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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Opportunities in Canada's immigration future
The Canadian immigration landscape is showing promising signs. Experts anticipate a potential rise in immigration approvals from India by early 2026. Canada is also exploring new rural and regional immigration programs that could benefit Indian applicants with family or community ties. Let WWICS Immigration guide you to a secure life in Canada. Furthermore, Canada's provincial programs, such as those in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, are adjusting quotas for international graduates, entrepreneurs, and skilled trades workers. These are areas where WWICS has a strong track record in placements. With increasing job vacancies in sectors like healthcare, STEM, skilled trades, and infrastructure, there is a continued need for qualified Indian talent. Recent announcements also suggest improved clarity and speed in visa processing for Indian applicants. Here's what may be expected: 🔹 Increased intake of skilled professionals through Express Entry and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) 🔹 More student visa approvals, particularly at the PG and STEM level 🔹 Facilitated work permit pathways, including potential Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exemptions for priority sectors 🔹 Increased family reunification quotas and potentially faster sponsorship timelines 🔹 Strengthened business migration channels for investors and entrepreneurs Immigration as a Path to Stronger Connections 1. Canada's Immigration Goals and India's Talent Pool Canada aims to welcome over 500,000 new immigrants annually through 2026. India consistently contributes significantly to the number of permanent residents, international students, and temporary foreign workers in Canada. With an aging Canadian population and ongoing demand for skilled labor, engaging with India's talent pool offers a strategic approach. Immigration policies, including the Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and study-to-PR pathways, provide various opportunities for Indian nationals. 2. Education as a Foundation Indian students constitute a large group of international students in Canada. In 2024, over 225,000 Indian students were enrolled in Canadian institutions. These students contribute significantly to the economy and often transition into long-term residents and skilled workers. Enhanced academic collaborations, efficient student visa processing, and bilateral research exchanges can further strengthen this educational link. Opportunities Ahead With Canada's growing need for tech talent, healthcare professionals, and green energy workers and India's large English-speaking, digitally skilled population the potential for immigration collaboration is positive. Sectors such as AI, EV manufacturing, and clean tech offer potential joint ventures. Immigration could serve as a key component in fostering cooperation between India and Canada. Implications for Immigration As diplomatic discussions progress, immigration channels are expected to become more streamlined and accessible. Here's what Indian applicants may anticipate: ✅ More efficient Visa Processing ✅ Increased Student and PR Opportunities ✅ Collaborative Tech and Healthcare Immigration Streams ✅ New Pilot Programs & Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) Canada continues to rely on skilled immigrants to address labour needs in healthcare, IT, infrastructure, and green energy,areas where Indian professionals often demonstrate strong capabilities.. Why Consider Immigration Now Canada's immigration goals, targeting over 485,000 newcomers annually, present a favourable time to consider immigration. Whether you're a student, skilled worker, entrepreneur, or looking into family sponsorship – the doors to Canada are open, offering diverse opportunities. Start Your Journey with WWICS Today If you are seeking information on Canada immigration, now may be an opportune time. Let WWICS Immigration guide you to a secure life in Canada as they offer comprehensive profile evaluation, customised immigration strategies, and dedicated post-landing services that go beyond the visa. Call: +91-_________ WhatsApp: Click here to chat Visit: Offices across India, UAE, Canada, and globally Note to the Reader: This article is part of Hindustan Times' promotional consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. Hindustan Times assumes no editorial responsibility for the content.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada Express Entry: 3,000 with Canadian work experience invited for PR
Canada on Thursday invited 3,000 foreign nationals to apply for permanent residency through its Express Entry system, with the latest draw focusing on those with Canadian work experience. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in a draw held on June 26, 2025, targeting Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates who scored at least 521 points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This was eight points lower than the previous CEC draw on June 12. According to the IRCC's 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, the government is looking to admit 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry pathways this year. To be eligible for this round, candidates had to: Have submitted their Express Entry profile before 3:56 p.m. UTC on November 21, 2024. Sixth Express Entry draw this month This is the sixth Express Entry draw in June. It follows: A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on June 23 A CEC draw on June 12 A smaller PNP draw on June 10 So far this year, the IRCC has issued 41,845 ITAs under Express Entry. Most draws in 2025 have targeted provincial nominees, followed by CEC candidates and those in priority categories such as French-language speakers and health or education-related occupations. Number of Express Entry draws in 2025 by category: PNP: 11 CEC: 6 French-language proficiency: 3 Healthcare and social services: 2 Education: 1 The June 26 draw is the first time since February that CEC draws have occurred in two consecutive weeks. Who qualifies for the Canadian Experience Class The Canadian Experience Class is one of three federal immigration programmes under Express Entry. It is meant for skilled workers with Canadian work experience. To be eligible, applicants must: • Have completed at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work in Canada in the last three years, in occupations listed under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 • Meet language requirements: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 jobs, and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 jobs, in either English or French • Be admissible to Canada (with no major medical or criminal concerns) • Create an Express Entry profile Unlike other federal programmes, the CEC does not require proof of settlement funds, making it a more accessible route for candidates already living and working in Canada. 