Citizen of India and China Dominated British Columbia PNP in 2017

2,350 Express Entry Candidates have been Nominated by British Columbia in 2017

According to a new report, the Province of British Columbia nominated 2,350 Express Entry candidates for Canadian PR in 2017.

Nine Canadian provinces and two territories have Provincial Nominee Programs, which allow them to nominate a set number of economic immigrants each year for permanent residence.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points towards their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. 

The British Columbia PNP has four immigration categories that are linked to the Express Entry: EEBC - International Graduate, EEBC - Skilled Worker, EEBC - International Post Graduate, and EEBC - Healthcare Professional. 

The EEBC - Skilled Worker category experienced the most significant year-over-year change of all EEBC categories, growing from 799 nominations in 2016 to 1,181 in 2017.

Citizen of India and China led immigration candidates nominated for permanent residence by the province of British Columbia through its skills immigration stream in 2017, receiving 32% and 21% of nominations respectively. These proportions are essentially the same as in 2016 when the citizen of India received 32% of skills immigration nominations and citizen of China received 22%.

Other than India and China, top 10 source countries for skills immigration stream nominees were South Korea, Australia, United Kingdom, Brazil, Ireland, United States, Philippines, and Iran.

News Update 22 August 2018: Express Entry Draw #97

Again The Minimum Score Stays at 440 in Latest Express Entry Draw

Candidates Invited: 3,750 Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Minimum CRS Cut-off: 440

Tie Breaker Rule: 2018 February 21, at 11:028:03 UTC or 16:58 IST

The Immigration, Regulation and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 3,750 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 440 and those who have submitted their Express Entry Profiles before 21 January 2018 at 11:028:03 UTC to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

This is the third draw in 2018 to feature a minimum score of 440, which is the lowest CRS score drawn in 2018 till date. Both the draw size and the minimum CRS score at the 22 August were the same as the previous draw, held on 08 August.

IRCC has now issued 3,750 ITAs in every draw held since 13 June 2018. The regular pace of these larger draws, which have been held roughly every two weeks, could be what has helped keep the CRS score at 440 and not let it go higher.

            ITSs Issued and CRS Score in Express Entry Draws 2018

IRCC has now issued a total of 54,700 ITAs over 17 draws in 2018, which is slightly ahead of  54,487 ITAs that were issued over the first 17 draws of 2017.

News Update 08 August 2018: Express Entry Draw #96

New Express Entry Draw CRS Cut-Off at 440, The Lowest Score

Candidates Invited: 3,750 Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Minimum CRS Cut-off: 440

Tie Breaker Rule: 2018 January 31, at 00:06:40 UTC or 5:36 IST

The Immigration, Regulation and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 3,750 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 440 and those who have submitted their Express Entry Profiles before 31 January 2018 at 00:06:40 UTC to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

This is the second time that IRCC has reduced the score to 440 which makes it the lowest score for this year. CRS score is one point lower than the previous round on 25th July 2018 and the same number of Invitation to Apply (ITAs) continues that began on 13 June 2018.

ITAs Issued and CRS Score in Express Entry Draws 2018

This year, IRCC has issued a total 50,950 ITAs and its admission target for 2018 and 2019 are 74,900 and 81,400 immigrants respectively. 

If IRCC does resort to larger draws, or more frequent draws this could also result in further reduction of the cut-off CRS score. 

Best Canadian City For Immigrants: 2018 Survey by MoneySense Magazine Puts Toronto at 5th Place

Oakville, Ontario, Named Best Canadian City for Immigrants

Oakville city in Ontario, has been ranked number one, as 2018's best Canadian city for immigrants according to a new survey.

The survey has been conducted by online magazine MoneySense and put Oakville at top which is nearby Toronto city. 

Oakville is a suburban town in Southern Ontario, located in Halton Region halfway between Toronto and Hamilton. Distance from Oakville to Toronto is ~40 Km or ~25 miles which can be covered in 30 to 40 mins. The population of Oakville was 193,832 in 2016 as per 2016 Census. 

Its average household income of $162,000 is the 10th highest in the country and the value of the average primary residence is $1.2 million, 13th most expensive in Canada. These facts conclude Oakville sounds like a great place to live for rich people. 

"There's no denying it's an affluent community, but it's a generous community," Mayor Rob Burton says. "We've become a very attractive place for people of diverse backgrounds."

MoneySense says its reputation for wealthy residents and mega-mentions is balanced by access to affordable housing and its small-town sense of community".

The results of 2018 Canada's Best Places to Live raking confirms, Oakville is a 

• Best place for new Canadians
• Third Best place to retire 
• Fifth best place to raise a family 

So, it's certainly not a cheap city in the country, but it has attracted a growing and increasingly diverse population because of its many strong points.   

