Is There Still Hope for Express Entry or Nomination? Chemical Engineer with 8 Yrs Experience

[chemEmanju]

Hello everyone,

I lived in Canada from 2010 to 2017—3.5 years as a Master’s student in Engineering (Saskatchewan), followed by another 3.5 years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

I returned to India around late 2017 due to personal reasons, while my Express Entry application was still in progress. However, it was later rejected due to insufficient proof of funds, and I also lacked Canadian skilled work experience at the time

Now, I’m planning to apply again through Express Entry or hoping to get any provincial nomination. However, it feels like the pathway to PR has become much more competitive and uncertain lately.

I have a background in Chemical Engineering and 8 years of experience as a Process Engineer in India.
I took the IELTS in 2022 and scored 8.0 overall, so language isn’t a barrier. I’ve also secured the required proof of funds now.

I’d really appreciate any insights into the current Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) landscape for someone with my profile.
If Canada isn’t a viable option anymore, I’m also considering immigration to Australia, New Zealand, or European countries.

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hello everyone,

I lived in Canada from 2010 to 2017—3.5 years as a Master’s student in Engineering (Saskatchewan), followed by another 3.5 years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

I returned to India around late 2017 due to personal reasons, while my Express Entry application was still in progress. However, it was later rejected due to insufficient proof of funds, and I also lacked Canadian skilled work experience at the time

Now, I’m planning to apply again through Express Entry or hoping to get any provincial nomination. However, it feels like the pathway to PR has become much more competitive and uncertain lately.

I have a background in Chemical Engineering and 8 years of experience as a Process Engineer in India.
I took the IELTS in 2022 and scored 8.0 overall, so language isn’t a barrier. I’ve also secured the required proof of funds now.

I’d really appreciate any insights into the current Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) landscape for someone with my profile.
If Canada isn’t a viable option anymore, I’m also considering immigration to Australia, New Zealand, or European countries.

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

Without knowing your CRS score, hard to say but PNPs are probably not an option with the 50% cut in quotas and no job offer. Right now, EE focus is on those in Canada or those who are bilingual.

Look at the other countries you mentioned for PR.

 

[canuck78]

Hello everyone,

I lived in Canada from 2010 to 2017—3.5 years as a Master’s student in Engineering (Saskatchewan), followed by another 3.5 years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

I returned to India around late 2017 due to personal reasons, while my Express Entry application was still in progress. However, it was later rejected due to insufficient proof of funds, and I also lacked Canadian skilled work experience at the time

Now, I’m planning to apply again through Express Entry or hoping to get any provincial nomination. However, it feels like the pathway to PR has become much more competitive and uncertain lately.

I have a background in Chemical Engineering and 8 years of experience as a Process Engineer in India.
I took the IELTS in 2022 and scored 8.0 overall, so language isn’t a barrier. I’ve also secured the required proof of funds now.

I’d really appreciate any insights into the current Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) landscape for someone with my profile.
If Canada isn’t a viable option anymore, I’m also considering immigration to Australia, New Zealand, or European countries.

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

8.0 is no longer considered very strong language score and many score higher to try and maximize their language skills. Many are even learning French to try yo secure PR. You have also likely lost your Canadian experience points due to length of time and you will have lost points due to age since it has been around a decade since you applied for PR.

 

[scylla]

Hello everyone,

I lived in Canada from 2010 to 2017—3.5 years as a Master’s student in Engineering (Saskatchewan), followed by another 3.5 years on a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

I returned to India around late 2017 due to personal reasons, while my Express Entry application was still in progress. However, it was later rejected due to insufficient proof of funds, and I also lacked Canadian skilled work experience at the time

Now, I’m planning to apply again through Express Entry or hoping to get any provincial nomination. However, it feels like the pathway to PR has become much more competitive and uncertain lately.

I have a background in Chemical Engineering and 8 years of experience as a Process Engineer in India.
I took the IELTS in 2022 and scored 8.0 overall, so language isn’t a barrier. I’ve also secured the required proof of funds now.

I’d really appreciate any insights into the current Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) landscape for someone with my profile.
If Canada isn’t a viable option anymore, I’m also considering immigration to Australia, New Zealand, or European countries.

