The Indo-Pacific Strategy in Canada is the Future of Immigration

Post by : Admin on Dec 02,2022

The Indo-Pacific region will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Canada in the next half-century. It houses the top 13 partners in Canada and consists of 40 economies and at least four billion people. The region contributes almost $47.19 trillion to the economic activity here. Most importantly, the Indo-Pacific plays a significant role in Canada’s immigration strategy. 

How does the Indo-Pacific Boost Canada’s Immigration Strategy? 

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, said, “The Indo-Pacific region is vital for Canada’s immigration and will continue to be in the future. Today’s announcement brings significant new funding to help boost Canada’s visa application processing capacity at home and abroad. As we look to record growth in admissions in the years ahead, this funding will help promote greater diversity among those looking to visit, study, work or live in Canada.”

According to the announcement by Sean Fraser, investments in Canada’s immigration system will help the country to grow and prosper even further. He also added that an investment of $74.6 million for five years, along with an ongoing $15.7 million, will boost their application processing capacity. This is applicable domestically and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. 

The new resources in the Indo-Pacific region include New Delhi, Manila, Chandigarh and Islamabad. All of them share one goal of inviting more people to Canada to study, work or immigrate permanently. Sean Fraser explained these resources would support ties among people, improve processing times and quicken the processing of a huge number of visa applications. 

What can International Students Expect? 

The Indo-Pacific strategy also lets international students make significant social and economic contributions to Canada. In fact, two-thirds of international students in Canada belong from the Indo-Pacific region. Some of them acquire permanent residence in Canada, while others may return home after completing their studies here. 

The funding from the Indo-Pacific region will enable greater diversity in the region among students. It will also strengthen the International Student Program in Canada. 

International students in Canada not only can acquire permanent residence but also great job opportunities here. No wonder they often become our highly skilled workers and help us bridge the economic gaps in the future. 

Things You Should Know About Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy 

  • Global Affairs Canada leads the Indo-Pacific Strategy and includes various departments such as the IRCC. 
  • The Indo-Pacific Strategy consists of new investments of about $2.3 billion over the next five years and new initiatives. 
  • About 65% of international students come from the Indo-Pacific region. The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program is a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. It funds $14.2 million for over five years to bring forth more education, research, expertise sharing and valuable exchanges in areas of interest. 
  • China, India and the Philippines formed the top three source countries to gain permanent residency in Canada in 2021. 

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The Indo-Pacific region will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Canada in the next half-century. It houses the top 13 partners in Canada and consists of 40 economies and at least four billion people. The region contributes almost $47.19 trillion to the economic activity here. Most importantly, the Indo-Pacific plays a significant role in Canada’s immigration strategy. 

How does the Indo-Pacific Boost Canada’s Immigration Strategy? 

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, said, “The Indo-Pacific region is vital for Canada’s immigration and will continue to be in the future. Today’s announcement brings significant new funding to help boost Canada’s visa application processing capacity at home and abroad. As we look to record growth in admissions in the years ahead, this funding will help promote greater diversity among those looking to visit, study, work or live in Canada.”

According to the announcement by Sean Fraser, investments in Canada’s immigration system will help the country to grow and prosper even further. He also added that an investment of $74.6 million for five years, along with an ongoing $15.7 million, will boost their application processing capacity. This is applicable domestically and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. 

The new resources in the Indo-Pacific region include New Delhi, Manila, Chandigarh and Islamabad. All of them share one goal of inviting more people to Canada to study, work or immigrate permanently. Sean Fraser explained these resources would support ties among people, improve processing times and quicken the processing of a huge number of visa applications. 

What can International Students Expect? 

The Indo-Pacific strategy also lets international students make significant social and economic contributions to Canada. In fact, two-thirds of international students in Canada belong from the Indo-Pacific region. Some of them acquire permanent residence in Canada, while others may return home after completing their studies here. 

The funding from the Indo-Pacific region will enable greater diversity in the region among students. It will also strengthen the International Student Program in Canada. 

International students in Canada not only can acquire permanent residence but also great job opportunities here. No wonder they often become our highly skilled workers and help us bridge the economic gaps in the future. 

Things You Should Know About Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy 

  • Global Affairs Canada leads the Indo-Pacific Strategy and includes various departments such as the IRCC. 
  • The Indo-Pacific Strategy consists of new investments of about $2.3 billion over the next five years and new initiatives. 
  • About 65% of international students come from the Indo-Pacific region. The Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development program is a part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy. It funds $14.2 million for over five years to bring forth more education, research, expertise sharing and valuable exchanges in areas of interest. 
  • China, India and the Philippines formed the top three source countries to gain permanent residency in Canada in 2021. 

