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Category: Immigration

You can take your spouse along when you go to Canada! Know more about open work permit for spouses

Canada is a country that gives the highest priority to families staying together. You can bring your spouse along to Canada when you come to the country on a study permit or a temporary skilled worker visa with the Canada open work permits for spouses. An open work permit is not job-specific, which means neither a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) nor a job offer is necessary.

Who is eligible for an open work permit for a spouse?

You are eligible for an open work permit for spouse/ common-law partner if:

  • You are a dependent family member of someone who has applied for permanent residence in Canada.
  • You are the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student
  • You are the spouse or common-law partner of an Atlantic Immigration Pilot applicant.

Eligibility requirements for an international student to obtain Canada open work permit for a spouse

The open work permit for a spouse or common-law partner allows your spouse or partner work full-time on or off the campus while you study. The spouse or partner can apply for an open work permit before or after they arrive in Canada. They do not need a job offer to apply for the permit. Spouse/partner work permit applications may sometimes be processed simultaneously with study permit applications.

In order to apply for an open work permit for a spouse or common-law partner, an international student must be a full-time student at a:

  • Public post-secondary school, which can be a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
  • private college-level school in Quebec or
  • Canadian private school that can legally award degrees

Above all, the international student must have a valid study permit.

Eligibility requirements for a skilled worker to obtain an open work permit for a spouse

In order to be eligible:

  • The skilled worker’s occupation must be categorized under NOC O, A or B. They include management, professional, technical or skilled tradespersons occupations.
  • The skilled worker must have a valid work permit
  • The skilled worker must have a proof of employment

While submitting the application for work permit, proof regarding the principal applicant’s current employment and duties as a skilled worker will have to be submitted. The work permit of the principal applicant will have to be valid for at least six months. Even if the principal applicant is authorized to work without a work permit, they will have to prove that they are working for a minimum of six months.

The validity of the open work permit for spouses or common-law partners will be the same as that of the study permit or work permit of the international student or skilled worker. The processing of the application usually takes 51 days to 108 days. However, it may change according to the schedule of the IRCC.

Contact us for more information on Canada open work permit for spouse/common-law partner

Why Canada is Planning to Take Nearly One Million Immigrants Within the Next Three Years?

Canada is one of the countries that has shown great development strides within a short span of time. Right from industries to top ranking universities, Canada has everything at the highest standards that an individual would seek in order to lead a better standard of living. In fact, it would be perfectly appropriate to mention here that Canada’s economy is the 10th largest economy in the world and is surging in the right direction every passing day.

The economic growth of a country is tightly bound to several factors which helps in the positive outcome and favored growth results. Likewise, the Canadian economic growth depends on a number of factors and one important factor that plays a predominant role is “Immigration” to which the Canadian government gives great importance.

Canada CRS Calculator

Stats & reports say that an approximate of one in five people is an immigrant in Canada and they account to an approximate of 21.5% of the total Canadian population. The Canadian government is also taking every possible measure to welcome immigrants and has planned to increase immigration intake to almost one million within the next three years. The question as to “Why Canada is showing a keen interest on immigration?” has been much debated and searched and which is why we bring to you three solid reasons stating why Canada needs Immigrants!

Increasing Skilled Labour Shortages: –

A skilled workforce is something that could make or break the country’s economy. A country with the right amount of skilled labor will result in high economic growth eventually leading to a better standard of living for the country’s residents. As of 13th March 2018, there are an approximate of 400,000 jobs spread across Canada that needs to be filled in. With the labor shortage intensifying in every single Canadian province, the government has planned to increase the number of immigrants, who could contribute to the positive growth of the economy and meet the increasing labor shortages.

The Economic Growth & Immigration: –

The Canadian economy has witnessed a remarkable growth by 2.2 percent annually over the past five years. This positive economic growth will face a whiplash due to the aging Canadian population & low birth rate.

