Tourist Visa to Canada

Canada has much to offer visitors. It borders on three oceans, has towering mountains, countless lakes and a friendly cosmopolitan culture. Under the Tourist Visitor visa, foreigners can apply to come and visit Canada for a short duration of time. This visa allows applicants to apply to come and visit Canada along with their dependent children. Applicants must intend to come to Canada to visit and refrain from engaging in work or study and respect the terms of their entry to Canada. Join more than 5 million people who visit Canada each year and explore the many touristic opportunities this great country has to offer.

Although this visa does not entitle applicants to work in Canada, it does offer them the chance to experience Canada's diverse geographic and cultural landscape for themselves.

Tourist Visa Entitlements

As a visitor, tourists are free to travel anywhere throughout Canada and visit family, friends and experience Canada's many attractions. They may also register for short courses relating to courses of areas of general interest, self-improvement or to register to learn English or French. During their stay, visitors can meet with prospective employers or recruiters and seek out exciting employment opportunities, explore world-class schools and educational institutions to pursue further studies, and investigate options for extending their stay in Canada.

Visitors can also take advantage of the many world-renowned festivals, cultural and artistic events which take place throughout the year, as well as explore the majestic landscapes and many natural wonders which find a home in Canada, making it truly unique.



Provincial Nominee Program Working Well


Calgary, January 26, 2012 — The majority of immigrants selected by provinces and territories under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are succeeding in Canada, according to a newly released study by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
The PNP is the second largest economic immigration program after the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). The program allows participating provinces and territories to nominate potential immigrants who they believe will meet their particular economic and labour market needs. The PNP has grown almost sixfold since 2004 and currently accounts for over 36,000 new permanent residents per year.
CIC’s evaluation of the PNP focused on the economic outcomes and mobility of provincial nominees (PNs) admitted between 2005 and 2009. Overall, the report has found that the program is working well, although there are differences in economic outcomes by province or territory and by PNP stream. The scope of the study was limited to assessing the PNP from a national perspective. Provinces and territories are expected to conduct regular evaluations of their own PNPs.
“Clearly, provincial nominees have strong economic outcomes and are making a positive contribution to Canada,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. According to the report, more than 90 percent of PNs declared employment earnings after one year in Canada. After three years, their average income ranged between $35,200 and $45,100. Although results varied by stream and location, about 70 percent of the PNs surveyed held a job in line with their skills.
CIC’s study confirmed that the PNP is effective in helping to spread the benefits of immigration across the country. Today, 26 percent of all economic immigrants are destined for provinces other than Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec, compared to 11 percent in 1997. However, retention rates of PNs in their province or territory of nomination vary widely, from 23 percent to 95 percent.
The evaluation also pointed to certain areas of the PNP in need of improvement, such as some aspects of program design, delivery and accountability. Currently, each province and territory with a PNP is responsible for the design and program requirements for their nominee categories, which must always respect federal immigration regulations. To ensure better economic outcomes, the report recommends that there be minimum language standards for all PNs and stronger links between PN occupations and specific local labour market needs. It also calls for greater clarity in the roles and responsibilities of the provinces and territories and CIC visa offices abroad in areas such as fraud detection.
In addition, the report recommends that CIC work with the provinces and territories to strengthen the focus on the PNP objective of encouraging the development of official language minority communities. Finally, the evaluation proposes that a common PNP monitoring and reporting framework be established to strengthen overall accountability.
“As I’ve said in the past, we are excited about this program but realize that it needs improvement in key areas,” said Minister Kenney.
In 2012, CIC plans to admit between 42,000 and 45,000 immigrants under the PNP category, including spouses and dependants. This year, the provinces and territories will retain the same overall and individual PNP nomination allotments as in 2011.
CIC completed a similar evaluation of the FSWP in 2010, which found the program to be highly effective. After three years in Canada, the average income of FSWs was slightly below that of their PN counterparts, whereas FSWs with arranged employment offers earned significantly more. As a result of consultations held in the spring of 2011, CIC is making further adjustments to improve the FSWP.
Download our tutorial: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-01-26.asp



Immigration to Canada: Minumum Language Proficiency Standards

Canada's immigration minister is calling for minimum language proficiency standards, which could help minimize immigration fraud cases emerging mainly out of the eastern provinces.

"Some of the people who have lower language proficiency have come in through these investor schemes that we've had to shut down because they were quite dodgy, and some provinces were allowing consultants to run fast and loose and attract people who had a lot of money but no language proficiency," Jason Kenney told reporters Thursday, while providing an update on the federal government's Provincial Nominee Program.

Kenney recommended that the Canadian government work more closely with provinces to step up fraud prevention efforts and eliminate "bottom-feeding, unscrupulous immigration agency consultants," many of whom use fake documents and line up fake jobs to take advantage of the system.

By setting language proficiency standards, the nominees selected are also more likely to better serve themselves, to succeed in their employment and, in turn, benefit provinces and territories economically.

