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IRCC will implement the new TEER system NOC 2021 this week On November 16, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will update the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021, to include the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) system. The NOC is revised every ten years to keep up with the changing Canadian labor market. This newest revision provides a new framework for classifying occupations by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Statistics Canada. The only impact this change will have, is administrative, as there will be no changes to advertising or delivery of the immigration programs.   Some of the major changes coming with NOC 2021 are: NOC 2021 is a new categorization that reflects the knowledge and skills gained by employees through their on-the-job experience. As such, this new classification follows the difference between formal education and what people have learned through life’s real-world experiences. The NOC 2021 has been updated as compared to NOC 2016, introducing TEER levels. TEER 0 is the highest level and TEER 5 is the lowest.    TEER 0:  This category includes occupations related to the legislature and staff leadership roles, as well as senior-level occupations with significant responsibility for directing, resource allocation, and management. TEER 1:  Traditionally, this category would require a college/university degree or some prior experience in the subject matter. Some relevant work experience is listed under TEER 2. TEER 2:  The following occupations demand at least two to three years of post-secondary education or two years of apprenticeship training. However, some positions do not require formal education, such as plumbers, engineers, and carpenters. TEER3:  This category includes occupations requiring less than two years of post-secondary education, on-the-job training, training courses or work experience for more than six months. TEER4:  If a job requires a high school degree or if there is no formal education requirement, it falls under TEER 4. Applicants who have several years of experience in this category may qualify for TEER 3.   TEER5: This category is for people who don’t need any formal education to enter.     Programs that are affected by NOC 2021 Express Entry programs: CEC, FSWP, and FSTP. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP). Caregivers Programs. The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. Temporary Foreign Worker Program. International Mobility Program (IMP).   How will NOC 2021 affect Express Entry candidates? Changes to the NOC system will impact any newcomer who is waiting for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. The NOC system is primarily structural, and most incoming immigration applicants will not be adversely affected. However, officials said that some Express Entry applicants may still be impacted. If you’re going to create an Express Entry profile, you’ll need to list the NOC codes of your previous jobs. The classification of occupations will change with the switch to NOC 2021, so you’ll need to provide your updated NOC 2021 codes on your profile. If you already have an active Express Entry profile but haven’t applied for immigration yet, don’t forget to update it as well with the new NOC codes for your prior jobs.   Previously, only individuals with a skill level of B or above were eligible for Express Entry. However, due to the new NOC 2021 classification system, TEER 3 will be enough for eligibility. This change will result in 16 new occupations becoming eligible and three becoming ineligible.   To find out more details about “IRCC will implement the new TEER system this week”  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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Newfoundland and Labrador to recruit nurses from India On November 3, 2022, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the province will recruit internationally-educated registered nurses from India to fill vacancies.  In the next few weeks, a preliminary group of Provincial Government officials will head to southwestern India to establish a recruitment desk in Bengaluru, located in Karnataka.  Once there, they will be assisted by a representative from the College of Registered Nurses to oversee licensure. The team will also work to increase awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador as appealing immigration destinations for nurses and nursing students through presentations and meetings. The provincial government is leading a mission to India to find globally trained registered nurses who can fill openings in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Dr. Andrew Furey, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. The mission is an addition to other existing national and international efforts to attract medical personnel. The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth, and Skills, Lynn Power, Executive Director of the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, and representatives from two regional health authorities were present for the announcement. In the upcoming weeks, a team of provincial government representatives will go to southwest India with the intention of establishing a recruitment desk in Bengaluru, which is situated in the state of Karnataka. A member of the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador will join them and be responsible for regulating licensure. Because many nurses in the area undergo training that is comparable to that received by registered nurses in Newfoundland and Labrador, the state of Karnataka has been chosen. The area was also picked due to the concentration of prominent nursing schools there. The Provincial Government has also had success in the past in attracting medical specialists from Bengaluru.   Ethical hiring The announcement encouraged Registered Nurses’ Union president Yvette Coffey in a phone interview. “It’s out-of-the-box, innovative thinking,” Coffey said. With a “significant number” of nurses eligible to retire, support and mentorship programs are essential to working with students, recent graduates, and internationally educated nurses, Coffey said. “We have to be very… careful that we are recruiting ethically,” Coffey said the nursing shortage is a global issue   To find out more details about “Newfoundland and Labrador to recruit nurses from India”, 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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Immigration is the primary source of Canada’s labor force growth From 2016 to 2021, 1.3 million new immigrants came to Canada permanently – the highest number of recent immigrants recorded in a Canadian census.  In the 2021 Census, nearly one-fourth of the people counted were, or had ever been, landed immigrants or permanent residents in Canada. By 2032, it is projected that immigration will be the only driving force behind Canada’s population growth.  The Canadian population is aging, and the share of working adults relative to retirees will decrease to 2 to 1 in 2035. Canada’s labor supply has usually been driven mostly by immigration. Immigrant recruitment is essential to Canada’s present and future success. Newcomers invest in the Canadian economy, create or launch enterprises, and fill labor shortages in Canada. Both employers and employees are considered economic immigrants. When they immigrate to Canada, they primarily become citizens.    