New! Discover Canada Audio Guide

CIC recently launched the newest audio version of the popular citizenship study guide, Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. A number of individuals participated in the recording of the new audio guide, including several high profile Canadians.  Some of the readers include television journalist Ian Hanomansing, actor Albert Schultz, operatic tenor Richard Margison and professional narrator Jean-Benoît Rainville.

For Canadian citizenship to be meaningful, we need to share a common understanding of our rights and responsibilities, our history and our values. Thanks to the prominent Canadians who have helped bring the story of Canada to life, the importance of citizenship is now accessible to more people.

Download the free audio guide

Grants and Contributions – Call For Proposals

CIC is currently accepting applications under a Call for Proposals (CFP) for projects that will be funded under the Department’s Settlement and Resettlement programs. TheCFP is a competitive process to fund delivery of services to newcomers and for projects that are regional/local, national or international in scope. The CFP will determine which projects will be funded for 2013 and beyond.

CIC is aiming for a slightly more modernized approach to the application process this year by offering an e-submission page from which applicants will be able to upload their application form and submit it online once completed. There will also be on-line tutorials and FAQs to assist applicants in completing their applications.

Applications can be submitted online until September 7, 2012.

Apply now

Canadian Visitor Visas Soar to Record Number

CIC is on track to issue a record number of visitor visas this year with over 500,000 issued since the start of 2012. This is a 10 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This does not include visas issued to students or temporary workers which are also experiencing high volumes. In some cases, high volumes can lead to processing delays, so applicants are encouraged to apply early for all temporary visas.

More about visiting Canada

Qualifying to immigrate to Canada does not mean that your qualifications will be recognized

Qualifying to immigrate to Canada does not necessarily mean that your educational credentials and work experience will be recognized. Even if you were accepted to come to Canada because you were trained in one of the priority occupationsyou will need to verify that you are qualified to work in that occupation in Canada.

Immigrating to Canada, having your educational credentials recognized, qualifying to work in a particular occupation and finding employment are each separate processes.

When you apply to immigrate to Canada, your educational credentials and work experience will not be assessed or evaluated while your immigration application is being processed. You will still have to get your credentials and work experience recognized if your occupation requires a licence in Canada. Often, you can start this process while you are still in your home country.

Note: The selection criteria for skilled worker immigrants in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec are not intended to match specific immigrants with specific job vacancies or occupational requirements.

Ongoing Consultations on 2013 Immigration Levels and the Immigrant Investor Program

CIC’s Parliamentary Secretaries Chungsen Leung and Rick Dykstra have launched a series of cross-country consultations on the appropriate level and mix of immigration for Canada in the coming years. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has welcomed the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history.

The Parliamentary Secretaries are hosting meetings with stakeholders in Toronto, Windsor, Vancouver, Halifax and Ottawa. Online consultations are also open to the public and stakeholders for input from July 31 to August 31, 2012. These consultations present an important opportunity to generate greater public understanding of the difficult decisions involved in managing a global immigration system. Engaging stakeholders and the broader public is key to CIC’s development of an overall strategy for Canada moving forward.

CIC also launched online consultations July 31, 2012, to engage the public on ways to improve the federal Immigrant Investor Program. This delivers on Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2012, which announced that business immigration programs will be reformed to target more active investment for Canadian growth companies.

CIC is now inviting online submissions from stakeholders and the public on how the department can:

• Increase the economic benefit that immigrantinvestment capital brings to Canada;
• Attract experienced, international investors with the skills and resources needed to ensure they integrate into Canada’s economy; and
• Develop efficient and cost-effective ways ofdelivering an investment program.

CIC consultations

About Being a Permanent Resident of Canada

A permanent resident is someone who has acquired permanent resident status byimmigrating to Canada, but is not yet a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents have rights and privileges in Canada even though they remain citizens of their home country. In order to maintain permanent resident status, they must fulfill specified residency obligations.

