Applying for jobs in Canada will now become easier! Canada has recently declared the commencing of new credential offices in India, along with other countries, including China, UK and Philippines.
Every year, lacs of immigrants move to Canada from all over the globe, with thousands of them coming from India. People regard it as one of the most applauded countries to craft one’s future and get some of the best jobs in accordance to one’s forte and skills.
Talking about the application process, a majority of overseas applicants with foreign degrees find it hard to get Canadian degrees, often leading them to get low paid jobs like cab drivers or cooks in Canadian provinces. In an attempt to ease out the pain of new applicants, the Canadian government has come out with announcement to open offices which would further accelerate the Credential Recognition Process for overseas applicants.
It is speculated that every year, almost $2 billion is lost for not utilizing the skills of new overseas applicants. Minister Jason Kenney confirmed that the “Canadian Immigration Integration Project” would be given $15 million to assist newcomers with their attestation process. He went on to say that the government wants overseas immigrants to use their skills in Canada and the fund would further boost the credential recognition process even further.
The move is good for the prospective applicants as well as the Canadian economy, according to the minister.
Canada and Haiti have always maintained a cordial relationship and the former hosts one of the largest community from the Caribbean nation. Not surprisingly, following the widespread earthquake in Haiti, Canadian government has introduced new immigration rules for Haitian immigrants. As part of the new implementations, the government said that it will give emphasis on Haitian applications that are already in process.
The immigration minister said that the government is likely to prioritize their measures, of course, people intending to enter Canada under the family sponsorship comes in first. Haitian immigrants in Canada who are willing to sponsor family members in the Caribbean nation will be given priority first of all. However, it seems hard for the government to come in terms with the provincial government of Quebec in expanding the “family” definition under the family sponsorship program. The province’s government is in favor of altering the family definition in response to the appeal of the Haitian community in the province. Reportedly, Quebec has about ninety percent of Haitian immigrants out of the total in whole Canada.
The federal government is also very clear that priority will be given to the people who have been directly affected by the earthquake in Haiti in order to reunite families. Thus, with fulfilling the basic requirements of the sponsorship program, the applicants must prove that they have been significantly affected by the disaster.
As per the new rules, the immigration department of Canada is also planning to allow temporary residents in Canada to apply for extension of stay, minus additional fees; relieving Haitian nationals who have been decided to remove from Canada and more. Another measure that the Canadian government has been intending to implement is about fast-tracking the adoption process for Haitian orphans.
In response to the recent disaster in Haiti, the Canadian government has taken a number of measures in order to get the families reunited, belong to the Caribbean nation. Canada happens to be the host to one of the largest Haitian communities, outside Haiti. Further, Montreal, Quebec houses about ninety percent of the Haitian population. Thus, it is quite obvious for Canada to offer a helping hand to the people affected by the disastrous earthquake, as well as their families living in Canada.
Let’s have a look at the special measures introduced by Canada in respect of immigration:
One of the most important measures is that Immigration Canada is going to let Haitians who reside in Canada sponsor their family members on a priority basis. In order to reap the advantage of this measure, the new applications must be marked with “Haiti”.
Prospective migrants under family class category, whose applications had already been put to processing in process when the earthquake hit, will also be benefited from the above mentioned measure.
Nationals from Haiti residing in Quebec, Canada are provided with the provision of sponsoring their near ones (who generally are not allowed), who meet the prerequisites.
The priority processing is also applicable in respect of the adoption process involving Haitian children by Canadian parents.
Haitians who are in Canada on temporary basis are given the provision to apply for extension of stay, minus the additional fees involved, as well as eligible candidates to apply for Open Work Permit.
The requisite of temporary/transit visa has been put off for rescue and relief workers who are traveling to Haiti through Canada.
The government of Quebec is intending to soften its immigration rules to welcome more and more Haitians, following the tragic earthquake in the Caribbean nation, despite the disapproval of the federal government. If we go by the statistics, Quebec hosts about ninety percent of the total 135,000 Haitian population in Canada.
At present, as per the immigration law, Canadian government allows Canadians to sponsor close members of their families, but does not let siblings, children above the 21-year-old or cousins and other relatives to immigrate to the country on family sponsorship. Recently, the Haitian community in Quebec appealed the government to allow them to include other family members under the family class category.
