Author name: Raman kaur

With FHS Express Entry draws paused indefinitely, many international graduates feel limited in their options to remain in Canada after their PGWP expires. The Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) allows international graduates to work anywhere in Canada for up to three years. Unfortunately, this type of work permit cannot be extended. However, there are some options that may allow PGWP holders to remain temporarily, or even permanently in Canada. Here are five options for PGWP holders to remain in Canada after their permit expires while FHS draws remain at a standstill:   1.    Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)   There are many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) offered to international graduates in Canada that wish to settle in their province.   Many nominee programs, known as ‘enhanced’ PNPs operate using the Express Entry system. Receiving a nomination through an enhanced PNP allows a candidate to receive 600 points toward their Express Entry CRS score. Canada has continued to hold Express Entry draws for PNP recipients throughout the pandemic.   This means a PGWP holder could benefit from Express Entry’s expedited processing time. This could allow PGWP holders to receive permanent residence status as soon as 6-months after applying.   For PGWP holders that have not completed work experience in an occupational skill type eligible for Express Entry, there still PNP options available. Many provinces offer ‘base’ PNPs, which often allow candidates in skill types C and D to apply.   2.    Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)   The Atlantic Immigration Program helps certain recent graduates from an Atlantic post-secondary institute become permanent residents. This program may allow PGWP holders to remain in Canada before their permit expires.   To be considered, candidates must have completed a qualifying program of at least 2 years. Qualifying graduates must also hold a job offer in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The job offer can be in skill type A, B, C, or 0.   The benefit of this program is that eligible international graduates do not need to meet minimum work experience requirements. This allows PGWP holders to apply, even before they’ve started working. This may be beneficial for PGWP holders that haven’t gained enough work experience to apply through other programs before their permit expires.   The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program ended on December 31, 2021. It will be replaced with the permanent Atlantic Immigration Program on March 6, 2022.   3.    Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP)   If you graduated from a publicly funded post-secondary institution in one of eleven select rural communities across Canada, you may be eligible to apply under the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP).   The pilot program requires candidates to have completed a master’s degree or a post-secondary program of at least two years and to have spent a minimum amount of time in the community.   Each rural community also has its own eligibility criteria for applicants that intend to apply to their program.   4.    Work permit   Most work permits require employers to go through the lengthy and costly process of obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).   However, there are other options to apply for a work permit that do not require an LMIA. Canada’s International Mobility Program (IMP) enables Canadian employers to hire temporary foreign workers without the need for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). To apply for an LMIA-exempt work permit, your work must have broader economic, cultural, or other competitive advantages for Canada, and reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents.   If you are eligible to apply for permanent residency before your PGWP expires, you may also be eligible to apply for a bridging open work permit. This permit will allow you to work while waiting for the finalization of your permanent residency application.   5.    Enroll in a new post-secondary program   Enrolling in a new post-secondary program in Canada could allow you to remain in Canada and work up to 20 hours per week. If you are eligible for Express Entry but are waiting to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), this may be a way for you to stay in Canada in the meantime.   It is important to note that, if you no longer hold a valid work permit, or have maintained status, you cannot continue working in Canada. You must have valid status to remain in Canada.  