A person in Canada temporarily, such as an international student or a temporary foreign worker, is not a permanent resident.
Refugees who are resettled from overseas arrive in Canada as permanent residents through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. However, people who make refugee claims in Canada (either at a port of entry or a CIC office) are not permanent residents. In order to become one, these people must receive a positive decision on their refugee claim from the Immigration and Refugee Board. Then, they must apply for and be granted permanent resident status.
Learn about:

• What permanent residents can do
• What permanent residents cannot do
• Keeping your permanent resident status
• Losing your permanent resident status
• The Permanent Resident Card

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What permanent residents can do

As a permanent resident, you and your dependants have the right:

• To receive most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage.
• To live, work or study anywhere in Canada.
• To apply for Canadian citizenship.
• To protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

You must pay taxes, and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

What permanent residents cannot do

As a permanent resident, you and your dependants cannot:

• Vote or run for political office.
• Hold certain jobs that have a high-level security clearance requirement.
• Remain in Canada if you are convicted of a serious criminal offence and have been told to leave the country.

Keeping your permanent resident status

Your permanent resident status allows you to live in Canada, but there is also a time limit on how long you can live outside the country. To keep your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period.
For further information on residency obligations, please see Appendix A of Applying for a Permanent Resident Card.

Losing your permanent resident status

There are several ways you could lose your permanent resident status:

• A permanent resident who does not meet their residency obligations could lose permanent resident status.
• If convicted of a serious crime, a permanent resident may be deported from Canada.

When you become a Canadian citizen, you are no longer a permanent resident.

The Permanent Resident Card

If you intend to travel, the Permanent Resident Card is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident in Canada.
This wallet-sized plastic card is required for all permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus).
If you leave the country, you will need this card to return to Canada. If you do not plan to leave the country, you do not need the card.

Strengthening Australia through migration

Thursday, 23 August 2012

Australia's settlement services are the backbone our of migration program and designed to support new migrants and refugees settle in the community, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said today at the launch of a new settlement publication in Canberra.

'I am delighted to launch The Settlement Journey: Strengthening Australia through migration, which outlines the government's settlement policy and suite of services available to help new migrants build a new life in Australia,' Senator Lundy said.

'The Australian Government's settlement policy is calibrated to capitalise on the economic, social, and humanitarian benefits of migration so that new migrants can flourish and Australia can prosper.

'Australia's settlement services aim to address the needs of new arrivals to help them develop the knowledge and skills they need to become full participants in Australian society.'

Senator Lundy said the settlement journey was a shared experience for many Australians and the new publication highlighted the importance of government and settlement services working effectively together to strengthen settlement outcomes.

'Australia's settlement policy is an important element of the government's vision of a socially inclusive society in which all Australians are valued and have the opportunity to participate fully,' Senator Lundy said.

'Migrants and refugees contribute to Australia's prosperity and success through their ingenuity, drive and determination and our settlement services are an investment in Australia's future.'

The new settlement publication outlines key principles such as providing support based on needs and maximising opportunities for new arrivals and will be distributed to libraries, migrant resource centres, councils and other community organisations.

Further information about the publication is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.
See: Settlement Publications

Changes proposed to the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker points system. News release dated 18th August 2012

Changes proposed to the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker points system. News release dated 18th August 2012

egulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations

Statutory authority

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

Sponsoring department

Department of Citizenship and Immigration

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

1. Executive summary

Issue: The Economic Action Plan 2012 announced the Government of Canada’s intention to build a fast and flexible economic immigration selection system with a primary focus on meeting Canada’s labour market needs. These needs are evolving, marked by an ageing workforce and an economy that has a growing requirement for highly skilled professionals, paired with emerging shortages in certain skilled trades. Limited access to the type of talent required by Canada’s labour market inhibits economic growth. Federal economic immigration programs seek to supplement domestic labour supply by selecting highly skilled applicants with work experience in managerial, professional, technical or trade occupations. However, the current economic immigration selection criteria do not adequately respond to Canada’s evolving labour market needs, given that some skilled workers admitted through the programs continue to have difficulty finding jobs in their field, and some employers also face challenges in finding the workers with the skills and qualifications they need.

More Detail
www.premiersintl.com

News Release — Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program Unveiled

Ottawa, August 17, 2012 — Proposed regulatory changes announced today to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will allow Canada to better select skilled workers who can “hit the ground running” upon arrival.

“The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s largest economic immigration program,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “The changes we are making to update the selection criteria are based on a large body of data and evidence we've accumulated over the years showing what skills and qualifications are most likely to lead to success for skilled immigrants.”

