Editors Pick

Highlights: IRCC holds the 6th Express Entry Draw for November 2024

• IRCC held the most recent Express Entry Draw on November 20, 2024.
• The Express Entry targeted healthcare professionals and invited 3000 eligible candidates.
• The lowest ranking score required for Express Entry Draw #327 was 526.
• This is the sixth Express Entry Draw in November 2024.

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Latest Express Entry Draw invites 3,000 Candidates from Healthcare Occupations

Canada conducted the latest Express Entry on November 20, 2024, inviting 3,000 healthcare professionals. This is the first Healthcare-targeted draw to be held since July 2024. The previous healthcare-targeted draw invited 3,750 candidates to apply for Canada PR.

Express Entry Draw #327 is the sixth draw in November. The previous draw Invited 400 Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates with a CRS score of 539.

*Want to apply for Canada PR? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.

List of eligible Occupations for the Healthcare-specific Express Entry Draws

The below table has the list of occupations that are eligible for the Healthcare targeted Express Entry Draws:

*Looking for Healthcare jobs in Canada? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one!

Healthcare-targeted Express Entry Draws in 2024

Three Healthcare-targeted Express Entry draws have been conducted in 2024, issuing a total of 10,250 ITAs.

You can refer to the table below for completed details of the draws:

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canadian immigration?  Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News Page! 

Highlights: IRCC to increase Visa Application Fees for several Canadian visas

• IRCC announced a hike in the visa application fees for several visit, work, and study visas.
• The updated application and processing fees will be effective starting December 01, 2024.
• Temporary residents seeking entry into Canada and those seeking to extend their current status will be required to follow the latest fee structure.
• The Canadian government has yet to announce the updated visa application fees.

*Want to check your eligibility to Canada? Try the Y-Axis Canada Immigration Points calculator for FREE to get an instant score!

Canadian Visa Application Fees to increase from December 01, 2024

IRCC announced to increase the application and processing time for several Canadian visas. The visa fee will increase for different visa categories of Canada visit visa, Canada work visa, and Canada study visa. The application costs will also increase for temporary resident applicants looking to extend the validity of their current status and those seeking entry into the country.

Here is the list of temporary resident categories that will have increased visa fees:

• Individuals like visitors, workers, and students looking to restore their temporary resident status applications
• Those looking for approved authorization to return to the country
• Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) applications
• Criminal rehabilitation applications

Note: The latest Canada application fees are yet to be announced.

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List of Canada Application Fees (Current)

You can refer to the table below for the current Canadian application fees:

*To know more about the latest Canada Immigration Levels Plan, also, read…

Canada is inviting 1.1 million migrants by 2027

What happens if you pay the old application fees?

Applications being applied online are usually received immediately, ensuring the submission is valid with a prompt confirmation. Applications sent via email are usually delayed compared to online applications. Individuals submitting a completed application with the previous application fees need not worry about the new fee changes.

There are chances of your application not being rejected if you have:

• Paid the entire fee (the old one)
• Submitted a filled application
• Emailed the application before the implementation of the new application fees

Note: IRCC will issue instructions to applicants who need not pay the entire fee again and can simply pay the balance or the adjusted application fees.

How to pay the difference in the visa application fees after fee changes?

In cases where the applicant has applied offline via paper and paid the fee according to the old fees, they can simply calculate the difference with the new fees and submit a receipt.

You can refer to the below steps to learn how to tally the difference and submit the application fee receipt:

Step 1: Calculate the fee difference

You must first calculate the difference between the previous and updated visa fees. Then, you will be required to pay the difference for any change fees that apply to family members.

Step 2: Complete the fee payment

• As the first step, you must select the “pay other fees category or additional payment” category in the IRCC online payment tool.
• The total difference in fees will be entered into the “Quantity” section
• A single receipt will be given for each payment made. Payments can be done in single transactions or repeated.
• To complete the fee payment procedure, you must either sign in to your existing IRCC account or create a new one.

Step 3: Receipt submission

You can follow the instructions during the initial fee request and submit the receipt.  

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canadian immigration?  Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News Page! 

Highlights: Germany plans to invite 22000+ migrant workers in 2024

• Germany will issue 22000+ more visas for foreign professionals in 2024.
• The country plans to issue 10% more visas for skilled workers under the German New Skill Immigration Act
• A total number of 200,000 visas are expected to be granted to skilled workers in 2024.
• Germany currently has around 400,000 vacant job positions for highly skilled foreign workers.

*Want to work in Germany? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

Foreign professionals to have better opportunities to obtain work visas in Germany

The German Skill Immigration Act has attracted thousands of skilled workers to the country. More than 200,000 visas are expected to be granted in 2024, 10 percent more than in 2023.