'Higher language scores and Canadian education can help push up your CRS score, which directly affects your chances of selection,' said Sonia Dhillon, a regulated immigration consultant based in Toronto. What happens after receiving an ITA Those who received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in the June 26 draw now have 60 days to submit a complete application. Steps after receiving an ITA: Log into the IRCC account and accept the ITA within the deadline Gather required documents, including: Passport Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF) Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees Canadian work experience proof (T4s, reference letters, pay slips) Police certificates and medical examination results Submit the final application online via the IRCC portal The application fee for adults is around CAD 1,365 in 2025. IRCC typically processes CEC applications in about six months. Once approved, candidates receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Those already in Canada may complete a virtual landing, while others must travel to the country to activate their PR status.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Married? You just lost 40 points; How Canada's immigration system is rewarding singles and punishing families
Canada 's immigration system, which was long praised for its meritocratic and transparent points-based approach, is now drawing criticism for unintentionally putting married applicants at a disadvantage. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to evaluate skilled worker candidates under Express Entry awards significantly more points to those who are single, or who declare their spouse as "non-accompanying." Under the CRS, a candidate without an accompanying spouse can gain up to 40 extra points out of a possible 600. These points can make or break a candidate's success in receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo With immigration targets tightening and the minimum cutoff scores rising, most recently reaching 529 points on June 12, 2025, this loophole is becoming increasingly consequential. Immigration lawyer Matthew Jeffery explains that the system only favors married applicants when their spouse is highly educated, fluent in English or French, and has relevant work experience. 'If the spouse does not have these things, it can result in a lower score for the primary applicant,' he says. Live Events Declaring spouse as non-accompanying To preserve their chances, applicants may legally declare their spouse as non-accompanying, essentially postponing their spouse's immigration and allowing the principal applicant to retain a higher score. 'This is not manipulation,' says Calgary-based immigration consultant Mandeep Lidher. 'It is a lawful and system-sanctioned pathway for applicants who may otherwise be disadvantaged by their spouse's limited language scores, education, or lack of Canadian work experience.' Procedural fairness letters Ottawa is aware of the practice and has begun issuing procedural fairness letters (PFLs) to applicants suspected of using the rule deceptively. In one letter, an immigration officer expressed 'serious concerns' over a married applicant declaring their spouse as non-accompanying, despite both individuals already living in Canada. 'It appears that you have decided to include your spouse as 'non-accompanying' to meet the minimum required score,' the officer wrote, adding that the applicant would not have qualified if the spouse had been listed as accompanying. Misrepresentation can lead to refusal and ban While it is legal to declare a spouse as non-accompanying if done transparently, experts warn that misrepresentation, such as hiding marital status or falsely claiming a spouse will remain abroad, can lead to application refusal and even a five-year ban from reapplying. 'Honesty is paramount,' Toronto-based immigration consultant Kubeir Kamal told CTV News . The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on misrepresentation: 'If a spouse is declared as not accompanying while the intent is for the spouse to come with the principal applicant, an officer may find that the applicant misrepresented themselves.' Canada prepares to lower its annual immigration targets, dropping from 500,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025, and further still in 2026 and 2027, but the margin for error has narrowed.
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Canada needs Indian nurses: Express Entry offers PR without job offer
Are you a skilled registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse looking to immigrate to Canada? With growing demand and systemic staff shortages, the country is inviting healthcare professionals to apply for permanent residency—no job offer required. Canada needs thousands more nurses Canada is short by at least 26,000 registered nurses, according to the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. 'This is what we need to close the gap in the RN-to-population ratio,' said RNAO's Scaini & Zych in their 2024 report. The federal government has begun inviting nurses and social service professionals under occupation-specific Express Entry draws. On June 4, 2025, 500 candidates were invited to apply for permanent residency. Nearly 26% of the current nursing workforce is aged 50 and above. With many nearing retirement—the median age is 63—the demand is expected to continue rising through 2033. 'The rising demand for nurses in countries like Canada presents a strong opportunity for India's large pool of qualified professionals,' Mayank Kumar, co-founder and CEO of BorderPlus, a talent mobility platform, told Business Standard. 'Indian nurses are globally respected for their clinical expertise, but many face challenges in adjusting to new care models, meeting certification standards, addressing language barriers, and integrating into unfamiliar workplace cultures. To thrive in international roles, preparation must extend beyond the classroom, focusing on communication, adaptability, and the confidence to navigate real-world patient care in unfamiliar international environments,' he said. How Express Entry works for nurses Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 code 31301, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses are eligible for Canada's targeted Express Entry draws. Applicants need at least six months of continuous work experience in the last three years, either in Canada or abroad. A job offer is not required. Common eligible roles include: Registered nurse (R.N.) Registered psychiatric nurse (R.P.N.) Critical care nurse Emergency care nurse Intensive care nurse Community health nurse Occupational health nurse Public health nurse Nursing consultant Nurse researcher Private duty nurse These roles are in demand across various health and community care settings. Job outlook and pay in 2025 Canada's Job Bank reports that