Meanwhile, Kenney also highlighted the successes of the Provincial Nominee Program, which authorizes provinces to nominate individuals for permanent residence who meet specific regional labour market needs, such as engineers or tradespeople.

The Provincial Nominee Program, now the second largest economic immigration program after the Federal Skilled Worker Program, has grown nearly sixfold since 2004 and currently accounts for more than 36,000 new permanent residents per year in Canada.

A recent study, which looked at nominees admitted between 2005 and 2009, revealed that more than 90 per cent declared employment earnings after a year in Canada, and after three years, had an average income that ranged between $35,200 and $45,100. About 70 per cent found a job that matched their skill set.

As well, the program was able to spread nominees outside of the major metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, with 26 per cent of all economic immigrants destined for provinces outside of Ontario, Quebec and B.C. compared with 11 per cent in 1997.

However, provincial retention rates varied significantly across the country, from 23 per cent in the east coast compared with 95 per cent in B.C., Kenney said, adding: "This issue merits further attention."

The report also recommended that the federal government work closer with provinces and territories to get businesses involved in the recruitment of people from overseas and to have jobs lined up for people when they arrive.

Alberta Human Services Minister Dave Hancock said the province doesn't have set language proficiency standards in its program, but he's confident most if not all nominees in Alberta have the necessary language skills to work here.

He added Alberta doesn't really have a problem with fraud cases within the nominee program here.

However, he said his main concern with the program is that Alberta's allotment has been capped at 5,000 for the last few years, which will remain the same this year. But he estimates Alberta needs up to 10,000 positions to deal with the province's labour crunch.

"We're going to have a skills shortage and this is one of the best programs from an immigration perspective to ensure we have a targeted way of bringing people needed in Alberta for the economic growth that's happened," he said, adding the province is facing a shortage of 114,000 skilled workers over the next 10 years.

Hancock said his department has been discussing with the federal government to have the cap lifted. But at the very least, he'd like to see the allotment raised to a minimum of 6,000.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada plans to admit 42,000 to 45,000 immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program, including spouses and dependents, and has given provinces and territories the same overall nomination allotments from 2011.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Immigration+minister+says+immigrant+language+proficiency+must+requirement/6058296/story.html#ixzz1kfVw8l5o

Entering Canada with a Criminal Record: A Canadian Immigration Lawyer’s role

A person seeking temporary or permanent residence in Canada is screened for their criminal admissibility.  This screening consists of asking questions of a person, and in many cases, asking for police records for that person.  If a police record reveals some causes for concern, then a person may be inadmissible to Canada.

However, a temporary resident permit is one remedy that may allow a person to enter Canada despite the criminal record.  Factors that are looked at include how serious the offence was, the likelihood of committing further offences, whether drugs like alcohol were involved, the number of offences committed, whether all parts of the criminal sentence were completed, and how much time has gone by since the crime was committed.

An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer knows what the above criteria mean in an individual’s case for seeking entry to Canada.  This is ascertained through a review of the criminal records of a person, and discussing them with the person seeking entry to Canada.

Other elements of getting into Canada despite a criminal record involve trying to come up with an ideal list of documents that fit into the above criteria.  This may include things such as employer records, and letters of reference in favour of the person seeking entry to Canada.

Offences that can lead to admissibility problems aren’t confined to those that are equivalent to Canada’s Criminal Code.  Rather, an offence that if committed outside of Canada that is equivalent to an Act of Parliament, can make someone inadmissible.  I once dealt with a client who committed the offence of selling illegal fireworks in an EU country.  This is not an offence under Canada’s Criminal Code.  However, it was an offence under Canada’s Explosives Act.  Based on the sentence imposed in the Canada Explosive’s Fact, the person needed a temporary resident permit to enter Canada.

The processing time for such a permit is connected to the type of entry being sought.  Thus, a person seeking a temporary visa would be subject to the relatively short waiting times associated with the processing of a visitor visa.  By contrast, a person seeking entry on a permanent basis would be subject to the longer wait times as described by Canada’s immigration department.

Failing to know that an offence is indictable if done in Canada is no excuse.  I have come across persons who failed to show offences that they were charged for, or convicted of.  Once discovered, a finding of misrepresentation is made by a Canadian immigration officer, and the result is an inability to enter Canada for two years unless another remedy is sought.

A new tip line to report citizenship fraud

 

A new tip line to report citizenship fraud has been added to the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) call centre.
“Canadian citizenship is not for sale. I encourage anyone who has information regarding citizenship fraud to call our tip line,” said Minister Kenney making the announcement recently. “My department will ensure that all tips are investigated and that appropriate action is taken.”

Cases involving false representation, fraud or knowingly concealing material circumstances in the citizenship process – for example, pretending to be present in Canada to meet the residence requirements for obtaining citizenship – should be referred to the citizenship fraud tip line at CIC’s Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday). Those overseas can contact the nearest Canadian visa office. Tips may also be reported by e-mail at Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.

