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Legal Advisor & Project Management Consultant
Legal Advisor & Project Management Consultant
In most cases, in order to work in Canada foreign nationals must first obtain work permit. This authorization may be “open” or “closed” depending on the type of permit. In addition, some foreign nationals must apply for an entry visa prior to coming to Canada. Please see Visit Canada for more information about entry visas.
In order to obtain work permit in Canada, you must usually have pre-arranged employment from an employer authorized to hire you. If you are accompanying a spouse or common-law partner to Canada you may be eligible for a spousal work permit.
Please visit the following pages to learn more:
Express Entry is Canada’s immigration application management system for economic immigration. Candidates for Express Entry are awarded up to 1200 points under a ranking system meant to identify those candidates most likely to succeed in Canada. The highest ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool will receive an “Invitation to Apply” after which they will have 90 days to complete an application for Permanent Residence in Canada.
QUALIFYING FOR EXPRESS ENTRYIn order to apply through Express Entry, you must be:
The Federal Skilled Trade is for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada. In order to qualify, applicants must have at least 2 years work experience in a skilled trade in the last five years and meet certain minimum language requirements. The program uses a point system to assess candidates. This point system is not the same as the Comprehensive Ranking System used to rank candidates in Express Entry. In order to create a candidate profile and be assigned a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates must first qualify for either the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class. The points for the Federal Skilled Worker Program are a minimum requirement in order to be eligible to participate in Express Entry.
Please be advised that qualifying for the Canadian Experience Class is only the first step in immigrating to Canada. Applicants who qualify for the Canadian Experience Class must create a candidate profile in Express Entry and receive an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence before submitting their application.
The Canadian Experience Class permits foreign nationals who have been working in Canada for a period of at least one year to apply for Permanent Residence on the basis of their Canadian work experience. In order to qualify, applicants must have a minimum of one year of full time work experience in Canada in the three years preceding the application, meet certain language requirements, and intent to settle outside Quebec. The program uses a point system to assess candidates. This point system is not the same as the Comprehensive Ranking System used to rank candidates in Express Entry. In order to create a candidate profile and be assigned a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System, candidates must first qualify for either the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canadian Experience Class. The points for the Federal Skilled Worker Program are a minimum requirement in order to be eligible to participate in Express Entry.
Please be advised that qualifying for the Canadian Experience Class is only the first step in immigrating to Canada. Applicants who qualify for the Canadian Experience Class must create a candidate profile in Express Entry and receive an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence before submitting their application.
Most provinces in Canada have entered into agreements when the federal government that allow them to "nominate" applicants of their choosing to facilitate their permanent residence in Canada.
ALBERTA IMMIGRANT NOMINEE PROGRAMMost occupations in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, B, and C are now eligible, including Optional Trades. Select occupations in NOC skill level D are also now eligible; these include:
You should be aware that the AINP will only be accepting a limited number of application for certain application types. The following occupations will have caps:
Further, there is a long list of occupations that are not considered eligible. Before continuing, you should be certain that your intended occupation is on the list. Contact us for more details if you are uncertain.
Unauthorized employment (e.g. a violation of terms and conditions of a work permit) will not be counted towards meeting the work experience criterion.
Note, the availability of AINP streams and categories is dependent upon application volumes and labour market needs. The AINP reserves the right to close application intake for any AINP stream or category at any time, without prior notice. This means that if you are interested in this or any Alberta program, time is a factor in submitting your application.
Further, the AINP may decline to consider applications to closed or suspended streams or categories, regardless of when the applications were submitted.
The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is designed to target immigrants who are ready to support Alberta's economic growth. There are many streams to this program:
Each stream is unique and has different criteria. Determining which is best for you will be the first step to deciding whether or not Alberta is the right province for you.
When deciding which stream is best for you, examining the criteria for each is the best way to get a broad sense of what will be required of you.
Aimed at filling skill shortages that currently exist in Alberta, under this category, you may not require a valid job offer from an Alberta employer. This stream is broken down into two sub categories:
This stream targets previously established and experienced farmers who wish to immigrate, purchase and manage a farming business in Alberta.
Alberta offers a diverse rural setting with a growing economy. If Alberta is right for you, there are many options available to you. If not, perhaps another province has what you are looking for.
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BCPNP) fast tracks the permanent residence application process for skilled workers and experienced business persons in an effort to attract them to the province. The British Columbia program boasts that under this stream, applicants can gain permanent residence faster than applying through other federal immigration streams.