Toronto city ranked fifth in Best places to live in Canada for immigrants, one of the several that constitute MoneySense' annual Canada's Best Places to Live Survey.

MoneySense ranked 415 Canadian cities based on their scores in 10 categories: Welth and Economy, Affordability, Population Growth, Taxes, Commute, Crime, Weather, Access to Health Care, Amenities, and Culture.

Based on the above categories, where are the best places to live?

Half of the top 50 Cities are in Ontario.

Top 10 Best Places for New Canadians 2018

10. Vaugham, Ontario 

• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,394
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 52%

09. Westmount, Quebec

• Unemployment Rate: 7.5%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,554
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 22%

08. Delta, British Columbia

• Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,162
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 29%

07. Brossard, Quebec

• Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $804
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 37%

06. Milton, Ontario

• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,249
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 31%

05. Toronto, Ontario

• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,426
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 44%

04. King, Ontario 

• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,394
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 25%

03. Mont-Royal, Quebec

• Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,110
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 31%

02. Ottawa, Ontario

• Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,236
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 21%

01. Oakville, Ontario

• Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
• Average rent for two-bed room apartment: $1,456 
• Percentage of population whose first language isn't English/French: 30%

News Update 30 July 2018: 82,000 Technical Jobs were created in Toronto During Last Five Years

Toronto is leading in Tech Jobs Creation Followed by Traditional Tech Hub Like San Francisco Bay Area 

Large number of Tech jobs were created between 2012 and 2017 led by Toronto city in both Canada and United States. Faster than traditional tech hubs like San Francisco Bay Area, according to the recent study.

Approximately 82,000 tech jobs were created in Toronto city during the five year period, which is nearly 4,300 tech jobs created more than in San Francisco Bay Area during this period. 

28,900 tech jobs have been added by Toronto city in 2017 alone which is an increase of 13.6% over the previous year; making The city fastest growing tech market in North America for the second year in a row.

According to 2018 Scoring Tech Talent Report produced by CBRE Canada (Part of the Fortune 500 CBRE Group), Toronto placed forth out of the 50 North American cities. 

The Tech Talent scorecard is determined by 13 unique metrics, including tech talent supply, growth, concentration, cost, completed tech degrees, industry outlook for tech job growth and market outlook for both office and apartment rent cost growth.

"Toronto continues to outpace other North American markets, having added more tech jobs in 2017 than the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle and Washington, D.C. combined," said Paul Morassutti, Executive Managing Director of CBRE Canada.

Again, Toronto placed first in terms of "rain Gain" which is the number of jobs created minus the number of tech degrees granted in a given city between 2012 and 2017. Toronto posted a gain of 55,025 during this period, compared to the San Francisco Bay Area's 46, 529. 

News Update 25 July 2018: Express Entry Draw #95

New Express Entry: Drop CRS Cut-off to 441

Candidate Invited: 3,750 Invitation to apply (ITA)

Minimum CRS Cut-off: 441

Tie breaker rule: 2017 Dec 21 at 12:14:21 UTC or 5:44 IST

The  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 3,750 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 441 and those who have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 31st December 2017 at 12:14:21 UTC to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR). 

CRS score is one point lower than the previous round on 11th July 2018 and the same number of Invitation to Apply (ITAs) have been issued in the last three draws, held on 13th June, 25th June 2018 and 11 July 2018.

ITA Issued and CRS Score in Express Entry Draws 2018

This year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a total 47,200 ITAs and its admission targets for 2018 and 2019 are 74,900 and 81,400 immigrantes respectively.

For 2018, the draw size of 3,750 has become a well-established trend and expected to increase above 3,750 in future. If IRCC continues to large draws or more frequent draws, this may also result in a reduction of cut-off CRS score.

  

News Update 24 July 2018: New Brunswick - Addition of 9 new occupations to The Express Entry Stream Priority

9 New Occupations have been added to the list

Today, New Brunswick added nine more occupations to the list of Express Entry New Brunswick Labour Market Stream. This is a good news for those who were not able to create profiles under NBPNP. 

Below is the list of 19 Occupations including new occupations:

Express Entry candidates with provincial nomination from New Brunswick receive an additional 600 CRS points towards their Express Entry score. 

Candidates must meet at least one of the given below three criterion, in addition to work experience in any one of the occupations as per the list shared above:

1. Candidates are currently employed in New Brunswick or have a job offer from a New Brunswick company that is designated skill type 0, Skill level A and skill level under Canada's NOC
2. Candidates have child, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt living in New Brunswick who is at least 18 years old and has lived in the province for at least one year as a permanent resident of citizen 
3. Candidate demonstrate French as first language, proven by test TEF

To be considered under this stream, candidate must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the NBPNP.

