The latest list of in-demand occupations that get the benefit from facilitated processing under the LMIA has been released by Quebec. In 2021 the number of such occupations was 181. The latest list has 228 eligible occupations that can have facilitated processing. The new list covers the whole of Quebec and takes into account the labor requirements of all regions.
Though the latest list is in effect already, a 30-day transition period has been given to employers/representatives to review the applications submitted under the list in 2021. The list of occupations for which employers in Quebec are willing to hire TFWs under a facilitated LMIA process. With this list, the Quebec government intends to help employers in Quebec to find skilled foreign workers while they can’t find such workers among citizens/permanent residents in Canada.
The procedure for hiring foreign workers with LMIA applied
The steps involved are:
Canadian employers hiring temporary foreign workers advertises an open position to prove that they need workers. They advertise the position for a minimum of 28 days. They conduct interviews of local workers and prove to the Canadian government that no Canadian citizen/PR is ready for the job and they need foreign workers for the position.
They apply for an LMIA in which process they submit their proof of their attempts to fill the job vacancies.
When the Canadian employers in Quebec attempt to hire workers for certain targeted positions, they can obtain access to a faster and simpler application process. This is what’s meant by the facilitated LMIA process. It was established by MIFI based on Canada’s NOC system.
The facilitated LMIA process applications require the approval of federal and provincial authorities. Hence, employers will have to submit application forms and supporting documents to MIFI and ESDC.
Canada immigration has set a new record and it’s making Canada a great place to recommend moving to. Statistics Canada has reported that as of May 11, 2021, Canada’s population growth has been twice as fast as other G7 countries. These include Germany, France, the US, the UK, Japan, and Italy.
The best part is that even in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was impeding population growth in the world, Canada had the fastest-growing population among G7 countries. This was even after Canada immigration had gone down due to border restrictions imposed by the country to stop the spread of the pandemic.
As of now, Canada has 37 million people in it, most of whom were added through Canada immigration. In fact, 4 out of 5 of the 1.8 million people who were added to the Canadian population were either Canada PR visa holders or temporary residents.
In Canada, immigration is still the major driving factor of population growth. This is true for most Canadian provinces and territories. British Columbia and Prince Edward Island had the highest population growth rates while Yukon had the fastest population growth. Growth in urban centers was faster than in rural areas in Canadian provinces/territories.
The Tier 1 investor visa route, also called the “Golden Visa” route that the UK had for inviting migrants to get residency in the country through investment, has closed. No more applications are accepted for this visa. The announcement in this regard was made by the UK Home Office on February 17, 2022. So, if you are looking for UK immigration as an investor, you will have to seek other routes that are open for you.
How was Tier 1 UK Investor Visa helping with UK immigration?
The Tier 1 UK investor program allowed potential investors from overseas to arrive and invest in businesses in the UK. They could stay in the UK by making an investment of £2,000,000 as capital. The investments could be made via UK government bonds or share capital of UK companies that are active and trading.
This program aimed to bring in investors who could make significant investments in the UK. The program ran well until certain concerns sprung up that led to the closure of the program.
The concerns
The primary concern was that the program was raising security concerns. There was the scope of questionable funds flowing into the UK through this program. Though the UK Home Office attempted to reform the activities of the program, eventually the decision to close the program was made.
Alternate UK immigration routes for potential investors
There are 2 alternate routes potential investors can still take to arrive and stay in the UK. They are:
Innovator Visa
Start-up Visa
The UK Innovator Visa
If you are an investor looking to set up an innovative business in the UK, the Innovator Visa is for you. You are required to have a business/business idea that earns the endorsement by a body that’s approved by the UK Home Office. You can start a business with an investment of £50,000 and proof of how you got the funds.
You have to show that your business idea is:
New, as you can’t join an existing trading business
Viable, as the business idea must have the potential to grow
Innovative, as it’s necessary that your business idea is original and different from any other on the market
Eligibility requirements for the visa
To be eligible for the visa, you must meet the following criteria:
Your age must be at least 18 years.
You must meet the English language proficiency requirements.
You must prove that you have a minimum personal savings of £1,270 to support yourself while you stay in the UK.
Dos and Don’ts
Dos
Establish one or more businesses
Work for your business (including working as a director or being self-employed as a business partner)
Bring your dependents – your partner and children – with you if they have the eligibility
Travel abroad and come back to the UK
Apply for permanent residence in the UK (“indefinite leave to remain”) if you have lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other requirements for eligibility
Don’ts
Be employed outside your business E.g., work for another business
Work as a professional sportsperson E.g., a sports coach
Lodge an application for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
The UK Start-Up Visa
Do you have no money for the investment capital required in the UK? Are you lacking in experience as a business owner? If you still want to come to live and start a business in the UK, take a UK Start-Up Visa.