Benefits of an Open Work Permit in Canada | Who is Eligible for It?

Post by : Admin on Dec 01,2022

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations to start a promising career. The job opportunities are great here. Employers are looking for eligible candidates to fill labour shortages and gaps in the Canadian economy. But the question is, how would you start working in Canada? This is where the role of work permits comes into play. 

So, What Exactly is an Open Work Permit? 

An open work permit is a legal document that lets foreign nationals work inside Canada. It has nothing to do with a specific employer or location. You can work anywhere in Canada as long as you have a work permit. Immigration programs that usually issue open work permits are: 

  • Post-Graduation Work Permits 
  • Inland Spousal or Common-Law Sponsorship 
  • International Experience Canada 
  • Bridging Open Work Permits 

What are the Benefits of an Open Work Permit? 

The best thing about an open work permit is it gives you all the freedom you need to work anywhere in Canada. You can move throughout any Canadian location at your convenience. This is a great opportunity for skilled candidates to start working in Canada and acquire significant work experience. This work experience then helps you gain permanent residency in Canada. 

Also, you needn’t have to wait for an LMIA or a job offer to work in Canada as long as you have an open work permit. You can also work for a maximum of 40 hours a week with this open work permit. 

Who is Eligible for the Open Work Permit? 

Here’s who can apply for the open work permit: 

  • International students who graduated from a DLI and qualified for the respective Post-Graduation Work Permit Program 
  • Employer-specific work permit holders who are at risk of being exploited in Canada 
  • Young workers with proof of precipitation in exclusive programs like CUSMA
  • Temporary resident permit holders 
  • Destitute students who aren’t able to afford their studies 
  • Individuals with an enforceable removal order
  • Individuals with their PR application in the queue 
  • Refugees, a refugee claimant or their dependent family members 
  • Family members who are dependent on permanent resident applicants 
  • Common-law partner or spouse of Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant 
  • Common-law partner or spouse of an international student or a skilled worker 

 

Here is a list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions and hence are ineligible for the open work permit in Canada. 

General Requirements to Apply for a Work Permit 

No matter where you are, the general requirements to apply for an open work permit are as follows: 

  • Let the immigration officers know that you want to leave Canada after the expiry of your work permit. 
  • Show that you are financially stable to support yourself and your family members. 
  • Make sure you have no criminal history 
  • Share any additional documents that the immigration officer asks for to confirm your eligibility 
  • You shouldn’t be a threat to the well-being of Canada. 
  • You shouldn’t be a part of a business that deals with striptease or exotic services. 
  • Maintain good health and go through a medical exam if necessary 

Do You Want to Apply For an Open Work Permit in Canada? 

There are several instructions involved in applying for Canada’s open work permit. We are here to guide you through the processing of open work permits in Edmonton and Alberta. We leave no stones unturned to help you live your Canadian dream. Have a word with our immigration consultants to get through the complex application process hassle-free. Our eminent immigration consultants provide you with all the updates related to open work permits. 

Canada is one of the most sought-after destinations to start a promising career. The job opportunities are great here. Employers are looking for eligible candidates to fill labour shortages and gaps in the Canadian economy. But the question is, how would you start working in Canada? This is where the role of work permits comes into play. 

So, What Exactly is an Open Work Permit? 

An open work permit is a legal document that lets foreign nationals work inside Canada. It has nothing to do with a specific employer or location. You can work anywhere in Canada as long as you have a work permit. Immigration programs that usually issue open work permits are: 

  • Post-Graduation Work Permits 
  • Inland Spousal or Common-Law Sponsorship 
  • International Experience Canada 
  • Bridging Open Work Permits 

What are the Benefits of an Open Work Permit? 

The best thing about an open work permit is it gives you all the freedom you need to work anywhere in Canada. You can move throughout any Canadian location at your convenience. This is a great opportunity for skilled candidates to start working in Canada and acquire significant work experience. This work experience then helps you gain permanent residency in Canada. 

Also, you needn’t have to wait for an LMIA or a job offer to work in Canada as long as you have an open work permit. You can also work for a maximum of 40 hours a week with this open work permit. 

Who is Eligible for the Open Work Permit? 

