New Zealand is giving an opportunity for skilled professionals to live, work and get a PR in the country by expanding its Green List, which is a streamlined immigration pathway to PR. It allows some applicants to apply for PR immediately once they have a job offer and others to work for 2 years in the country before they are eligible to apply for PR.

The following are the high demand sectors and occupations for 2025:

• Healthcare - Registered Nurse, General Practitioners, Midwife, Aged/ Disabled Caregiver
• Engineering - Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Structural Engineer
• Construction - Plumber, Electrician, Carpenter, Diesel Mechanic
• IT & Tech - Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Network Administrator, Data Analyst
• Education - Early Childhood Teacher, Secondary School Teacher
• Agriculture - Farm Manager, Agricultural Scientist, Veterinarian

Interested skilled professionals should use the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme which allows pre-approved employers to hire foreign workers and fast-track their visa. It is a temporary visa which allows foreign workers to work for an accredited employer for up to 5 years.

In one of our earlier blogs this month, we had shared the announcement of the Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) program which aims to grant PR to 2750 home care workers. More details have been released for this pilot which now has two programs:

• HCWP : Child Care
• HCWP : Home Support

Each of these programs will support two streams:

• Workers in Canada
• Workers applying from abroad

The Workers in Canada stream will start accepting applications from March 31, 2025. Details for applications from workers from abraod will be released later. Applicants to the HCWP must have 6 months of continuous and relevant full-time experience in the past 3 years or have 6 months relevant educational qualification. The work experience must be in one of the eligible NOC occupations listed below:

• HCWP - Child Care
  • NOC 44100 - Home Child Care Providers
  • NOC 42202 - Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
• HCWP - Home Support
  • NOC 44101 - Home Support Workers, Caregivers and related occupations
  • NOC 33102 - Nurse Aides, Orderlies and Patient Service Associates

Foreign workers who do not meet the work experience criteria may apply based on relevant professional training of at least 6 months, completed in the past 2 years. This training may be completed either in or outside Canada, be geared towards one of the NOC occupations mentioned above, be at post-secondary level, be a full-time program conducted in a classroom.

With an aim at reducing immigration fraud, wherein people seek to purchase Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) and secure job offers illegally, IRCC has annouced a change in the CRS for all current and future candidates. This illegal practice was carried out because of the extra points which were awarded to the applicants who had a "job offer", thus improving their chances of being invited to apply for PR.

Effective March 25, 2025 all applicants who have a qualifying job offer will no longer be awarded extra points for that factor. However, it is still advisable to include the details of any job offers one may have in their profile because of the PNP, where provinces or territories can consider that offer for eligibilty to certain programs they offer.

Like every other country in the world facing a labour shortage, Singapore too has changed its work visa policies to improve its workforce and meet the shortages in the country. The majjor changes announced are:

• Eliminate employment duration limit for work permit holders starting July 1, 2025. Previously the maximum employment time limit was set between 14 and 26 years depending on work sector, skill, and country of origin of the worker. Now the worker can continue to work for the employer as long as they comply with eligibility and service requirements.
• Raise retirement age to 63 years from what was 60 years previously.
• Increase number of origin countries from where workers may apply for the work permit. Starting June 1, 2025 employers may recruit workers from countries like Bhutan, Cambodia, and Laos.
• Standardizing S Pass salary threshold across all sectors to S$3300 up from the current S$3150 except for the financial sector where the threshold is set at S$3800.
• Standardize S Pass levy which has to be paid by the employers hiring S Pass employees to S$650.
• New M-SEP approvals allows employers to retain approved M-SEP employees for a period of 3 years, up from the previous 2 years starting May 1, 2025.
• Introduction of new Enterprise Workforce Transformation package with a budget of S$400 million for businesses to help them transform their workforce and redesign their jobs.

With the entire world facing skilled labour shortage, Australia being no different, has announced the Regional Work Visa Program. The program aims to attract top talent by offering streamlined services and pathways to immigration and reducing overcrowding in urban centres. The program is open for:

• Skilled professionals with experience in one of the skilled migration list.
• International graduates from regional Australian universities.
• Temporary Visa holders who want to attain PR through various pathways.
• Workers with experience in the high-demand occupations list.

The high-demand occupations list for regional areas in 2025 includes:

• Healthcare: Registered Nurses, Aged Care Workers, Physiotherapists
• Construction & Engineering: Civil Engineers, Electricians, Carpenters
• Education: Secondary school teachers, Childcare educators
• Agriculture & Farming: Crop farmers, Machinery operators, Horticulturists
• IT & Technology: Software developers, Cybersecurity analysts
• Hospitality & Tourism: Chefs, Hotel Managers, Waitstaff

Additionally, most regional visas allow dependent family members to be included in the visa application and be able to move to Australia making this an attractive option for skilled professionals to move to Australia.

There is some good news for international students who are graduates of Bachelors program from a college, they will be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

International students who applied for their study permit after November 1, 2024, a new field of study requirement came into effect. The new requirement mandated graduates from a college to have graduated from a program which was linked to labour market shortage in order to be eligible for PGWP. As of March 2025, international students who graduate Bachelors from a college do not have to meet this requirement to be eligible for a PGWP. International students who graduate Bachelors program from a university are exempt from this field of study requirement.

Another Express Entry draw for category-based was announced for applicants with French language proficiency, the second for this month. A total of 7500 invitations were issued and the cut-off CRS score saw a drop of 31 points compared to the previous draw.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 379.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

Canada announced the Express Entry draw for Provincial Nominee candidates, the second for this month with 536 invitations issued. The cut-off CRS score jumped up by 69 points from the previous draw.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 736.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

Canada has a law concerning granting citizenship based on first-generation limit (FGL) by descent. Under this FGL law, children who are born outside Canada, to Canadian parents who gained citizenship by descent, do not inherit Canadian citizenship.

In December 2023, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled the law as unconstitutional and discriminating. The federal government, in May 2024, introduced Bill C-71 which exempted those Canadian parents who were living in Canada for three years, before the birth or adoption of their child outside of Canada. The bill has not become a law yet and the new deadline has been set for April 25, 2025 for the federal government to amend the law.

Canada has announced a new Home Care Worker Immigration Pilot (HCWP) program and aims to grant PR to 2750 home care workers. Of the total 2750 visas, 150 are reserved for home care workers who are currently in the country but out of status.

The HCWP consists of 2 streams: one for workers in Canada and one for foreign workers applying from abroad. IRCC has announced that it will start accepting applications starting March 31 from workers in the country and it has not yet specified the date for when it will start accepting applications from foreign workers yet.

The eligibility requirement for foreign workers is at least six months of recent and relevant work experience OR an educational qualification, related to home care, of at least six months. Language proficiency required is CLB 4 in English or NCLC level 4 in French. Additionally, foreign applicants must have a full-time job offer from either a private household OR a company that provides full-time home care workers.

Follow our blog to learn more about additional requirements as they become available.

After pausing the Parents and Grandparents programme (PGP), in January this year, which allows Canada's citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for PR in Canada. The IRCC announced that it will accept up to 10,000 applications under the PGP this year and the plan is to randomly draw from the pool of applications from 2020 instead of accepting new applications.

The following occupations have been added to the IRCC new Education category:

Job Title	NOC Code	TEER Level
Elementary and Secondary school teacher assistants	43100	3
Instructors of persons with disabilities	42203	2
Early childhood educators and assistants	42202	2
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers	41221	1
Secondary school teachers	41220	1

The Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 World Universities Ranking report was released and a total of 33 Canadian universities made the list. The top 10 universities in Canada which made the list are:

1. University of Toronto

2. University of British Columbia

3. McGill University

4. McMaster University

5. University of Alberta

6. Universite de Montreal

7. University of Waterloo

8. University of Ottawa

9. University of Calgary

10. Western University

If you are interested in pursuing your higher education abroad then contact our office today and get your free consultation.

In the category-based Express Entry draw announced yesterday, 4500 invitations were sent out to applicants with French language proficiency. The cut-off CRS score dropped by 18 points compared to the previous French language draw announced last month.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 410.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

The Honorable Minister of Immigration, Mr. Marc Miller annouced a new education category in the category-based draws to meet the demands of Canada's long-term labour shortages. Under this category, occupations such as teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities will be invited.

