Canada schools 2008

Oh CANADA!Essential facts about Visiting, Working and Living There.: 

Oh CANADA! Essential facts about Visiting, Working and Living There.

For More Informationand Application Kits: 

For More Information and Application Kits Visit www.cic.gc.ca

Who We AreCanadian 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