Month: May 2017

Upcoming Australia General Skilled Migration Changes – July 2017

From the date of 1st July 2017 Australia General Skilled Migration changes will be implied, such as:

  • Under Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 the maximum age requirement will be changed from 49 to 44
  • A new Australian permanent residency pathway for New Zealand citizens will be released
  • Australian skilled occupations lists will be most probably reviewed
  • Occupational ceilings will be declared
  • Reopening of State Migration Plans will be done

Age Limit changes under Skilled Independent visa subclass 189

The current maximum age under Skilled Independent visa subclass 189 is 49. It will be changed to 44, effective from 1 July 2017.

Following visa programs will remain unaffected by this reform:

As per the Department of Immigration’s research and survey conducted, it has been seen that only 1% of applicants under Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189 is ranging from 45 to 49 currently. Which is why the age criteria of 49 has been replaced with 44.

New Zealand Citizen Pathway for Australia Permanent Residency

New Australian permanent residency pathway for New Zealand citizens who have resided and hold an employment experience in Australia for a minimum time period of 5 years will be released on 1 July 2017.

This new pathway will be applied as a distinct stream under Skilled Independent visa Subclass 189. The eligibility criteria for New Zealand citizen stream will be comparatively easier to fulfill than the subclass 189 visa itself due to following reasons:

  • English language examination, skills assessment, point test assessment, or employer sponsorship are not required.
  • No age limitation
  • Moderate financial income and exemptions offered
  • Health waiver offered
  • Little initial application fee

The Australian government authorities have analyzed that around 60 – 70,000 New Zealand residents can apply under the new pathway. Due to this there will be fewer applicants under the point assessment stream. This can also affect the skilled migration occupational ceilings, and lead to higher point requirement in order to grab an invitation under SkillSelect.

Review of Australian Skilled Occupations Lists

Australia occupations list under General Skilled Migration, MLTSSL and STSOL may get renewed from 1 July 2017.

There are multiple occupations, majorly available under the engineering category, which is present in the MLTSSL but not in the STSOL. This is not fair and which is why the lists are expected to be reviewed.

List of “Flagged Occupations” are kept and managed by the Department of Education. This list could also be abolished.

Fill our quick and free visa assessment form to see under which program you are eligible under Canada Immigration with Make Visas

Express Entry Draw 63 & 64: Trades and Provincial Candidates chosen for Canada PR Visa

Express Entry Draw 63 & 64: The latest Express Entry draw came out with 543 invitations under Canada permanent residency. For the first time in the history of the Express Entry program, 2 distinct categories of applicants were separated for achieving Invitations to Apply (ITAs). Moreover, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) placed 2 distinct minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. 400 applicants were selected under the Federal Skilled Trades program (FSTP) with CRS 199, and 143 applicants under provincial nominee program with a CRS 795. These invited applicants will now submit their application for Canada permanent residency visa.

Applicants who attained an ITA are allowed to apply for Canadian permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Family members who are going to accompany the primary applicant such as spouse or common-law partner, dependent children are also eligible under Canada PR visa to reside in Canada.

Applicants who want to submit their application for Canada permanent residency under one of the program named, Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FTSC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), should first submit their profile in the Express Entry pool of Candidate. After this each individual will be given a CRS score depending on the factors such as age, education, work experience, language capability etc. All profiles are ranked in the Express Entry pool on the basis of their CRS score, and then IRCC periodically organize Express Entry draws in order to invite the highest-ranking profiles from the pool to apply for Canada Permanent Residency.

Updated Express Entry Draw 63 & 64 and Last 2 months Draws

Draw Date Number of Invitation Minimum CRS score
Express Entry draw 64 May 26 Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): 400 Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC): 199
Express Entry draw 63 May 26 Provincial Nominee program (PNP): 795 Provincial Nominee program (PNP): 795
Express Entry draw 62 May 17  3,687 415
Express Entry draw 61 May 4  3,796 423
Express Entry draw 60 April 19 3,665 415

Get more information on immigration and visa programs at Make Visas.

Express Entry draw 62: The lowest CRS is back again!

Express Entry draw 62: The lowest ever Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points needed by an applicant under Canada Express Entry  came out. On 17 May 2017, around 3,687 applicants having 415 or more CRS score achieved an ITA.

Applicants who attained an ITA are allowed to apply for Canadian permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Family members who are going to accompany the primary applicant such as spouse or common-law partner, dependent children are also eligible under Canada PR visa to reside in Canada.

