Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation.

Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation.

Immigration.ca is a leading Immigration to Canada portal

T: +1 (514) 487-2011
Email: [email protected]

Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Resource Center Inc.
4999 Ste-Catherine St. W
Suite 515
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3Z 1T3

Open in Google Maps
QUESTIONS? CALL: +1 (514) 487-2011
  • Contact Us
  • LANGUAGES
    • English English
    • Français Français
    • Español Español
    • العربية العربية
    • Português Português
    • Русский Русский
  • Home
  • Profile
    • Profile

      • Immigration Attorney Profile
      • Authorized by the Government of Canada
      • Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
      • Client References
    • A Brief About Us

      • Our Canada based Law Firm is staffed with more than 25 licensed lawyers, licensed immigration consultants and technical personnel. Our firm represents international celebrities in the fashion industry and performing arts as well as some of North America’s largest corporations in their immigration and staffing projects.
    • Attorney Colin Singer – Video

  • Immigration
      • Canada Immigration Overview
          • Canada Immigration Overview

            • Canada offers many immigration options to members of the family class and the economic class (Skilled Workers & Business)



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Family Class Sponsorship Immigration
          • Family Class Sponsorship Immigration

            • Under the family class, sponsorship programs promote the reunion in Canada of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their close relatives



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Express Entry
          • Express Entry

            • An Immigration system for skilled workers to Canada under federal economic programs. This includes federal skilled workers, federal skilled trades, Canada experience class, and certain provincial immigration programs



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Federal Skilled Worker
          • Federal Skilled Worker

            • The most popular immigration program suited to more than 300 occupations. This includes occupations in Management & Financial Services, Engineering & IT, Health Care, Hospitality, etc.



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Federal Skilled Trades
          • Federal Skilled Trades

            • A program offering immigration to trades professionals. This comprises more than 40 occupations such as carpenters, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, technicians, and long haul drivers



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Canada Experience Class
          • Canada Experience Class

            • A program offering immigration to individuals who worked in Canada for at least 12 months



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Provincial Immigration
          • Provincial Immigration

            • Canada’s 10 provinces & 3 territories manage their own immigration programs



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Quebec Immigration
          • Quebec Immigration

            • The French speaking province of Quebec manages its own immigration programs



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Business & Investment Immigration
          • Business & Investment Immigration

            • Canada offers citizenship through naturalization and by birth in CanadaCanada admits immigrants under the Business Immigration program which comprises Investors , Entrepreneurs and the Self-Employed



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Refugee Immigration
          • Refugee Immigration

            • Canada is a world leader in offering protection to convention refugees



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Criminal Inadmissibility
          • Criminal Inadmissibility

            • When foreign nationals or permanent residents of Canada are found to have committed criminal acts, they may be deemed inadmissible to Canada.



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
      • Canada Citizenship
          • Canada Citizenship

            • Canada offers citizenship through naturalization and by birth in Canada



            • Evaluation Form


              Fill out our FREE Immigration Evaluation form and we will advise you within 48 Hours if you qualify to Immigrate to Canada.



              Click Here
  • Temporary Visa
      • Canada Temporary Visa Overview
          • Canada Temporary Visa Overview

            • If you are a non Canadian and want to travel to Canada to visit, study or work, you may need a visa.

      • Canada Visit/Tourist Visa
          • Canada Visit/Tourist Visa

            • If you are a non Canadian and want to visit Canada for a temporary period, you may need a temporary resident visa (TRV). Many persons require an electronic travel authorization (ETA).

      • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
          • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

            • An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

      • Canada Student Visa
          • Canada Student Visa

            • If you are a non Canadian and want to study in Canada at an approved institute, you will likely need a study permit.

      • Canada Work Permit
          • Canada Work Permit

            • If you are a non Canadian and want to work in Canada, you will likely need a work permit and fulfill other requirements.

      • Parents and Grandparents Super Visa
          • Parents and Grandparents Super Visa

            • If you are a parent or grandparent and you wish to visit a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for a temporary residence visa (Super Visa).