The BC PNP is divided into two main categories: Strategic Occupations and Business Immigration. Most of our clients apply under the Strategic Occupation route which is outlined below.
This component of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program helps recruit or retain qualified foreign workers to fill current or prospective labour gaps. Applicants under this program must have a valid, permanent job offer from an employer in British Columbia or have completed a masters or doctorate degree at a BC post-secondary institution in either the natural, applied or health sciences. Those that require a job offer, you and your prospective employer must submit a joint application and will be assessed on five major areas of focus:
The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Programs considers all possible applicants and recognizes those who have already obtained valuable work experience in British Columbia. The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled Worker category of the British Columbia Provincial Nominee program takes into account those who are just starting out in British Columbia and who want to remain in a province they have become accustomed to.
You must demonstrate that you have the ability to pay for your housing and living expenses in British Columbia. You will be assessed based on
The Provincial Nominee Program will not nominate you if:
Canada is a place that is considered to be one of the best places in the world to live by many. You will find many cultures intertwined and therefore every new member is welcomed to this place. This is one of the reasons that thousands of people have immigrated to Canada to establish themselves and their families. Canada also offers a competitive standard of living and is famous for its economic stability. Many people travel to Canada for work and then plan to settle permanently.
Although Manitoba has been accepting applications from people all around the world for past few years, the newly announced Provincial Nomination Program is a speedy route to immigration. Manitoba has streamlined its immigration process, reducing the processing time.
The Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is a competitive process. It is important to understand that people from all around the world are trying to migrate to Canada and many of them opt to use the Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program. You must be really careful when drafting your application and must provide complete supporting documents, so the immigration office has no doubt about the information that you provide.
To be considered under the more streamlined process, what is known as the Priority Assessment Stream, you must lie under one of the four categories:
If you have studied from an institute of higher learning in Manitoba, you have high chances of immigration. However, you must meet the following criteria:
The employer may also need to provide further documents to prove why you are suitable for this position.
Manitoba has announced the Manitoba Immigration’s employment readiness program for foreign graduates to prepare them for work in Manitoba. Students who have completed at least a two year study program in a post-secondary institute in Manitoba and have lived for at least two years in Manitoba and have completed the Manitoba Immigration's employment readiness program are eligible for the MPNP. These are three important requirements for a foreign graduate to immigrate to Manitoba under the international student strategic initiative. Students need to have a valid work permit but do not need to provide proof of an arranged employment.
If you are a temporary worker in Manitoba for a last few years, you may be eligible to apply for immigration under the Employer Direct Stream. To be eligible, you need to have at least 6 months of working experience in Manitoba. The work experience must be of full-time nature and must have been gained under a valid work permit.
Potential applicants must also have a confirmed full-time job offer from an employer in Manitoba who promises that he/she would award wages that are compatible with regional salaries. Moreover, the employer must take a Labor Market Opinion, why a foreign candidate was preferred over a Canadian citizen.
If you find that you do not classify in any of the aforementioned categories, Family Support Program might be a potential route to the immigration to Manitoba. If you have a close relative living in Manitoba who is also a permanent resident of Canada, you are eligible for immigration.
Finding your way to the immigration to Manitoba can be confusing, with so many options. We can help you decide the best route for you. We are a licensed immigration firm and to date, we have assisted more hundreds of individuals and families migrate to Manitoba through legal immigration routes.
Give us a call and we can discuss the best way for you to immigrate to Manitoba.
Many people choose to live in New Brunswick. Whether is it is for the affordable lifestyle, universal health care, education system or simply the proximity to some of the most beautiful lakes, rivers and trails that Canada has to offer; New Brunswick remains an unspoiled land of opportunity for many immigrants.
Part of this program is also demonstrating that you have a high likelihood of being able to establish yourself in New Brunswick. Those that do, will be given priority processing.
The above criteria are the basic minimum requirements for this category of the New Brunswick provincial nominee program (NBPNP). There are other various conditions and selection factors to be considered as well.
Include one original copy of the NBPNP forms and supporting documents; and one original, plus one photocopy of the CIC forms and supporting documents. Use the Checklist for Skilled Workers with Family Support to ensure that you have the required forms and documents. Documentation submitted with your application will not be returned. You should obtain multiple originals of any documentation submitted with your application (such as reference letters, police certificates) so you are prepared if you need to submit a new application or documentation be requested of you. You must keep a copy of the completed forms and supporting documents. The NBPNP may request additional information at any time during the application process to assess your application. During the application process the Supporter will be contacted by an NBPNP Official with an interview time and date.
