FSW WORLDWIDE

[Trayceee]

Canadian immigration minister talks backlogs, international students and PGP in TV interview
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser appeared on Prime Asia TV Canada to discuss topical issues in Canadian immigration.

Canada’s minister of immigration, Sean Fraser, sat down to talk about Canadian immigration with Prime Asia TV business head, Deepinder Singh.

The interview covered a number of topics relating to challenges brought on by the pandemic and possible solutions for the future. Among other things, Fraser spoke about his mandate to support immigration pathways for international students and temporary foreign workers, and the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).

Singh began the interview asking about the backlog of 1.8 million people waiting to get a decision on their applications to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He noted that the impending applications are enough to exceed the current immigration targets for this year. As per the 2021-2023 Multi-year Immigration Levels plan, Canada is expected to land 411,000 newcomers this year, although that could change when the new targets are released in February.

Fraser said the problem began with the pandemic. In order to exceed their 2021 target of 401,000 newcomers amid travel restrictions, Canada had to land people who were already in the country. He also noted that there was an increase in the number of people who applied to come to Canada. As a result, they ended with two normal years worth of applications in the inventory, but it does not mean IRCC will not consider new applications.

Express Entry draws and programs for international students
Given that there have been no Express Entry draws for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates since September, people who would normally be eligible to apply for immigration are seeing their temporary statuses expire, forcing them to quit their jobs or even leave Canada. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) candidates, who are largely outland candidates but also inland, have not had a draw since December 2020.

Fraser did not say if there were any work permit extensions being made for these candidates. He did reference his mandate letter, which calls for him to find pathways to permanent residence for international students and temporary foreign workers. He said there have been no final decisions on what those different programs will look like.

Fraser said the pause in FSWP draws is temporary, and that Canada does intend to resume draws for this program. He did not give a timeline.

He also said he was interested in exploring new ways to make it easier for international students to consider their studies a “springboard” to Canadian permanent residency.

“There’s some work that needs to be done to get there, but I’m committed to doing that work,” Fraser said.

Express Entry backlogs
It has been recently revealed through an internal memo that some Express Entry candidates could wait up to 20 months, almost three years, to get a decision on their file.

In response to Singh’s question on the topic, Fraser said, “to suggest everyone is going to be waiting three years is not a fair assessment.”

The memo had referenced specifically that FSWP candidates were looking at processing times of about 20 months, and CEC candidates were facing wait times of nearly eight.

Fraser said that the government would continue to to have Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)-specific Express Entry draws.

The minister also said he is looking to increase the number of newcomers who arrive in Canada—both as temporary residents and permanent residents—and make it easier for temporary residents to gain permanent residency status over the long term.

Canada needs immigrants to support labour shortages
Fraser noted that Canada is short one million workers, and that 100% of labour force growth comes from foreign workers.

The issue of slow work-permit processing is one of the five areas covered in Canada’s $85 million budget to improve the immigration system. Fraser also says he anticipates the Trusted Employer Stream will reduce barriers for employers that have a good track record of hiring foreign workers.

Plans for special health care worker programs
Fraser confirmed there were plans to allow more foreign health care workers move to Canada. He said the issues is important as there are currently only three health care workers for every senior in Canada, and the labour shortage issue will only keep growing.

He said Canada is prioritizing the processing of foreign health care workers, an initiative which started doing during the pandemic.

Fraser also said that some of the other options they have is to work with the PNPs, and improve foreign credential recognition.

Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP)
Fraser called the PGP his biggest challenge as immigration minister.

“One of the thing that makes this the most challenging stream is the demand we have given the spaces that are traditionally available,” Fraser said.

The immigration minister said in a given year there are about 200,000 applicants applying for some 10,000 spaces.

In 2020 and 2021, the PGP was once again a lottery system. Critics say the lottery system is unfair to those who have been waiting in the pool of candidates for years. In defence of the lottery system, Fraser said, “although it does not work out for everyone it does put everyone on equal footing.”

Fraser said he is actively seeking feedback from colleagues, but did not say one way or the other if the methodology would change for PGP applications this year.

Special program for health care worker is a great news

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

Okay real talk, i want people in this thread to REALLY understand that media appearances, especially by politicians, are often very controlled.

On the one hand, you have a spokesperson who is using the opportunity to deliver prepared messaging, a lot of which will speak in generalities, and from a high level perspective.

On the other, you have media that, often, are benefitting from having a high visibility spokesperson on their show/ broadcast/ podcast/ whatever via increased impressions, watch time and downloads. It is, mostly symbiotic.

Every so often, you'll get some media who really go after a soundbite or headline, or grill the spokesperson outside of prepared questions and talking points. They are however, few and far between, and usually of an investigative nature.

I think it is worth some of you managing your expectations whenever this guy (or future Immigration Ministers) do media appearances. It is highly unlikely they will mention FSW by name, unless pressed by whoever is "interviewing" them.