In the Express Entry draw announced for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, 725 invitations were issued. The cut-off CRS score was the lowest of all the PNP draws announced in the past few months.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 667.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

New Zealand offers an AEWV (Accredited Employer Work Visa) which allows skilled workers to live and work in New Zealand for an accredited employer. It offers pathway to long term employment and sometimes, residency. The country has announced some major changes:

• No Median Wage requirement - Accredited employers will only need to meet the minimum wage of NZ $23.50 per hour from April 1, 2025.
• Lower Work Experience requirement - Candidates now need to demonstrate only 2 years of relevant work experience, down from previous 3 years.
• Longer duration visas for low skilled occupations - Workers in the ANZSCO level 4 and 5 occupations will be eligible for a 3 years visa.
• Increased Income Threshold with dependent children - Candidates with dependent children will have demonstrate an income of at least NZ $55,844 annually.
• Incorporation of New Skills - Several new jobs will be incorporated into the high-skilled occupations allowing skilled candidates to apply for better jobs.
• Work rights for interim visas - AEWV candidates who are waiting for a decision will be allowed to work so that there is no gap in their employment record and also that time will count towards their continuous stay requirement.

US President Donald Trump announced the scrapping of the 35 year old EB-5 visa for investors and in lieu offer a Gold Card visa for $5 million with a pathway to US citizenship. So basically, the price of acquiring legal US permanent residency has gone up from about $1 million to $5 million. The proposed Gold Card offers a pathway to US citizenship and removes the job creation requirement unlike the EB-5. This new program once applied will replace the EB-5 investor program.

Europe is facing labour shortages in fields such as technology, engineering and healthcare, and to meet the demands it has announced some major reforms to the EU Blue Card program to make it easier for skilled professionals to live and work in Europe. The reforms announced are:

• Lower Salary Requirements - Many EU countries have reduced the salary requirement to qualify for the Blue Card
• Short Employment Contract - Candidates need a minimum of just six months of job contract instead of one year to qualify.
• Work experience eligibility - Candidates who do not have a university degree but have at least three years of relevant work experience may now apply.
• More mobility across EU - Candidates who hold the EU Blue Card may move to another participating EU country after 12 months of employment.
• Flexible to change jobs - It is easier for candidates to change employers in countries such as Sweden without applying for a new visa.

These reforms are intended to attract top global talent to Europe.

IRCC announced another Express Entry draw yesterday, the first this year for French language proficiency with 6500 invitations issued.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 428.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

The latest labour market report released for 2025 by Australia lists the in-demand jobs and various visa options for skilled individuals looking to migrate to the country. A study of the report indicates some industries which have a high demand for skilled migrant workers which include Health care, education, food services, utilities services, and real estate services.

Australia publishes an Occupation Shortage List (OSL) which lists jobs requiring skilled migrants:

• Engineering - Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining
• Healthcare - Registered Nurses, Old age care
• Education - Early childhood teachers, Secondary school teachers, VET
• Skilled Trades - Electricians, Plumbers, Construction workers
• Hospitality - Chefs, Hotel managers, Event planners

This is exciting news for skilled professionals with the right skills looking to migrate to Australia.

In the latest round of Express Entry draw announced by IRCC yesterday, 646 invitations were sent out to applicants of Provincial Nominee Program. The PNP program allows provinces to award 600 points and nominate applicants who can contribute towards the local economy and settle in that province.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 750.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

IRCC announced tough immigration rules which were implemented on January 31,2025 which allows border and immigration officers more powers to revoke electronic travel authorizations and temporary resident visas. The officers can cancel these documents for individuals who become inadmissible due to submission of false information, having a criminal record or changes in personal circumstances. The move comes with a view to strengthen the countrys border security and protect the integrity of the immigration system.

The UK - India Young Professionals provides an opportunity for Indian citizens to live, study and work in the UK for up to 2 years. A total of 3,000 spots are open and the application process for the ballot opens on February 18 at 2:30 pm IST and ends on February 20 at 2:30 pm IST. Candidates will be selected from the applicant pool at random and invited to apply for the visa.

The application to the ballot is free at gov.uk and individuals aged 18 to 30 can apply. To be eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age, demonstrate proof of funds of £ 2,530 and not have any dependent children under 18. The selected candidates will receive an email within 2 weeks of the ballot closing and will have 90 days to complete the online visa application.

New Zealand will announce significant changes to its Active Investor Plus Visa program, a move which comes after low number of applications received in the past 2 years. The changes include new simple investment options and removal of English language requirements.

The Active Investor Plus Visa program required investors to make a $15 million investment under various types of investments, each with its own multiplier. For example, direct investments carry a 3x multiplier, which means that for each $1 invested $3 is counted towards the invested amount. Similarly, managed funds have a 2x multiplier, and listed equities and philanthropic donations have a 1x multiplier. Applicants are also required to demonstrate IELTS level 5 proficiency of English and stay in the country for 117 days during the course of the 4 year investment period.

The new rules allow for two simple investment options: a $5 million in direct investments or managed funds and $10 million for low-risk investments. Also the English language requirement has been removed.

These changes are supposed to make the program easy and accessible to investors and attract investments in to the country.

IRCC announced another draw yesterday for candidates with Canadian work experience and sent out 4000 invitations. The cut-off CRS score saw another drop for the CEC draws announced this year

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 521.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

In an Express Entry draw announced yesterday for candidates nominated by the provinces and territories for PR, 455 invitations were issued. The goal of the PNP program is to nominate those individuals who can contribute to the economy of the province with their skills and business ventures.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 802.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

IRCC announced the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program, which aims to fill the labour gaps in #163specific rural communities, and released the list of participating communities in this program.

Pictou County, Nova Scotia

North Bay, Ontario

Sudbury, Ontario

Timmins, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Steinbach, Manitoba

Altona/ Rhineland, Manitoba

Brandon, Manitoba

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Claresholm, Alberta

West Kootenay, British Columbia

North Okanagan Shuswap, British Columbia

Peace Liard, British Columbia

Each of the participating communities will be represented by a local economic development organization which will identify the local labour shortages, nominate trusted employers and recommend eligible candidates to IRCC for PR. The eligibility criteria for candidates is:

• Candidates must demonstrate work experience in the job they are seeking, this may be waived for international graduates who meet certain requirements.
• Candidates must hold an emplyment offer from one of the trusted employers nominated by the local economic development organization.
• Candidates must demonstrate appropriate CLB levels which are in line with the NOC code of their job.
• Candidates must have at least a Canadian equivalent of secondary school level.
• Candidates must show that they have sufficient funds for 1 year.
• Candidates must show an intention to reside and work in the designated rural community.
• Candidates must have a valid certificate of recommendation from the rural economic development organization.

Candidates who are already in Canada can also apply for this program provided they have a valid temporary resident status.

IRCC has announced that on March 1, 2025 it will open new immigration pilot programs for home care workers under the name Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots. These programs will replace all the expired PR pathways for caregivers. Eligible candidates under the new pilot programs will be able to receive permanent residence on arrival to the country.

To be eligible to apply under these programs, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate language ability of at least CLB level 4.
• Hold equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma.
• Hold relevant work experience, the work experience required for previous expired programs was at least 6 months.
• Hold an offer of full-time employment for a home care job.

We will publish further information about these programs as it becomes available close to the launch date.

UK has long been a popular destination for international job seekers due to its strong economy, diverse job market, and global business connections. With thriving industries across various sectors , there are numerous opportunities for skilled professionals. The country offers competetive salaries, career growth, and a high standard of living. It has a multicultural environment which fosters inclusivity, making it easier for expats to adapt. If you are a skilled professional looking to work in the UK in 2025, then read on to find the types of work visas available in 2025.

There are two main categories of work visas:

• Skilled Worker Visas - This visa is for those who seek a long-term employment in high-demand jobs or those who have sponsorship from an eligible UK employer. Within this category, there are visas which are geared towards addressing specific labour shortages and getting top talent into the country:
  • Skilled Worker Visa - This visa is for professionals with job offers in eligible skilled occupations from eligible UK employers. It can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) which essentially means permanent residency in the UK after 5 years.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa - This visa is for doctors, nurses, and social care workers and offers fast processing times and reduced visa fees.
  • Global Talent Visa - This visa is for highly talented and renowned individuals in fields such as science, technology, enginering, arts and academics and does not require a job offer.
  • Innovator Founder Visa - This visa is for entrepreneurs with innovative business concept and want to implement it in the country, though it requires an endorsement from an approved body.
  • Scale-Up Visa - This visa is for higly skilled individuals who have sponsorship from a fast-growing UK business and are key for the growth of that business. It provides a pathway to apply for ILR after 6 months.
• Temporary Worker Visas - This visa is for those who seek a short-term job in specific sectors or jobs which are temporary. There are several of these visas as well:
  • Seasonal Worker Visa - for applicants to work in agriculture sector up to 6 months.
  • Charity Worker Visa - for applicants to work in a UK carity as a volunteer worker.
  • Creative Worker visa - for artists, performers, and entertainers with 12 months validity which is extendable.
  • Youth Mobility Scheme Visa - for young applicants in the age group 18-30 from eligible countries to work up to 2 years.
  • International Agreement Visa - for diplomats or employees of foreign governments.

