Alberta recently released the details of its two biggest draws of the year. On August 23, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) held its largest draw to date, with 450 invitations to Express Entry candidates. Invited candidates required Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores of at least 300 on August 30, Alberta held its biggest draw since 2019 with 400 invitations to Express Entry candidates who had scores of at least 301. Alberta has now invited 4,007 Express Entry candidates to apply for a provincial nomination since it resumed invitation rounds in January 2021. It had taken a temporary hiatus in the latter months of 2020. Alberta is allowed to issue 6,250 nomination certificates in 2021. To find out more information about Alberta PNP draws contact us at Vashist Immigration, our team of trusted and licensed immigration consultants will help you with the process.

Alberta Express Entry Stream 

The Alberta Express Entry stream is an enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that permits the provincial government to search the federal government’s Express Entry pool of candidates for profiles of people who may be eligible for a provincial nomination. Express Entry is the application management system for the three Federal High Skilled programs: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Program, and Federal Skilled Trades Program. Express Entry draws are regularly held by Canada’s immigration department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, inviting the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residence.

For individuals, who have lower CRS scores may opt for a PNP. Provincial nominees automatically get 600 points added to their overall score. If the lowest-scoring candidates in the new Alberta draw receive the nomination, their new CRS scores will be 901, more than enough to be invited in a subsequent Express Entry draw

Alberta Express Entry Stream Eligibility

To be eligible for the provincial nomination through the Alberta Express Entry stream, you need to have work experience in an eligible occupation. Many who apply under this stream work as food service supervisors, transport truck drivers, and cooks among others. Your Express Entry profile should indicate that you have an interest in moving to Alberta. Certain factors increase your likelihood of being nominated, like having work experience, or a job offer in Alberta. A Canadian education helps too. Also, having a parent, child, or sibling who is a permanent resident or citizen in Alberta supports your application.

Jobs in demand in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19

The pandemic has transformed lives in many ways and people are experiencing a change in the patterns of demand in jobs in various provinces of Canada. The province of Saskatchewan has witnessed increased demand for certain occupations. As per a Canadian government study about how the pandemic is affecting the labor in each province, it established that few jobs are most sought after due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan.

To find out more about the job scenario in Saskatchewan and other provinces, and other immigration updates, contact us at Vashist Immigration, our team of expert RCIC consultants will help you with your queries. Various industries have been adversely affected by pandemic-related shutdowns, like the tourism and hospitality sectors. Individuals lost their jobs or saw their hours reduced. However certain sectors saw a rise in job demands. Following are the jobs that witnessed an increased demand:

Real estate agents and salespersons

Real estate agents and salespersons are professionals who act are essential agents for the sale or purchase of properties like houses, apartments, commercial buildings, and other real estate. Employment for these professionals was unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the job demand in this area was high. There have been virtual viewings of properties that have given agents flexibility throughout the pandemic. These viewings would help in marketing property to potential buyers.

Transport truck drivers 

Truck drivers essentially transport goods and materials across provincial and international roads. They are employed by distribution, manufacturing, transportation, and moving companies. They work in several industries including construction and wholesale trade. The employment graph of truck drivers rose by 8 percent in April 2020 compared to April 2019. The demand for these professionals continues throughout Canada, consistent with the long-standing shortage of truck drivers.

Cleaning supervisors 

These professionals are responsible for supervising and coordinating the work of workers such as specialized cleaners, janitors, caretakers, and superintendents. They are usually employed by hospitals, health care institutions, hotels, schools, and other companies. Employment for cleaning supervisors was 13 percent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Heavy equipment operators 

Heavy equipment operators operate the heavy equipment that is required in the construction of roads, bridges, airports, tunnels, and several other structures. They are employed by construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, and other companies.

Power engineers and power systems operators 

Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, engines, and other equipment. This is to provide utility services such as heat, light, and refrigeration. Power system operators monitor and operate switchboards in electrical control centers. Employment for these occupations was 208 percent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019. Demand for these occupations continued throughout the pandemic.

