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📍 Yellowknife – February 21, 2025 Great news for those looking to immigrate to the Northwest Territories (NWT)! The Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP) will reopen for applications on February 27, 2025, at 9:00 AM (Mountain Time) and will close on March 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM (Mountain Time). You can apply online through the official NTNP website. 🔹 Why is this reopening important? Recently, the Canadian government reduced the number of immigrants NWT can nominate. After hearing concerns from workers, businesses, and local communities, the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) is making some changes to the program for 2025. These changes will help:✅ Workers whose work permits are expiring in 2025✅ People who have worked with their employer for a long time✅ Businesses that need skilled and semi-skilled workers 🔹 How many applications will be accepted? For 2025, the NWT can nominate 150 people for immigration. Since 60 applications from 2024 will be counted towards 2025, there are 90 new spots available. 🔹 Who Can Apply? Out of the 90 available spots, the applications will be divided into different groups: 📍 From Yellowknife Employers (Total: 70 Applications)🔸 35 applications for Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled workers✔️ Must have a work permit expiring in 2025✔️ Must have worked full-time in NWT for at least 12 months with the same employer 🔸 35 applications for Skilled Worker & Express Entry applicants✔️ Must have a full-time, permanent job offer in NWT✔️ Must have 1 year of work experience in that job and have a work permit expiring in 2025 OR✔️ Must have worked full-time for at least 18 months with the same employer in NWT 📍 From Employers Outside of Yellowknife (Total: 10 Applications)🔸 5 applications for Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled workers (same eligibility as above)🔸 5 applications for Skilled Worker & Express Entry (same eligibility as above) 📍 For Francophone Applicants (Total: 10 Applications)🔸 Can apply through the Francophone or Employer-Driven stream 🔹 How Many Applications Can Employers Submit? To ensure fairness, employers can only submit a limited number of applications based on their company size:🏢 1-10 employees → 1 application🏢 11-49 employees → 2 applications🏢 50+ employees → 4 applications 🔹 How Will Applications Be Selected? Unlike before, applications WILL NOT be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead:🔹 After the deadline, 90 applications will be chosen at random for assessment🔹 If selected, applications will be reviewed based on the expiry date of the applicant’s work permit🔹 Applicants will receive an email notification if their application is selected or not 🔹 What If You Don’t Get Selected? Since only 90 new applications will be accepted, not everyone will get a chance to apply this year. This may be disappointing for some, but the NWT government encourages businesses to explore other Canadian immigration programs to hire workers. 🔹 What Should You Do Now? ✅ Check the updated program guidelines and requirements✅ Gather all necessary documents in advance✅ Prepare to apply as soon as the program opens on February 27, 2025 For the latest updates on this situation, follow Ask Kubeir for expert guidance and immigration support! Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today! 📌 If you believe your VISA application should be showcased in the most favorable light when submitting to immigration, feel free to book our services. 📌 To book an appointment with Kubeir – Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, click the “Book Appointment” 📲 You may also reach us at this number for all immigration-related services: Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.

If you were planning to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Saskatchewan through a job offer, there’s an important update you should know. Saskatchewan has temporarily stopped accepting new applications for job approval forms (JAFs), which are required for some immigration pathways. What Does This Mean? Starting February 18, 2025, foreign workers and employers can no longer submit new job approval forms (JAFs) under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP). Without a JAF, employers can’t get a Job Approval Letter (JAL), and without a JAL, foreign workers can’t apply for certain job-offer-based immigration programs in Saskatchewan. However, if your application was submitted before February 18, it will still be processed. Why Did Saskatchewan Stop Accepting JAFs? The reason for this pause is that the federal government has reduced Saskatchewan’s PR nomination quota by 50% in 2025. The province says they need time to adjust their programs to fit this change. This pause is expected to last a few weeks, but Saskatchewan has not given an exact date for when they will start accepting applications again. Which Immigration Programs Are Affected? This pause affects any immigration stream that requires a Job Approval Letter (JAL), including: International Skilled Worker Category Saskatchewan Work Experience Category If you were planning to apply through any of these programs, you will have to wait until Saskatchewan resumes accepting JAFs. What If I Still Want to Immigrate to Saskatchewan? If you don’t have a job offer, there are still ways to apply for PR in Saskatchewan. 1. International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand 2. Express Entry 3. Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Final Thoughts This temporary pause only affects job-offer-based immigration streams in Saskatchewan. If you were planning to apply through one of these pathways, you will need to wait. However, other pathways like Occupation In-Demand, Express Entry, and RCIP are still open for eligible candidates. For the latest updates on this situation, follow Ask Kubeir for expert guidance and immigration support! Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today! 📌 If you believe your VISA application should be showcased in the most favorable light when submitting to immigration, feel free to book our services. 📌 To book an appointment with Kubeir – Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, click the “Book Appointment” 📲 You may also reach us at this number for all immigration-related services: Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.

