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Highlights: Canada opens opportunities for working in Canada under the International Experience Program for 2025

• The International Experience Program is open and accepting eligible candidates for 2025.
• Under the IEC program, youth from certain counties can receive work permits.
• IEC provides more chances of success than other work permit issuing programs.
• Work experience gained by IEC candidates is necessary to qualify for Canadian PR.

*Want to apply for IEC? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

What is the IEC?

The International Experience Canada is a temporary residence program that issues work permits under three categories. This program works as a commitment with other countries. Canada is a partner in a number of bilateral youth mobility agreements that streamline the pathways for youth from these countries temporarily in Canada.

Youths who are citizens of countries that have youth Mobility agreements with Canada can apply for a Canadian work permit following IEC categories:

• The Working Holiday category
• The Young Professional category
• The International Co-op category

The table shows each stream's different functions:

Eligible candidates under these programs

Foreign youth who have signed mobility agreements with Canada are eligible to apply under the IEC if they meet eligibility criteria such as:

• Citizen of a country who has a tie with Canada for Youth Mobility agreement
• Valid passport
• Be aged either between 18-35 or 18-30 years
• Sufficient proof of funds of at least $ 2,500
• Health Insurance
• Be admissible to Canada
• Not to bring dependents
• Travel Itinerary
• Pay the application fees

Steps to apply for the IEC

Here are the steps to apply for the IEC:

Step 1: Submit your profile to IEC

Step 2: Fill out the IEC application form

Step 3:  Receive an ITA for work permits

 Step 4: Apply for a work permit application

Step 5: Wait for the confirmation

*Note: Once an applicant receives an invitation from that day, they must either begin their work permit application within 10 days or decline the invitation.

The IEC program prioritizes ITAs for the Young Professionals stream over the Working Holiday stream, which makes them more likely to receive an invitation under the Young Professionals stream.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

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

Highlights: IRCC declared the removal of LMIA-based job offer points from the Express Entry system

• IRCC announced the removal of LMIA based job offer points from the Express Entry System.
• Express Entry candidates will no longer be eligible to receive additional points on the CRS tool for an LMIA-based job offer.
• As stated by Marc Millar, the new changes implementation date are yet to be declared.
• The Canadian government’s online point calculator will award candidates an additional 50 points for having a valid job offer.

*Want to check your eligibility to migrate to Canada? Try the FREE Y-Axis Canada CRS score calculator to get instant results!

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the system the government uses to score Express Entry Candidates. The higher the candidate’s score, the more likely he is to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence through an Express Entry Draw.

Once candidates have created a profile in the Express Entry system, they are eligible for one of the three Express Entry-managed immigration programs. The candidate’s profile is assigned a score out of 1200 based on a variety of factors, including:

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Work experience

Candidates can score up to a maximum of 600 additional points based on their profile through:

• Having a sibling living in Canada as a Canadian citizen or PR
• French language skills
• Post-secondary education in Canada
• Arranged employment
• Provincial/territorial nomination

The candidate could receive 50 additional CRS points for arranged employment in any NOC TEER. They could receive 200 extra points for a NOC TEER O occupation in major group 00, which includes executive leadership positions in various industries.

To qualify for Express Entry, an applicant must have an occupation in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. These TEERS are collectively referred to as skilled occupations.

*Want to apply for Express Entry? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

Changes in the LMIA Based Job offer for  the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is one of the main ways Canadian employers can hire foreign nationals on work permits. Previously, to apply for a TFWP work permit, an applicant must have received an LMIA with a positive result. Currently, in September, the federal government suspended the processing of LMIA.

The government also increased the pay requirements for the high wage stream, effective November 2024. The high wage stream now requires workers hired under the TFWP to earn 20% above the median wage for occupations in that region. These changes to the TFWP Play into the government policy change on immigration as set out in the latest Immigration level plan. For 2025, Canada has set the target for new TFWP work permits at 82,000.

Marc Miller stated that IRCC is working to reduce fraud and strengthen the integrity of Canada’s immigration system by removing the additional points received under Express Entry for having a job offer.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

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

Highlights: IRCC announced the Eligibility Criteria for the New Rural Immigration Pathway

• IRCC announces the eligibility criteria of the new rural immigration pathway to gain Canada PR.
• The Rural Immigration pathway is for foreign nationals who can address labor shortages in designated communities outside of Quebec.
• To apply for the pathway, the applicant must meet certain criteria, such as work experience, education, job offer, language proficiency, sufficient funds, and Intention to reside.
• To apply for the new rural immigration pathway, an applicant residing in Canada must have a valid and maintained temporary resident status.

*Want to check your eligibility to migrate to Canada? Try the FREE Y-Axis Canada CRS score calculator to get instant results!

Eligibility Criteria to apply for the New Rural Immigration Pathway

To qualify, the applicant must meet specific criteria such as:

• Work experience
• Education
• Job offer
• Language proficiency
• Sufficient funds
• Intention to stay

Work Experience

To apply for this program, applicants must have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent or part-time) work in an occupation listed under the NOC (National Occupational Classification).

The work experience should be:

• Within three years of applying for Permanent residence
• Involve performing the key tasks and primary duties described in NOC
• Work with third-party employer (excluding medical practitioners)
• Applicant must have proper work authorization and TR status if done in Canada

Here are the score allotted according to the offer of employment:

International Graduate exemption

To obtain work experience, requirements do not apply to applicants who have obtained eligibility from Post-secondary programs and meet the following criteria:

• Studied full-time throughout the program
• Obtained the credential 18 months before applying
• For Master’s and doctoral programs shorter than 2 years, lived in a designated community where employment is located for complete program
• Applicant must have lived in the community for 16 to 24 months before graduation from other programs.

