INTRODUCTION
Gokare LPO wishes everyone a very Happy New Year!!! Let’s hope for a prosperous year ahead.
Even though December was a holiday season it was a very active month for Canada Immigration. GLPO provided updates via Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram on numerous Canadian Immigration matters including:
1) Update on Express Entry Draw held on November 25, 2020- CRS Score went below 470 for the first time in 2020;
2) VACs have re-opened in India;
3) Update on Nova Scotia’s Express Entry Draw held on December 1, 2020;
4) Canada’s new online portal to confirm PR Status; and
5) Update on Express Entry Draw held on December 9, 2020
We at Gokare LPO post regular updates on our Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram handles. Additionally, we also periodically send out GLPO Newsletters when the subject matter is extensive and relevant for a detailed analysis. Presented below is a consolidated summary of updates posted on GLPO’s Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram handles for November 2020. Below is the link to our Google posts.
UPDATE ON EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW HELD ON NOVEMBER 25, 2020- CRS SCORE WENT BELOW 470 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2020
For the first time in 2020, the November 25 Express Entry draw saw Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score cut-off going below 470 (469). Around 5,000 ITAs were issued making it also the single largest draw issued in a year and the first one with CRS below 470.
VACs HAVE RE-OPENED IN INDIA
Canadian Visa Application Centers (VACs) have reopened across India in: Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Due to large volume, students who are taking up their study at one of the Designated Learning Institutions in Canada and those who are applying for Permanent Residence as a Spouse, Common-Law Partner or Dependent Child are being given first preference.
Applicants are advised to book their appointments in advance from VAC website. After receiving appointment confirmation, applicants will be allowed to give their biometrics. Biometrics includes fingerprints and photograph submission and fee associated with Biometrics. There is also Courier Service for applicants to submit Passport. Apart from Students or Family sponsored applicants no other Visa categories are allowed to give their biometrics at this time. Students must have a valid study permit from their school that has the approval as a Designated Learning Institution with a Coronavirus – Readiness plan from the Regional Government.
UPDATE ON NOVA SCOTIA’S EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW HELD ON DECEMBER 1, 2020
The draw held by Nova Scotia on December 1, 2020 did not specify the number of invitations issued under the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). They issued ITAs for nomination for Canadian PR through their Express Entry -Linked Labor Priorities Immigration Stream. Labor Priorities Immigration Stream allows NSNP to search the Federal Express Entry pool for candidates who meets the Province’s Labor Market Needs.
In order to be eligible for NSNP, Candidates must have:
1) an active profile under the Federal Express Entry stream;
2) a Job offer from a Nova Scotia employer for full-time skilled work, which involves at least 30 hours per week. Also, the employment offered should be valid for a period of at least one year from the date of issuance of the PR;
3) at least one year of skilled, job related work experience and have a Canadian Secondary Diploma or Equivalent degree; and
4) a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB Score) of 5 or higher in French or English.
Upon receiving ITAs the candidates are expected to complete application to NSNP within 30 days along with copies of Language test results, Proof of education and a valid job offer.
CANADA’S NEW ONLINE PORTAL TO CONFIRM PR STATUS
Canada has implemented a new online portal for confirming PR status, as part of the current coronavirus measures. PR status can now be confirmed through this online portal without attending in-person interviews. New permanent residents can upload their personal information with IRCC, declare that they have landed in Canada, confirm their address, submit a recent photo to be used to make their PR card and get access to their proof of PR status through this portal.
Portal is used to submit and update information only and cannot be used for checking application status. In order to access this portal each person, including family members should have their own username and password. Representatives cannot access the portal on behalf of user.
UPDATE ON EXPRESS ENTRY DRAW HELD ON DECEMBER 9, 2020
Canada invited another 5000 applicants to apply for PR through the Express Entry draw held on December 9, 2020. The invited candidates had a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of at least 469. Including the present draw, the number of ITAs issued this year has crossed 100,000 – it is 102,350.
SIGN UP FOR GLPO NEWSLETTER
At GLPO, we will continue to follow further developments in the above discussed and other matters, while we provide updates through our Newsletter as and when they become available. GLPO receives numerous emails and phone calls every day seeking comments on various proposed bills and media reports that are often inaccurate. It is our job to separate fact from fiction and advice clients on important and relevant updates. The best way to receive accurate information is through GLPO Newsletters.
We encourage you (and your employees) to sign up for GLPO Newsletter. If you have not already signed up to receive our Newsletters, please do so by visiting www.gokarelpo.in and signing up under the Newsletter Tab. All we need is your name and email address which takes very little time to sign up. You can also review all of our earlier GLPO Newsletters on our website.