Without any new immigrant intake activities for the next two decades, this positive GDP growth percentage will gradually decrease to 1.3 percent annually. On the other hand, keeping the immigration intake in place for the next two decades will help the annual growth be at 1.9 percent accompanied with a strong economic growth.

The Aging Population Factor: –

Recent reports state that if the Canadian government shuts its doors towards immigrants and makes it an immigration free zone, the remaining Canadian population would age at an increasing pace. Consequently, by the year 2040, 26.9 percent of the Canadian population would be aged more than 65. This comes along with inevitable side effects. There would be a significant decrease in the Canadian workforce and in order to compensate for the shrinking labor force, the Canadian government will have to increase taxes to continue providing social services such as healthcare, maternity & parental benefits and more.,

By the year 2034, it is predicted that the number of death rates in Canada will exceed the number of births and immigration will then be playing a major role in keeping up the population & the labor force of the country. As for Canada, immigration is a key factor that helps drive the economy towards the positive direction and overcome the hurdles it is currently facing, and immigration will forever play a positive role in the growth of the Canadian economy. It is fortunate that the Canadian government has understood this and has planned to increase immigration intake for the upcoming years. If you are a potential candidate who has been looking forward to migrating to Canada, you can make use of the golden opportunity and find possible ways to migrate!

Contact our team of experts and check your eligibility to migrate to Canada for free!

Which Province or Territory Should You Consider When You Migrate to Canada?

We all know how optimistic Canada is about welcoming immigrants and the past few years stand as a solid proof for the same. It’s no wonder that Canada is still planning to welcome a massive 40,000 immigrants within the next few years, owing to the positive economic growth the country has due to immigration.

Since Canada is welcoming immigrants, which is something that should be appreciated, embraced and made use of, most of the individuals lose this golden opportunity, because of this question – “Which province or territory should I be considering when I migrate to Canada?” leaving hem bewildered. This blog explains in brief about the Canadian Provinces allowing you to gain a crystal-clear idea of how it would be to live in one of the Canadian provinces.

Canada CRS Calculator

Before you decide to migrate to Canada, it is important that you know the economic condition, employment opportunities, cost of living, geographical location & more about the province you are about to move to (just to let you know, Canada has ten provinces and three territories) which could help you influence your decisions and lead an orchestrated life there. Below-mentioned are the Canadian provinces and a brief look on them.

Alberta: –

Alberta, one of the most reputed Canadian provinces is geographically located on the western edge of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the province is famous for its impeccably beautiful landscapes. Alberta plays a predominant role in some of the country’s industry namely agriculture, forestry & energy. In fact, Alberta’s energy industry accounts for one-fourth of the province’s total GDP. The province is on the lookout for skilled workers to fill in the labour shortage the province faces. So, if you have relevant work experience in any of the above-mentioned fields, you have high chances to migrate to Alberta!

Fun Fact: The town of St. Paul in Alberta has a UFO landing pad.


British Columbia: –

British Columbia with Victoria as its capital is located on the Pacific coast of Canada. British Columbia would be an ideal province for you if you are a person who likes the outdoor style of living. The province includes forestry, mining activities, fishing, small businesses which accounts for the total province’s commerce and acts as the main source of employment for the residents of British Columbia. The Vancouver city has a well-developed tech industry however it is also one of the cities which has a high cost of living on its residents.

Fun Fact: British Columbia has its place among the top three producers of blueberries & cranberries in the world.

Manitoba: –

Manitoba, a province located between Ontario & Saskatchewan with Winnipeg as its capital is one of the provinces with lowest unemployment rates. The economy of Manitoba has several activities like Mining, Forestry, Agriculture & more., Except for the harsh winters that Manitoba has, it is one of the ideal Canadian provinces you should consider migrating to.