Australia with a view to attract top talent and fill the job requirements in the contry has come out with the in-demand jobs list for skilled workers which will drive their immigration in 2025. This list is known as the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) which is updated annually, and allows skilled professionals to secure sponsorpship and apply for temporary work visas via the Skills In Demand (SID) visa. Below is the list of high-demand occupations for 2025 broken down by the fields of work:

• Healtchare
  • Registered Nurses
  • General Practitioners
  • Medical Specialists
  • Midwives
  • Allied Health Professionals
• Engineering
  • Civil Engineers
  • Mechanical Engineers
  • Electrical Engineers
  • Mining Engineers
  • Engineering Technology
• Technology
  • Business Analysts
  • Systems Analysts
  • Software Engineers
  • Cyber Security Engineers
  • Data Scientists
• Education
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Primary and Secondary Educators
  • Vocational Educators
• Skilled Trades
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Carpenters
  • Metal Fitters and Machinists
  • Bricklayers
• Other
  • Finance
  • Legal Services
  • Hospitality

Professionals with their job appearing in the list above are eligible for sponsorship from Australian employers and apply for the work visa.

Sweden is fast emerging as one of the top choices for professionals to live and work in. To support such professionals by making the application process simple, the country has made some significant changes to its Blue Card work visa process starting this year.

So what is the EU Blue Card? It is a work and residence permit for highly skilled professionals from non-EU countries to move to any of the EU countries with the possibility to work in different EU countries based on certain requirements. In the case of Sweden, a professional who has worked there for at least 18 months can move to another EU country in a new job.

The changes announced by the Swedish government to this program are:

• Reduced employment contract duration - The length of the work contract has been reduced to 6 months which was previously 12 months.
• Lower salary requirement - The salary requirement has been reduced to 1.25 times the average gross annual salary in the country which was previously 1.5 times.
• Reduced eligibility criteria - Now professionals who lack formal academic qualifications, however have considerable work experience in their field can apply.
• Ease of changing job - Profesionals who are working in Sweden on an EU Blue Card can now easily change jobs without having to apply for a new one by simply informing the Swedish Migration Agency.
• Mobility within EU - Professionals with an EU Blue Card who are working in other EU countries, can now apply for a Swedish EU Blue Card if they had the card for at least 12 months.

Canada announced another Express Entry draw, the second this month for Canadian Experience Class candidates. Invitations were issued to 4000 applicants and the CRS score dropped by 15 points compared to the last CEC draw.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 527.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has announced a new Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program to address the labour shortages in the province. The program which will run from January 2 to December 31, 2025 aims to attract about 800 highly skilled immigrants to four rural areas in Ontario:

• Lanark
• Leeds and Grenville
• Sarnia-Lambton
• Thunder Bay

OINP will process applications to this pilot program through one of it's three Employer Job Offer streams, with each of the above regions being allocated 200 additional nominations. For all the streams, the applicants must intend to live and work in Ontario, and be licensed or authorized to practice their occupation (for regulated occupations). Applicants must also have a job offer from an employer in Ontario. The thre streams and their eligibility requirements are:

• Foreign Worker Stream - Applicants must have a full-time and permanent job offer in a TEER 0,1,2 or 3 occupation with a wage equal to or greater than the median wage for that occupation in Ontario. The employer must be based in Ontario and the position the applicant is filling must be critical for the employer's business. If the job requires an authorization from a regulatory authority then the applicant must hold the valid licence or if the job does not require authorization then the applicant must have at least 2 years of work experience in the same occupation as the NOC code of the job.
• International Student Stream - Applicants must have a full-time and permannet job offer in a TEER 0,1,2 or 3 occupation with a wage equal to or greater than the low wage level for the occupation. The employer must be based in Ontario and the position the applicant is filling must be critical for the employer's business. The applicant must have a college or university education and have applied for nomination within 2 years of completing their education.
• In-Demand Skills - Applicants must have a full-time and permanent job offer for an eligible occupation based in Ontario. The job pay must be equal to or greater than the median wage for that occupation in Ontario and the position must be critical to the employer's business. Applicant must have 9 months of work experience with a high school diploma and demonstrate language proficiency of CLB 4 or higher. Applicants in this stream with foreign education must provide an Education Credential Assessment to support their application.

TEER stands for Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility. It is a categorization system used in Canada to describe the requirements for an occupation. The categories are used in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) and are:

• TEER 0 : Management jobs
• TEER 1 : Jobs which require university degree
• TEER 2 : Jobs which require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of 2 years or more
• TEER 3 : Jobs which require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than 2 years
• TEER 4 : Jobs which require a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training
• TEER 5 : Jobs which require a short-term demonstration of work and no formal education

Canada first announced restrictions on work permits for family members of international students and foreign workers in September 2024. Folowing up on that, effective January 21, 2025 the family open work permits for international students will be restricted to the spouses and common-law partners of students of:

• Masters program that are 16 months or longer
• Doctoral programs
• Select professional programs

Similarly for foreign workers, the family OWP will be limited to spouses or common-law partners of:

• TEER 0 occupations
• TEER 1 occupations
• TEER 2 or 3 occupations in:
  • Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Construction
  • Healthcare
  • Natural Resouces
  • Education
  • Sports
  • Military Sectors

The foreign worker must have at least 16 months of validity on their work permit for their spouses to be eligible to apply for the family OWP.

Australia has always been one of the top study destinations for international students looking for a world class education and a safe and multi-cultural society to live in. Every international student who aspires to live and study in Australia has to apply for a study visa and these are the kinds of visas which are available:

• Student Visa (subclass 500) - This visa allows the applicant to study in an eligible course of study in Australia, while being able to travel in and out of the country. Students under this visa are allowed to work for 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. The validity of this visa is up to 5 years in line with the enrolment and students must hold Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC).
• Student Guardian Visa (subclass 590) - This visa allows the applicant to come to Australia to provide care and support for a student visa holder who is under 18 years of age or older with some exceptional circumstances. The applicant for this visa must be the student's parent, custodian, or relative who is 21 years or older and demostrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and the student during their stay in the country. The validity of the visa depends on the student's stay and their age.
• Training Visa (subclass 407) - This visa allows the applicant to come to Australia to complete a workplace-based training or a professional development training program which will improve their skills in their current occupation. To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must be sponsored, nominated or invited, and the visa is valid up to 2 years.

If you want to study abroad, then call our office and speak to our counsellors to find out which course and country is best for you.

A second Express Entry draw was announced yesterday, a day after the first draw of the year, saw 1350 invitations go out to applicants in the Canadian Experience Class.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 542.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

In the first Express Entry result announced yesterday for the new year, the draw saw invitations sent out to 471 Provincial Nominee Program applicants.

The CRS score of the lowest-ranked candidate was 793.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

Denmark offers Positive List Program which allows foreign workers to live and work in the country if they can secure a job which is on the approved list. Denmark has two lists: the Positive List for Skilled Work and the Positive List for people with higher education. These lists are updated twice annually and the latest lists are effective from January 1, 2025.

The lists are updated to address labour shortages in specific fields of employment. Currently, the new Positive List for skilled worker has 48 job titles, whereas the Positive List for people with higher education has 162 job titles.

Applicants are required to meet the education and work experience requirements in order to secure the jobs and normally the residence and work permit is valid for the duration of the employment period. Additionally, Denmark has also updated the income requirements effective January 1, 2025 which require that the annual salary of the applicant is at par with the Danish standards.

In 2025, Canada will no longer accept any new applications for PR under the Prarents and Grandparents sponsorship program, only the applications submitted in 2024 under this program will be processed now. Further, only 15,000 applications will be processed in 2025. The reduction in applications is in line with the target planned for the year.

The only option for Canadian citizens and PR holders who want their parents and grandparents to stay in Canada longer is the Super Visa which allows visits to last up to 5 years per entry.