The Immigrations Levels Plan 2022-2024 is due to be announced by February 11, 2022 at the latest. That is via an owned channel that the Government can control. His real work (at least via KPIs that he and his departments can be measured against) start after that date. All he's doing now is a "press tour" to raise his profile, and bolster connections within the media landscape (which I should add is part of his job as a Minister)

This is a very good analysis of the situation, thanks @EscoBlades

 

[Nikhil1824]

maybe i am wrong,
who's primary?
1. Yes
2. Not an issue

I am the primary.

Thanks for your revert

 

[Deleted member 1006777]

make it easier for international students to consider their studies a “springboard” to Canadian permanent residency.

Make it easier than it already is? How?

And they're now basically confirming that buying the PR is now going to be the most streamlined way forward. Express entry will no doubt eventually start getting phased out. Because 1 year of experience after graduation is soooo difficult. Pathetic.

 

[IncredibleCanada]

A question to all Experts -

I held 2 job title with current company with same NOC 2173

Job Title 1 - Mar' 2015 to DEC' 2018
Job Title 2 - Jan' 2019 till date.

In Job Title 2, I have experience in 2 locations -

India - Jan'2019 to Feb'2020
Canada - Feb'2020 to till date.

While in EE profile I created 2 entries because place of work was different -

Entry 1 - Job Title 2, Mar' 15 to Feb' 20, India
Entry 2 - Job Title 2, Feb'20 to till date, Canada.

Do I have to create a separate entry for Job Title 1?

 

[jester10]

I hate politicians always evading and speaking in talking points. What's the point of the interview if you aren't going to provide specifics?

You don't take their words literally. You need to read between the lines.

 

[dankboi]

A question to all Experts -

I held 2 job title with current company with same NOC 2173

Job Title 1 - Mar' 2015 to DEC' 2018
Job Title 2 - Jan' 2019 till date.

In Job Title 2, I have experience in 2 locations -

India - Jan'2019 to Feb'2020
Canada - Feb'2020 to till date.

While in EE profile I created 2 entries because place of work was different -

Entry 1 - Job Title 2, Mar' 15 to Feb' 20, India
Entry 2 - Job Title 2, Feb'20 to till date, Canada.

Do I have to create a separate entry for Job Title 1?

yes separately

 

[seadrag0n]

Make it easier than it already is? How?

And they're now basically confirming that buying the PR is now going to be the most streamlined way forward. Express entry will no doubt eventually start getting phased out. Because 1 year of experience after graduation is soooo difficult. Pathetic.

Time to study at lambda college.

 

[dankboi]

Time to study at lambda college.

few days ago in the telegram group, someone asked about lambda and to which everyone responded it's a great institution and their diplomas are valued throughout the country hehe

 

[dankboi]

also a typical query i often see in that group-

ielts academic L=6.5 W=6.5 R=7 S=6.5 ​

XX% High school​

where should i go? Australia ? canada? ​

visa approval success more? ​

hlp me all​

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

few days ago in the telegram group, someone asked about lambda and to which everyone responded it's a great institution and their diplomas are valued throughout the country hehe

Lambda is becoming so (in)famous that it might actually negatively affect while looking for jobs
Interviewer: Do you have degree or diploma
Applicant: Yes - in this subject
Interviewer: That's impressive, where did you go?
Applicant: Lambda College
Interviewer: Thank you for your time

 

[dankboi]

Lambda is becoming so (in)famous that it might actually negatively affect while looking for jobs
Interviewer: Do you have degree or diploma
Applicant: Yes - in this subject
Interviewer: That's impressive, where did you go?
Applicant: Lambda College
Interviewer: Thank you for your time

if this is trolled and spread on internet then the concern you raised is likely to happen.

 

[GandiBaat]

Hi Guys,

I am Sept 2021 AOR and received my BIL/MEP on 2nd Jan 2022

I have couple of queries:

1. My wife plans to change her job, do I need to update this in the personal history
2. She is transitioning into a new role (Brand and Revenue Manager to Data Analytics Manager), hence different NOC, could this be an issue in our application.

If someone can answer the queries, it will be helpful.

Thanks

There are material facts and non-material facts about an applicant and her dependents. An extreme example : If you (god forbid) lost your job offer in PnP pathway that is material certainly because a lot of PnP programs are job offer based. If you have a kid, again it is material because it means potentially they have to issue one more visa. If you, for instance, moved from one address to another in the same city it might be argued as non-material. Now, I am guess you are primary applicant and your wife's job is more of a personal history question and is not a part of eligibility or admissibility criteria. If so, given she is not even changing employer, it might be just a non-material fact. Now if changing this position is causing any kind of trouble with canadian immigration law (for instance if she were an inland candidate and her work permit was closed) then it would be material and a trouble.

All being said, do you need to update immigration about it? If it is non-material, then most likely no. If it is material then ofcourse, YES.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

if this is trolled and spread on internet then the concern you raised is likely to happen.

I'm just looking through LinkedIn, most grads are either unemployed or doing part-time jobs. I saw one that became manager of analytics at a bank, gotta respect that guy for making it from Lambda

 

[singhno]

I'm just looking through LinkedIn, most grads are either unemployed or doing part-time jobs. I saw one that became manager of analytics at a bank, gotta respect that guy for making it from Lambda

Thats the case with almost all the canadian universities except top 10