Category: Canada Immigration

Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is indicating a return to the procedures that were in place before the pandemic for all applications for permanent residency.

The IRCC plans to go back to the procedures used before the pandemic for all people applying for permanent residency. They made a rule in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) that allowed permanent residency applicants to not have to give their biometric data again if they met specific criteria.

The applicants had already given their biometrics when they applied for permanent residency within the last decade.

Biometrics Now Required for Canadian Permanent Residence: How to Submit Yours

Returning to the procedures in place before the pandemic: Establishing the need for biometrics from all individuals applying for permanent residency.

The IRCC, in September 2020, made it possible for new permanent resident applicants to submit their application if they had previously provided their biometrics during their temporary resident application. However, this specific policy is only valid if the temporary resident application was made within the last ten years. This decision was taken as a response to the temporary shutdown of numerous Visa Application Centres (VACs) during the pandemic.

During that period, the IRCC acknowledged that numerous individuals who were applying for permanent residency had already provided their biometric information when applying for temporary residency in Canada. However, the sudden surge of the pandemic and the resulting challenges posed great difficulties for new applicants, as they would be obligated to submit their biometric data once again.

Nevertheless, as the pandemic restrictions gradually loosen, the IRCC is gradually returning to its pre-pandemic service norms. The organization now requires all individuals applying for permanent residency to re-submit their biometrics. Thankfully, the considerable backlog of applications from 2020 has been considerably diminished, enabling the department to operate at maximum efficiency. As long as applicants have all the necessary information and documentation in order, their applications will now be processed swiftly.

Canada provides a warm reception, abundant job prospects, and exceptional higher education institutions. Additionally, it boasts one of the most entertaining summers due to its picturesque destinations and rich culture. Whether you are a newcomer or a longtime resident, summer presents the ideal chance to explore and fully enjoy all that this country has to offer.

Discover the Best Outdoor Activities in Canada for Newcomers

August is considered midsummer in Canada, and provides ideal weather for outdoor activities. It is typically a bit cooler than July, yet still pleasantly warm. As a result, newcomers to Canada have an excellent chance to participate in the top events and explore the beautiful country during the warmest period of the year. This article aims to highlight the most memorable experiences in each province that newcomers can enjoy during this summer season.

One can take a stroll across a hanging bridge located in British Columbia.

In the province of British Columbia, there are six suspension bridges that are situated above rivers or canyons, providing picturesque views of that specific area. One example is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, which stretches 140 meters in length and is located in North Vancouver, soaring 70 meters above a river. Take advantage of the ideal August weather to embrace one of the most distinctive experiences that BC has in store for you.

 Take a trip to the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse located in Nova Scotia.

The Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse is a well-known landmark in Canada, symbolizing a significant part of the country’s heritage. While it is no longer functioning as a lighthouse, this over-a-century-old structure offers Canadians the opportunity to enjoy the beach and immerse themselves in the rich history of their nation during the summer months.

Alaska’s Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta are two places worth visiting.

Warm, sunny weather graces Banff and Lake Louise during the summer season. This is the sole period when the hiking trails at higher altitudes are largely devoid of snow. Without a doubt, July experiences the highest temperatures, thus August brings a more pleasant climate to relish the breathtaking turquoise shades of Lake Louise. In addition, this time of year offers numerous outdoor activities such as biking and paddle-boarding to indulge in.

The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reduced the processing time for spousal Temporary Resident Visas (TRVs) to 30 days. This change applies to individuals who have applied for permanent residency in Canada as a spouse.

IRCC Spousal TRV Processing Time Reduced to 30 Days with 90% Approval Rate

As a result, these applicants can now travel to Canada while their application is being processed, instead of having to wait for a decision in their home countries. This allows spouses and dependents of Canadians or permanent residents to be reunited with their families and settle in their new location more quickly. However, it is important to note that spouses and dependents cannot work on a TRV unless they have obtained permanent residence or a work or study permit.

Immigration Minister Sean Fraser revealed on May 26 that a new service standard would be implemented. He also disclosed that the approval rating for spousal Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) exceeded 90%. This increase in approval rate was attributed to the extensive utilization of advanced technology to pre-screen TRV applications before they are reviewed by an IRCC officer for the final decision. Minister Fraser emphasized that technology enables the department to thoroughly analyze and evaluate the likelihood of an individual’s application being granted permanent residency. Moreover, the use of advanced technology facilitates the efficient categorization of applications, enabling IRCC Officers to easily approve them.