Following an extensive program evaluation, stakeholder and public consultations, as well as other research, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is proposing the following changes to the FSWP:

• Making language the most important selection factor by establishing new minimum official language thresholds and increasing points for language;
• Increasing the emphasis on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience and remain in the workforce longer;
• Increasing points for Canadian work experience and reducing points for foreign work experience;
• Simplifying the arranged employment process to prevent fraud and abuse yet enable employers to staff positions quickly; and
• Awarding points for spousal language ability and Canadian experience.

Another proposed change is the introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment – a mandatory requirement that FSWP applicants have their education abroad assessed against Canadian education standards by designated organizations. CIC will then award points according to how an applicant’s foreign educational credential compares to a completed educational credential in Canada. It does not necessarily guarantee that they would become licensed to practice in a regulated occupation.

“This is an important step we are taking to address the problem of immigrants arriving and not being able to work in their field,” stated Minister Kenney. “This new requirement will help potential newcomers make informed choices about immigration and Canadian career paths.”

CIC will be issuing a Call for Service Proposals on August 20, 2012, inviting submissions from organizations with expertise in foreign credential assessment to conduct the reviews. The deadline for submissions is September 21, 2012. For more information, please visit CIC’s International Qualifications Network website.

The full text of the proposed FSWP regulatory changes is now available online in theCanada Gazette. They also include improvements to the Canadian Experience Class and the creation of a new Federal Skilled Trades Program. The Department welcomes input from stakeholders and interested parties.

Final publication is scheduled for late 2012 and the new FSWP points grid will likely take effect in January 2013. While there is currently a pause on new applications (except forFSWP candidates with a qualifying offer of arranged employment or those applying under the PhD stream), CIC expects to begin accepting applications again early next year.

These changes have been announced by Minister Kenney in the past year.

Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers

On 28 June 2012, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced that the Government had invited Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston AC AFC (Ret’d), the former chief of Australia’s defence force, to lead an expert panel to provide a report on the best way forward for Australia to prevent asylum seekers risking their lives on dangerous boat journeys to Australia. 

The expert panel also included Mr Paris Aristotle AM, the Director of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc (also known as Foundation House) and Professor Michael L'Estrange AO, the Director of the National Security College at the Australian National University.

The Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers was released on 13 August 2012.

Full Report

Report of the Expert Panel of Asylum Seekers - Full Version - [ PDF 1.8MB ]
Report of the Expert Panel of Asylum Seekers - Full Version - [ RTF 2.3MB ]

Report by Section

Foreword - [PDF 58KB]

Overview : The Approach Underpinning this Report - [PDF 52KB]

Summary of Recommendations - [PDF 65KB]

Chapter 1: Asylum Seeking: The Challenges Australia Faces in Context - [PDF 196KB]

Chapter 2: Australian Policy Settings: An Integrated Approach Towards a Regional Coopperation Framework - [PDF 203KB]

Chapter 3: An Australian Policy Agenda - [PDF 195KB]

Attachments

Attachment 1: The global and regional context - [PDF 293KB]

Attachment 2: People smuggling and Australia - [PDF 572KB]

Attachment 3: Australia’s international law obligations with respect to refugees and asylum seekers - [PDF 78KB]

Attachment 4: Australia’s contribution to international protection - [PDF 92KB]

Attachment 5: Asylum caseloads and RSD rates in Australia and globally - [PDF 207KB]

Attachment 6: Australia’s international and regional engagement on irregular movement and international protection - [PDF 90KB]

Attachment 7: Returns and removals of persons found not to engage Australia’s protection obligations - [PDF 96KB]

Attachment 8: Approaches to managing IMAs to Australia - [PDF 107KB]

Attachment 9: Changes to the Humanitarian Program - [PDF 109KB]

Attachment 10: Legislation changes required to implement the Panel’s recommendations - [PDF 55KB]

Attachment 11: Likely costs of the Panel’s recommendations - [PDF 39KB]

Attachment 12: Parties consulted - [PDF 67KB]

Attachment 13: Submissions received - [PDF 70KB]

Attachment 14: Glossary of commonly used acronyms and terms - [PDF 65KB]

Work and holiday visa talks with Greece

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

The Australian Government will begin negotiations with Greece about establishing a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced today.

Mr Bowen said Australia and Greece shared a strong and rich relationship based on firm community ties.

'A work and holiday arrangement recognises the strength of these connections and will further enhance our cultural links between the two countries,' Mr Bowen said.

