Immigration is crucial to address the labour shortage in Canada. That’s what the immigration minister Sean Fraser said in a statement on Friday. There are thousands of vacancies across Canada. And employers need qualified candidates to fuel their growth. Thus, the Minister loosened immigration rules to make it easier for qualified candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Here’s what the Minister revealed:
Additionalpost-graduate work permits
Are you a former international student living in Canada with a post-graduation work permit that’s expiring between January and December 2022? In that case, you are eligible for an additional open work permit of up to 18 months. This one is taking effect from the beginning of summer 2022.
Processing of TR2PR
This one is applicable from this summer. The changes in this policy involve:
It isn’t mandatory to remain in Canada during the processing of their applications.
You are eligible for work permits till the end of 2024 if you have applied for an open work permit and still waiting for the confirmation of your permanent residence application.
Immediate family members (outside Canada and if included in the permanent residence application will)are eligible for their open work permit.
Express entry draws
The federal government will put an end to the temporary pause on express entry draws in July. In case you don’t have an idea, express entry draws consist of an application management system that helps individuals immigrate permanently through:
The federal skilled worker and skilled trades programs
The Canadian experience class
A portion of the provincial nominee program
The Minister also announced that a huge number of new applications will be processed within a standard service of six months.
International students can stay an additional 18 months
This applies to the former international student whose post-graduate work permits have expired or are going to expire between Jan 31 and Dec 31, 2022. You can stay in Canada for up to 18 months starting from June.
Related background information
No CEC draw has been observed under the express entry system since September 2021 and FSW draw. Moreover, PGWP candidates rely on the CEC draws to earn permanent residency. But, the absence of CEC draws makes it difficult for international graduates to achieve permanent residency.
This is also why international students often have to leave Canada once the PGWP has expired. They can, however, also apply for another study permit if they enrol in a new course from scratch.
It can be hard to stay abreast with all new immigration rules and abide by them amidst your hectic schedule. And not to say, the hardships of paperwork.This is where OnkarImmigration comes into play. Consult with our professionals and make your Canadian dream come true.
Whether you want to unite with your spouse or common-law partner in Canada, waiting incessantly for the spousal sponsorship application to process never feels good. The pandemic had almost normalized the delays in the processing of spousal sponsorship applications. But, the good news is, the Canadian Government and IRCC have addressed the delays and implemented the right measures to accelerate the processing work tenfold.
Result?
The application processing time for Spousal Sponsorship Applications has returned to its standard time of 12 months. Several factors caused the delay in application processing such as border restrictions and the pandemic. But, the IRCC and the Government of Canadanow use data analytics to help officers process the applications faster. Also, the complete shift from traditional to online application process minimizes the processing delays to a great extent.
Sean Fraser, Immigration Minister, announced in January 2022 that the spousal sponsorship returns to the 12-month processing time for new applicants. IRCC also brought forth a portal for spousal and child sponsorship applicants to track their immigration applications online.
Who is eligible for the spousal sponsorship program?
You can apply for the spousal sponsorship program if you are:
A Canadian citizen or an indigenous individual registered under the Canadian Indian Act
At least 18 years old
Able to demonstrate that you do not get social assistance except if you have a disability
Capable of supporting the financial needs of the sponsored individual
Who can you sponsor?
You can sponsor any one of the following:
Common-law partner- You must have lived with this person for at last 12 straight months.
Spouse- You have to be legally married to this person.
Conjugal partner- You must have been in a relationship with this person for a minimum of a year and cannot marry the person in their country due to immigration or legal causes.
In the case of foreign nationals, they must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for this program. Also, they need to get through a criminality, security and health screening during the process.
What are the types of spousal sponsorship application processes?
You and your spouse can apply for the program from within Canada (inland sponsorship)or apply for the same abroad (outland sponsorship). Let’s see what each type of sponsorship process means.
Inland sponsorship
The partner or the spouse must have a valid temporary status in Canada in the form of a worker, visitor or student to be eligible for the program.
