Canada Immigration Consultants - Canada news from migration experts

LATEST IMMIGRATION NEWS - CANADA
(as published in our newsletters in 2007 and 2008)

CANADA – CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM

July 2008 - The Canadian parliament has now passed new legislation to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

The new immigration law gives power to the Minister for Immigration to allow certain categories of applications to be prioritised to ensure that skilled workers arrive sooner.

The Minister will be able to issue instructions to immigration officers on which categories of applications are identified for priority processing, and those which are not a priority.

A consultation process has now been initiated where all Canadian provinces and employers groups will be invited to give their views on the types of skilled workers that should be prioritised to meet with Canada’s skilled labour shortages. This consultation process is likely to take several months.

Immigrants in other categories such as Provincial Nomination and Family sponsorship are not affected by the changes. Furthermore, the Canadian government are still committed to accepting up to 265,000 new permanent residents each year, which is in line with previous years. Canada has an acute shortage of skilled workers in all areas of its economy, so the new system will aim to allow them to secure residence quicker.

The new rules will probably not be published for several months yet until the consultation process is completed. We will keep you informed on the new rules once published and explain how the new system will operate.

For further information on migration to Canada, please call us on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380 or complete an Online Assessment form on our website www.commonwealthimmigration.com.

CANADA – TRUCKDRIVERS NEEDED

June 2008 - We are assisting a Canadian trucking firm based in eastern Canada (Nova Scotia and New Brunswick) to recruit UK and Irish Truckdrivers. If you have a full HGV licence and 5 years experience, then this may be the opportunity for you.

The employer will sponsor applicants for work permits and then for full Canadian residency. If you are interested, then please contact us for more details.

CANADA – PROPOSED NEW LAW

March 2008 - On March 14, 2008, the Canadian introduced legislative amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in an attempt to modernize the immigration system, to ensure that skilled workers arrive sooner.

Although the Act has not yet been passed by Parliament, if it becomes law then it will radically change the way Canada can select immigrants. The proposed measures will allow Immigration to select among the new applications and choose those that best meet Canada’s labour market needs.

Under the current system, applications are processed in chronological order. The new proposals will allow Immigration to process certain application faster (such as those whose occupations are in most demand) and not to process applications from those whose skills are not in current demand. Critics have deemed it a “cherrypicking process”.

The stated aim is to ensure that Canada can continue to attract skilled workers in a timely manner similar to other countries such as the UK and Australia. The long processing time for many applications is seen as a hindrance to the immediate needs of the Canadian economy.

The new rules will not affect any applications submitted before February 27th 2008. We will keep you informed on the new proposals, if passed by Parliament, and explain how the new system will operate.

CANADA – CONJUGAL PARTNER ENTRY

October 2007 - We often are approached by individuals looking to move to Canada who are in a relationship with a Canadian citizen.

Many applicants look at applying for residency through the Spouse or Common Law spouse categories. However what if you are not married or cannot fulfil the co-habitation requirements to qualify as a Common Law spouse? You cannot get a visa to live together but if you do not live together you cannot prove co-habitation. It sounds like a vicious circle.

However, in these circumstances, the Conjugal Partner route may be an option.

This category allows a Canadian citizen to sponsor their overseas partner for residence in Canada. A relationship must have existed for at least 12 months. However, crucially you do not have to prove co-habitation for this period - if you can demonstrate that there are circumstances preventing you living together (such as an immigration barrier).

The Canadian citizen then formally sponsors the overseas individual for permanent residence.

This Conjugal Partner category does require careful preparation to fully document the relationship and ensure that all the key criteria of this visa are met. If you believe that your circumstances may fall into this category then please contact us. We assess each case individually to see if this option can work.

CANADA – MICROSOFT ATTRACTING FOREIGN WORKERS TO NEW CENTRE IN CANADA

August 2007 - U.S. technology giant Microsoft Corp. recently announced that it will be setting up shop in Vancouver, British Columbia. The location of the new Microsoft Canada Development Centre was chosen because the city is both “a global gateway with a diverse population,” and “is close to Microsoft corporate offices in Redmond, Washington.”

However, the most significant reason, and the one that has stimulated much debate, centres on immigration and temporary foreign workers.

With a high demand for foreign information technology (IT) workers, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has long lobbied the American government to ease restrictions on temporary work visas (H1-B visas). Recognizing that American immigration policy is not likely to change in the near future, Canada’s more open immigration system for foreign skilled workers has become a more attractive option for Microsoft. The Canadian software development centre will allow “the company to recruit and retain highly skilled people affected by immigration issues in the U.S.”

In Canada there is no annual limit on the number of work permits issued; Canadian companies in labour-tight industries eagerly use the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to recruit foreign talent. Attracting information technology workers has been deemed a priority in Canada, and special immigration provisions for IT workers have been implemented to facilitate their entry into the Canadian work force.

There is a fundamental difference between the thinking behind temporary foreign workers in the United States and in Canada. A Canadian temporary work permit is seen as the first step to becoming a Permanent Resident and then a Canadian citizen, whereas American H1-B holders are aware that their stay in the U.S. is only temporary. Those Microsoft employees on H1- B visas, who would have to leave the United States when their visas expire, now, have the option to transfer to the Microsoft development centre in Canada.

If you have a potential offer of employment in Canada and you are looking for a temporary work visa, then please contact us.