employment prospects for nurses are strong in most regions, including Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Only Quebec reports a moderate outlook, while British Columbia and the Northwest Territories fall in the middle range. Hourly wages for registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses, according to Canada Job Bank, an official government online portal for job seekers and employers are are follows: National median: $42.00 Range: $29.00 to $51.08 Estimated annual income: up to $99,723 (based on a 37.5-hour work week) Wage variation by region: Nunavut: $64.69/hour (highest) Northwest Territories: $56.00/hour Yukon: $48.30/hour Ontario and Quebec: $40.00/hour How to apply through Express Entry in 2025 Step 1: Check your eligibility You must have: At least six months of recent work experience in your nursing field Language test results meeting the required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Foreign education credentials assessed (ECA) Settlement funds if applying through the Federal Skilled Worker Program Mention NOC 31301 as your occupation when creating your profile. If selected in an occupation-specific draw, you'll receive an ITA. Step 4: Submit your documents You'll have 60 days to submit: Proof of work experience Language scores Educational assessment Police clearance and medicals Why targeted draws matter Canada's Express Entry has three main categories: Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Federal Skilled Trades (FST) In recent months, IRCC has run job-specific draws that give priority to professions like nursing. This approach shifts focus from just points-based selection to occupation demand. Benefits? Better chances of selection even with a lower CRS score No need for a job offer Additional routes through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) What's driving the crisis? The shortage isn't new, but it's now at a tipping point. Canada's elderly population is growing. Between 2023 and 2073, the number of people aged 65 and above is projected to grow by up to 13.4%, according to Statistics Canada. Nurses are essential in areas such as chronic care, long-term support, and palliative services—but their numbers haven't kept pace. Adding to the challenge is the aging workforce itself. 'About 1 in 4 nurses is over the age of 55,' said the Canadian Institute for Health Information in a 2020 report. That means a wave of retirements is on the horizon, and foreign-trained nurses will play a central role in filling the gap/
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada ends dummy work permit trick used by Indian, other foreign workers
Now, thousands of temporary foreign workers, including Indians, will not be able to rely on multiple applications to legally remain in Canada under the pretext of work permit extensions. Canada's immigration department last week changed the rules around 'maintained status' to crack down on so-called dummy extension applications, which have been on the rise. The move, announced in the June 2025 IRCC update, affects temporary residents who submit more than one work or study permit extension while remaining in the country. What are dummy extension applications? These are often filed without genuine job offers, allowing foreign nationals to extend their stay while waiting on a decision—even if they are unlikely to qualify. The term 'dummy' refers to the lack of intent to actually work under the applied conditions. Many such applications are submitted as placeholders, giving temporary residents—especially those awaiting permanent residency invitations—a way to buy time. They remain in Canada under 'maintained status' while their files remain in processing. As of June 2025, IRCC's average processing time for work permit extensions stands at 158 days. 'This change, which appears procedural on the surface, has major ramifications for international students and workers, notably those from India,' Zubin Morris, partner at Little & Co told Business Standard. How dummy work permit extensions work According to IRCC, the dummy application loophole exploits several aspects of the system: Maintained status eligibility: Anyone with a valid permit who applies before expiry gains maintained status, which allows continued stay and work under the previous conditions. No LMIA or offer number required: Open work permits don't need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer of employment. These applications are harder to detect as fraudulent at the intake stage. Processing delays: With processing times running up to five months, applicants often use this period to find jobs, seek PNP nominations, or wait for Express Entry draws. Risk of misrepresentation: Applications filed without genuine intent could be rejected and trigger a five-year ban on applying for Canadian visas. 'According to IRCC's clarification, if the initial application is refused, any second application, even if submitted in advance, will not be considered. Maintained status ends the moment the first refusal is issued,' said Morris. Crackdown comes with higher risks for applicants Until now, many applicants filed a second application to safeguard their stay if the first was at risk. The new rule removes that cushion. Morris explained, 'Students whose permits are near expiry must be precise with their first extension application. A mistake, missing document, or even a delay can now end their legal status, despite a second application being filed. For workers, it could mean immediate job loss and the need to apply for status restoration or leave Canada.' Darshan Maharaja, a Canada-based immigration analyst, said the new rule could have knock-on effects. 'The unintended effect might be more people rushing to file asylum claims within the one-year deadline,' he told Business Standard. 'We saw nearly 500,000 temporary foreign workers enter Canada in just the first four months of 2025. By the end of 2024, over 300,000 asylum claims were pending. So this new rule may have limited impact—and could face legal challenges.' What IRCC accepts in absence of LMIA 1. The employer has submitted an LMIA application 2. The LMIA is expected to be decided in 1–3 months 3. The applicant is eligible to apply from within Canada Dummy applications often rely on open work permits or incomplete job details to bypass these requirements. Canada's move to tackle the issue Stricter triaging and cancellations: IRCC is introducing tighter screening of applications, especially those missing proof of employment or clear eligibility. Stakeholder feedback: Employers, consultants and advocacy groups have raised concerns about dummy applications distorting the system. Proposed intake filters: Some experts have recommended rejecting ineligible applications at the intake stage itself to speed up processing for genuine cases. From January to April 2025, IRCC processed 491,400 work permits. The overall backlog has now reduced to 35% of the total inventory, according to the latest update.
