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June 26, 2010
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced significant changes to the processing of Federal Skilled Worker applications. These changes include:
Temporary foreign worker (TFW) or international student residing in Canada for one year and still in Canada (previously known as Category 3) can no longer apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program unles these individuals have an arranged employment offer pursuant to subsection 82(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations or have at least one year of continuous full time or equivalent paid work experience in the last ten years in at least one of the occupational categories identified in the Ministerial Instructions.
- Publication of 29 in demand occupation list:
* 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
* 0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
* 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
* 1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
* 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
* 2151 Architects
* 3111 Specialist Physicians
* 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
* 3113 Dentists
* 3131 Pharmacists
* 3142 Physiotherapists
* 3152 Registered Nurses
* 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
* 3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
* 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
* 4151 Psychologists
* 4152 Social Workers
* 6241 Chefs
* 6242 Cooks
* 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
* 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
* 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
* 7242 Industrial Electricians
* 7251 Plumbers
* 7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
* 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
* 7371 Crane Operators
* 7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
* 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
Cap (limit) of 20,000 applications per year:
A maximum of 20,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing each year. Also, within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing each year. The first year began on June 26, 2010 and will end on June 30, 2011. Subsequent years will be calculated from July 1st to June 30th.
Exemption to 20,000 limit:
The cap or limit does not apply to those individuals applying under the Federal Skilled Worker program with an Arranged job offer (AEO) pursuant to subsection 82(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
Mandatory language test
Mandatory language tests are required for all skilled worker applications. Previously, applicants had the option of proving their language ability via a written submission. Citizenship and Immigration Canada now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability – no exceptions.
- Canadian Experience Class
Canadian Experience Class applications received by the designated Citizenship and Immigration office on or after June 26, 2010, must be accompanied by the results of the principal applicant’s English or French language proficiency assessment.
- Immigrant Investor Program
The Government of Canada is proposing new eligibility criteria for the Immigrant Investor Program. These proposed regulatory changes would require new investors to have a personal net worth of $1.6 million, up from $800,000, and make an investment of $800,000, up from $400,000.
Administrative Pause - No federal Immigrant Investor application will be accepted unless it is post-marked or received by the designated CIC office before June 26, 2010. This pause will extend until the coming into force of proposed regulatory amendments to the definitions of “Investor” and “Investment” applicable to Business Immigrants in Division 2 of Part 6 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
June 8, 2010
Yesterday, the Minister of Immigration announced the new legislation that will make it a criminal offense for people other than Canadian lawyers and licensed Immigration Consultants to charge a fee for helping prepare an application for permanent or temporary status in Canada. This will apply both to Canadian and foreign based consultants. Prison sentences of up to two years and fines of up to $50,000 are prescribed.
Please note that Canada will take steps to ask Indian and other governments to enforce this new law. The Immigration Department will be expecting most clients to hire licensed consultants. If a case is filed without a consultant and looks like it is prepared by a professional (i.e., clear knowledge of NOC codes etc.) they will write to the applicant and ask and advise them that non-disclosure will lead to a two year ban from Canada.
March 16, 2010
Canadian Federal Skilled Worker immigration program under review
On March 16, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced that the government of Canada is reviewing current immigration procedures to ensure that they continue to meet Canada’s economic needs. The review is likely to result in a change in the Federal Skilled Worker program, namely a change in the 38 occupations that are currently ‘open’ under this program.
Presently, Kenney is consulting with federal and provincial government bodies to determine whether those 38 occupations are still highly in demand and whether new occupations need to be added to the list. “The first set of instructions has had a significant impact, but our research shows it is time to revise them to make sure they continue to meet their goals,” he said.
The consultation period is expected to last until April 16, and any changes to the program will be introduced after that date. While there is no current timetable for that announcement, EOS Immigration will report on any changes to the program as soon as they are revealed.
November 1, 2009
Canadian Government introduces new Citizenship Guide
Earlier this month, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney introduced Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, a new study guide for permanent residents applying for Canadian citizenship. The new guide is intended to give new Canadians a more comprehensive look at Canadian history and values than its predecessor.
Permanent residents who have lived in Canada for at least three years in the past four can apply to become Canadian citizens, which then gives them the right to vote, run for public office and obtain a Canadian passport. As part of the application process, candidates between the ages of 18 and 55 must take a test, and prepare for it using this study guide.
