by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
On April 1, 2011 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a four-year cumulative duration limit on the length of time certain Temporary Foreign Workers could work in Canada. Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs) affected in Canada as of April 1, 2011 were given four years under the regulation, regardless of the length of time they had been in Canada before April 1, 2011. Consequently, the first day that any temporary foreign worker may reach their cumulative limit is April 1, 2015.
Who are affected?
The four-year cumulative cap applies to all Temporary Foreign Workers who has work permits under skill level NOC B, C and D with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or formally a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).
Who are exempt from the four-year regulation?
There are foreign workers who are exempted from the four-year cumulative limit, which includes:
- TFWs who are working in Managerial (NOC 0) or professional (NOC A) occupations;
- TFWs who are exempted from obtaining an LMIA, including spouses and common-law partners of NOC 0 or NOC A skilled professionals, religious workers and refugee claimants;
- TFWs who are working in Canada under NAFTA or other international agreements;
- Those who are exempted from obtaining an LMIA, including spouses and common-law partners of NOC 0 or NOC A skilled professionals, religious workers and refugee claimants;
- Those who have applied for Permanent Residence and have received confirmation that their application has been accepted
If affected, what should I do?
Temporary Foreign Workers who are not exempt from the four-year regulation and who have been working in Canada for a cumulative total of four years are not eligible to work in Canada until an additional four years has passed. Individuals affected may remain in Canada, if they have legal status as a visitor or student, but they may not work for four years.
Temporary Foreign Workers currently in Canada working should consider applying for Permanent Residence through the Express Entry Program or the Provincial Nominee Program.
If you would like more information about the cumulative four-year cap on Temporary Foreign Workers or would like assistance in preparing an application for Permanent Residence contact us to begin your application at 647-556-1781.
by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
Today Canada lacks skilled tradespeople to help grow its economy. It is expected that over the next ten years, thousands of trade positions will open. The new Foreign Worker Skilled Trades Program will allow many tradespeople such as machine operators, construction workers, cooks, and other trade occupations to work in and immigrate to Canada. The benefit of working in a trade occupation in Canada is largely due to great wages, working conditions and the benefit of gaining Permanent Resident status for the tradesperson and their family.
To find out how to apply under the Skilled Trades Program contact us at 647-556-1781 or send us an email at [email protected].
You can also visit our webpage to learn more about the Skilled Trades Program http://www.crightneyimmigration.com/services/federal-skilled-trades
by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
Maximize your chance for success and getting your application approved:
With Crightney Immigration Inc. we know immigration law and can help you to determine if you are eligible under one or more Canadian immigration programs. We can assist you in choosing the utmost appropriate immigration program best suited for your situation. We are experienced immigration experts at understanding immigration law, the process and have dealt with vast applications similar to your situation.
How much does it cost to hire an Immigration Lawyer and an Immigration Consultant?
Generally the fees in Canada to hire an Immigration Consultant are reasonable less than an Immigration Lawyer. For example, an Immigration Lawyer first consultation may cost between $350 and $500, whereas an Immigration Consultant may charge between $150 and 250. However, in some cases the cost may vary depending on the qualification and experience of the immigration expert you are dealing with.
With Crightney Immigration Inc. we are experienced, trained and our cost is always a fraction of the cost for obtaining immigration assistance.
What should someone look for when hiring an Immigration Lawyer or and Immigration Consultant?
When hiring an Immigration Lawyer and an Immigration Consultant, you should be sure that the immigration expert is licensed and authorized to provide paid legal advise. Only immigration experts authorized and in good standing with the designated groups below can charge a fee for immigration assistance.
· Lawyers and Paralegals who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society,
· Notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec and
· Immigration Consultants who are members in good standing of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
At Crightney Immigration Inc. we are authorized by the ICCRC and we are trained and have extensive experienced to represent you with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
I plan to work in Canada for one (1) year, but my passport will expire before I apply. Can I obtain a full year work permit?
In principle, the validity of an individual work permit cannot exceed the validity of an individual passport. When applying for a work permit, an individual should determine that their passport is valid for the period of time as they requested on their work permit application. Click Here To Get Help With Your Work Permit Application
by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
If my Visitor Visa application was refused, will this negatively affect my new Visitor Visa Application in the future?
A refusal of a Visitor Visa application does not prevent an individual from submitting a new Visitor Visa application. The effect a prior refusal has on the new Visitor Visa application will depend on the reason for refusal. As a general rule, the individual will have to demonstrate that they have new information or supporting documents before making a new Visitor Visa Application. Click Here To Get Help To Apply For Visa
by Batalmea Crightney | Canadian Immigration
New Parent and Grandparent Program re-opens on January 2, 2014
On January 2, 2014 Citizenship and Immigration Canada will re-open the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) Program for new applications. However, a maximum of 5,000 sponsorship applications will be accepted in the program in 2014.
Once the PGP reopens there will be new qualifying criteria’s for permanent residency sponsorship of parents and grandparents. Some of the many changes will be the increase in financial responsibility of sponsors and the change of maximum age of dependent children from age 22 to age 18.
The new qualifying criteria for permanent residency sponsorship include:
1) Increase minimum necessary income (MNI) for sponsoring parents and grandparents equivalent by 30 percent: Persons seeking to sponsor a parent or grandparent will need to meet the minimum necessary income which will be increased by 30% in 2014.
2) Lengthen period for demonstrating the MNI from one year to three years: Persons who seek to sponsor their parents and grandparents and their accompanying family members will be required to demonstrate that they meet the new income threshold for the three consecutive tax years prior to submitting the sponsorship application.
3) Evidence of income issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA):Individuals who seek to sponsor their parents and grandparents and their accompanying family members will be required to demonstrate that they meet the new income threshold for three consecutive years using CRA notices of assessment.
4) Extend the sponsorship undertaking period to 20 years: Persons who seek to sponsor their parents and grandparents and accompanying family members will be required to commit to a lengthened sponsorship undertaking period of 20 years.
5) Maximum age of dependents:The maximum age of dependents will be set at 18 years of age and under for all immigration programs, including the Parent and Grandparent program. However, there is an exception for individuals, regardless of age, who are financially dependent on their parents due to a mental or physical disability.
Who can sponsor?
In order to sponsor a parent or grandparent, you must a person must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- Be 18 years of age or older;
- Reside in Canada*;
- Submit a sponsorship application meeting the requirements;
- Sign a Sponsorship Agreement with the sponsored person that commits that the sponsor provides financial support, if necessary.
- Sign an Undertaking stating that the sponsor will provide financial support for:
- a relative for 20 years,
- a dependent child for 10 years or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.
- Not be subject to sponsorship bars; and
- Have the minimum necessary income required.
Who cannot sponsor?
An individual is not eligible to sponsor or co-sign a sponsorship application if:
- They are in prison;
- They have an undischarged bankruptcy;
- They are currently in receipt of social assistance (i.e., welfare) for reasons other than disability; note that maternity leave and employment insurance payments are not social assistance.
- They have been convicted in Canada or outside Canada of a sexual offence or an offence against a member of their family and five years have not passed since they completed the sentence;
- They are a permanent resident and they have a removal order against them;
- They have been adopted outside Canada and then got a revocation of the adoption for the purpose of sponsoring their biological parent;
- They have been convicted of a serious criminal offence;
- They are in default of a previous undertaking;
- They have not refunded social assistance or welfare payments allocated to a person they sponsored during the validity of the undertaking;
- They are in default of support payments ordered by a court, such as spousal or child support payments;
- They are in default of their immigration loan; or
- They have been sponsored as a spouse/partner and would like to sponsor a new spouse/partner in the same category wit