As Federal Skilled Worker draws remain paused, provinces’ nominee programs have become the easiest way to secure PR in Canada. So which provinces make it easiest to get PR for candidates with no connections to Canada? Keep reading to find out which Canadian province is right for you as you start on your Canadian immigration journey! There are countless nominee programs, each with its own unique eligibility requirements. PNPs let provinces respond to their own unique immigration needs. Generally, PNPs are designed to fill gaps in the labour force, so they will target candidates with experience in high-demand occupations. We are often asked which Canadian Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is the easiest to immigrate to for overseas candidates. While many PNPs require a connection to their province – such as a job offer, work experience, or an educational credential – to apply for nomination, there are some programs that invite candidates solely based on their ability to fill labour or demographic gaps. These are the four provinces that are considered the easiest for overseas applicants to get PR in Canada in 2022: #1 – Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand and Express Entry Located in Canada’s prairie region, the province of Saskatchewan has become a popular destination for immigrants due to its strong economic growth and job opportunities. The Occupations In-Demand and Express Entry streams of Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker PNP are designed to recruit workers with experience in the province’s in-demand occupations. These International Skilled Worker streams hand-select candidates using an Expression of Interest (EOI) system. To submit an EOI, applicants must have at least one year of experience in an occupation not on SINP’s Excluded Occupations List. Interested candidates must have also completed a post-secondary educational credential of at least one year and speak English or French. Any candidate that meets Saskatchewan’s minimum eligibility criteria, including scoring a minimum of 60 points on their Points Assessment Grid, may submit an EOI profile. Submitted profiles are then considered in one of SINP’s EOI draws. Only candidates with the most competitive SINP score and in-demand occupations are invited in SINP EOI draws. Candidates eligible for Express Entry can apply under the Saskatchewan Express Entry stream for expedited processing of their permanent residence application. However, the Saskatchewan Occupations In-Demand stream is also available to those that don’t qualify to submit an Express Entry profile. #2 – Alberta’s Express Entry Stream Canada’s western province of Alberta is home to some of Canada’s thriving cities, such as Calgary and Edmonton. With a growing job market and great education system, Alberta is a noteworthy province for prospective newcomers. The Alberta Express Entry stream selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool to apply for provincial nomination. One major benefit of this stream is that they consider Express Entry candidates with CRS scores as low as 300, which means more candidates in the pool will have a chance at receiving a Notification of Interest from the province. It is worth noting that a CRS score above 300 does not guarantee an invitation from Alberta’s Express Entry stream. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program releases the CRS score of the lowest-ranking candidate from each round of invitations but does not release the additional targeted criteria. The following factors may increase a candidate’s chances: A qualifying relative that is a permanent resident or citizen living in Alberta; A job offer or work experience in Alberta; and A completed credential from a Canadian post-secondary institution Alberta’s Express Entry stream operates through the federal Express Entry system. That means that receiving a provincial nomination will increase an applicant’s CRS score by 600 points, virtually guaranteeing they will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR in the next Express Entry draw. Due to Alberta’s low CRS requirement, they are often considered one of the easiest provinces to get PR in Canada.

There are many immigration options for Indian nationals looking to settle permanently in Canada. In fact, Indian nationals accounted for nearly one-third of all new Canadian permanent residents in 2021. In this post, we break down the best ways to immigrate to Canada from India today. India has long been a top source country of Canadian immigrants. The number of Indians who became permanent residents in Canada increased from 39,340 in 2016 to 85,585 in 2019. In 2021, close to 100,000 new Canadian permanent residents emigrated from India. While an Indian skilled worker could potentially wait decades before obtaining permanent residence in the US, Canada’s immigration system allows skilled workers to apply directly for permanent residence if they qualify for a program. If granted permanent residency, a person is given the right to live and work anywhere in Canada, plus access to Canadian universal healthcare and social services. Here are four of the easiest ways for Indian nationals to obtain Canadian permanent residence: Express Entry – Federal Skilled Worker The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) stream is for those with at least one year of skilled work experience. It is highly competitive, using the complex Comprehensive Ranking System to give all applicants a points-based score. Only the most competitive applicants will be selected for immigration. In 2021 over 50% of all invitations through Express Entry were issued to Indian nationals, mostly under the Federal Skilled Worker stream. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs. As the provinces have different populations and economies, their immigration programs are unique and built to fit their economic and demographic needs. PNPs are a popular option because they can be the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residence for candidates that are lacking enough CRS points to receive an ITA. Immigration through a Provincial Nominee Program makes up a large portion of Canada’s total economic immigration. Of a total of 232,500 economic immigrants targeted for 2021, 80,800 were reserved for those applying under a Provincial Nominee Program. In fact, in 2021, Canada issued three times as many invitations in PNP-specific Express Entry draws compared to 2020. Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) The province of Quebec runs its own skilled worker immigration program. The Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) is an immigration program operated by the province of Quebec for candidates who have skilled work experience and will be able to make lasting contributions to Quebec’s economy as members of the workforce. Similar to Express Entry, candidates are ranked using a points system and then certain candidates are invited to apply. Work Permits / Intra-Company Transfers Certain Indian nationals may be eligible for a Canadian work permit. Often, a job offer will be required to obtain a work permit. However, one significant exception to this is for intra-company transfers. If your employer is part of a multinational corporation with offices in Canada, you may be eligible to be transferred to an office in Canada, without too much paperwork! Family Sponsorship If you have a qualifying relative living in Canada, you may be eligible for Family Class sponsorship. Canada offers numerous immigration programs that give Canadians the opportunity to sponsor their family members to Canada. Visit our Sponsorship page to learn more about your options to sponsor a relative from India to Canada. Study in Canada Figures from India’s ministry of external affairs revealed that more Indian nationals are choosing to study in Canada over the United States. One of the reasons many Indian nationals choose to study in Canada is the ample options to work during and after their studies. After completing a Canadian credential, there are many permanent residency immigration opportunities that become available to international graduates. Many of Canada’s immigration programs also require a certain amount of skilled work experience. Fortunately, the majority of international student graduates in Canada are eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit, This permit allows international graduates to work anywhere in Canada and gain this valuable work experience.