Starting January 2025, the UK government has announced a significant increase in the financial requirements for international students and skilled workers. Both will have to show that they possess sufficient funds to cover their living costs in the UK.

From January 2, 2025, students studying in London will need £ 1,483 per month and those studying outside London will need £ 1,136 per month. Applicants are required to have the funds in their acoounts at least 28 days before submitting their visa application.

Applicants to the skilled worker visa must demonstrate the minimum financial requirements of £ 38,700 annually to cover their living costs and also get sponsorship from a UK employer who has been approved by the Home Office.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with an aim towards streamlining the H1-B visa process to attract and retain top talent has announced new rules. The new rules will come into effect from January 17, 2025 will help US companies fill critical job positions efficiently.

The key updates to this visa program, include:

• International students on F-1 visa will be able to transition to H1-B visa by maintaining lawful status and employment.
• Quicker processing of H1-B applications for individuals who were previously approved for that visa.
• Requiring employers to establish that they have a valid job in a speciality occupation and provide supporting documentation.
• Making the program strong by having USCIS conduct inspections and impose penalties for non-compliance.

This is good news, specially for talent from India, since a robust H1-B system means that they will benefit the most. In 2023, Indians made up 72% of the total 386,000 visas issued.

Canada's Immigration minister Marc Miller announced a change this week which aims to remove the points given to candidates for holding an LMIA-based job offer. Though it is still unclear when this will take effect. As of date, candidates with an LMIA receive 50 points which counts towards their CRS score in the Express Entry system.

Canada has announced a new immigration program, the Rural Community Immigration Class, which provides permanent residency option to qualifying individuals. This pathway allows for individuals who have a valid temporary resident status and can establish themselves economically in any of the designated rural communities, except in Quebec province to submit an application.

The applicant is required to show an offer of employment from a designated employer for full-time work without an end date and at least 75% of the work must be in the designated rural area. The applicant must also have at least one year of full-time (or equivalnet part-time) work experience in an occupation listed under NOC. Also the applicant must have a valid certificate of recommendation from an economic development organization, which is granted to applicants with the required work experience and wage requirements.

Australia has announced that it is replacing the Temporary Skills Shortage visa with the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa, effective December 7, 2024. The SID visa comes with a new skilled occupation list called Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

The new SID visa allows holders to stay in Australia for up to 4 years. The visa also provides a streamlined process for foreign workers and the employers looking to find quality talent for their organizations. The SID visa provides a clear pathway to permanent residence since work experience with an approved employer count towards PR. The applicants for the SID visa must demonstrate one year of work experience in their field of work and have the smae English language requirements as the TSS medium-term stream. Also the CSOL has more than 450 occupations listed in sectors such as construction, health, agriculture, and IT.

In what is a great opportunity for foreign workers, Greece is looking for 300,000 skilled and unskilled international workers to fill in unfilled jobs across various sectors. The demand is in sectors such as IT, hospitality, construction, manufacturing.

In order to attract top talent in their respective fields to contribute to the economic growth of the country, Greece has streamlined it's immigration policies. The different kinds of visas available for foreign workers and their eligibility requirements are:

• EU Blue Card - This visa is designed for skilled individuals in fields of IT and engineering. The applicant is required to have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, a job offer in the country, and salary on par with the natoinal threshold.
• National visa - This visa is designed for both skilled and unskilled individuals looking for long-term employment in the country for positions like chefs, electricians and plumbers.
• Seasonal Work Visa - This visa is for individuals looking for temporary jobs in agriculture, hospitality and tourism.

There are many job options available for individuals with various levels of skills and the ease of getting a visa offers great opportunities.

IRCC has announced that starting December 1, 2024 it will be increasing the inadmissibiity fees across certain categories such as:

• Restoration of temporary resident status
• Authorisation to return to Canada
• Criminal rehabilitation
• Temporary resident permit

Applications submitted before the fee increase effective date will not be impacted as long as the fee is paid, the application is complete and mailed before the effective date. Any payment, if required, will be informed by the IRCC.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has anounced that it has eased it's post-study work (PSW) visa rules for international students making it an attractive higher study destination. As per the revised rule, students who completed 30 week PostGraduate Diploma and progress directly to a Masters degree will now be eligible to apply for the PSW visa. Earlier, students who went for the Masters without completing the full duration of the 30 week diploma were not eligible for the PSW visa.

This update is welcomed by the international student community and makes New Zealand an alternative choice amid falling number of study applications to Canada.

Following the announcement in April 2024, allowing international students in Canada to work for 24 hours per week while their classes are in session, the new regulations came into effect on November 15, 2024. This is an increase from the previous allowance of 20 hours per week. The 24-hour cap is to allow students to gain work experience without affecting their academic outcomes.

This cap applies only to those students who are working off-campus, while students can work any number of hours if they are working on-campus and off-campus during academic breaks when the classes are not in session.

The IRCC in Canada announced that it has flagged 10,000 student acceptance letters as being fraud in 2024. This came to light after enhanced verification measures were implemented in 2023 following an incident where some international students from India faced deportation after submitting fraudulent acceptance letters provided to them by an unlicensed consultant. The enhanced measures requires the insitutions to to authenticate the acceptance letters online which matches with the student visa applications submitted both within and outside Canada.

IRCC is investigating 2000 cases which involves students from China, India and Vietnam, of which 1485 cases involved submission of fraudulent documents. The government is working to implement a system which protects the interests of genuine students while weeding out fraud applicants.

In a decision which has far reaching impact, more so for international students from India, Canada has announced that it will end the popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) program effective immediately in an attmept to address the country's ongoing housing and job crisis. Images of thousands of international students lining up for a single job opening in a QSR, serve as a reminder of the grim reality which the international students have to live through on a daily basis.

The SDS program was announced in 2018 by IRCC to fast-track the study permit applications for students from various countries which included India. The program allowed students who met the eligibility requirements of the program to have their study permit applications processed faster. This move will have a profound impact on international students from 14 countries who were allowed to participate in the program.

Applications which have been submitted by 12:30 AM as of November 9, 2024 will be allowed to be processed under the SDS program. The main reason for this change in policy stems from the increase in pressure on the country's housing, high cost of living, shortage of jobs, and healthcare system.

In a major overhaul to its visa policy, Canada announced that it is ending the practice of issuing tourist visas with a validity period of 10 years. The new guidelines allow the immigration officers to decide whether to issue single-entry or multiple-entry visa and use their judgement to determine the validity of the visa.

This move comes at a time when the current government is facing low approval ratings because of acute housing shortage and high cost of living. Canada expects about a million people to leave the country voluntarily as their visas expire in the coming years.

Looking at the Express Entry draws announced this year and analyzing the types of the rounds, we see that the General rounds have consistently seen a cut-off CRS score above 500, with the lowest being 524. Also, the last General draw was announced on April 23,2024.

The types of the rounds have been primarily in Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the category-based selection which indicates that candidates with Canadian work experience or those with specific skills, education and work experience to meet the province's economic requirement are being invited to apply for PR.

The category-based selection is driven by information about the labour market from the provinces and territories and aims to fill in the labour shortage in the country through targeted immigration. Currently, the active categories are:

• French-language proficiency
• Healthcare occupations
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Math occupations
• Trade occupations
• Transport occupations
• Agriculture and agri-food occupations

So choosing the right program to apply under will boost your chances of getting invited to apply for PR. Call us today to discuss your profile and our expert team will guide you all the way to fulfill your dream of migrating to Canada.

Germany is fast becoming a choice among professionals to live and work, with being part of the EU and providing a high standard of living, strong economy and excellent working conditions. The Opportunity card offers candidates belonging to non-EU countries to enter the country and seek suitable employment without showing proof of having permanent employment. This card is granted to candidates who are skilled workers or score at least 6 points in the points system.

The Opportunity card allows the candidate to work part-time (20 hours per week) as a trial and stay in Germany for a period of 1 year, during which their sole focus should be to find a job. It is possible to get a 2 year extension on the Opportunity card by applying at the local Foreigners Registration Office.

The basic requirements to apply for the Opportunity card are:

• German language skills at A1 or English language skills at A2 level
• At least 2 years of vocational training or a recognized university degree
• Demonstrate financial independence through a part-time job or an employment contract

No points are awarded for meeting these basic requirements.

