Miranda Rost
Canada announces implementation of Resettlement Operations Centre in Ottawa. The government of Canada said that will combine the functions of the Centralized Processing Office in Winnipeg (CPO-W), Vancouver (CPO-V) and the Matching Centre in Ottawa through the new Resettlement Operations Centre that will be stationed in Ottawa. The CPO-W was first established in 2012 to improve the inventory management involved in processing privately sponsored refugee (PSR) cases. Four years later, a branch in Vancouver was created to enhance existing government services and to accommodate more applications.
Starting April 1, 2017, the ROC at 365 Laurier Avenue, West Ottawa will begin processing all PSR sponsorship applications. Alongside the launch is the disabling of several government email addresses: CPOW-BTCW@cic.gc.ca Matching-Centre@cic.gc.ca IRCC.IR-Pre-NAT-Pre-TPA-RI.IRCC@cic.gc.ca All messages sent through these email addresses should be considered spam and no longer official statements of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Canadian government has updated the language certificate issuance for new immigrants. The government of Canada said that it has ordered the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to implement all the new changes to its policy in issuing certificates for all Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) learners.
Both LINC and CLIC are language training programs funded by the government to accommodate newcomers wanting to improve their English and French language proficiency. All the lessons in the program are based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) (PDF, 4.18 MB) and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC), the country’s standards for gauging and identifying the language proficiency of adult immigrants in both English and French. There are also classes for immigrants with special needs, with classes available both offline and offline as they are for regular language learners. The update is intended exclusively for the government staff and workers behind the language program. Entering Canada for business purposes now harder than ever. Some foreign citizens lament the fact that entering Canada for business purposes has become a bit more difficult despite the country’s continuous efforts in making its immigration policies more accessible. Even immigration lawyers admitted that the cases of entry refusals for individuals seeking business visitor permits have increased in the past few weeks.
Among the many reasons is the declining number of immigration officers working at the Canadian ports of entry. Add to this the predicament in which the line that divides the roles of officers who deal with goods and who administer the inspection and arbitration of people’s documents are now virtually unclear. The increasing difficulty involved in obtaining a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) permit adds to the problem as well. Many applicants attempt to enter the country despite having no valid LMIA from a Canada-based employer, which leads to a refusal of entry.
Human error is a factor, too. Ontario explains Human Capital Priorities Stream application process. Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCPS), along with two other streams, was reopened last February 21. While the International Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate were a huge hit after reaching their respective intake limits a few days after reopening, there have been confusions regarding the new process for applying for the HCPS.
The province of Ontario said that foreign citizens were asking about the registration and application deadline for the HCPS, when in fact, there is none since it is different from Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program’s (OINP) Graduate Streams. The HCPS is Express Entry aligned, which means that an applicant must create an Express Entry profile first to become part of the selection pool. The stream is also passive, meaning that there is no application and registration deadline as candidates need to receive a Notice of Interest (NOI) to become eligible to apply for the stream. Manitoba invites over 300 foreign citizens to apply for immigration. On Thursday, March 16, the province of Manitoba invited a total of 313 foreign nationals to apply for immigration under its very own provincial nomination program.
The number of Letter of Advice (LAA) issued on this day was 3.51 percent lower than that of last February 16 wherein a total of 324 LAAs were awarded to candidates applying under various skilled worker streams. The 63 LAAs issued to candidates applying for a job post under the Skilled Workers Overseas scheme were directly invited through the Strategic Recruitment Initiative Program. All candidates who received an LAA from the government of Manitoba can now submit the additional required documents to the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP). March 16 draw details Skilled Workers in Manitoba - 250 LAAs (684 required minimum score) Skilled Workers Overseas - 63 LAAs (703 required minimum score) February 27 draw details Manitoba said that it plans to hire over 20,000 skilled workers until 2020.
Saskatchewan announces new application fees for various sub-categories. Starting April 21, 2017, a C$300 application fee will be imposed on foreign citizens applying for a visa under the International Skilled Worker: Saskatchewan Express Entry and the International Skilled Worker: Occupation In-Demand sub-categories. These two sub-categories are the most popular streams under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), its provincial immigration scheme. These have already been reopened intermittently since they were first introduced to the public in 2015. There is no job offer required for these categories as these aim to acquire foreign skilled workers applying for a job post that is part of the in-demand occupation list. Presently, these are the jobs on the province’s in-demand occupation list (as of March 23, 2017): All applicants are advised to ensure their eligibility for the category they plan to apply for by reviewing its application process first.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has officially launched. On Monday, March 6, 2017, the federal government and the premiers of the Atlantic region formally announced the launch and implementation of the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP). The partnership that has been in the works since 2015 aims to enhance Atlantic Canada’s economy by supporting innovation and resource-based enterprises and augmenting job-creation and availability. Divided into several phases, the AIPP will commence with attracting up to 2,000 high-skilled workers outside Canada. The first phase will also serve as an experimental stage in which innovative approaches will be utilised and tested to help immigrants extend their stay in the country and eventually become permanent residents. According to a statement released by the Canadian government on March 4, it said that the application process for this year will run from March 6 to December 31, 2017.