  • Study
        • Canada Study Assessment
        • Get admission to a Canadian University or College
        • Study in Canada: Steps
        • Why Study in Canada?
        • Work & Study in Canada
        • Canada Internships and Co-op Programs
        • Financial Requirements for International Students to Study in Quebec
        • Financial Requirements for International Students to Study in Canada
        • Study News Articles
        • Work After Graduation
        • Study in Canada FAQ
        • Find Universities in Canada
        • Find Colleges in Canada
        • Online IELTS Courses
        • Conditions to Qualify Under Quebec Experience Program
        • Proving French Abilities Under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
  • Employment
        • Canada Priority Residence Program (CPRP)
        • Job Search for Immigrants
        • Canada Employers
FREEEVALUATION
  • Home
  • Canada Immigration News Articles
  • 2015
  • Archive from category "December"
 

Many International Students Want a Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence (Audio)

Monday, 29 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

Article Audio:

A new article titled “International students who become permanent residents in Canada”, has found that between 20%-27% of the international students who came to Canada to study during the 1990s and early 2000s, obtained permanent resident status within 10 years after receiving their first study permit.

International students who become permanent residents in CanadaThere has been a substantial increase in the number of international students in recent years. During the period 1990-1994, Canada admitted 158,000 international students, an average of about 31,000 per year.  From 2005 to 2009, Canada admitted 340,000 international students and from 2010 to 2013, 385,000 international students entered the country.  Canada currently admits approximately 140,000 international students each year.

The increase in the number of international students was accompanied by changes in source country composition. The proportion of international students from China or India increased from 6% in the early 1990s to 37% in the early 2010s.

Changes in their characteristics also occurred with the increase in international students. Among those who arrived between 1990 and 1994, 43% were enrolled in primary or secondary schools, while 18% came to pursue a university degree. The remaining 39% were enrolled in trades, other post secondary or other programs.

In comparison, among those who arrived between 2010 and 2013, 22% were enrolled in primary and secondary schools while 29% attended university. The remaining 49% were enrolled in trades (6%), other post secondary (34%) or other programs.

A number of international students eventually become permanent residents in Canada and most obtain their permanent resident status within the 10 years following the receipt of their first study permit. Among those who obtained their first study permit between 1990 and 1994, 27% became permanent residents in the 10 years that followed.

In the early 2000s, the selection process of immigrants changed as principal applicants in the economic class received more points for being of prime working age, proficient in English or French, having Canadian work experience, and having a university degree.

This led to an increase in the number of international students admitted to Canada as principal applicants in the economic class.

However, under the new Express Entry immigration system introduced early this year, it is now nearly impossible for most international student graduates to become permanent residents unless their employers can prove that no Canadians are available for the position.

During the recent federal election campaign, the new Liberal promised to “make changes to the Canadian Experience Class to reduce the barriers to immigration that have been imposed on international students.  It remains to be seen when and how this will take place.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

Canada Immigration: Express Entry Year End Review

Monday, 29 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

Express Entry is an immigration system implemented by Canadian immigration authorities (“CIC”) on January 1, 2015 which manages skilled worker applications under Federal Economic programs.  This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Skilled Trades Program, the Canada Experience Class and certain parts of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Through December 18th, 2015, CIC conducted 23 draws, issuing 31,018 invitations to apply for permanent residence.  Read how the system has fared during its first year.

How does express entry operate?

Colin Singer: Under Express Entry, qualified applicants across many occupations are invited to submit their profile to an Express Entry Pool and to the Canada Job Bank.

Employers across Canada are encouraged to consult the Canada Job Bank and provide a job offer to the candidate of their choice.

Applicants with an approved job offer or those selected by a province or with provincial nomination under a PNP program are considered a “match” and will be invited to formally apply for Canadian permanent residence.

The profiles of the remaining applicants will be ranked for consideration without a “sponsor” or hiring employer. Using a point system according to a number of selection factors such as Age, Education, Language, Experience and other factors, the highest ranked candidates will be considered for their potential “human capital” contribution to Canada.

Immigration authorities will then decide which of the highest ranked applicants will be invited to apply for permanent residence, through periodic draws.  Candidates who are issued invitations (ITA’s) are given a delay of 60-days to perfect their application.

It appears candidates who were selected during the first draws had very high comprehensive ranking scores.  Why is this?

Colin Singer: We believe that during the initial stages, CIC aimed to set the bar as high as possible.  It wanted to showcase its new Express Entry Immigration system as a successful program that brings candidates to Canada with a strong likelihood of integrating fully and quickly into the Canadian labour market.

