Apr 12, 2020 | Featured, Help with Inadmissibility, In the News
The Canada travel ban put in place due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) mid March prevents most foreign nationals from traveling to Canada, with limited exceptions. On Friday April 10, the Canada Immigration announced that it will stop processing most non-essential visitor visa applications, and this includes Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) applications. Canada Immigration will continue to process applications for those individuals who are exempt from the travel ban.
Students who submitted or will be submitting their student permit applications for studies beginning in the Fall will have their applications processed. Students who have obtained a study permit prior to March 18, 2020 are permitted to travel while those who will have approvals will not be able to travel to Canada until the travel ban is lifted.
Applications for permanent residence will continue to be processed, but only those who have received their PR visa approval prior to March 18, 2020 may travel to Canada. Those entering Canada must remember to self-isolate for at least 14 days.
Foreign workers, students, and visitor visa applicants who qualify for an exemption under the current travel ban must submit their applications using www.cic.gc.ca online application system. It is suggested to verify whether your application may be processed, or if you meet an exemption to the travel ban.
Mar 25, 2020 | Blog, Featured, In the News, Where to seek help, Why you need an immigration specialist
You may be asking yourself what are the benefits of hiring an immigration authorized representative? Can’t I just prepare my own application? Why should I pay someone else to do it? These are all valid questions and, of course, you are not required to hire an authorized immigration representative. However, the process of preparing and submitting an immigration application can be time consuming and often complex. Making even what may seem as a minor error on an application or failing to submit a required document could result in delays in the processing of your application or even a refusal.
Many of our clients are those who tried to submit their application themselves and either received a refusal, or had their applications returned for different reasons. A refusal doesn’t just mean more time and money, it could also result in subsequent attempts to apply being more complicated and difficult each time.
With over 80 different immigration programs available, finding the right program or path to accomplish or achieve your goal can be complex and applying to a program for which you don’t meet the requirements will only lead to a refusal. Our team of authorized representatives have prepared hundreds of successful applications and assisted countless individuals and families to immigrate to Canada. We are well versed in immigration law, regulations and policies and can help you determine the best program for which to apply. Our authorized representatives will learn about your specific situation, your goals and We will communicate with you to assess your situation, learn about your work and education history and provide you with professional advice and recommendations. Our representatives stay with you every step of the way to ensure a smooth and timely process from that very first consultation until you successfully land and integrate in Canada.
What is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC)?
As of 2004, Canada requires that all consultants complete an accredited program in immigration law and ongoing education to keep consultants informed on any new developments. Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) are legally authorized representatives in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC). Before you hire anyone to work on your application or provide you with immigration related advice, it is very important that you verify that they are members of the ICCRC. Ask your consultant for his/her RCIC number and you can look them up to ensure you’re working with someone who meets the rigorous standards of the ICCRC. You can do this by going to the regulatory website www.iccrc-crcic.ca. You should be aware that there are many people who are not licensed but appear to be. Many scams exist, so be sure that you do not become a victim.
Mar 23, 2020 | Featured, Immigration, In the News, Policies and Problems
The Canadian government has now provided more information on the travel and border restrictions in light of the Coronavirus spread. On March 17, 2020 the Canadian border was closed to non-essential travel with some limited exemptions. To safeguard Canadian businesses and to ensure the proper flow of the supply chain in the country, Canada has made some additional exemptions to the standard immigration rules and regulations. Canada is yet to announce the date on which these specific exemptions take effect. We strongly suggest anyone with questions or concerns to call our offices to speak with our representatives.
WORKERS, STUDENTS & PERMANENT RESIDENTS
- all temporary foreign workers, including caregivers
- international students who hold a valid study permit or had been approved for a study permit when the travel restriction took effect on March 18, 2020. Those approved after this date are not exempt and should not travel to Canada.
- those who applied for permanent residence and who have been approved prior to the travel restrictions announced on March 16, 2020 but who have not yet travelled to Canada.
