Mar 4, 2019 | Caregiver Program, In the News, New Immigration Programs
As of Today, March 4, 2019 the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is accepting applications under the new Interim Caregiver Program. The intake period is open from today until June 4, 2019. In-Home Caregivers who have worked in Canada full-time for at least 12 months, pass the English test requirements and have at least a High School diploma, may apply under the new Interim Program.
Our office specializes in caregiver work permits, employer LMIA applications, and applications for caregivers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. If you are a Caregiver who has completed at least 12 months of full-time paid work experience as a caregiver, even if you did not yet take your English test, or receive your credential evaluation for your education level, We can help you apply today!
We suggest that you call our office today to speak with the immigration consultant and determine if you qualify to apply under the Interim Program. If you wait too long, you may not be eligible in the future, or you may be required to wait longer and then be subjected to meeting some unknown program requirements; which are expected to be published in the coming months.
Call us today for a free consultation on how we can help you apply under the new Interim Program 1 (888) 808-7338
Feb 24, 2019 | Caregiver Program, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency, Working In Canada
On Saturday February 23, 2019, the Trudeau government made a much anticipated announcement regarding the foreign in-home caregiver program. Under these new caregiver programs, caregivers will be allowed to bring their spouses and children with them to Canada. These permanent residence programs will be replacing the program which had a limit of 4 years and is due to expire on November 29, 2019.
The new pilot programs, called Home Child Care Provider and the Home Support Worker programs will be opening later in the year with a total limit of 5,500 applications.
For many caregivers who arrived to work in Canada recently, permanent residence was doubtful as the current caregiver pathways to permanent residence expire on November 29, 2019. Caregivers who were unable to complete 24 months of work experience or did not have a post-secondary education credential were not eligible to apply.
The Trudeau government also announced that for those caregivers who are already in Canada, there is now an Interim Program designed to create a path for them to become permanent residents. The Interim Pathway requires a caregiver to have completed at least 12 months of paid work experience as a caregiver and pass minimum English language requirements.
Caregivers now have 4 ways to qualify and apply for permanent residence
- Interim Pathway for Caregivers
- Must have completed at least 12 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Caregiver for Children Program
- Must have completed at least 24 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Must have an post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year
- Caregiver for People with High Medical Needs
- Must have completed at least 24 months of work experience
- Must pass minimum English requirements
- Must have an post-secondary education credential of at least 1 year
- Live-in Caregiver Program
- You hold a LCP work permit
- Your employer submitted the LMO/LMIA prior to November 30, 2014
- Completed at least 24 months of full time work
Feb 7, 2018 | Caregiver Program, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Work Permits
This has come to us as a surprise. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that they will no longer be accepting applications for the Caring for Children Program or the Caring for People with high Medical Needs Program. While the Canadian government did not formally make this announcement, the notice appears in regular text on the IRCC website. These two programs replaced the previous Live-In Caregiver Program (LICP) on November 29, 2014 and while the programs were a replacement, they were a pilot-project with a lifespan of 5 years, expiring on November 29, 2019.
Caregivers who will not complete 24 months of full-time work experience before November 29, 2019 will not be eligible to apply for permanent residence. As always, the federal government will now review the two programs and determine what they will do – either get rid of them completely, renew them or replace them with a different but similar program. It is very likely that an announcement will be made well before the expiration date of November 29, 2019.
Of course, many caregivers in Canada and abroad are confused, upset and were caught off guard by the news. Fear has spread throughout the caregiver community that this might just very well be the end of the caregiver program. The need for childcare and elderly care in Canada is well-known and there is a shortage in Canada. This unique one-of-a-kind program attracts caregivers from around the world whereby they leave their families and children behind to care for Canadian families. They make this sacrifice because of better employment prospects and wages in Canada.
Despite the uncertainty, it is believed that caregivers will continue to come to Canada in hopes for a chance to become permanent residents.
Caregivers who will complete their 24 months can contact our office for assistance with their application for permanent residence. We encourage those who meet the requirements to retain the services of an immigration representative to ensure their application is submitted properly to avoid disappointments, as this can be one of the only chances to get it right! Call our office at 416-665-3939 or toll-free 1-888-808-7338.
Nov 10, 2017 | In the News, New Laws, Permanent Residency
Good news for families! As of October 24, 2017, the government of Canada has changed the definition of “dependent child” to “under 22 years of age”. Previously, the rules were changed to limit the age to Under 19. This was problematic for many families who had children that were, 19, 20, 21 as those children were not eligible to be included in an application for permanent residence.
As of October 24th, children under the age of 22 may be included in their parents applications, or be sponsored to Canada by Canadian citizen or permanent resident parent. Foreign workers who are planning to come to work in Canada may include their children who are under the age of 22 to accompany them to Canada.