New Brunswick- 646Nova Scotia- 792 Newfoundland and Labrador- 442 Prince Edward Island-120 Accessibility. British Columbia Invites over 300 workers in latest provincial nominee draw. The latest draw held by the province of British Columbia on Wednesday, March 8, saw a total of 377 foreign citizens being issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The ITAs issued that day were distributed across various sub-categories of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), the province’s very own ranking system in which candidates receive a score based on the information they provide upon registration.
The two sub-categories aligned with the Express Entry scheme are the BC-Skilled worker and BC-International Graduate. This means that the applicants who obtained an ITA from the government of British Columbia were from the federal government’s pool of candidates. The remaining sub-categories, however, were from the BC PNP pool and scored through the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). March 8 draw details All ITA recipients on March 8 can now submit the necessary documents to advance their application. Nova Scotia breaks immigration records, expects to surpass immigrant intake for 2017. The latest data from the province of Nova Scotia revealed that it had reached a record-breaking number of immigrant arrivals for 2016 at 4,835 newcomers from January to October 2016, an increase of 42 percent from the same period in 2015 at 3,403 migrants. It is also the highest immigrant intake number ever recorded in over ten years, thanks to the Federal Government's decision to welcome more than 30,000 refugees last year.
Approximately 1,500 of these newcomers chose the eastern Atlantic province, in addition to the thousands of skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs who decided to resettle and start a career here through its nomination scheme, the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP), as well as the federal government’s Express Entry scheme. The successful lobbying for an increase in allocation for NSNP in the past few months has played a crucial role in enabling the province to facilitate an enhanced intake. More to come. Canadian government announces Global Skills Strategy’s official launch.
On March 9, 2017, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains and Employment Minister Patty Hajdu announced that the much-awaited Global Skills Strategy would be launched on June 12, 2017. Global Skills Strategy, a program that aims to facilitate faster access to top global talent for companies doing business in Canada, has been in the works since last year. “This initiative will help high-growth Canadian companies attract the specialized global talent they need to innovate and grow by providing a faster and more predictable streamlined service,” the government said in a statement published on its official website.
The program will also identify which industry needs immediate help from the government in terms of identifying specific labour sector areas affected by vacancies and attrition rates. The Global Skills Strategy’s initial goals are the following: “The only competitive edge for countries and businesses is the distinctive talent and creativity of their people. StatsCan: Temporary workers becoming permanent residents is increasing. A study published by StatsCan last Tuesday, February 21, revealed that the number of temporary workers who obtained permanent residency from the government has significantly increased since 1990. “From the late 1990s to the late 2000s, proportionately more temporary foreign workers gained permanent residence, and the transition rate increased in all geographic regions,” said Canada’s official census data provider.
Almost 9 percent of foreign workers on the Temporary Foreign Workers Program (TFWP) visa successfully transitioned to permanent residency within five years upon obtaining their first work permits. Since then, the number has yielded an upward trend. From 2000 to 2004, 13 percent of temporary workers became permanent residents. The number rose a further 21 percent from 2005 to 2009. “[T]he share of the TFWP increased rapidly, from 29 percent in the late 1990s to 41 percent in the late 2000s,” explained StatsCan.
Federal government, Prince Edward Island province invest in education. There's no other more efficient way to build a long-term plans to secure the labour market’s future than investing in education, and this is what the federal government and the province of Prince Edward are exactly doing. Last week, reports revealed that the two governments had decided to collaborate towards harnessing education to prepare Prince Edward Island for an influx of international students in the near future. A total of $4.6 million will be invested in infrastructure at Holland College, Prince Edward’s premier community college, through the Strategic Investment Fund.
The educational institution, famed for its exemplary trades and vocation programs, will soon experience a research and training space upgrade at its Charlottetown Campus. It will house facilities capable of training students and individuals in industry-specific posts, especially those that are highly needed in the province such as marine, aviation, and tourism-related jobs.
Quebec expands LMIA-exempt occupation list. The government of Quebec has recently expanded the list of occupations that no longer need to be advertised before hiring for a position. Currently, 58 occupation titles are on the list, from last update’s 42, all of which are deemed as “high-paying positions” by the Emploi-Québec. There are three occupations on the previous list that have been omitted in the latest update. These are the following: Computer Engineers (except Software Engineers and Designers), National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2147; and Medical Laboratory Technologists and Pathologists' Assistants, NOC 3211 You can view the full list here. According to the local immigration rules, employers hiring temporary workers must advertise a job post on various places—e.g. job search portals, newspapers—before submitting an application for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Speak to one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants to find out more about Canada’s immigration visas.
