbone of economic immigration to Canada, is also expected to see significant increases in admission targets in 2024. IRCC will seek to admit over 345,770 Express Entry candidates between 2024 and 2026, according to the current Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026.  Join our RSS Feed    If you want to know more details about the “Reviewing Canada’s Express Entry year 2023″ you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2023 Gunness & Associates