NBPNP will provide written notification of the final decision. If nominated, the NBPNP will mail your application to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. Upon receiving favourable results, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will issue your permanent residence visa.
Within 30 days of landing in Canada, you must notify the NBPNP of your address and telephone number in New Brunswick.
Saskatchewan prides itself on having one of the most developed nominee programs available to new comers in Canada. The program allows the ability to select applicants who's skills and abilities best fit the province's needs, processing times that are faster than other programs. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is divided into many facets to create an ease of access and provide a variety of solutions to new comers:
Whatever your intentions, background, skills and situation might be Saskatchewan hosts a number of viable ways for you and your family to prosper in the province.
This category is for skilled workers, professionals or managers who have a full-time, permanent job offer from a Saskatchewan employer. It is divided into two sub categories
This program is for those who are interested in investing their management talent and capital in a Saskatchewan business. The goal is to facilitate development and allow for further economic stability through the creation of more jobs in Saskatchewan.
This category is for immigrant families living in Saskatchewan who want to help their family members come to work and live in the province. Supporting family members must provide support to applicants and their dependents to help them establish and settle in Saskatchewan.
This program assists individuals with proven experience in farming, substantial capital available to invest in a farming operation, and who intend to purchase and operate a farming operation in Saskatchewan.
This category allows internationally-trained health professionals, who have been working in Saskatchewan for at least six months with a temporary work permit, to apply for permanent residency status under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program. It is divided into three sub categories:
Under the Hospitality Sector Pilot Project, the SINP can nominate foreign workers that are currently working in Saskatchewan in one of the following categories:
This stream allows Saskatchewan trucking companies to bring workers to the province for jobs that only need a high school diploma or on site training under Service Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker policy.
This category allows students who have graduated from a recognized, post-secondary educational institution in Canada to apply for landed immigrant status under the Saskatchewan Provincial Nominee Program. It is divided into two sub-categories
Note that recently and effective immediately, the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program will accept a maximum number of applications in each category. If Saskatchewan is right for you, the sooner you apply the better your chances for success will be.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program SINP has a number of different factors that an officer will assess. Among these factors is the applicant's educational and employment background.
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program SINP has a number of different factors that an officer will assess. Among these factors is the applicant's educational and employment background.
You must submit documents to verify your education. This can be one of the following:
You must submit a letter, or more if possible, of reference from previous employers or other proof of employment to demonstrate that you have at least one year of work experience in your intended occupation.
Letters of reference must be written on the company's official letterhead and signed by an authorized representative of the company who is identified by name and title. Each letter should indicate the following:
If you intend to work in an occupation that requires licensing or certification in Saskatchewan, you must contact the provincial, national and/or industrial regulatory association before applying to verify that you will be able to meet licensing or certification requirements. Before nomination, the SINP will contact the appropriate regulatory body to ensure it has no objections to SINP nomination.
If you intend to work in a medical profession that requires licensing or certification, you must apply under the SINP Health Professions Category.
When applying for the SINP, you must have an letter of offer for full-time, permanent employment in Saskatchewan. All positions must offer wages and working conditions that match Canadian standards in that occupation.
The offer of full-time, permanent employment must:
The language proficiency can be verified by the Saskatchewan employer who has made you're the offer of employment this can be demonstrated by a copy of SINP employment approval letter issued to the employer through Employer Online Information System; or you can provide valid English language test results from a language test administered by a federally designated testing agency showing a minimum of equivalent of CLB 4 in all categories.
The language tests that are acceptable are as follows:
Immigrating to Canada is an aspiration for many. However, depending on your situation, you may face certain hurdles along the way. Depending on your intended purposes to Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will review your qualifications in the areas of:
Many people wish to have the opportunity to work and make centralized a way of living in Canada but face difficulty finding a job offer. In order to qualify for a document, such as a Work Permit, a foreign national first needs to obtain a job offer from a Canadian employer.
As of March 6, 2014 a new program (Nova Scotia Nominee Program) has recently opened through the Provincial Nomination Program offered by Nova Scotia that facilitates your Permanent Residence in Canada without the need for a job offer. The only catch is that your employment falls under the list of currently in demand occupations in the province. The list of occupation will be announced beginning of each year thereafter.
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) Occupations List
If your occupation is on the list above and you are between the ages of 21 and 55, you may qualify for nomination through the province of Nova Scotia (NS PNP). Unlike most other Provincial Nominee Programs, with Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP) you will not need to find an employer in Canada and you will not need to have a job offer.
The Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NLPNP) offers nominations through three various streams; the skilled worker, international graduate or immigrant entrepreneur streams respectively. Qualifying applicants may obtain their nomination to reside in this province.
The Northwest Territories Nominee Program is an immigration program operated by the Government of the Northwest Territories through an agreement with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It allows qualified individuals, business owners and self-employed professionals to obtain permanent residency in a shorter time than the regular process.
Ontario Provincial Nominee Program is an immigration program through which Ontario nominates individuals based on various streams: employers, foreign workers, investors, students with a job offer, PhD Graduates and Masters Graduates. Those who fall under one of the categories may qualify for nomination in Ontario.
The Province of Prince Edward Island welcomes newcomers wishing to embrace the opportunities presented by living in Canada's smallest province. This program nominates individuals who can demonstrate the positive impact they will have on the province. Applicants will be assessed on their skills comparative to the province's priorities.
The Yukon PNP was developed to allow the territory to nominate applicants based on industrial and economic priorities and labour market conditions. This territory offers two streams; the Business Stream and the Skilled Worker/Critical Impact Worker Stream.
You must first try to hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the available job. When you apply to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada for approval; to hire a foreign national, you will be asked to show what efforts you made in this regard. These are known as recruitment efforts.
If you have been unable to hire a Canadian or permanent resident, your next step is to apply to HRSDC for what is known as a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) or recently changed to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA process confirms that there is no Canadian worker available to do the position. If HRSDC issues you a positive LMO or LMIA, you are then authorized to hire a foreign national.
You are responsible for finding a foreign Live-in Caregiver. To do so, you can use advertisements, personal contacts or hiring agencies.
When you have found a foreign live-in caregiver you wish to hire, then contact us. Let us help you file a successful LMIA application with HRSDC.
An employer who wants to hire a foreign national as a temporary foreign worker in Canada must submit the labor market opinion application with all the necessary documents to human resources and skills development Canada (HRSDC) after completing the necessary advertising requirements.
By submitting a Labour Market Impact Assessment, the impact made on the Canada's job market can be clearly stated. This is the reason why an employer must follow all the steps and should submit all the required documents.
If your employer is hiring you as a live-in caregiver, your employer must follow these step by step checklist to make sure that he/she is submitting all required documents properly. This is to ensure that the application processing will not be delayed.
We can help you with all the documentation and we will ensure that you do not make any mistakes while submitting the documents along with the application. We will completely review your application along with the documents to make sure everything is in perfect place.
After submitting the application for live in caregiver program, the HRSDC or Service Canada, will start assessing your submitted LMO/LMIA application to determine the impact the employer can make on Canada's labor market by hiring a foreign national as temporary foreign worker. The department then issues either a positive Labour Market Assessment which will allow you to hire the Foreign Worker.
Call us today and book an appointment with us! Updated information is available with our firm. We have experienced and talented consultants and immigration paralegals to help you with the application process.
Currently in Canada the Entrepreneur category and Investor category of permanent residence is closed and will no longer accepting such applications. However, the self-employed category remains open for those who wish to establish a business in Canada.
This category leads to permanent resident status in Canada should the applicant be successful in satisfying an officer that have sufficient experience and ability to establish a business at will.
For the purposes of immigration, a self-employed person is a foreign national who:
Relevant experience for a self-employed person means at least two years of experience of experience in their intended business in Canada.
You will also need to take part in specified economic activities. These activities for self-employed individuals are selected by the province and decided by the laws of the province.
This also means that for your experience to be considered relevant it must have:
Below is the list of occupations and their associated national occupational classification codes. Your intended activity in Canada will need to be on this list:
As a self-employed individual you can apply for permanent resident status based on your ability to demonstrate that you will make significant contribution to Canadian culture or athletics or if it is your intention to purchase and manage a farm.
The Self Employed category is a very complicated application as you will need to demonstrate intentions as well as your future plans in Canada.
Our clients who have applied for this category struggle with what documentation they could provide to demonstrate this. Typically, we assist them in producing a business plan that would satisfy an officer of their intentions. Further, use proof of previous work or completed projects as an indication of what an officer can expect them to produce in Canada.
| Selection factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Factor 1: Business experience | Maximum 35 points |
| Factor 2: Age | Maximum 10 points |
| Factor 3: Education | Maximum 25 points |
| Factor 4: Ability in English and/or French | Maximum 24 points |
| Factor 5: Adaptability | Maximum 6 points |
| Total | Maximum 100 points |
A pass mark of 35 points is required as the minimum in order to be considered eligible.