All other types of fraud tips related to immigration should be reported to the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Border Watch Tip Line at 1-888-502-9060. The CBSA is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
To date, CIC has identified approximately 2,000 people from over 100 countries who may have obtained Canadian citizenship fraudulently, many by using the services of crooked consultants to misrepresent their residence in Canada. CIC is taking steps to revoke citizenship from those who obtained it fraudulently, where allowed by the evidence.

Need help in settling in Canada? Approach churches, they are extending helping hand

How churches have come to be a boon to immigrants- Read on

It was in 2006, when the members of Christ Presbyterian Church celebrated Advent with a multicultural theme. The congregants present in the Advent belonged to different communities and sang carols in Tagalog, English, Twi and Spanish. The food also reflected multiculturalism as pita bread was served during one week of the communion. While this kind of diversity and multiculturalism is still rare in churches in Canada, studies show that immigrants are becoming the emerging faces of churches in Canada.

The National Congregations Study reported an increase in the ethnic diversity of the congregations as one of its findings. The number of non-immigrant churches has fallen down from a 61% in 1998 to a 49 % in 2006-2007. This change truly depicts the continuing increase of immigration in the United States.

Many church leaders are welcoming new immigrants into the church and cording to them all it takes is the right intention. This, however, can be challenging at times especially for mainline Protestant churches. The Catholic Church, however, has left no stone unturned to welcome new comers. To make immigrants feel at home, many churches have been organizing masses in several different languages including Spanish and Twi. The churches want to reach out to different communities, which mean they will have to reflect their communities.

Here are a few things that churches across Canada are attempting in order to make the immigrants feel welcomed in the congregations:
1. Story Telling Sessions: Story telling is viewed as a sacred act by man church leaders. Story telling sessions are organized by the Reconciliation UMC. In these sessions the members share one trait each that makes them as well as their culture unique.
2. Relationship-Building: This happens to be the most important step. Churches cannot force anyone to build relations but can encourage them to do so by creating opportunities where they can meet and share.
3. Common-Lunch: This helps people in opening up over the lunch table. It is believed that food is the most basic thing that helps people relate and connect and food is a common link that connects all cultures.
4. Complaints Sessions: The leaders of the church organize complaints sessions. In these sessions the people sit together, discuss their complaints and this helps in solving the issues in a more peaceful manner.

Those involved in this cause feel that sharing stories, food and leadership can help the immigrants feel like a part of the rest of Canada and United States and also a part of the kingdom of God.

Immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives: Tips on choosing one

NEW: Bill C-35 comes into force and new regulator announced
As of June 30, 2011, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is the regulator of immigration consultants. Immigration consultants in good standing with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC) on June 30, 2011, can begin to register with the ICCRC. Find out more...

It is your decision whether or not to use an immigration consultant, lawyer, Québec notary or paralegal regulated by a law society. No immigration representative has special access to our programs and services and no one can guarantee you a visa.

All the forms and guides you need to apply for any type of visa are available for free on this website.

Choosing an immigration consultant:

·        Ask for recommendations from people you trust. Talk to several potential advisers before choosing one.

·        Ask about their training and experience:

o   find out if they are authorized

o   ask for references

o   find out how long they have been in business.

·        Discuss what services they will provide and the fee. Get this information in writing.

·        Ask questions. You should be wary of a consultant who refuses to answer your questions.

·        Be careful of anything that sounds too good to be true.

If you are choosing an immigration consultant in Canada, you can also contact the Better Business Bureau before making your choice. They can tell you if any complaints have been raised against immigration consultants, lawyers, and other representatives that operate in Canada.

Once you have chosen an immigration consultant:

·        Make sure you get a written contract—read it carefully before you sign it. Make sure that all the promised services are listed and the fee is clearly set out.

·        Do not leave original documents or photos with the consultant.

·        Do not sign blank application forms. If the consultant has forms or documents for you to sign, do not sign them unless you are able to read them. If you don’t understand them, bring someone with you to translate. Make sure to get copies of any documents that are prepared for you.

·        Any time you make a payment, get a signed receipt.

·        Make sure your consultant updates you on your application on a regular basis.

·        If you change your mind about your immigration consultant, you do not have to continue with them. You can change your representative at any time or deal directly with the visa office or the in-Canada immigration office yourself. If you change your representative, you must notify CIC.

·        You must provide your representative’s name and contact information on your application form whether they are paid or not. If your immigration consultant says that this is not necessary, this is false. You should verify the accuracy of your representative’s advice.

·        If you appoint a representative who is not a member of one of the designated bodies, your application will be returned.

Note: The Government of Canada will never ask you to deposit money into a personal bank account or to transfer money through a specific private money transfer company.

Remember—you are responsible for all the information in your application. It is against the law to give false or misleading information to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

·        If the information on your application is false or misleading, this is against the law and you may be refused entry to Canada or be deported from Canada after you arrive.

