Express Entry supporting the needs of British Columbian employers

05/21/2015

Canada succeeding in bringing international talent here faster

May 19, 2015 —Vancouver— Express Entry is proving to be a success in serving the needs of employers and provinces alike. Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister, Chris Alexander, welcomed new Express Entry permanent residents Mr. Thanikachalam Ananthakrishnan from India, and Ms. Zoe Cremin, from Ireland, to Canada.

Mr. Ananthakrishnan was accepted under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. He is employed as a Front End Engineer at custom menswear company, Indochino, in Vancouver.

Minister Alexander also welcomed Ms. Cremin, the first permanent resident under the Express Entry stream of the Provincial Nominee Program for British Columbia. She works as a software engineer at Sycle.net Technologies Ltd.

British Columbia is the first Canadian province or territory to welcome a provincial nominee as a permanent resident through Express Entry.

Launched in January, Express Entry is a new way of managing applications for Canada’s key economic immigration programs. Candidates create an online profile and express their interest in coming to Canada permanently. Candidates who meet the minimum criteria are accepted into the pool and ranked according to various factors, including language proficiency, education and work experience. Each is a leading indicator of one’s likelihood of integrating fully and quickly into Canadian society and making an optimal contribution to the economy.

Quick facts

• Most complete electronic applications under Express Entry will be processed in six months or less.
• Provinces and Territories can use Express Entry to find and nominate candidates that meet their specific labour market needs. Under the Provincial Nominee Program, provinces and territories have an agreement with the Government of Canada that lets them nominate immigrants who want to settle in their province.
• As of May 10th, British Columbia has nominated the highest number of Provincial Nominee candidates coming through Express Entry.

Quotes

“It is my pleasure to welcome Thanikachalam and Zoe to Canada as permanent residents. Express Entry works to get highly skilled and talented immigrants here faster. Their skills and experience will take them far in their careers and in Canada.”

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

“Not too long ago, highly qualified candidates had to wait at the back of a very long line before being considered for permanent residence. Under Express Entry we can now select the best candidates with skills our labour market needs and they’ll arrive ready to contribute to our economy and communities more quickly.”

Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister

“The Express Entry stream of the PNP program supports BC's economic growth by providing a pathway to permanent residency for high-skilled in demand workers. While our priority is to ensure that British Columbians come first in line for jobs, with one million job openings anticipated as a result of retirements and economic growth, the Express Entry program will be an important way to help meet our workforce needs.”

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour

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