WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRATION

Often we get carried away by dreams of a fairy tale life in the developed world. Many people do not research to find out what life may be like for them in the USA, Canada, Australia, Britain, especially as newcomers. It is a different ball game if you knew that with your PhD you may be a cab driver while trying to get your credentials assessed or getting ready to write a professional examination to get certified to work in your field. If you knew what challenges you would face and still decide to leave your successful career and comfortable lifestyle to come to Canada, then it’s your choice and you are prepared to face the challenges ahead. Unfortunately, some people do not know these things and so are caught unawares.

The good news is that the Canadian government is working to reform the immigration process in order to minimize situations where successful professionals come to Canada and can only work in areas that don’t even require a high school diploma.

I don’t think the situation will change radically very soon in spite of the changes being implemented. I still think that the knowledge you have and your level of preparedness to face whatever challenges come your way would make all the difference. If a university professor knew he might work in a bakery or as a dish washer or cleaner or cab driver for some time; if he still decides to sacrifice the ‘good’ life he had in his home country for reasons (such as doing it for the kids), then he would cope better when confronted with tough situations. Defeat, depression, regret would not be options.

I like to tell people that I burned my bridges when coming to Canada. There is no going back – it’s not even an option. The thought never crossed my mind, not even when I was in the darkest place. I believed that someday, someway light would shine through the tunnel and warm my cold body. It was exhausting and painful but it gets better by the day. For some, the transition to better living is fast but for others it takes longer. Just being able to hang in there is the key to survival and ultimate success.

One thing is certain: change will come; and for the better. But first, you need to be sure what you’re getting yourself into.

HAPPY SUNDAY FRIENDS! Hope you have a great week!

News Release — Reducing Backlogs to Achieve a Fast and Flexible Immigration System

Ottawa, September 17, 2012 —The Government of Canada welcomed the findings of a report on immigration backlogs by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and tabled its response in Parliament today.
“I think we can all agree that backlogs are unfair to applicants, harmful to Canada’s ability to attract the best and brightest from around the world, and hold back economic and job growth,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “I thank the Standing Committee members for their hard work in compiling their report.”
The Committee commented favourably on what the Government has already achieved to date through the Action Plan for Faster Immigration and the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification. However, the Committee report also made clear that more needs to be done in order to better align application intake with admission levels.
The committee report recognizes that backlogs have occurred because for too long Canada has accepted more applications than it can process and admit in a given year.  Over time, this annual surplus of applications resulted in a backlog of more than a million applicants, and processing delays of eight to ten years in some immigration categories. The report concluded that, in order to avoid future backlogs, it is critical that the Government act to ensure that the annual number of applications better align with the number of admissions.  The report also recommended exploring further options to deal with the problem of existing backlogs, particularly in the federal skilled worker, immigrant investor, and parent and grandparent classes.
The Government agrees with all of the Standing Committee’s report recommendations and has already acted quickly to tackle application backlogs in key areas. Successes include:

• Reducing the pre-2008 Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) backlog by more than 50 percent by 2011 – two years earlier than expected – through the 2008 Action Plan for Faster Immigration and successive Ministerial Instructions limiting application intake.  Most recently, Economic Action Plan 2012 removed around 280,000 applicants from that FSW backlog, which paves the way for a faster and more flexible economic immigration system;
• Managing intake of the Immigrant Investor Program applications starting in July 2011.  Most recently, a temporary pause on new applications was introduced on July 1, 2012 to allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to focus on processing existing applications and reviewing the program’s effectiveness;
• Significantly decreasing the backlog of applications for parents and grandparents since fall 2011, as a result of increased admission targets and a two-year pause on new applications under the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification.  At the same time, CIC introduced a new “Super Visa,” which allows for visits of up to two years by parents and grandparents, and has proven to be a popular alternative for applicants.

