NEWS AND PROMOTIONS
May 30, 2018

   


Second Express Entry draw in a week invites candidates with scores as low as 288

Program-specific draw is first of its kind since November 2017

The Government of Canada has issued 700 Invitations to Apply to Express Entry candidates through a program-specific draw held May 30.

A total of 500 Invitations to Apply, or ITAs, were issued to Express Entry candidates under the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC). The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for these candidates was 288.

It is important to note that only FSTC candidates with scores as low as 288 were invited to apply.

Another 200 ITAs were issued to Express Entry candidates nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program. The minimum CRS score for these candidates was 902.

Express Entry candidates with a provincial nomination receive an additional 600 points toward their CRS score, which explains the high cut-off score. For example, a candidate who enters the Express Entry pool with a CRS score of 300 and then obtains a nomination from a Canadian province would see their CRS score increase to 900.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada employed its tie-break procedure in both instances. For both FSTC and PNP candidates, the date and time of the tie-break was May 30, 2018 at 14:52:06 UTC. This means that all FSTC and PNP candidates with a CRS score above 288 and 902 respectively, as well as those candidates with scores of 288 and 902 who submitted their profile before this date and time, received an ITA in this invitation round.

This draw brings the total ITAs issued in 2018 to 32,200.
Program-specific draws are rare
Program-specific invitation rounds are the exception to the norm for Express Entry draws, the vast majority of which include candidates from all programs managed under the Express Entry system.

The last time a program-specific draw was held was November 1, 2017. That draw, which also focused on PNP and Federal Skilled Trades candidates, saw the minimum CRS score drop to 241.

In May 2017, a program-specific draw that was held May 26 was followed five days later by a draw on May 31 that had the lowest minimum CRS score ever recorded for an all-program draw under the Express Entry system – 413.


   

May 28, 2018

   

Canada intends to lift visa requirement on the United Arab Emirates.

Ottawa, ON – Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, announced today during a meeting with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that the Government is lifting the visa requirement for UAE citizens on June 5, 2018.

This decision is based on a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of the UAE against Canada’s visa policy criteria. The evaluation found that the UAE meets Canada’s criteria for a visa exemption.

Emirati citizens will no longer need a visa as of 5:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Gulf Standard Time) on June 5, 2018, to travel to Canada for short stays (normally for up to six months) for business, to visit family and friends or for tourism.

However, Emirati citizens, similar to other visa-exempt travelers, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly to, or transit through a Canadian airport. The eTA allows Canadian officials to screen travelers for admissibility before they board their flight to Canada. Emiratis will be able to apply online for an eTA after 5:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Gulf Standard Time) on June 5.

In the meantime, they can continue to apply online for a visitor visa, or use the services of one of the visa application centres (VACs), including the VAC in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

Quotes

“The United Arab Emirates is a key strategic partner and lifting the visa requirement will help reaffirm the strong relationship between our two countries. It will also promote increased tourism, cultural, academic and study exchanges, as well as foster new business, trade, and investment opportunities.”

– The Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Quick facts

  • Canada has close people-to-people and business ties with the UAE.

  • About 40,000 Canadians live and work in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Some 150 Canadian companies have an operational presence in the country.

  • Canadian citizens, including dual citizens, need a valid Canadian passport to fly to Canada.

  • Permanent residents (PR) of Canada need a valid PR card or PR travel document to travel to Canada. As well, former residents of Canada could still have PR status. These travellers will need to resolve their status before they can fly to Canada.

  • Emiratis coming to study or work temporarily in Canada will still need to apply for a study or work permit even after the visa is lifted on June 5, 2018.

   

May 23, 2018

   

Express Entry May 23 draw issues 3,500 Invitations to Apply

The Government of Canada held a new Express Entry draw on Wednesday, May 23, issuing 3,500 invitations to apply for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System cut-off score for this draw was 440.

Today’s score is a new low for 2018, surpassing the previous low of 441 that was established in the invitation round on April 25 and repeated on May 9.

The tie-break date and time for this latest invitation round was December 30, 2017, at 06:39:40 UTC. This means that all candidates with a CRS score above 440, as well as those candidates with scores of 440 who submitted their profile before this time, received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in this invitation round.

Today’s draw is the tenth of 2018 and the fourth in a row to issue 3,500 ITAs, bringing the 2018 ITA total to 31,500.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has increased draw sizes in 2018 from 2,750 at the start of the year to 3,000 in February and March and now to 3,500 for each of the four draws held since the start of April.

The Government of Canada’s target for 2018 is 74,900 admissions through the three economic immigration classes administered by the Express Entry system — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class. For 2019, the target for these three classes is set at 81,400.


   

April 25, 2018

   


The Government of Canada has invited 3,500 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in a draw that took place on April 25. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 441 which is three points lower than the previous invitation on April 11, which had a CRS minimum of 444.

This is the second consecutive invitation round in which IRCC issued 3,500 Invitations to Apply, tying the highest number of ITAs in a draw this year. This brings the number of ITAs issued by IRCC in 2018 to 24,500. IRCC employed its tie-break rule in this latest invitation round. The date and time employed in this round was December 8, 2017, at 10:25:33 UTC.

 

   

April 16, 2018

   

Canada revises controversial medical inadmissibility rules for immigrants

The Government of Canada has announced major changes to its controversial medical inadmissibility rules for immigration candidates that are expected to reduce the number of refusals significantly.

The changes stop short of a recommendation by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to abolish Section 38-1(C) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which bars anyone who “might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services.”

While agreeing with the call to repeal the policy and saying it will take steps to do so at a later date, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has for now tripled the threshold for what’s considered an excessive demand.

In 2017, the cost threshold for a demand to be considered excessive was $6,655 per year, or $33,275 over five years. Based on those figures, the cost threshold would now be $19,965 per year. IRCC said the change, which takes effect June 1, will effectively “dispense with the majority of medical inadmissibility cases seen in Canada today.” Furthermore, IRCC says it is amending the definition of social services by removing references to special education, social and vocational rehabilitation services and personal support services

.These amendments would benefit applicants with visual and hearing impairments, among others. According to IRCC, approximately 1,000 applicants for permanent or temporary residence are ruled inadmissible for medical reasons each year, or 0.2 per cent of all applicants who undergo medical screening. The savings from this ruling amounted to 0.1 per cent of all publicly funded health spending in Canada. In a news release, IRCC said the old criteria were out of step with a 21st century approach to persons with disabilities. Most of those affected are individuals who would otherwise be approved in the economic immigration class, and selected for the benefit their skills will bring to the Canadian economy. “The changes we are announcing today are a major step toward ensuring our immigration system is more inclusive of persons with disabilities, and reflects the values of Canadians,” Canada’s Immigration Minister Hussen said in a statement.

 

   

April 11, 2018

   


April 11 sees largest Express Entry draw of 2018 - 3,500 candidates invited with CRS score 444.

In the 87th Express Entry draw on April 11, IRCC issued a total number of 3,500 ITAs, the highest number so far in 2018. The minimum CRS score dropped from 446 points to 444 points.

The cut-off score is two points lower than the previous invitation round, which took place on March 26.

This draw broke the recent trend of 3,000 ITAs being issued, which was also the case in the four previous draws going back to February 7. The Government of Canada has issued 21,000 ITAs since the start of 2018.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) applied the tie-break rule in the April 11 draw.

According to targets set in Canada’s multi-year immigration levels plan for 2018-2020, the federal government set a target of 74,900 admissions for the three economic immigration classes administered through the Express Entry system.

Draw Number: 87

Draw Date: April 11th, 2018

Number of Invitations Issued: 3,500

Minimum CRS: 444

Program Specified: None

In previous draws this year, IRCC has never issued more than 3,000 ITAs per draw, so this may mark a big shift in policy. With this high number of ITAs issued in each draw, if there are more frequent draws, there is a strong possibility that the CRS score will continue to drop!