Discover Canada replaces a guide entitled A Look at Canada that had been in place since 1997. The new booklet contains more information about the Canadian military, Canada’s political history, the Confederation and First Nations than the previous one.
Oktober 8, 2009
Work & Travel in Kanada: Zusätzliches Kontingent für das Jahr 2009
Für Kurzentschlossene ist ein "Work & Travel"-Aufenthalt in Kanada noch in diesem Jahr möglich! Die Botschaft von Kanada in Berlin öffnet ein zusätzliches Kontingent für die Programme für Jugendmobilität im Jahr 2009. Deutsche Staatsangehörige im Alter von 18 bis 35 Jahren können sich bis zum 10. November 2009 für eine "Work & Travel"-Arbeitserlaubnis für das Jahr 2009 bewerben. Erfolgreiche Bewerber müssen bis zum 31.12.2009 nach Kanada einreisen und ihren "Work & Travel"-Aufenthalt beginnen. Die "Work & Travel"-Arbeitserlaubnis ist ab der Einreise für 12 Monate gültig und an keinen Arbeitgeber gebunden. In den Programmen "Praktikum" und "Young Workers", die an ein konkretes Arbeitsangebot in Kanada gebunden sind, sind ebenfalls noch Plätze für das Jahr 2009 vorhanden. Auch bei diesen Programmen muss die Einreise vor dem 31.12.2009 erfolgen.
June 9, 2009
Sechs der zehn besten Städte der Welt liegen in Kanada; Vancouver ist weltweit die lebenswerteste Stadt. Einer Studie der britischen Zeitschrift The Economist zufolge, schaffte die kanadische Metropole beim Ranking von 140 Städten 98 von 100 Punkten und belegte damit Platz Eins.
Allein unter den Top Ten befinden sich neben Vancouver noch fünf weitere kanadische Städte, darunter Toronto auf Platz Vier und Calgary auf Platz Sechs.
Die Punkte wurden in 39 Kategorien vergeben, dazu zählen die Gesundheitsversorgung, Kultur, Umwelt und Bildungsangebote. Zwar wurden im öffentlich zugänglichen Teil der Studie keine einzelnen Werte für diese Faktoren genannt, auch die Methoden wurden nicht veröffentlicht. Doch hieß es, die Kriterien seien "objektiv, neutral und unverfälscht".
Als beste deutsche Stadt landete Hamburg auf dem 14 vor Frankfurt auf dem 19. Platz. Die Bundeshauptstadt Berlin konnte Rang 22 erringen. Das Schlusslicht bildete die Zimbabwische Hauptstadt Harare, das nur 37,5 Punkte erzielen konnte. Auch Städte wie Teheran, Karachi und Nairobi gehören zu den Städten mit der geringsten Lebensqualität.
May 7, 2009
Labour mobility across Canada and across the Atlantic
The free flow of skilled workers across provincial and national boundaries has become increasingly relevant in the age of free-trade markets and globalization. To remain economically competitive with an efficient labour market, Canada has been taking steps to improve labour mobility and foreign credential recognition both at home and abroad. Agreements have recently been signed both at the provincial level, and between Canada and the European Union.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Minister Diane Finley has recently signed three new agreements with her counterparts in the European Union to improve labour mobility between Canada and the EU. The goals of these agreements are to facilitate international labour mobility, improve foreign credential recognition, and strengthen the partnership between Canada and the European Union.
April 17, 2009
To keep their Canadian citizenship, some Canadians born abroad must confirm their citizenship before their 28th birthday:
If you were born outside Canada, you were a Canadian citizen when you were born if, at that time, at least one of your parents was Canadian. However, if your Canadian parent was also born outside Canada (which would make you a second generation Canadian born abroad), you have to take steps to retain your citizenship before you turn 28. This rule applies if you were born on or after February 15, 1977, and if your parent born outside of Canada was also born on or after February 15, 1977, or was born before February 15, 1977, but the birth was not registered until after that date.
While this law has been in place since 1977, the first possible date on which such people could lose their citizenship under the current Citizenship Act was on February 15, 2005, that is, 28 years after the act was implemented.
March 29, 2009
Visitors from Croatia will no longer be required to obtain a visa. By law, all visitors to Canada require a temporary resident visa, except citizens of countries where an exemption has been granted.
