Immigration was featured prominently in the recent federal budget. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted a number of proposed changes to Canada’s economic immigration system to make it more proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future. Minister Jason Kenney made several announcements in the days following the budget to expand on his vision for a system that is flexible enough to get Canada the skilled people our economy needs, where and when they are needed. To make progress on this vision, a number of necessary legislative amendements were recently introduced with the Budget Implementation Act.
Economic Action Plan 2012 initiatives include:
Eliminating the backlog of old applications in the federal skilled worker category. CIC plans to refund fees and close applications from nearly all those applicants who applied before new rules were brought in February 27, 2008. Eliminating the backlog of old applications will allow CIC to focus on applicants with skills and talents that our economy needs today. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
Reforming the federal skilled worker point system used to select immigrants to better reflect the importance of younger immigrants with Canadian work experience and better language skills.
Creating a new Federal Skilled Trades program, to make it easier for them to immigrate to Canada and fill labour market needs. The goal is to move to a just-in-time system where immigrants with needed skills can be selected from a pre-qualified pool.
Modifying the Canadian Experience Class to make it easier for highly skilled temporary foreign workers to transition to permanent residence.
Consulting with industry on a “start-up” visa for innovative entrepreneurs. The aim would be to attract immigrant entrepreneurs and link them with private sector organizations that have experience and expertise working with start-ups.
Strengthening the overseas verification of education credentials of applicants to the Federal Skilled Workers Program. An independent, third party assessment of their education before they arrive would let applicants know how their education credentials compare to Canadian credentials and how Canadian employers are likely to value their education. It will also help screen out people without proper education levels.
Consulting on possible reforms to the Immigrant Investor Program with stakeholders and provinces and territories.
Working with provinces, territories, and employers to create a just-in-time pool of skilled workers who are ready to begin employment in Canada.
Strengthening the Provincial Nominee Program by establishing minimum language requirements and ensuring an economic focus.
NEW: As of January 1st 2012, all Canadian Experience Class applications must be submitted directly to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Applications must be prepared using the updated instruction guide and Document Checklist (IMM 5610) or they will be returned as incomplete.
Note: As of July 18, 2011, applicants for Permanent Residence are asked to complete the new Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008). Applicants are encouraged to complete the form electronically and validate the information to generate 2D barcodes before printing. To ensure you have the most recent application form, please use the link to the application form.
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www.premiersintl.com
People may give you false or misleading information in order to take advantage of your desire to visit or migrate to Australia. Becoming a victim of fraudulent activity could mean you lose your life savings or your identity or have your visa cancelled.
Warning signs to look out for:
you are asked to pay upfront in cash only, and no receipt is provided
the fee seems extremely high – a list of fees charged by most of registered migration agents is available on the Office of the MARA website.
See: What does it cost to use an Agent
the 'agent' does not give you a contract or statement of services and fees
no office address is given and you are asked to meet at a café, pub or other public area
only a post office box or mobile phone number is provided
no Migration Agents Registration Number (MARN) is advertised – check if an agent is registered.
See: The Register of Migration Agents – Search
A printable version of this information is available.
See: Protect Yourself from Migration Fraud ( 78KB PDF file)
Read the stories of people who became victims of fraud so the same thing does not happen to you.
See: Victim Stories
Anyone can become the victim of fraud—watch the department's video 'Don't Get Caught Out' to see how easily it can happen. Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
See: Don't Get Caught Out
Misleading information
More Detail
http://www.premiersintl.com/benefits_aus.html
If you apply to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, your application will be processed based on regulations that are in effect on the date that you apply, even if they change after you apply.
Note: If you are applying under one of the 29 eligible occupations, as of July 1, 2011, a maximum of 10,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing in the following 12 months. Within the 10,000 cap, a maximum of 500 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing each year.
These limits do not apply to applications with an offer of arranged employment.
Follow these steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a federal skilled worker:
Obtain and print the correct application package
Complete your application
Calculate your fees
Check your application
Submit your application
More Detail
http://www.premiersintl.com/benefits_can.html
What is 'settlement'?
Having arrived as a skilled or family migrant, or a refugee or humanitarian entrant, there may be many new things for you to adjust to in your new country. 'Settlement' is the process of adjustment you experience as you become established and independent in Australia.
Some migrants feel settled quite quickly, perhaps within six to 12 months. For others it may take some years. How quickly you settle into your new environment may depend on a range of factors, such as your English ability and your level of health, and whether you came as a skilled or family migrant or as a refugee. If you have visited Australia in the past and you are familiar with this country and society or if you join the work force quickly, you may settle quite quickly.
Most of you will need some help to settle successfully. As soon as you arrive, you will need somewhere to live, money to live on and information on services available to help you get started, such as schools, transport and health services. Shortly after you arrive, you will also need access to employment and education. You may also need access to English language classes and help to form individual and family social networks.
You will find the information you need to settle successfully in Australia in this area.
More Deta
http://www.premiersintl.com/australia.html
If you have an offer of permanent employment from a Canadian employer, it can improve your chances of having your federal skilled worker application approved.
Depending on your circumstances, the requirements for a valid offer of employment are different.
If you are currently working in Canada:
your current employer must have made an offer to give you a permanent job if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and
your temporary work permit must be valid both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued.
In addition:
your work permit must have been confirmed by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) through a positive labour market opinion or
you must be in a category that is exempt from an Arranged Employment Opinion
in order for your offer of employment to be valid.
In all other cases:
You must not be working in Canada and you either
do not have a valid work permit or
you have a work permit, but your circumstances are different from those described in the first example.
In this case, the offer of employment is valid if your prospective employer
has made an offer to hire you on an indeterminate basis if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and
has obtained a positive Arranged Employment Opinion from HRSDC
and you
meet all required Canadian licensing or regulatory standards associated with the job.
More Detail
http://www.premiersintl.com/canada.html
It is possible to work in Canada while you are here as a student, and there are opportunities for jobs on and off campus. You will need to apply.
Learn about:
Working on campus
This page provides information about applying to work at the school where you study.
Working off campus
Find information about applying to work off campus while you study in Canada.
Co-op and internship programs
Information is provided about applying to work as part of your academic program.
Working after graduation
Information about applying to work after you graduate from school can be found on this page.
Work available to your spouse or common-law partner
Find information about how your spouse or common-law partner can apply to work while you study or work in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Answers are provided to questions Citizenship and Immigration Canada is often asked about applying to work while studying in Canada.
You may need a study permit to go to school in Canada. For more information, see Study permits in the Related Links section at the bottom of this page.
More Detail
http://www.premiersintl.com/sv_can.html
Immigration was featured prominently in the recent federal budget. Economic Action Plan 2012 highlighted a number of proposed changes to Canada’s economic immigration system to make it more proactive, targeted, fast and efficient in a way that will sustain Canada’s economic growth and deliver prosperity for the future. Minister Jason Kenney made several announcements in the days following the budget to expand on his vision for a system that is flexible enough to get Canada the skilled people our economy needs, where and when they are needed. To make progress on this vision, a number of necessary legislative amendements were recently introduced with the Budget Implementation Act.
