Presentation Transcript
Oh CANADA! Essential facts about Visiting, Working and Living There.: Oh CANADA! Essential facts about Visiting, Working and Living There.
For More Information and Application Kits: For More Information and Application Kits Visit www.cic.gc.ca
Who We Are Canadian Consulate General, Buffalo: Who We Are Canadian Consulate General, Buffalo Trade, Consular, and Political
Immigration Section
Temporary Resident visa applications
(visit, study, work in Canada)
Permanent Resident visa applications
(immigrate to Canada)
Visa Offices in the USA: Visa Offices in the USA WASHINGTON, D.C.
Visitor visas only
Visiting Canada: Visiting Canada Determine whether visa is needed or not
For workers/students, evidence of current employment/enrollment is essential
Visiting Canada: Visiting Canada Same day service for most walk-ins
10 business day wait period for some countries!
Early application encouraged, especially for travel during holidays
Mail-in encouraged for foreign students and workers resident in Canada
10-day service standard for most mail-ins
Temporary Resident Visa Applications: Temporary Resident Visa Applications Fully completed application form
Correct fee:
- $75 US/Cdn (single entry)
- $150 US/Cdn (multiple entry)
Valid passport
2 passport size photos
For those studying or working in Canada, evidence of current status and current enrollment/employment Must include:
Slide8: Working in Canada International Students and Spouses
Slide9: Working in Canada
You can apply for permanent residence while working in Canada
Work permits are not always required to work temporarily
i.e. Business visitors, Diplomats, and training (R186)
Work Without a Work Permit : Work Without a Work Permit Students permitted to work without permit if:
Possess valid study permit
Registered full-time in degree/diploma program
Employment on campus only
Any campus in city, any employer/service on campus
Off-campus work option
Post-Graduation Work Permits : Post-Graduation Work Permits International students may accept employment for a period of one year* after graduation if:
Student has completed a full-time program at a post-secondary institution of at least eight months’ duration
Employment is related to studies
2 years outside Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal metro areas.
Post-Graduation Work Permits: Post-Graduation Work Permits Work Permit application with a valid employment offer is submitted within 90 days of notification from institution that the student has completed all requirements for the degree/diploma
Available only once – not renewable
(Employer-specific)
Slide13: Work Permit Application Process If Work Permit is required:
Applicant secures job offer
Job offer ordinarily must be confirmed by HRSDC*
Application is submitted to the visa office or POE
If requirements are met, work permit is issued
Valid up to 3 years with renewals possible
IMPORTANT POINTS:
Restricted to working for one employer
Spousal work permit usually possible
* There are exceptions!
Slide14: Information Technology National labour shortage in 7 software development occupations
No “confirmation” needed
Quick, expedited processing
Education, language, and experience requirements exist:
* Bachelor’s Degree or 2-yr Diploma; & 2-yr (related) work experience
7 Software Development Occupations:: 7 Software Development Occupations: Senior Animation Effects Editor
Embedded Systems Software Designer
MIS Software Designer
Multimedia Software Developer
Software Developer – Services
Software Products Developer
Telecommunications Software Designer
Slide16: Work Permits for Spouses Spouses/Common-law (including same-sex) Partners of persons on Study and Work Permits may qualify to obtain OPEN Work Permits
Work Permits for Spouses: Work Permits for Spouses Spouses may obtain work permits for employment in the general labour market as long as:
The foreign student is the holder of a study permit & attending a full-time post-secondary degree or diploma granting institution; or
After graduation, the foreign student has a valid work permit valid for at least 6 months for a qualifying job
May work in general labour market. Positions in medical or childcare require medical examination.
Slide18: Immigrating to Canada
Application Categories: Application Categories Economic Class
Skilled Workers
Investors
Entrepreneurs
Self-Employed
Humanitarian Class
Refugees Family Class
Spouses
Children
Parents
Grandparents
Others
The Application Process: The Application Process Applicants residing in the USA or Canada send their applications to Buffalo Regional Processing Centre (RPC)
RPC reviews for completeness, acknowledges receipt, creates file, then conducts initial assessment
RPC may process to completion or transfer file to 1 of 4 other US offices for completion – notice of transfer given
An interview may be required
Immigration Processing in the USA: Immigration Processing in the USA
Application Kit: Application Kit Download the kit at www.cic.gc.ca:
How Applications are Assessed: How Applications are Assessed Federal Skilled Workers must meet the following basic requirements:
At least one year of work experience
Available, transferable funds for settlement
Minimum Requirements: Work Experience: Minimum Requirements: Work Experience Must have been:
Within 10 years before application
Continuous full-time or equivalent
Paid
At NOC skill level:
“O” Management
“A” Professional
“B” Technical/Skilled Trades
National Occupation Classification (NOC) : National Occupation Classification (NOC) The NOC is a classification system for jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, talents and work settings for occupations.