November 28, 2008
Federal skilled worker applications submitted on or after February 27, 2008, and that meet the following criteria shall be placed into processing immediately upon receipt:
1 - Applications submitted with an offer of arranged employment; or
2 - Applications submitted by foreign nationals who have been residing legally in Canada for at least one year as temporary foreign workers or international students; or
3 - Applications from skilled workers with evidence of experience under one or more of the following National Occupational Classification categories:
* 0111 Financial Managers
* 0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers
* 0311 Managers in Health Care
* 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
* 0632 Accommodation Service Managers
* 0711 Construction Managers
* 1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants
* 2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
* 2143 Mining Engineers
* 2144 Geological Engineers
* 2145 Petroleum Engineers
* 3111 Specialist Physicians
* 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
* 3141 Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
* 3143 Occupational Therapists
* 3142 Physiotherapists
* 3151 Head Nurses and Supervisors
* 3152 Registered Nurses
* 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
* 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
* 4121 University Professors
* 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors
* 6241 Chefs
* 6242 Cooks
* 7213 Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
* 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
* 7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Constr. Equipment Crews
* 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
* 7242 Industrial Electricians
* 7251 Plumbers
* 7252 Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers
* 7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators
* 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
* 7371 Crane Operators
* 7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying & Constr.
* 8221 Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
* 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
* 9212 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Proc. & Utilities
Processing times for the above categories will be between 6 to 12 months.
October 30, 2008
Canada's New Minister of Immigration Announced
Following the recent re-election of the Conservative party as a minority government, Jason Kenney was appointed as the new Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism today. Since January of 2007, Mr. Kenney had filled the role of Minister/Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), prior to which he held positions as Opposition House Leader for several years.
As the new Minister, Mr. Kenney is now responsible for overseeing the federal government department responsible for immigration, refugee and citizenship issues, Citizenship and Immigration Canada. He is also responsible for the Immigration and Refugee Board.
September 5, 2008
The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced today that starting September 17, 2008, certain categories of temporary foreign workers and foreign graduates of Canadian educational institutions can submit applications for permanent residence under the new Canadian Experience Class.
August 12, 2008
The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration announced today the details of the Canadian Experience Class, a proposed new avenue of immigration for certain temporary foreign workers and foreign student graduates with Canadian work experience. Unlike other existing programs, this proposal will allow an applicant's Canadian experience to be considered a key selection factor when immigrating to Canada.
July 17, 2008
Finally Canadian professionals will be able to work freely in any province they choose to live in. So far a nurse from Ontario had to get reaccredited before being able to work in Alberta or BC; a carpenter from Saskatchewan would need to be recertified before being able to work in Nova Scotia.
The premiers of the 10 Canadian provinces and the 3 territories did reach an agreement on the issue. The agreement has three deadlines:
- Amending the internal trade agreement between province and territories by Jan. 1, 2009.
- Having full labour mobility by April 1, 2009.
- Implementing a full agreement to accept credentials from other provinces at the next premiers meeting by Aug. 1, 2009.
According to the federal Department of Human Resources and Social Development website, every year approximately 200,000 Canadians move to a different province or territory and look for work.
July 03, 2008
Beginning July 7th, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will start consultations in relation to the implementation Bill C-50. The new immigration law gives the Minister the authority to issue instructions on which categories of applications are prioritized, returned with a refund or held for future consideration.
The consultations will focus on identifying critical occupational shortages, to develop instructions to immigration officers on which applications are identified for priority processing.
June 27, 2008
The Federal Court of Appeal issued its ruling regarding the Safe Third Country Agreement. As a result, the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States remains in effect. Under this agreement, people making refugee claims are required to seek protection in whichever of the two countries they enter first.
June 24, 2008
the Alberta Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) became the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) introduced a new Family Stream on June 19, 2008. Applications are currently being accepted for this stream.
June 17, 2008
Bill C-50 proposing wide changes to the immigration laws of Canada adopted by the senate.
June 16, 2008
Permanent residents applying to replace a card that is due to expire are no longer required to send in their current valid card with the application, instead, they now only need to exchange their old card when they pick up the new card in person at a local Citizenship and Immigration Canada office.
In addition, applicants for a new or replacement PR card are no longer required to obtain the signature of a guarantor or sign a statutory declaration in lieu of a guarantor.
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