Labor market outcomes improve for new immigrants In the years before the epidemic, recent immigrants’ labor market outcomes significantly improved. Since the early 2010s, core-aged (25 to 54 years) recent immigrants have seen their employment rate grow more quickly than their Canadian-born counterparts; from 2010 to 2021, their employment rate increased by 8 percentage points, compared to a 2 percentage point increase for workers who were born in Canada. In 2021, the employment rate for recent immigrants was 77%, for long-term immigrants it was 81%, and for Canadian-born immigrants, it was 84%.   The initial salaries of new economic immigrants likewise steadily increased. Between the entry batches of 2010 and 2018, economic immigrants’ first full-year-year earnings increased by 39%, contributing to an overall 35% gain for all new immigrants. Since 2010, the share of new and recent immigrant workers grew the fastest in transportation and warehousing, professional services, and accommodation and food services.   In 2021, the proportion of new and recent immigrants working in the accommodation and food services industry, professional services sector, and manufacturing and transportation sector all reached 13%, 11%, and 10%, respectively.   Between 2010 and 2021, the number of people who were Canadian natives employed in the manufacturing industry decreased by 159,000, with new and recent immigrants making up some of that loss (+46,000).   Between 2019 and 2021, there were a significant decrease in the number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) working in agriculture (-29%), accommodation and food services (-21%), and new immigrants (-31%) who were Canadian citizens.   To find out more details about “Immigration is the primary source of Canada’s labor force growth”, 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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

On November 1, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) released details on the Government of Canada’s 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan.  According to the new plan, the Government plans to accept 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023. In addition, Canada will welcome 485,000 newcomers in 2024 and 500,000 in 2025. In 2021, Canada set a new record by accepting over 405,000 immigrants in one year.  This number is predicted to rise close to 432,000 this year. The proposed strategy would bring in more immigrants to help businesses with staffing shortages, as well as to attract individuals with the skills required for specific industries such as health care, skilled trades, manufacturing, and technology to address the potential challenges Canada may face economically and socially in the coming years.   Immigration Class 2023 2024 2025 Economic 2,66,210 2,81,135 3,01,250 Family  1,06,500 114000 1,18,000 refugees 76,305 76,115 72,750 Humanitarian 15,985 13,750 8000 Total 4,65,000 4,85,000 500,000   Highlights of the levels plan include: A long-term focus on economic growth, with just over 60% of admissions in the economic class by 2025. using new features in the Express Entry system to welcome newcomers with the necessary skills and qualifications in sectors facing severe labor shortages, like healthcare, manufacturing, building trades, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) increasing regional initiatives to meet specific regional labor market needs, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot,  speeding up the process of reuniting families,  ensuring that at least 4.4% of new permanent residents outside of Quebec are Francophones,  and supporting international crises by offering refuge to those being persecuted, such as by expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.   Increasing regional initiatives to meet specific regional labor market needs, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, speeding up the process of reuniting families, ensuring that at least 4.4% of new permanent residents outside of Quebec are Francophones, and supporting international crises by offering refuge to those being persecuted, such as by expanding the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot. This strategy builds on existing efforts to improve our immigration system and disperse the advantages of immigration to communities across the nation, particularly fostering the vitality of Francophone places outside of Quebec. It places a special priority on regional immigration. Regional economic immigration initiatives like the Provincial Nominee Program are becoming more important for the long-term development of our nation. So that we may continue to assist provinces and territories in bringing the qualified newcomers they require to meet the labor shortage and demographic constraints in their regions, this year’s strategy includes a year-over-year increase. Together with IRCC, a number of other government partners and ministries develop a plan for balanced immigration levels. Several provincial immigration ministers have criticized the current immigration plan for not ensuring that enough space is made out for Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Additionally, their arguments are better suited to the introduction of talented immigrants to Canada in order to fill jobs and strengthen the country’s labor force. Immigration Minister Sean Fraser intends to speak with provinces to better understand their requirements in the labor market.   To find out more details about the “2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan”, 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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

IRCC invited potential sponsors under PGP on October 24, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited potential sponsors to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).    Between October 12 and 20, 2022, IRCC sent 23,100 invitations to apply (ITA) to accept 15,000 PGP sponsorship applications. According to the latest update, IRCC sent invitations among the pool of 182,113 remaining potential sponsors who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020.  Those who have not been invited may be eligible to apply for a super visa which could let their parents and grandparents stay in Canada for up to 5 years.   Applicants who can’t submit their PGP application online: Please follow these steps if you are unable to submit your PGP application online due to accessibility issues:   You can get in touch with IRCC online. Choose technical issues from the drop-down option under the category of application or inquiry. To guarantee a quick response, use the term “PGP2022” in the text box at the beginning of your message.   To find out more details about “Parents and Grandparents Programs”, 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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Ottawa Exempted Certain Applicants From The Medical Examination Requirement On October 12, 2022, the Government of Canada announced that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a temporary public policy exempting certain foreign nationals from submitting an immigration medical examination (IME). This will fasten the processing of applications and allow applicants to obtain temporary or permanent resident status much more quickly. This exemption applies to foreign nationals who have a new or pending application for permanent or temporary residence, made from within Canada, or have completed an immigration medical exam in the last 5 years.   