The points are distributed in the following manner:

• 4 points- recognition of a foreign professional qualification or permission to practice a regulated profession such as teacher, nurse, engineer.
• 3 points- five years of professional experience in the last seven years as well as two years of professional training before the work experience. Candidates who demonstrate a German language skill at B2 level may also get awarded these points.
• 2 points- vocational training followed by two years of professional experience, in the last five years. Also, candidates below 35 years of age or demonstrating German language skills at B1 level are awarded these points.
• 1 point- candidates with age less than 40 years and have previously stayed in Germnay for at least 6 months (tourist visa stays do not count) are awarded this point. This point is also awarded to candidates who demonstrate English language skill at C1 level, German language skill at A2 level, had their vocational training or university degree in an area which is listed in Germany's labour shortage, or applying with your spouse.

The Opportunity card provides an easy, secure and legal way to enter Germany and live and work there immediately for successful applicants.

Australia annouced that it will be launching a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-Profesisonals Scheme (MATES) before the end of 2024. The scheme aims to fill the jobs in fields such as IT, renewable energy, and others where there is a shortage of skilled workers. With 3000 visas up for grabs annually, this is a great opportunity for young Indians to gain work experience in Australia.

This scheme will benefit both the countries by strengthening the ties between the two countries by offering young Indian professionals a cance to work in Australia while helping to grow in diverse fields such as:

• Renewable Energy
• Mining
• Engineering
• Information Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Finance Technology
• Agriculture Techonlogy

To be eligible for this work visa, the applicants must meet the folowing criteria:

• Age 30 years or younger at the time of the application
• Demonstrate English language proficiency by haing IELTS score of 6 overall with no band less than 5
• Possess at least a Bachelors degree or higher from a recognized eligible institute
• Degree in one of the fields listed above

Only 3000 visas will be issued every year and an applicant is allowed to apply only once. One more benefit of this visa is that the spouse and children are eligible to accompany the primary applicant with the spouse allowed to work as well.

Germany is tackling a serious shortfall in its labour market across multiple occupations, which comes as a good news for international skilled professionals. Germany needs about 400,000 new skilled workers each year to tackle the labour shortage and it aims to do so by easing up on the work visa requirements for key in-demand occupations. The highest in-demand occupations are:

• Transportation and Machinery
  • Drivers
  • Railway Operators
  • Machine Operators
• Skilled Trades
  • Cabinet Makers
  • Food Preparers
  • Electronics Mechanics
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers and Fitters
• Construction and Industrial Jobs
  • Construction Supervisors
  • Spray Painters and Varnishers
  • Bricklayers
  • Forestry Workers
  • Firfighters
• Administrative and Clerical Roles
  • Clerks
• Healthcare
  • Dental Assistants and Therapists
  • Nursing Associate Professionals
  • Medical Technicians
  • Physiotherapists
• Engineering and Technology
  • Engineering Technicians
  • Application Programmers
  • Software Developers
  • System Analysts
• Education and Social Services
  • Early Childhood Educators
  • Primary School Teachers
  • Audiologists and Speech Therapists

This provides a fantastic opportunity for skilled professionals with valid work experience in the above occupations to move to Germany.

Canada has announced that it will reduce the immigration numbers for 2025 by 20%. The government announced the immigration plan for the next 3 years:

• 2025: Target 395,000 which went down from the previously announced target of 500,000
• 2026: Target 380,000 which went down from the previously announced target of 500,000
• 2027: Target 365,000

In addition to this, this year's plan has also cut targets for the Provincial Nominee Programs by almost 50%:

• 2025: Target 55,000 down from the previous target of 110,000
• 2026: Target 55,000 down from the previous target of 120,000
• 2027: Target 55,000

The only program which saw an increase in the targets was the Federal High Skilled program which come under the federal Express Entry.

Germany has increased the work visa quota for Indian professionals to 90,000 from the previous quota of 20,000. This move aims to fill the labour shortage in IT and healthcare sectors. The country is currently facing a huge labour shortage with 570,000 job vacancies being unfilled and the new visa policy is in line to alleviate this problem. Though the IT sector has been impacted the most, the in-demand occupations are:

• Doctors, Nurses and Medical Tecnicians
• Software development, Cybersecurity, Data Analysts
• Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineers

The eligibility criteria for candidates to obtain the work visa are:

• Have a valid job offer from a German employer
• The applicant must have relevant education and work experience which matches the job
• Proficiency in German language, though not required, increase the chances of success specifically in jobs where English may not necessarily be used.
• Applicants will have to meet a minimum salary threshold which depends on which sector the job secured.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they have adequate health insurance, either through their employer or individually.

This is an excellent opportunity for Indian professionals who have the necessary qualifications to move to Germnay and gain valuable experience.

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an important document for foreign workers who want to apply for a work permit to be able to work in Canada. IRCC introduced a new work permit under the innovation stream, under which LMIA-exempt work permits may be issued by specific employers. This will allow foreign nationals elgible to apply for LMIA-exempt work permit if hired by one of the following companies, the job opportunities currently offred are also listed below:

Company	Based in	Hiring for
Ada Support Inc	Toronto	Toronto, Remote
AlayaCare	Montreal	Montreal, Toronto
CellCarta	Montreal	Montreal, Remote
Clarius Mobile Health	Vancouver	Vancouver
Clio	Burnaby	Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, Remote
Lightspeed Commerce	Montreal	Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Remote
Duchesnay Pharmaceutical Group	Montreal	Currently not hiring
Vive Crop Protection	Mississauga	Currently not hiring

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

New South Wales has opened its registration for the NSW State Migration Program for the year 2024-25. Under this program, skiled migrants can submit applications with the priority sectors being:

• Construction (infrastructure and housing)
• Renewables (net zero and clean energy)
• Care Economy (aged care, disability services, early childhood care)
• Digital and Cyber (various industries)
• Education (teachers)
• Agriculture and Agri Food
• Advanced Manufacturing

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program is a work permit program which allows th eyouth from more than 30 countries which have bilateral Youth Mobility Agreements with Canada to temporarily live and work in Canada. The 2024 target for this program was 90,000 applications. Intersted candidates for this program have until October 21, 2024 to submit their applications.

The work permit allows youths in the age range of 18 to 30 or 35 years (depending on the country), to live and work in Canada. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are required to submit an application to the IEC profile pool to be considered. Candidates from some countries are allowed to apply for the work permit more than once. There are three streams under which the candidates can apply:

• International Co-op - Citizens from eligible countries secure a co-op placement to work as an intern with a Canadian company and then apply for an IEC.
• Young Professionals - Candidates are allowed to work for a single employer and are issued employer-specific LMIA if they have secured a job offer.
• Working Holiday - This stream allows candidates to work for most employers in Canada for a duration of up to 2 years.

IRCC announced the updated requirements for some international students, which programs will be eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). These new guidelines require students completing their studies, who will apply for PGWP after November 1, 2024 to meet additional requirements to be eligible for the work permit. These requirements, however do not apply to students who will be graduating from a university Bachelors, Masters or PhD programs.

Students who graduate from eligible fields of study which match the categories listed in the Occupation-based Express Entry categories will be eligible to apply for the PGWP. These categories are:

• Agriculture and Agri-food
• Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
• Trade
• Transport

The new Labour Party government has announced that it has decided to keep the minimum income threshold for British Nationals and permanent residents who want to bring their family in to the UK at £29,000. It has shelved the planned increment until the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) completes a review of the impact that the increment will have on the families.

The previous Conservative government led by the then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a bid to curb migration, had announced that the minimum income required of British nationals and permanent residents to sponsor visas for spouses or parents will rise from £18,600 to £29,000 in April 2024 and then be followed by another increment to £38,700. This would have had a major impact on families in low income group.

In a news release last month, IRCC announced new and enhanced caregiver pilots, which will allow caregivers to come to Canada despite the Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot coming to a close. The new pilot programs aim to provide the home care workers with PR on arrival in Canada. Also the caregivers will be able to work for companies which provide temporary care for individuals who are semi-independent or recovering from an illness or an injury. This new provision will enable the caregivers to find relevant work and get PR as soon as they arrive in Canada.

The candidates who would like to apply for PR through this pathway will have to meet the criteria outlined below:

• a minimum of CLB 4 (language test)
• Canadian equivalent of a high school diploma
• have recent and relevant work experience
• receive a full-time offer for ome care job

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office for a free consultation and follow our blog to get the latest updates on foreign education and immigration.

