Dec 22, 2016 | In the News
December 22, 2016 – Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited 2,878 candidates to become permanent residents of Canada. The lowest scoring candidate was ranked with a score of 475 on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Therefore, anyone who had submitted their Express Entry profile prior to December 22, 2016 and had a score of 475 or higher would have received an invitation to apply (ITA). On December 16, 2016, IRCC selected 1,936 candidates where the lowest scoring candidate was awarded 497 points. We can see a major decrease in the points threshold required. As IRCC has committed to processing more permanent resident applications in the coming 2017 year, we expect that the score required for an Invitation to Apply will continue to drop.
Express Entry Overview
Launched in January 2015, Express Entry is Canada’s newest application intake system for certain economic immigration programs including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class and a some of the Provincial Nominee programs. Express Entry was designed with three main objectives in mind: 1) flexibility in selection and application management, 2) responsiveness to labour market and regional needs and 3) speed in application processing. Although there have been adjustments to the system during its first year and policy concerns expressed by stakeholders, Express Entry has met its expectations.
Express Entry – How to apply
The first step to determine your legibility for the 3 current economic programs 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. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Dec 14, 2016 | In the News, Work Permits, Working In Canada
On December 13, 2016, the Government of Canada eliminated the “four-in, four-out” rule. In April, 2011, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) implemented a rule that limited some temporary foreign workers to a maximum of four (4) years. Effective immediately, temporary foreign workers are no longer subjected to the four-year cumulative duration. Up until December 13, 2016, some temporary foreign workers were unable to extend their work permits beyond four years, and were required to leave Canada. These workers were required to spend at least four (4) years outside Canada before being eligible to work in Canada.
The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFW) was created to help Canada meet the employment demands and respond to labour shortages. Canadian employers who are unable to fill positions with Canadian citizens or permanent residents may request authorization (Labour Market Impact Assessment) to hire foreign workers.
The changes are welcomed by many, especially those foreign workers in Canada and their employers. This change is based on a report from the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Canada, and the status of Persons with Disabilities.
Active Applications
Foreign workers currently in Canada on a work permit, whether it was issued prior to December 13, 2016 or after this date are no longer limited to 4 years maximum. Those applicants who are within a restoration period may now reapply for a work permit. As always, foreign nationals who wish to apply for a work permit must still satisfy the requirements of Paragraph 183(1)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR).
Applicant in Canada
If an applicant in Canada wishes to remain in Canada on a work permit and the period of time that they have been working in Canada meets or exceeds four (4) years, they may apply to extend their stay in Canada as a Worker, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements.
Dec 14, 2016 | In the News, Parental Sponsorship
Today, December 14, 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the changes to the application process to sponsor parents and grandparents this coming 2017 intake period. The intake period begins on January 3rd, 2017. Canadian sponsors (either Citizens or Permanent Residents) will be required to complete an online application form and submit their information indicating their interest in sponsoring their parent(s) or grandparent(s).
IRCC will make the online form available beginning at 12:00 PM (EST) on January 3rd, 2017 and will close the intake period at 12:00 PM (EST) on February 2nd, 2017, allowing sponsors 30 days to make an expression of interest. Immigration Canada will randomly select 10,000 sponsors and send them invitations to submit a complete application. IRCC recommends that sponsors submit their information once, as duplicate copies will be removed from the system.
How will it work?
Sponsors who have submitted an online application and have been selected (or invited) will have 90 days to submit a complete paper application with all of the necessary and required supporting documents. The paper application kit along with guide is expected to be available on January 9th, 2017. It is important to remember that only those sponsors who have been randomly selected may submit their application packages.
A sponsor will receive notification from IRCC if they have been selected to apply. Those who are not selected for 2017 intake period will have the opportunity to apply once again in 2018.
Why the sudden change in the intake process?
In the past, IRCC would accept first-come, first-serve applications beginning on a specific day and time. IRCC would receive thousands of applications and some of these would be returned to the sponsors if they were incomplete or did not meet the minimum requirements. The submission of so many applications at one time would fill the cap (allowed number of applications) within just a few days. IRCC has made the changes to the way they accept applications to ensure a fair process to all applicants.