Store shelf stockers, clerks, and order fillers 

These professionals pack customers’ purchases, price items, stock shelves with products and fill mail and telephone orders. They are employed in retail businesses, grocery stores, department stores, and warehouses. Employment for these professionals was 123 percent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Information systems analysts and consultants 

These professionals analyze and test systems requirements, develop and implement plans, policies, and procedures and provide advice on many information systems issues. Employment for information systems and analysts and consultants was 38 percent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses 

These nurses provide nursing care to patients; deliver health education programs as well as consultative services. They may be employed in many settings, such as in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, clinics, and private homes. Employment for these nurses was 33 percent higher in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

User support technicians

User support technicians provide support to computer users who are experiencing difficulties with computer hardware or software. These technicians are employed by software developers.

Economic immigration to Canadian provinces and territories primarily exists to address labor market needs across Canada and to contribute to the country’s economic growth. There are pathways to permanent residence for those with work experience in an in-demand occupation in a particular province. You can also use your skilled work experience towards a permanent residence application through one of Canada’s three main economic class immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The Express Entry system manages applications through one of these programs.

Know about the interview processes and questions asked by immigration officers in Canada

Canada is a destination of endless opportunities. You can come here and build an incredible career in various sectors. If you’re a talented and hard-working individual, keen on designing a bright future for you then Canada is the place to be. Vashist Immigration is an RCIC licensed immigration consultant who can help you with the various processes related to immigration.

It is essential that you are well versed with the questions that immigration might ask you. It  is important to know that every interview experience is different and depends largely on the circumstances of the interview, the individual attending, and the CBSA/IRCC officer.

Port of Entries interviews

At borders and airports, the interview is usually conducted by CBSA officers in two parts. The first will be to review your official documents. like passport, visas, and travel documents as well as those of any family members traveling with you to ensure that you are authorized to enter Canada. They will also ask you generic questions about your health; ask you about any criminal history, the duration of your stay, if you have come to Canada before and the circumstances of your departure. The second part of the interview is a review of any items you are bringing into Canada. If you are, then they will ensure that the items are not prohibited, for instance, live animals or plants, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, or items from endangered species.  These interviews can be extremely smooth and quick if you are honest and not carrying any prohibited items. If there is an issue a secondary investigation may be launched by the officer and you may be refused to enter the country.

Interviews Conducted by CBSA in-land

Interviews can also be conducted by Canada Border Services Agency. Services. or CBSA, CBSA office classified as a non-direct point of entry providing a full range of CBSA services to the general public and to other service sites, e.g. In-bond highway, marine, rail, etc The content and experience at an interview with the CBSA officer depend largely on your circumstances. You will have to maintain a consistent theme providing truthful answers and presenting documentation that is requested of you if possible.

There are several reasons why CBSA may request your presence for an interview. Some reasons include providing you with a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment application or a decision on that application. You might also have to fill out a section 44 report (also known as an inadmissibility report). If you lose status in Canada (or if you never had status), you may be asked to report to an interview with CBSA. You might be required to bring documents with you such as valid and/or expired passports for you and all of your dependents, birth certificate identity card, OHIP card, Social Insurance Card, proof of any matters before the Immigration and Refugee Board or Federal Court, any other documents issued by the Government of Canada, any documents regarding criminal matters. At the interview, you will be asked various questions, confirming your identity, immigration history, current activities, status in Canada, and the status of any appeal you have. They will ask you about any family you have in the country.

Interviews Conducted by IRCC

Another interview process you might have to go through is conducted by IRCC. The interview is conducted when you make an application to enter Canada; you may be required to appear at an IRCC office before the visa officer assesses your application. The interviews are commonly convened for spousal sponsorship applications; IRCC may request an interview for any application. Interviews can take place in Canada or overseas. When you receive a letter requesting your presence for an interview, you are required to attend. If you are unable to attend, you must inform IRCC and provide an explanation before the date of the interview at which point, they will reschedule your interview for a different day.

The officer may ask questions such as why you want to move to Canada, religious views, hobbies, employment, and education. The visa officer will also ask questions in sync with your application. For example, if you have applied for spousal sponsorship, they will ask questions to ensure that your marriage is genuine. These questions can cover when you and your spouse met, details about each other lives and families as well as if you have consummated the relationship. The officer will most likely take down notes during the process and anything you say can be used to make a decision in your application. It is therefore important that you answer truthfully. If the officer believes you are not being truthful, your application may be declined and you may have been found to misrepresent which carries a ban from Canada for 5 years.