If you are planning to move to Canada through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), you may have noticed that the number of invitations to apply (ITAs) has dropped significantly this year. In 2024, Ontario issued 14,760 invitations in just the first two months, but in 2025, only 4 invitations have been sent out so far. This slowdown is happening because the Canadian government has reduced the number of immigrants each province can nominate this year. Many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) across Canada are making adjustments to this change. In this article, we will cover: Which OINP streams are open and issuing invitations? Right now, only one stream has issued ITAs in 2025—the Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream. The first draw under this stream happened on January 4, 2025, where 4 ITAs were given to candidates applying through the Economic Mobility Pathways Project (EMPP). This program helps skilled refugees and displaced individuals find jobs in Canada. However, Ontario is still accepting new applications for the following streams: These streams require you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which means you have to apply and wait for Ontario to select you. Ontario Express Entry Streams Ontario also has immigration streams that are linked to the Express Entry system. If you have an active Express Entry profile, you don’t need to apply separately. Ontario will check your profile and, if you qualify, send you a Notification of Interest (NOI). If you receive an NOI, you can then apply for nomination from Ontario. If you are nominated, you will receive 600 extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), making it much easier to get an invitation for permanent residency from the federal government. As of now, Ontario has not announced when it will start sending more invitations, but all streams remain open for applications. Eligibility criteria for OINP streams Stream Job offer required? Express Entry-aligned? Main requirements Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker stream Yes No – Full-time, permanent job in a skilled occupation. – Salary must be at or above Ontario’s median wage for that job. – Work experience and necessary licensing (if required). Employer Job Offer: International Student stream Yes No – Full-time, permanent job in a skilled occupation. – Salary must be at or above Ontario’s median wage for that job. – Must have graduated from an eligible Ontario school within the last two years. Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills stream Yes No – Full-time, permanent job in an eligible occupation. – Job must be in a qualifying location. – Salary must be at or above Ontario’s median wage. – At least 9 months of relevant work experience. Master’s Graduate stream No No – Must have a Master’s degree from an eligible Ontario school. – Must have lived in Ontario for at least 1 year in the last 2 years. – Language proficiency CLB 7 or higher. – Must apply within two years of graduation. – Show proof of settlement funds. PhD Graduate stream No No – Must have a PhD from an eligible Ontario school. – Must have lived in Ontario for at least 1 year in the last 2 years. – Language proficiency CLB 7 or higher. – Must apply within two years of graduation. – Show proof of settlement funds. Express Entry Human Capital Priorities stream No Yes – Must have an active Express Entry profile. – Must qualify for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). – Must have a Master’s or PhD. – Language proficiency CLB 7 or higher. – Show proof of settlement funds. Express Entry Skilled Trades stream No Yes – Must have an active Express Entry profile. – Must have at least 1 year of work experience in a skilled trade in Ontario. – Must be living in Ontario with a valid work permit. – Language proficiency CLB 5 or higher. – Show proof of settlement funds. Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker No Yes – Must have an active Express Entry profile. – Must qualify for CEC or FSWP. – Must have a university degree (or be a nurse). – French proficiency NCLC 7 or higher. – English proficiency CLB 6 or higher. – Show proof of settlement funds. Why has Ontario slowed down immigration in 2025? In October 2024, the Canadian government reduced the number of new immigrants allowed through provincial immigration programs. This is because Canada is facing housing shortages and high living costs. As a result, PNP allocations were cut in half—from 110,000 in 2024 to just 55,000 in 2025. Since early 2025, Ontario and other provinces have been adjusting to these changes. Some provinces, like New Brunswick and Yukon, have also introduced restrictions or delayed applications. However, there is a way for provinces to increase their immigration allocations. The government has offered to give provinces more immigration spots if they accept more humanitarian immigrants (such as refugees). For example, Newfoundland and Labrador regained 90% of their lost spots by agreeing to accept 290 humanitarian immigrants over two years. Ontario has not yet announced any new changes, but they are negotiating with the federal government to secure more immigration spots. Stay updated by following Ask Kubeir for the latest updates on Canadian immigration! For more information on OINP eligibility and how to apply, visit our website or contact our team at Ask Kubeir! Would you like a consultation to explore your Canadian work options? Contact Ask Kubeir today! 📌 If you believe your VISA application should be showcased in the most favorable light when submitting to immigration, feel free to book our services. 📌 To book an appointment with Kubeir – Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, click the “Book Appointment” 📲 You may also reach us at this number for all immigration-related services: Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Always consult experts like us or the official IRCC website for up-to-date details.