Canada has announced that effective immediately, no Post-Graduation Work Permits(PGWP) will be issued at the border crossings. This move was implemented to curtail a practice known as flagpoling in which foreign nationals leave the country and re-enter on the same day to avail immigration services at the border and thus avoid the long processing times for the services. This practice of flagpoling takes a toll on both the time and effort of the immigration officers at the borders who get distracted from more crucial work of enforcing the laws to protect the citizens of the country.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Yukon is the smallest territory located in northwest Canada and is sparsely populated. It is home to Mount Logan, the highest peak in Canada as well as mountains, glaciers, trails and lakes.

With a population of about 40,000 the territory is in need of foreign workers to fill the gaps in the workforce for both skilled and semi-skilled jobs. The Yukon Nominee Program consists of several pathways for foreign nationals to apply for and acquire Canadian PR.

• Yukon Skilled Worker - This stream enables foreign skilled workers who have job experience and an offer of employment from an employer in Yukon to apply for Canadian PR.
• Yukon Express Entry - This stream enables foreign workers who have a valid profile in the federal Express Entry pool and an offer of employment from an employer in Yukon to receive a provincial nomination from Yukon thus getting expedited processing of their applications.
• Yukon Critical Impact Worker - This stream enables employers in Yukon a chance to nominate foreign workers having at least 6 months of experience in jobs which come under NOC C or D. Applicants who meet this criteria and have a valid job offer from an employer in Yukon may receive a nomination from the territory and apply for Canadian PR.
• Yukon Business Nominee - This stream enables individuals who have business and entrepreneurial experience, have a personal net worth of CAD $500,000 and are willing to invest CAD $300,000 in owning and operating a business in the Yukon to apply under this stream. Nominated applicants will receive a 2 year work permit from IRCC, and on meeting the requirements of the territory they may apply for Canadian PR.
• Yukon Community Pilot - This pilot stream was created with an aim to fill the requirements of the economic and labour market shortages in the Yukon. Under this pilot the territory will invite skilled workers to fill gaps and recruit top talent in the labour market, with eligible candidates receiving a location restricted 2 year open work permit. To be eligible for the work permit, the candidates must have 2 or 3 job offers which are non-seasonal, in the same participating community, which add up to 30 hours per week and the wage must meet or exceed the minimum wage.

This wraps up our series of blogs detailing the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of each province/ territory of Canada. This should give you a fair idea of what each program entails though there are many eligibility requirements which vary according to the programs.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Saskatchewan is a province located in western Canada with US bordering it in the south and is one of the main agriculture centres in Canada. The province offers a number of immigration pathways for foreign nationals to get Canadian PR.

• SK International Skilled Worker - This program consists of three immigration streams enabling foreign workers who have the skills to integrate in to the province's workforce:
  • SK Express Entry - This stream enables candidates who have a profile in the federal Express Entry pool and demonstrate skills in an occupation which is not listed in the Excluded Occupation List and have at least 1 year of work experience at NOC level 0, A or B. Qualifying candidates may then submit an Expression of Interest to the province to apply through this stream. Candidates are ranked based on the SINP Points Assessment Grid and the best profiles will receive an invitation to apply.
  • SK Employment Offer - This stream enables candidates who have an offer of employment from an employer in the province and have a high score on the SINP Points Assessment Grid to be invited to submit an application for Canadian PR.
  • SK In-Demand Occupations - This stream enables candidates who at least 1 year of work experience in NOC level 0, A or B in one of the province's in-demand occupations list and have a high score on the SINP Points Assessment Grid can submit an Expression of Interest. Candidates with the best profiles will be invited to submit an aplication for Canadian PR.
• SK Experience - This program consists of five immigration streams enabling foreign workers who have work experience in the province, they should have a job offer from an employer in Saskatchewan.
  • SK Existing Work Permit - This stream is for foreign workers who are already working for a Saskatchewan employer on a valid work permit for 6 months before applying and have a job offer from them. They should be employed in the province in NOC 0, A or B level jobs or in designated trades.
  • SK Health Professionals - This stream is for foreign health workers like doctors, nurses, and other health professionals who are already working with a provincial health authority and also have a full-time job offer with them. There are different requirements depending on each health occupation.
  • SK Hospitality Sector Project - This stream if for foreign workers who are working for a Saskatchewan hospitality employer for 6 months and have a full-time job offer to continue.
  • SK Long-Haul Truck Driver Project - This stream is for foreign workers who are working for a Saskatchewan trucking company for 6 months on a valid work permit and have an offer of employment from them.
  • SK Students - This stream is for international students who have graduated from a designated post-secondary institution in Canada with 1 year of education and have been working in the province for at least 6 months.
• SK Entrepreneur - This program enables foreign business owners or senior managers who have experience managning a business and want to live and work in the province. Applicants are required to either start a new business or purchase an existing business in the province and manage it's daily operations. After 6 months of successfully operating a business, they may be nominated for PR. Candidates are required to submit an Expression of Interest in the SINP online portal and will be awarded a score based on their profile. The candidates with the highest score will then be invited to submit an application for PR.
• SK Farm Owners and Operators - This stream targets foreign farm owners who have experience in operating a farm and wish to purchase and operate a farm in Saskatchewan. Due to the nature of this stream, each application will be personalized depending on which type of farm the candidate wants to operate. Each applicant should have a personal net worth of CAD $300,000 and provide a Good Faith Deposit of CAD $75,000.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Quebec is a province located in central Canada with Ontario to the west and Newfoundland and Labrador to it's northeast. It is the only province in Canada which has French as one of it's official language. Since Quebec has acquired considerable autonomy in deciding the immigration procedures, the candidates are selected by the province and admitted to the province at the federal level. Selected candidates receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) from the province after applying for one of the immigration programs:

• Quebec Skilled Worker Program - This program requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum amount of skilled work experience and it is point-based, with applicants requiring to have a minimum score to meet the eligibility requirements. Each eligible applicant must submit an EoI in the online Arrima portal. Applicants are not required to have knowledge of the French language.
• Quebec Experience Program - This program requires applicants to have work experience in the province either as a temporary foreign worker or as an international student. The applicant to this program must be legally residing in Quebec and demonstrate advanced French language oral skills.
• Quebec Investor Program - This program requires applicants to have net assets worth at least CAD $2 million and be able to invest at least CAD $1.2 million with an approved intermediary.
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program - This program requires applicants with the skills and experience along with funds to start and manage a business in Quebec or purchase an existing business to manage it.
• Quebec Self-employed - This program is designed for applicants who have been self-employed for 2 years and have net assets worth at least CAD $100,000 to migrate to Quebec and start work in their own field.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Ontario is a province in east-central Canada which borders USA and the great lakes. It is home to the nation's capital city of Ottawa and the province's capital of Toronto. It is one of the most popular destination for immigrants to move to being the primary economic hub, and it is also known for the natural diversity like forests, provincial parks, fur of the five great lakes and the world famous Niagra Falls.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) requires applicants to register in either the Expression of Interest system or the Express Entry system, which informs the OINP that the applicant wishes to be invited. The OINP offers 9 streams for applicants to qualify for Canadian PR:

• Human Capital Priorities - Express Entry - This stream enables highly qualified applicants from the federal Express Entry pool to be nominated for PR. To be nominated, the candidate must have an active profile in either the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The province will send a Notification of Interest (NoI) to qualified candidates.
• French-speaking Skilled Worker - Express Entry - This stream is for the canddiates from the federal Express Entry pool who demonstrate proficiency in both French and English languages. The candidate must have an active profile in either the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the province will send a NoI to qualified candidates.
• Skilled Trades - Express Entry - This stream enables the province to nominate skilled workers who are already in Ontario and have work experience in the province in a skilled trade. The candidate must have a profile in the federal Express Entry CEC system. The province will send a Notification of Interest (NoI) to qualified candidates.
• Masters Graduate - This stream targets graduates of the Masters program from a designated institution in Ontario, who intend to live and work in the province.
• PhD Graduate - This stream targets graduates of the PhD program from a designated institution in Ontario, who intend to live and work in the province
• Foreign Workers - This stream enables those foreign nationals who have skilled work experience and have a valid job offer from an employer in the province to get an invitation to submit an application for Canadian PR.
• International Student with a Job Offer - This stream is for those foreign nationals who have a valid Canadian education credential and also a job offer from an employer in the province.
• In-Demand Skills - This stream targets those foreign nationals who possess Ontario work experience in one of the province's In-demand ocupations and have a valid job offer from an employer in the province. The jobs which feature in the in-demand occupations are Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates, Home support workers and related occupations, excluding housekeepers, Residential and commercial installers and servicers, Transport truck drivers, Heavy equipment operators, Construction trades helpers and labourers, General farm workers, Nursery and greenhouse workers, Harvesting labourers, Industrial butchers, meat cutters, poultry preparers, related workers.
• Ontario Entrepreneur - This stream targets foreign entrepreneurs who have significant net worth and proven record of running a successful business, and want to open new business in Ontario. If the business is sucessful, then the applicant will get a nomination to apply for Canadian PR.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

The province of Nova Scotia is one of the three Maritime and one of the four Atlantic provinces located on the eastern coast of Canada. It has stunning beauty with a picturesque coast of over 13,000 km and has a rich culture. The province offers numerous programs to attract top talent to fill jobs in the market and make valuable contributions to the economy and the community overall.