Here’s who can apply for the open work permit: 

  • International students who graduated from a DLI and qualified for the respective Post-Graduation Work Permit Program 
  • Employer-specific work permit holders who are at risk of being exploited in Canada 
  • Young workers with proof of precipitation in exclusive programs like CUSMA
  • Temporary resident permit holders 
  • Destitute students who aren’t able to afford their studies 
  • Individuals with an enforceable removal order
  • Individuals with their PR application in the queue 
  • Refugees, a refugee claimant or their dependent family members 
  • Family members who are dependent on permanent resident applicants 
  • Common-law partner or spouse of Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant 
  • Common-law partner or spouse of an international student or a skilled worker 

 

Here is a list of employers who failed to comply with the conditions and hence are ineligible for the open work permit in Canada. 

General Requirements to Apply for a Work Permit 

No matter where you are, the general requirements to apply for an open work permit are as follows: 

  • Let the immigration officers know that you want to leave Canada after the expiry of your work permit. 
  • Show that you are financially stable to support yourself and your family members. 
  • Make sure you have no criminal history 
  • Share any additional documents that the immigration officer asks for to confirm your eligibility 
  • You shouldn’t be a threat to the well-being of Canada. 
  • You shouldn’t be a part of a business that deals with striptease or exotic services. 
  • Maintain good health and go through a medical exam if necessary 

Do You Want to Apply For an Open Work Permit in Canada? 

There are several instructions involved in applying for Canada’s open work permit. We are here to guide you through the processing of open work permits in Edmonton and Alberta. We leave no stones unturned to help you live your Canadian dream. Have a word with our immigration consultants to get through the complex application process hassle-free. Our eminent immigration consultants provide you with all the updates related to open work permits. 

 

16 New Occupations are Now Eligible for Canadian Permanent Residency

Post by : Admin on Nov 26,2022

Labour shortages have been a serious concern since the pandemic. Thus, the Canadian Government has brought forth the new NOC system, which is finally applicable from 16th November 2022 and has brought great news for immigrants. This system will encourage more immigrants to apply for Canadian immigration, thereby addressing the acute labour shortages.

The IRCC will now assess your eligibility on the basis of TEER or Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (the new NOC). Occupations in TEERs 0, 1, 2 and 3 are allowed to apply for Express Entry programs. The new NOC categories will help fulfill the vacancies in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, construction and transportation. 16 new occupations are included in the Express Entry according to the February 2022 IRCC Memo. Here’s a glimpse of the new occupations included in Express Entry:

  • Nurse aides
  • Hospital attendants
  • Long-term care aides
  • Transport truck drives
  • And more.

What You Should Know About NOC?

The NOC system keeps track of and categorizes the jobs in the Canadian Labour Market. It helps the IRCC determine which candidates are eligible to apply under Express Entry programs. The Canadian Government is dedicated to helping more temporary workers, and international students apply for permanent residency. Thus, it changes the NOC system to match the pace with the economic changes and demands in different natures of work.

Some important facts about NOC:

The NOC is the national reference for occupations in Canada. It helps the labour market and employment-related program administration collect and analyze occupational data. This occupational data is useful in various programs and services like skills development, employment equity, labour supply, career intelligence and others.

Employment and Social Development Canada and Statistics Canada update the NOC regularly. They conduct thorough reviews every 10 years to reflect the changing labour market in the NOC system. The review is about researching, analyzing and assessing the feedback from occupational research and consultations.

The 16 new occupations included in the Express Entry are:

  1. Sheriffs and bailiffs
  2. Other repairers and servicers
  3. Correctional service officers
  4. Payroll administrators
  5. Pest controllers and fumigators
  6. Dental laboratory assistants
  7. Pharmacy technical assistants
  8. Pharmacy assistants
  9. Correctional service officers
  10. Residential and commercial services and installers
  11. Transport truck drivers
  12. Heavy equipment operators
  13. Estheticians and related occupations
  14. Bus drivers and other transit operators
  15. By-law enforcement and other regulatory officers
  16. Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

IRCC uses NOC to assess the occupational eligibility of candidates under temporary and permanent residency programs.

Earlier, the IRCC determined the eligibility of candidates based on skill levels A, B, C, D or O. The new NOC system classifies categories based on Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities. It has made 16 new occupations eligible and 3 ineligible for the Express Entry system.

Looking for help with Canadian Immigration?

Onkar Immigration is here to guide you through the Canadian immigration process without any hassle. Our professional immigration consultants are familiar with all Express Entry programs and the changes brought forth by the new NOC system. We assure you that the immigration process will be as smooth as butter with us by your side.