The arrangement would allow young Greeks and Australians aged 18 to 30 years old to enjoy an extended holiday in the guest country.

Participants would be able to stay for up to 12 months and engage in short term work and study during that time. The program would have an annual cap on visa numbers.

'Negotiating a work and holiday arrangement, which must be reciprocal and agreeable to both governments, can take time to finalise and implement,' Mr Bowen said.

'While we recognise the level of enthusiasm by both Greeks and Australians around a successful outcome, we must ensure all key stakeholders are consulted and the necessary administrative arrangements are in place.

'This is a significant step, and I would like to thank the Members of Parliament, community leaders and Greek Orthodox community organisations across the country who have spoken to me about such an arrangement.'

Argentina was the latest country to enter a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement with Australia, joining a number of other countries, including Bangladesh, Chile, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.

Further information will be provided on the department's website, as developments occur.
See: www.immi.gov.au

Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa

Features

The visa has two streams.

• The Business Innovation stream is for people who want to own and manage a new or existing business in Australia.
• The Investor stream is for people who want to make a designated investment in an Australian state or territory and want to maintain business and investment activity in Australia after the original investment has matured.

Requirements

Applications are by invitation only. To be invited to apply, a person must:

• lodge an Expression of Interest
• be nominated by a state or territory government
• be less than 55 years of age
• have a successful business and/or investment history
• have adequate personal and business assets
• score at least 65 points on the innovation points test.

Event Organisers and Participants

Overview

This information is relevant if you:

• are organising an international event, conference or meeting in Australia
• have been invited to speak at, perform in, compete in, or attend an international event, conference or meeting in Australia.

International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) Service

The IECN provides free advice and guidance on visa requirements to international event organisers and participants.

Event Organisers

Information for event organisers to ensure streamlined visa arrangements for your participants.

Event Participants

Information for event participants about which visa is the most appropriate for the event.

Enquiries and Useful Links

Information about how to contact the IECN and links to other government departments.

Study In Usa

·         It takes only 1 day to prepare file by our side if all the documents are ready and submitted to us.

·         Online file submission and information can be done.

·         After online file submission, we receive a unique confirmation number by which we need to book an appointment to actual file submission & interview.

·         Student has to go by own to submit file as interview on spot. In Dubai, appointment confirmation date may be received within or after 1 month. In US Abu Dhabi Embassy, no prior appointment required. Student can go directly and can submit file and interview.

·         On the spot file decision made by interview after file review and interview.

·         We prepare for interviews.

·         For Admission in institution:- They require I-20 and some SAT score. I-20 in the main document.

·         WE DON’T WORK WITH ANY INSTITUTION YET.

·         We have done visa process only.  Admission to institution has not been done yet.

http://premiersintl.com/about_usa.html

Benefits of studying in Malaysia

“We are Authorized Education consultants of Malaysian Consulate in the Middle-East.” 

Malaysia offers a wide range of study options that are more cost-friendly than other countries in the world. With strong support from the Government of Malaysia and qualifications from world-renowned university partners, the nation's education arena today ensures students can reap maximum benefits for their future career path. Below are a compilation of resources that may be useful when considering Malaysia as your preferred education destination.

Good infrastructure, safe and conducive environment for studies.

Excellent twinning programs with reputable foreign universities.

Wide range courses of studies that is matured and ever evolving.

English language as the medium of instruction is being widely used.

http://premiersintl.com/malaysia.html

Implementation of the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program

Implementation of the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program

The international education sector is one of Australia's largest export industries and is important to Australia in supporting bilateral ties with key partner countries, supporting employment in a broad range of occupations throughout the Australian economy, as well as delivering high-value skills to the economy.

In December 2010, the Australian Government appointed the Hon Michael Knight AO to conduct the first strategic review of the student visa program to help enhance the quality, integrity and competitiveness of the student visa program.