The sponsored person can continue to live, work and study in Canada during the application process.
The sponsored spouse can also get a Spousal Open Work Permit that lets them work even while waiting for the application’s results.
Outland sponsorship
This process serves foreign spouses who aren’t residing in Canada legally at the time of application.
Permanent residents in Canada can use this process to sponsor their spouses only if they are living in Canada. But, Canadian citizens can use the same process to sponsor their spouses from abroad. In the latter, they need to demonstrate that they will return to Canada once the application is approved.
The outland process is perfect for couples who need to travel to and from Canada during the application processing time.
Married and common-law partners can also use the outland process to sponsor conjugal partners. Couples with an ongoing and committed relationship for over 12 months but aren’t able to live together due to legal or other obstacles fall under this category.
Detailed steps for applying to the spousal sponsorship application
The steps to apply to the spousal sponsorship program are:
Get hold of two applications since you need to submit both of them for a quick approval. One facilitates the sponsorship while the other one helps in achieving permanent residency.
Get the package from IRCC.
Pay the application fees which are a combination of processing, right of permanent residence and biometrics fees. S
Finally, send the completed application to IRCC via email.
Though the standard processing time for spousal sponsorship applications is reduced to 12 months only, the process is still quite complex. Theeminent team at Onkar Immigration is here to guide you through all the steps in this process hassle-free. From the paperwork to the eligibility criteria, we will help you with everything. Contact us for more details.
A Detailed Guide for Nurses to Immigrate To Canada Hassle-Free
The latest Omicron wave has turned the healthcare system upside down. Overworked healthcare workers quit their jobs or left practice due to the higher levels of stress caused due to the pandemic. Hospitals and clinics are hence left with extensive labour shortages and an inevitable need to recruit more internationally-based nurses.
Yes, there’s good news for the nurses even amidst these insane times.
Internationally-based nurses with the right qualification and experience can work in Canada and acquire permanent residence hassle-free. There are several economic immigration programs at the provincial and federal levels that can help you get the dream nurse job in Canada.
Healthcare Labour Shortages Lead to Better Career Opportunities for Nurses
The shortage of staff in the healthcare industry began before the pandemic. The Jobbank employment website of Ottawa, for example, predicted a shortage of at least 36,500 nurses during 2019-2028. The situation is worse now. No wonder there are at least 19,200 job listings for nurses on the Indeed.ca job websites in early February.
The wages are quite standard for nurses in Canada. For instance, a nurse from the Canadian territory of Nunavut can earn about $169,045 for a 37.5-hour weekly work. The median annual wage for nurses is almost $78,000 for a standard workweek across Canada.
How can foreign nationals work as nurses in Canada?
Here comes the main part. There are several immigration programs that can help you immigrate to Canada and work as a nurse. The programs include the Express Entry system, Skilled Worker program in Quebec, and one of the Provincial Nominee Programs or PNP.
Express Entry System- Nurses can qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program if their CRS profile score is high enough.
PNP- Each Canadian province functions on its own PNP that can help you acquire permanent residency in Canada.
Skilled Worker- The Skilled Worker program can also help you qualify to come to Canada and work as a nurse in Quebec if you can score at least 50 points on the selection grid of the province.
Who are welcome in Canada?
You can immigrate to Canada as a nurse if you are:
Registered nurses with a university degree in nursing
Licensed practical nurses
Registered practical nurses in Ontario with a post-secondary diploma in nursing
Registered psychiatric nurses with a Bachelor’s or post-grad degree in psychiatric nursing
Steps for Foreign Nurses to Apply for Immigration Programs
Immigrating to Canada as a nurse is as easy as a breeze if you are aware of the eligibility criteria and application processes. The steps involved are:
Evaluate your academic credentials and see if they meet Canadian standards
There are five organizations that the Canadian Government recognizes for the assessment of foreign educational credentials such as:
Comparative Education Service
World Education Services
International Qualifications Assessment Service
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
International Credential Evaluation Services
Get your nursing credentials recognized by the NNAS in Canada. This step costs around US$650.