·        Immigration consultants who tell you to provide false or misleading information are also breaking the law.

Processing fees are the same at all Canadian visa offices around the world. Fees are in Canadian currency. Check the website for the visa office you are dealing with to get details on the form of payment.

If you are in Canada, you can also contact the call centre at 1‑888‑242‑2100 for guidelines on how to apply. To protect your privacy, you must provide written consent to CIC before any personal information may be shared with your consultant.

The New Way to Immigrate to Canada! 

Do it yourself for free!  

iCanadaImmigration’s Do-It-Yourself Canadian Immigration tutorials you will find out that it is the easiest, fastest, and cheapest way to obtain your Canadian Immigration Visa. Why pay thousands and thousands of dollars to the Immigration Lawyers and Immigration Consultants, when you can do it by yourself for FREE!

Our Do-It-Yourself tutorials will enable an individual to use the easy step-by-step instructions and original application forms to prepare and file one's own immigration case. Each package includes the required immigration forms, instructions, eligibility requirements, procedures, and guide.

The entire process of obtaining the Permanent Residence Status in Canada is very simple and straightforward. The strategy is to get on the right track from the beginning. (To get the right information, instructions, examples and application forms.) 

The advantage you have by processing your application by yourself, besides saving thousands of dollars is that, you have a full control over your file at first hand and faster processing results.

By obtaining a package you will have the necessary information required to prepare, complete, and submit your applications to the Canadian immigration authorities. We have thousands and thousands of satisfied customers from all over the world that have used our Do-It-Yourself packages and obtained their Permanent Residence in Canada.

You have a choice. You can hire an Immigration Lawyer and pay between $2500-$10,000 or you can order our Do-It-Yourself tutorials that will provide you everything you need for FREE.

Our Do-It-Yourself Kits are WORLD CLASS complete package available IN THE WORLD! They are updated on a daily basis by our editorial staff with the latest information on the changes of the Canadian Immigration Law. Our easy to follow kits are assembled by professional and experienced immigration consultants and immigration specialists.

Try them now by visiting our website at http://www.icanadaimmigration.com/tutorial-list



 

New Years Canadian Immigration Lawyer Top 10 Tips for Immigration Applications

Below are what I think are THE Immigration Lawyer Top 10 tips for people interested in immigration to Canada. Now our “top 10″ isn’t going to be what you think. I am not going to waste your time feeding you a list of application forms, Embassy addresses, or websites to visit. No, these tips will be more practical (I hope) than that. So here it goes.

Immigration Tip #1: Figure out what immigration category you fall under.

If you want to immigrate to Canada, you better know where you stand before getting on board the train. Are you a member of the Family Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Category, or a Business Immigrant? Knowing who you are as a potential immigrant to Canada will provide the proper road map for where you are going and how to get there. Choose the wrong category and end up in legal-limbo.

 Immigration Tip #2: Figure out if you qualify

Ok now that you have done your homework and figured out what immigration category best suits you, you now have to figure out whether you in fact “make the grade”. That is, do you qualify for your immigration category? Finding this out isn’t that easy. There are now online tools that you can use to get an idea of your eligibility for immigration to Canada but that is only the first step. You can consult a lawyer or immigration consultant to perform an immigration assessment as to whether you qualify. However you better make sure you find a good one. One of the biggest mistakes people make is choosing a lawyer who really doesn’t do a proper job at assessing your case.
But on the other hand, there is no substitute for a good immigration lawyer who is able to give you a clear idea of whether it is worth submitting the application. - Check out a quick link to assess if you qualify -
So Assuming you do qualify, then the next step in your journey is:

Immigration Tip #3: Determining what is involved in the immigration process

So congratulations. You qualify. Great news. Well, maybe. It is one thing to know that you can apply for immigration to Canada; it’s an entirely another thing to know how to apply. Knowing how to fill out the forms, where to file, what information is required, how to reach the government if something goes wrong, whether you will have an interview or not, what fees to pay etc., is what the immigration process is all about it and it ain’t always pretty!
Sorry to rain on your parade but that is the reality. Most applicants fail not because they don’t qualify but they just get it wrong in the “how to” part, that is, during the actual immigration process. So knowing how to apply is as much or more important than knowing if you can apply. - check out our free tutorials providing you with step by step instructions -

Immigration Tip #4: How to get Help with your Canadian Immigration Application

This is a biggie. I have alluded to it time and time again. First of all, get help. DONT go it alone. Would you buy a house without hiring a lawyer? No. I didn’t think so. Well, moving to another country is as life-changing if not more so.  Get professional assistance for your immigration application. I say this despite what they tell you on the government websites about not needing a lawyer to do you paperwork. If you follow the guide, they say, you can “do it yourself”. If it were only that easy. If about half of our cases didn’t come from failed, albeit well-meaning, attempts to go it alone.