   
     

March, 26 , 2018

   

The sixth Express Entry draw for permanent residency candidates in 2018 has taken place.

The Government of Canada has invited 3,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a draw that took place Monday, March 26. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System score was 446. Express Entry draw in less than two weeks sees 10-point drop in cut-off score. Today’s score is 10 points lower than the previous draw, which took place on March 14.

The gap of 12 days between the two most recent draws was shorter than usual, as typically draws have taken place on Wednesdays, and typically there is a gap of 14 days between draws.

The size of this invitation round, 3,000, continues the trend seen through the last three draws, all of which also issued Invitations to Apply, or ITAs, to 3,000 Express Entry candidates.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) once again employed its tie-break rule in this latest draw.

This latest draw was the sixth of 2018, which is the first year of the Canadian government’s new multi-year immigration levels plan. For 2018, Canada has increased its target to 74,900.

In 2017, IRCC had an admissions target of 71,700 and finished the year having issued a total of 86,023 ITAs.


   
     

March, 14 , 2018

   


Canada invites 3,000 Express Entry candidates in March 14 draw

The fifth Express Entry draw for permanent residency candidates in 2018 has taken place. The latest draw, held on March 14, resulted in a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off threshold of 456 points, with 3,000 candidates receiving an invitation to apply (ITA).

This draw took place after the first three-week gap between draws in 2018. The previous draws this year took place every two weeks. As in recent draws, a tie-break is being applied. As multiple candidates may have 456 CRS points, those who have had a profile in the pool longer are prioritized. Specifically, candidates with 456 CRS points who created their profile before March 3, 2018 at 02:12:11 UTC were invited in this latest draw.

The March 14 Express Entry draw is the 85th since the Express Entry system came into operation, and the fifth so far this year. For 2018, Canada has established a target of 74,900 admissions through the three economic immigration classes administered through the Express Entry system — the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.


   
     
February 26, 2018    


Nova Scotia creates new immigration stream for physicians

The province of Nova Scotia has created a new immigration stream to attract general practitioners, family physicians, and specialist physicians. Under the new Physician Stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) foreign doctors may be eligible to speed up their immigration processes and become Canadian permanent residents.

The new Physician Stream is only open to general practitioners and family physicians (NOC 3112) and specialist physicians (NOC 3111) with a job offer approved by either the Nova Scotia Health Authority or the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK).

Both the NSHA and the IWK require potential employees to be screened for eligibility to practice as a doctor in Nova Scotia. This means that foreign nationals who do not have the credentials needed to work in Nova Scotia will not receive job offers from these health organizations.

The stream is designed to expedite the immigration process for physicians by reducing the amount of paperwork involved. To this end, the NSNP, says it will rely on credential assessments performed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia in a bid to eliminate duplication.

If an applicant is eligible for this stream, they may submit an application online using the NSNP web portal. Successful applicants receive a provincial nomination, which enables them to submit permanent residency applications to the federal government. As well, successful applicants will be issued a work permit support letter, which enables them to apply for a temporary work permit while their permanent residency application is in processing.

 



   
     
February 21, 2018    


Express Entry Draw # 84;

Minimum CRS Score: 442

Number of Invitations Issued: 3000

Canada has invited 3,000 Express Entry candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a draw that took place on Wednesday, February 21. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking Score for this draw was 442, same as previous draw on February 7

The total of 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) that were issued in this latest draw is also the same as the February 7 draw. This marks the second consecutive draw in which 3,000 candidates were invited to apply. Both these draws saw the number of ITAs issued increase by 250 over the previous five draws.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) once gain employed its tie-break rule in this latest draw. In this case, the time and date of the tie-break was February 11, 2018, at 17:03:32 UTC. This means that all candidates with a CRS score above 442, as well as those candidates with scores of 442 who entered their profile in the Express Entry pool before this time, will receive an ITA.

The minimum CRS score stayed consistent at 442 points through this most recent draw. Though it is impossible to predict how the CRS score will change in the future, if the current trends continue, there is a strong possibility the minimum CRS score cut off will continue to fall in future draws.

Draw Number: 84
Draw Date: February 21st, 2018
Number of Invitations Issued: 3,000 Minimum
CRS: 442
Program Specified: None
Tie-breaking rule: February 11th, 2018


   
February 18, 2018    


Government action on rule that rejects immigrants on medical grounds expected in April.

Up to 1,000 applications a year affected by controversial 'excessive demand' policy

Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen, says his department’s action plan for addressing a controversial policy that refuses immigrants deemed likely to cause an “excessive demand” on the country’s health-care system will be released in April.

Parliament’s Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration has recommended abolishing the “excessive demand” rules, which it says is at odds with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

That recommendation was part of a standing committee report on medical inadmissibility rules for immigrants that was tabled on December 12.

In an appearance before that committee yesterday, Hussen reiterated his belief that the rules need to change. “I have been very clear that this policy is out of step with Canadian values on accommodating people with disabilities,” Hussen said.

The minister promised that his department will respond to the committee’s recommendations by April 12.

What is excessive demand?

Under Section 38 1 (C) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, a prospective immigrant can be ruled inadmissible on health grounds if their health condition “might reasonably be expected to cause excessive demand on health or social services.”

Excessive demand is defined as one “for which the anticipated costs would likely exceed average Canadian per capita health services and social services” over a five or 10-year period, or which would affect existing wait times for health and social services in Canada.

In 2017, the cost threshold for a demand to be considered excessive was $6,655 per year, or $33,275 over five years.

   
     
February 15, 2018    
     
Spouses being reunited more quickly in Canada    

“The Government of Canada is committed to family reunification. We understand how important it is to reunite couples. It also makes for a stronger Canada. Canadians who marry someone from abroad shouldn’t have to wait for years to have them immigrate or be left with uncertainty in terms of their ability to stay.”

– The Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sponsorship process improvements have led to backlog reduction and shorter processing times February 14, 2018 – Mississauga, ON – Over the past year, the Government of Canada has made significant improvements to the spousal sponsorship process, making it faster and easier for Canadians and permanent residents to reunite with their spouses. In December 2016, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it would reduce the backlog of spousal applicants by 80% and shorten processing times to 12 months. It also announced improvements to the spousal sponsorship application process to make it more efficient and easier to navigate.

The Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the government has successfully met these commitments:

More than 80% of those who were in the global spousal sponsorship backlog on December 7, 2016, have now received final decisions for their applications and reduced the spousal inventory from 75,000 applications to 15,000 as of December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, we met our commitment to process 80% of spousal applications that were received in December 2016.

In addition, after introducing a new spousal sponsorship application package in December 2016, IRCC continued to respond to client and stakeholder feedback to further improve the application process, and make it simpler and easier for sponsors and applicants to understand and navigate. As a result, we made a number of improvements to the application package in June 2017. And today, we introduced further updates to the application kit and process to improve the client experience and make sure we can process applications as quickly as possible.

To bring families together, IRCC plans to welcome 66,000 spouses and dependents in 2018, well above the average over the past decade of about 47,000.

   
     
February 14, 2018    


Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream issues new invitations to Express Entry candidates

Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream has invited 488 candidates with a profile in the federal Express Entry pool to apply for a provincial nomination.

This latest invitation round took place on February 12 and issued Notifications of Interest, or NOIs, to select Express Entry candidates with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of between 435 and 441.

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) said those invited had submitted their Express Entry profiles between January 1 and February 8, 2018, at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Express Entry candidates who receive a NOI can apply for a provincial nomination by Ontario. If successful, they get an additional 600 points toward their CRS score.

The Human Capital Priorities Stream allows the OINP to search the Express Entry pool for candidates with a CRS score above 400, among other criteria.
This is fourth round of invitations issued through the Human Capital Priorities Stream in 2018. Altogether, a total of 1,297 invitations have been issued over the four rounds, the other three taking place January 23, January 25 and February 8.