This visa allows you to set up a new, innovative business in the UK. It’s necessary that your business gets an endorsement from an authorized body. This body could be an institution of higher education in the UK or a business organization that has a history of providing support to UK entrepreneurs.
Eligibility requirements for the visa
To be eligible for the visa, you must meet the following criteria:
You must be at least 18 years old
You have to meet the requirement for English language proficiency
You must prove that you have a minimum of £1,270 in personal savings to support yourself during your period of stay in the UK
You have to show that your business idea is:
New, as you can’t join an already trading business
Viable, as the business idea must have the potential to grow
Innovative, as it’s necessary that your business idea is original and different from any other on the market
This visa is not extendable. However, after a 2-year stay in the UK, you may switch to a Skilled Worker Visa or an Innovator Visa if you have established a business holding a Star-Up Visa.
Also, your business activity must be subject to the following criteria:
Your business must have been assessed and approved by your endorsing body.
You must have an active business that’s trading and sustainable.
Your daily involvement must be there in conducting the business.
Dos and Don’ts
Dos
Bring your dependents – your partner and children – with you as if they have the eligibility
Work in another job, as well as work for your own business
Switch to this visa from some other visa categories
Travel abroad and come back to the UK
Don’ts
Lodge application for most benefits (public funds), or pension from the state
Be employed as a professional sportsperson E.g., a sports coach
Canadian colleges and universities have been given time till spring of 2022 to submit applications for Study in Canada scholarships for international students. The scholarships provided by GAC are worth up to $12,700 and is available directly to the university/college for qualified international students from the following countries:
Bangladesh
Turkey
Egypt
Morocco
Ethiopia
Kenya
Senegal
Nepal
Ukraine
Jordan
Tunisia
Ghana
Nigeria
Tanzania
Taiwan
Algeria
Libya
Burkina Faso
Ivory Coast
Rwanda
Uganda
The GAC (Global Affairs Canada) scholarships are meant for students who are already registered in full-time studies at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country/territory. It’s also necessary that they must be paying tuition fees to that institution when they are applying for the scholarship. The payment must be for the complete duration of the exchange under the student exchange program.
March 22, 2022, is the deadline to submit applications for the Study in Canada scholarship. This program offers scholarships that include either one of the following:
$10,200 for college, UG/graduate students (Master’s & Ph.D.) for at least 4 months or 1 academic term of study/research
$12,700 for graduate students (Master’s and Ph.D.) for a period of 5 to 6 months of study/research
An additional $500 per recipient of the scholarship is also given to colleges/universities. This is meant to cover the costs of administration once the student arrives to study in Canada.
What does the scholarship cover for those who are willing to study in Canada?
The money awarded in the scholarship can be used for the following:
visa/study permit and work permit fees
health insurance
ground transportation, including a public transportation pass
airfare for the recipient of the scholarship only through the most direct and economical route
living expenses, such as utilities, accommodation, and food
books and supplies needed for the recipient’s study/research, excluding computers and other equipment
The following foreign nationals are not eligible for applying for the scholarship:
Those who have already lodged an application for a citizenship in Canada or a Canada PR visa
Those who are already participants in another federal scholarship program
Those who are already enrolled in a diploma/certificate/degree program at a post-secondary institution in Canada
How are applications for the scholarship evaluated?
Scholarship applications are evaluated on the basis of
the merit of the research/study to be undertaken in Canada
the benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor, and peers
rankings submitted by the Canadian institution
the benefit to the home institution and peers
the strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange
Application for each candidate lodged by universities/colleges must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:
proof of citizenship
letter of proof of full-time enrolment from the home institution
letter of support from the home institution
letter of intent from the candidate
signed copy of the memorandum of understanding with the partner institution
letter of invitation from the Canadian supervisor (for graduate students only)
The Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 is out now. There’s a higher target and an apparent drive to catapult immigration to new heights in the latest plan for Canada Immigration.
The overall target for immigrants has been set as follows:
431,645 newcomers in 2022
447,055 newcomers in 2023
451,000 newcomers in 2024
Here’s how the distribution of target numbers has been made in the plan:
Immigrant Category
2022 target
2023 target
2024 target
Economic
241,850
253,000
267,750
Family
105,000
109,500
113,000
Refugees & other protected persons
76,545
74,055
62,500
Humanitarian & other
8,250
10,500
7,750
Grand total
431,645
447,055
451,000
The Canadian government has defined increasing Francophone immigration as an objective. The aim is to achieve a target of 4.4% French-speaking immigrants immigrating outside Quebec by 2023. This range indicates the number of admissions within the federal levels plan that would be necessary to meet that target in 2023. This is based on the overall admission ranges outside of Quebec. Once Quebec decides on its levels plan for 2023, this range may need updating.