A question we are often asked is, “What is the best province in Canada for immigrants?” With Canada being the second-largest country in the world, deciding where to start can be overwhelming. Canada has a total of ten provinces and three territories, each with its own unique charm. Depending on your profile, and where you are at in the process, one important consideration may be which province has a nominee program that is right for you. Other considerations might depend on your lifestyle, field of work, and weather preferences. To help you get started, here are four of the most popular Canadian provinces for immigrants in 2021: 1.    Ontario Ontario is by far the most popular province for new immigrants coming to Canada. In 2021, Ontario received about half of all new Canadian permanent residents. Ontario’s most popular city is also the largest in Canada. Among the newcomers that indicated Ontario as their province of destination, a majority intended to settle in the city of Toronto. Toronto is one of the most metropolitan and multicultural cities in the world, with more than half of residents belonging to a visible minority group. Ottawa is the second most popular city in Ontario and is also the capital of Canada. Ottawa is considered one of the safest cities in Canada. Canada’s capital city also offers a high quality of life and low living costs. There’s no doubt that the winters in Ontario can get cold. In some parts of Ontario, the winter months can see temperatures below -40°C. It’s all worth it once the summertime comes around, with hot months getting up to above 30°C. Ontario boasts a strong economy, generating 37% of the national GDP, mainly through a combination of resources, manufacturing expertise, and exports. The province is also the home to nearly 50% of all employees in high-tech, financial services, and other knowledge-intensive industries. 2. British Columbia Located on the west coast of Canada, British Columbia is known for its beautiful natural landscape. After Ontario, British Columbia was the most popular province of destination for new immigrants in 2021. British Columbia is often considered the best province in Canada for immigrants looking for outdoor adventures and milder temperatures. British Columba’s most popular city is Vancouver. Located on the Pacific coast of Canada, Vancouver boasts stunning ocean and mountain views. Vancouver also has a thriving art scene and is a popular film location for major motion pictures. The second most popular city in British Columbia is Victoria. Victoria is also the capital city of the province of British Columbia, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victoria’s slow pace, charm, and unique geography make it the ideal city for any lowkey outdoor enthusiast. British Columbia is a great province for those who prefer their winter on the moderate side. The coastal regions of British Columba have some of the mildest winters in all of Canada, rarely dropping below freezing temperatures. The interior and central regions tend to have colder and snowier winters, but also have hotter summers than the coast of B.C. B.C. offers a diverse economy, dominated largely by service industries. Other main industries in B.C. include agriculture, construction, film and television, forestry, fisheries & aquaculture, high technology, manufacturing, mining, and tourism. 3. Quebec Quebec is the third most popular province for newcomers coming to Canada. Quebec is the best province in Canada for immigrants that enjoy cultural activities and appreciate the French language. The largest province in Canada, Quebec, is famous for its wealth of culture, maple syrup production, and the French language. Although French is the official language of Quebec, the provincial government provides certain protections and services for the English-speaking population. While it is possible to get around Quebec without speaking French, it is a good idea to learn the language. Luckily, Quebec offers free courses to new immigrants that want to learn French. Montreal is Quebec’s most populous city and the third most popular among new immigrants. As North America’s number one host city for international events, Montreal is often considered Canada’s most cultural city; here, you can enjoy various established music, comedy, and film festivals year-round. Quebec City is the second most popular destination among immigrants settling in the province. The unique French-speaking city strikes a balance between history, modernity, culture, and nature. Residents in Quebec City don’t stay idle in the cold months – the city offers a host of unique winter activities and attractions, including the major Winter Carnival, tobogganing in the middle of the city, or visiting the Hotel de Glace (Ice Hotel). Quebec’s climate is known for its extremes. While in parts of the province, temperatures in the winter months can drop the cold months can drop as low as -40°C, the summer months can experience temperatures as warm as 35°C. The economy of Quebec is diverse, largely dominated by the manufacturing and service sectors. Quebec also invests significantly in research and development, with growth in industries such as: information and communication technology; electronics and optics-photonics; life sciences and health technologies; food and nutrition; video games and digital solutions; insurance and finance services; green and smart building; and artificial intelligence 4. Alberta Finally, the fourth most popular province among immigrants in 2021 was Alberta. Located in Western Canada, Alberta offers some of the most popular natural attractions in the country. Alberta is known for its large deposits of oil and natural gas, cattle farming, Rocky Mountains, and Dinosaur Provincial Park. Calgary and Edmonton are Canada’s fourth and fifth most popular cities among immigrants, respectively. Calgary is Alberta’s largest city by population. Located in the foothills of the stunning Rocky Mountains, Calgary is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Calgary is also host to the famous Calgary Stampede & Exhibition, one of the largest outdoor rodeos in the world. Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta and the second most populated city in the province. There is never a shortage of activities in Edmonton, a city that hosts over 30 festivals annually. Edmonton also hosts Canada’s largest planetarium and has previously held the title for the

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education across the globe; with online learning becoming the new norm, there has been some confusion surrounding whether a permit is required to study online in Canada. Whether or not you require a study permit to study online in Canada will depend on your program. Here are some instances where you may not require a study permit to study online in Canada: 1.    Distance learning If your educational program is considered distance learning, you can not apply for a study permit to study in Canada. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) consider distance learning to be a process where a student does not need to be physically where the teaching is taking place.  It should be noted that distance learning is different from courses or programs that are temporarily online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If your distance learning requires any portion of the program to be complete in Canada (ex. in-person exams, tutorials). If this is the case, and the overall course is longer than 6 months, you will require a study permit for the in-Canada portion of the program. If you are studying a program that is entirely distance learning, you can do so in Canada on a visitor permit. Likewise, if you are already in Canada on a work permit, you complete your distance learning without applying for a study permit. 2.    Programs less than 6 months long If your educational course in Canada is six months long or less, you will not require a study permit to study online. According to Canada’s immigration laws, foreign nationals that intend to attend a program of study that is six months long, or less, do not require a study permit. However, foreign nationals should still apply for a study permit, even if the duration is six months or less. This will make it easy to renew or change the conditions of their study permit if needed for further studies. 3. Courses of general interest/self-improvement If you are planning to complete a course that is of general interest to you, or for the purpose of self-improvement, you may not need a study permit to study online in Canada. A general interest or self-improvement course is one that is taken for non-academic reasons and doesn’t typically result in a degree or diploma. These courses are not considered studies for the purpose of Canada’s immigration laws, and therefore do not require a permit. 4. Audited Courses If you are auditing an academic course without claiming credits, or without the ability to claim credits in the future, you may be eligible to study in Canada online without a study permit. Other exemptions Other individuals that are not required to obtain a study permit to study in Canada, online or in-person include minor children living in Canada, family members and private staff of diplomats, and members of the Foreign Armed Forces in Canada. Studying at a Canadian Designated Learning Institute For those studying online from outside of Canada, it may be worth securing a Canadian study permit. Many foreign nationals choose to study in Canada with the end goal of applying for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. If you want to come to Canada to study at the post-secondary level, make sure that your school and program of study are on this list of Canadian DLIs. Some students that complete a Canadian course online from outside of Canada may count a large portion of their studies toward the length of a Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP can be issued for up to three years and allows an international graduate to work anywhere in Canada, in any job.  The length of a PGWP depends on the length of an international graduate’s studies. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has allowed international students to count time spent studying online outside of Canada toward the length of their PGWP. This policy was extended at the end of November until August 2022. That means any time spent studying online outside of Canada can count toward the length of a PGWP until August 31, 2022. It is important to note that, to count this time toward your PGWP, you must be on a valid study permit. Canada has continued issuing permits to students abroad that wish to study in Canada.

