CIC Visa Party Pictures - June 2009

Canadian Immigration Consultancy has been in business for more than 20 years now. We have already sent thousands of Filipino workers to Canada through Federal Skilled Worker program and the numbers are still growing. At Canadian Immigration Consultancy, we celebrate our clients' success through a CIC Visa Party.

Here are some pictures during June 19, 2009 Visa Party.

Most of these clients filed their application in 2004. Yes, back then the rules were tough and the processing period is long. But that didn't stop them from filing their application. That's because they know and understand the value of planning.

People never plan to fail. They just fail to plan.

Now, you have to ask yourself: What will be your situation five years from now? Do you see a bright future? How you plan to give your family a better quality of life?

Here's a suggestion. Send your resume to enaron@go2canada.com or mnaron@go2canada.com for INITIAL ASSESSMENT! Find out if you are eligible under the new Federal Skilled Worker Program. Unlike those clients who filed in 2004, you don't have to wait for five years to get your visa. Processing period is now faster for those included in the list of high demand occupations. You may immigrate to Canada within 6 to 12 months!

Dreaming for a better quality of life is one thing. Doing something to make it happen is another.

What is it gonna be?

Our next visa party will be on July 11, 2009, 2pm at Max's Restaurant Baclaran, Paranaque City. Registration fee is P500 for single and P700 for married.

Attend our visa party and learn your options!
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Cover Letter: Below 67 points pass mark due to IELTS Score

"I received a positive assessment from Centralized Intake Office but I did not meet the 67 points pass mark due to my IELTS Examination Score. What options do I have? Can you help me prepare a cover letter?"

That was an email message I received from one of my blog readers after reading my post regarding Substituted Evaluation.

First off, if you don't meet the 67 points pass mark, your application will be refused. Although the Visa Officer has the option to invoke substituted evaluation, there must be a strong justification before they can do that.

So to help you present your case with the end in view of getting a favorable evaluation, your cover letter must contain information that may help justify a substituted evaluation such as:

# Your spouse profile (education, skills and work experience)

# Support from relatives and friends in Canada

# Work experience in Canada or Canadian company

# Trade or professional registration/certification from Canadian regulatory body


Remember, however, that a cover letter will not change the fact that you did not meet the pass mark and technically you are not eligible. So before taking the IELTS Examination, prepare yourself by undergoing an IELTS Review and Test Simulation



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Multiculturalism Policy of Canada

On June 26, 2009, he Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism Day:



“Tomorrow marks Canadian Multiculturalism Day and I am proud to take this opportunity to reflect on how Canada’s cultural communities have contributed to our rich and diverse heritage, and to outline some of our accomplishments.

“This past year saw the 20th anniversary of the Multiculturalism Act. Since 1988, Canada has strived to make multiculturalism a success and recognize it as ‘a fundamental characteristic of Canadian heritage and identity.’ Since Confederation, more than 15 million immigrants have arrived in Canada and our multicultural model of unity-in-diversity, which gives our country such strength, has taken shape.[read full statement here]


Here's an excerpt from Canadian Multiculturalism Act stipulating Multiculturalism Policy of Canada:

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada to

# (a) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society and acknowledges the freedom of all members of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage;

# (b) recognize and promote the understanding that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of the Canadian heritage and identity and that it provides an invaluable resource in the shaping of Canada's future;

# (c) promote the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of all aspects of Canadian society and assist them in the elimination of any barrier to that participation;

# (d) recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin and their historic contribution to Canadian society, and enhance their development;

# (e) ensure that all individuals receive equal treatment and equal protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity;

# (f) encourage and assist the social, cultural, economic and political institutions of Canada to be both respectful and inclusive of Canada's multicultural character;

# (g) promote the understanding and creativity that arise from the interaction between individuals and communities of different origins;

# (h) foster the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures of Canadian society and promote the reflection and the evolving expressions of those cultures;

# (i) preserve and enhance the use of languages other than English and French, while strengthening the status and use of the official languages of Canada; and

# (j) advance multiculturalism throughout Canada in harmony with the national commitment to the official languages of Canada.


It is further declared to be the policy of the Government of Canada that all federal institutions shall


# (a) ensure that Canadians of all origins have an equal opportunity to obtain employment and advancement in those institutions;

# (b) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the ability of individuals and communities of all origins to contribute to the continuing evolution of Canada;

# (c) promote policies, programs and practices that enhance the understanding of and respect for the diversity of the members of Canadian society;

# (d) collect statistical data in order to enable the development of policies, programs and practices that are sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada;

# (e) make use, as appropriate, of the language skills and cultural understanding of individuals of all origins; and

# (f) generally, carry on their activities in a manner that is sensitive and responsive to the multicultural reality of Canada.

Source: http://www.solon.org/Statutes/Canada/English/C/CMA.html

It is because of this Multiculturalism Policy that makes Canada and ideal place for immigrants.





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Cancelled Without Prejudice

I've been always saying that a Labor Market Opinion (LMO) is not a guarantee that you will be issued a visa and work permit. Now, let me emphasize that having your visa and work permit approved does not guarantee that you will be able to legally work in Canada.

Your visa may be cancelled without prejudice.



Cancelled Without Prejudice




Even if you have your visa and work permit approved, your employer may still request cancellation of your visa. I have seen this happen to a Live-in Caregiver program applicant and to lots of workers supposedly be working in Alberta.

The problem there is if you have dealt with a recruiter and you have already paid their fee. That will be really sad. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

IF your occupation is included in the list of high demand occupations, you should be applying under the new Federal Skilled Worker program instead of a work permit. It is now easier and faster to apply. And your application will not be subjected to contigencies like that of an employer's decision.



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Centralized Intake Office's E-Communication

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In sending your application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) for assessment, make sure that the email address you will provide is working and you must check your email regularly.


Effective May 12, 2009, the Centralized Intake Office has implemented e-communications with applicants. If the email they sent you bounced or was returned to CIO as undelivered, that may be the only time time that they will send a hard copy of the letter to the postal address you have indicated.

IF you are using a free email email service such as yahoo, gmail or hotmail, there is a chance that email from CIO may be filtered as spam. To avoid that, it will help if you will add CIO's email address to your contact list.

The email address being used by CIO in sending the assessment result is FSW-Centralized-Intake-Office@cic.gc.ca Read More......

CIC Canada working to protect immigrants from deception

Source: edmontonpinoy.com


Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has launched an awareness campaign to inform immigrants about how to protect themselves from dishonest and unethical immigration consultants and representatives.

A new online survey on the CIC website invites people to provide their input to help the government in their efforts to prevent immigration fraud and other wrongdoing. The information collected will provide CIC with a better understanding of the nature and scope of the problem across Canada.

"Make no mistake - the Government enforces Canadian law when immigration fraud is proven," states Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. "But we'd prefer to prevent the wrongdoing in the first place to protect the integrity of Canada's immigration system and to protect people from harm."

Minister Kenney recently held a town hall meeting in Toronto as part of the awareness campaign. A similar one will be held in Vancouver.

The online survey will be available until May 17. It is voluntary, confidential, and does not ask for personal information from participants. The goal is not to deal with individual cases or enforce the law, but rather to gather information so that fraud prevention efforts by CIC can be increasingly effective.

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New training program for Internationally Educated Nurses in Alberta

Source: www.edmontonpinoy.com


A new program launched this month by Bow Valley College in Calgary, Alberta aims to improve to integration of Internationally Educated Nurses into practicing nurse positions in Canada. The Integrated Practical Nurse Diploma program has a heavy focus on English as a second language and on learning the Canadian healthcare culture.

"Where a lot of immigrants have problems, particularly in the hospital environment, is the rapid-fire language that's necessary in a hospital," says Isabel Gibbins of the Bow Valley College English as a Second Language department.

The program was inspired by a similar pilot project at NorQuest College in Edmonton, funded by the federal and provincial government. The success of the program prompted Alberta Employment and Immigration officials to expand it to other parts of the province.

The first group of foreign-trained nurses has just begun the program. Upon graduation, they will be accredited as Licenses Practical Nurses (LPN). For some foreign-trained nurses, whose English language skills are not yet adequate enough to be licensed as Registered Nurses, the LPN accreditation is a great stepping stone, giving them the ability to work in their field.

"If you come in as a practical nurse, you're working in the environment, hearing the language, improving your skills and it is possible to then go back and do an RN exam," says Gibbins.

The college is holding an information session on August 12, 2009 for the next intake, with classes starting in January 2010.

With the ongoing shortage of health care workers in Canada, Canadian colleges and governments are beginning to invest more in these types of programs.

A new website, Englishforhealth.com, provides internationally-educated health professionals with online tutorials to help prepare them for the Canadian health system and culture before they arrive in Canada.
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CIC Visa Party

Immigrate to Canada in less than a year! It is happening. We have the proof!



Join us at our CIC Visa Party! It's day of celebration as we honor our visa grantees and an opportunity to learn your options!

Their dreams have come true... Yours will be Next!

Venue: Max's Restaurant (2nd Floor) Baclaran, Paranaque City
Date: June 19, 2009
Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30pm
Reg Fee: P500 (inclusive of food and drinks

For reservation, email enaron@go2canada.com or call/ or text 09205348854.











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2009 Philipine Independence Day Celebration in Canada

Here's Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister's statement regarding Philippine Independence Day-

“This national day commemorates the Philippines’ declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1898.

“Events in recognition of the day are staged by Filipino communities around the world. The festivities take many forms, from picnics and parades, to cultural festivals and flag-raising ceremonies.

“The annual event is an important celebration of Filipino heritage and a chance to rekindle Filipino roots.

“For all Canadians, Philippine Independence Day provides an excellent opportunity to learn about Filipino culture and traditions, and to reflect on the tremendous contributions that the Filipino community has made to this country’s rich and diverse heritage.

