Did you know that there has not been a federal skilled worker Express Entry Permanent Residence draw since the end of last year, 2020?
It is definitely causing problems. Many people are sitting in portals waiting to be selected. And because of COVID and perhaps other political issues, nobody has received a federal skilled worker ITA since the end of 2020. We are hopeful that there will be an invitation period soon. But what should you do if you're waiting and nothing has happened - and you're getting older and you're losing qualifying Express Entry points?
The government has been focusing on keeping those people that are already here in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class and inviting them to become permanent residents.
What's Your CRS Score?
Canada has a points-based immigration system called Express Entry. You must have a score of at least 67 points out of a possible 100 Selection Factor criteria before you apply for Express Entry under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). While you're waiting for the next federal skilled worker pool, you can be improving your CRS score.
Here are 11 ways to boost your Express Entry CRS score.
You May Have Other Options To Move To Canada
If you're outside of Canada waiting to be selected under Express Entry and invited to apply for permanent residence under the federal skilled worker PR, you may have other options to move to Canada. Nobody knows when they're going to do the next federal skilled worker invitation. Given COVID, it's just so hard to predict. But you may have other options for work, for school, and for other categories such:
Study Permits
Advanced education in Canada is a good alternative for individuals who do not qualify under the Express Entry selection criteria. A Canada study permit allows you to attend an approved, accredited university for an advanced degree. International graduates already living in Canada have priority and a special application process for many in-demand occupations in Canada.
Find a Canadian Job
Many Canadian employers are looking for temporary skilled foreign workers to fill open jobs. If you find a job with a Canadian employer who wants to hire you and they give you a written job offer, they can sponsor your immigration to Canada.
ICT: Intra-Company Job Transfers
An intra-company transfer (ICT) is when an employee is currently working for a company and that company wants to move the employee temporarily to a different country while they continue to work for the same company. Intra-company transferees will require a temporary Work Permit to work in Canada.
Investment and Economic Immigration
Canada has put into place programs to increase economic immigration in order to improve Canada's economy due to the aging workforce. Economic immigrants are admitted to Canada based on their education, skills and work experience. In addition to Express Entry, Canada's economic immigration programs include:
- Canada’s Start-Up Visa targets immigrant entrepreneurs with the skills and potential to build businesses in Canada that are innovative, can create jobs for Canadians and can compete on a global scale.
- The Self-Employed Persons Program allows people to immigrate to Canada permanently as a self-employed person.
- The Global Talent Stream fast-tracks visas for skilled immigrants.
PNP - Provincial Nominee Program
Each province has unique, specific worker needs. Canada gives each Province control over the qualifications for foreign workers through their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The PNP system allows each territorial and/or provincial government to select immigrants based on the specific economic needs of that territory or province.
Family Class
Canada places a priority on family reunification. If a family member - spouse, parent, or grandparent - already is a permanent resident or citizen in Canada, they can sponsor you to move to Canada through Family Class Sponsorship programs include:
- Parents and Grandparents Program
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Super Visa
- Spousal Open Work Permit
Alternative to Express Entry
There are many more opportunities and programs for individuals to move to Canada in addition to Express Entry. An immigration professional can review your qualifications and help identify other options to move to Canada that fit your education, skills and specific situation. You should discuss your immigration status with an immigration legal professional with experience in Canada's immigration system.
An experienced immigration lawyer can save you time and stress - and prevent costly mistakes and missed deadlines. With 50+ years of combined immigration experience, our immigration legal team can identify and resolve potential problems BEFORE they happen. Contact Ackah Business Immigration Law today to discuss your situation at 403-452‑9515.
