The provincial government has shifted to an “expression of interest” model for processing immigration applications.
The model uses a two-step process for people who apply.
First, applicants will fill out a short form identifying characteristics like their occupation, education, language, and willingness to stay in the province.
Then, those forms will be reviewed and used to select people to move on to the next step, which involves completing a full application to one of the province’s two immigration streams.
The province says the change will ensure immigration spaces are used strategically throughout the year, and help employers better respond to labour market needs.
All applications made prior to the transition will remain active within the government’s system, and those people will be contacted regarding the next steps.
Some people will move directly to the application process, while others will be asked to submit an expression of interest. Those decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The government says because of the changes, it may take up to three months for a decision to be made on an application.
