Recently, the Canadian immigration department has announced a system through which aspirants seeking Canadian work permits can apply for visas online. Temporary residents in Canada can also make use of the system in order to extend their Canadian visa.

According to Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, the new online visa application system would address a number of problems that occur in traditional method of making applications. The system is also likely to save money as well as time. With this, the process of making applications is going to be simpler, easier and faster for temporary residents!

Unlike the traditional method, the online visa application system will ensure that the applicants are not missing out on any important information that needs to be included in the applications. Besides, if any error is made in any application, it can be corrected in no time. An application can be submitted only once it is complete, thus making the process faster and error-free. But, this is true that the system has some pitfalls as well. Once an application is being submitted online, the applicant is committed to what he or she has stated in the application. The fact also is that applications are normally refused because of error on information and non-address of other required areas. Therefore in any case, no matter whether you send in your visa application online or by mail, it is always good to seek professional help.

It was in June 2008, the international students were permitted to have the online access to apply for their visa applications. With the latest addition of temporary residents, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is looking forward to make this system available for all other types of applications!

From the CEO’s Desk…

The year 2009 was a turning point for the Immigration Industry in different aspects. Many countries faced challenges of balancing their immigration policies and targets in line with looming recession. Those who received their Immigration visas were not sure whether or not and when to land in the new country. And despite toughening the economic scenario and the immigration polices, people who applied for immigration continued to have an upswing.

The immigration consulting market became more interesting with new products like Denmark Green card and Hong Kong Quality Migrant program coming into picture. Of the two, the Denmark Green card is the biggest disappointment. The Denmark Visa Consulate offices lack the necessary Human Resources and Infrastructure to manage the constant inflow of applications. This has resulted in the ever increasing application processing delays and the absolute lack of transparency while processing. In addition, it being a non-immigrant visa has discouraged many applicants and those who qualify for other options prefer Canada and Australia as they offer Permanent Resident status from the first day post landing.

UK Tier 1 became tougher with educational requirements being limited to Master’s degree holder. As the year ends, it has been proposed that the Tier 1 program has become too tough and even Bachelors degree holders should also be permitted to apply. However, this program is known for its quicker (mostly under one month) processing. On the negative side, the higher application fee and the procedure of demonstrating funds is a major deterrent for those interested.

Australia adopted stringent processing time frames and by the final quarter, only occupations nominated under the CSL (Critical Skills List) were expected to get (within 12-15 months) priority processing. Majority of the other lists and categories will experience longer processing delays – at times more than 3 years.

Canada is the surprise winner and despite a very limited occupation list, the country continues to attract maximum interest from prospective Immigrants. The main reason for this is the shorter processing timelines. Also, its geographical positioning making it neighbours with the USA is another advantage. But as the year closes, there are strong rumours that Citizenship and Immigration Canada is proposing to toughen its selection criteria. Hence, this country is being eyed very keenly this New Year.

Prospective Immigrants also interested in the French Skills Talent and Migration visa; although it has a very limited in scope as it is essentially targeted at the self employed, entrepreneurs and investors.

ABHINAV stood out amongst other consultants. It grew its business by over 100% and we are among one of the few India based consultants that meet the requirements of authorised representatives as prescribed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Our highly trained human resources ensure that our clients get excellent services irrespective of the country they apply for.  Our website – www.abhinav.com – is now among the premium Immigration websites and enjoys top 26,000 ranking at year end.

Exciting years lie ahead and the company has earmarked Pune and Hyderabad as its new office location. Both these new branches will be operational by March’31st 2010.

In Immigration business since 1994, the company is best placed to service aspirations of immigration and visa applicants out of India and around.

Ajay Sharma

Principal Immigration Consultant of Abhinav

Recently, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) updated its chapter on Canadian Experience Class (CEC) category. This update includes a new qualifying condition that must be met by all the applicants applying under this category. With this, information regarding application refusals has also been provided.

The Canadian Experience Class was introduced in September 2009. This program involves the work experience as one of the key areas for a visa permit for professionals and students with skilled work experience. This visa offers a Permanent Resident Status to all the successful immigrants under this category.

The main aim behind this program is to ensure that the selected candidates are familiar with the Canadian society, it culture and are able to adjust accordingly. With this, they would also be able to blend into the society with their English and French language skills. Additionally, it is to retain the Canadian atmosphere inspite of its multicultural presence. More so, to develop it further. At the same time, also availing the economic benefits of immigration would further help develop the country.

The various amendments involve the mandatory requirements of the class, the definition of family members, full – time work experience and modifications in the application process. Also included are the updates regarding the meet the criteria or not. These are in addition to the changes brought out by the Canadian Language Benchmarks and the IELTS in February.