EXTENSIONS ON SOME WORK PERMITS
Individuals who hold a valid work permit in a low skill position will be able to extend their work permits for an additional (1) year. An application for an extension must be filed using the IRCC online application system.
ONLY 4 CANADIAN AIRPORTS OPEN
On March 18, 2020 the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closure of all Canadian airports with exception to the following four (4). All air travel, with exception to flights originating from the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and St-Pierre and Miquelon will be routed to these airports to help with the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Immigration Canada has cancelled all inland landing interviews and will conduct interviews by phone. You will be contacted by IRCC if you had a scheduled landing interview.
- Biometrics offices are closed and are not providing services at this time. If you received a request to complete the step of biometrics, you will automatically be given 90 days to complete this step.
- Flag-polling is not permitted and is not encouraged.
- IELTS and CELPIP in-Canada testing centres are currently closed until further notice.
Our offices will remain open and we will continue to provide updates as necessary. We hope that you and your family stay safe during this difficult and unprecedented time.
Mar 20, 2020 | Featured, In the News, New Laws, Policies and Problems
The last few days have been a whirlwind and we know many of you are worried about the processing of your applications, reuniting with family, or returning to Canada. We want to assure you that you are not alone. Can-Am Immigration and our staff are here to provide you with the most up-to-date information pertaining to the Coronavirus as it relates to Canada Immigration, applications, and entry into the country.
CANADIAN BORDER CLOSED
As of March 17, 2020, the Canadian border is closed to non-Canadian citizens. Travel to Canada is limited to citizens, permanent residents, immediate family members and essential travel only. On March 18, 2020, the Canadian and United States border was also closed to non-essential travelers. This means that only Canadian citizens or permanent residents can travel from the United States to Canada. Travel for business or trade purposes is still allowed.
AIR TRAVEL LIMITED
To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, airline companies are instructed not to allow anyone to board an aircraft if they are showing any signs of symptoms of COVID-19. Those individuals who believe they may be infected should not travel and should not take their chances to board an aircraft at this time.
ONLY 4 CANADIAN AIRPORTS OPEN
On March 18, 2020 the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the closure of all Canadian airports with exception to the following four (4). All air travel, with exception to flights originating from the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and St-Pierre and Miquelon will be routed to these airports to help with the containment of the COVID-19 virus.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Immigration Canada has cancelled all inland landing interviews and will conduct interviews by phone. You will be contacted by IRCC if you had a scheduled landing interview.
- Biometrics offices are closed and are not providing services at this time. If you received a request to complete the step of biometrics, you will automatically be given 90 days to complete this step.
- Flag-polling is not permitted and is not encouraged.
- IELTS and CELPIP in-Canada testing centres are currently closed until further notice.
Our offices will remain open and we will continue to provide updates as necessary. We hope that you and your family stay safe during this difficult and unprecedented time.
Nov 27, 2019 | Blog, Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Featured, Federal Skilled Trades, In the News, Skilled Workers
Every few weeks, the government of Canada holds an Express Entry draw, inviting thousands of qualified applicants to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR). In the most recent Express Entry draw, held on Wednesday, November 27, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) sent out invitations to 3,600 candidates in the Express Entry pool with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 471 or more. Individuals who have a profile in the Express Entry pool and meet the minimum CRS cut-off score should have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada.
This is the second draw to occur this month, continuing the trend of two draws a month by IRCC. The previous draw, held on November 13th, had a cut-off CRS score of 472, just one point more than the most recent draw. The same number of candidates received ITAs in the last draw as in this recent one, bringing the total number of invitations to 7,200 for the month of November. In total, 78,900 invitations have been sent out so far this year. In 2018, a record-breaking 89,800 candidates received ITAs and with just one more month left in 2019, it is unclear whether that record will stand. It’s still possible for this record to be broken in the final month of the year, depending on the number of draws held and the size of the draws.
Did you receive an ITA?