Applicants who want to submit their application for Canada permanent residency under one of the program named, Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FTSC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), should first submit their profile in the Express Entry pool of Candidate. After this each individual will be given a CRS score depending on the factors such as age, education, work experience, language capability etc. All profiles are ranked in the Express Entry pool on the basis of their CRS score, and then IRCC periodically organize Express Entry draws in order to invite the highest-ranking profiles from the pool to apply for Canada Permanent Residency.

Updated Express Entry Draw 2016 -2017: Last 3 months

Draw Date Number of Invitation Minimum CRS score
Express Entry draw 62 May 17  3,687 415
Express Entry draw 61 May 4  3,796 423
Express Entry draw 60 April 19 3,665 415
Express Entry draw 59 April 12 3,923 423
Express Entry draw 58 April 5 3,753 431
Express Entry draw 57 March 24 3,749 441

Get more information on immigration and visa programs at Make Visas.

SINP REOPENS FOR 600 NEW APPLICANTS UNDER EXPRESS ENTRY CATEGORY

After a huge gap of 3 months, Saskatchewan opened its arms for International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category under SINP or Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. About 600 new applications will be taken under this category intake. Eligible applicants whose profiles are submitted in the Express Entry candidate’s pool will be given a golden opportunity for acquiring provincial nomination certificate which can lead eventually to Canada Permanent Residency Visa.

By acquiring a provincial nomination certificate under this SINP category, applicant can achieve 600 additional points for CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) and then can be selected at any draw from the Express Entry’s candidate pool.

SINP program selects eligible applicants having required skills and experience in order to fill Saskatchewan’s labor market gaps. Kindly note that the applicants to get the nomination certificate must be present in the Express Entry’s candidate pool and is eligible under any of the three federal programs including, Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

Also the SINP Occupation – in-demand list has been updated. Earlier 21 occupations were listed but now the latest SINP occupation list has 17 occupations in it.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must acquire required qualifications to be eligible under SINP International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category:

  • legal status evidence, in case the applicant is living in  Canada currently
  • Profile has been submitted and accepted in the Express Entry’s candidate pool with having Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code which must be entered in the SINP application
  • Must submit language examination report qualifying the express entry requirement mentioned in the profile and conducted through an authorized Institution
  • Have acquired minimum 1 year of post-secondary education/training with a degree, diploma, certificate, or a trade certificate equivalent to the Canadian education system
  • Have acquired employment experience relevant to the academic or training field under a highly skilled occupation level NOC 0, A, or B present in the SINP in-demand occupations list:
  1. Minimum 1 year of experience in the last 10 years under a skilled profession (non-trades), OR
  2. Minimum 2 years of experience in a skilled trade in the last 5 years, OR
  3. Minimum 1 year of experience in Canada in the last 3 years (trades and non-trades)
  • Acquire eligibility evidences for Saskatchewan licensure in case the profession is managed in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory certification/licensing
  • Acquire a qualification certificate for the skilled trade under the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission in case the employment experience falls under a skilled trade
  • Must have a satisfying settlement funds and a settlement plan
  • Must acquire a minimum score of 60 points under SINP point calculator.

Express Entry draw 61: Above 3000 applicants got Canada PR

Express Entry draw 61: The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points needed by an applicant under Canada Express Entry  came out with high number of invitations. On 4 May 2017, around 3,796 applicants having 423 or more CRS score achieved an ITA.

Applicants who attained an ITA are allowed to apply for Canadian permanent residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Family members who are going to accompany the primary applicant such as spouse or common-law partner, dependent children are also eligible under Canada PR visa to reside in Canada.

Applicants who want to submit their application for Canada permanent residency under one of the program named, Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FTSC), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC), should first submit their profile in the Express Entry pool of Candidate. After this each individual will be given a CRS score depending on the factors such as age, education, work experience, language capability etc. All profiles are ranked in the Express Entry pool on the basis of their CRS score, and then IRCC periodically organize Express Entry draws in order to invite the highest-ranking profiles from the pool to apply for Canada Permanent Residency.

Updated Express Entry Draw 2016 -2017: Last 3 months

Draw Date Number of Invitation Minimum CRS score
Express Entry draw 61 May 4  3,796 423
Express Entry draw 60 April 19 3,665 415
Express Entry draw 59 April 12 3,923 423
Express Entry draw 58 April 5 3,753 431
Express Entry draw 57 March 24 3,749 441
Express Entry draw 56 March 1 3,884 434

Get more information on immigration and visa programs at Make Visas.