In the last year, the Government has also launched public online consultations on re-designing the parent and grandparent program, and reforming the Immigrant Investor Program.  Policy work on reformed programs is now underway.
“The economy and job growth remain the Government’s number one priority,” said Minister Kenney. “We continue to take the issue of immigration backlogs very seriously, and we will be doing even more in the future to transform our immigration system into one that is fast, fair, flexible, and serves the interests of Canada’s long-term prosperity.”
The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration tabled its report, entitled “Cutting the Queue: Reducing Canada’s Immigration Backlogs and Wait Times,” in March 2012.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-09-17.asp

News Release — Canadian Experience Class: Creating Jobs across Canada

News Release — Canadian Experience Class: Creating Jobs across Canada

New, Innovative and Fast Economic Program Attracts the World’s Best and Brightest

Ottawa, September 14, 2012 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today that Canada has welcomed its 20,000th permanent resident through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) immigration stream, reflecting the success of the government’s efforts to attract as well as retain the world’s best and brightest skilled workers.

The Minister was joined at the announcement by Gaurav Gore, originally from India, who was recognized as the 20,000th permanent resident admitted under the CEC. Mr. Gore earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Toronto. He is applying his education as well as his experience as a business consultant with a major bank in Toronto.

“We are working hard to attract and retain the best and brightest students from around the world. Gaurav is an excellent example of the benefits of welcoming highly educated and skilled people to stay as well as work in Canada. Mr. Gore completed a challenging, competitive university program. He is now building a successful career, contributing to our economy and helping create jobs for Canadians here in Canada. Guarav is exactly the sort of skilled worker that Canada hopes to attract and retain through the CEC program,” said the Minister.

“As a student, I saw the wealth of opportunities that are available in Canada,” said Mr. Gore, a Personal and Commercial Digital Channels Advisor with BMO Financial Group. “I felt welcome.  I wanted to stay, pursue a career here, and contribute to the economy as well as to the country. I was happy to discover that it was possible through the CEC and that I could use my skills immediately upon graduating.”
“Canada’s universities are pleased to see the success of the CEC in helping international student graduates become permanent residents. The graduates contribute their knowledge, talent and global perspectives to our communities and to our economy,” says Paul Davidson, President of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “These graduates contribute to economic growth and innovation in Canada and help Canadian businesses connect with new international markets.”

The CEC, Canada’s fastest growing economic immigration program, offers a pathway to permanent residency for international student graduates as well as others with skilled work experience in Canada. Those who are eligible may apply from within Canada and expect a quick decision. In the past, a brilliant student graduating from our top universities who wanted to stay in Canada and help create jobs would have had to return to their home country to wait at the back of a seven or eight year queue. They may have spent several years waiting in the immigration queue and may have been required to leave the country before applying for permanent residence. The goal of the CEC is to ensure that Canada retains talented and motivated people who have already shown that they can put their skills as well as their experience to work, grow the Canadian economy, create jobs and integrate easily into Canadian life.

“The Canadian Experience Class is a sound program that responds to the needs of employers. The program contributes to economic growth,” said James Knight, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. “Equipped with diplomas as well as degrees, international students become Canadian citizens, excellent employees and community members.”

In order to make the CEC even more responsive to Canada’s labour market needs and economic goals, CIC is proposing changes that will expedite the transition to permanent residence of those already working successfully in Canada. With the proposed change, all applicants will require 12 months of Canadian work experience gained in the 36 months preceding their application. Some applicants currently require 24 months of full-time work experience. This change will make the program more flexible for international student graduates. It will provide them with more time to launch their careers as well as gain the necessary experience to apply for permanent residency through the program.

Minister Kenney concluded by saying that, “International student graduates have educational credentials that are recognized by Canadian employers as well as official language skills that are important factors for success.
The proposed changes to the CEC will make it easier for them to stay here, contribute to Canadian innovation as well as to the economic development that will help ensure Canada’s future prosperity.”

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http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-09-14.asp

News Release — Canada imposes visas on St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland

News Release — Canada imposes visas on St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland

Ottawa, September 11, 2012 — Beginning at 12:01 a.m. EDT today, citizens of St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (St. Vincent), Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland now require a visa to travel to Canada, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced.
For the first 48 hours, or until 11:59 p.m. September 12, 2012, citizens of these countries who are in transit to Canada at the time the visa requirement takes effect will be able to receive a Temporary Resident Permit on arrival in Canada, free of charge, if they are not otherwise inadmissible to Canada.
"We continue to welcome genuine visitors to Canada," said Minister Kenney. "These changes are necessary to protect the integrity of Canada's fair and generous immigration system by helping us to reduce an unacceptably high number of immigration violations."