Studies show that applicants with a valid job offer (LMIA) or having Provincial Nomination (PNP), have the highest chances of meeting these objectives.  During the first 4 draws only applicants with an LMIA or Provincial Nomination received ITA’s.  It is no surprise that CIC set the bar as high as it could for the first series of draws.

Candidates who were selected from subsequent draws still had strong comprehensive scores.  What does this mean?

Colin Singer: We can observe that after the first 4 draws, the minimum CRS scores averaged 465 in 18 of the 19 subsequent draws, through December 18th 2015.   The lowest CRS score was 450.  Many candidates received an invitation without LMIA or PNP nomination.

Annual levels for 2015 have been raised to between 260,000 – 285,000 which will represent Canada’s highest immigration levels in 5 years.  Canada’s annual admissions this year will derive significantly from the Express Entry system.  Beginning in 2016, the majority of economic class admissions to Canada will derive from this system.

We expect that in order for CIC to reach its annual immigration levels, CRS scores will significantly decline, possibly into the 300’s in future draws.  This will favor candidates without an LMIA or PNP.

The mid-year report indicates that 85 per cent of successful applicants were already living in Canada as temporary workers. What does this mean?

Colin Singer: At the early stages, it appeared there was a move toward a “two-step” immigration system where individuals first come to Canada temporarily and then transitioned to permanent residence.  However, figures subsequent to the mid-year report indicate that only 25% of invitations issued to candidates listed Canada as their current place of residence.  The majority of applicants selected under express entry in future draws, will reside outside of Canada.

Under express entry, are candidates required to obtain a job offer from a “sponsor” Canadian employer?

Colin Singer: An approved job offer (LMIA) from an employer in Canada is a significant benefit but it is not a requirement.

Is express entry the only way to immigrate to Canada?

Colin Singer: There are many other streams of immigration that do not fall under the federal Express Entry system. Each of the provinces promotes its own immigration programs (PNP’s) outside of Express Entry.  Quebec also has a robust skilled worker program and a Quebec Experience Program which does not fall under the Express Entry system.

Family sponsorship applications are also excluded from the express entry system.

Temporary immigration programs such as the temporary resident visa, work permit and study permits are also excluded from the system. Candidates must follow the procedures for applying under such programs and not the Express Entry system.

What are some of the flaws with the Express Entry system?

Temporary Foreign Workers – Employers who are interested in permanently retaining a foreign worker already working in Canada must still undergo an evaluation for a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment confirming that no Canadian is available and pay a $1000 government fee. This makes no sense because that confirmation was already rendered when the worker initially began working in Canada.  The government is encouraged to consider waiving the LMIA requirement for temporary foreign workers with valid LMIA’s working in Canada as the impact of these hires has already been assessed.  Moreover, long term retention is an important component of Canada’s immigration policies and such individuals have proven abilities to secure employment and contribute to the Canadian economy.

International Students – Before Ottawa’s points-based Express Entry system was introduced earlier this year, international students with a year of Canadian skilled work experience were guaranteed a pathway to permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).  However, under Express Entry it is now nearly impossible for most international student graduates to become permanent residents unless their employers can prove that no Canadians are available for the position.

The Express Entry system requires students to compete under the points-based system with everyone in the express entry pool. Applicants receive points for a number of factors including education, age, work experience and language abilities in English and French. Applicants who reach the minimum score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) set by government will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.  Students with only a few years of experience in the pool cannot score sufficiently high to receive an invitation to apply.  The system in its current format unnecessarily deprives Canada of highly skilled candidates who will contribute significantly to its human capital.

Job Matching – The Express Entry system features a job matching functionality which attempts to link registered candidates with employers advertising job vacancies.   However many of the job postings are frequently out of date.  More importantly, there are ongoing systemic flaws which bring into question the viability of a nation-wide on-line service of this nature including excessive processing delays to obtain an LMIA and work permit, (often exceeding 6 months), unreasonable government fees and a lack of consistency to secure recognition of foreign credentials between the provinces for regulated professions.

 Is express entry a success?

Colin Singer: Express Entry is a success to the extent that the inventory of potential candidates and the processing of applications for permanent residence by immigration authorities are easier to manage than previously.