Immigration Medical Examination Criteria Made Easier

Post by : Admin on Oct 25,2022

The Canadian Government brings good news for foreign nationals living in Canada. According to a temporary public policy, IRCC now allows low-risk foreign nationals living in Canada to apply for temporary or permanent residency without submitting an IME despite its prior expiration. Applicants generally had to go through an immigration medical examination every time they applied for temporary or permanent residency status. The temporary policy puts an end to this requirement for specific candidates until 6th October 2024. 

Who is Eligible for the New Temporary Public Policy? 

Not everyone is allowed to apply without an IME.  The temporary policy applies to foreign nationals with:

  • An application for PR or temporary residency from within Canada 
  • Zero risk to public safety and health after completing the IME within the last five years 

The eligibility requirements are: 

  1. Foreign nationals should mention Canadian residence on their application 
  2. They should submit an IME, including a physical examination (You have to do is within five years if you submit the application after 5th October 2022)
  3. They have an expired IME, which can fall into any of these categories: 

M1- shows that they do not pose a threat to public health and safety 

M3- shows they have a health condition but can only demand exceptional health and social services after the assessment of M3

M2 or M2/3- shows that they are potentially a threat to public health. This category also reflects that they can report to territorial or provincial health authorities for medical surveillance 

The bottom line is you have to be a Canadian resident and should have submitted the IME previously. Your spouse or other family members should also meet the above-mentioned requirements to get rid of IME even if it expires. 

Need Help with Permanent Residency in Edmonton/Alberta? 

At Onkar Immigration, we house some experienced immigration consultants with several years of experience in this industry. We help individuals from all over the world to immigrate and acquire permanent residency in Canada. Whether you need help with your study permit or work permit in Canada, we have got your back. 

Our team equips you with all the necessary information and knowledge required to immigrate to Canada successfully. We make sure you live the Canadian dream through minimum paperwork and zero hassles. Consult with us today for all the latest updates about Canadian Immigration.

 

Canada Gears Up To Provide More International Students and Temporary Workers With Permanent Residency

Post by : Admin on Oct 12,2022

Isn’t it a headache to convert your temporary visa to a permanent one?

Besides the long application processing times, you also have to deal with the limited number of applications accepted in Canada. This has also resulted in significant labour shortages in several Canadian provinces.

Thus, Sean Fraser, Canadian Immigration Minister, tabled a plan to enable frequent conversion of temporary visas to permanent ones. Officials are reviewing the rules of the international students and temporary workers programs to help more temporary residents gain their permanent resident status.

A New Strategy To Achieve PR for International Students and Temporary Workers

Foreign students and temporary workers play an integral role in strengthening the Canadian Government. The more candidates achieve their permanent residency, the better it is for the Canadian economy and workforce.

Thus, Sean Fraser has brought forth a plan to amplify the pathways that help convert TR to PR. According to the new plan, international students and temporary workers with significant work experience in specific fields can convert their temporary visas to permanent ones.

Why is this strategy important for Canada?

Understand one thing. Temporary workers and international students contribute significantly to the Canadian Economy. International students, for instance, help the Canadian workforce expand and increase productivity.

Similarly, temporary workers help in boosting creativity, corporate growth and productivity throughout Canada. They also assist in solving the workforce demands of several companies. Thus, the new strategy will offer more pathways for students and workers to convert their temporary residency to a permanent one.

What’s the Five Pillar Approach?

The Immigration Minister introduced the Five Pillar Approach to execute this strategy as efficiently as possible. The five-pillar strategy requires the IRCC to execute the following steps and convert temporary visas to permanent ones.

Pillar 1

Canada is expected to have almost 431,645 newcomers by the end of this year. Thus, the new plan should be implemented by 1st November 2022. The Canadian Government intends to use the immigration targets outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024 to achieve it.

Pillar 2

Canada wants to invite candidates based on their economic goals as well. Thus, the government intends to alter Express Entry programs that will begin in 2023.

Pillar 3

It is important for newcomers to be completely aware of the mandated qualifications and requirements. Thus, the Canadian Government intends to enable better and quicker access to updated immigration information. IRCC also plans to adopt the NOC system codes 2021 from November 16.

Pillar 4

IRCC plans to boost immigration opportunities through French outside Quebec and add a new MNP. The Canadian Government is already working to improve PR pathways along with the Provinces, Territories and employers of Canada.

Pillar 5

IRCC plans to use advanced technologies to modernize the immigration system and increase the processing capacity of applications. Newcomers can get their PR sooner as the processing times of their applications are reduced.

Wrapping Up,

All in all, temporary workers and foreign students can expect expanded pathways to convert their temporary visas to permanent visas. We at Onkar Immigration are here to equip you with all the knowledge related to this new strategy. Our immigration consultants assist you throughout the application process.