• NS Demand: Express Entry - This stream enables highly skilled individuals who either have a job offer from an employer in the province or have 12 months of full-time work experience in one of the province's in demand occupations (Financial auditors and accountants, Other financial officers, Professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations, Administrative assistants, Accounting technicians and bookkeepers, Civil engineers, Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, Licensed practical nurses, College and other vocational instructors, Paralegal and related occupaitons, Social and community service workers).)
• NS Experience: Express Entry - This stream enables highly skilled individuals who have at least a year of work experience working in Nova Scotia in a highly skilled occupation, and intend to live and work in the province permanently.
• NS Skilled Worker - This stream enables the employers in the province to hire foreign workers and recently graduated international students with skills which are in demand in the province. A skilled worker with a job offer from a NS employer can apply for immigration using this stream.
• NS Physicians - This stream specifically targets individuals with a valid job offer from a Nova Scotia health organization to apply for PR.
• NS Entrepreneur - This stream is to enable foreign nationals who have experience owning and operting their own business or senior business managers who intend to invest in and operate a business in the province. Applicants to this stream should have significant net worth and be willing to start a new business or purchase an existing one in the province. Upon successfully operating their business for a year, applicants become eligible to be nominated for PR.
• NS International Graduate Entrepreneur - This stream enables recent graduates from colleges or universities of Nova Scotia who have either started their own business or purchased an existing one, have been operating it for at least a year, and intend to live in NS permanently to qualify for a nomination from the province.
• NS Labour Market Priorities - This stream selects candidates from the federal Express Entry pool who meet the provincial labour market requirements, which means that only candidates who receive a Letter of Interest from the province may apply for PR.
• NS Occupations In Demand - This stream targets foreign workers who have permanent full-time employment in Nova Scotia in an in demand occupation. Currently the occupations include Nurse Aides, Light duty cleaners, Transport Truck Drivers, Heavy equipment operators, Construction trades helpers and labourers. These occupations are based on labour shortage in the workforce and are bound to change.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

The Northwest Territories of Canada include the regions of Dehcho, North Slave, Sahtu, South Slave, and Inuvik. The landscape consists of forests, mountains, and islands of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. The major contributor to the economy is mining, with diamonds being the main focus. There are several streams available to immigrate:

• Employer Driven Stream - As the name suggests, this stream allows employers to hire foreign nationals for jobs which cannot be filled by Canadians or PRs. To apply through this stream the applicant needs to get a job offer from an employer in NWT, and once the job offer is received, the employer will need to contact the province and apply for one of the three categories: Entry Level/ Semi skilled occupations, Skilled worker, or NWT Express Entry.
• Business Stream - This stream enables foreign nationals who intend to start a new business, purchase an existing business, or invest in an existing business in NWT and operate it. Depending on whether the business is located within or outside the boundary of Yellowknife, the amount of personal net worth and minimum investment differs.
• Francophone Stream - This stream enables foreign nationals who speak both French and English, and have a valid job offer from an NWT employer to apply for immigration. Applicants are expected to prove the minimum language requirements by taking an approved test.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a province of Canada which lies on the easternmost coast and is one of the four Atlantic provinces. Generally the province has cold but not severe winters and summers are warm.

The province offers several nomination programs to attract skilled workers and postgraduates to build on it's economy, like Express Entry Skilled Worker, Skilled Worker, and International Graduate streams.

• Express Entry Skiled Worker - This stream enables foreign skliied workers who intend to settle in the province and meet the eligibility requirements. The applicants should have created a profile in the Express Entry pool and have a job offer from an employer in the province in a position which is classified in TEER 0,1,2, or 3. The employer must provide an LMIA to support the hiring of the foreign worker.
• Skilled Worker - This stream enables foreign skilled workers of all NOC skill levels who have a job offer from an employer in the province to apply for provincial nomination. The applicants must demonstrate that they possess the necessary skills to meet the job requirements.
• International Graduate - This stream enables international students who have graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution from a program which is at least 2-year diploma or degree or a 1-year post-graduate degree. Candidates must be working in Canada on a PGWP with at least 6 months validity left.
• International Entrepreneur - This stream enables foreign nationals who have the funds and management experience to own and operate a business in the province. Candidates need to demonstrate work experience of at least 2 years as an owner-operator or 5 years as a senior business manager. They should also have a personal net worth of CAD $600,000 and be willing to make an investment of CAD $200,000 in a new business or purchase an existing one.
• International Graduate Entrepreneur - This stream enables inernational students who have graduated from a 2-year post-secondary program and possess at least 1 year of experience owning and operating a business in the province.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

New Brunswick is an eastern province of Canada and one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It has abundant natural resources like rivers, mountains, pine forests, and the beautiful Bay of Fundy where tourists come from all over the world for whale-watching.

The province offers many PNP programs with the aim of attracting foreign nationals to fill labour shortages and make valuable contributions to the local economy. There are several streams available for applicants who meet the eligibilty criteria:

• New Brunswick Express Entry Stream - This stream is connected to the federal Express Entry system, which means that the applicant will have to create an Express Entry profile. It provides an immigration pathway for foreign workers with the necessary skills, education and work experience and want to live in the province permanently.
• New Brunswick Strategic Initiative Stream - This stream is geared towards the French-speaking foreign nationals who have the required skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the province's economy and who are willing to live and work there permanently. Applicants are required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the province, note that all EOIs submitted before March 12, 2024 need to be withdrawn and submitted again.
• New Brunswick Private Career College Graduate Pilot Program - This pilot stream is to provde an immigration pathway for international graduates from selected 1-year and 2-year study programs which lead to careers in any of Education and Social Development, Health, IT and Cybersecurity, Business Administration, and Supply Chain & Logistics. This pilot program enables new graduates from specific private career colleges in the province that are not eligible for PGWP program to apply for Canadian PR.
• New Brunswick Skilled Worker Stream - This stream is for foreign nationals who possess the skills, education, and work experience required to contribute to the province's economy. In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, each applicant must have an letter of employment from an employer in New Brunswick and intend to live and work in the province permanently.
• New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream - This stream is an economic immigration pathway, which means that applicants are required to make an investment in the province. Foreign entrepreneurs who have business experience and are ready to own and actively operate a business and also intend to live in the provine permanently are encouraged to apply.
• New Brunswick Critical Workers Pilot - Ths is an employer-driven stream which means that applications to the pilot program will be processed by the participating employer. The employers are selected based on their past participation in provincial and federal programs and their ability to support their employees in settling, enhancing their skills, and language training.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Manitoba is Canada's fifth most populous province, bordered by Ontario on the east and Saskatchewan to the west. The province boasts of a varied landscape of lakes and rivers, mountains, forests and prairies. It is especially noted for its northern polar bear population.

The Manitoba PNP has a number of pathways to enable foreign nationals to get Canadian PR. The immigration pathways are divided into four streams:

• Workers in Manitoba - This stream enables foreign nationals who have a job offer from their employer for a full-time and permanent position and already live in Manitoba when they apply. Candidates are required to submit an online profile, and based on this profile are assigned a score and ranked against other candidates. The highest ranking candidates will receive a Letter of Advice to Apply.
• Skilled Workers Overseas - This stream includes three streams which enable foreign nationals with the necessary skills and experience to make valuable contribution to the province's workforce. This stream is highly competitive and only candidates with good qualifications are selected.
• International Education Stream - This stream enables international students who have recently graduated from a post-secondary institution in Manitoba to apply. This stream further contains three streams which allows applicants to receive a nomination from the province and apply for Canadian PR.
• Business Investor Stream - This stream enables foreign nationals who are willing to invest in a new business in the province. This stream also furthr contains two streams, one for entrepreneurs who are experience business owner-operators and the second for individuals who have experience owning and operating a farm and have the funds and desire to operate a new farm in Manitoba.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

British Columbia is a province located on the west coast of Canada and is famous for it's uncomparable natural beauty, with the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. The BC PNP offers foreign nationals multiple pathways to migrate to the province and become Canadian permanent residents. The programs are designed to attract foreign workers who can fill jobs in sectors with labour shortages and entrepreneurs.

