The exploitation of international student programs in Canada has made headlines for several years. Now, IRCC has adopted some strict and effective measures to stop the abuse and prevent students from fraud. One of the new frameworks, for instance, allows further processing of student visa applications only after their DLI or Designated Learning Institute has verified the students’ letters of acceptance (LOA). This is a great step to maintain the integrity of international student programs in Canada.
How DLIs Would Verify Acceptance Letters of International Students?
700 students from India were issued fraudulent admission letters from Canadian educational institutions. Many of them arrived in Canada in 2018-2019 and even had completed their Canadian work experience. Unfortunately, they were made aware of the fraud as they applied for permanent residence here.
So, IRCC wants to make sure all letters of acceptance are authorized and verified by the DLI before any further processing. So, how is this new framework going to work? Let’s find out.
Students can get access to an online portal of their allotted DLI through which they need to submit their LOA. The school has to verify the LOA within 10 days of the letter’s submission. The DLIs will lose access to the online portal after those 10 days. If a student’s LOA isn’t verified within that time frame, their visa application will be cancelled and returned.
Not everyone from the DLI will have access to the LOAs. Only the official representative of IRCC can get access to and verify the submitted letters.
What is the Trusted Institutions Framework?
IRCC has proposed the Trusted Institutions Framework to be effective in 2024. It introduces a two-tier model for issuing study permits. This measure aims to strengthen the credibility of international study programs in Canada.
IRCC is yet to hold discussions regarding the framework. However, it is believed to prevent student fraud and help DLIs process study permits at a faster rate.
The framework would bring forth a set of criteria to help the DLIs identify genuine students, report on each student’s compliance and provide them with an enriching academic experience.
What Else Can International Students Expect in 2024?
International students can expect a wide slew of changes in 2024. Some of the prominent ones are:
Introducing new changes to the PGWP program
Raising the cost of living requirements by an extra $10,000 CAD
Changes in the 20-hour work cap for international students
Canada is still a promising study destination for students from all over the world. New IRCC measures in 2024 are expected to make things safer, easier and faster for international students. A trusted immigration consultant in Alberta, Edmonton such as Onkar Immigration can guide you through all changes and help you get the study permit hassle-free.
IRCC announced major changes to the International Student Program on 27th October. These updates would create a better framework for IRCC to protect the students from fraud. This announcement marks the first review of the PGWP or Post-Graduation Work Permit in ten years. The changes will not only benefit students but also the DLIs or Designated Learning Institutes in Canada. It will be effective anytime in the coming months.
What are the New Changes in the Post-Graduation Work Permit Review?
All the changes focus on strengthening the program. The DLIs will need to confirm the acceptance of the letter of each applicant directly with IRCC. This will leave no space for errors or fraud. The Government will be able to issue study permits based on legit acceptance letters only.
IRCC will also adopt a recognized institution framework by the 2024 fall semester. The DLIs can then process the study permit applications on a priority basis.
IRCC is expected to complete the assessment of PGWP in the coming months. They will bring forth specific reforms according to the needs of the country’s labour market.
What is the Post-Graduation Work Permit?
The PGWP lets you work for any Canadian employer. You need to complete an eligible post-secondary program in Canada to be able to apply for this program. The permit is usually valid for up to three years. However, it varies depending on the course duration of your Canadian educational program.
Legit work experience is crucial for international students to apply for permanent residence in Canada. And PGWP is the best way to achieve that.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for PGWP?
International students need to meet the following criteria to apply for PGWP.
You need to complete a professional training, vocational or academic program at a legit DLI. The program should be at least eight months long and reward you with a degree or diploma.
The DLI should provide you with a legitimate transcript and an official letter conveying that you have met all the requirements for the program.
You need to show your full-time status as an international student in every academic session of your program.
You can also graduate from a public post-secondary institution like a trade school or college to be able to apply for this program.
Remember:
The government nullified the full-time student status requirement during the pandemic for specific international students. Exceptions include those who are studying in March 2020 or between Spring 2020 and Summer 2022. It also doesn’t apply to students who took a break from studies in the final session.
PGWP Growth Statistics
PGWP is highly popular in Canada. Firstly, it lets international students earn work experience. Second, the country gets an opportunity to fill its labour shortages.
According to Statistics Canada, the total number of PGWP holders increased from 10,300 to 64,700 between 2008 and 2018. In fact, the data shows that number of PGWP holders increase every year in Canada.
At least 286,000 international graduates had a valid PGWP at the end of 2022. Several PGWP holders get permanent residence every year. 157,000 students got their PR in 2021 while 95,000 in 2022.
Need Help With Study Permits in Canada?
The PGWP review will make things a lot easier for eligible international students and the Canadian Government. It will enable the faster processing of study permit applications and reduce the chances of student fraud.
If you need any help with the study permit application in Alberta or Edmonton, we have got your back. Share your study goals with our team and we will guide you accordingly.