Fun Fact: Winnipeg was the first city in the world to develop an emergency phone number (911)

Ontario

Ontario, one of the highly populated Canadian provinces is known for its manufacturing sectors with world’s seven largest vehicle manufacturers operating 14 plants in Ontario. Toronto, one of the most recognized cities in Ontario is known for its growing Information and Technology Sector.  The province is also home to the country’s capital Ottawa. If you are one among the creative minds, you could find for yourself a place in the Toronto’s IT industry.

Fun Fact: History says that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in Brantford, Ontario.

Quebec: –

Quebec, the province which has its own immigration programs is also the Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population. Quebec is known for its tourism industry, design & software development, mining & forestry which helps the province generate a huge income. Quebec also has Montreal, which is the Cultural Capital of Canada. Most of the people who immigrate to Quebec prefer to settle in Montreal, one of the Canadian cities which offers a lot of economic advantages with lower costs of living when compared, making it an affordable option for immigrants.

Fun Fact: Quebec is Canada’s greatest producer of Maple Syrup

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan:-

Saskatchewan fondly called as the Breadbasket of Canada has its capital Regina with a population of an approximate 1,000,000 plus. Saskatchewan’s economy is highly dependant on agriculture and is the largest producer of oilseeds & grains in Canada. Saskatchewan, basically being an agricultural province, welcomes farmers to a great extent. Maybe you can migrate to Saskatchewan if you have considerable proven experience in farming or sufficient capital money or the plans to buy a farm in Saskatchewan!

Fun Fact: The first debit card transaction in Canada took place in Saskatchewan


Atlantic Provinces:-

The Atlantic Provinces are a combination of Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and are known for their fishing, forestry & mining activities and the low costs of living that it imposes on its residents. People in these provinces make their living out of the abundant natural resources it has and a few tourism activities contribute too.

Fun Fact: Prince Edward Island has only two cities in it: Charlottetown & Summerside


Canadian Territories:-

The Northern Territories, Yukon, Nunavut & Northwest Territories have a harsh winter due to its northern geographical location. Since most of the Canadian territories are situated in the northernmost parts, most of the province’s economy is mining & fishing and the immigration rates are quite low here.

Fun Fact: Great Slave Lake is the ninth largest lake in the world


What Should You Look into Before Choosing a Territory
?

Now, since you know an overall idea about each Canadian province, it is quite easy to come up with a decision. But before that, here are a few important factors you should consider before choosing your province:

Employment Opportunities: This is one important factor that you should be looking into when you are choosing a province. Not all immigrants have an employment opportunity before they migrate.Province

So, try to research and find out which province has suitable jobs for your career. Come up with data & statistics and choose the exact province that could provide support to your career.

Climate: The country due to its geographical location, experiences some of the coldest winters that become quite unbearable sometimes. So, it would be a wise decision if you could choose a province that has a moderate climate with moderate winter temperatures.

Health Insurance Plans: The Canadian Government has ensured that every province has health insurance coverage. Since there exist certain differences in the healthcare services between the provinces, it is again up to you to choose the province that would suit your requirements.

How Could You Migrate to One of the Canadian Provinces?

Every Canadian Province has a Provincial Nominee Program under which you will be immigrating. To migrate under a provincial nominee program, you will have to apply for provincial nomination and once on receiving an ITA, you then create an Express Entry Profile and apply to the IRCC to migrate to Canada!

Every province in Canada has its own features which makes it unique. It is up to you to choose which Canadian province would be suitable for you and make decisions accordingly. If you find it hard to take a decision, you can always speak to our expert consultants for guided assistance!

CRS scores below 400? Ontario may give you a better chance!

Canada Express Entry is a faster and simpler way for individuals and families from across the world to migrate to Canada. The Express Entry system that came into existence in 2015 manages and processes applications received through Canada’s federal economic immigration programs. The candidates are selected for Canada immigration through Express Entry based on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores. It is a score out of 1200 and the highest scoring candidates are invited to apply for Canada PR in the Express Entry draws that are conducted regularly.

