In 2021 we spoke a lot about migrating to Canada: the programs, the reasons for migration, who is considered as a qualified applicant, and what are the payment options, to name a few.
Of course, Canada is obviously your #1 country to move to if you are looking for a life-changing spin in the country that has everything for comfortable living. Imagine residing in the place where you and your family can receive world-class free healthcare, your children can get one of the best education in the world, with a Canadian passport you can visit 172 countries visa-free as well as get dual citizenship, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.
With 2022 around the corner, many have questions regarding what to expect from Canadian immigration in the upcoming year. According to the latest news, the Canadian government is expecting to welcome 411,000 new immigrants via various programs and streams. What else to expect? We will try to answer this question in the below article.
- Improving the Application Processing Time
If you have already entered the immigration process with IRCC, you must have noticed that the processing time has significantly increased. What does it mean? If before the pandemic the average time for all Express Entry applications was approximately 8 months since 2020 it has almost doubled creating the backlogs of the applications. Currently, the situation is improving and this issue should be finally fixed in 2022.
- Express Entry Draws
As we all know, before the pandemic an Express Entry draw normally used to take place every 2 weeks where the candidates from all programs were considered. However, in 2021, the rules changed and the candidates in either the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) were considered.
Why was it done? With the travel restrictions in place, IRCC wanted to prioritize permanent residence applications from those who were already in Canada. Because of that, there was a backlog in applications and since September 15, 2021, only provincial nominees have been invited to participate in Express Entry. This situation is already changing now and will come back to normal in 2022.
- New National Occupational Classification (NOC)
It’s known that the previous NOC had Skill levels that were ranged from Level 0, Level A, Level B, Level C, and Level D). In 2022 they will be replaced by TEER levels which stand for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibility and will have 6 levels consisting of Levels 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. So, if before it was NOC skill Level 0 and Level A, now they will equal TEER Levels 0 and 1.
However, more detailed information will be known as soon as the new NOC will be launched and our specialists in Vazir Group will keep you posted about any changes.
With the offices in India (Delhi and Chandigarh), the UAE (Dubai), and Canada (British Columbia) we are always staying on top of the latest news and changes and are ready to provide reliable consultancy on migration and relocation as well as personal support through the whole process.
- New Application Portals
In 2021, IRCC introduced 2 new online portals for submitting applications, which are important for those looking to enter Canada in 2022.
The 1st portal is dedicated to those who are applying for temporary resident visas (TRVs) or visit visas while the 2nd portal was for Permanent Residence applicants.
The 2nd portal is dedicated to those who will submit the applications under the following streams in 2022 as the applications are no longer have to be mailed in a paper:
• Spouse or common-law partner sponsorship;
• Sponsorship of a child or children;
• Parents and grandparents sponsorship;
• Child adoption through the immigration process;
• Federal and Quebec Self-Employed applicants;
• Home support workers and home child care provider pilots;
• Temporary resident permit holders applying for permanent residence;
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) for non-Express Entry;
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP);
• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIP);
• Start-Up visa applicants;
• Quebec-selected skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors.
- New Vaccination Requirements
As we wrote before for anyone who is intending to enter Canada should have downloaded the ArriveCAN app where the travelers were asked to submit their personal information within 72 hours before arrival. Besides, everyone had to meet the Canadian requirements for testing and quarantine including 14 days of self-isolation, no matter if the person has been vaccinated, tested negative, or had recovered from COVID-19.
Of course, there were a lot of exemptions for unvaccinated travelers coming to Canada for certain reasons, including:
• Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, their immediate family members who are traveling to Canada for non-discretionary reasons as well as extended family members and long-term partners who applied for written authorization from IRCC;
• Immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada who receive written authorization from IRCC;
• Temporary workers who hold a valid work permit or who are approved for a work permit but haven’t received their work permit yet;
• IEC participants who have not yet activated their work permits must have a valid job offer;
• International students that are on the approved list and have either a valid study permit or a letter of introduction showing that they’ve been approved for a study permit.
However, to protect the interest of the Canadian citizens, from January 15, 2022, this number of exemptions will be reduced, so vaccination will be mandatory even for the majority of those who were previously exempt.
What does it mean? Currently, Canada accepts 7 vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/ Covishield, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Covaxin, so if you have been vaccinated with another vaccine, Canada does not consider you fully vaccinated and there will be restrictions for entering the country. As an option, before traveling you can take a booster shot and secure the entry. Children under the age of 12 traveling with fully vaccinated parents or guardians can enter Canada without being quarantined, however should follow some particular rules, like avoiding schools, camps, and daycares.
Of course, there will be exemptions for those who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (receiving other than 7 recognized vaccines) to enter Canada but this group will be limited.
- New Canadian Immigration Regulatory Board
For those who are looking for help or need advice on their immigration application, we have great news. Of course, in Vazir Group our dedicated specialists are ready to help you with the application process and guide you from the beginning till the end, but if you decide to proceed by yourself this news is for you.
The former Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) now is known as The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants and its main responsibility is overseeing and regulating all Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).
This is a huge spin in the process, as it will protect the applicants from being deceived or frauded. The new board will keep track of those who represent or advise for a fee at any stage of an application or proceeding stage, as they should be the member of either a law society of a particular province or territory, the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, or the Chambre des nataires du Québec.
- Quebec Opens Its Doors to More Applicants
According to the new Immigration Levels Plan, Quebec increases the quota for entries and is ready to welcome up to 70,500 new immigrants in 2022.
So, as you see, overall there are a lot of positive changes that are coming in 2022 for those who would like to change their life and move to this beautiful country full of immense opportunities. If you are still hesitating, let us help you to make up your mind.
Of course, relocating to a new country is stressful and scary at the same time, and we know how you feel and are here to support you. Our professional consultants are always here for you to provide premium class services, starting from checking your eligibility for the program, reviewing the required documents, supporting with any help required, and submitting the documents on your behalf. In Vazir Group we are ready to provide all the necessary assistance, so the process will be seamless and smooth.
Don’t wait any longer. Start a new year with new opportunities and we will help you to make your migration dreams come true.