How is immigration.ca positioned for Canada’s express entry immigration system?

Colin Singer: We strongly believe that employment recruitment and individualized search consulting assistance is an important consideration for all immigrant applicants to Canada as well as Canadian employers.  In 2007, we acquired Global Recruiters of Montreal (www.grnmontreal.com) an independently owned franchise of Chicago based Global Recruiters Network.  GRN Montreal provides search consulting expertise that applicants and employers require.  We provide all our immigration clients with invaluable, search consulting services from our in-house trained recruiters. We regularly provide search consulting and immigration services to Canadian employers.  A number of our clients have settled in Canada via express entry.

We believe our clients have the best chances to succeed in their immigration projects under Canada’s Express Entry immigration system.

Express Entry – The Numbers*

  • 36.57% – Percent of active candidates in the Express Entry Pool relative to the number of Express Entry Profiles submitted.
  • 61% – Percent of applications for permanent residence received by CIC relative to the number of invitations issued.
  • 87% – Percent of active candidates in the Express Entry Pool with CRS scores of 300-450.
  • 44% – Percent of invitations issued to Indian Nationals representing the first source country of nationality.
  • 25% – Percent of invitations issued to candidates who list Canada as their current place of residence.
  • 16% – Percent of applicants admitted to Canada annually under the Quebec skilled worker program.
  • *Statistics compiled from data issued by CIC

Colin R. Singer is immigration counsel for www.immigration.ca and Managing Partner of Global Recruiters of Montreal. He is one of Canada’s foremost senior corporate immigration attorneys. Colin is internationally recognized as an experienced and recommended authority on Canadian immigration and foreign recruitment. In addition to being licensed human resources professional, he is a licensed Canadian lawyer in good standing with the Quebec Law Society for more than 25 years and is authorized by the Canadian government in all immigration matters.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

Express Entry Immigration Rules Make it Harder for Students to Immigrate to Canada

Sunday, 28 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

A recent survey released this month shows Canada ranks fourth as a global destination for international students after the United States, Britain and Australia. But recent changes to the immigration system have made it much harder for foreign students who graduate from Canadian universities to immigrate here.

Express entry immigration for international students to Canada

In January 2015, the federal government introduced the Express Entry immigration system. Prior to that, most foreign students who graduated from Canadian universities and colleges qualified to immigrate after working here for a year after graduation under the Canadian Experience Class. A government-approved job offer was not required.

Under the new rules, immigration applications are prioritized on the basis of a point system. Individuals with government-approved job offers are processed first. While many foreign students despite having years of Canadian work experience, do not receive the government’s approval.

Individuals with government-approved job offers have been identified as needed by Canadian employers and, in order to receive government approval, their employers prove there are no Canadians or Canadian permanent residents willing and able for these jobs.‎

Prior to the introduction of the new system, Canada opened its immigration doors to foreign graduates. The  government recognized that encouraging immigration from a group of young, Canadian graduates, who speak university level English or French, and have lived, worked, studied, and paid taxes in Canada was good long term immigration policy.

Unfortunately, the Express Entry immigration system does not award enough points for Canadian education and Canadian work experience. Individuals with foreign education credentials that are “equivalent” to Canadian credentials can score the same number of points as those with Canadian degrees or diplomas.The problem with this approach is that Express Entry does not recognize that Canadian credentials are more valued by Canadian employers than “equivalent” foreign credentials.

By freezing out foreign students Canada risks ruining all the hard work that has gone into attracting them to Canada in the first place. Over the last few years, Canadian universities and colleges have made efforts to attract foreign students. Since they pay higher fees than Canadian students, this is a good source of revenue for most educational institutions.

In its election platform, the Liberal party proposed to decrease the time it would take a foreign student to become a Canadian citizen. Unless changes are made to the system, foreign students will be less and less likely to become permanent residents and this will likely harm Canada as a choice place of study for foreign students.

Foreign students are some of Canada’s best prospects for immigrants to Canada. Repairing the current system to provide foreign students a pathway to permanent residence is essential. The Liberal government must act accordingly.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

Phone Scammers Target Newcomers to Canada

Sunday, 28 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

Newcomers to Canada are frequently the victims of an elaborate phone scam being carried out from someone claiming to be Citizenship and Immigration Canada demanding payment of a $2,500 fine.

Newcomers to Canada Phone Scam

Typically, callers claim that a targeted victim failed to file paperwork with a foreign visa office and that an outstanding fine needs to be paid. Failure to pay could result in deportation from Canada.

The authenticity of the caller appears legitimate as the call display screen usually identifies the caller as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

Toronto Police said they receive complaints every day about similar scams, usually involving a fraudster posing as a government employee. The calls carry a false sense of authority and are specifically targeting immigrants.

The department has issued several public service alerts this year warning new immigrants to be wary of these types of calls. Staff at CIC never accept fine payments over the phone by pre-paid credit cards or private money transfers.

Given the influx of Syrian refugees arriving now and in the coming weeks, it is important that people become aware of this scam.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

To Those Unhappy with a President Trump: Welcome to Canada!

Sunday, 28 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

Canada would like to extend an extra-special welcome to the ethnic, religious, and other groups that President Trump has advocated deporting from the United States: Muslims, Mexicans, black people and even those who look like Muslims.

Welcome to Canada

Canada has so many amenities to offer. Please consider our free health care! Though we must admit that a proposed President Trump advocates sweeping Obama Care revisions which sound appealing, Canada offers all of the usual vaccines which Trump plans to ban.

President Trump once used American tax dollars to send five thousand pizzas to our Parliament Hill. In fact, eight per cent of American taxes are now allotted for “international pranks on huge haters.”

Feel free to tease your new Canadian brothers. We can laugh at ourselves!  Trump once called our maple leaf a “gay oak leaf.” He called French “gay English.” He called Canada “gay France, which is saying something, because France itself is very gay.”

Once you get settled in your new country, we think you will find that Canada is not the backwoods place Americans sometimes make it out to be. We have many modern conveniences, like paint, and milk!  We are so friendly we barely need locks on our doors. The locks are mainly to prevent our neighbors from coming over and doing chores for us overnight night.  Sometimes it becomes a pain when you cannot find things in the morning where you left them.

Canada uses the metric system, so there are a few conversions you should memorize, such as one pound equals 0.45 kilograms. And yes, we are fine with math here, which Trump calls “gay reading.”

And, we have a beautiful national anthem. We are so excited you’re here! If you need anything, don’t hesitate to shout. Which of course, in Canada means inquire at a reasonable, considerate volume before we turn off the lights at 22:00.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

Express Entry Draw #23 : 1503 Invitations, Lowest CRS Score 460

Friday, 26 August 2016 by Colin R. Singer

(Fourteenth successive draw with Comprehensive Ranking Score under 600)

December 18th 2015 – Canadian Immigration authorities conducted the 23rd round of invitations under Express Entry, inviting 1503 applicants for permanent residence.  The lowest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score was 460. It was the fourteenth successive draw under the Express Entry System with a CRS score under 600 and the eighteenth draw where the lowest CRS score was under 600.

Express Entry is an immigration system implemented by Canadian immigration authorities (“CIC”) on January 1, 2015 which manages skilled worker applications under Federal Economic programs. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Skilled Trades Program the Canada Experience Class and certain parts of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Through December 18th 2015, CIC conducted 23 draws, issuing 31,018 invitations to apply for permanent residence.

Stakeholders expect to see future declines in the CRS score to enable Canadian immigration authorities to meet targeted annual immigration levels.  Annual immigration levels for 2016 are expected to be released in the near future.

Read our Express Entry Year-End report, here.

What this means for employers

Employers are encouraged to consider securing an LMIA or nomination under provincial nomination programs (PNP’s) to ensure long term retention of employees.

We provide Canadian employers with unparalleled immigration legal services and recruitment of foreign nationals through our in-house enterprise Global Recruiters of Montreal (www.grnmontreal.com). We bring approved candidates to Canada in the shortest time possible. Employers in a wide range of industries can directly benefit from our unique position as one of Canada’s leading online immigration firms in the industry to meet both their recruitment and immigration requirements.

Interested employers wishing to seek our assistance are invited to contact us here for further information.

What this means for candidates

It is expected that the majority of applicants to be issued (ITA’s) under Canada’s Express Entry Immigration system in 2015 and 2016 will require a CRS score of well below 600 points, enabling a growing number of applicants to receive permanent admission to Canada without a job offer or nomination under a provincial immigration program.

Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

Resources:

  • Immigration.ca News Articles – A daily news source outlining the latest developments in immigration, employment and the economy with commentaries by Attorney Colin Singer.
  • At Global Recruiters of Montreal we are dedicated to developing long-term strategic alliances with client companies and candidates alike.  We strictly adhere to our guiding principles of honesty, integrity and confidentiality.

Colin R. Singer is immigration counsel for www.immigration.ca and Managing Partner of Global Recruiters of Montreal. He is one of Canada’s foremost senior corporate immigration attorneys. Colin is internationally recognized as an experienced and recommended authority on Canadian immigration and foreign recruitment. In addition to being licensed human resources professional, he is a licensed Canadian lawyer in good standing with the Quebec Law Society for more than 25 years and is authorized by the Canadian government in all immigration matters.

Read more
  • Published in 2015, Canada Immigration News Articles, December
No Comments

Canada Investor Start-Up Visa Program to Become Popular in 2016

Thursday, 17 December 2015 by Colin R. Singer

In 2016, Canada’s business immigration Start-Up Visa program is expected to become a more popular financing option for start up companies across Canada.

Over the past few years, Canada’s long standing federal business immigration programs were largely eliminated with the cancelation of the former Federal Immigrant Investor program and the Federal Entrepreneur program. Its replacement programs include the Start-Up Visa Program and the much smaller Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program launched in early 2014. The latter program is geared to ultra high net worth individuals but remains uncompetitive in the market.

Industry insiders believe the federal Start-Up Visa Program with an annual quota of 2750 applications could realize a potential annual market capitalization exceeding $800 million during the next 3-5 years and become a major alternative to the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. 

The Federal Start Up Visa Program issues Canadian permanent residence to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs. The program seeks to attract innovative entrepreneurs to Canada and link them with Canadian private sector businesses via government approved (angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators) who will act as facilitators for the establishment of their start-up business in Canada.

The program operates under three stages.  Under the first stage, an investor is matched with a suitable qualifying business.  Under the second stage, the successful applicant will quickly receive a temporary work permit.  Under the final stage, the approved investor and family members will receive Canadian permanent residence.  Current processing delays are approximately six (6) months to receive visas.

Qualifications:

Under a pass fail system, the investor must meet the following conditions:

  1. Obtain written commitment from a government designated entity in the form of a Commitment Certificate or Letter of Support confirming one of the following options:
    1. Business Incubator confirms the investor’s qualifying business has been accepted into its business incubator program;
    2. Angel Investor Group confirms it is investing at least $75,000 in the investor’s proposed business;
    3. A Venture Capital Fund confirms it is investing at least $200,000 in the applicant’s business.
  2. Have a business operating in Canada (or whose incorporation is conditional upon the attainment of permanent residence by the applicant), which meets the criteria of a qualifying business in which the investor owns at least 10% or more of the voting rights.
  3. Have a suitable business background and sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds to carry out an investment and settle in Canada.
  4. Completed at least one year of post-secondary education.
  5. Demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English or French through standardized testing (Canadian Language Benchmark level 5).
  6. Intend to reside in a province other than Quebec.
  7. Complete medical and security requirements.

Investor applicants with submited applications can expect to receive a decision on the application for a work permit in 1-2 months and receive permanent residence in less than 6 months.

Advantages of the Canada Start Up Visa Program

  • Currently the fastest path to Canada for a business investor and family with a suitable qualifying business.
  • No condition attached to the immigrant visa as compared with Provincial Entrepreneur programs.
  • Investors matched with reputable angel investors, venture capital funds or business incubators will receive introductions to business advisors, mentors and strategic planning professionals who will help bring a qualifying business to the international marketplace.
  • Successful investors can realize future returns in accordance with the negotiated % of share ownership in the business, to the extent returns are realized.
  • Interview waiver.

The biggest challenge facing investors is choosing the right government approved angel investor group, venture capital fund or business incubators who will assist in identifying a suitable qualified business.

General Information: Contact Us to receive more information about this article.

Interested Investors: Kindly complete the following form and we will contact you to discuss your options.