Ontario's International Masters Graduate Stream closes after reaching intake limit. Just a few days after being reopened, the International Masters Graduate Scheme has already reached its intake limit; forcing the government of Ontario to close it again for the time-being. On February 21, 2017, the province of Ontario reopened three immigration streams under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), its very own provincial nomination scheme.
The other streams were the Express Entry Human Capital Priorities Stream and the International PhD Graduate Stream. According to reports, the newly introduced online filing portal has made it easier for applicants to file their applications. It is indeed faster and more efficient as opposed to traditional method done physically at a Canadian immigration office. The authorities behind the OINP have already alerted stakeholders about the possible reopening date of this stream on May 1, 2017. Talk to one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants for more information about obtaining a work visa. Quebec announces eligibility criteria for permanent residency under the Skilled Worker Program | MigrationExpert Blog. Quebec announces changes to the Skilled Worker Program Last week, the Ministère de l'Immigration, de la Diversité et de l'Inclusion (MIDI) of Quebec announced that the changes in the eligibility criteria for permanent residency under its provincial skilled worker would begin implementation on March 8, 2017.
Like other Canadian provinces, Quebec has its rules for acquiring foreign workers. It means that all applications for work in the province must be sent to the government of Quebec and not to the federal government of Canada. Among the fundamental differences in terms of eligibility requirements in obtaining a Canadian work visa through Quebec is the language proficiency, as the province is predominantly French-speaking. Apply to the government of Quebec for a certificate of selection (Certificat de sélection du Québec [CSQ] ). The changes to permanent residency requirements relate to the following points.
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Income threshold to sponsor a spouse stands but rules need to safeguard children’s welfare | Migration Expert UK Blog. Canada's low fertility rate imposes burden on immigration. BREAKING NEWS: Saskatchewan issues 500 ITAs in 1 day. How to build credit history as a new Immigrant in Canada | MigrationExpert Blog. 8 Steps to Landing a Job in Canada | MigrationExpert Blog. How to write a Résumé for Canadian Employers | MigrationExpert Blog. A Newcomer’s Guide to Opening a Canadian bank account | MigrationExpert Blog. Ontario Announces Updates to its Immigrant Nominee Program | MigrationExpert Blog. BREAKING: Ontario Provincial Nominee Program set to open soon for 2017 with changes.
Canadian Citizenship Applications on a Downward Trend Since Fee Hike. IRCC updates Social Insurance application for international students. New Brunswick to hold month-long information sessions in Manila. Trump’s first month in office: Fulfilling campaign promises and facing national and global oppositions | Migration Expert US Blog. The latest Census results speak a lot about the future of Canada’s aggressive foreign talent acquisition | MigrationExpert Blog. The Most Romantic Destinations to Visit Around Australia | Migration Expert Australia Blog. UK to introduce foreign talent acquisition fee to employers through a new skill charge system.
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Minister Laura Albanese: Immigrants and Refugees are welcome to Ontario. Atlantic Canadian companies to receive aid from the federal government. Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) to face major overhaul. 11 Things You Need to Know Before Moving to the United Kingdom | Migration Expert UK Blog. Everything an immigrant parent should know when enrolling a child in a UK school | Migration Expert UK Blog. 5 Things to Remember Before Applying for a British Citizenship | Migration Expert UK Blog. 5 things to remember when sponsoring a Tier 2 Migrant | Migration Expert UK Blog. Questions you are asking us... Voluntary Work on a Tier 2 Visa | Migration Expert UK Blog. Canadian Express Entry System offers Two New Promising Trends. Ontario Announces New Processing Streams For French-Speaking Skilled Workers. New Brunswick Immigration notifies public on processing delays in its provincial nominee program.
IRCC: Minimum CSR points requirement for Express Entry decreasing steadily. Ontario Announces Year-Long Celebration For 150th Anniversary. 6 Reasons Canada Is A Safe Place to Settle Down | MigrationExpert Blog. Trudeau selects former Somali refugee to head Immigration Department. 6 Reasons Australia is Amongst the World’s Safest Countries.
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Canada Celebrates Winterlude Festival. Canada Celebrates Winterlude Festival. Canadian government reiterates commitment to open its borders to more refugees. December 22 Express Entry draw breaks records. British Columbia invites 276 candidates consisting of workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs. USCIS: H-1B petitions for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 must be submitted before April 7, 2017.
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Work Visa | UK Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa - Migration Expert. Work Visa | UK Tier 2 Minister of Religion Visa - Migration Expert. Tier 2 (ICT) Skills Transfer’s closure paves way to a new employer conundrum. 457 Australia | Candidate Eligibility Assessment. Work Visas & Green Cards | U.S. Visa Services.