The OINP said the candidates invited in this latest round were identified through a search that was conducted on January 25.

 

   
February 7 2018    


Express Entry draw #83, February 7, 2018


The third Express Entry draw for permanent residency candidates in 2018 has taken place. It has resulted in a slight decrease in the number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, compared to the previous draw on January 24. The Government of Canada has invited 3,000 Express Entry candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System score of 442 to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a draw that took place on February 7.

  • Draw Number: 83
  • Draw Date: February 7th, 2018
  • Number of Invitations Issued: 3,000
  • Minimum CRS: 442
  • Program Specified: None
  • Tie-breaking rule: May 29, 2017

As in recent draws, a tie-break is being applied. As multiple candidates may have 442 CRS points, those who have had a profile in the pool longer are prioritized. Specifically, candidates with 442 CRS points who created their profile before May 29, 2017 at 07:01:15 UTC were invited in this latest draw.
The total of 3,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) represents an increase of 250 over each the previous six draws, all of which issued 2,750 ITAs and the cut-off score of 442 represents a reduction of two points from the previous draw on January 24, and continues the record low start to 2018 in terms of cut-off CRS scores.
So far, all three draws in 2018 have had minimum CRS scores well below those of the first draws from 2017, a year which later saw a number of record-low CRS scores established. The lowest score reached in 2017 was 413 on May 31, 2017.

 

   

February 3 2018

   


CHANGES COMING TO CANADA IMMIGRATION - 2018
As Canada continues to increase immigration targets, 2018 will be a busy year with many new changes and updates!
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has already implemented some changes for Canadian immigration in 2018. Additional changes are still under consideration. We expect that these changes will come into effect in 2018. It is possible that their implementation will be delayed, or that the details will be changed. Expected changes have not been implemented yet.

  • CHANGES ALREADY MADE

These changes have already been made and may affect both current applicants and applicants throughout 2018.
1. INCREASES TARGETS TO 310,000
Canada has announced an increase in immigration targets from 300,000 to 310,000 for 2018. Between 2018 and 2020, the country will accept nearly 1 million new immigrants!
2. COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM (CRS) SCORE TENDS TO GET LOWER
With increased immigration quotas and the prioritization of Express Entry as the main pathway to Canadian permanent residence, the minimum CRS score requirement dropped to a record low of 413 points in 2017. This downward trend seems likely to continue through 2018.
3. LIVE-IN CAREGIVER PERMANENT RESIDENT APPLICATIONS TO BE PROCESSED BY END OF 2018
IRCC has announced that by the end of 2018 they will process 80% of backlogged permanent resident applications submitted by people who came to Canada through the former Live-in Caregiver Program.
4. PARENT AND GRANDPARENT SPONSORSHIP CONTINUES LOTTERY INTAKE SYSTEM
10,000 applications will be accepted under this program in 2018. The randomized lottery system implemented for this program last year will remain in place, despite criticisms.
5. LAUNCH OF THE GLOBAL SKILLS STRATEGY EXPEDITES WORK PERMIT PROCESSING TIMES!
Canada has launched a two-year pilot program, the Global Skills Strategy, to enable eligible high-skilled workers to obtain Canadian work permits in as little as two weeks.

  • EXPECTED CHANGES

These changes have not yet been implemented, or are ongoing.
1. UPDATES TO PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS (PNPS)
PNPs are operated independently by each province. Some provinces have announced, or have already implemented, changes to both the intake system and eligibility criteria of their PNPs. Manitoba, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island (PEI), are all implementing changes to their PNPs throughout 2018.
2. CANADIAN JOB MARKET AT STRONGEST LEVEL IN A DECADE!
Under the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there are more jobs available in Canada than in the previous decade and not enough Canadians to fill them. Employers are turning towards foreign workers to fill their labour needs, which is excellent news for workers wishing to immigrate.
3. ATLANTIC IMMIGRATION PILOT PROGRAM (AIPP) TO CONTINUE STREAMLINING WORKERS TO ATLANTIC CANADA
Following a successful first year of operation, the AIPP has released steadily increasing target quotas for the next three years. The program pairs skilled workers with Canadian employers to expedite the permanent residency process.

 

January 29 2018
ONTARIO MASTERS AND PHD GRADUATES STREAMS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Canadian province of Ontario reopened its Masters Graduate Stream and PhD Graduate Stream on January 29.These streams operate on a first-come, first served model, and open to new applications periodically throughout the year. This was the first intake for these programs in 2018.
The Masters Graduate and PhD Graduate streams are two of the most sought-after immigration programs offered under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). No job offer is required to apply to these streams, which are designed to retain international graduates who studied in the province.
Intake limits through these two first-come, first-served streams are often reached quickly, and the Masters Graduate Stream closed around an hour after it opened. Ontario did not disclose how many applications it was accepting for the current application intake period.The PhD Graduate Stream remains open to applications.
Neither of the streams require candidates to be in the federal Express Entry pool to be eligible to apply. Instead, applicants who have graduated from a Masters or PhD program from a university in Ontario are eligible to apply for a provincial nomination directly from the OINP. If their application is approved, they can then apply to IRCC for Canadian permanent residence.

  • INTERNATIONAL MASTER’S GRADUATES CRITERIA

In addition to graduating from a Master’s degree program at an eligible university in Ontario, candidates must have a minimum language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, have lived in Ontario for at least one year of the last two years, and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members.

  • INTERNATIONAL PHD GRADUATES CRITERIA

Candidates must have graduated from a PhD program at an eligible university in Ontario, have lived in Ontario for at least one year of the last two years, and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members. Unlike the OINP Masters Graduates stream, there is no minimum language proficiency requirement for the PhD stream.
The PhD Graduates stream also does not require that applicants have a minimum amount of work experience, nor that they have an active profile in the federal Express Entry pool.
If you meet the criteria for the above programs, you must wait for one of the program’s periodic intakes to submit your complete application. Intake periods for the PhD Graduates stream tend to be longer than those for the Masters Graduates stream, but not by much. The stream usually meets its intake quota and closes within days. It’s therefore important to prepare your application well in advance, so that you’re ready to submit as soon as the program opens.

 

January 29 2018
Canada ranked first for quality of life in 2018.
A new international survey is ranking Canada the second best country in the world to live in, and the first in terms of quality of life.
Conducted by the U.S. News & World Report, the poll ranked 80 countries based on attributes in nine broad categories. More than 21,000 people from around the world completed the survey.
Canada was ranked first in the quality of life category, ahead of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Australia. Overall, Canada was ranked second behind Switzerland, scoring 9.9 out of a possible 10.
Quality of life attributes were listed as a good job market, affordable, economically stable, family friendly, income equality, politically stable, safe, well-developed public education system, and well-developed public health system.
Canada scored 10 in terms of job market, political stability and safety, 9.9 in terms of well-developed public health and education systems.
This is the third consecutive year that Canada placed first in the quality of life category.
Canada also ranked fourth in citizenship, scoring 9.0 or above on the attributes trustworthy, progressive, gender equality, religious freedom, cares for human rights and respects property rights.
In other rankings that were part of the survey, Canada was named the second most transparent country in the world and third best in terms of education.
This is the second year in a row that Canada placed second in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Countries list.

 

January 24 2018
Express Entry Draw - 82 invited 2750 candidates and the minimum cut-off score was 444!
The Government of Canada has invited 2,750 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in a draw that took place on January 24.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for this draw was 444, a reduction of two points from the previous Express Entry draw on January 10, which had a CRS cut-off score of 446.
As with the five previous draws, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) employed a tie-break rule.
Both the first and second draws of 2018 already have CRS scores well below the first two draws of 2017, which went on to set a number of Express Entry records.