Thanks in advance for your guidance!

PNP likely isn't an option without a job offer in Canada.

For Express Entry, I don't think you would have enough points to be selected. As you said, it's more competitive now than when you originally applied. Learn French to a CLB7 level to increase your score and also qualify for the French draws. This is likely your best bet.

You'll have to research immigration programs for other countries separately.

 

[chemEmanju]

PNP likely isn't an option without a job offer in Canada.

For Express Entry, I don't think you would have enough points to be selected. As you said, it's more competitive now than when you originally applied. Learn French to a CLB7 level to increase your score and also qualify for the French draws. This is likely your best bet.

You'll have to research immigration programs for other countries separately.

Thanks for the reply, I thought having connection with Saskatchewan might make my chance easier, but it seems like I am at the far end of the queue. Will try to get French language proficiency and apply for the EE.

 

[chemEmanju]

8.0 is no longer considered very strong language score and many score higher to try and maximize their language skills. Many are even learning French to try yo secure PR. You have also likely lost your Canadian experience points due to length of time and you will have lost points due to age since it has been around a decade since you applied for PR.

Thanks, yeah I am aware of the long gap after my Canadian experience. I will give my best effort and see if I still have any shot.
earlier in 2017 and 2018 the EE draws were happening thrice a month and the CRS dropped to the lowest near 415. I can only wish that will happen again.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thanks, yeah I am aware of the long gap after my Canadian experience. I will give my best effort and see if I still have any shot.
earlier in 2017 and 2018 the EE draws were happening thrice a month and the CRS dropped to the lowest near 415. I can only wish that will happen again.

Plus you are no longer eligible under CEC. FSW draws no longer happen unless in a category based draw. Check those if your NOC is on them. What is your CRS score? SINP is no longer selecting people outland due to cuts in quotas. So you need job offer with PAL.

 

[scylla]

Thanks for the reply, I thought having connection with Saskatchewan might make my chance easier, but it seems like I am at the far end of the queue. Will try to get French language proficiency and apply for the EE.

This will only work if you are also living and working in Saskatchewan. Having a connection isn't enough these days to be nominated by the province.

 

[scylla]

Thanks, yeah I am aware of the long gap after my Canadian experience. I will give my best effort and see if I still have any shot.
earlier in 2017 and 2018 the EE draws were happening thrice a month and the CRS dropped to the lowest near 415. I can only wish that will happen again.

I believe the 415 drop was for CEC. You no longer qualify for the CEC draws. And even if you did, I think the chances of the score going that low in any draw in the forseeable future are nil.

I think French is really your best bet at this point, unless you can somehow secure a closed work permit and move to Canada on an employer-supported job offer. Then it's possible you may have options under PNP.

 

[chemEmanju]

I believe the 415 drop was for CEC. You no longer qualify for the CEC draws. And even if you did, I think the chances of the score going that low in any draw in the forseeable future are nil.

I think French is really your best bet at this point, unless you can somehow secure a closed work permit and move to Canada on an employer-supported job offer. Then it's possible you may have options under PNP.

Nope, my score was 426 in 2017and I got the invitation during one of the draws where the cut off went below 420 during APril 2017, I applied under FSW at that time, but didnt submit a POF thinking since I am already in Canada and working, they will accept that.
I am not really seeing CEC as I am too unqualified for that category. Will start working on French now.
Any idea how is securing a closed work permit for chemical engineers looks like in Canada these days? is it hard to get one these days?

 

[Naturgrl]

Nope, my score was 426 in 2017and I got the invitation during one of the draws where the cut off went below 420 during APril 2017, I applied under FSW at that time, but didnt submit a POF thinking since I am already in Canada and working, they will accept that.
I am not really seeing CEC as I am too unqualified for that category. Will start working on French now.
Any idea how is securing a closed work permit for chemical engineers looks like in Canada these days? is it hard to get one these days?

LMIAs are extremely hard given to all the changes. It would need to be high wage and employer has to prove that no one in Canada has the experience, education and language skills to do the job. Also you are in a licensed profession so competing against those in Canada who are.