There is often confusion about whether or not an individual is eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, because their job title might differ from those listed in the announced 38 qualifying occupations. Job titles for a particular occupation can vary across different countries, different industries and even different employers, but the duties […]

The post A closer look at the 38 qualifying occupations under the Federal Skilled Worker Program: University Professors, and College and other Vocational Instructors first appeared on CIC News.

Since 2001, the Yukon Territory has been the only Canadian Territory to have an immigrant Nominee Program in place. However, the Yukon now has company. On August 5, 2009, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney, along with his Territorial counterparts, announced the new Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP). This fast-track Canadian immigration […]

The post Northwest Territories Nominee Program: A New Fast-Track Canadian Permanent Residency Option first appeared on CIC News.

This week, Nova Scotia announced that a new stream is being added to its Provincial Nomination Program (PNP), known as the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP). Under the NSNP Non-Dependent Children of Nova Scotia Nominees stream, non-dependent children of people previously nominated by the province will be able to apply for fast-track Canadian immigration. The […]

The post Nova Scotia announces new Provincial Nomination Program stream to welcome more immigrants first appeared on CIC News.

 “The pot calling the kettle black” is an expression, which refers to criticism that could equally apply to the critic. Interestingly, similar idioms can be found in more than 30 languages, across as many cultures and so we can assume that this particular human disposition is universal in nature. It most certainly applies to the […]

The post David’s Blog: The Pot Calling the Kettle Black first appeared on CIC News.

Since 1991, the province of Quebec has had an agreement in place with the Government of Canada, called the Canada-Quebec Accord, which allows Quebec to select its own immigrants. In the June 2009 edition of our newsletter, we reported that the Quebec Immigration Minister had announced changes to Quebec’s immigration programs. Some of these changes […]

The post Quebec Immigration Update: Changes to selection grid to improve the immigration and settlement process first appeared on CIC News.

Working-aged dependents of Temporary Foreign Workers in Ontario and Alberta can now obtain Open Work Permits, giving them the ability to contribute to the Canadian workforce alongside their parents.  On an Open Work Permit, these individuals will be able to work for any employer in Alberta or Ontario without having to undergo the usual process […]

The post Children of Temporary Foreign Workers in Alberta and Ontario can now apply for Open Work Permits first appeared on CIC News.

The “Programme de l’expérience québécoise,” or “Quebec Experience Class” (PEQ), is a new, accelerated immigration program that will allow international students and Temporary Foreign Workers in Quebec to apply to immigrate permanently to Quebec. The PEQ, which will be put into effect before October, 2009, shares some aspects with its federal counterpart, the Canadian Experience […]

The post New Quebec Experience Class mimics Canadian Experience Class, but offers faster route to Canadian Permanent Residency first appeared on CIC News.

Language ability plays a crucial rule for immigrants to Canada in terms of their ability to find employment and successfully integrate into their new society. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has set up language training services for new arrivals across the country. However, it is also important to be proficient in one of Canada’s two […]

The post Language training programs are the key to successful settlement in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

About a year ago, I was privileged to appear before parliamentary committees that were charged with examining proposed changes to Canada’s immigration selection system. The government of the day claimed that urgent modifications to the law were necessary in order to streamline the immigration process and reduce the backlog of pending skilled worker (economic) applications. […]

The post David’s Blog: Canada on the wrong immigration track? first appeared on CIC News.

Along the lines of the federal Canadian Experience Class, introduced last year by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the province of Quebec is launching its own accelerated and simplified immigration program for international students and specialized foreign workers who meet labour market priorities in the province. >> Read full article on Canadavisa.com

The post Quebec adopts special immigration program for international students and foreign workers first appeared on CIC News.

The Canadian province of Saskatchewan has been steadily building its reputation as an immigration destination in Canada.  Significant investments have been made to its Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) and towards immigrant settlement services in recent years, helping to develop a strong immigrant community in the province.  Now, the Government of Saskatchewan has unveiled a new […]

The post Saskatchewan’s new immigration strategy strengthens communities and the economy first appeared on CIC News.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in observing World Refugee Day earlier this month.  Canada’s longstanding commitment to providing a new home for refugees was acknowledged by the UNHCR, and current resettlement programs and integration initiatives were celebrated. Every year, Canada’s refugee program provides […]

The post Canada’s commitment to refugee resettlement first appeared on CIC News.