Create a profile on the NNAS application page which requires:
A completed nursing education form that is downloadable from the website, the form should be sent to the school where the nurse completed her/his education. The school officials need to sign and complete the form and then send it to NNAS along with academic transcripts, course descriptions and course curriculum.
Submission of two notarised pieces of identity that are signed, dated, and stamped
Submission of the nursing registration form to the nursing licensing authority where the nurse is currently registered
A signed nursing employment or practice form that you need to send to all employers you have worked with for the past five years. the employers need to complete the form and send it to NNAS
Immigration IELTS language testing results again needs to be sent to NNAS from an approved language testing company
Procedure for Foreign Nurses to Apply to Provincial Regulatory Authorities
Once the NNAS has received all the mandatory documents as mentioned above, you need to submit the application to Provincial Regulatory Authorities. That is how you can pick your preferred nursing group and the provincial association such as:
British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals and Midwives;
College of Registered Nurses of Alberta;
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta;
College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta;
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association;
Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses;
Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba;
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba;
College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba;
College of Nurses of Ontario;
Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec;
Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers auxiliaires du Québec;
Nurses Association of New Brunswick;
Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses;
Nova Scotia College of Nursing;
College of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island;
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Prince Edward Island;
College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador;
College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador;
Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut;
Government of Northwest Territories, Registrar, Professional Licensing, Health and Social Services;
Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut;
Government of Nunavut, Department of Health;
Yukon Registered Nurses Association, and;
Government of Yukon, Yukon Department of Community Services.
All in all, it’s an excellent career opportunity for nurses in Canada. But, the application procedure is time-consuming and confusing as well. Why don’t you focus on the bigger picture while we at Onkar Immigration guide you through the processes seamlessly?
Federal Government is taking initiatives in supporting Canadian immigrants settled in Ukraine and Ukraine's citizens residing in Canada. They are monitoring the war situation and will steadily support the sovereignty and territorial integrity. IRCC is taking further steps to assist individuals in Ukraine, as well as to make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members to return to Canada.
To help the war-affected individuals IRCC is recasting the immigration process. Here are the 5 most important measures taken by them. Read to know details.
5 measures taken by the Canadian Government to support war-affected immigrants
The federal government along with IRCC has taken the following five important measures to help war-affected immigrants with consular support:
Permanent residents
You can apply for a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada if you are a permanent resident of Canada but do not have a valid PR card.
This will help permanent residents and their close family members return to Canada more easily and quickly. IRCC will prioritize applications of immigrants staying in Ukraine. Moreover, they will help in expediting the process of :
Citizenship proof
Citizenship adoption
Family sponsorship
Immediate travel document processing
Issuance of single-journey travel documentation
This will include documentation and immigration procedures of immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, who do not have valid passports.
They are urgently processing new and replacement passports and travel documents for Canadian nationals and permanent residents in Ukraine, enabling them to return to Canada at any moment.
Renewal of Work & Study permit
Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Canada temporarily can request to have their visiting visa, student visa, or working status extended. IRCC has approved approximately 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and residents in Ukraine across several programs, since January 19.
This policy would allow temporary residents who have been offered a job to stay in Canada and begin working while their work permit application is being processed.
Vaccine exemptions
If you're a Ukrainian national who hasn't been properly vaccinated and has a valid passport, you can enter Canada. However, according to border regulation, you must have the following documents:
A relevant visa for temporary residence (visitor visa).
Permit for temporary residence
A formal letter of approval for a permanent residence application in Canada
In case, the vaccine you received isn't recognized in Canada right now (WHO-approved) yet you can enter the country
Bring proof of your Ukrainian nationality with you when you travel.
Family Sponsorship
The importance of keeping families and loved ones together cannot be overstated. They have programs that allow qualifying family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to get sponsorship to immigrate to Canada.