The NBPNP will only consider Expression of Interest (EOI) to this category from candidates who meet eligibility criterion for the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) and score a minimum 67 points out of 100 in the FSWC selection factor. All applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria for Express Entry New Brunswick Labour Market Stream.

News Update 21 July 2018: Prince Edward Island Invite New Express Entry Candidates

Prince Edward Island Draw

The Prince Edward Island (PEI) which is an Atlantic Province of Canada issued Express Entry invitation to apply for a province nomination as well as in Labour Impact and Business Impact category.

75 invitations were issued to candidates in Express Entry  and Labour Impact  categories and 50 invitations were issued trough the Business Impact category in the latest draw held on 19th July. 

PEI office of immigration did not provide a breakdown of how many Express Entry candidates were invited. There is no information about the type of the candidates such as whether they are already working in PEI.

135 points were the minimum threshold for Business Impact Category. Based on a unique points grids that are linked to its Expression of Interest (EOI) based immigration system, Points have been awarded to the candidates in its various immigration categories.

Interested candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) Profile. candidates are awarded a score based on answer submitted during the creation of their EOI profile and entered into the respective category's pool.

The highest scoring candidates with a connection to PEI are invited to submit an application for provincial nomination from the province's provincial nominee program. PNP PEI.

In addition, candidates in Canada's federal Express Entry Pool who are nominated by PEI receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking system (CRS) Points.

News Update 12 July 2018: 462,000 Job Vacancies Across Canada in the First Quarter of 2018

Increase in Jobs in Canada: Quebec Tops the List

The new data from Statistics Canada shows that job vacancies have increased across most provinces, industrial sectors and occupational groups in Canada, as compared to the first quarter of 2017. 

462,000 job vacancies have been created across Canada in the first quarter of 2018, with Quebec province leading the list YOY followed by British Columbia. Jobs in Quebec have increased by 37% in Q1 2018 as compared to Q1 2017, which means there is in an increase of approx. 25,000 jobs.

Sixth Consecutive Quarter with a Year-over-Year Increase in the Number of Job Vacancies

Statistics Canada says this was the seventh consecutive quarter to show a year-over-year increase in the number of job vacancies in Quebec, with vacancies in the manufacturing and accommodation and food services industrial sectors increasing the most. Montreal was the economic region in Quebec that posted the greatest increase in job vacancies (+8,700) during the quarter.

Quebec and British Columbia Have the Largest Increase in Job Vacancies

Quebec’s Liberal government has estimated that more than one million jobs will need to be filled by 2024, and says immigration has a major part to play in filling this gap.

Job vacancies also increased in B.C, Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba. B.C. shows 36% increase over 2017. Statistics Canada says job vacancies in B.C. increased in 19 of 20 industrial sectors in the province, with vacancies concentrated in the province’s Lower Mainland-Southwest economic region, which includes Vancouver. Sales and service occupations, trades and equipment operators posted the largest increase in vacancies over the first quarter of 2017.

Likewise, Job vacancies in Ontario increased by 9,800 in the first quarter of 2018. More than 40% (4,200) of those vacancies were in the transportation and warehousing industrial sector and another 2,400 were in the health care and social assistance sector.

Job Vacancies Increase in 9 of the 10 Largest Industrial Sector

Healthcare and social assistance sector saw job vacancies increase by 11,000 over the first quarter of 2017, an increase of 27.3% over 2017.

Job Vacancies are up in 9 of the 10 Broad Occupational Category

Broad occupation categories, Statistics Canada reported an increase of 9,030 job vacancies in the Business, Finance and Administration category and 8,080 job vacancies in the Natural and Applied Sciences category in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the previous year.

News Update 11 July 2018: Express Entry Draw #94

New Express Entry Maintains CRS Cut-Off at 442

Candidates Invited: 3,750 Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Minimum CRS Cut-off: 442

Tie Breaker Rule: 2018 June 26 at 13:18:55 UTC or 6:48 IST

The  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 3,750 candidates who had a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 442 and those who have submitted their Express Entry profiles before 26th June 2018 at 13:18:55 UTC to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR). 

CRS score is the same as the previous round on 25th June 2018 and the same number of Invitation to Apply (ITAs) have been issued in the last two draws, held on 13th June and 25th June 2018.

ITAs issued and CRS Score in Express Entry Draws 2018

It appears, if draws will happen more often, it is possible that the score may drop. The lowest CRS score on record is 413 points in a draw in May 2017.

First half of 2018 has already finished and a total of 7500 ITA's have been issued in the month of June, which is nearly double the total number of ITA's issued in June 2017 which was 3409 ITA's.