First of all, we want to congratulate those who received an invitation this week. If you are among the individuals who received an ITA in this week’s draw, now is the time to start preparing your permanent residence application. Keep in mind that you must submit your complete application with all required documents within 60 days of receiving your ITA. Often, these applications can be confusing and even the smallest of errors could result in your application being delayed or even refused. If you have a spouse, common-law partner, and / or dependent children, whether or not they will accompany you to Canada, it is necessary to include these family members in your application. If you wish to bring your spouse, partner, or dependent children with you to Canada, this can make the application process all the more complex. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important that you prepare your application accurately and completely. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. We will guide you throughout the process and be with you every step of the way to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. This assessment will rank you based on various factors – including language, work experience, education, and others – to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements for one of Canada’s economic immigration programs. If you are found to be eligible, you may then proceed with the next step in the application process.
Canada’s Express Entry pool is open to all individuals who meet the minimum requirements of any one of the following economic programs:
In addition to these three programs, certain Provincial Nominee Programs also allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice.
How to get an ITA
Individuals who meet the requirements of one of the above listed economic immigration programs will need to first create an online profile in the Express Entry pool. Once you’ve entered, your profile will remain in the pool for 12 months. If, after that 12-month period, you have still not received an invitation, you may submit your profile to the pool again. IRCC will select the most qualified applicants from the pool to invite so it’s important to make sure you meet the minimum selection criteria. For example, having a job offer is not a requirement to enter the pool but those with job offers will receive more points, making them more likely to be selected and receive an ITA. Other factors that impact your score include age, education level, work experience, and language ability. If you did not receive an ITA this time around, you may want to work on some of these factors. Increasing your language ability will result in a higher score, improving your chances of being invited in the next draw. Applicants who receive a nomination from a province will receive 600 CRS points, all but ensuring that they will receive an ITA in the next round of invitations. In total, there are 1200 CRA points that one can acquire. Our immigration consultants can assess your situation and assist you in determining which areas you may be able to improve in order to earn more points and possibly receive an ITA in a future draw.
Jun 18, 2019 | Caregiver Program, Complete Representation, Featured, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, New Immigration Programs, New Laws, Temporary Foreign Workers, Work Permits, Working In Canada
New Caregiver Programs take effect today. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has made changes to the In-Home Caregiver Program. These changes affect how employers hire caregivers and what is required as part of the approval process for both employers and caregivers. As of June 18, 2019 employers who are hiring caregivers from overseas are no longer required to submit an Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) application for approval. Any LMIA application that was submitted on or before June 17, 2019 will continue to be processed and work permits for those caregivers will still continue to process as well. Caregivers who are currently in Canada on work permits that require extensions or those that are changing employers will require new LMIAs and new work permits.
There are now 2 new caregiver streams to consider when applying to hire a caregiver from overseas. Employers should consider starting early as it is expected to take about 12 months for a caregiver to arrive in Canada on a work permit.
Home Child Care Provider pilot (NOC 4411)
Home Support Worker pilot (NOC 4412)
General Program Requirements for Employers and Caregivers
- Employers will need to complete the job offer form
- Caregivers will need to submit an application for permanent residence along with a work permit application
- Caregivers can also apply for their spouses and children to accompany them to Canada and can obtain open work permits and study permits
- Caregivers must meet the eligibility criteria before applying for permanent residence, if eligible they will receive work permits to come to Canada
- Work permits will be valid for 3 years and will give the caregiver the opportunity to complete 24 months of full-time work as a caregiver
- Processing time can take up to 1 year for work permits to be issued.
- After the caregiver completes 24 months of work he/she will need to submit proof and their PR application will be finalized.
These new applications will require careful preparation by an authorized representative. It is strongly recommended that caregivers hire an authorized representative to ensure that their application will qualify and that they will achieve their goal of work permits and then eventually permanent residency in Canada.
For all inquiries, questions or concerns regarding these changes, please give us a call at +1-416-665-3939 or from inside Canada toll-free 1-888-808-7338.
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