Immigration Tip #5: Keep yourself informed.

While it is true that you should seek professional help with your immigration application, it is equally true that you should not be passive. You should ask questions, make sure you understand what you are in for, when certain events in the application process will take place etc. Being well informed will keep your lawyer on his or her toes.

Immigration Tip #6: Be Patient

Immigration cases take a long time generally. No lawyer nor immigration consultant can wave a magic wand and make your case go faster. If they tell you this, that is a red flag and seek help elsewhere. We can certainly reduce errors and make sure your application is processed properly which will save time. However, once your file is in the system, it is a waiting game and sometimes it’s a long one

Immigration Tip #7: Report any Changes to your lawyer

Since the immigration process does take time, it is important that you keep your lawyer up to date on any changes in your life that may impact on the outcome of your case. Changes include marriage, kids, divorce, change of employment etc. Life happens and does not stand still once your application is filed.

Immigration Tip #8: Be realistic

While you may have a good case and a good lawyer, there are no guarantees…ever. The reality is that your application, however well prepared, can get refused. If this happens, you still have options such as appealing the decision.  Like in life, when it comes to immigration, you hope for the best but prepare for the worst

Immigration Tip #9: Learn about your new home before you arrive

This seems obvious but you would be surprised how many clients tell me that once they land in Canada, they have no idea where to go for housing, banking, food, schools etc. Do not be left holding your new immigrant visa with no place to go. Do your home work well in advance before you come. This way you will be prepared to handle the transition of moving to Canada.

Immigration Tip #10: Expect the Unexpected

Get excited about the choice you made in relocating to Canada. Just know that whatever the plan, it will have to change somewhat in terms of the immigration process and settlement. There just are too many variables involved that are out of all our control to perfectly plan out what will happen when. The best advice I can give is to be flexible and adapt to whatever comes your way. Whether your lawyer tells you new forms are needed, new documents are required, there has been a delay at the Embassy etc., just try to roll with it the best you can. This approach will save you a lot of stress and even money in the end.

Is it easy to immigrate to Canada?

Is it easy to immigrate to Canada?

Yes, it is very easy to immigrate to Canada. If you qualify under any category of Canadian immigration then it’s quite easy, particularly comparing to immigrate to other developed countries. Canadian immigration authorities made a point-based system where every applicant can be evaluated through his age, qualification, work experience (In 38 defined professions) , language skills and some other parameters defined by CIC.

Canada is waiting for skilled people and entrepreneurs. So don’t delay!

 

Visit our site to get started with your FREE & SIMPLE immigration tutorial!

 

How to get a Canada Visa

People from all countries world of South Asia and Middle East, for instance, India, Pakistan, Dubai, Singapore, Philippines are wondering to find the information about how to obtain a Canada Visa. They often fail to find any appropriate information about Canada Visa on Internet. This blog is specially designed to give all relevant information about Canada Visa.

The government of Canada has embassies or Canada Visa Offices in nearly each country of the world. These offices give visas to different categories of visa seekers. Visas are required by visitors for visit, study, immigrating or permanent settlement (wrongly said Green Card of Canada) of Canada in various capacities.

Depending upon the circumstances at the time of application for visas, the processing time for application for temporary visit or student may require minimum 6 weeks. In case of permanent residence visas, it may take from 12 to 60 months to finalize, but the Canadian is now taking steps to reduce this long time for immigration. Those who submit an application for permanent residence visas can also take with them their spouses and unmarried children below the age of 22 years. In rare cases the children over the age of 22 years may also be considered.

Persons who want to submit an application for Canada visas have to pay a certain sum of non-refundable visa fee. If you are applying as a skilled worker for permanent residence, you should pay 550 CAD (Canadian Dollars) for yourself plus extra 550 CAD for your spouse. An extra fee of $75 is also paid for every family member under the age of 22 years. In addition, a Right of Permanent Residence Fee of $975 CAD has to be paid before the issuance of visa.

You should appear for an interview together with your spouse, at the immigration office. In some positive circumstances, the interview provision for you and your spouse can be waived off. The reason of holding an interview is to determine the exactness of the information you mentioned in your application form, to make clear the facts concerning your background, and to make sure that you own the enough funds to settle in Canada. You must bring all original documentation to the interview supporting the application; any official documents of non-criminal conviction and all proofs of settlement funds.

Fast-track your Canada Immigration Visa Application

How you can Obtain a Canada Immigration Visa Sooner with a Canadian Job Offer through either a Work permit, Arranged Employment or Provincial Nomination.

 

A genuine job offer from a Canadian employer is one way to speed-up your entry to Canada. You can shave years off your permanent resident application processing time by finding employment in Canada.

The starting point is a Canadian job offer. Once you have a job offer, you can consider the following options:

1. Work Permit (try our online tutorial)

Work permits are issued only for employment that is temporary. In some circumstances, work permits can be extended from inside Canada.