In order to qualify for this exemption, foreign nationals must: A fresh or pending application for a permanent resident visa, permanent residency, or temporary residence submitted from within Canada completed a recent immigration medical examination, posed no risk to public health or safety, or, as needed, reported to public health authorities for monitoring. Applicants must provide their individual medical identification number from their prior physical when submitting an application. Until October 6, 2024, the temporary public policy will be in force.   As part of this commitment, the temporary public policy strives to improve client service, enable quicker application processing, and streamline the application process for low-risk applicants while efficiently addressing public health concerns. Between May 2021 and March 2022, IRCC implemented two temporary public policies that were similar to each other and did away with the requirement for a second IME. The solutions sped up processing and reduced costs by streamlining the application procedure. Over 85,000 low-risk applicants benefited from the first two temporary public policies, and it is anticipated that this most recent policy will help over 180,000 more people.   What is a Medical Examination? An individual who has just immigrated to Canada may undergo medical surveillance to ensure that their dormant tuberculosis has not become active. Anyone who was identified with inactive tuberculosis during their immigration medical test must undergo medical surveillance (IME). Medical monitoring makes sure that the right care can be given, which in turn helps to protect Canadians’ health and safety.   The only medical condition that currently necessitates medical surveillance is inactive TB.   To find out more details about the “Ottawa Exempted Certain Applicants From The Medical Examination Requirement”, 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 best 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 ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Ottawa to ease vaccine requirements and make Arrive Can optional. The Canadian government is planning to stop requiring mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations at its borders as of September 30, 2022.  The government still needs to approve the change, but the government would likely drop the requirement and end the random COVID-19 testing at airports. Cabinet ministers have confirmed that they are evaluating alternatives and that discussions are taking place within the government about whether or not to keep the travel restrictions in place. On June 29, 2022, the government last expanded public health measures at borders and claimed that 95 percent of land and air passengers were using the app at the time.   Why is Canada relaxing its restrictions on COVID-19?    The relaxation in restrictions on Covid-19 comes as a result of the recent successes in Canada’s vaccination program. With more and more people getting vaccinated, the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 is decreasing. As a result, the government feels that it is safe to ease up on some of the restrictions that have been in place since the start of the pandemic.     Get a free Assessment  Of course, this doesn’t mean that everyone can stop being careful. The virus is still out there, and it is still possible to contract and spread it. However, with more and more people getting vaccinated, the risks are becoming lower and lower.   The majority of countries are relaxing Covid-19 regulations.   Covid-19 entry restrictions keep falling like rocks, and travel is on the rise at the same time. The list has expanded by 28 new countries (and two territories) in the last three months, which is easing travelers in Covid-19 restrictions. This is not to claim that the epidemic has ended; international tourists must still obtain the required certificates, of course, but countries on all continents have now adopted a post-pandemic attitude toward tourism and everyday life, relaxing masking laws along with border controls. Travelers are still recommended to confirm the necessary internal rules regarding masks, vaccination passports, and health examinations.   Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here What is ArriveCan?   As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Canada has been working hard to vaccinate its population. In an effort to continue this progress, the Canadian government has announced that it will be easing vaccine requirements and making ArriveCan optional.   ArriveCAN is an app that allows you to submit your travel and contact information to the Canadian government. It is used to help the government keep track of who is entering the country and to help prevent the spread of disease. The app is free to download and use. A receipt from ArriveCAN verifies that you successfully submitted your information.   Before and after entering Canada, you must use ArriveCAN to provide the necessary travel and public health information. ArriveCAN helps in our continuous efforts to modernize cross-border travel, in addition to keeping travelers secure.   The Canadian government will be easing some of the entry requirements for vaccines into the country. Vaccines will still be required for some people, but those who are fully vaccinated will no longer need to use Arrive CAN. This change is being made in order to make travel easier for those who are fully vaccinated and to encourage more people to get vaccinated.   How does this impact international travelers to Canada?   The Canadian government is planning to ease vaccine requirements and make ArriveCan optional for travelers entering the country. This means that travelers will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination or use the ArriveCan app when entering Canada. The move comes as the government seeks to reduce travel restrictions and encourage more people to visit Canada. The streamlined requirements will also apply to those traveling from within Canada.   This change is welcome news for those who have been struggling with the ArriveCan app. For travelers who are not vaccinated, this may provide some relief as well. However, it is important to remember that even if you are not required to use ArriveCan or submit a travel plan, you will still need to follow all other entry requirements. Repositioning ArriveCAN as optional will come as a relief to travelers who don’t want to submit their customs declarations, vaccination status, and travel plans through an app that, at times, has malfunctioned or caused confusion. Since restrictions discourage travelers and are out of line with many other nations as the pandemic eases, the aviation and travel sectors have been urging the government to reduce the restrictions on foreign travel.   Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here   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 options for you and your family.          Get a free Assessment  Tel: (416) 604-2669 Email: info@test.immigrationmatters.info Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate