the CanadaVisa Team - 06 June, 2017
Canada’s Express Entry immigration selection system, designed to welcome skilled workers from around the world quickly and simply, will reward candidates who can prove that they or their spouse or common-law partner have a sibling living in Canada. Candidates with French ability will also benefit from changes brought into effect on June 6, 2017.
The changes will allocate additional points to these candidates under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a dynamic system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank and select individuals who have entered the Express Entry pool of candidates.
In order to enter the pool, a person must be eligible to immigrate to Canada under one of the federal economic immigration programs, namely the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Candidates with a sibling in Canada may be awarded 15 additional CRS points if the sibling is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years of age. The maximum number of points that may be awarded for this factor is 15, even if the candidate or his or her spouse/common-law partner has multiple siblings living in Canada.
These points may also be awarded if the candidate’s spouse or common-law partner has a sibling in Canada. The candidate or his or her spouse/common-law partner must share a mother and/or father with the sibling in Canada. This relationship can be through blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership.
‘Studies have shown that as newcomers build a new life in Canada, those with siblings benefit by having improved integration into Canadian society,’ states IRCC.
On the subject of French proficiency, IRCC adds that ‘French-speaking newcomers contribute to the growth, vitality and prosperity of Francophone minority communities across Canada.’
To be in line for additional points for French proficiency, a candidate must take the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and come away with results equal to or better than adequate intermediate level (Canadian Language Benchmark, or CLB, 7). Those who prove this and have an English level of CLB 5 or better may be awarded 30 CRS additional points, whereas those who have not proven this level of English ability may receive 15 CRS points.
In another change introduced on June 6, IRCC made registration in the Job Bank voluntary for all Express Entry candidates. Previously, individuals who entered the pool without a qualifying job offer or a provincial nomination were required to register in the Job Bank.