Based on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act in Canada, an applicant can only file his application for permanent residence in two kinds of locations in the world. This is as per the Section 11 of the act. The first place is the one where the immigrant has been legally permitted to enter for a minimum of a year. Secondly, it is the native state or country of the applicant.

Incase, a person is applying for permanent residence as a Federal Skilled Worker from outside Canada, he must be eligible under the new rules. With this, if the applicant does not have a work permit and is not selected under any of the provincial nominee programs, he has to ensure that his profession is listed in the 38 occupations list. If his profession appears on the list, then he must prove his eligibility in the form of academic qualifications and must submit the complete application form.

Post submission and approval of the application, the application might have to submit other documents based on his case. To know more on the documentation aspect, the applicant must wait for the communication from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

The process might seem very easy but it is because of this assumption that many a times, minute details are forgotten. To help an applicant with such matters, a visa and immigration consultant is the right person to be contacted. He can guide you through the entire procedure. Most consultants offer a prior assessment of an applicant’s skills and qualification which gives a better insight into an applicant’s case. So, to know more, contact an Immigration Specialist today!

Are you on the look out for immigration options? Finding it hard to decide as to which country is the best – Canada or Australia? Given the recent circumstances such as the recession and the racial attacks in Australian, a prospective immigrant has to weigh his options more carefully. Both the countries more or less follow a similar pattern to judge candidates for immigration. This is done on the Points Based System for both the countries.

Also, both the countries are two of the developed nations of the world which puts them at a very enviable position. This makes it a tough choice for a prospective immigrant to select which country to opt for.

On one hand, Canada is closer to the United States and to UK. Thus, it leads to easier and less travel costs for the frequent travelers to these countries. The country has a perfect climate except for the places close to the Arctic. This means Christmas falls in the winters. The commonly spoken languages are English and French. Here, the costs of fast moving consumer goods and other electronic items are comparatively cheaper. All the provinces in the country are more or less independent of each other. Thus, there is a lot of variation in the laws for each and every state.

On the other hand, Australia has a better process of accreditation for the foreign trained professionals. Climate is another plus point since it’s an island continent. However, it cannot be generalized for the entire Australia. The specifications for all the white goods especially the electronics would require a separate configuration altogether. This might pose as a problem. Although, the country is in close proximity to Asia. With an Australian passport, you are liable to be a resident of New Zealand.

Above all, both the countries are not highly populated giving space to each and every individual. With this, immigrants are welcomed with open arms and are considered as an asset to the development to the country’s economy. Both have a multi – cultural society with immigrants coming from across the globe. This makes both the places apt for immigration.

However, based on your individual preferences, an Immigration and Visa Expert would be able to guide you better. He would be updated with the latest in this regard. So, get in touch with one today!

It is mandatory for all the children residing in Canada to receive the basic education. The Canadian government offers it for free of cost to all children. This education is paid for via the taxes and is looked after by the particular provincial governments in collaboration with the local school boards.

This public education starts from the age of 4 or 5 years depending on the territory or province. The child should continue this education till 15 or 16 years of age. This has to be done in compliance with the provincial or the territorial laws where the child resides.

It would be better if you get to know about the education system in advance so that it is easier for you and your child to cope with the changes. To know more, you can visit the particular provincial website for the Ministry of Education which would enlighten you on the same.

Select a particular school for your child. Your selection should be based on the distance from where you reside. The best is to select one which is at a walking distance from your house. If not, then school buses are available for transportation at a very minimal cost. Also, there are many different types of school systems in Canada. So, you have to get to know on that aspect as well.

For this, you have to contact the local school board which administers the procedures for all the public schools in the community. It is mandatory that you submit the relevant documentation as requested by the officials.

Also, new students especially if they are immigrants would be tested before they are enrolled into a particular school. This is to ensure that the child is allotted the right class or grade to continue his education further.

Apart from enrolling, you have to see to it that the child is making constant progress. Extra effort has to be put in since the child would be under culture shock and may find it difficult to cope with it.

To know more on the educational aspects in Canada, contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist who deals with the same. He can provide you with more accurate information on the same.

As an immigrant to Canada, you would have to get accustomed to traveling long distances. Most families own more than one car. If it is difficult for you to buy a car as soon as you land, it is suggested that you look for all the possible options. Another option is to get a car on lease which is a form of car rental.

Manage your finances accordingly before you plunge in to transportation costs. Incase you buy a car; your costs would include all the maintenance charges, cost for the gas, the timely loan payments, insurance and other administrative costs. It would be the same if you hire a vehicle. However, incase of a lease, you would sign an agreement with the contractor.