The time has come again to connect with your certified Canadian immigration consultants. Canada, after all, has released its Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026. The targets are the same as they were in the 2023 plan. That means the targets from 2024 to 2026 will remain economic, refugee, humanitarian and family. The government plans to invite 485,000 new immigrants in 2024 and an additional 500,000 immigrants in 2026, according to the new plan.
Targets in the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026
IRCC expects to invite 114,000 immigrants from the family class in 2024 which is about 24% of all admissions. The number is expected to rise to 118,000 by 2026.
Similarly, Canada is all set to welcome 281,135 immigrants from the economic class, which is 58% of the annual target. The number is expected to rise to 301,250 by 2026,
The government will also welcome 89,865 immigrants from the humanitarian class. These also include protected persons and refugees. The target is expected to rise to 80,832 immigrants by 2026.
What to Expect From Express Entry and PNP Categories?
IRCC plans to target 110,700 permanent resident applications from the Express Entry pool in 2024. The number will rise to 117,500 in 2025 and 2026 individually.
The PGP or Parents and Grandparents Program plans to target 32,000 immigrants in 2024 and 34,000 in 2025 and 2026. The spousal, partner and children sponsorship program targets 82,000 applications in 2024. The number is expected to rise to 84,000 in 2025 and 2026.
The PNP or Provincial Nominee Program plans to target 110,000 applications in 2024. The number will rise to 120,000 in each of 2025 and 2026.
Why do the Targets Remain Unchanged in Immigration Levels?
According to the Canadian Government, the purpose of the Immigration Levels Plan is to stabilize economic growth and focus on areas that need consistent attention. Examples of such areas include healthcare, infrastructure and housing. The targets remain unchanged because those areas need eligible immigrants. So, the plan provides the government with a roadmap to attaining stable and sustainable population growth.
Let’s say you want to apply for a permanent residenceship over the next three years. The Immigration Levels Plan is your guideline. You can follow the criteria in any one of the classes included in the Plan such as humanitarian, family and economic.
According to the IRPA or Immigration and Refugees Protection Act, the federal government must announce the annual immigration plan in non-election years by 1st November.
New Approach to the Canadian Immigration System
The Immigration Levels Plan isn’t the only step towards modernizing the Canadian immigration system. Marc Miller, Immigration Minister revealed a new approach on 31st October. The new strategy is known as ‘An Immigration System for Canada’s Future’. It has three goals such as:
Develop a well-coordinated growth plan
Resonate immigration and labour market requirements
Establish a more welcoming experience for newcomers
All in all, IRCC plans to align the labour and economic needs of the country with immigration policies. They are most likely to develop an integrated plan including all levels of Canadian Government. Thus, the new population can expect adequate infrastructure, healthcare and housing.
Growth of Immigration Levels in Canada
The Canadian Government didn’t emphasize immigration policies in the late 1980s. All policies were made based on the status of the economy in the country. Things changed after 1980.
Canada welcomed up to 90,000 immigrants in 1984. The federal government was then run by the Conservative Party. They realized the urgency of labour shortage issues and increased immigration targets to 250,000 over eighty years.
The Liberal Government was elected in 1993. The Canadian Government continued focusing on increasing immigration targets. About 260,000 immigrants were sent invitations every year till the current Liberal Government was elected in 2015. Now the current government increased the targets to 300,000 and 340,000 respectively before the pandemic.
In 2021, however, Canada sent invitations to about 405,000 new immigrants.
Currently, Canada is struggling with labour market shortages, housing problems and an affordability crisis. Thus, the Government takes every initiative required to maintain a steady economic and population growth in Canada.
If you too want to make the most of immigration policies in Canada, talk to professional immigration consultants. They can guide you through the entire process and documentation until you achieve your Canadian goal.
There’s good news for doctors seeking permanent residency (PR) in Canada. The immigration minister, Sean Fraser, signed a temporary public policy to ease the requirements doctors need to fulfill to attain the PR. The exemptions became effective on 25th April 2023. The validity remains unless anything otherwise is mentioned by the minister.
Are you a foreign national doctor providing publicly-funded medical services in Canada? Then the temporary policy frees you of specific obligations that may have created an obstacle in your PR journey. In other words, the exemptions make it easier for international physicians to become permanent residents in Canada.
Why are the Exemptions Important?
The purpose of these exemptions is to enhance the eligibility criteria for self-employed foreign national physicians. The Canadian Government wants more candidates to qualify for the Express Entry system. And to do so, the physicians had to show their experience of continuous work in Canada for a minimum of a year after they have issued their PR visa.
Not all physicians and doctors are able to do so due to their nature of work arrangements. But, that also doesn’t mean they aren’t qualified enough to become permanent residents here.
Similarly, several physicians here work as independent contractors. They provide publicly financed medical services under a fee-for-service model. The nature of their work is redeemed ineligible to qualify for the Express Entry system.
Thus, the new exemptions focus on helping these candidates meet the FSWP and CEC eligibility criteria and enter the Express Entry pool efficiently. Foreign national physicians also get a better chance at receiving ITAs for PR with these new exemptions.
