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Tech Employer Alert: Improvements to Express Entry on the Way (and new Global Skills Strategy)
Friday, November 18, 2016
Ottawa, ON, November 18, 2016--(T-Net)--Changes to Express Entry, which will take effect on November 19, are part of a number of improvements the Government reported that it is making to bring changes for a more fair and responsive immigration system that will address emerging needs and ensure long-term economic growth for the middle class.
Improvements include awarding points for job offers to eligible candidates already in Canada on Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt work permits, and to international students who completed their studies in Canada.
In addition, more time will be allocated to candidates to submit an application for permanent residence once an invitation to apply is received.
These improvements to Express Entry support the Global Skills Strategy, contribute to Canada's economic growth, drive innovation leading to new businesses, and assists employers in meeting labour market needs, according to the Government.
Highly skilled immigrants, such as those who come through the Express Entry system, help strengthen Canada's competitiveness in the global marketplace and are able to quickly contribute to Canada's economy and society.
“We have committed to doing more to attract highly skilled immigrants to come to Canada and become permanent residents, because this is important to build our economy and strengthen our society. I am confident that the changes to Express Entry will be one of the many positive outcomes of the changes we will be bringing to our immigration system.” said John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Contacts
Camielle Edwards
Minister's Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca
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Canada's New Global Skills Strategy: Fall 2016
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The federal Government also recently unveiled its new "Canada's Global Skills Strategy" supported by changes to Canada's immigration system, to help Canadian and international companies access the talent and skills they need to grow and succeed in Canada (as part of the "Fall Economic Statement", by Finance Minister Bill Morneau earlier this month).
Canada's Global Skills Strategy Details
Canadian workers are among the most highly educated and highly skilled workers in the world. The goods they produce and the services they provide are respected the world over. That said, Canada needs to be able to access the skills and expertise of talented workers from around the world to enable Canadian firms to succeed in the global marketplace.
To grow Canadian businesses, create more Canadian jobs and compete among the best in the world, we must also attract the best minds in the world. Perhaps more than any other country, Canada has drawn strengths from its diversity and openness to change.
Faster Processing for Global Talent
Canada's Global Skills Strategy will make it easier for Canadian businesses to attract the talent they need to succeed.
Whether they need to bring in professionals to train Canadian workers, or to hire global talent with highly specialized, in-demand skills, the proposed new Global Skills Strategy will set an ambitious two-week standard for processing visas and work permits for low-risk, high-skill talent for companies doing business in Canada.
This initiative will target:
The Short-Duration Work Permit Exemption
The government will introduce a new work permit exemption for short-duration work terms. The exemption will apply to work terms of fewer than 30 days in a year, or brief academic stays.
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Express Entry improvements: Fall 2016
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Targeted improvements to the Express Entry system are being made on November 19, 2016. Supporting Canada's Global Skills Strategy, the changes will help better attract some of the best minds in the world, including former international students, experienced professionals and talented workers who will strengthen Canada's competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Immigrants with skills and experience are able to quickly contribute to the Canadian economy and society, helping create jobs, spur innovation and strengthen diversity in our communities.
Express Entry remains unchanged until the improvements below are implemented on November 19, 2016.
Before November 19, 2016
Job offers
The Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) awards 600 points for a job that is permanent and is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Education
The Express Entry system only awards points for education overall as long as it has been assessed as equivalent to a Canadian standard.
No additional benefit is awarded specifically to former international students who have received an education in Canada.
Applications
After receiving an invitation to apply, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. This includes all documentation such as police certificates and medical exams.
After November 19, 2016
Job offers
On November 19, 2016, the points awarded by the CRS for a job offer will change in three ways:
Points will be awarded for job offers of eligible candidates here on LMIA exempt work permits.
Many people in Canada temporarily on an employer specific LMIA-exempt work permit, but who want to stay in Canada permanently, will no longer need to get an LMIA to be awarded job offer points by the CRS. This includes candidates who are here under the North America Free Trade Agreement, a federal-provincial agreement, Mobilité Francophone, or who are intra-company transferees. The candidates must meet certain criteria, such as at least one year of work experience from the same employer who is providing their job offer.
Job offers will only need to be a minimum of one year in duration once they receive permanent residence.
By changing the job offer requirement from permanent to one year means that more highly skilled candidates working in contract-based industries will have a higher likelihood of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Points awarded for job offers will be reduced.
A total of 50 points will be awarded to candidates with a valid job offer in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0, A or B occupation, while a total of 200 points will be awarded to candidates with a valid job offer in a NOC 00 occupation.
The number of points awarded for a job offer, often made it hard for highly skilled candidates without job offers to get an invitation to apply. This change means Canada will now welcome more highly skilled candidates whose skills and experience will help support and grow our economy.
The change in points for job offers will now also better recognize the skills and experience required for the job, together with the value that it brings to the economy.
Education
On November 19, 2016, points will be awarded by the CRS for education obtained in Canada in the following way:
Points will be awarded for study in Canada above high school.
The CRS will award 15 points for a one- or two-year diploma or certificate. It will award 30 points for a degree, diploma or certificate of three years or longer, or for a Master's, professional or doctoral degree of at least one academic year.
With these changes, more former international students will be able to transition to permanent residence using the Express Entry system. Former international students are a key source of candidates in Express Entry because of their age, education, skills and experience. In addition to the time already spent in Canada, integrating into Canadian society permanently will be easier because they will have established social networks and familiarized themselves with life in Canada.
Applications
On November 19, 2016, applications will be treated in the following way:
Candidates will have 90 days to complete an application for permanent residence if they get an invitation to apply. This will give candidates more time to gather all the required documentation and submit a complete application.
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