Genuine Offer of employment

The Offer of employment must meet specific requirements:

• Be from a designated employer (An employer approved by an economic development organization)
• Work must be permanent and full-time
• Work must be in a designated community with at least 75 percent of work performed
• The applicant must be employed based on experience or education matching the NOC's duties.
• Be in a job in which the candidate has recent work experience except for nurses or international graduate

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

Language proficiency

Applicants must have a designated institution's Language proficiency test results approved by the Canadian government. They must demonstrate the required level of proficiency based on the NOC TEER of their job offer. According to the government scoring grid, the language test score will be converted to the CLB score. The language proficiency test results are valid for two years.

Here are the scores allotted in Language proficiency depending on the TEER Category:

*Want to ace your language proficiency score? Avail Y-Axis Coaching services to ace your score?

 Education

Applicants must have a secondary school diploma or higher-level credential. The degree must have been obtained within Canada, and they must submit a copy of their Canadian credentials. If the degree was obtained outside Canada, they must submit a copy of a foreign secondary school education credential and an equivalency assessment under five years old.

*Want to study in Canada? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

Sufficient funds
Applicants must provide proof of funds to support themselves and their family members for one year. As per Statistics Canada, the amount must be at least half of the low-income threshold for rural areas outside.

*Note: This criterion does not apply to candidates already working in Canada.

Intention to Stay

The applicant must demonstrate the intention to reside in a designated community and must also have a valid certification of recommendation from an economic development organization at the time of application. These certificates are issued by economic development organizations and are valid for six months from the date of issue.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

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

Highlights: Portugal introduced fast-track processing of work permits within 20 days

• Portugal is planning to launch fast-track processing for work and residency permits.
• The Portuguese government plans to process the application within 20 days.
• The faster processing will apply to residence permit applications and temporary work visas for those who received a job offer.
• The Portuguese government introduced the Green Route Plan to ensure the simplified entry of foreign workers into the country.

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

Portugal plans to introduce fast-track processing

The Portuguese government has announced that it will launch a new route that will offer faster processing for temporary work permits and residence permit applications for foreigners who receive job offers. The Portugal government is planning to process the applications within 20 days. The same further stressed that the authority’s measures will ensure that applications don’t have a delay of more than six months. The government introduced the Green Route to facilitate the entry of foreign workers into the country.

Also read…

Portugal to issue work visas within 30 days. Apply now!

How to apply for a Portugal work permit?

Below are the step-by-step procedures to apply for a Portugal Work permit:

Step 1: Fill out the visa application form

Step 2: Provide all the documentation

Step 3: Submit the work visa application

Step 4: Wait for the visa

Step 5: Once approved, apply for a residency permit

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Portugal? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

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

Highlights: Canada allows selected work permit holders to continue their studies without a student visa

• Canada will allow selective work permit holders to continue studying in Canada without a study permit.
• Work permit holders who applied before June 7, 2023, can study without a Canada study permit.
• This rule continues a temporary policy instituted in 2023 that lasted until June 27, 2026.
• Newcomers who applied for work permits after June 7, 2023, are not eligible under this policy.

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

Who is eligible to study in Canada without a Study permit?

To be eligible to study in Canada without a study permit, a work permit holder must hold the following:

• A valid work permit applied on or before June 7, 2023.
• Applied to renew the work permit on or before June 7, 2023, and received a work authorization

*Note: Foreign nationals who applied for work permits after June 7, 2023, are not eligible under this policy.

If an applicant holds both a valid study permit and a valid co-op work permit that meets the conditions above. In that case, they may be eligible to enroll in an additional study program under this policy if:

• Follow the conditions of the current study permit
• Continue their studies in the main study program
• The current study program enrolment should not exceed the length of your current co-op work permit

Length of time Canadian work permit holders can study in Canada

An applicant who is eligible under the study permit exemption under the temporary public policy can study in Canada without a study permit until:

• The current work permit expires
• Work permit renewal application expires or is refused
• Expiry of temporary policy (June 27, 2026)

Ways an applicant can prove the study permit exempt while applying

As a work permit holder or work permit extension applicant, an applicant can provide the following documents to the respective DLI schools to prove that the applicant has a study permit exemption:

• Valid and current work permit
• Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) received after applying for a work permit extension application
• Work authorization letter sent after applying for a work permit
• IRCC email saying that they qualified under the public policy

*Want to know more about Canada study permit-exempt? Sign up with Y-Axis for complete guidance.

Benefits of continuing studying in Canada

 A newcomer in Canada continuing their education can yield multiple economic and immigration benefits. Below mentioned are some of the benefits of studying in Canada:

• Newcomers who graduated from Canadian education institutions earned 27% more PR than those who studied abroad
• Newcomers with at least one year of pre-landing work experience still earned between 9-12% of more pre-landing work experience
• Studying in Canada can increase eligibility for a Canada PR

Newcomers studying in Canada can apply for a Canada PR via different programs such as Express Entry, which uses the CRS calculator for candidates based on different factors, including education. Here is the mentioned table that shows the minimum points granted by the applicant who is studying in Canada based on various factors:

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance to migrate to Canada? Talk to Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Australia.

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