 

January 23 2018
Canada.ai provides the latest on Artificial Intelligence-related news and research around Canada
Candidates for Canadian immigration with Information and Communications Technology experience can take a look at Canada.ai, a new information hub showcasing developments and research in Canada’s Artificial Intelligence industry.
The platform was recently unveiled in Toronto, Ontario, at TechTO, one of the largest gatherings of Canada’s technology sector.
Canada.ai was built primarily by the Toronto-based NEXT Canada in collaboration with the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Borealis AI, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms, and the Vector Institute and others.
The hub aggregates news on the latest AI research and development in Canada and serves as a directory of AI-focused companies, organizations and research institutes. It also provides information on AI events happening around the country.
Canada.ai will be especially useful to immigration candidates with AI and tech expertise who are considering their options in provinces like Ontario, which is a focal point of Canada’s AI sector.
In 2017, the majority of immigrants nominated by Ontario for permanent residency were employed in Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) occupations. Software engineers and designers led the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)’s top five nominee occupation categories in 2017, followed by computer programmers and interactive media developers.
One of the OINP’s most popular immigration streams, the Human Capital Priorities Stream, opened exclusively to candidates in the federal government’s Express Entry pool with experience in 15 ICT-related occupations on one occasion in June 2017. The stream, which normally only nominates candidates with at least 400 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, waived that requirement in this instance.
Last year, Canada also introduced the Global Talent Stream to accelerate work permits for highly skilled foreign workers and, in August 2017, the province of British Columbia introduced the BC Tech Pilot program to address shortages in 32 tech-related occupations.

 

January 11 2018
Saskatchewan’s Express Entry sub-category opens for 400 new applications
The province of Saskatchewan’s International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category has opened to 400 new applications.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) made the announcement on the morning of January 10 and said the first come, first-served sub-category will remain open until the application threshold of 400 is met.
The International Skilled Worker – Express Entry sub-category does not require a job offer or a connection to Saskatchewan. Instead, it enables the SINP to nominate individuals who are already in Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s Express Entry pool with the necessary education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other factors to help them settle successfully in Saskatchewan.
Applicants who receive a provincial nomination under this Express Entry sub-category receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points.
Over the course of 2017, this sub-category opened five times to a total of 3,200 applicants.
Since this sub-category opens without advanced notice, it is important that interested Express Entry candidates be prepared and have their documents in order so they can quickly apply when it does.
In order to be eligible for the SINP’s International Skilled Worker – Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category, candidates must:
• Have proof of legal status, only if he or she is currently residing in Canada; (It is important to note, however, that candidates do not need to be residing in Canada to be eligible for this sub-category)
• Have an Express Entry Profile Number and Job Seeker Validation Code;
• Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid.
• Provide language test results from a designated testing agency that match the language level declared in the Express Entry profile;
• Have completed at least one year of post-secondary education or training which is comparable to the Canadian education system and which has resulted in a degree, diploma, or certificate;
• Have a minimum level of work experience related to their field of education or training in a highly skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B);
• Have at least one of the following in the field of education or training occupation:
1 One year work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled profession (non-trades),
2 Two years work experience in a skilled trade in the past five years; or
3 Twelve months work experience in Canada in the past three years (trades and non-trades).
• Obtain proof of eligibility for Saskatchewan licensure if their profession is regulated in Saskatchewan and requires mandatory (compulsory) certification or licensing; and
• Have proof of sufficient settlement funds and a settlement plan.

 

January 10 2018
The first Express Entry draw for 2018 has taken place. Canada has invited 2,750 candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence in the draw that took place in January 10, 2018. The cut-off Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for this draw was 446.
As in recent draws, a tie-break is being applied. As multiple candidates have 446 CRS points, those who have had a profile in the pool longer are prioritized.
Today’s score of 446 is the same cut-off CRS score as the previous draw that took place on December 20. It represents the lowest CRS cut-off for a first draw of the year since the Express Entry system came into effect in January 2015.
More invitations are expected to be issued over the coming weeks, months, and years, benefiting individuals and families around the world wishing to make Canada their new permanent home.
With IRCC’s higher ITA targets for 2018, we can expect larger or more frequent draws from Express Entry pool in the coming year.
The previous year started with a CRS cut-off score of 468 and went down to a record low of 413 at one point. This year is starting nearly 22 points lower than first draw of 2017, which could mean even lower CRS records in 2018.

 

January 4 2017
News Release
Free Prescription Medications for Everyone Under 25
Ontario Becomes First Province to Cover Prescriptions for Children and Youth
January 2, 2018 10:25 A.M. Office of the Premier
Prescription medications are now free for everyone under the age of 25 in Ontario. As of January 1, the province has made the biggest expansion to Medicare in Ontario in a generation, providing drug coverage to over four million children and youth across the province. The launch of OHIP+: Children and Youth pharma care is a national milestone as Ontario becomes the first province to provide prescription drug coverage to children and youth.
Premier Kathleen Wynne was in downtown Toronto to celebrate this national milestone with some of the young people and parents who now have access to over 4,400 medicines, completely free of charge. Some of the now publicly funded prescriptions include depression and anxiety medications, insulin and diabetic test strips, antibiotics, asthma inhalers and birth control pills.
This expansion of Medicare marks a turning point for Ontario families, who now have access to life-saving drugs without having to worry about affordability. Coverage will be automatic for children and youth with an OHIP card and a valid prescription. There will be no upfront costs, no co-pays and no strings attached.
The launch of OHIP+ is just one of the historic ways Ontario has changed with the New Year. The government's plan to build a fairer, better province also includes a raise to the minimum wage to $14 an hour, effective January 1. The minimum wage will further increase to $15 per hour as of January 1, 2019.
Ontario's plan is creating fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of Medicare in a generation.

  • Quick Facts

Ontario is the first province to provide prescription medication coverage at no cost for all children and youth under 25 who are OHIP-insured.
An estimated 1.2 million people in Ontario without drug coverage will benefit from OHIP+. This is according to a recent report by the Conference Board of Canada that estimates a drop from 13.2 per cent to four per cent in the number of people not currently eligible for drug coverage under a public or private insurance plan in Ontario.
OHIP+ covers prescription medications listed on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary and additional medications eligible for funding through the Exceptional Access Program and prescribed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
Ontario’s public drug programs already help to pay for needed prescription medications for seniors, people with high drug costs and other vulnerable populations. It marks one of the many ways the Ontario government is leading a national discussion on the future shape of pharma care in Canada.
Increasing the minimum wage is part of the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, which responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review. The report estimated that more than 30 per cent of Ontario workers were in precarious work in 2014. Today part-time work represents nearly 20 per cent of total employment.
Since the global recession, more than 800,000 net new jobs have been created in Ontario. By 2020, Ontario is expected to create over 200,000 more net new jobs. The unemployment rate in Ontario is currently at a 17-year low.

 

January 4 2018
News Release
Ontario's Minimum Wage is now $14 an Hour
Increased Paid Vacations and New Personal Emergency Days Also in Effect
January 1, 2018 10:00 A.M. Ministry of Labour
Starting today, people across Ontario will see their wages rise to $14 an hour as the new general minimum wage takes effect. This change will help workers and their families who are struggling to get ahead in a changing economy.
As part of Ontario's Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017, the minimum wage will increase again to $15 an hour on January 1, 2019, to be followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation.
Other provisions of the new provincial legislation that come into effect on January 1, 2018, include:
Ensuring workers are entitled to at least three weeks' vacation after five years with the same employer, bringing Ontario's vacation time in line with the national average.
Expanding the 10 days per calendar year for personal emergency leave to employees in workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, with at least two paid days per year for employees who have been employed for at least a week
A new domestic or sexual violence leave of up to 10 individual days and up to 15 weeks of job protected leave; the first five days of leave in every calendar year would be paid
Increased family medical leave from 8 to 28 weeks per year
A new child death leave from any cause up to 104 weeks, and increased crime-related disappearance of a child leave from 52 to 104 weeks, and
Changes to make forming a union and reaching a first collective agreement easier
Supporting workers and their families is part of Ontario's plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the biggest expansion of Medicare in a generation.