All applications will be seen to find if those are on priority due to war. You do not need to employ any specific procedures to submit your application.
If your application qualifies, they will give it a priority when reviewing it. The following categories will be on the checklist:
You're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Indian Act-registered person.
You are sponsoring a member of a family.
A Ukrainian national living outside of Canada
One of the families of Canadian PR/citizens living in Ukraine; spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, dependent child (including adopted children), parents, grandparents, dependent sibling.
Emergency helpline
Federal Government has set up an emergency helpline on behalf of the consulate to answer any inquiry regarding immigration. This will help to expedite the process and give a prompt result.
Onkar Immigration - An added support center for your immigration goals
Onkar Immigration is one of the leading immigration consultants to assist you in accomplishing and expediting your immigration goals in a streamline manner. Your safety and career objective counts on us; hence, you may contact us to get any help for visa processing or know about Canadian border regulations.
Federal Government is taking initiatives in supporting Canadian immigrants settled in Ukraine and Ukraine's citizens residing in Canada. They are monitoring the war situation and will steadily support the sovereignty and territorial integrity. IRCC is taking further steps to assist individuals in Ukraine, as well as to make it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members to return to Canada.
To help the war-affected individuals IRCC is recasting the immigration process. Here are the 5 most important measures taken by them. Read to know details.
5 measures taken by the Canadian Government to support war-affected immigrants
The federal government along with IRCC has taken the following five important measures to help war-affected immigrants with consular support:
Permanent residents
You can apply for a permanent resident travel document to return to Canada if you are a permanent resident of Canada but do not have a valid PR card.
This will help permanent residents and their close family members return to Canada more easily and quickly. IRCC will prioritize applications of immigrants staying in Ukraine. Moreover, they will help in expediting the process of :
Citizenship proof
Citizenship adoption
Family sponsorship
Immediate travel document processing
Issuance of single-journey travel documentation
This will include documentation and immigration procedures of immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, who do not have valid passports.
They are urgently processing new and replacement passports and travel documents for Canadian nationals and permanent residents in Ukraine, enabling them to return to Canada at any moment.
Renewal of Work & Study permit
Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Canada temporarily can request to have their visiting visa, student visa, or working status extended. IRCC has approved approximately 2,000 applications from Ukrainian nationals and residents in Ukraine across several programs, since January 19.
This policy would allow temporary residents who have been offered a job to stay in Canada and begin working while their work permit application is being processed.
Vaccine exemptions
If you're a Ukrainian national who hasn't been properly vaccinated and has a valid passport, you can enter Canada. However, according to border regulation, you must have the following documents:
A relevant visa for temporary residence (visitor visa).
Permit for temporary residence
A formal letter of approval for a permanent residence application in Canada
In case, the vaccine you received isn't recognized in Canada right now (WHO-approved) yet you can enter the country
Bring proof of your Ukrainian nationality with you when you travel.
Family Sponsorship
The importance of keeping families and loved ones together cannot be overstated. They have programs that allow qualifying family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to get sponsorship to immigrate to Canada.
All applications will be seen to find if those are on priority due to war. You do not need to employ any specific procedures to submit your application.
If your application qualifies, they will give it a priority when reviewing it. The following categories will be on the checklist:
You're a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Indian Act-registered person.
You are sponsoring a member of a family.
A Ukrainian national living outside of Canada
One of the families of Canadian PR/citizens living in Ukraine; spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, dependent child (including adopted children), parents, grandparents, dependent sibling.
Emergency helpline
Federal Government has set up an emergency helpline on behalf of the consulate to answer any inquiry regarding immigration. This will help to expedite the process and give a prompt result.
Onkar Immigration - An added support center for your immigration goals
Onkar Immigration is one of the leading immigration consultants to assist you in accomplishing and expediting your immigration goals in a streamline manner. Your safety and career objective counts on us; hence, you may contact us to get any help for visa processing or know about Canadian border regulations.
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