Advantages of the Canada Start Up Visa ProgramCanada Investor Start-Up Visa ProgramCanada’s business immigration Start-Up Visa program
Read more
  • Published in December
No Comments

Express Entry System Proves Difficult for Employers to Hire Foreign Graduates

Thursday, 17 December 2015 by Colin R. Singer

Before Ottawa’s points-based Express Entry system was introduced earlier this year, international students with a year of Canadian skilled work experience were guaranteed a pathway to permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).  However, under Express Entry it is now nearly impossible for most international student graduates to become permanent residents unless their employers can prove that no Canadians are available for the position.

Express Entry System Proves Difficult for Employers to Hire Foreign Graduates

The Express Entry system requires students to compete under the points-based system with everyone in the express entry pool. Applicants receive points for a number of factors including education, age, work experience and language abilities in english and french. Applicants who reach the minimum score under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) set by government will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence.  Students with only a few years of experience in the pool cannot score sufficiently high to receive an invitation to apply.

There are two options for applicants to secure the additional 600 bonus points – which would essentially guarantee an invitation. They either need a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) confirming their approved hiring by an employer in Canada or they must receive nomination from a province or territory.

The [LMIA] requirement was intended to curtail the rampant abuse by Canadian employers in many industries of using low-skilled workers to replace Canadians. Instead the unintended effect is that it is now much harder for Canadian companies who face legitimate shortages to hire foreign workers.

Additionally employers must pay a $1,000 application fee and post the job for at least 30 days to prove that no Canadians are available. Employers must also be willing to provide access to government of their personnel records proving that they have a transition plan to hire Canadians in the future. This is especially difficult for small businesses.

The other option is for an employer to pursue provincial or territorial nomination.  However PNP programs are quota based and the selection criteria is not transparent, as immigration authorities in the provinces may pick and choose individual candidates.

During the election, the new Liberal promised to “make changes to the Canadian Experience Class to reduce the barriers to immigration that have been imposed on international students.  It remains to be seen when and how this will take place.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Quebec by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

express entry difficult for Employers to Hire Foreign Graduates
Read more
  • Published in December
No Comments

Canada’s Refugee Program Draws Worldwide Praise

Monday, 14 December 2015 by Colin R. Singer

The United Nations estimates that approximately nine million Syrians have been displaced by war since 2011, a number which will only increase with the continued fighting in Syria.

Until Prime Minister Trudeau’s election, the Canadian government had been among many Western countries that had responded to the refugee crisis with more apprehension than compassion. Mr. Trudeau campaigned on more compassionate refugee platform.  After he was elected, he changed the previous government’s position by ordering his government to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year.

Canada's Refugee program draws worldwide praise

Many images of the Middle East refugee crisis shown in the media this year are haunting. These include the heart wrenching photo of Aylan Kurdi, a lifeless 3-year-old boy who drowned at sea and washed up ashore on a beach in Turkey in September.

The simple but powerful words with which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada greeted the first group of Syrians resettled under an expedited program stood in sharp contrast to the misery and injustice the images represented in the media in earlier months.

A Syrian refugee thanked the prime minister “for all this hospitality and this warm welcome,” and said the Canadian government had made him and his fellow refugees feel “highly respected” as they applied to be settled.

Mr. Trudeau made a brief speech at the airport, where the refugees had arrived on a Canadian military plane saying, “We get to show the world how to open our hearts and welcome in people who are fleeing extraordinarily difficult situations.”

Even though Canada’s resettlement program is small compared with the magnitude of a crisis that will take years to solve, Mr. Trudeau’s personal warmth and leadership can serve as an example for others.

Canada’s response to the refugee crisis also puts to shame the callous and insensitive behavior of the American governors and presidential candidates who have argued that the United States, for the sake of its security, must shut its doors to all Syrian refugees.  The Canadian model is a beacon that all western countries should embrace.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Quebec by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

Canada’s Refugee Program Draws Worldwide PraiseJustin Trudeau greeted the first group of Syrians
Read more
  • Published in December
No Comments

Quebec’s Population Grew in 2014, but More Slowly than Previously

Monday, 14 December 2015 by Colin R. Singer

Quebec’s population continued to grow in 2014, but slower than previously, due mainly to a higher number of deaths and a slightly lower number of births.