  • Quick Facts

The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review. It was the first-ever independent review of both the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995.
The report estimated that more than 30 per cent of Ontario workers were in precarious work in 2014. In 2016, the median hourly wage was $13.00 for part-time workers and $24.73 for full-time workers. Over the past 30 years, part-time work has grown to represent nearly 20 per cent of total employment.
Studies show that a higher minimum wage results in less employee turnover, which increases business productivity.

 

January 2 2018
Parents and grandparents sponsorship program reopened to new applications
Families could soon be reunited in Canada, thanks to the reopening of the Parents and Grandparents Program.
As of Jan. 2, Canadian citizens and permanent residents wishing to sponsor their parents or grandparents can notify the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that they would like to be potential sponsors.
"Family reunification is a priority for the Government of Canada,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in a news release.
Submitting the Interest to Sponsor form is the first step in applying to the Parents and Grandparents Program, which allows selected Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents to immigrate to Canada as Canadian permanent residents.
The deadline for the form submission is at noon EST on Feb. 1.
IRCC selects potential sponsors at random from the Interest to Sponsor submissions that it receives and invites those selected to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents. All individuals who submitted an online form will be notified whether they have been invited or not.
Those invited to apply will have 90 days to submit a completed application, including all supporting documents.

 

December 22 2017
News Release
From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Potential sponsors will soon have the opportunity to express their interest to sponsor
December 22, 2017 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian citizens and permanent residents will soon be able to take the first step in applying to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, when the Parents and Grandparents Program reopens in 2018.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a new process in 2017 for application intake for sponsoring parents and grandparents to make it fairer and more transparent for applicants. Now, potential sponsors must first notify IRCC that they are interested in sponsoring their parents and grandparents by submitting an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Using a random selection process, IRCC will then invite potential sponsors to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents.
Today, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the “Interest to Sponsor” form will be available at noon EST on January 2, 2018. Those who wish to apply to sponsor their parents and grandparents in 2018 must first fill out this online form. It will be available until noon February 1, 2018.
To help ensure the efficiency of the system and to allow as many eligible sponsors as possible to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada, it is important that only those who meet the sponsorship eligibility requirements submit an “Interest to Sponsor” form. Additional questions have been added to the 2018 version of the “Interest to Sponsor” form to help potential sponsors self-assess whether they are eligible to sponsor.

 

December 9 2017
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs, has reached its maximum allotment of 5,500 nomination certificates for 2017.
All applications that have already been submitted will be processed, the AINP said, but no further certificates will be issued until 2018. As of Dec. 4, the AINP reported that more than 3,050 applications were in the queue for assessing and processing.
It’s possible that Alberta will benefit from a slightly higher allotment in 2018 as a result of the federal government’s multi-year immigration plan, which was announced Nov. 1. The federal plan includes an increased Provincial Nominee Program target of 55,000 for 2018, up eight per cent over 2017’s target of 51,000.
Through the AINP, Alberta can nominate prospective immigrants with skills and experience that match labour market demands in the province, which is the largest producer of oil and gas products in Canada.

 

December 6 2017
The Government of Canada has invited 2,750 candidates in the federal Express Entry pool to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a draw that took place Dec. 6. The cut-off CRS score for this draw was 452.
The draw once again made use of the tie-break procedure that IRCC introduced in June. In this case, the time and date was November 16, 2017 at 04:20:20 UTC.
The cut-off score of 452 is up 13 points over the previous draw, which took place on Nov. 15. This is likely due to the time that elapsed between the two draws, which allowed more candidates to enter the Express Entry pool, and the size of the draw.
A cut-off CRS score of 452 is exceptional given the range of CRS scores in 2017, with CRS cut-off scores in the 430s occurring most often. On a very few occasions, scores ranged into the low 400s and high 450s.
Government of Canada’s increased ITA targets in the three Express Entry economic immigration classes for 2018, it is hoped the CRS scores will continue to drop. IRCC will have to perform either larger or more frequent draws from Express Entry pool in the New Year, or both. Each of those scenarios could have the effect of lowering the cut-off CRS score.
This latest draw was the 29th to take place in 2017 and brings the total number of ITAs issued so far in 2017 by IRCC to 83,273, representing just over 56 per cent of the 148,118 invitations issued since January 2015, when the Express Entry system came into effect.
Wednesday’s draw follows a busy November that saw four draws over its first three weeks.
Those weekly draws followed the Nov. 1 announcement by IRCC of a multi-year immigration plan that are expected to see the number of candidates granted permanent residence through the federal Express Entry system’s economic programs increase by nearly 20 per cent between 2018 and 2020.
Since the announcement, five draws have seen a total of 8,295 ITAs issued.

 

December 3 2017
Changes coming to Canada’s medical inadmissibility rules
Canada’s Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says current medical inadmissibility rules for newcomers are out of touch with Canadian values and need to be reformed.
Hussen appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee as part of a broader review of ‘medical inadmissibility rules for immigrants’, which he said was necessary and long overdue. Canada’s current policy of refusing immigrants deemed likely to cause excessive demand on health and social services is more than 40 years old and needs to be brought into the 21st century.
“From a principled perspective, the current excessive demand provision simply does not align with our country’s values and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in Canadian society,” Hussen said.
Section 38-1C of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act defines excessive demand as one “for which the anticipated costs would likely exceed average Canadian per capita health services and social services” over a period of five consecutive years immediately following the most recent medical assessment. In some cases, that period can be extended to 10 consecutive years. The anticipated impact on existing wait times for health and social services in Canada is also considered.
In 2017, the cost threshold for a demand to be considered excessive was $6,655 per year, or $33,275 over five years.
There are a number of exemptions to the excessive demand policy in cases of Family Sponsorship for a sponsor’s spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner and dependent child.
Decisions based on the excessive demand rules result in estimated annual savings of about $135 million, Hussen said. In 2015, that amount represented 0.1 per cent of all health spending in Canada.
Hussen noted that his department, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), launched its own review of the policy in 2016 that consulted with Canada’s provincial and territorial governments and disability advocates, and took into consideration the current legal landscape.
When asked if IRCC would consider scrapping the excessive demand rule altogether, Hussen said “all options are on the table.”
However, that the medical examination now required of every applicant for a Canada Immigration Visa and some applicants for temporary status in Canada will remain in place.
The goal of the review, is to uphold the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to ensuring both the protection of Canada’s health and social services and the fair treatment of immigrants.

 

November 16 2017
Ontario Implementing Plan to Create Fairness and Opportunity
Province Releases 2017 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review
Ontario is moving forward with its plan to create fairness and opportunity for people across the province with the release of the 2017 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review.
Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance, delivered the 2017 Review today in the legislature, outlining new measures to grow the economy and help people thrive in an uncertain global environment.
The government will balance the budget this year, as well as the next two years. A balanced budget means more funding for the programs and services people rely on most, such as health care and education.
While Ontario’s economy has grown faster than Canada’s and those of all other G7 nations for the past three years, the government recognizes that the numbers do not tell the whole story. Many people are facing uncertainty and challenges. The measures in the 2017 Review respond to this uncertainty and will help create greater fairness and opportunity for all by supporting the right conditions for families and businesses to succeed.