Duration for processing the sponsorship of family class

The time it takes to process permanent residence applications through the family class sponsorship is one year. While waiting for a decision from IRCC on their application, a sponsored spouse, partner, or dependent child can come to Canada and begin working in as little as three months (90 days). This is made possible by the expedited processing time of spousal TRVs within 30 days and the IRCC’s service standard of 60 days for work permits.

Canada appears to be very open to immigrants, with a staggering 1.45 million individuals anticipated to come to the country between 2023 and 2025. This situation has prompted numerous Canadians to question the ideal amount of immigration for Canada.

The Ideal Immigration Rate for Canada: A Look at the Numbers

The Desjardins study delves into this matter by taking into account Canada’s demographic and economic objectives, which rely heavily on immigration, and the ability of public services and federal support systems to handle the influx of new arrivals.

The Economic Aspect

One of the main objectives of Canada’s immigration policy is to tackle labor shortages that cannot be filled by the country’s aging population. Interestingly, this is occurring at the same time as a low unemployment rate, causing some to speculate that we may be accepting an excessive number of newcomers that our economy cannot accommodate.

Despite the rise in immigration in recent times, the level of unemployment has not changed significantly and has stayed at approximately 5%. However, there is still an abundance of job openings that surpass the unemployment rate. It appears that even with the influx of immigrants, there remains a substantial number of available positions. This situation is reinforced by the presence of temporary foreign workers who come to fulfill specific labor requirements, often through a facilitated process called LMIA. Considering these circumstances, it is economically reasonable to sustain the present level of immigration.

However, the long-term economic effects of immigration go beyond the immediate benefits. By enticing immigrants to come to Canada, it ultimately helps raise our potential GDP growth and per capita GDP. This is because recent immigrants are more inclined to find employment compared to native-born Canadians, and they are typically younger, resulting in increased working hours and years of productivity. In fact, the expansion of Canada’s working-age population (15-64 years) in 2022 was solely driven by immigrants. Thus, from an economic perspective, immigration appears to be a feasible remedy for Canada’s requirements and objectives.

The Demographic Perspective

The economic advantages of immigration in Canada cannot be disregarded without taking into account the country’s aging population. With our healthcare system, retired individuals can place a substantial burden on our economy. This is particularly evident in provinces lacking large urban areas, where there are smaller economies, a greater proportion of elderly individuals compared to the working-age population, and less immigration to fulfill their labor needs.

The Desjardins report poses the query of how much immigration is necessary in order to support Canada’s aging population and facilitate economic development. Achieving this balance would guarantee an improving quality of life and the long-term viability of public funds. Desjardins suggests that in order to uphold the current ratio of individuals of working age to the elderly until 2040, Canada would need to annually increase its working-age population by an average of 2.2%. However, in 2022, there was only a 1.6% growth in the working-age population.

If Canada intends to keep the conventional proportion between its older population and those of working age stable until 2040, it would be necessary to increase the working-age population by 4.5% each year. In both situations, Canada would have to considerably increase its immigration rates compared to the levels recorded in 2022.

Canada is a welcoming nation that annually accepts temporary residents, but there are specific regulations that must be followed. Some countries, such as the US, have an exemption from requiring a visa. Unless you fall into this category or are a permanent resident of Canada, anyone else who wants to visit must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).

A Canadian Travel Guide for First-Timers

The TRV can only be obtained from the Canadian Immigration Visa Office. Before issuing the visa, this department thoroughly evaluates whether the applicant meets all the necessary criteria for entry into the country.

Who is Eligible for TRVs?

• Tourists
• International students who need study permits
• Temporary foreign worker

Conditions for Acquisition of TRV

To be eligible, the applicant needs to complete a form issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A certain amount is levied as a fee, which goes towards covering biometric and processing expenses. Additionally, the applicant is required to offer proof of evidence, which can be demonstrated by attaching relevant supporting documents.

Additional items that are necessary include, but are not restricted to:

• Travel itinerary
• If relevant, please provide a copy of your return ticket.
• Proof of financial support
• Photos of passports

It is crucial to acknowledge that the conditions differ based on the country you are applying from.

