What's the catch to Canada's new Express Entry System?

English: The main entrance of in , , Canada, featuring Canadian provincial flags. Nederlands: Hoofdingang van Canada's Wonderland met de Canadese provinciale vlaggen, gefotografeerd in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Posted at 02/24/2015 12:29 PM

VANCOUVER, Canada - Canada recently implemented an online Express Entry System for those wanting to migrate to the country.

The Express Entry System allows an applicant to create an online profile, type in his best qualifications to be invited for permanent residency.

But immigration experts say there is a catch

Since its launch in January, more than 1,500 have already been invited to apply for permanent residency under the Express Entry System. But their invitation did not come from creating an online profile alone.

"It is very important to note that under this system, while you may qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Trades Worker or under the Canadian Experience Class, you need to be able to show them that you have the offer of employment or the provincial nominations," said Arelene Tungohan, certified immigration consultant.

The Express Entry System is supposedly a faster route for entering Canada through its economic migration streams like the Federal Skilled workers, Provincial Nominations, and Experienced Class Programs.

Creating an online profile gives points for one's skills, education, work experience, and other relevant information. It is also supposed to allow one to register with Canada's job bank.

"Employers would be able to supposedly to go to job bank and handpick candidates who will be employed by them. Ang hindi alam ng marami na yung job bank portion hindi pa gumagana," she said.

Job offers and provincial nominations are not essential, but they give significant points, about half of the total 1200 points one can get under the new system.

This, Tungohan said, is where the challenge lies.

"If you don't have like a provincial nomination or an arranged employment LMIA-Based (Labor Market Impact Assessment) arranged employment, then anong laban mo sa mayroong ganun? Kasi the arranged employment and the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) will give you 600 points. So this is really employer-driven. Ang hinahanap ng Canada at first right now is for those who already have work," she said.

This early, government claims the initial results are impressive as the new system is working to fill Canada's labor market needs.

Most of those invited were applicants from the sciences, electrical and construction industries.

Upon receiving an invitation, applicants have 60 days to complete and submit requirements with Immigration Canada guaranteeing a 6-month processing time.

Read more from Balitang America.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/02/24/15/whats-catch-canadas-new-express-entry-system

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Regina launches website directed at welcoming immigrants

The Kramer Imax Theatre located at the Saskatchewan Science Centre in the renovated former Regina powerhouse on the north shore of east Wascana Lake (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The City of Regina has received $30,000 from the federal and provincial governments to launch welcometoregina.ca, which aims to help new immigrants settle in the city.

"It's very important," Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan's Minister responsible for immigration, said. "Newcomers often have some very, very real challenges being brand new in Canada, brand new in Saskatchewan, and brand new in Regina."

Harrison added the site contains information that many people who have always lived here may take for granted, such as where to shop for groceries. He said the site was created with help from newcomer groups like the Regina Open Door Society, who provided further insight on what new immigrants to Regina often want and need to know.

'Newcomers often have some very, very real challenges.'- Jeremy Harrison

Regina city councillor Shawn Fraser was also on hand for the website's launch. He said it's a good step toward helping people fit in to the city, but citizens can always do more to make people feel welcome. 

"That means going out of our way, if you can, to introduce yourself to your neighbours, to help people out," Fraser said. "Open Door Society is a great way to get involved. There's lots of opportunities around the city to welcome new Canadians." 

The money for the website is administered through Citizenship and Immigration Canada, through an agreement between the federal and provincial governments. It allows for grants toward cities and municipalities that want to provide online information for immigrants. 

Harrison said Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Moose Jaw have also received help for websites similar to the one created for people arriving in Regina.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-launches-website-directed-at-welcoming-immigrants-1.2950632

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Inviting In-Demand, Skilled Immigrants to Canada

The lock between Chateau Laurier and Parliament Hill in Canada's capital city, Ottawa, Canada, situated on the Ottawa River. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

First round of Express Entry candidates invited to fill labour market needs and contribute to Canada's economic growth

February 2, 2015 - Ottawa -Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander today announced that the first round of top-ranked candidates from Canada's Express Entry system is already helping to fill demonstrated and verifiable gaps in Canada's labour market.

On Saturday, January 31, 779 skilled workers, including professionals in natural and applied sciences, and industrial, electrical and construction trades, were invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Each of these candidates declared that they already have a valid job offer or provincial nomination.

Under Express Entry, skilled workers who want to apply to Canada's key economic immigration programs are able to create an online profile and express their interest in coming to Canada permanently.

Candidates who are accepted into the pool are ranked according to various factors, including language proficiency, education and work experience. Each is a leading indicator of one's likelihood of integrating fully and quickly into Canadian society and making an optimal contribution to the economy.

Canada will regularly invite the highest-ranking candidates from the pool to apply to immigrate. With most applications being processed in six months or less, candidates will be able to contribute to Canada's economy and job market more quickly than ever before.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

www.canada.ca/ExpressEntry

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Saskatchewan Introduces Express Entry Sub-Category

A "Welcome to Saskatchewan" sign greets drivers on the highway as they leave the province of Alberta and enter the province of Saskatchewan in Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Canadian province—Saskatchewan, has introduced a new Express Entry category entitled as Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-category, under its PNP (Provincial Nominee Program). This new sub-category is committed to skilled employees who would like to reside and work in Saskatchewan.

The SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program) nominates people who are in the federal Express Entry pool with proper skills, work experience as well as language abilities required to effectively settle and assimilate into province’s labor market and societies.

Under this stream, the province has allotted 775 spaces and the good thing is applicants don’t require an employment offer to apply. Successfully selected applicants will have the right to reside and work in the province with rewarding standard of living, rising economy and the low unemployment rate in Canada.

However, in order to apply for Saskatchewan Express Entry Sub-Category, applicants must meet certain prerequisites such as; they must be accepted into federal Express Entry pool and posses Express Entry Profile Number along with Job Seeker Validation Code. Applicants should secure at least 60 points out of 100 in the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program point assessment grid and language proficiency is needed either in French or English language.

Applicants must have completed at least one year of training or post-secondary education which is equivalent to Canada’s education system and has resulted in a diploma, degree, credential, or a certificate comparable to a trade credential.

Applicants should also show their minimum work experience level pertinent to their education or training field. The minimum work experience can be either one year during the past 10 years in skilled profession (non-trades), or two years in the skilled trade during the past five years or one year of skilled work experience in Canada during the past three years in trades or non-trades. The work experience should be in high skilled occupations listed on NOC “0”, “A” or “B” occupations, which are considered to be in-demand occupations in Saskatchewan.

Source: http://www.migrationideas.com/news/saskatchewan-introduces-express-entry-sub-category/407/

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