  • Strengthening Health Care

Ontario is set to launch the most significant expansion of Medicare in a generation with OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharma care. Starting January 1, OHIP+ will provide free prescription medications for everyone under 25, ensuring parents never have to choose between paying for their children's prescription drugs and providing other essentials.
In addition, Ontario is boosting supports for seniors to ensure they are able to access the services they need at every stage of their lives. Aging with Confidence: Ontario’s Action Plan for seniors includes a $155-million investment over three years. Working with sector partners, the plan also commits to creating 5,000 new long-term care beds by 2022 — and more than 30,000 beds over the next decade. These new beds are in addition to the 30,000 existing beds in Ontario that are being redeveloped. The government will also increase the provincial average to four hours of direct care per long-term care resident per day when fully phased in.
The province is also investing to improve care for all patients, with an additional $618 million for hospitals this year to provide faster access to procedures, new programs and digital technology. And, to support a smooth transition for patients discharged from hospital, the government is investing an additional $40 million to help patients receive care at home.

  • Investing in Education, Skills and Training

Starting this school year, more than 210,000 college and university students are receiving free tuition thanks to the new Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). As a next step, the province will implement net tuition billing to ensure that college and university students receive a reduced up-front bill with OSAP already factored in. Ontario is also proposing to recognize Indigenous Institutes as a third pillar of the postsecondary system alongside colleges and universities.
To continue supporting young people as they begin their careers and transition to the workforce, Ontario is providing new incentives for businesses to employ youth. Beginning in 2018, the province will provide $124 million over three years in supports for youth aged 15 to 29 to support employer hiring and retention. A small business with fewer than 100 employees would receive a $1,000 incentive for hiring a young worker and a $1,000 incentive for retaining that worker for six months.
The government is launching a new grant that encourages employers to help apprentices complete their training programs, and is expanding support to five additional trades. The province is also modernizing its apprenticeship system to improve completion rates — creating clearer pathways to jobs — and increasing opportunities for underrepresented groups.

  • Creating Fairness and Opportunity

Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan has helped to stabilize the real estate market and make housing more affordable. As part of the plan, the expansion of rent control to all private market units in the province is ensuring that people are not subject to large, unfair spikes in rent. To continue helping families buy or rent a home they can afford, the province established a roundtable on housing development approvals. It has issued recommendations that will help address housing affordability challenges, increase supply, and support mixed-use communities that make more efficient use of land and infrastructure.
One-third of all workers in Ontario are employed by small businesses. The province is helping to build a dynamic and competitive business environment by providing more than $500 million over three years in new initiatives to lower costs for small businesses and promote growth. This includes the proposed
22 per cent cut to the Corporate Income Tax rate for small businesses. Along with recent measures, such as lowering Workplace Safety and Insurance Board average premium rates and other business-focused initiatives, this would result in $1.9 billion in provincial support for small businesses over three years.
Ontario’s plan to create fairness and opportunity during this period of rapid economic change includes a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable childcare, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25 through the most significant expansion of Medicare in a generation.

 

November 15 2017
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has invited 2,750 candidates in the Express Entry pool to apply for Canadian permanent residence in a draw that took place on Nov. 15.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of the lowest-ranked candidate issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) was 439.
All candidates with a score above 439 were invited to apply. While some candidates with a score of 439 received ITAs, IRCC said a tie-break procedure was necessary, meaning only those candidates with a CRS score of 439 who entered their profiles in the Express Entry pool prior to a specified date and time were invited to apply. In this case, that time and date was October 19, 2017, at 12:02:28 UTC.
Today’s cut-off CRS score of 439 is 19 points lower than last week’s draw, which had a cut-off score of 458.
It is interesting to note that this latest draw was the fourth in three weeks, which has only happened once before since Express Entry was introduced. Canada announced new three-year immigration targets on Nov. 1 and more frequent draws could have the effect of increasing the number of ITAs issued and lowering the CRS cut-off score as candidates with higher scores are removed from the pool.
Under its recently announced Immigration Levels Plan, Canada is planning to welcome nearly one million new permanent residents between 2018 and 2020. Nearly 250,000 of those newcomers to be admitted through programs managed under the Express Entry system, namely: the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), the Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The number admitted through these programs is set to increase year-on-year.
This latest draw was the 78th draw to take place since the Express Entry system was introduced on Jan. 1, 2015, and the 28th since the start of 2017. So far this year, 80,523 ITAs have been issued.

 

October 4 2017
2,801 Express Entry in October 4 Draw with over 438 CRS.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has invited 2,801 more candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence, in an Express Entry draw that took place on October 4. Candidates in the pool with 438 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points were issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) on this occasion.
Candidates who receive an ITA have 90 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including supporting documentation. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) aims to complete the processing of applications within six months. Since Express Entry was first introduced in January, 2015, the vast majority of applications have been processed within this six-month timeframe.
The latest draw brings the total number of ITAs issued so far this year to 72221, more than double the 33,782 that were issued in the whole of last year.

   
     

October 5 2017

   

التعديلات على قانون الجنسيه بدء من اكتوبر 11 لهذا العام

  1. للتقديم على الجنسيه يجب ان يقييم المهاجر 3 سنوات من اصل 5 سنوات الممنوحه بها الاقامه الدائمه بدلا من القانون القديم 4 سنوات
  2. يجب ان يتم تسليم ملف الضريبه لثلاث سنوات بدلاا من 4 سنوات
  3. لا داعى للاقامه على الاقل 183 فى اخر اربعة سنوات اي تحتسب الثلاث سنوات متقطعه او متصله من اصل 5 سنوات
  4. يمكن احتساب  نصف الفتره التى اقام بها فى كندا قبل حصوله على الاقامه الدائمة وبحد اقصى 365 يوم
  5. لايطلب امتحان اللغه ويتم الاعفاء منه عند التقديم للجنسيه للاقل من 18 سنه وللاكبر من 54 سنه

 

Changes to take effect as of October 11, 2017
Citizenship Act with Bill C-6 Amendments

  1. Applicants must be physically present in Canada for three out of five years before applying for citizenship.
  2. Applicants must file Canadian income taxes, if required to do so under the Income Tax Act, for three out of five years, matching the new physical presence requirement.
  3. Applicants had to be physically present in Canada for 183 days in four out of the six years preceding their application.This provision is repealed. Applicants no longer have to meet this requirement.
  4. Applicants may count each day they were physically present in Canada as a temporary resident or protected person, before becoming a permanent resident, as a half-day toward meeting the physical presence requirement for citizenship, up to a maximum credit of 365 days, within five years preceding the date of application.
  5. Applicants between 18 and 54 years must meet the language and knowledge requirements for citizenship.

 

 
     

Wednesday, 29 July 2017

   
اعلان هام فتح برنامج المستثمرين في كندا للجادين فقط افضل برنامج هجره استثماري فى العالم كله تحصل على الاقامه ومن ثم الجنسيه وتعلم ابنائك فى الجامعات المتطوره بتكلفه لا تتعدى 170000 دولار امريكي استثمار طويل الامد العائد منه اضعاف مضاعفه من التوفير المادى والرفاهيه والجنسيه لاجيال قادمه ستقوم حكومة كيبيك باعادة فتح برنامج المستثمرين لكيبيك في مايو 2017 سيتم قبول 1750 طلب منهم 1200 من الصين. الشروط المطلوبة للمستثمرين: -1 أن يكون لديك رأس مال بمايعادل مليون وستمائة ألف دولار كندي وهذا يشمل مجموع العقارات والأصول والأموال المملوكة لكل من المستثمر وزوجته/ها في اي بلد اي مايعادل 1250000 دولار امريكي. -2 أن تتوفر لديك الخبرة الادارية على الأقل لمدة 3 سنوات من تقديم الطلب -3 أن يكون لديك الاستعداد لدفع فوائدمبلغ الاستثمار الغير المسترد بقيمة $220000 كندى مايعادل 170000 دولار امريكي أو دفع مبلغ $800000 دولار كندي مستردين بعد خمسة سنوات من دون فائده 4- دفع مبلغ $15000 كندي كرسوم لمقاطعة كيبيك مع تقديم المعامله ملاحظة هامة: فاذا كنت من المهتميين بهذا البرنامج لاتتردد بالاتصال بنا 6479875265 أو ارسال بريد الكتروني الىoebid@fasttocanada.com في أقرب وقت لنتمكن من تأمين مكان لك لدى البنك لهذه السنة حيث الاماكن محدوده وتم تخصيص 10 مستثمرين لمكتبنا - الرجاء اعادة التوجيه لكل من أقاربكم أو معارفكم المهتمين بالهجرة الى كندا ضمن الشروط السابق ذكرها أعلاه - لايوجد أي متطلبات أساسية للعمر، اللغة، أو المؤهلات العلمية.  
     