These changes will allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and its partners to ensure that those seeking to visit Canada intend to return to their country of origin, rather than overstaying or committing other immigration violations.

A key reason why the government has imposed visa requirements on St. Lucia and St. Vincent is unreliable travel documents. In particular, criminals from these countries can legally change their names and acquire new passports. In some instances, people who were removed from Canada as security risks later returned using different passports. In the case of Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland, human trafficking, especially of minors, and fraudulent documents are of significant concern.

There has also been an unacceptably high number of asylum claims from St. Lucia and St. Vincent, with about one and a half percent and three percent of the population of these countries making asylum claims in Canada over the past five years. The African country that has the highest immigration violation rate is Namibia, with eighty-one percent in 2011. Seventy-one percent of travellers from Namibia made asylum claims in 2011.
"These changes are necessary because all the countries concerned have an immigration violation rate of over thirty percent, well above the level we deem acceptable for countries benefiting from a visa exemption," said Minister Kenney.

Canada regularly reviews its visa requirements toward other countries. Countries are aware that they have a responsibility to satisfy certain conditions to receive a visa exemption.

This visa policy change means that nationals from St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland who want to travel to Canada will first need to apply for a visitor visa and meet the requirements to receive one.

It is up to the applicants to satisfy visa officers that their visit to Canada is temporary; they will not overstay their authorized stay; they have enough money to cover their stay; they are in good health; they do not have a criminal record; and they are not a security risk to Canadians. These requirements are the same for anyone who wants to visit Canada.

Applicants from St. Lucia and St. Vincent can now submit their applications by mail or in person to the Canadian visa office in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Applications will be accepted by the visa office in Pretoria, South Africa, for those from Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland. In the months ahead travellers to Canada will be able to apply online for all temporary visas.

This decision will further strengthen the immigration and asylum systems, and it complements the measures the government is implementing this year under the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, which recently received Royal Assent.
"The Government of Canada remains committed to protecting the integrity of our immigration system and welcoming bona fide visitors from around the world."

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 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-09-14.asp

New immigration system puts greater emphasis on language, age

The end of foreign doctors and PHDs driving our taxi cabs could soon be nigh.

According to the Toronto Star, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has revamped the immigration point grid it's used for the past 10 years to judge skilled-immigrant applications.
The proposed revisions, to go into effect next January, will put more emphasis on age (ie: younger immigrants), language skills and professional credentials equivalent to Canada's — while de-emphasizing work experience abroad.

Foreign nationals applying for immigration to Canada use a 100-point grid, with a pass mark of 67.
The grid takes into account the candidate's official language ability, education, work experience, age, job offers in Canada and their overall adaptability — which awards points for previous work or study in Canada — spouse's education and relatives in Canada.

The problem with the current point system is that those that don't fluently speak one of Canada's official languages, or those whose education credentials don't transfer over to Canada, can still reach the 67 mark.
These new rules are meant to attract immigrants who can, theoretically, be successful in jobs in their field of study.

[Related: Over-educated immigrant cabbies plying Canadian streets, federal study finds]

Immigration attorney Michael Niren welcomes some of the changes.

"The Canadian labor force has changed significantly over the last decade and our aging demographics will be in greater need of a young work force," he told Yahoo! Canada News.
"Favouring younger applicants is a step in the right direction."

Niren, however, disagrees with the government's rigidity on language.
"When it comes to language, we are living in a global, multicultural economy and the narrow bias the government has towards English or French language proficiency is short sighted," he said.
"I know many productive Canadians who do business strictly in Mandarin and in other languages. While English and French remain Canada's official languages, our economy speaks many more."

Nevertheless, the Harper government has continually insisted that language proficiency is the key to success for immigrants.
"For too long the story of immigration to Canada has been summed up by the frustration of the highly trained professional who arrived with the expectation of being able to work at his or her skill level," immigration minister Jason Kenney said during an address to the Canadian Club of Toronto in March.
"The number one factor for success in immigrants is language proficiency. No point in bringing folks here if they don't have language proficiency."

The question now becomes: who will drive our taxi cabs?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/canada-politics/immigration-system-puts-greater-emphasis-language-age-225856149.html

* Does that question need an answer?