Minimum Requirements: Settlement Funds: Minimum Requirements: Settlement Funds Available funds must amount to half of the minimum necessary annual income
Minimum Requirements: Minimum Requirements If an applicant does not meet the minimum requirements, there will be no further assessment of the application
If there is sufficient evidence the minimum requirements have been met, processing will continue
Selection factors …
Skilled Worker Selection Factors : Skilled Worker Selection Factors
Self-Assessment Tool: Self-Assessment Tool
Selection Factors: Age: Selection Factors: Age
Selection Factors: Education: Selection Factors: Education Points awarded are determined by:
Nature of the educational credential (diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, university degree)
Length of program
Number of credentials
Total years of education
Selection Factors: Education: Selection Factors: Education
Selection Factors: Language: Selection Factors: Language Points awarded for level of proficiency (high, moderate, basic, or none)
Canada’s two official languages: English and French
Assessed against the Canadian Language Benchmarks for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
Language Assessment: Language Assessment One type of evidence:
Language Testing
IELTS International English Language Testing System
www.ielts.org
TEF – Test d’Evaluation de Francais
www.fda.ccip.fr/
Selection Factors: Language: Selection Factors: Language * Maximum 2 points
Selection Factors: Experience: Selection Factors: Experience Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B in NOC matrix
Must have performed the actions in the lead statement of the occupation as set out in the NOC
Must have performed all the essential duties and at least a substantial number of the main duties
Selection Factors: Experience: Selection Factors: Experience Points only awarded for paid experience
Must be continuous work
Can be in more than one occupation
Selection Factors: Arranged Employment: Selection Factors: Arranged Employment 10 points
Full time, indeterminate Job Offer “confirmed” by HRSDC
OR
Currently working in Canada on work permit valid for at least next 12 months (includes Postgrad; Intracompany & NAFTA)
Selection Factors: Adaptability: Selection Factors: Adaptability MAXIMUM 10 Points
Education of accompanying spouse / partner
3, 4 or 5 points depending upon spouse’s post-secondary educational attainment
Previous study in Canada
5 points if applicant or spouse/partner completed at least 2 year post-secondary program in Canada
Selection Factors: Adaptability: Selection Factors: Adaptability Previous work in Canada
5 points if Applicant or spouse/partner have at least one year full time experience in Canada on work permit
Arranged employment
5 points if applicant received points under the Arranged Employment factor
Relatives in Canada
5 points if applicant or spouse/partner has a Canadian citizen or permanent resident relative (living in Canada)
Inadmissibility: Inadmissibility Criminal
Medical
Misrepresentation
Fees: Fees Application Fee: (Canadian dollars)
Principal applicant $550
Spouse/Partner $550
Child $150
Right of Permanent Residence Fee:
Principal Applicant $490
Spouse/Partner $490
How Long Does it Take?: How Long Does it Take? Routine application may take up to 24 months
Supporting documents must be submitted
Submission of complete application up front will reduce processing time!
Medical examinations are required
An interview may be required
Police clearance certificates from all places of residence in the last ten years or since age 18 are required
How Can I Get Canadian Immigration Information?: www.cic.gc.ca
General information
Application Kits
Fee Schedules
CIC Publications
Links to Related Sites
Updates on Immigration Act
www.canadainternational.gc.ca
General information
Links to other resources
How Can I Get Canadian Immigration Information?
Other Useful Websites: Other Useful Websites HRSDC
www.hrsdc.gc.ca
NOC
www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
Buffalo Consulate
www.buffalo.gc.ca
Government of Canada
www.canada.gc.ca
Questions?: Questions? Canadian Consulate
General
Buffalo, New York
www.buffalo.gc.ca