“As Prime Minister Harper has said, ‘Pluralism is the principle that binds our diverse peoples together.’

“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I join my voice with Canadians of Filipino origin in celebrating this national day and I wish them a very happy Philippine Independence Day.”

In relation to Philippine independence day celebration yesterday, did you notice Google Philippines logo yesterday? The logo yesterday represents the colors of the Philippine flag complete with the sun and three stars!

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Back to school

school

(click on image)

June is almost here which means your kids will be back to school.

Which means you will be again concerned with tuition fees, allowance, Food and transportation allowance of your children.

Are you ready for the back to school cycle again?

When will it end?

Just so you will know, in Canada Education can be for free.

Learn your options for combating back to school problems!

Send us your resume so that we can asses if you will qualify for the Federal Skilled Workers application where if you qualify you will have the chance to Immigrate within 6 months to a year or better yet attend our Canadian Seminar Orientation.

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Temporary foreign worker program

Notice: Effective April 27, 2009, employers who wish to retain a Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) beyond the term of their current work permit must apply for a NEW LMO at least four months before the permit expires. Service Canada no longer issues Extensions to a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).

To learn more about this change and what it means for employers and TFWs, click on the following link: Temporary Foreign Worker Program – What’s New.


Employers interested in hiring temporary foreign workers are required to go through a specific process to bring them to Alberta. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is a federal program. It is designed to meet temporary labour needs – the workers are in Alberta to fill short-term gaps in the labour force. Several government departments are involved in the process and it is important to understand what roles the federal and provincial governments play. In general, the process includes the following steps:

Employers must advertise the job opportunity to Canadians first.

If there are no Canadians or permanent residents available for the job, the employer can recruit a qualified foreign worker.

The employer can then make an offer of employment to the foreign worker.

The employer then completes the application for a Labour Market Opinion.

If the Labour Market Opinion is positive, the employer sends a copy to the foreign worker.

The foreign worker then applies for a work permit in their country of residence (outside Canada).

The foreign worker must then prove that he / she meets the job and admission to Canada requirements.

The role of the Government of Canada

1. Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) is the Government of Canada agency that processes and assesses employers' applications to hire temporary foreign worker applications and issues Labour Market Opinions (LMO). HRSDC ensures that employers have made every effort to hire and train Canadian citizens or permanent residents and that hiring a foreign worker does not affect employment or career opportunities for Canadians and permanent residents. Therefore, if employers want to hire a foreign worker they need to receive a positive LMO from HRSDC before they can bring a worker from abroad to work in Alberta.

To find out about the new minimum advertising requirements for the LMO application, visit: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceski ... n_workers/
communications/advertrecrutment.shtml


2. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is the Government of Canada department that manages immigration policies and programs. This includes the processing and issuance of permanent and temporary resident permits, including work permits. Foreign workers must obtain a work permit before entering Canada to work.


The role of the Government of Alberta


1. Alberta Employment and Immigration (E&I)

Alberta Employment and Immigration (E&I) supports and helps educate Alberta employers in recruiting and retaining temporary foreign workers, responds to immigration enquiries, and administers the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP).

2. Alberta Advanced Education & Technology (AAET)

Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT), the section of the AAET ministry, assesses qualifications of internationally trained individuals in trades occupations to determine if they meet Alberta’s journeyman standards or trades qualifications requirements.


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Visa Processing Fee Update - Canadian Embassy Manila

Here's the new visa processing fee effective June 13, 2009. The peso equivalent is based of the fixed exchange rate of P43.

Immigration Cost Recovery Fees (in effect as of June 13, 2009)
	CAD$	PHP
I. Permanent Resident Visas
Skilled Worker and Provincial Nominee Applicants
Principal applicant	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,450
Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-employed Persons Class applicants
Principal applicant	$1,050	42,300
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,450
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$490	21,000
Note that for Family Class applicants, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee must be paid by the sponsor from within Canada. The visa cannot be issued until this fee is paid. The RPRF fee is payable by principal applicants (with the following exceptions) and accompanying spouses and common-law partners. Exceptions: Dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor, a child to be adopted, or an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild; and protected persons, including Convention refugees
II. Temporary Resident Visas	CAD$	PHP
Visitors (including re-entry and seafarer applications)
Single entry to Canada	$75	3,225
Multiple entry	$150	6,450
Family rate for either single or multiple entry (all family members must apply at the same time and place, no limit to the total number of family members)	$400	17,200
Work Permits
Work permit	$150	6,450
Work permit - Group of 3 or more performing artists	$450	19,350
Study Permits	$125	5,400
III. Other	CAD$	PHP
Temporary Resident Permit	$200	8,600
Replacing a Visa	$30	1,300
Return to Canada (for Permanent Residents) - Travel Document	$50	2,150
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of serious criminality	$1,000	43,000
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of criminality	$200	8,600
Authorization to return to Canada after removal	$400	17,200
Repayment of removal expenses
To the U.S.A. and St. Pierre and Miquelon	$750	32,250
To any other country	$1,500	64,500

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