In response to the appeal, the Quebec government is looking forward to ease the immigration regulations for the Haitians and their families in Canada. The government is planning to relax the rules on a number of facets, such as family sponsorships; third party sponsorships; relaxation in the costs involved in filing the paperwork etc. The Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister of Quebec said that the government is going to use the ‘power of selection’ in the process, which is used on rare occasions. This is a clause included in the federal and provincial immigration agreement that allows implementing an expanded definition of family class category.
However, Quebec is not going to welcome above 55,000 immigrants this for 2010. It has set the target to allow between 52,00 and 55,000 migrants!
While the Provincial government of Quebec is intending to ease the immigration rules under the family class category, the federal government is determined not to alter the definition of the aforementioned category. The existing definition of the ‘family’ states that Canadians can sponsor family members including parents, grandparents, spouses, and dependent children. It does not allow them to sponsor members like cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
The federal government’s decision not to expand the family sponsorships has already caused protestation from Haitian community in Canada. The federal government is reluctant to do so, because it thinks it would be unfair on the part of other groups or communities who have experienced massive destruction in the past.
However, Canadian government’s unwillingness to expand the family sponsorship definition will mean that it’s concerns about the Haitians in the Caribbean nation as well as their family members in Canada, may be questioned. The government has already introduced new rules in order to make the immigration easier for Haitians. As part of the action, Immigration Canada is going to give priority to family class immigrants. Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister said that applications from family members who have been directly affected by the earthquake in Haiti are most likely to get the government response. Thus, in order to get the clearance from the Immigration Canada, applicants must require proving that they have been affected directly by the disaster, besides meeting the other standards under the family sponsorship.
The Province of Quebec is more likely to use the ‘power of selection’ clause of the immigration agreement that exists between the federal and provincial governments in order to expand the definition of the family class category, thereby allowing more Haitians to enter the province. Reportedly, ninety percent of the total Haitian community in Canada is hosted by Quebec!
Recently, the Canadian Government announced that new immigrants in Canada would now get proper help in the process of integration into their workplace in Canada. Canadian unveils a new online project that basically focuses on the pre-arrival stage of the Canadian immigration process.
The Integrated Pre-Arrival Services Online (IPSO) project is designed to provide the newcomers with the helpful online tools before they land in Canada. It allows new immigrants to Canada to have access to all the useful tools that may help them better integrate into countries labor market.
The Canadian State Minister (Foreign Affairs), Peter Kent said while making the announcement of the new project that the government is taking steps to address the barriers in respect of foreign qualification recognition so that the overseas immigrants could make most of their talents. The introduction of the Integrated Pre-Arrival Services Online project is one of the steps that would help newcomers in integrating themselves into the Canadian labor market, which in turn would help the countries economy to improve. With the project, the government is hoping to attract and retain the superior overseas talents for the countries long-term economic success!
The Canadian government is reportedly providing over $1.7 million to a non-for-profit organization called JVS Toronto for the operation of the project. The agency is altogether responsible for developing and supporting the online project. JVS Toronto basically works with government as well as private enterprises and helps people in developing their skills in order to accomplish various educational/vocational goals.
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is a judiciary committee that reports to the Canadian government on issues linked with Immigration and Refugee. At present, Brian P. Goodman, is the current chairman of the committee.
The Board is decked with four divisions: Refugee Protection Division, Immigration Division, Immigration Appeal Division and Refugee Appeal Division. Each division of IRB has the onus of making decisions on various immigration related issues, but the tribunal process for every division remains the same. The hearing is commenced in the similar way as if a hearing is going on in a court, rather in an informal manner. The process follows Canadian laws. Following are some of the facets linked with the Tribunal process:
The applicant appearing before IRB holds the right to be represented by a trusted source (for instance an Immigration and Visa consultant, family member, to name a few). In addition, you have all the freedom to present arguments and documents for your case.
Hearing can be held by various means like in person, video conference or telephonic conversation also. The language used can be English or French and the applicant has the right to choose the language for his hearing. Person concerned can also apply for an interpreter.
“Member” is the term given to those who hear the case. Also, the hearings of the refugee are kept private while others can be made public.
The decision is made on the basis of the background of the applicant, documents and evidences provided by the concerned person, rules and regulations of the Canadian law and the hearing.