Nigerian immigration to Canada has become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, Nigeria is one of the main source countries of Canada’s immigrant population; over 15,000 Nigerians immigrated to Canada in 2021. For many Nigerians, immigrating to Canada presents a wealth of opportunities not available to them in their home country. Political stability, a thriving economy and internationally recognized schools are all factors that make Canada a top destination for Nigerian immigrants. Here are five of the most popular ways to immigrate from Nigeria to Canada: 1. Express Entry Express Entry is the fastest and most popular pathway for newcomers seeking a new life in Canada. Express Entry organizes and processes applications for people who wish to immigrate to Canada and acquire Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with university or college degrees with skilled work experience and moderate proficiency in English and/or French are ideal candidates. For this reason, Nigerian professionals tend to do well in the Express Entry pool. Candidates who qualify for the following programs are also eligible to submit an application under the Express Entry program: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Federal Skilled Trades (FST) Canadian Experience Class (CEC) The easiest way to find out if you are eligible is to use our free online assessment tool. 2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) Each of Canada’s thirteen provinces and territories operates its own immigration programs, called Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs. As the provinces have different populations and economies, their immigration programs are unique and built to fit their economic and demographic needs. PNPs are a popular option because they can be the fastest pathway to Canadian permanent residence. If you are nominated through a PNP which is aligned with Express Entry, you will receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This means you are essentially guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw. Don’t know what your CRS score is? Find out now using our CRS Score Calculator! 3. Family Sponsorship Family reunification is a top priority for Canadian immigration. Canada offers a number of immigration programs that give Canadians the opportunity to sponsor their family members to Canada. To sponsor a family member as a permanent resident under family class sponsorship, the sponsor must fulfill the following conditions: Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada aged at least 18 years. Reside in Canada, if they are a permanent resident. Canadian citizens can sponsor a family member even when living outside the country. However, he or she must reside in Canada when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident of Canada. Have adequate resources to provide financial support to the sponsored person for the mandated duration. Further, the sponsor must comply with additional requirements like not receiving social assistance (except for reason of disability), meeting financial obligations including support for sponsored family members on time, a clean criminal record, etc. 4. Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program If you are an entrepreneur with an innovative business idea, you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada through the start-up visa program. Canada is looking for talented entrepreneurs that are interested in starting businesses that will stimulate the Canadian economy while creating employment opportunities for its residents. Qualified candidates can come to Canada on a work permit and will be granted Canadian permanent residence once they have established their business. 5. Other federal economic programs If you have a job offer in an in-demand field, or in a rural or Atlantic region of Canada, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through another federal economic program. The Canadian government offers various economic pilot programs to fill labour or demographic gaps in certain regions or sectors across Canada. If you have a job offer in Canada, contact us to learn more about your immigration options. How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria? The cost of immigrating to Canada from Nigeria is generally about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or about $4,500 CAD for a couple. This amount will also vary depending on which program you are applying through. Keep in mind that this total does not include the settlement funds that most candidates must show to be eligible for Canadian immigration; this amount will vary by family size, starting at around $13,000 CAD for a single applicant. Do I need the IELTS to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria? If you want to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria, you will almost certainly need to take one of Canada’s official language exams. Almost all Canadian immigration programs require candidates to provide French or English language results from an authorized organization. To demonstrate your English language ability, you can take either the IELTS or CELPIP test. Both CELPIP and IELTS have testing locations in Nigeria. The Canadian government does not have a preferred test, you can choose whichever one is most convenient for you. Which option is right for me? The Canadim Law Firm is a full-service Canadian immigration law firm. The options mentioned above are only a small sample of the types of applications we handle. Our firm and dedicated team is your Canadian Immigration solution. We handle everything from work permits, criminal inadmissibility, student visas and all applications for Canadian Permanent Residence. Get in touch with us today and fill out a free online assessment to start your Canadian Immigration journey on the right foot.