When we observe the common pattern of Express Entry draws that were held in 2018, we can see that the minimum CRS score requirement to be invited to apply for permanent residence swung between 440 and 445 points. Immigration experts are of the opinion that the minimum CRS requirement is less likely to come down from this range in the near future. So, the best option for those with low CRS score is to find an alternative way to obtain Canada PR.

Applying for provincial nomination through the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream is a great option for them. This Express Entry-linked stream of Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) has recently been revised to make it accessible for more eligible immigrants. Earlier, candidates were required to have a minimum CRS score of 400 to be considered under the stream. This has been waived in the recent rules changes and the minimum CRS scores are now decided by the director.

Ontario has already conducted three draws with CRS score requirements below 400. Two out of these targeted candidates with a job offer from an Ontario employer and the remaining one invited candidates with French speaking abilities (CLB 7 or higher). The minimum CRS score requirement in the draw held on August 9 was 350. Candidates with CRS scores below 400 are likely to be invited in the future draws of the stream as well.

But one important thing we have to note here is that all the candidates with CRS score below 400 were selected based on either their job offer or their French-speaking skills. It means a job offer or your French speaking abilities might help you to obtain a provincial nomination from Ontario. However, neither a job offer nor French-speaking skills is a must to apply through the Human Capital Priorities Stream.

Canada CRS Calculator

 

The Express Entry candidate who receives a provincial nomination from Ontario will get 600 additional CRS points as a result of which, they will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada in the subsequent Express Entry draws.

The Human Capital Priorities Stream helps OINP select candidates with skills and human capital factors listed in the eligibility criteria. OINP has so far issued 3,534 Notifications of Interest (NOI) through HCP Stream in 2018.

Contact us for a free assessment to know if you are eligible to apply for Canada immigration through provincial nominee programs

What newcomers need to know about Canadian banking system?

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada, you must be wondering how to open a bank account and do banking in the new country. Canada has a national system of banking with five large banks having branches across the country and many small and regional banks. The banking system in Canada is highly competitive and consumers have many options to choose from. Moreover, Canadian banks maintain a high level of security, meaning the money deposited in a Canadian bank will be safe and the customers need not have to worry about it.

Now here are a few things you need to know about the Canadian banking system as a newcomer:

1. Opening a bank account:

In Canada, anybody can open a bank account if they meet the identification requirements specified in the Access to Basic Banking Services Regulations under the Bank Act. You can open a bank account even if you don’t have a job, don’t have money to put in the account or have been bankrupt.

For identification purpose, you may produce documents including:

  • a Canadian driver’s license
  • a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
  • a Certification of Naturalization
  • a Permanent Resident card or Citizenship and Immigration Canada Form IMM 1000 or IMM 1442.

2. Choosing the type of account

The Canadian banks, which are more than 20 in number, offer around a 100 types of consumer bank account packages to choose. Besides, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has a simple, free, online tool that helps the customers compare different types of accounts. There are certain packages that are specifically meant for newcomers in Canada. You can choose an account type that is competitive, affordable and suits your needs best.

3. Security for your deposit is guaranteed

All Canadian banks that take retail deposits are members of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC). The banks in Canada are regulated and managed well. Even if a bank fails, which is highly unlikely in Canada, the savings and deposits of the customers will remain protected.

4. Sending money to home country

Some newcomers may have to send money to their family members or friends in other countries. Banks charge a fee for these transactions called remittances. Banks in Canada offer remittance services in a number of currencies. If the person you are sending money to does not have a bank account, you can choose services like Western Union, MoneyGram etc.

5. Help to start a business

Banks in Canada offer a range of services for small business owners. These include providing finance, information, advice, lines of credit, overdraft protection, telephone banking, online banking, venture loans, and payroll and cash management services. Banks also conduct seminars and workshops for small business owners and aspiring business people to help them start or manage their business better.

Planning to immigrate to Canada? Contact us for right guidance and best support

Is It possible to migrate to Canada without taking IELTS Exam?