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Thursday, 24 April, 2017

   

مقاطعة ساسكاتشوان تقفل وتفتح برنامج الدخول السريع للمره الثالثه في غضون خمسة اشهر
تستمر مقاطعه ساسكاتشوان في منح فرصه للمتقدمين للهجره الى كنده عن طريق برنامج العماله الماهرهالعالميه احدي افرع برنامج ترشيح ساسكاتشوان اكسبرس انتريوفي يوم 14 فبراير تم فتح باب القبول ل500 طلب علي اساس اسبقية وصول الطلبات . للمتقدمين المهتمين بالامر نود ان ننوه بان هذا البرنامج قد فتح ابواب القبول لما لا يقل عن تسع مرات منذ بدايته في يونيو 2015 . ومنذ ذلك التاريخ صار من المعتاد ان تكتمل الكميه المحدده في غضون ايام وربما ساعات . ومنذ شهر اكتوبر 2016 تم فتح ابواب القبول في هذه الفئه ثلاث مرات. برنامج ترشيح ساسكاتشوان اكسبرس انتري يسمح للمتقدمين المؤهلين في مجموعة الاكسبرس انتري الفيدرالي ذوي الخبره في احدي ال21 وظيفه ذات الطلب العالي للتقديم من خلال هذا البرنامج. التقديم الناجح للطلبات يعطي المتقدم 600 نقطه اضافيه فى معيار نظام الدرجات وعليه سوف يحصل المتقدم علي دعوه للتقديم للاقامه الدائمه بكنده. ان برنامج ترشيح ساسكاتشوان اكسبرس انتري قد اثبت نجاحه بالنسبه للمقاطعه وايضا بالنسبه للمتقدمين. حيث تقبل الطلبات علي نظام اسبقيه وصول الطلبات من ياتي اولا يخدم اولا. ويتم فتح البرنامج بانتظام مما يعطي مقدمي الطلبات فرصه مباشره وسريعه ال كندا مقدمي الطلبات الذين لديهم الرغبه للتقديم بهذا البرنامج يحتاجون لخطوتين اساسيتين للنجاح: اولا عليهم معرفة اذا كانوا مؤهلين للتقديم ام لا. اذا كانوا مؤهلين فانه من الضروري تجهيز كل المستندات اللازمهالتي تدعم دخولهم في بركه الدخول السريع. مثل خطابات الخبره ورسالات المرجعيه التي تكون احدي متطلبات التقديم الفدرالي انما ليس احدي متطلبات التقديم لبرنامج ساسكاتشوان. من المتطلبات ايضا ضرورة تقديم خطة للاستقرار ولجمع المعلومات عن هذه المقاطعه المتميزه.
شروط التاهيل:
كل المتقدمين لابد ان يكونوا في بركة الدخول السريع-الاكسبرس انتري بالاضافه الي: احراز علي الاقل 60 نقطه من اصل 100 في لوحة النقاط لبرنامجترشيح ساسكاتشوان اكسبرس انتري والتي تكون من التعليم، التدريب، الخبره العمليه، اللغه، العمر واذا كان لدي المتقدم اى ارتباط بالمقاطعه. تزويد نتائج لامتحان اللغه علي حسب المواصفات والشروط المعلنه في برنامج الهجره السريعه. اتمام تعليم فوق المرحله الثانويه العليا مثل الدبلوم، شهاده او اي درجه علميه اخرى او تدريب مهني لمدة عام علي الاقل و مقيم من قبل النظام الكندي. في مجال التعليم والتدريب المهني لابد من ان يكون اما خبره عمليه لمدة عام على الاقل في الاعوام العشر السابقه في مجال مهاره تخصصيه غير التجاريه. او خبره عمليه لمدة عامين من الخمس سنوات الماضيه في مجال الصناعه الماهره. او خبره عمليه لمدة 12 شهر في كندا في غضون الثلاث سنوات الماضيه سواء كانت الخبره في المجال الصناعي اوغيره. ان يكون لدي المتقدم خبره عمليه في اى مهاره تحتاج لها مقاطعة ساسكاتشوان. اذا كانت المهنه تحتاج الي رخصه مزاوله فلا بد من ابراز اثباتات تدل علي التاهيل لنيل الرخصه في مقاطعة ساسكاتشوان. يجب اظهار مستند يثبت وجود مبالغ ماليه كافيه للمعيشه على الاقل لستة شهور .
كيفية التقديم :
اولا يجب الحصول على مالا يقل عن 6 فى امتحان الايلتس كشرط للبدء فى هذا البرنامج بعدها يتم معادلة الشهادات والبدء بانشاء بروفيل على موقع الهجره ويتم متابعة زيادة النقاط عن طريق طرق مختلفه منها برنامج ساسكاشوان الذى تحدثنا عنه اعلاه وهناك مقاطعات اخري سنتطرق لها فلى مقالات قادمه
أسامة عبيد
المدير التنفيذى
شركة فاست تو كندا

 

 

   

Thursday, 24 April, 2017

   

The largest ever Express Entry draw for immigration to Canada has
Taken place, and the number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points required in order for a candidate to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence has decreased again. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with 434 or more CRS points were issued an ITA in the March 1 draw. A total of 3,884 ITAs were issued in this draw.

 Express Entry draw dates, CRS and ITA

 Express Entry draw dates
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points
Invitation to Apply (ITA)
11/30/2016
786
559
12/16/2016
497
1936
12/22/2016
475
2878
1/4/2017
468
2902
1/11/2017
459
3334
1/25/2017
453
3508
2/8/2017
447
3664
2/22/2017
441
3611
3/1/2017
434
3844
3/24/2017
441
3749
4/5/2017
434
3753
4/12/2017
423
3923
4/19/2017
415
3665
5/4/2017
423
3796
5/17/2017
415
3687
5/26/2017
775
143
5/31/2017
413
3877
6/28/2017
449
3409
7/12/2017
440
3202
8/2/2017
441
3264
8/9/2017
433
2991
8/23/2017
434
3035
9/6/2017
435
2772
9/20/2017
433
2871
10/4/2017
438
2801
Total
77174

 

   
     

Federal Skilled Worker Programs, immigration Document      

   

Federal Skilled Trades Program, immigration Document        

   

Canadian Experience Class Program, immigration Document

   
     
     

Wednesday, 1 January, 2014

Under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program for Skilled Workers overseas, candidates have to demonstrate a connection to Manitoba and score sufficient points based on their age, English proficiency, work experience, education, and the nature of their connection to the province. Your connection to Manitoba must be one of the following:

  • Proof of a close family member in Manitoba;
  • One Affidavit of Support from a distant relative or close friend in Manitoba;
  • Evidence of a completed education program in Manitoba (non-language training) or;
  • Proof of at least six months previous full-time work in Manitoba
 
 

1. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 1
2. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 2
3. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 3
4. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 4
5. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 5
6. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 6
7. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 7
8. Read Arabic News about immigration Documents 8


   
     

Tue, 21 Jan 2014

   
Canadian Parent & Grand Parent Sponsorship Now Open    
   
     