Advantage

• The fastest way to come to Canada is on a temporary work permit. Usually you can be in Canada within weeks after you apply, if not sooner.

Disadvantage

• Before offering you a job, your potential Canadian employer may have to demonstrate that efforts were made to hire Canadian residents for your intended position, but that those efforts were unsuccessful.

2.  Arranged Employment
Arranged Employment is based on a permanent Canadian job offer of indeterminate length. You do not begin to work in Canada until you receive your Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa.
Advantages

• Your potential Canadian employer does not have to demonstrate that Canadian residents could not be found for your intended position.
• Priority processing at all Canadian Immigration Visa Offices (except Buffalo) of your application for Permanent Residence in Canada. You will usually receive your visa in less than one year.
• You will receive up to 15 points under the Federal Skilled Worker category of Canada immigration.

Disadvantage

• None, really. It just won’t get you to Canada as quickly as a work permit.

3. Provincial Nomination (try on our online tutorial)

Provincial Nomination contains eleme nts similar to Arranged Employment and to Work Permits. Most Canadian provinces and one territory offer nomination programs that lead to a Canada Immigration Visa. Most often, it involves a permanent job offer of indeterminate length from an employer in a particular province.

Advantages

• Once you have been nominated by a province you can usually immediately receive a work permit to come to Canada and begin work, even before your Canada Immigration Visa is issued.
• Your application for Permanent Residence in Canada will receive priority processing and you will usually receive your visa in less than one year.
• You may qualify for Provincial Nomination even in some occupations that are not considered “high-skilled”

Disadvantages

• Before offering you the position, your potential provincial employer will usually have to demonstrate that efforts were made to hire Canadian residents, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
• It will not get you to Canada as quickly as a work permit, but it’s still relatively fast.

Any way you look at it, a Canadian job offer will speed-up your arrival in Canada.

Visiting Canada through the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa

Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents have a new option for visiting Canada. You (or your parents) may be eligible to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa and enjoy visiting your family in Canada for up to two years without the need to renew your status.
With the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, eligible parents and grandparents will pay fewer fees (compared to the regular visitor visa) and have some certainty that they will be able to enjoy the company of their families in Canada for a longer period of time. CIC is usually able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application.

REQUIREMENTS:

To apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, you must:

• be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada;
• be found admissible to Canada; and
• meet certain other conditions.

Visa officers consider several factors before deciding if the person is admissible. This means they are a genuine visitor to Canada who will leave by choice at the end of their visit. Among the things that could be considered are:

• the person's ties to the home country,
• the purpose of the visit,
• the person's family and financial situation,
• the overall economic and political stability of the home country, and
• invitations from Canadian hosts.

The parent or grandparent must also:

• provide a written commitment of financial support from their child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold;
• prove that they have bought Canadian medical insurance coverage for at least one year; and
• complete an Immigration Medical Examination.

The Super Visa is a multi-entry visa that will provide multiple entries for a period up to ten years. The Super Visa is also available as a single-entry visa, if that is the applicant's preference.
If you wish to apply for the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa to Canada, visit the how toapply section of the CIC website.

Looking for Work in Canada?

Canadian employers are actively seeking foreign skilled workers to alleviate labour shortages across industries from coast to coast.

Finding work in Canada can be one of the fastest ways to begin your life in Canada.

Your Work in Canada Options
It all starts with a job offer from a Canadian employer. - try our iCanadaimmigration tutorials to get started by clicking on the links.

• With a full-time permanent job offer, you may qualify for Arranged Employment under the Federal Skilled Worker program or for a Skilled Worker category of one of the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP).  Both of these options will entitle you to fast-track Canadian Immigration (Permanent Residency).
• If you have an offer of temporary employment, you may be entitled to a Canada Temporary Work Permit.  With a Work Permit, you could be in Canada in a matter of weeks to months.  Many foreign skilled workers who come to Canada on Work Permits can eventually qualify for fast-track Canadian Immigration (Permanent Residency) through one of the Provincial Nomination Programs, the Canadian Experience Class, or Arranged Employment.

There is still time to submit your 2012 Skilled Worker Applications!

2012 Skilled Worker Applications being accepted

Shortly into the new year we posted that approximately 6,000 2012 Skilled Worker Applications had

already been received.

As of January 9th, 2012, there are still many spaces available for certain applications while the caps in other applications have been reached. The only Skilled Worker applicants who do not need to worry about caps are those who already have a legitimate job offer in place.

See our free tutorial for the 2012 Skilled Worker Applications to see which occupations qualify and how many applications have been accepted already.

Submit your 2012 Skilled Worker Applications now

If you are eligible to apply as a Skilled Worker, do so as soon as possible. Otherwise, your specified occupation may fill up and you could have to wait until next year.