Canada, which now is the favourite immigration & hotspot destination among people has its reasons why it has become so. The Canadian Immigration dream is being still pursued by an endless number of individuals who do not have the required knowledge & proper assistance they need to immigrate. One common misconception that has been carried out by individuals is the question “Is it possible to migrate to Canada without taking IELTS Exam?” Before we get down to the answer to the quoted question, let’s brush up on the basics for a better understanding.

What is the IELTS Exam?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System), is a system which is popular worldwide and used to test the proficiency level for the English Language. Introduced in 1989, IELTS has been recognized by all leading institutions, companies and countries for immigration purposes. Stats & reports say that every single year, hundreds and thousands of people take the IELTS exam for their betterment.

What Does Canada Have to do With the IELTS Exam?

Canada considers IELTS as one of the three language tests it uses to assess immigrants on their language proficiency. To immigrate to Canada, you have to meet certain requirements out of which language proficiency is one important factor. You have to take up IELTS exams and meet certain scores in order to be considered eligible for the immigration procedure.

What Minimum Scores Does an Applicant Need to Score in IELTS?

You have to score the required points in IELTS examination set by the Canadian government if you want to immigrate to Canada under any of its immigration programs. An IELTS exam will have four modules as listed below:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing

You will have to score a minimum of 6 in each module in order to be considered eligible for any immigration program. The more the applicant puts in hard work and scores, the more points he/she gets in the Express Entry Pool.

IELTS & Express Entry Pool: –

An Express Entry pool is where your profile will be created and will be looked upon by various Canadian provinces and will be assessed based on the information you provide. Creating an Express Entry profile is the first step for Canadian Immigration. An Express Entry profile can only be created when you clear IELTS exam and procure the required amount of scores and without doing so, you will not be able to make any further strides on your immigration.

IELTS & Education in Canada

Pursuing your education in Canada comes with the same prerequisite that you have to clear your IELTS Exam and procure recommended scores. A student who wishes to pursue graduate courses in Canada should have cleared his/her IELTS Exam and obtained a minimum of 6.0 scores in all of the four modules. The IELTS score requirements might differ for other courses. It is mandatory that you get yourself well-prepared before you take up your IELTS exam in order to make things smooth when it comes to achieving your dreams.

The thought of taking up an IELTS exam and clearing the same could be daunting at the beginning but with regular practice and certain tips & tricks, clearing an IELTS exam could be quite easy for you. Watching movies and listening to podcasts would enhance your listening & speaking skills while taking up practice modules would help you improve your reading skills and get an overall idea about IELTS Exams and the way it works.

From the above-mentioned, it is definitely clear that taking up IELTS is quite mandatory to migrate to Canada. If you still have certain clarification about immigrating to Canada and IELTS exams, feel free to get in touch with our team of experts! We are glad to help you out!

Why is Canada the best destination for nursing professionals?

Canada is a place that offers vast opportunities for nurses to thrive in their career while enjoying financial gains and high standards of living. Nurses have a wide variety of specialties for training and to gain experience in Canada. But becoming a recognized nurse in Canada involves a few steps, but it’s worth the effort considering the attractive perks enjoyed by nurses in Canada. Now let’s explore why Canada is the best place to work for a nursing professional.

1. Rising demand for nurses:

Canada has an aging population, which means the demand for nurses will keep rising in the future. Canadian Nursing Association predicts that there will be a shortage of around 60000 registered nurses in 2022. By 2050, nearly one-third of the Canadian population will be over the age of 60. In other words, the demand for healthcare services will only rise. It means opportunities for nurses will not fall short in the near future.

2. High salary:

A registered nurse in Canada earns an average monthly salary of $72,800 per year. The salary range has also witnessed an incredible growth over the past few years. For example, between 2007 and 2013, the growth was at a range of more than 15 percent. At entry level, nurses can earn an average of $60,000 per year and experienced nurses can earn up to $80,000 every year.