Here are some other facts related to the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024:
Around 56% of newcomers will immigrate to Canada under pathways of economic class immigration. These include streams of Canada Express Entry, Canada PNP, and TR2PR (Temporary to Permanent Resident).
In the economic class, Canada PNP will be the main program for Canada immigration. IRCC is aiming to bring in 83,500 newcomers through Canada PNP in 2022.
IRCC is planning to gradually go back to conducting normal Express Entry draws by 2024 to conduct immigration. That year, IRCC is aiming at 115,500 newcomers through Canada Express Entry.
Canada attained tremendous success in 2021 with respect to Canada immigration. The country went beyond its immigration target of 401,000 newcomers in 2021, welcoming 405,303 new immigrants. This level of immigration has been achieved only once in Canadian history. That was in 1913.
The Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2021-2023 has been made to garner the support and contribution of skilled international workers in reviving the Canadian economy post-pandemic. As immigration fell to 184,000 newcomers in 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a fall in population growth. This affected the Canadian economy and threatened its future.
Hence, to bring in more immigrants during the COVID pandemic, IRCC focused on converting eligible temporary residents in Canada to permanent residents. This strategy has been a major reason for the country to have achieved such a huge immigration target even during the pandemic.
Canada Express Entry draws were conducted with high numbers of CEC candidates being invited from January 2021 to September 2021. Six new Canada immigration streams were launched to help rope in some 90,000 additional TFWs and international students already living in Canada. They were offered the opportunity to get a Canada PR visa.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic class immigration programs in Canada had 30% participation from applicants from within Canada and 70% from outside Canada. In 2021, this was reversed. The strategy led to granting permanent residence to Canada immigration candidates at 40,000 newcomers per month.
Here’s the distribution of new immigrant arrivals in Canada in 2021.
Newcomers under economic class – 252,975 immigrants
Family class – 80,990 immigrants
Refugees and protected persons – 60,115 immigrants
It’s been observed in recent years that international students who arrived in Canada and acquired PGWP are turning up for work in Canada in increasing numbers. This was observed and reported by Statistics Canada who conducted a study in this regard.
Statistics Canada has found something interesting about the international students who are Canada study visa holders for the first time. These students have, in increasing numbers, moved on after studies to participate in the PGWP program, obtaining the permit that makes them eligible to work in Canada.
What is PGWP?
The PGWP (Post Graduate Work Permit) program is meant for international students who want to stay back and work in Canada after their graduation they completed doing their course of study in Canada. The graduation will be done from post-secondary institutions in Canada.
These students will be granted an open work permit to stay back in Canada and work for their choice of employer for a maximum period of 3 years. The validity period of the PGWP will be decided by the duration of the course the student completed.
To be eligible for the PGWP, candidates must have completed a study program that has at least an 8-month duration from an institution deemed eligible in Canada.
What the Statistics Canada study revealed
The study conducted by Statistics Canada revealed that just between 2008 and 2018 itself, the number of international students who went ahead to own PGWP increased from around 10,000 to close to 65,000. That was a 6-fold increase in their number, and included both men and women!
Another interesting fact that was revealed was that 3/4th of total PGWP holders transitioned to Canada PR visa holders. They did this within 5 years of obtaining their PGWP.
The importance of PGWP to the Canadian economy and international students has become evident from the results of this study. International students who graduate from Canada have a distinct advantage by the higher CRS score they can get while participating in the Canada Express Entry immigration process. A higher CRS score increases their chance to obtain a Canada PR visa.
Prince Edward Island currently has 2 new courses to learn French for free, which will benefit immigrants as they come to settle in the province. French is one of the 2 official languages of Canada.
Prince Edward Island’s Coopérative d’intégration francophone is offering these courses partnering with the\ Language Learning Centre of the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick. The following are the 2 new courses that were announced on Jan 11, 2022.
Cours de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada
French for Parents
The intention of the study programs is to help immigrants in Prince Edward Island learn basic French. After undergoing this learning program, the participants could obtain proof of language proficiency which can be provided when applying for Canadian citizenship.
