For those who are applying for permanent residency in Canada via the country’s Express Entry immigration programme, the wait is over. According to reports, it is expected that the first draw for an invitation to apply is going to be held next week.
January 1, 2015, the Canadian government launched the new Express Entry immigration programme, which will enable skilled people from different parts of the globe to migrate to Canada faster. Before, the skilled migration applications were professed in order of receipt. But with the new system, Canadian authorities will be able to easily hand-pick immigrants who have the necessary skills, experience, and educational attainment to fill job vacancies in the North American country.
Under the Express Entry system, those who want to become permanent residents in Canada must submit an electronic expression of interest first. Previously, applicants are required to submit the necessary documents and paperwork in person. But with the new changes, they must now fill out an online application form, complete language tests, and if applicable, have their education credentials assessed.
Those who meet the criteria will be accepted into the pool. In this pool, the candidates are being ranked against other applicants and will be given points for certain attributes such as age, skills, job offer, work experience, and adaptability among other things. Meanwhile, here are some of the minimum criteria applicants should meet to be accepted into the pool:
• You have an offer of arranged employment, or
• You are a foreign national who has been living legally in Canada for one year as a temporary foreign worker or an international student, or
• You are a skilled worker who has at least one year of experience in one or more of the occupations in demand in Canada.
Edwina Shanahan, manager at Visafirst.com, encouraged Irish workers who want to apply for permanent residency in Canada to improve their credentials and qualifications if they want to boost their chances of becoming permanent residents. According to her, it is important for the applicants to enter the pool with as many points as possible because only those who ranked higher will be invited to apply for the visa, depending on the labour market expectation.
Meanwhile, with the new immigration programme now in place, around 2,000 Irish workers who want to stay in Canada on a permanent basis are expected to go through a much tougher and more selective process.