3. Flexible work schedules:

A registered nurse in Canada gets enough off-days. They also get compensated for their overtime work, besides paid annual off-days. It means, despite a hectic schedule, nurses get enough time to relax. Immigrant nurses can also use their annual off-days to visit their home country.

4. Childcare facilities in hospitals:

Mostly, nurses have to work at odd hours and even on weekends and holidays. So taking care of their children will be the greatest concern for them. Canada is a country that gives the highest priority to family welfare. In order to help the nurses take care of their children while they are working, many hospitals and institutions have arranged childcare facilities.

5. Pension and retirement:

Canada has no mandatory retirement age in Canada, so nurses can keep working as long as they can. The pension schemes for nurses vary from one region to another and one institution to another. However, the longer a nurse works and contributes to the pension plan, the bigger will be the benefits.

Are you a nurse interested in immigrating to Canada? Contact us to know your options

All you need to know about Canada Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), in a news release issued on August 20, announced that it would accept up to 20,000 new sponsorship applications through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2019. It is indeed great news for the permanent residents and citizens of Canada, as the applications cap for the year 2018 was 17000.

Another major change to the PGP was announced along with this–the scrapping of randomized selection process for applications. IRCC informed that it would revert to first-come, first-served approach for selecting candidates. This has brought the Parents and Grandparents Program to limelight once again.

What is Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP):

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) is a stream of the Family Class sponsorship program and it allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. Under the program, the parents and grandparents will receive permanent residence and eventually, they can apply for Canadian citizenship.

The program opens once in a year for a limited time.  Those who want to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents in 2019 will have to submit a Sponsor form online at the beginning of the year.

The original applications cap for 2018 was set at 10,000 when the year began and it was increased to 17,000 last month. IRCC announced the second invitation round at the end of July for meeting this increased quota.

Who is eligible?

Those who want to sponsor their parents and/or grandparents, as well as the persons who want to be, must meet certain criteria.

In order to be eligible, a sponsor must be:

– Above 18 years of age

– Living in Canada

– a Canadian citizen or

a person registered in Canada as an Indian under   the Canadian Indian Act or

a permanent resident of Canada

– Meet income requirements

– Support the sponsored person and their dependents   financially

The person who has to be sponsored must also clear medical checks, criminal checks and background checks to qualify.

What is the application procedure?

  1. The sponsor must submit an online interest to sponsor form
  2. After the time period given for online submission of the application form ends, the IRCC will review the submissions and remove duplicates if any.
  3. IRCC will select potential sponsors from these submissions and invite them to apply
  4. Upon receiving the invitation, the sponsor can prepare required documents and submit the completed application package before deadline.

Need support/guidance to sponsor your parents/grandparents? Contact us for expert guidance and more information on Canada immigration.

Did you know these Canadian cities are among the top 10 livable cities in the world?

Canadian cities of Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto have been featured among the top ten most livable cities in the world, according to a survey conducted by Economist magazine. The survey named Global Livability Report 2018 rates cities based on a number of factors in five broad categories: infrastructure, culture and environment, healthcare, education and stability. The study surveyed 140 cities around the world. In the report, Calgary came in fourth, Vancouver sixth and Toronto seventh positions.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. The city was ranked fourth in the survey with an average score of 97.5, falling behind only Vienna (Austria), Melbourne (Australia) and Osaka (Japan). Calgary is a favorite destination for Canadian immigrants owing to a number of reasons that include the abundance of job opportunities and scenic beauty.

Calgary scored 100 out of 100 in livability factors including Education, Healthcare, Stability and Infrastructure. The only factor in which Calgary could not score a perfect 100 was Culture and Environment, for which the score was 90. The overall score for Calgary is 97.5, a point more than the 2017 score, which was 96.6.

Vancouver

Vancouver, a city located in the province of British Columbia, came sixth in the survey with an average score of 97.3. It is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada. The factors that attract Canada immigrants to the city are vast career opportunities, high standards of living scenic landscape.