CANADA - NEW FOREIGN CREDENTIALS REFERRAL OFFICE

July 2007 - The Canadian government have recently launched a new service named the Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). Its aim is to assist immigrants and potential immigrants to find the information and access the services they need to put their skills to work quickly in Canada.

The FCRO will function as a one-stop shop for information and referral services to individuals both overseas and in Canada. It will provide information on the Canadian labour market and processes for credential assessment and recognition in Canada. They hope this will help internationally trained individuals to find employment commensurate with their skills and experience more quickly.

Canada is still a very attractive destination with continued high growth and increasing employment in many Provinces. Please feel free to complete the Online Assessment on our website so we can ascertain if you will qualify for Canadian residency.

For further information on migration to Canada, please call us on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380 or complete an Online Assessment form on our website www.commonwealthimmigration.com.

CANADA
– PERMANENT RESIDENCE CARDS

May 2007 - The Canadian government has launched an awareness campaign reminding permanent residents of the need to ensure their permanent residence cards are still valid if they intend to travel internationally.

The first Canadian permanent residence cards were introduced in 2002 and will expire in July 2007. So to all our clients who have migrated to Canada in the last few years – make sure your card is valid for re-entry if you travel outside Canada!

CANADA
– TRUCKDRIVERS – BREAKING NEWS!

March 2007 - We have been in contact with a Trucking company based in New Brunswick, Canada who are very keen to take on UK Truckdrivers. They are looking to sponsor applicants for work visas and then permanent residence through the Provincial Nomination Program.

The employer is looking for UK Class 1 Truckdrivers with at least 2 years experience.

The employer will be visiting the UK for an information seminar to explain everything about the company and to offer employment on the spot.

We will be in touch again once we have an exact date for the seminar – likely to be April / May 2007.

CANADA
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

March 2007 - Commonwealth Immigration are pleased to confirm that we are now able to offer exciting employment opportunities leading to temporary work visas and permanent residency in many occupations across Canada.

Through our relationship with an associate in Canada, employment can be secured for those of you who work in any of the following occupations;

o CARPENTERS AND JOINERS
o HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING TECHNICIANS
o SHEET METAL WORKERS
o FIRE ALARM SERVICE FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIANS
o CABINET MAKERS
o PLUMBERS
o BRICKLAYERS / STONE MASONS
o DRYWALL PLASTERERS
o FITTERS
o WELDERS
o HEAVY DUTY MECHANICS
o PAINTERS AND DECORATORS
o WELDERS & FABRICATORS
o CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISORS & PROJECT MANAGERS
o SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
o DENTAL TECHNICIANS FOR ONTARIO
o BMW, VW, LANDROVER & JAGUAR TECHNICIANS

We can then assist with obtaining a temporary work visa and then permanent residency through the appropriate Provincial Nomination Program. This is a much faster route to securing your move to Canada. So, if you work in any of these occupations send us your CV and we’ll be in touch!

For further information on migration to Canada, please call us on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380 or complete an Online Assessment form on our website www.commonwealthimmigration.com.

CANADA
- BUSINESS IMIGRANTS

January 2007 - Commonwealth Immigration are pleased to confirm that we are now able to offer a guaranteed route which provides permanent residence to Canada for successful business immigrants.

Through a suitable, guaranteed investment in the Canadian economy, investor immigrants become eligible for permanent residence in Canada and, eventually, Canadian citizenship.

Applicants need to have a total net worth of CDN$800,000 and some business management experience. In partnership with a leading multi-national, applicants can receive financing for most of the required investment amount.

This then frees up their capital to purchase a home or a business when they arrive in Canada, while complying fully with Canadian government regulations.

WHERE?
- NEW BRUNSWICK!

January 2007 - While many of our clients for Canadian residency apply to major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, we thought it worth mentioning that there are other places in Canada that are very welcoming for immigrants.

One such place is the Province of New Brunswick. One of our clients who has applied for Canadian residency recently went to visit New Brunswick and loved it so much that she is determined to move there.

So where is it? New Brunswick is on the eastern coast of Canada, beside Nova Scotia, Quebec, Prince Edward Island and the U.S. state of Maine. It has excellent links with all major Canadian and US cities and is easy to reach from Europe.

It’s roughly the same size as Ireland but only has a population of 730,000. That means the average house costs just CDN$130,000 (UK£60,000).

The New Brunswick economy has been outperforming the rest of Canada over the last several years. With a solid background in I.T. and manufacturing, coupled with its strategic position next to the U.S. market, the future seems rosy.

So much so, that the New Brunswick government offer a Provincial Nominee Program to attract immigrants – both workers and business applicants. If you are eligible, this is a much quicker process than an immigration application through the Federal government.

The capital city Fredericton is home to about 100,000 people and offers many cultural attractions such as theatres and art galleries. The city also has several large parks, forested areas and lakeside beaches. Two well established universities are also located in Fredericton.

And if all that isn’t enough to attract you, then here are some more key facts;

1. Free basic healthcare is provided by the Provincial government

2. New Brunswick’s crime rate is significantly lower than the national average.

3. New Brunswick is connected to the rest of North America and to Europe by major airlines. Air Canada provides daily flights from New York, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, St. John's and Halifax.

We hope that these news have been informative for you. However, remember everyone's circumstances are different so if you or a friend or family member want to check your eligibility to emigrate then either

1) complete the Online Assessment Form on our website or
2) give us a call on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380

We would love to hear from you!

Regards
Tim McMahon
Commonwealth Immigration
www.commonwealthimmigration.com