For further information, feel free to call our office to speak with a consultant.
Jul 28, 2017 | Business Immigration, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Investor Immigration, New Immigration Programs, Permanent Residency
The Start-Up Visa Program, which was launched in April 2013, invites immigrant entrepreneurs to bring their business to Canada. The program allows entrepreneurs to obtain permanent residence for themselves and their family. This pilot program was aimed at attracting pioneering foreign entrepreneurs who would contribute to the Canadian economy. After evaluation of the pilot, it has been determined that the Start-Up Visa Program is delivering on its goals to bring innovative companies into Canada, which in turn creates more jobs for middle-class Canadian workers in a range of industries. With the success of the pilot, the government has announced that it will make the Start-Up Visa Program a permanent part of the immigration landscape for 2018.
As of July 15, 117 principal applicants have received permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program. This represents 68 start-ups that were launched in Canada as a result of this program. At present, there are more than 50 Canadian venture capital funds, angel investor groups, and business incubators designated to participate in the program. Entrepreneurs who participated in the program in the first 3 years received over $3.7 million in investment capital from designated entities to help them grow their business in Canada.
Innovative entrepreneurs who wish to apply for permanent residence through the Start-Up Visa Program must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements.
- Prove your business is supported by a designated organization;
- Show your business meets ownership requirements;
- Meet the minimum language requirements (CLB 5 in all areas) in English or French; and
- Show sufficient funds to settle in Canada;
If you have an innovative business idea, you may be able to bring this idea with you to Canada. Take our free online assessment to determine your eligibility or contact us today to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
Jul 26, 2017 | Business Immigration, Canadian Employers, In the News, Processing Times, Temporary Foreign Workers, Work Permits, Working In Canada
The Global Talent Stream allows highly skilled workers in certain occupations to receive a temporary work permit in two weeks or less. This new option was announced just a few weeks ago as a pillar of Canada’s Global Skills Strategy, which aims to help innovative companies grow by ensuring they can quickly access the highly skilled talent they need.
This initiative is equally beneficial for Canadian businesses and foreign workers. With two-week-work permit processing, companies are able to fill open positions quickly by hiring foreign talent just as fast as they might hire local talent. The two-week processing also applies for an open work permit for a spouse and study permit for dependent children of the primary applicant. Thus, individuals and their families are able to fast track the application process and begin working much quicker than ever before.
The Global Talent Stream is just one of many options available for temporary foreign workers. Thus, it gives Canadian employers the opportunity to select which of the many work permit options works best for their company and its workforce.
There are two categories of the Global Talent Stream. Category A is available for booming businesses that have been referred by an Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) Designated Partner. A list of partners was released on June 12, 2017 and can be found below. These businesses are required to commit to creating jobs for Canadians, either directly or indirectly. Employers who seek to hire foreign workers in one of the designated high-skill occupations fall under Category B. These businesses must commit to increasing investments in skills and training for Canadians. Working in collaboration; the government, labour market experts, and key stakeholders have come up with the following list of eligible occupations.
List of Partner Organizations for Category A
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- BC Tech Association
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Communitech Corporation
- Council of Canadian Innovators
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
- Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service
- ICT Manitoba (ICTAM)
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – Accelerated Growth Service
- MaRS Discovery District
- National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
- Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
- Ontario Ministry of Economic Growth and Development
- VENN Innovation
Eligible National Occupation Classification (NOC) Codes for Category B
(This list is subject to change based on labor market demands)
- 0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers
- 2147 Computer Engineers (except software engineers and designers)
- 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
- 2172 Database Analysts and Data Administrators
- 2173 Software Engineers and Designers
- 2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers
- 2175 Web Designers and Developers
- 2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- 2283 Information Systems Testing Technicians
- 5241 Digital Media and Design
Requirements for Businesses and Workers Applying Under Global Talent Stream
Along with the above minimum requirements, businesses wishing to bring in foreign workers under either category of the Global Talent Stream must commit to two additional benefits including, but not limited to, the following: creating jobs, investment in skills and training, transfer of knowledge to Canadians, and improving company performance. Businesses may meet this requirement in any of the following ways: hiring more Canadians, training existing employees in new methods, forming paid internship programs for local students, and increasing revenue and investments. Employers are also required to pay their foreign workers the prevailing wage or higher.
Applicants who are interested in priority processing of their work permit applications must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the Global Talent Stream. Applications must be made online on or after July 12 and must come from outside Canada. Two-week processing does not apply to applications made from within Canada, although these applicants are able to maintain implied status if applying to do the same work under the same conditions as their initial work permit.
Our team of immigration consultants can help you determine your eligibility and prepare your work permit application. To find out if you qualify for expedited processing of your work permit application, contact us to discuss your options.
If you are employer looking to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages, click here to find out more.
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