It is noticed that foreign nationals are also showing interest in German education, complete vocal training there and having their foreign qualification recognized. The New Skill Immigration Act includes changes that are aimed to facilitate the migration of skilled foreign workers to Germany. 

The German Opportunity Card has also been an advantage for skilled workers who are not required to know the German Language to work in the country.

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Germany streamlines the application process

The German government also plans to streamline the visa process through digitalization. The reason for improving the application process is to address the country's labor shortage. According to the government, there are around 400,000 job opportunities for skilled foreign workers.

From 2018-2023, the employment subjected to Social insurance contribution increased by 1.6 million, with an 89 percent contribution from foreigners.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance for Germany Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE.

For recent immigration updates, check out Y-Axis Immigration News!

Highlights: Sweden to relax EU Blue Card Process for Foreign nationals

• Sweden has announced it will ease the EU Blue Card process for highly qualified foreigners.
• The latest EU Blue Card changes will be implemented from January 2025.
• The salary requirement for EU Blue Card applicants is set to be lowered.
• Sweden will process EU Blue Cards in 30 days instead of the earlier 90-day timeframe.

*Looking to apply for an EU Blue Card? Sign up with Y-Axis for end-to-end immigration support.

New Sweden EU Blue Card Changes to be Effective from January 1, 2025

Sweden has announced major changes to its EU Blue Card policy. The country plans to relax the process for highly skilled foreign nationals. The draft with the EU Blue Card changes will be proposed to the Swedish Parliament on the 27th of this month, and a final vote will take place on November 28, 2024.

If the Parliament approves the suggested proposal, the new EU Blue Card Directive updates will take effect on January 1, 2025. Measures are being taken to implement the eased EU Blue Card policies to attract a skilled foreign talent workforce to the country.

*To know more about the total EU Blue Cards issued in 2023, also read…

89,000+ EU Blue Cards were issued to foreign talents in 2023, Germany tops the list

List of New EU Blue Card Updates that Sweden will soon implement

The Swedish government plans to introduce new updates to the EU Blue Card. With an EU Blue Card, you can live and work in Sweden for a maximum of four years. Once the Swedish Parliament sanctions the new proposal, a set of new rules will be implemented for the EU Blue Card. The changes will come into effect on January 1, 2024.

Here is a list of changes that would ease the process of acquiring the EU Blue Card for foreigners:

• The minimum salary required will be reduced from 1.5 times the current average wage of €5,165 to 1.25 times the average salary (€4,304).
• The EU Blue Card processing time will be reduced to 30 days.
• The minimum duration of the employment contract will be decreased from 12 months to 6 months to facilitate workers' switching jobs.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Swedish immigration?  Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out the Y-Axis Immigration News Page! 

Highlights: Canada’s Employment rose by 303,000 on a YOY basis  

• The latest Labour Force Survey of October 2024, recorded an increase in Canada’s employment.
• Employment in Canada went up by 303,000, with a rise of +1.5% in October.
• The employment rates significantly increased amongst youngsters aged 15-24.
• Alberta and New Brunswick witnessed a growth in employment in October 2024.

*Looking to work in Canada? Avail Y-Axis Job Search Services to find the right one.  

StatCan Reports, Employment to be steady in Canada in October 2024

The Labour Force Survey recently released data on Canada’s employment in October 2024. Employment remained steady in October, leading to an overall increase of 303,000 on a year-over-year basis.

Here is a complete breakdown of the recent StatCan reports in October 2024:

Employment among youth

Employment rose by 33,000 amongst youngsters between the ages of 15 and 24, with an increase in the employment rate of 0.4%. 

Unemployment rate in Canada 

The overall unemployment rate in Canada remained consistent at 6.5% in October. The unemployment rate among youth declined to 12.8% last month.

Canada's Labour force participation rate 

The labour force participation rate in recent years has been consistent. The growing population and the competitive labour market were the driving forces behind the increased labour market participation among core-aged men and women. The overall participation rate on a year-over-year basis of those aged between 55 and 64 slightly changed, with men at 73.8% and women at 61.8%.

Increased Employment in Canadian sectors

In October 2024, employment increased by 29,000 in sectors like building, business, and other services. On a year-over-year basis, employment in activities that are involved in organizations' everyday operations, including administrative services and waste management, also rose by 33,000.

Increased Employment in Canadian provinces

Employment increased in provinces like New Brunswick and Alberta by +13,000 and +3,300, respectively. Other Canadian provinces, such as Ontario and Quebec, witnessed a slight change in unemployment in October 2024.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canadian immigration?  Contact Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in UAE!

For recent immigration updates on Canada, check out the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News Page!