News Release — Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program Unveiled

News Release — Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program Unveiled

Ottawa, August 17, 2012 — Proposed regulatory changes announced today to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will allow Canada to better select skilled workers who can “hit the ground running” upon arrival.

“The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s largest economic immigration program,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “The changes we are making to update the selection criteria are based on a large body of data and evidence we've accumulated over the years showing what skills and qualifications are most likely to lead to success for skilled immigrants.”

Following an extensive program evaluation, stakeholder and public consultations, as well as other research, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is proposing the following changes to the FSWP:

• Making language the most important selection factor by establishing new minimum official language thresholds and increasing points for language;
• Increasing the emphasis on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience and remain in the workforce longer;
• Increasing points for Canadian work experience and reducing points for foreign work experience;
• Simplifying the arranged employment process to prevent fraud and abuse yet enable employers to staff positions quickly; and
• Awarding points for spousal language ability and Canadian experience.

Another proposed change is the introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment – a mandatory requirement that FSWP applicants have their education abroad assessed against Canadian education standards by designated organizations. CIC will then award points according to how an applicant’s foreign educational credential compares to a completed educational credential in Canada. It does not necessarily guarantee that they would become licensed to practice in a regulated occupation.

“This is an important step we are taking to address the problem of immigrants arriving and not being able to work in their field,” stated Minister Kenney. “This new requirement will help potential newcomers make informed choices about immigration and Canadian career paths.”

CIC will be issuing a Call for Service Proposals on August 20, 2012, inviting submissions from organizations with expertise in foreign credential assessment to conduct the reviews. The deadline for submissions is September 21, 2012. For more information, please visit CIC’s International Qualifications Network website.
The full text of the proposed FSWP regulatory changes is now available online in the Canada Gazette. They also include improvements to the Canadian Experience Class and the creation of a new Federal Skilled Trades Program. The Department welcomes input from stakeholders and interested parties.
Final publication is scheduled for late 2012 and the new FSWP points grid will likely take effect in January 2013. While there is currently a pause on new applications (except for FSWP candidates with a qualifying offer of arranged employment or those applying under the PhD stream), CIC expects to begin accepting applications again early next year.
These changes have been announced by Minister Kenney in the past year.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-08-17.asp

How to apply to come live in Canada

Do you want to come live in Canada but do not know what options are open to you?

You can apply to live in this awesome country - not as a burden to the country but as an asset. It's a win-win situation. You can apply through one of the following programs:

• Skilled workers and professionals
  For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec)
• Quebec-selected skilled workers
  For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec
• Canadian Experience Class
  For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada
• Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people
  For people who want to start a business in Canada
• Provincial nominees
  One of Canada’s provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there
• Sponsoring your family
  How a family member can sponsor you to join them here if they are permanent residents or Canadian citizens

 To find out about the requirements and the steps to apply in each category, go to the Government of Canada’s  Citizenship and Immigration Canada website: www.cic.gc.ca. It is comprehensive, clear and up to date. You’ll find everything you need and links to other information portals.

Research; do your homework. Then, apply.

Adios amigos!

8 things to consider before choosing an immigration destination in Canada

So, which province, city or town?

Having decided that Canada is the best country to move to, you need to follow through on this wise, exciting decision by choosing which province and city or town you'd like to move to.

Canada is the world's second largest country by area. It is a big, beautiful country comprising ten provinces and three territories. The ten provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The three territories are Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon.  

Deciding where to live in Canada can be a daunting task. In order not to be overwhelmed, you may take the following factors into considering when making a choice:

1. Do you have relatives and friends living there?
2. Is weather a big issue for you?
3. Is diversity in population important to you?
4. What are the job prospects?
5. What are the ages of your kids/ Do you have kids?
6. Does your preference include a monolingual(English or French) or bilingual(English and French) city/town?
7. Is size of city or town important to you?
8. What about issues relating to taxes, minimum wage, health care, education, and so on?

And a number of other criteria not mentioned here. Gladly, you can find everything you need online.

I know a few people who made a random choice and found it perfect. Regardless, you can always move to another province or city if your preferred destination turns out  to be different than you thought. 

Be back with more information on immigrating to Canada.

Ciao!!!