It is mandatory that the judge (also known as Member) should justify the decision made by him by giving ample reasons to support the final decision.
For more information on the cases applied under the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, take advice from an expert Immigration veteran and commence further.
In an effort to help the earthquake stuck Haiti, the Canadian government has decided to come up with a plan that would ensure priority processing for the immigrants from Haiti. For this purpose, the rules for the refugees are thought of being revised so that the Haitian refugees could be permitted to live in Canada.
To begin with the relief operation, three military air planes carrying those evacuated from Haiti have already been brought to Montreal. These consisted of two hundred and seventy two people. The evacuees have been selected by the Canadian Embassy staff in Haiti for transport.
On the other hand, according to reports, four Canadians have also died in the massive earthquake with thirteen others injured and others consisting of almost five hundred and fifty people have been found. However, around one thousand four hundred and fifteen Canadians are still missing. A total of around six thousand Canadians were living in Haiti but only seven hundred people were registered with the Port-au-Prince embassy.
The Canadian government is also expected to consider policies that would allow Haitians who have Canadian relatives to come and live in Canada. However, deciding on whom to permit would be a major task.
Additionally, immediate amends include free passage of Haitians including those who are not traveling via commercial flights. With this, the government has permitted transports for aid purposes to stop in Canada for refueling purposes without the passengers to have a temporary visa for residency. The first two planes to have stopped by include that of a Russian and Chinese transport that were permitted to land based on the above grounds.
Ottawa - the capital city of Canada is one of the largest multicultural destinations in its country offering a wide range of attractions to the tourist and the immigrant population. The city offers various aspects for an explorer which involves history, culture, politics arts and so on. You can wander on your own in this city which keeps the enigma intact and ensures that you have your share of adventure.
The presence of a multicultural society in this city ensures that you are not an outsider. The people of the city are warm and extremely welcoming, similar to that of a rural city. This feature makes the place exotic – a large city with the feel of countryside makes it the perfect place to take time off your busy and boring schedule.
Stroll across the lush green parks in this eastern Ontario city. There are a total of eight hundred and fifty parks in this city. With this are the banks of the Ottawa River which separates it from the province of Quebec. The Rideau River and Canal adds to the beautiful pollution free environment of the city.
The city is also host to the world’s largest skating rink at the Rideau Canal which is used by the locals as well as the visitors.
The main places to visit include the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, and the National Arts Centre amongst others. With this, there are around 45 festivals that are celebrated every year in this city. These celebrations add to the vigor and the vibrant colors of the city.
Above all, the neighborhoods are not to be missed out. Some such places are –
Little Italy to feel the Italy in Canada. The place is known for restoring the Italian culture and heritage.
Rockciffe is host to all the embassies and the residences of all the top Canadian Government officials including those of the PM and the Governor General.
Downtown is known for its history and architecture in the centre of Ottawa.
A waterfront village known as Manotick.
Feel Asia in Somerset Chinatown.
ByWard Market is a happening place for all those interested in shopping. It also has many pubs, restaurant and bars for those keen to meet new people and taste new cuisines. You can also find Canada’s oldest farmer’s market here.
After gaining the PR Status in Canada, it is mandatory that the migrant must apply for the following:
A Permanent Resident Card: once acquiring the status of a Permanent Resident in Canada, you become eligible to get a Permanent Resident Card, which would be provided to you, free of cost. It is a wallet sized card that is essential for all the migrants living as Permanent residents in Canada (every country has its own mandates). It expires after every 5 years.
SIN Card: SIN stands for Social Insurance Number and is required to work in Canada. So you are required to apply for the same as soon as possible in order to start your professional career. Ensure that you have a PR Card and a confirmation of PR and Visa counterfoil before applying for a SIN Card. Also make sure that you have all the documentation required to apply for the card. Consult an Immigration veteran to know more about it.*Applicants can apply for a SIN Card at any Service Canada Center.
*(Never reveal your SIN Card Number to anyone!)
The Health Card: it allows access to the health care facilities provided by the Canadian government. As a PR, you are eligible for various health care facilities. Everyone must have their own health cards, including all your family members. Certain services are not covered in Health care and for that it is advised to take a Private Health Card!
For other important documents, IDs and paperwork required after landing in Canada, consult an Immigration and Visa guide now!