The French for Parents program has been designed for immigrant parents who have children attending a French school or participating in an immersion program. With the training had from these programs, immigrant parents can help their children better with schoolwork in French or learning in the immersion program.
Another benefit the programs have is that immigrants will be able to network with different communities. Parents especially can involve better with their children’s community of school members.
Course de Langue pour les Immigrants au Canada will be active until June 2022. Admission to this program will be on throughout 2022. Classes will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 6 pm and 9 pm.
French for Parents will run until March 23, 2022. Classes will be conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays between 6 pm and 8 pm.
According to the World Migration Report 2022 released by the UN, there will be roughly 281 million international migrants in the world in 2020, accounting for 3.6% of the global population.
Over the last five decades, the expected number of international migrants has grown. In 2020, there will be 281 million people residing in nations other than their birth countries, up 128 million from 1990.
For many countries around the world, migration has been the driving force behind economic and social progress.
Long-term data demonstrates that international migration is not uniform over the world, but is impacted by economic, topographical, demographic, and other factors, resulting in various migration patterns like migration “corridors” that have emerged over time.
It is important to comprehend global migration trends and the role of different countries in the process. It is also important to understand how receptive every country is to the idea of immigrants settling down in their country. This is an important aspect because a lot depends on how conducive the host country is for migrants to help them settle down.
In 2015 the Migration Acceptance Index or MAI was created by Gallup to measure people’s personal acceptance of migrants, not just in Europe but globally. The Migrant Acceptance Index is based on three questions that people are asked as they become closer to migrants. Respondents are asked to judge scenarios such as immigrants remaining in their country, immigrants becoming their neighbor, and immigrants marrying into their family as “good” or “bad.”
Based on the MAI for 2019, here is a list of the top countries that have the most accepting attitude towards migrants. A minimum of 1,000 individuals are included in a typical Gallup World Poll survey. In some larges countries – like Russia and China – a sample size is of at least 2,000.
Gallup World Poll 2019
Country
Migrant Acceptance Index
Canada
8.46
Iceland
8.41
New Zealand
8.32
Australia
8.28
Sierra Leone
8.14
US
7.95
Burkina Faso*
7.93
Sweden
7.92
Chad*
7.91
Ireland*
7.88
*Not in the list in 2016-17.
Source-Gallup
Canada
Over the years, Canada has become a popular destination for people wishing to relocate to another country.
In addition, Canada has a long tradition of welcoming newcomers and supporting them in adapting into society. Since 1993, the number of immigrants has been at an all-time high, and it continues to rise. Over 90% of immigrants prefer to live in or near major cities such as Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal. The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program and the Immigrant Entrepreneur Programs have been the most popular immigration programs for rich foreigners.
According to a study of immigrants’ countries of origin, the bulk of migrants to Canada in the 1970s were from European countries. However, migrants now come from nearly 20 nations. According to a 2016 study of immigrant population nation of origin, India contributes to the most immigrants, followed by China and the Philippines. Canada intends to keep its policy of welcoming newcomers while also appreciating their contribution to the country’s economic development.
Canada has increased its immigration targets and made significant investments in attracting more immigrants to the country. In the first quarter of 2020 the Federal government of Canada had announced in its immigration plans to invite 1.2 million immigrants by 2023. To meet these immigration targets, the government planned to focus on economic programs. The Canada immigration authorities have announced some decisions which you should know if you are planning to migrate to Canada.
Canada is investing in programs that make it easier and more comfortable for expats to settle in the country, and the country’s appeal is growing.
When it comes to welcoming migrants, Canada continues to lead. Canada’s Migration Acceptance Index was 8.46 in 2019, and the country remains at the top of the migration rankings. The United States’ Index score was 7.95 which is six places below Canada.
Iceland
The local people of Iceland are friendly, open, and welcoming, speak fluent English, and like spending time with their international visitors, regardless of how long they stay. Furthermore, Reykjavik is a classic and attractive capital city, a bustling urban hub that maintains a small-town vibe, a serene pace of life, and a commitment to social improvement and culture despite its size. Iceland’s economy has not only recovered, since the financial crisis of 2008. This indicates better job opportunities.
New Zealand
New Zealand attracts immigrants from all over the world because of its high quality of life, and New Zealanders take pride in welcoming newcomers. In addition to accessible locals, you’ll encounter a lot of other newbies with whom you may share your experiences. Because the country is highly cosmopolitan, residents are used to mixing with people of all ethnicities and dialects. The New Zealand Investor Visa has primarily been used by rich foreigners to seek permanent residency in the country over the years.
Australia
Australia has long been known as a country influenced by rapid population growth, with net overseas migration accounting for a larger share of total population growth than annual new births.
