New system will pre-approve Visa-exempt air travellers Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has declared its plans to establish electronic travel authorization (eTA) for prospective travelers who are exempt from the obligation to acquire a temporary resident visa (TRV) before entering the country via air. The new system is slated to launch on March 15, 2016. Canada’s eTA system will resemble the currently operational American Electronic System
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CIC Holds Eighth Express Entry Draw
Fewer points required for candidates invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency In Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) eighth and most recent selection from the Express Entry pool, 715 candidates were invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Qualifying candidates scored 453 or more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Conducted on April 17th, the latest draw is the fourth consecutive one in which
Express Entry Applicants Granted Permanent Residency
Express Entry lives up to its name as CIC continues to select candidates After welcoming the first three successful immigrants of the newly launched Express Entry system, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is continuing to select candidates from the applicant pool. A press release from CIC has identified a former Irish citizen and two Chinese nationals as the first three Express Entry applicants to be granted
New Border Agreement Between Canada and US
New measures will affect some Canadian immigration procedures WASHINGTON, DC – At a news conference on Monday, March 16, 2015, Canadian Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson signed a new customs pre-clearance agreement between Canada and the United States. Years in the making, the agreement is expected to facilitate travel between the two countries via land, sea, and air.
Canadian Immigration Imposes New Regulations for LMIA-Exempt Foreign Worker Program
CIC applies new procedure for LMIA-exempt temporary foreign workers Canadian immigration has added new requirements for the employment of foreign workers who are exempt from Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). As of February 21, 2015, any Canadian employers who wish to hire LMIA-exempt foreign workers must now pay Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) a fee and provide information about their business. These new requirements are
Express Entry Poses Obstacles for International Students
Canadian immigration’s new Express Entry program has some stakeholders worried International post-graduate students at Canadian universities are finding it harder to attain Canadian permanent resident status after they complete their degrees. The difficulties reputedly come as a result of the recently launched Express Entry system and its major changes to the federal management of Canadian immigration. Inaugurated on January 1st of the current year, Express
CANADA’S NEW EXPRESS ENTRY IMMIGRATION SYSTEM
Immigration Minister Chris Alexander asserts, “Express Entry promises to be a game changer for Canadian immigration and Canada’s economy.” NEW CANADIAN IMMIGRATION MODEL The Express Entry Canadian immigration system, launched Jan 1st, 2015, facilitates the processing and selection of Canada’s economic programs: the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience class and a portion of the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP). Express
Québec Government aims to make province more welcoming for immigrants
Provincial Minister of Immigration stresses employment issues as number one priority QUÉBEC – Later this month, the Québec provincial government will hold a public consultation on the topics of immigration, diversity, and inclusiveness. To prepare for upcoming reforms to its immigration policies, the current Liberal government of Québec is seeking feedback on how to make the predominantly Francophone province more welcoming to newcomers. Kathleen Weil,
Canadian Immigration Addresses High Level of Errors in Processing Applications
Errors attributed to casual employees According to a piece in the Toronto Star, internal government records have exposed a significant proportion of errors in the processing of Canadian immigration applications for permanent residence, temporary work permits, and refugee status. Quality management reviews The Star cites a series of quality management reviews of various processing centres. The reviews identify inaccuracies in the use of form letters, the
Criminally Inadmissible Celebrities Redux: Chris Brown Denied Entry To Canada
Controversial singer cancels sold-out Montreal and Toronto shows due to criminal inadmissibility On Tuesday, February 24, American R&B singer Chris Brown announced he would be cancelling his Canadian tour dates in Montreal and Toronto after being deemed criminally inadmissible to Canada on account of his criminal record. Brown was scheduled to perform this week at Montreal’s Bell Centre and Toronto’s Air Canada Centre with fellow