On 7 March 2011, Mr Knight released a discussion paper and encouraged interested parties to make a written submission to the review.
See: Student Visa Program Review Discussion Paper (212KB PDF file)

There were 200 submissions received and they are available on the department's website.
See: Submissions Received by the Review Team

Report released

Mr Knight reported to the government on 30 June 2011 with 41 recommendations. On 22 September 2011, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, released Mr Knight's report, Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011.
See: Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011 (1.7MB PDF file)

Government's response

The government supports in principle all of Mr Knight's recommendations, however some recommendations will be modified in places to enhance the performance of the Australian education sector and to better safeguard the integrity of the visa system.
See: Boost to International Education Sector in Response to Knight Review (Media release)

The fact sheet on the Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program is available on the department’s website.
See: Fact Sheet - Government Response to the Knight Review of the Student Visa Program ( 72KB PDF file)

All of Mr Knight's recommendations are available, as well as the actual or planned implementation dates.
See: Knight Review of the Student Visa Program—Recommendations with Expected Implementation Date

Stage one implementation

Stage one implementation of the Knight Review changes commenced on 5 November 2011. The following fact sheet details these changes.
See: 
Fact Sheet – Stage One Implementation of the Knight Review Changes to the Student Visa program( 66KB PDF file)
Students to Benefit as Knight Review Changes Rolled Out (Media release)

Stage two implementation

The majority of the stage two Knight Review changes commenced on 24 and 26 March 2012. This includes streamlined visa processing for certain university applicants from 24 March 2012. Other stage two Knight Review changes are proposed to commence later in 2012 and in early 2013.
See: 
Fact Sheet – Stage Two Implementation of the Knight Review Changes to the Student Visa Program( 68KB PDF file)
Changes to Boost International Education (Media release)

One of the recommendations agreed to by government is the introduction of new post-study work arrangements, which are planned to come into effect in 2013.

On 30 November 2011, the government announced plans to extend eligibility of the post-study work visa. In addition to university graduates, the new post-study work arrangements are to be extended to Bachelor, Masters by coursework, Masters by research and PhD degree graduates from other education providers accredited to offer degree level programs in Australia.

The government also announced that graduates must complete their qualifications as a result of meeting the Australian study requirement which requires at least two academic years' study in Australia.
See: 
Government Extends Support for International Education (Media release)
Australian Study Requirement

To address recommendation 24 of the Knight Review, the government has recently introduced a Bill into Parliament that proposes to cease the automatic cancellation of student visas. 
See: Improvements for Existing Student Visa Holders ( 69KB PDF file)

Discussion paper on the Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework (Recommendation 32)

Comments on the discussion paper on the Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework closed on 16 March 2012.
See: 
Discussion Paper on the Review of the Student Visa AL Framework (201KB PDF file)
Submissions in Response to the Discussion Paper on the Review of the Student Visa Assessment Level Framework

Frequently asked questions

The following information package provides further detail on the Knight Review changes to the student visa program.
See:
Changes to the Student Visa Living Cost Amount
The University Sector – Streamlined Processing ( 75KB PDF file)
Post-Study Work Arrangements ( 75KB PDF file)
Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement ( 94KB PDF file)
Vocational Education and Training (VET), Schools and Non-Award Sectors ( 87KB PDF file)
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) Sector ( 76KB PDF file)
Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Sector ( 79KB PDF file)
More Flexible Work Conditions ( 68KB PDF file)
Improvements for Existing Student Visa Holders ( 69KB PDF file)
Visa Processing Improvements ( 75KB PDF file)
Education Visa Consultative Committee (EVCC) ( 49KB PDF file)
Review of Assessment Level Framework ( 62KB PDF file)

See also: Review of Assessment Level Framework - Terms of Reference ( 59KB PDF file)
List of External Reference Group Members - Review of Assessment Level Framework

Translations

Translated versions of the fact sheets are available in seven languages other than English: Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Portuguese, Thai and Vietnamese.
See: Translations of Knight Review Documents

Australia Needs You

Jobs In Australia

Australia Permanent Resident Visa

Managing Australia's Borders

The Managing Australia's Borders section will help you find information about securing Australia's borders, entry requirements for travelling to Australia and how the department prevents illegal entry into Australia. There is also information on the management of facilities provided by the Australian government for people in immigration detention and how the Australian Government is committed to monitoring and enforcing compliance of visa conditions.

ImmiTV

What is ImmiTV

The department has introduced its own channel on the popular video sharing website You Tube, featuring stories and reports about our activities and programs. Short, colourful video reports from around Australia bring the immigration story to you to view and share with your friends and family.

How to view ImmiTV

You can view the ImmiTV channel by following the link below.
See: YouTube ImmiTV