“We’re listening to what past applicants had to say and making the process fairer for people who want to sponsor their parents or grandparents. We’re ensuring everyone can access the application process by giving them the same chance to have their name chosen.” – IRCC Minister John McCallum.
Dec 9, 2016 | In the News, Parental Sponsorship
The Parent and Grandparent sponsorship program (PGP) will re-open on January 3rd, 2017. With an intake cap of only 10,000 applications, Immigration Canada is expecting to receive well beyond that number. This means that those who are not ready to submit their applications on January 3rd will most likely have to wait until next year, as the quota is expected to fill within just a few days. Applicants who submit incomplete applications or those applicants that do not meet the minimum requirements will have their application returned, and will only be able to file the following year.
The parent and grandparent sponsorship program is designed to allow eligible sponsors to bring their parents and/or grandparents to become permanent residents of Canada. In the past, there was no maximum number of applications accepted per year, and over the years, an extraordinary backlog was created. This resulted in processing times that exceeded well beyond 5, and even 7 years. The conservative government placed this program on a temporary pause for a couple of years, and re-opened the program in January of 2013. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 only 5,000 applications were accepted. This year, the liberal government doubled the intake cap to 10,000.
As in the last 3 years, the parent and grandparent sponsorship program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis. In the last intake year, more than 14,000 applications were submitted between January 4 and January 7 of this year, of which only 10,000 were processed. While the government expected to retain only 5,000, they accepted double that, and it was far less than the actual demand.
As this year comes to an end, thousands of Canadian citizens and permanent residents prepare to submit their applications. It is highly advisable that Canadian sponsors retain the services of an authorized representative to ensure their application is complete, and will be submitted as soon as the program opens to provide for best chances of having their parent and grandparent sponsorship applications accepted for this intake period. With less than 30 days to submit, it is imperative that sponsors are aware of the requirements.
Dec 9, 2016 | In the News, Processing Times, Spousal Sponsorship
On December 7th, 2016, in Brampton, Ontario, Canada’s immigration Minister, John McCallum announced that the federal government will be reducing the processing times of in-Canada spousal sponsorship applications to approximately 12 months. Up until now, processing times for inland spousal sponsorship applications were averaging 26 months. While the federal government works to reduce these times by half, the ultimate goal is to process these applications in 6 months.
Of course, this is news that is welcomed by thousands of applicants who have already submitted their applications, and those who intend on submitting an applications in the coming months. As the government has a target to welcome 64,000 new permanent residents through the spousal sponsorship program, the reduction of processing times is expected to last.
“We have listened to Canadians and are delivering results. Bringing families together makes for a stronger Canada. Canadians who marry someone from abroad shouldn’t have to wait for years to have them immigrate or be left with uncertainty in terms of their ability to stay. What we’re announcing today is a more efficient, more considerate process to reunite families”, said Minister McCallum.
The federal government will be updating the sponsorship package on December 15th and will have it available on the government of Canada’s website. Spousal sponsorship applications made from inside or outside of Canada are complex applications that require careful preparation.
While forms, checklists, and guides are always available to applicants, it is highly advisable to hire the services of an authorized representative to ensure a well and thoroughly-prepared application is submitted. Immigration Canada will be able to keep up with their expected processing times only when an application is prepared properly. Applications that have missing information, documentation or complex scenarios may experience longer than usual processing times.
Dec 6, 2016 | In the News
Great news for Mexican nationals wanting to visit Canada. As of December 1, 2016, Mexican nationals who wish to travel to Canada are no longer required to obtain a Visa prior to their travels. The Trudeau government seeks to create closer ties to Mexico by lifting the requirement and it is ultimately expected to improve Canada’s overall competitiveness as a tourism destination, and to encourage travel between the two countries.
As Canada and Mexico are each other’s third largest two-way trading partners, the improvement of bilateral relations is expected from the lifting of the visa requirement, and to facilitate increased trade and business opportunities.
Mexican nationals who plan to travel to or transit through Canada must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) prior to boarding their flight. Anyone with a Visa already is not required to obtain an eTA. The cost to apply for an eTA is $7.00 CDN. To apply for an eTA click here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
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