What period of time is the TRV designed to include for the visitor?

To begin, there are travel documents that do not contain stamps or dates, which means the person holding it can only stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months. Occasionally, visas can be classified as either single-entry or multiple-entry.

Individuals planning to visit Canada for specific occasions such as weddings or sporting events can apply for a single entry visa. Unlike regular visas, single-entry visas require the issuing officer to explain the purpose and duration of the visit.

A multiple-entry visa is the usual requirement for traveling to Canada. It grants the holder permission to visit the country multiple times from various locations within a specified time period. This temporary resident visa can be valid for as long as ten years and may extend up until one month before

Canada is simplifying the process for immigrants and Canadian citizens to buy a house. Recently, the Canadian government announced that it would eliminate specific limitations from a specific law that previously made it extremely difficult for individuals who are not Canadian citizens to purchase residential properties.

In addition, starting April 1, 2023, Canadian banks will have the ability to provide tax-free savings accounts to individuals purchasing their first homes in the country. This change in legislation aligns with a suggestion put forth in the Canadian budget for the year 2022.

New Rules Make it Easier for Non-Canadians to Buy Homes in Canada

The law in Canada has been changed by the government, eliminating the limitations on purchasing residential real estate for non-Canadian individuals with a work permit. Only a few months ago, they had implemented a law that prohibited non-Canadians from buying homes.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) announced on March 27th that they made changes to the legislation called the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act.

As per the amendment, individuals who are not Canadian citizens but have a work permit can now purchase land that serves a dual purpose of residential and commercial use, provided they satisfy specific requirements.

The changes became active on the same day the CMCH made their declaration. Additionally, the CMCH revealed that individuals with work permits can buy a property if their permits or authorizations have at least 183 days left when they make the purchase.

In order to qualify, they must also not have bought more than one property in the country.

Based on the revised legislation, residential properties can include detached buildings or other similar properties. This means they can also be semi-detached properties, rowhouse units, residential condominium units, and other similar types of real estate.

Furthermore, the amendment included regulations concerning vacant land. These regulations specify that previously unutilized land, designated for residential or mixed-use purposes, can now be purchased by individuals who are not citizens of Canada. These individuals are then granted the freedom to utilize the land as they see fit, which may encompass residential development or any other suitable purpose desired by the buyer.

Proof Of Tax Filings Is Now Unnecessary

The government’s announcement included plans to review the current system for filing taxes and previous work experience in Canada.

Under the initial Act, temporary citizens of Canada still had the opportunity to purchase residential property. However, individuals possessing work or study permits had to fulfill a set of requirements in order to qualify for this opportunity.

Individuals who are temporarily residing in Canada and hold a valid work permit have the option to purchase a residential property.

• Before buying it, they had been employed in Canada for a minimum of three years out of the previous four.
• They have submitted tax forms for a minimum of three out of the past four years prior to the date of purchase.
• They owned just one residential property.

Canada is experiencing a decrease in its workforce and has been dealing with a shortage of workers for some time now. To address this issue, the government of Canada has revealed its plans to launch a Recognized Employer Pilot starting in September.

Why Canada is a Popular Destination for Immigrants and Temporary Residents

The pilot program, operating under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), aims to reduce administrative obstacles. Its primary focus is on repeat employers who have consistently met the requirements of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, aiming to alleviate burdens on them.

How will the Pilot Work?

To begin with, the REP will allow eligible employers to conveniently obtain Labor Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs). These LMIAs will remain valid for a maximum of 36 months. Additionally, employers will have the advantage of a simplified LMIA application process.

But What is LMIA?

The LMIA is a necessary document for Canadian employers who want to hire someone from another country. It includes a test of the job market to make sure the employer has tried to find a Canadian employee first. The LMIA shows that there are no available Canadian or permanent resident workers for the job, so the employer can look for workers from other places.

The Canadian government has designed a program called the September pilot, which aims to simplify the process of submitting multiple applications for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This program, also known as a confirmation letter, will be beneficial for employers who have been following the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) requirements. Over the next three years, these employers will have to submit fewer LMIA applications.

This will assist employers who qualify to easily meet their staffing requirements without encountering the bureaucratic obstacles previously connected to hiring foreign workers. Additionally, these employers will benefit from a job bank designation that verifies their reputable status to potential employees.