Canada Skilled Worker Program - Immigration Visas

Skilled workers in Canada are immigrants who practice occupations in high demand. These immigrants are selected by immigration officials as potential permanent residents and citizens. The skilled worker program is designed to ensure Canada maintains a highly skilled workforce that contributes to Canada’s economy.

Eligibility Requirements:

To immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker you need to meet both basic and advanced criteria. These criteria are selected by Citizenship and Immigration Canada as predictors of your ability to establish yourself economically in Canada.

The basic criteria are:

• Proficiency in English or French,
• Need work experience in a high demand occupation or a job offer of arranged employment,
• Your work experience must be the equivalent of 1950 hours without interruption (regular part-time or regular full-time),
• Work experience must be either Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B as per the Canadian National Occupational Classification list (these job types include professional, management, technical, and skilled trade occupations), and
• Within the last 10 years.

The points system assesses you on the advanced criteria:

• Age,
• Ability to adapt in Canada,
• Work experience,
• Language skills,
• Education, and
• Arranged employment in Canada (if applicable).

Also, you need to prove you have enough money to settle in Canada (including funds for dependents).

Do you Qualify?

If you meet the basic criteria, you will be assessed according to the following selection factors. Most applicants need a minimum of 67 points in order to be eligible for a skilled worker visa.

Selection Factor:	Points Available
Education	25 points
Proficiency in English and/or French	24 points
Experience	21 points
Age	10 points
Arranged Employment in Canada	10 points
Adaptability	10 points
Total	100 points
Pass mark	67 points

Contact us for an assessment and start your application! Even if you do not qualify for the skilled worker category, we are able to provide alternative options for immigrating to Canada.

Skilled Worker Immigration Without Job Offer:

The Canadian Government places annual restrictions (caps) on how many foreigners may enter into Canada as skilled workers without a job offer. Currently there is a 10,000 application cap for all eligible occupations for the period July 1st, 2011 to June 30, 2012. There is also a cap of 500 applications per eligible occupation type or NOC code.
The number of allowable applications were effectively cut in half on July 1st, 2011. Between July 1st, 2010 until June 30th, 2011 there was a 20,000 application limit and a 1,000 application limit for each high demand occupation.
The quota highlights the importance of applying early. If your occupation has already reached the cap for this year, please contact us for your other options.
Both limits and eligible occupation categories are periodically revised. Note that the cap restrictions are waived if you have an arranged employment offer.

The Skilled Worker Application Process:

Anyone can apply for the skilled worker visa. Applications are only approved if the applicant meets all the criteria and submits the forms, supporting documents, fees, evidence, and the applications free from errors.
In addition to the above, you need to perform and submit background, criminal & medical checks and language testing results.
Applications can be refused, delayed, or sent back for revisions if submitted incomplete or with errors. Our certified immigration consultants help you complete your application to ensure it is processed in a timely fashion and according to legal application requirements as per the Immigration Refugee and Protection Act.

Processing Times:

The Canadian Skilled Worker application processing times are as follows for applications received between November 28, 2008 and June 25, 2010*:

Region	Wait (in Months)
Africa and the Middle East	9 - 19
Asia and Pacific	9 - 13
Europe	9 - 13
Americas	9 - 17

*Processing time estimates for applications submitted since June 26, 2010 are not yet available.

Processing times are always released significantly later than the current date. It takes a while before Citizenship and Immigration Canada is able to collect enough information to accurately calculate processing times. The figures above will give you the most up-to-date estimate of the length of time you will need to wait.
The application for a skilled worker visa can take a long time. The processing time periods above are for complete applications that are submitted without errors and/or missing documents. Should your application have errors, it would take much longer than the processing times listed above.

Substituted Evaluation

If you do not have the minimum points required, you may still qualify as a federal skilled worker. Sometimes the points system does not accurately reflect the applicant’s ability to economically establish themselves in Canada. Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act accommodates these applications via a substituted evaluation.
In order for Citizenship and Immigration Canada to approve a substituted evaluation, the immigration officer needs to identify and document the reason why the points calculated do not accurately reflect the applicant’s abilities. Our certified immigration consultants can help you argue your case for substituted evaluation.

Skilled Worker Application and Families

Being married or in a conjugal relationship can improve your chances of getting a Skilled Worker Visa. The spouse with the highest chance of approval applies as the principle applicant and the other partner can immigrate as a dependent.
Despite being listed as a dependent, the spouse’s education and experience contributes to the principle applicant’s points. In other words, being married or in a common-law relationship can make it easier for you to immigrate as a skilled worker in Canada.

Arranged Employment Offer

If you have an arranged employment offer you have a better chance of qualifying for the skilled worker visa. The rules for arranged employment offers depend on your current employment status:
A. If you are already working in Canada:

• Your employer needs to offer you a permanent job if the skilled worker application visa is approved,
• Your current work permit needs to be valid when you apply for permanent residency status, and also when the skilled worker visa is issued, and
• You must have a positive labour market opinion (LMO) or your employment needs to be exempt from the arranged employment requirement.

