Whistler Immigration» Immigration and Work Permit Canada, Vancouver, and Whistler

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) Reduces In-Canada Permit Processing Time

PGirodo — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:39:54 +0000

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has significantly reduced their processing times for In-Canada permit applications. For example, fall 2011 processing time for a mailed in work permit application took approximately 3 months. Now they are being turned around in less than a month. This means that if you mailed in your application in December 2011 you will have or will be receiving a response very soon. The updated posted processing times for all In-Canada permits can be found here : http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/temp.asp

If you require a permitting strategy please contact Paul Girodo for more information.

Increase in Labour Market Opinion (LMO) Processing Times

PGirodo — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:31:01 +0000

The Service Canada LMO processing times have increased significantly over the past few months. They have gone from six week processing time (experienced last summer 2011) to over twelve weeks. This means that the process to secure a LMO must start well in advance of when you want the worker to start his or her employment with your company. Please contact Paul Girodo to discuss your work permit and immigration strategy.

CIC Changes Affect Provincial Nominees

PGirodo — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:59:24 +0000

This message is to inform you of important changes introduced by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that affect all provincial nominees who submit or have submitted an application for permanent residence on or after December 1, 2011.

CIC has made significant changes to their documentary requirements for provincial nominees and is now requesting more detailed information regarding past travels, educational background and work experience. Contact us for a consultation to review your submissions

Pilot Entry Level and Semi Skilled BC PNP Program is Now Permanent

PGirodo — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:47:00 +0000

BC Provincial Nominee program offered a short term pilot Entry Level and Semi Skilled option for qualified tourism/hospitality, food processing and long-haul trucking industries applicants. These applicants were eligible for fast track permanent residence upon receiving nomination by the Province. Deadlines for the pilot program were posted on several occasions, the last one stating they would no longer accept applications after August 31, 2011. Since that date, BC PNP reviewed the program and recently announced that program is a permanent category. If you would like more information about this immigration program stream or would like to determine whether you qualify please contact Whistler Immigration for a consultation.

Canadians Support Immigration to Canada

PGirodo — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:18:24 +0000

Last year Canada experienced the largest number of immigrants. Some 280,000 joined communities all across Canada. The majority of Canadians approve of current immigration levels.

On average Canada approves 250,000 immigrants per year. Immigrants are seen to bring economic benefits, they play a role in shaping our Country and they impact our already expansive cultural diversity.

New Guidance: Intra-company transferees (ICTs) and the maximum allowable (cap) work stay in Canada

PGirodo — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:30:31 +0000

Normally, the duration of the work permit is used to calculate the maximum five or seven year time limit that an ICT is allowed to work in Canada. However, time spent outside Canada during the duration of the work permit can be recaptured. For example, if ICT senior managers have a work permit for one year and spend two 2-month stints over the course of the 12 months working in the U.S., then only 8 months would count against their seven-year limit as ICTs. In summary, documented time spent outside Canada can be “recaptured” to allow the ICT five or seven full years of physical presence in Canada.

Spouses of Low Skilled Temporary Foreign Workers are Eligible for a Work Permit

PGirodo — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:49:52 +0000

Starting August 15, 2011, the Province of BC and the Government of Canada will now run a pilot project to allow eligible spouses/common-law partners of Temporary Foreign Workers engaged in work within the NOC C and D skill categories (low skilled) in British Columbia to receive open work permits. The Principle Applicant must have a sponsored work permit with a specific employer. Working Holiday type permits are not eligible.

This pilot will operate from August 15, 2011 to February 15, 2013. A maximum of 1,800 open WPs will be issued under this pilot.

Contact Whistler Immigration if you would like to apply for a spousal/common-law partner work permit under the new pilot project.

Ten-Year Multiple Entry Visa (TRV) to Be Implemented for Canada

PGirodo — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:47:06 +0000

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, recently announced that Canada will be introducing a ten-year multiple entry visa. The goal is to achieve a more responsive and flexible processing system. Currently the maximum length for a multiple entry visa to Canada is five years.

Many countries require a multiple entry visa to enter Canada. Here is the link which details which countries require a TRV http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

Applications for the ten-year multiple entry visa will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Those individuals determined to be low-risk travelers will be considered as well as parents and grandparents with a family class sponsorship application in process.

New Permanent Residence Application Form

PGirodo — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:52:08 +0000

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has introduced a new form for Permanent Residence effective July 18, 2011.

Go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2011/ob326.asp for more information.

New Sponshorship Form: IMM 1344

PGirodo — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:47:35 +0000

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has introduced a new form for Sponshorship IMM 1344 effective July 18, 2011.

Go to http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2011/ob325.asp for more information.