Canadian Parent & Grand Parent Sponsorship Now Open

Applications for Permanent Residence to Canada for the sponsorship of parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are now being accepted.
Following a temporary pause on new applications, as announced by the Canadian government on November 5, 2011, certain amendments were made to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) with the goal of addressing the previous backlog of applications and ensuring processing efficiency for submitted applications.
As a result, a maximum of 5000 new parent and grandparent sponsorship applications will be accepted for the current processing year. Applications will be assessed on a first-come and first-served basis. Incomplete applications or applications received after the quota is reached will be returned.
Some of the changes to this category include: increases in the financial requirements of Canadian sponsors; specific documentation to be used to satisfy proof of income; proof of income is now to be demonstrated by the sponsors for the term of 3 years prior to submitting the application; and the financial undertaking by Canadian sponsors has been increased to 20 years.
As most of the changes relate to Canadian sponsors, it is not expected that these changes will affect the popularity of this widely used program. If you are considering being sponsored or sponsoring your parents or grandparents for Permanent Residence in Canada, you must act quickly in order to be within the first 5000 applications received as well as ensuring that a complete application is submitted.
If you are interested in Immigration to Canada, contact Fast To Canada for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also fill the free assessment form to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Canada.
Fast To Canada Team

 

 

Monday, 1 Jul, 2013
New Federal Skilled Workers Now Open

After a year of waiting, the New Federal Skilled Worker Program is now open.

Under the program, only applicants who have skills and experience in one of 24 eligible occupations will be accepted for review. With the cap set at 5,000 this is an opportunity you do not want to miss!

Do you want to immigrate to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program? Fast to Canada can provide you with a detailed outline on the steps that can be taken immediately to prepare and apply for the New Federal Skilled Worker Program before the cap is met!

Parent and Grandparent Program Re-opening

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced the re-opening of the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program, one of the key elements in the Federal government's Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification.

According to the announcement, the Action Plan for Faster Family Reunification is on track to meet the goals of reducing the backlog and wait times in the Parent and Grandparent program (PGP) by a half. The PGP program will be re-opened for new applications onJanuary 2, 2014.

CIC also announced new measures as follows:

First: - Canada will admit 50,000 parents and grandparents as permanent residents and keep the high levels of admissions in 2014.

Second: - CIC will make the Super Visa a permanent program. Since its launch in December 2011, over 15,000 Super Visas have been issued at an approval rate of 86 percent.

Third: - CIC will introduce new qualifying criteria for permanent residency sponsorship of parents and grandparents which will increase financial responsibility of sponsors to ensure sponsored family members are well supported by their sponsors throughout their time in Canada, while respecting Canadian taxpayers and the limited resources for health and social programs.

Fourth: - In 2014 CIC will accept 5,000 new permanent residence applications under the new PGP program.

 

 
Tuesday, 7 may, 2013
Planning To Live In CANADA??? Hurry Up !!!
The new eligible occupations announced for FSW  (with their corresponding 2011 National Occupation Classification code)
  • 0211 Engineering managers
  • 1112 Financial and investment analysts
  • 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
  • 2131 Civil engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical engineers
  • 2134 Chemical engineers
  • 2143 Mining engineers
  • 2144 Geological engineers
  • 2145 Petroleum engineers
  • 2146 Aerospace engineers
  • 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)
  • 2154 Land surveyors
  • 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • 2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
  • 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 3142 Physiotherapists
  • 3143 Occupational Therapists
  • 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
  • 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
  • 3215 Medical radiation technologists
  • 3216 Medical sonographers
  • 3217 Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified)

  • Cap is 300 for every occupation worldwide
  • Minimum ILETS required is 6 in all components
  • Credential assessment is required from Canadian Institute before applying   

 

 
For the First Time, Canadians are Wealthier than Americans
Tuesday, 19 July, 2012
A new study has revealed that median household income in Canada is now higher than in the United States.

Environics Analytics WealthScapes reported that, as of the beginning of 2012, average median household income in Canada rose to around $363,202. For the first time, this is higher than the median income of homes in the US, which is currently only $319,970.

Several factors may have contributed to this general rise in Canadian’s wealth. The Canadian dollar, once worth less than the US dollar, has now drawn more or less even in terms of purchasing power. The Canadian job market is also booming in many fields, leading to a lower rate of unemployment.

One factor that has helped Canadians financially has been the housing market. The average Canadian’s home is more than $140,000 more valuable than an American’s, according to the Globe and Mail. This is because Canada did not feel the full impact of the ‘housing bubble’ crisis, which has been driving down the value of US homes significantly since 2007”
 




Toronto is one of the World’s Most Liveable Cities

Tuesday, 19 July, 2012
The city of Toronto has been ranked the world’s 8th most liveable city for 2012. This is according to a study released by the Economic Intelligence Unit, which annually reviews cities for the qualities that make them most appealing to residents. Canadian cities have regularly dominated the charts for this study. Last year, Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary ranked 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively. For 2012, Toronto is the only North American city to rank in the top 10. The next North American city is Washington D.C., following at a distant 14th place.

This year, additional factors were introduced such as green space, pollution, internationality, cultural assets, and urban sprawl. These significantly changed the way in which rankings were calculated. According to the new ranking scheme, Toronto scored high for green space, pollution, and internationality. It scored lower for urban sprawl and cultural assets, which was defined by the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in or near its borders.

This new ranking did not surprise Councillor Michael Thompson, who chairs the city’s economic development and culture committee. “There are so many rankings and ratings, (and) in all the rankings I’ve seen, Toronto always fares well.”
 



10,000 more skilled workers coming to Canada next year...

Friday, 04 November 2011 Category Federal Immigration
Next year, up to 10,000 additional immigrants will be allowed into Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers program.
The government stresses these additional numbers will help meet market demands, as well as reduce a backlog of applicants for this program from previous years.
“The government’s number one priority remains the economy. We recognize the importance of immigration to our labour market and we value the contributions of skilled immigrants who add to our international competitiveness,” said Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “We are committed to facilitating the arrival of the best and the brightest to our country.”
 



While overall immigration levels are expected to remain steady at 240,000-265,000, a higher proportion will be allowed into Canada through the Federal Skilled Workers program next year. This year between 47,000 and 47,400 immigrants are being let into Canada under this program, while in 2012, it is predicted that 55,000-57,000 will be.
The latest government research indicates the success the Federal Skilled Workers program is having: with 89 percent of those admitted under this program employed at the three year point, and 95 percent of their employers being satisfied.
Kenney suggests skilled workers are the future of immigration for Canada.
“[We] will continue to ramp up efforts to modernize our immigration system to make it more nimble and responsive to labour market needs,” said Minister Kenney.
Find out if you qualify for Canadian immigration by completing our Free Immigration Assessment Form.
 

Canada to accept more foreign students as permanent residents
Friday, 04 November 2011 Category Study in Canada

The Government of Canada will be accepting up to 1,000 international PhD students as permanent residents through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program per year.

Starting November 5, 2011, 1,000 international students who are studying at the doctoral level in Canada will be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the FSW program. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have completed at least two years of study toward the attainment of a PhD and remain in good academic standing at a provincially recognized post-secondary educational institution in Canada, or have completed a PhD in Canada within the last year.

“Attracting and retaining immigrants with high levels of skill will help Canada compete in the knowledge-based world economy,” said Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear. “With this initiative, we are telling the innovators of tomorrow that Canada is ready to welcome them and their ideas.”
 



     
News Updates    
Canada re-opens Immigrant Investor Program to be effective December 1, 2010. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will once again accept applications under the federal Immigrant Investor Program. Under the new program criteria, investor applicants will need to have a personal net worth of $1.6 million, up from $800,000 under the old criteria, and make an investment of $800,000, up from the previous requirement of $400,000. The investor program was suspended in June, in part because the high volume of applications was leading to wait times that were too long. Raising the requirements will help reduce the flow of applications while ensuring we attract experienced businesspeople who can make a more substantial contribution to the economy.  
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