B. If you are not already working in Canada and:

• You do not have a valid work permit, or
• You have a work permit, but you fail to meet the criteria in the section above,

Then you need an arranged employment offer that meets the following criteria:

• Your proposed employer commits to hire & employ you for an undetermined timeframe (no end date to the employment offer),
• Your proposed employer has received a positive Arranged Employment Opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and
• You comply with your occupation’s regulatory and/or licensing standards in Canada.

Your employer is the one who needs to arrange for a positive employment opinion from HRSDC. This cannot be done by you. If your employer needs help our certified immigration consultants will assist the employer directly. We’ll ensure that all the paperwork is filled out correctly and that regulatory requirements are met.

The Highly Skilled Worker Occupation List for Applicants without Arranged Employment

• Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
• Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
• Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
• Biologists and Related Scientists
• Architects
• Specialist Physicians
• General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Radiation Technologists
• Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Chefs
• Cooks
• Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
• Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
• Industrial Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders & Related Machine Operators
• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• Crane Operators
• Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
• Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

Financial Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa

Before your application is approved, immigration officials need to ensure that you have enough money to support yourself upon arrival in Canada. The amount of funds required depends on the amount of dependents that you will bring with you to Canada.
This chart reflects the financial requirements for 2011 only. If you apply after 2011, the funds required may be different.

Family Members & Dependents	Funds Required
1	$11,115
2	$13,837
3	$17,011
4	$20,654
5	$23,425
6	$26,419
7+	$29,414

If you have an arranged employment offer, the minimum financial requirements do not apply!

The difference between the Skilled Worker Program and a Work Permit

Work permits are temporary while Skilled Worker Visas are permanent. With a work permit, you can only work for the employer listed on your work permit, while on a skilled worker visa (permanent resident visa) you can work for whomever you like.
While you need a job offer for a work permit, you can immigrate to Canada without any job offer under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. When your work permit expires, you will either need to leave Canada, extend your visa, or apply under a different immigration category. If you move to Canada as a Skilled Worker, you can apply for your Canadian Citizenship after 3 years!

Alternatives to the Skilled Worker Visa

If you do not qualify for the skilled worker category, there are some alternatives you may want to consider. They are:

• Entrepreneur Class,
• Federal Investor Class,
• Self-employed Class,
• Provincial Nominee Program,
• Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and
• Pilot Project Immigration Classes.

The above options are only a few examples of alternatives. There are many ways to immigrate to Canada. Our certified immigration consultants can help you select the class that maximizes your chances of approval.

What you need to do to apply for the Skilled Worker Visa:

If you hire a certified immigration consultant, all you need to do is follow our simple instructions. We take care of everything (all the paperwork, submission, data collection, etc.) It is the easiest way to immigrate and get a Canadian Visa!

Rules change

The federal skilled worker program rules can change quickly. Submitting an application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada as per out-dated rules can either delay your application or result in refusal. We keep you informed of all changes to the federal skilled worker program. All of our clients are informed as soon as changes are made.

Provincial Nominee Skilled Worker Programs:

Some Provincial Nominee Programs are similar to the federal skilled worker program. Keep in mind they are entirely separate processes with different eligibility criteria. Provincial nominee programs are several of many alternatives to the federal skilled worker program.

Did you know?

The Skilled Worker Program issues more immigration visas than any other class or category.
Quebec has a separate process for its Skilled Worker Program. The eligibility criteria and point system is different - if you plan on immigrating to Quebec, contact us for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Do I need a job offer in order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

No – all you need is enough work experience in a high demand occupation, as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria. If you do not have sufficient experience, you will need an arranged employment offer.

Under what circumstance will a medical examination prevent me from coming into Canada?

Your application will not be considered for approval if your health poses a risk to other people (E.g. if you have a serious contagious illness. The same applies if your health requires a great amount of support from public health and services.

The skilled worker program rules have changed since I submitted my application. Will that affect my chances of immigration to Canada?

As long as your application was submitted according to the rules that existed on the application date, your application will not be affected by the new rules. Your application will be evaluated according to the rules at the time of application, even if those rules do not apply to all applications since the application date.

I heard that having family in Canada increases my chances of a successful application. Is this true?

Yes - you are awarded points for having family in Canada. If your points count is just under the required amount, having family in Canada can make the difference between a positive or negative result.

I don’t have one full year of employment in a high demand occupation. What are my options?

You can still apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, as long as you have an arranged employment offer. If you also do not have an arranged employment offer, you will need to consider other ways of immigrating to Canada. Our staffs can help you.

I only have part-time work experience. Can I still apply under the skilled worker visa program?

Yes, you can. All you need to do is prove that your part-time experience is continuous and that the hours worked are the equivalent of one year of full-time employment or greater.

Start Your Skilled Worker Application Today

Contact us to register for your skilled worker application, or to inquire about our other services. We have Certified Immigration Consultants ready to assist you!