E-newsletter - Past Editions
Summer 2011
New “Come to Canada” Wizard Simplifies Immigration Application Process
Prospective immigrants and visitors to Canada now have a new interactive web tool at their fingertips to help them determine if they are eligible to come to Canada.
The Wizard simplifies the application process by matching applicants with the federal immigration option that best suits their specific circumstances. The Wizard does this by asking applicants a series of questions and, based on those answers, it provides the best options for them.
The Wizard leads applicants to a results page that breaks down the application steps and provides instructions and forms.
Temporary Foreign Workers: The Full Story
In 2010, about 182,000 temporary foreign workers (TFWs) entered Canada. It’s the second-highest number of TFW entries in a single year, so some critics have argued that CIC is “throwing the door open for temporary workers,” and that this is having a negative impact on Canadian job-seekers or on the department’s attention to permanent immigration. Do these criticisms hold up if we take a closer look at the numbers?
Government of Canada Ramps up Citizenship Revocations to Tackle Fraud
The Government of Canada is beginning the process to revoke the citizenship of up to 1,800 people who are suspected to have obtained Canadian citizenship fraudulently. Many of the people under investigation are suspected of using consultants to skirt Canada’s residency requirements by falsely establishing evidence of maintaining residence in Canada while continuing to live abroad most, or all, of the time. A family of five may pay upwards of $25,000 over four or more years to create the illusion of residence in Canada. To date, individuals from over 60 different countries have been implicated in this fraud.
New Regulator Chosen for Immigration Consultants
Legislation cracking down on crooked immigration consultants came into force on June 30, 2011. At the same time, oversight of immigration consultants in Canada was turned over to the newly created Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The new legislation strengthens the rules governing those who charge their clients for immigration advice or representation, making it an offence for anyone other than an accredited immigration representative to conduct business, for a fee or other consideration, at any stage of an application or proceeding. It also increases penalties and fines for unauthorized representation and allows for more government oversight in order to improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated.
Immigration representatives must be either members in good standing of a provincial or territorial law society, including paralegals; members of the Chambre des notaires du Québec; or members of the governing body for immigration consultants.
A 120-day transition period is in place to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service for CSIC members currently in good standing and for their clients during the transition to the ICCRC. The transition period will end on October 28, 2011.
New Cap on Federal Investor Applications
On July 1, 2011, CIC placed a cap of 700 on new federal investor applications.
Although last year, the Department made changes that raised the minimum net worth and investment requirements, it continued to receive applications in excess of what is required to meet current processing commitments. An annual cap on new applications allows for progress on backlog reduction while ensuring that the Department has a sufficient volume of new files to meet its commitments.
The cap was reached on July 15, 2011, when the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, received 700 complete applications. The cap will reset on July 1, 2012, unless otherwise indicated in a future ministerial instruction, and does not apply to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program.
This change was introduced through ministerial instructions, which are meant to be a flexible tool that allows the government to align the intake of immigration applications with priorities for immigration.
More about the Federal Immigrant Investor Program and recent ministerial instructions
Have Your Say – Consultations on Immigration Levels and Mix
This past July, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney launched a series of cross-country consultations on immigration issues. The Minister is meeting with stakeholders over the summer months to discuss and seek feedback on immigration levels, including the appropriate level of immigration for Canada, and the most suitable mix between economic, family class and protected persons.
An online consultation will be held in late summer 2011. If you are interested in receiving information about this activity, a sign-up form is available. You will be contacted when the consultation is launched.
Internationally Trained Workers – Tips for Job Seekers and Employers
Newcomers looking for information on how education and job experience obtained in another country are assessed or recognized in Canada will find a series of Occupation Facts created by CIC’s Foreign Credential Recognition Office useful. These factsheets clearly explain the general requirements needed to work in certain professions, as well as the steps to be taken before coming to Canada.
Occupations include biotechnology, chartered accountant, electricity, mining, optometrist, petroleum, pharmacist, social worker and veterinarian.
Employers who want to learn about recruiting, hiring and retaining internationally trained workers may wish to check out CIC’s interactive roadmap, which includes videos, resources, and practical tools for employers in small- to medium-sized enterprises.
More about the Foreign Credentials Recognition Office
2011 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism Announced
Congratulations to Mrs. Baljit Sethi of Prince George, British Columbia, winner of the 2011 Paul Yuzuk Award for Multiculturalism. Mrs. Sethi has played an important role in supporting diversity in Prince George and helping newcomers to the city and region.
The award is bestowed annually on an individual or a group who demonstrates dedication to advancing diversity, multiculturalism and the integration of newcomers into Canadian society. Individuals are nominated in one of two categories: Lifetime Achievement or Outstanding Achievement. Mrs. Sethi was recognized in the Lifetime Achievement category.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2012 Award. The deadline is March 1, 2012.
Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism
New Permanent Residence Application Form = Better Case Management
As of July 18, 2011, applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete the new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). This new form creates one universal application for all permanent residence categories.
The form features prompts and drop-down lists that will make completing the forms much easier for applicants and will help prevent errors that create unnecessary processing delays. Completing the form electronically and validating the form before printing will generate a unique bar code to allow for the efficient entry of data into CIC’s case management system.
Older versions of the permanent resident application form will still be accepted, but only until March 31, 2012.
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