According to a new international assessment, Australia has solidified its position as one of the best places to live, study, work, or visit.
It’s an excellent immigration destination, with clear rules for permanent residency based on a point system under the General Skilled Migration Skill Select program, as well as an education center for qualified applicants from all around the world.
USA
The United States remains one of the most popular destinations for expats, whether it’s for a profession, a loved one, or simply the American Dream. America, the original “melting pot,” has a long history of welcoming individuals of many nationalities and backgrounds and is an excellent destination to live as an expat. It’s still a land where anything is possible. The EB-5 Investor Visa has been used by many affluent foreigners to obtain a green card in the United States.
According to an OECD survey, Americans have the highest average household income in the world. America is also a pleasant surprise when it comes to low-cost travel. The United States was ranked top in a Global Food Security Index for food affordability and security.
Sweden
Sweden outperforms the rest of the world on all eleven of the OECD’s “better life” indicators, including work-life balance, income, and wealth. Moving to the poster child of the Nordic model is a dream move for many people who want to experience the Scandinavian lifestyle. As a result, more than two million Swedes were born outside of Sweden.
Ireland
Ireland frequently ranks highly in many expat surveys and consultancies. The United Nations has classified Dublin as the sixth best country in the world to live in, based on healthy and long lifestyles, standard of living, and educational opportunities. For those interested in relocating to Ireland, the country offers an Immigrant Investor Program.
Switzerland
It’s a unique country that can rank third in both Yale University’s 2020 Environmental Performance Index and the World Happiness Report for 2021, as well as top in HSBC’s expat poll.
Furthermore, 92 percent of expats in Switzerland believe that their selected nation will remain stable over the next 12 months, removing the stress of making preparations. You could, for example, cross the border into France, Germany, or Italy and start exploring.
Denmark
The second-happiest country in the world and also the least corrupt nation around, which means that despite paying higher taxes than most, inhabitants are happy to contribute – because they see the benefits.
They get to enjoy free universal healthcare, a free university education (and a stipend to cover living costs), subsidized childcare, and free care for the elderly.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a newcomer on our list for 2022, owing to its progressive mindset and swift economic recovery following a pandemic-induced downturn.
According to the English Proficiency Index, it also has the greatest English-speaking ranking of any country where English is not an official language.
According to Gallup these are the countries that have the most welcoming attitude towards immigrants. You can consider any of them as your migration option for 2022.
Statistics Canada has recently presented very significant data that reflects the current labor market situation in Canada. As per their report, a large number of vacancies are open in sectors including healthcare and construction. Canada is seeking more skilled workers to work in Canada who can fill the vacancies and save the labor market.
As per the reports of Statistics Canada, there are 874,700 unfilled positions in Canada. These numbers show that there’s a full-blown requirement for skilled foreign nationals in Canada. The latest number of unfilled vacancies is 72% in excess of what was in the fourth quarter of 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 in 2020.
The job vacancy rate is the number of job vacancies represented as a share of the total vacancies and positions filled. This was 5.1% in November 2021, which was 2.1% more than what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. This information was also revealed by Statistics Canada.
The transportation and warehousing sector recorded an all-time high number of vacancies with 51,500 in November 2021. This sector’s vacancy (monthly rate) was the highest recorded ever since data was collected from October 2020.
Healthcare, Accommodation & Food Services, and Construction are the major sectors of the economy that is reeling from the high number of job vacancies. The vacancy rates of these sectors are as follows:
Accommodation & Food sector – 9.9%
Healthcare sector – 5.2%
Construction sector – 5.6%
These high number of job vacancies have occurred even after there was a significant drop in overall vacancies in November 2021, in almost all sectors.
Looking at the largest drop in the number of vacancies by provinces, the largest declines happened in Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador. But in contrast, Manitoba registered a record increase in job vacancies. In all 27,300 new jobs were created. However, the province had only a 4.5% job vacancy rate. This was below the national average that stood at 5.1%.
Statistics Canada’s payroll survey data shows that 37,200 job positions were filled in November 2021. This was 0.4% above the levels before the COVID-19 pandemic. The sectors that registered the increase included public administration, accommodation & food services, scientific, professional, and technical services.
In November 2021, there had been a little change in average weekly hours and wages. Those who earned an average hourly wage worked close to 31 hours per week. Salaried employees worked about 37 hours per week. Average weekly earnings in November 2021 came to CAD 1,131.
With an overall performance indicating recovery and improvement on the economic front, it has become evident that it’s highly recommended to work in Canada.