What are the Changes in Eligibility Criteria for Foreign National Physicians?
In specific occupations, the physician doesn’t need to show their continuous employment for a year at least according to the new temporary public policy. But, only a healthcare organization, government entity, province or territorial government or a government-appointed body can make the job offer.
Prior to the new policy, independent contractors were considered self-employed and hence not eligible for Express Entry. Thanks to the exemptions, now they can also qualify and become permanent residents of Canada.
Which Occupations are Eligible for Exemptions?
NOC 2021
NOC 2016
NOC 31100 - Specialist in clinical and laboratory medicine NOC 31101 - Specialist in surgery NOC 31102 - General practitioner and family physician
NOC 3111 - Specialist physician
NOC 3112 - General practitioner
Final Thoughts,
All in all, the Canadian Government has brought forth exemptions to fix the healthcare shortage in Canada. Now foreign national physicians who work as independent contractors or are self-employed can claim CRS points for their work experience. Also, the physicians do not need to show continuous employment for a year to attain the PR.
Whether you want to immigrate to Canada as a healthcare professional, a caregiver or a skilled worker in any niche, licensed consultants can make things simpler for you. At Onkar Immigration, we have highly trained and licensed immigration consultants to equip you with all the knowledge and guidance you need to live your Canadian dream.
According to Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot or RNIP program may become a permanent immigration pathway soon. The program has been quite a success since its launch in the pandemic. In 2021, it welcomed around 390 permanent residents. The number tripled in 2022 and January 2023 has already witnessed 510 candidates gain Canadian permanent residence. It is expected that the program would bring more people in in the future.
How is the RNIP Program Helpful?
The RNIP is an attempt to help specific Canadian provinces leverage the benefits of economic immigration. It is a community-driven project that also lets skilled foreign workers acquire permanent residency in Canada. The program involves five provinces such as Saskatchewan, Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and Alberta. 11 communities from these provinces can participate in it.
Addresses labour shortages in Canadian communities
It is now easier to settle in smaller Canadian communities through the RNIP. With more immigrants arriving in the smaller communities, the local economy is improved and more jobs are created in the specific provinces.
Fraser said, “The RNIP has provided a great opportunity for rural communities across Canada to access the talent they need to grow their economies and create jobs”
The Canadian Government wants the rural areas to remain prosperous in the coming years. Thus, it may make the RNIP a permanent immigration pathway and provide the provinces with a new generation of entrepreneurs and workers.
Encourages skilled immigrants to settle in smaller communities
The RNIP welcomes skilled workers who have the potential to contribute to career opportunities, population and local businesses. Consider this an opportunity for qualified candidates to establish themselves in smaller communities. The program also asks the employers to provide you with all the necessary skills required to thrive in the province.
How can communities participate?
Communities interested in participating should:
Have a maximum of 50,000 people or a population of up to 200,000 people
Have a distance of at least 75km from the core of a census metropolitan area or be rendered ‘remote’ by the Statistics Canada Remoteness Index
How can candidates apply?
Candidates need to comply with specific selection criteria set by the participating communities and the federal government. You need to show at least a year of full-time or part-time work experience in the last three years to qualify for the program. Make sure your work experience is relevant to the responsibilities mentioned in the latest NOC.
Note: If you have been self-employed or worked an unpaid job, that is not considered work experience in RNIP.
Can International students apply without legit work experience?
Yes, you can apply without work experience for the program as an international student. However, the other selection criteria include:
Having a doctoral or master’s degree
Completed a post-secondary course of at least two years
Full-time student for two or more years
Completed studies within 18 months of submitting the PR application
Spending a minimum of 16 months studying in the specific community
You also do not need work experience after graduating with a higher degree. In that case, the selection criteria include:
Full-time study program in the specific community
Present in the community throughout the study program
Obtained the degree within 18 months of applying for PR
What about the RNIP-adjusted settlement funds?
Candidates need to showcase their proof of financial stability in the RNIP program. This assures the authorities that you have sufficient resources to support yourselves and your family members. You are exempted from this only if you are already legally working in Canada.
You can provide them with proof through investments, documents showing real property and bank account statements. The required amount of funds has changed after 23rd September and looks something like this:
Number of family members
Funds you need
1
$2290
2
$2851
3
$3505
4
$4256
5
$4827
6
$5444
7
$6062
For an additional family member
$618
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RNIP program in Canada?
The RNIP program stands for Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot. It lets skilled foreign workers settle in smaller Canadian communities. It was a temporary attempt to fill labour shortages during the pandemic in 11 Canadian provinces such as Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba. The immigration minister, however, is planning to make it permanent since it has been a huge success.
How successful is the RNIP program?
The RNIP was launched during the pandemic to fill the labour gaps in smaller communities in Canada. It has been immensely successful since then. Thus, the immigration minister is planning to make this a permanent immigration pathway.
Will the RNIP program remain valid after 23rd August 2023?
Yes, according to the immigration minister, the RNIP program will extend beyond its stipulated date.
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