In Canada, it is mandatory to sign for car insurance and get your car registered with the local provincial government. This insurance would be handy to all the drivers in case of any accidents. To know more, you can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Other options include public transport or walking or using a bike since they are the cheaper modes of transportation. The public modes include buses, the subways and the metro or the suburban trains or commuter trains.

The costs for the transportation vary according to the city you live in. It would be more if you live in a big city such as Toronto, Montreal and so on when compared to the rural or the smaller towns.

It is best to contact an Immigration and Visa Specialist dealing with Canadian Immigration since he would be the best person to guide you. He can give you the exact position of the place where you plan to immigrate. This would help you better plan your expenses. So, contact one today!

Now that you have arrived in Canada, certain mandatory requirements are a must to be fulfilled. The initial culture shock of the new place would make it a difficult for you to settle down. But, worry not! The service of an immigration and visa specialist is an important guiding factor at this stage.

You would need to find a job for yourself so that you can support self and dependents. Along with this, comes chalking out a suitable accommodation. The following details would help you with the same –

Apply for a Canadian identification which includes a driver’s license, a health insurance card which are mandatory to be carried at all times.
Open a local bank account, apply for private health insurance incase you do not qualify for the immediate public health insurance coverage of the local province.
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) has to be applied for.
Last but the not least, start searching for a job.

In your initial days of landing, you can prioritize the below mentioned activities as the major ones –

Look for accommodation and housing options.
Get accustomed to the local area. It would be ideal if you go through a map and find out about the various modes of transportation available.
Exchange money to get and use the Canadian currency.
Get your hand on a local telephone and make a record of all the telephone numbers that are important.
Get to know more about Canada and enroll your children to an appropriate school.

The first few months should see you doing the following –

Work on your language and communication skills.
Register with a doctor in the community.
Immunize your children.
Know more about the various services offered in your local community which is now your home.
Get in touch with the Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) assessment centre in your community. It is suggested that you enroll yourself for language classes.
Apply for tax and the various tax benefits and other credits.

As time passes and you get acclimatized to your surroundings, you can slowly learn more about your rights and responsibilities as put forth by the Canadian laws.

Above all, it is best to consult an Immigration and Visa firm where the consultants would see to it that you go through a smooth ride post landing in Canada.

Now that you have landed in the new country, there would be many changes you would experience, some expected and others unexpected. This article gives you an insight on such instances.

It is always better to get acquainted with the changes you would need to adapt to. To help you with this, consult an Immigration and Visa Specialist who is adept with all the information in this regard. A Visa Expert would provide you with all the relevant information which would help you better adjust with your new environment. And the more you learn, the better it is.

Since, it is going to be extremely challenging dealing with the extreme weather or the culture shock, it is highly important that you are mentally prepared for the same. Some such challenges include the following:

• Canada could be considered as a mix of cultures where you can find people from different ethnicities from across the world. Thus, you would meet people totally different from you in all aspects. You would have to get used to the local customs and traditions followed by the citizens.
• You might end up feeling uncomfortable, alienated, insecure and uncertain of the decision you took. This would lead to an increase in your stress levels. You might feel helpless and how to react to situations initially.
• You might have to get used to the Canadian accent or even learn English or French according to the province in which you reside.
• Getting your children enrolled into a school, get yourself a job and a house to live in a decent community.

During such circumstances, it is important that you do not give up hope. It is all a matter of time for you to adjust to the new country. All you need to do is keep trying and learn at every step.

A Visa Veteran would help you contact an Immigrant – Serving Organization which would help you with the necessary resources to cope with the circumstances.

The Canadian government offers various services to all the newly landed immigrants on its soil. These are executed via the Immigrant Serving Agencies or organization in the various communities throughout the country.

For some of the provinces, the respective provincial governments are responsible are implementing such programs. These include British Columbia, Quebec and Manitoba. You can contact the concerned provincial authorities to know more on the same.

The various Immigrant Serving Organizations cater to the following services –

• Getting in touch with the local Canadian officials who could help with the various services.
• Housing and accommodation facilities.
• Applying for the Social Insurance Number (SIN) and a Health Insurance Card.
• Register with a Doctor to rush to incase of emergency.
• Helping to enroll your children in a good school.
• Availing language skills classes.
• Referring to the services offered by the government and the community.
• Making you familiar with the day to day activities such shopping, banking and so on.

To know more, contact an Immigration and Visa veteran who is updated in this regard. He would help you find an Immigrant – Serving Organization in your community which will make it easier for you and your family to better acquaint with the new country.