The immigration streams are divided into two main categories:

• British Columbia Skills Immigration - This stream allows foreign nationals who have the required skills and work experience to secure employment in the BC workforce. The programs offered under this stream are:
  • British Columbia Skilled Worker - This program nominates those immigrants who have an offer of empoyment and are likely to make a contribution to the BC workforce. Though applicants are not required to have an Express Entry profile to be eligible, those who do may have their application processed faster.
  • British Columbia Healthcare Professional - The BC Health Authority nominates those immigrants who have an offer of employment from a public health authority in BC and who will make major contributions in the healthcare labour sector. Applicants are not required to have an Express Entry profile to be eligible, however they may benefit from applying through Express Entry profile for faster processing.
  • British Columbia International Graduate - This program nominates immigrants who have completed a post-secondary education in Canada and have an offer of employment. Applicants are not required to have an Express Entry profile to be eligible, however they may benefit from applying through Express Entry profile for faster processing.
  • British Columbia Internation Post-Graduate - This program nominates immigrants who have recently completed a graduate level of education from a designated institution in BC. Applicants are not required to have an Express Entry profile to be eligible, however they may benefit from applying through Express Entry profile for faster processing.
  • British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker (ELSS) - This program nominates immigrants who can demonstrate work experience in a semi-skilled profession in BC and have an offer of employment from a BC employer. This job offer does not require the support of an LMIA.

• British Columbia Entrepreneur Immigration - This stream allows foreign nationals or foreign companies with a successful track record of owning, managing and investing in a business. It allows foreign individuals with high net worth and companies with high annual revenue numbers to migrate to BC. The programs offered under this stream are:
  • British Columbia Entrepreneur - This program is for experienced business owner-opertors or senior business managers who want to work and live in BC. Successful applicants are required to open a new business or purchase an existing one and be involved in managing the day-to-day operations. On successfully operating the business for 550 days, the entrepreneur may be nominated for a PR.
  • British Columbia Entrepreneur Regional Pilot - This program is for experienced entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in and manage a business in one of the participating communities in BC. The applicants need to be referred by one of the program's participating communities.
  • British Columbia Strategic Projects - This program is for foreign companies who are successful and would like to establish a branch office in BC. On completion of a certain duration successfully operating the office, the foreign staff in the office may be nominated for PR.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a federal immigration program and is employer-driven. What this means is that it enables the designated employers to recruit foreign workers and international students who have graduated from a Canadian institution to meet the labour demands of the market.

The AIP is a pathway to obtain permanent residency for applicants who want to live and work in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program allows employers to hire qualified candidates in jobs for which they were unable to find suitable local candidates.

In order to apply to the AIP, each candidate must demonstrate their eligibility in the following areas:

• Work Experience - In the last 5 years, the candidate must have at least 1560 hours of paid work experience. This work experience should be at one of the TEER 0,1,2,3,or 4 categories.
• International Graduates - A candidate does not need to meet the work experience criteria if s/he is an international graduate who was a full-time student and took at least 2 years of studies from a DLI in one of the four Atlantic provinces.
• Educational Requirements - A candidate must demonstrate one of these:
  • If s/he has a job offer in TEER 0 or 1 category, then they must have a one-year Canadian post-secondary educational credential or higher, or the equivalent from outside Canada.
  • If s/he has a job offer in TEER 2,3, or 4 category, then they must have a Canadian high school diploma , or the equivalent from outside Canada.
  For all education which was completed outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report is required to be submitted which was done less than 5 years ago.
• Language Requirements - Each candidate must meet the minimum language requirements based on the TEER category which applies to their job offer. This can be either Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). The minimum language requirements for job offers in TEER 0,1,2, or 3 category are CLB/ NCLC 5 and for job offers in TEER 4 are CLB/ NCLC 4.
• Settlement Funds - Each candidate must show that they have sufficient money to support themselves and their family members when they arrive in Canada. The amount to be shown depends on the size of the family and it also includes anyone the candidate supports but is not immigrating with them. If the candidate is already living and working in Canada on a valid work permit, then they do not need to show the proof of funds.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

Alberta is a province which is a part of western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. It is famous for it's natural landscapes which includes the majestoc Rocky Mountains and vast prairies. It has a thriving economy which is largely driven by the vast reserves of natural gas. The two popular cities in the province are Calgary and Edmonton, both offering diverse cultral experiences and bustling urban life. Alberta offers a high quality of life amidst it's beautiful natural surroundings.

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) was introduced to drive the economic immigration in the province by nominating individuals, who possess the necessary skills to address job shortages or intend to open a new business or purchase one in the province, for PR in Alberta. The program mainly supports two streams in the Express Entry pool: skilled workers and entrepreneurs.

Skilled Workers These streams are for foreign skilled workers who currently reside and work in Alberta or intend to do so:

• Tourism and Hospitality Stream - This stream is for qualified foreign workers who live and work in Alberta with a job offer from an Alberta tourism and hospitality employer.
• Alberta Opportunity Stream - This stream is for qualified foreign workers who are employedg in Alberta and have an offer of employment stating that they will be working full-time.
• Alberta Express Stream - This stream allows the province to nominate candidates who demosntrate strong ties to the province and can support economic development and have an active Express Entry profile based on certain selection criteria.
• Alberta Accelerated Tech Pathway - This stream allows qualified candidates who are working in one of the 38 tech occupaitons or have a job offer from a tech industry employer in Alberta

Entrepreneurs These streams are for entrepreneurs who plan to reside in Alberta and either purchase an existing business or open a business within the province:

• Rural Entrepreneur Stream - This stream is for foreign entrepreneurs who would start a business or purchase an exisitng business in a rural Alberta community by submitting an Expression of Interest.
• Farm Stream - This stream is for foreign workers who have experience owning and operating a farm and have the financial resources to operate a farm in Alberta. Candidates are required to submit a detailed plan outlining their plan on how they intend to operate a farm in Alberta.
• Graduate Entrepreneur Stream - This stream is for international graduates from one of Alberta's post-secondary institutions who want to start and operte a business in Alberta. Graduates are ranked based on Expression of Interest and the highest ranked graduates are invited to submit a detailed business plan.
• Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream - This stream is for foreign graduates who have recently graduated from a foreign post-secondary institution and intend to start and operate a business in Alberta.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

For many people who dream of migrating to Canada via the Express Entry General category, it is tougher than before given the high cut-off CRS score in recent months. However, there are other options to migrate to Canada for individuals who have a specific set of skills and work experience.

This option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which is a path each province offers to individuals to migrate to that particular province if they meet their requirements. While the Express Entry is a federal program, PNP is a province-specific program which allows each province to nominate individuals via PNP based on their labour market requirements. Applicants to PNP are required to submit supporting documents to the province to support their application. These programs are categorized as below:

• Alberta Provincial Nominee Program
• Atlantic Immigration Program 2024
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program
• Newfoundland Provincial Nominee Program
• Northwest Territories Provincial Nominee Program
• Nova Scotia Nominee Program
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program
• Quebec Provincial Programs
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
• Yukon Provincial Nominee Program

We are starting a series of blogs to explain the features of each of these programs and their requirements.

If you would like to migrate to Canada then call our office to schedule an appointment and discuss your profile. Our experienced team will find the right program for you to apply.

IRCC has announced the final list of number of study permit (SP) allocation for all the provinces and explained how it arrived at the numbers. Each province will receive a fixed number of study permits which could be issued to international students through their private and public colleges and this number of permits will be based on the population of each province. Some provinces received a top up to the number of study permits based on other criteria.

Province/ Territory	SP Allocations	Projected SP approved
Alberta	40,894	24,537
British Columbia	83,000	49,800
Manitoba	18,652	9,140
New Brunswick	14,651	5,567
Newfoundland and Labrador	3,153	1,419
Northwest Territories	333	200
Nova Scotia	20,378	7,744
Nunavut	333	200
Ontario	235,000	141,000
Prince Edward Island	2,312	1,202
Quebec	117,917	43,629
Saskatchewan	15,054	7,226
Yukon	417	250
Total	552,095	291,914