The Institute of Quebec Statistics said that as of the 1st July 2015, Quebec’s population grew to 8,260,000 inhabitants. The population grew by 60,500 people in 2014, a growth rate of 7.4 per thousand.

According to the ISQ, the number of deaths was particularly high because of the flu. There were 63,000 deaths in 2014, an increase of 2200 compared to 2013. During the previous 10 years, there was an annual increase of approximately 600 deaths.

The Institute notes that the flu season was unusually early and severe in 2014-2015 and that many deaths were recorded during the month of December. As for the number of births, it was 87,700, a lower level than what was registered during the period 2009 to 2013, when the number of births was 88,00.

To combat a low population growth rate, Quebec maintains a robust immigration program with annual immigration levels in the range of 50,000, the highest of all provinces.  By 2025 immigration will account for 100% of labour market growth in the province.   Quebec plans to announce its new immigration policies in early 2016.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Quebec by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.

low population growth rate QuebecQuebec's PopulationQuebec's Population Grew in 2014
Read more
  • Published in December
No Comments

Are you eligible to Immigrate to Canada?

Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada in less than 48 hours by filling our FREE Online Evaluation form. Click Here. 

 

Close
  • 1
  • 2

Canada News Articles

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011

Newsletter

Recent Posts

  • New Canada Passport Rules Aimed at Protecting Children

  • Ontario Passes 500 Skilled Trades Stream NOIs For 2018

Site Search

FREE ONLINE EVALUATION FORM

Find out if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada in less than 48 hours

Click Here

Canada Immigration

  • Home
  • Profile
  • Immigration
  • Temporary Visa
  • Study
  • Employment

Other Links

  • Canada Case Law
  • Immigration News Articles
  • Immigration Wiki
  • Immigration Manuals
  • Operational Bulletins
  • Online IELTS Courses
  • International Business Programs
  • Universities Evaluation Form
  • Colleges Evaluation Form
  • Publications

Help

  • Free Immigration Evaluation
  • Immigration Discussion Forum
  • Immigration FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Telephone Consultation
  • Download Our New Mobile App
  • Link to Us
  • Sitemap
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Statement
  • Fraud Alert

Contact

Tel: +1 (514) 487-2011


Fax: +1 (514) 487-2385



Canadian Citizenship & Immigration Resource Center
(CCIRC) Inc.

4999 Ste-Catherine St. W
Suite 515
Montreal, Quebec
Canada H3Z 1T3

©Copyright CCIRC Inc. 2018. All rights reserved.

TOP
  • Home
  • Profile
    • Immigration Attorney Profile
    • Authorized by the Government of Canada
    • Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
    • Client References
    • Back
  • Immigration
    • Canada Immigration Overview
    • Family Sponsorship Immigration Overview
    • Express Entry
      • Federal Skilled Worker
      • Federal Skilled Trades
      • Canada Experience Class
      • Back
    • Provincial Immigration
    • Quebec Immigration
    • Business and Investment Immigration
    • Refugee Immigration
    • Criminal Inadmissibility
    • Canada Citizenship
    • Back
  • Temporary Visa
    • Canada Temporary Visa Overview
    • Canada Visit/Tourist Visa
    • Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
    • Canada Student Visa
    • Canada Work Permit
    • Parents and Grandparents Super Visa
    • Back
  • Study
    • Canada Study Assessment
    • Study News Articles
    • Get admission to a Canadian University or College
    • Study in Canada: Steps
    • Why Study in Canada?
    • Work & Study in Canada
    • Canada Internships and Co-op Programs
    • Work After Graduation
    • Study in Canada FAQ
    • Find Universities in Canada
    • Find Colleges in Canada
    • Online IELTS Courses
    • Conditions to Qualify Under Quebec Experience Program
    • Proving French Abilities Under the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ)
    • Financial Requirements for International Students to Study in Quebec
    • Financial Requirements for International Students to Study in Canada
    • Back
  • Employment
    • Canada Priority Residence Program (CPRP)
    • Job Search for Immigrants
    • Canada Employers
    • Back
Free Immigration Evaluation
Click Here

Free Immigration Evaluation Forms

  • Skilled Worker Assessment
  • Business Immigration Assessment
  • Family Class Sponsorship Assessment
  • Trade Worker Assessment
  • Canada Study Assessment
  • Telephone Consultation