July 1st is Canada Day, a day for all of Canada’s citizens and Permanent Residents to celebrate the benefits and opportunities bestowed up them as Canadians.  Recognizing the contributions made by immigrants and the importance of immigration to the country’s history, the Government of Canada has now given national museum status to Canada’s Immigration Museum, […]

The post Happy Canada Day! Canada now has a National Immigration Museum first appeared on CIC News.

We Canadians take our hockey seriously. And why not? It is, after all, our game and no other country can match us over the long haul in international competitions. Hockey for us is a source of pride and many of us follow our favourite teams with the fervour you would expect from a religious devotee. […]

The post David’s Blog: A Tale of Two Cities first appeared on CIC News.

In the April edition of our newsletter, we had reported that changes were coming to the popular U.S. Visa Holder category of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).  Earlier this month, those changes were announced and, as suspected, the list of qualifying occupations was reduced.  Eight of the information technology (IT) occupations have been removed […]

The post Changes made to H1B fast-track Canadian immigration category first appeared on CIC News.

Entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses are an important part of the Canadian economy.  If, as a potential Canadian immigrant, you would like to establish and manage your own business in Canada, the Entrepreneur category of Canadian Business immigration could be your ticket to Canadian Permanent Residency.  The federal and provincial governments strongly encourage newcomers […]

The post Manage a business in Canada: Business Immigration for Entrepreneurs first appeared on CIC News.

Municipalities across Canada are requesting a greater say in immigration and settlement planning, says a recent report by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.  Many Canadian city mayors believe that they do not receive enough funding to properly meet the needs of new immigrants and to cope with changing settlement trends.  Municipalities are on the front […]

The post The importance of municipalities for immigration and settlement in Canada first appeared on CIC News.

In recent years, Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) has been opened up to make it easier for Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill labour shortages in their growing businesses.  As a result, the annual number of foreign workers coming to Canada has skyrocketed over the past few years, and a growing proportion […]

The post Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program under review first appeared on CIC News.

Around this time last year most Canadians were relieved to learn that Ms Brenda Martin, a Canadian Citizen, had been brought back to Canada after having languished for more than two years in a Mexican Prison. >> Read full article on Canadavisa.com

The post David’s Blog: Second class citizens – Part 2 first appeared on CIC News.

Earlier this year, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada Minister Jason Kenney announced that Canada was considering a reduction in immigration numbers in 2009, based on economic uncertainty.  Having met with his provincial and territorial counterparts to study the demand for immigration in regional labour markets, Minister Kenney has announced that the need for immigration remains […]

The post Canada to maintain immigration levels for 2009, though requirements may change first appeared on CIC News.

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has announced that the list of qualifying occupations for the popular U.S. Visa Holder category is currently under revision.  It is anticipated that a new list of qualifying occupations will likely be more restrictive than the current one.  Applicants who qualify under existing requirements are encouraged to submit their […]

The post In the US on an H1B? Get in on fast-track Canadian immigration while you still can first appeared on CIC News.

The free flow of skilled workers across provincial and national boundaries has become increasingly relevant in the age of free-trade markets and globalization.  To remain economically competitive with an efficient labour market, Canada has been taking steps to improve labour mobility and foreign credential recognition both at home and abroad.  Agreements have recently been signed […]

The post Labour mobility across Canada and across the Atlantic first appeared on CIC News.

The province of Manitoba has implemented new regulations to better protect temporary foreign workers from unscrupulous recruiters and employers that have surfaced in Canada and abroad.  The new legislation is designed to prevent any worker from paying to find a job in Manitoba, requiring recruitment agencies be licensed by the province for better regulation.  National […]

The post New legislation for foreign worker recruitment provides better protection first appeared on CIC News.

Though it is one of the three categories of federal business immigration, the Self-Employed Person category is the only one that does not require a monetary investment or a minimum personal net worth.  It is simply a fast-track option for those who have relevant experience in an occupation in art, culture, recreation, or sport, as […]

The post Self-employed? Canadian business immigration seeks cultural and athletic professionals, as well as farmers first appeared on CIC News.

If you were to ask me what I consider to be the greatest benefit of being a Canadian, I’d say it’s that I get to pass citizenship on to my children. While it’s still true for me, its no longer the case for one of my kids who happened to be born in the U.S.. […]

The post David’s Blog: Second class citizens’- Part 1 first appeared on CIC News.