Vancouver scored a perfect 100 in Education, Healthcare and Culture and Environment factors. The score for Stability was 95 and Infrastructure, 92.9. The overall score for livability factors was 97.3, which is same as 2017.

Toronto

Toronto, the capital city of the province of Ontario, is the largest city in Canada. Many immigrants who move to Canada prefer to settle in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) that comprises Toronto and several surrounding municipalities such as Mississauga, Brampton, Richmond Hill, and Hamilton. Toronto is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Canada, with a significant proportion of immigrant population. Other factors that make Toronto attractive to immigrants are job opportunities, importance given to entertainment and cultural activities and opportunities for education. Moreover, the spectacular Niagara Falls is just a short drive away.

Toronto scored overall 97.2 in livability factors, only 0.1 points below Vancouver. The score was same as 2017. Toronto scored 100 out of 100 in Education, Healthcare, Stability. For Culture and Environment, the score was 97.2 and for Infrastructure, the score was 89.3.

In the survey, the Austrian city of Vienna emerged first, though the first 10 places were largely dominated by Canadian and Australian cities. The Australian cities that found their place among the top ten livable cities are: Melbourne ( second), Sydney (fifth) and Adelaide (tenth). Two Japanese cities also came in the top ten, Osaka(third) and Tokyo(seventh). Danish city of Copenhagen was in the ninth place.

Want to know if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada? Contact us for a free assessment

Arrima Portal: The Quebec Migration doorway for skilled workers

The much-awaited Arrima Portal for submission of Expression of Interest (EoI) for Quebec migration through the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) was opened for users on September 18. This marks a new era in the Quebec skilled worker immigration, as Quebec has scrapped its ‘first-come, first-served’ method of accepting applications for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The system has now been replaced with a more effective Expression of Interest system, which is demand-based. Arima portal replaces the Mon Projet Quebec online system that was fraught with controversy as the applicants had real tough time applying through the system.

Arrima Portal

Arrima is an online portal for Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP) candidates to express their interest to apply for permanent residence in Canada. By introducing the Arrima portal, Quebec government aimed to reduce the processing time of PR applications and manage the applications better.

The name ‘Arrima’ is derived from the French word “arrimage” meaning harmonisation. The portal’s goal is to harmonize the QSWP applications. Those interested in immigrating to Quebec through QSWP must first create a profile in the Arrima portal. The eligible candidates will then enter a virtual pool from which the Government of Quebec will select candidates on a priority basis through periodic draws to invite to apply for Quebec Selection Certificate.

While creating a profile, a candidate must provide the following information:

  • Personal information
  • Contact details
  • Family information
  • Status in Quebec
  • Education history
  • Professional experience
  • Job offers
  • Language proficiency
  • Other complementary information

How does Arrima Portal work?

The users who start creating a profile in Arrima portal will first enter a virtual waiting room, where they will have to wait till being granted access to the portal. Once granted access, the users can start creating the profile in a 90-minute session. The profile has to be completed within 30 days. Once created, the profile will remain valid for one year. During this period, the candidates are allowed to update and revise their Arrima portal profile.

New Quebec Expression of Interest system:

The newly launched Quebec Expression of Interest system is somewhat similar to the federal Express Entry system. The system was introduced by the Government of Quebec on August 2, 2018, to manage the applications to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program. Anyone above the age of 18 can apply through the system. But in order to be eligible, the candidates must obtain minimum required scores for employability and selection factors in accordance with the QSWP points grid.

The eligible candidates who successfully create a profile in the Expression of Interest system will enter a pool of candidates. If the candidate has the required level of education and relevant area of training, he/she will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate. On receiving a Quebec Selection Certificate (Certificat de sélection du Québec, or CSQ), the candidate can submit the application within 90 days. Those who receive CSQ can apply for Canada permanent residence.

Infinite opportunities are waiting for skilled workers in Quebec! If you are interested in Quebec migration, contact us for detailed information and guidance!