Thursday, May 20, 2010

Part 03: Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

The next few posts are going to take us over the western prairie region, starting with Alberta and ending with Manitoba. These programs are all very similar and the requirements change very slightly. Again, I have to remind you all that the information contained herein is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. I am linking to each Nominee Program's homepage, and so it would best serve you to visit the home page and read up on the programs in detail. I am always available for questions and concerns, so please do not hesitate to contact me.

There are 4 Streams - or categories within the AINP. (For the sake of consistency, I am going to refer to them as streams, as this is what the program refers to them as):

1. Employer Driven >> Skilled Workers, International Graduates, Semi-Skilled Workers
2. Strategic Recruitment >> Compulsory Trades, Engineering Occupations, US Visa Holders
3. Family
4. Self Employed Farmer

Each of these streams have their own requirements, and so its really important to do a self assessment or seek the advice of an Immigration Consultant (make sure they are CSIC Licensed) or a Lawyer (make sure they have some experience/expertise in immigration) -- Good help is so hard to find these days. :)

Unfortunately there is no actual catch all stream, and so you really need to determine where to start:

If you have family in Alberta - it would make sense to start with the family stream. This stream requires: that the Canadian relative in Alberta is over 21 years of age, has been living in Alberta for 2 or more years and has a steady income. And the foreign relative must be between the ages of 21 - 45, demonstrate English ability with IELTS score of 4.0 (some exceptions do apply) and they must have a combined work/education history in the last 4 years. Finally, they have to be able to show they have settlement funds, starting at $10,000 per person plus $2,000 per family member.

If you do not meet one of those requirements above, then things get complicated, you may qualify for the Employer Driven Stream, depending on what occupation you engage in and what skill sets you have.

To read more on the AINP, please visit http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/immigrate/ainpforms.html

Looking Ahead.. .Saskatchewan

** The information contained in this post is for your information only and does not constitute legal advice. For information and assistance in the preparation of Immigration Applications - provincial or federal, please contact me. **

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

PART 02: British Columbia (BC PNP)

Last week I mentioned that I would be taking a look at each Provincial Nominee Program as it is currently; But I should make a general disclaimer - the information contained on this blog, in any of the blog postings, is for information only. In no way does it constitute legal advice and in no way am I making proclamations that the information is thorough. Reading, is one of those things that can be interpreted in a number of different ways - and so I urge readers to take the information with a grain of salt.

So, time to dive in; The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is developed around 2 main categories: Strategic Occupations and Business Immigration. Like many PNP programs, the emphasis is on skilled workers and entrepreneurs willing to make an investment in the province. Both of these categories are further divided into a number of different subcategories, each category with its own requirements. (Dont worry if you begin to suffer from tunnel vision, I think that's supposed to happen as you navigate link after link.)

Strategic Occupations: Under this stream, the applications are considered to be "Joint" applications, that is the employer and the prospective employee must file an application together, for the prospective employee's immigration and subsequent permenant residence.


  1. Skilled workers: Managers, professionals, technologists and technicians, skilled trades
  2. International graduates: Recent graduates of recognized BC post-secondary institutions
  3. Designated health professionals: Registered nurses, midwives, registered psychiatric nurses, and physicians
  4. Entry level and semi-skilled pilot project: Select occupations in tourism/hospitality, food processing, and long-haul trucking.
  • For the differences between these streams (and there are plenty of differences), there are some common elements:
  • the employer has offered, and the nominee applicant has accepted permanent and full-time employment in an eligible occupation
  • the nominee applicant is qualified to do the job
  • the wage offered is competitive with BC wage rates for the occupation
  • the nominee applicant’s occupation offers good long-term prospects
  • the employer is financially sound, with a history of good business and human resource practices, and has been operating in BC for at least one year ( two years for an Entry-Level and Semi-Skilled employer) and currently has at least five full-time employees
  • the nominee applicant may not own 10% or more of the supporting employer company
  • the employment of a foreign worker will be of significant economic benefit to BC
  • the nominee applicant has the ability to become economically established in BC
  • the employment of a foreign worker will not adversely affect the settlement of a labour dispute, or the employment of anyone involved in any such dispute
  • the employer has actively recruited locally to fill the position
  • if the nominee applicant is currently in Canada, they must maintain legal immigration status throughout the process and must not be subject to a removal order.
  • the nominee applicant does not have an active refugee claim
  • if the nominee applicant is currently outside Canada, they must not be prohibited from entering Canada and must have legal status in the country in which they are currently residing

Business Immigrants: The basic criteria for consideration under all three of the business categories relates to business eligibility:

  • The primary purpose of the business is to earn profits from active income from the supply of products/services;
  • The business' sustained commercial viability must be probable;
  • The business must provide economic benefit to BC by contributing to one of the following:
    increasing the exports of goods/services; increasing value-added manufacturing, processing, or primary resource activity; increasing BC tourism; increasing research and development and technology commercialization; creating innovative approaches to traditional businesses; servicing an underserved regional market; transferring skills, technology, and know-how to BC

You can read more about the BC PNP Program Here.

http://www.welcomebc.ca/en/immigration/index.html

Next Up Alberta...

*Remember this information contained in this post and on this blog is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. *

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Part 01: The Provincial Nominee Programs - Overview

By now - anyone remotely interested in Immigration (whether they are immigrating themselves or have family/friends they would like bring over to Canada) has heard of the Provincial Nominee Program.

In essence the Provincial Nominee Programs are founded on an agreement (supported by the Canadian Constitution), that allows each province to control the flow of immigrants in and out of the province. It is primarily needs based (that is skills/occupations that are in need) and some provinces (although very few) implement some degree of familly reunification. And then - there are the provinces that already get a great deal of new comers (Ontario and British Columbia, can you hear me?)- these provinces have centered their Nominee Programs around entrepreneurs and businesses.

Over the new few weeks I will be visiting each Province's Provincial Nominee Program. It is important to note that Quebec's Nominee Program (which I will not be visiting) is language based. Quebec actually operates under a different set of rules and so if you are looking to immigrate to Quebec, you would really benefit from the advice of local immigration consultants (CSIC Licensed of Course) or local lawyers. Both Yukon and North West Terrorities also have Nominee Programs (Nunavat is actually the only Province/Territory that does not have a program in place yet.)

But of course, aside from the world of differences there are few elements common to each of the Provincial Nominee Programs:

1. Ties to the Province or Territory: Since Immigration operates on a quantam of quotas (try saying that really fast), and each province is looking to fill their own economic needs first - retention becomes really important. Provinces do not what to spend thousands, if not millions of dollars attempt to settle immigrants who have no plans have establishing themselves in that province. And would best like to use their immigrantion quotas (determined by the Federal Government) to bring over people that are going to fill their needs. So showing ties to the province/territory becomes important - which is why many of these programs ask if you have any friends or relatives in the province/territory.

2. Skills are in demand: Call it brain drain - or something, but provinces want skilled and experience (not to mention educated) immigrants, people who would require the least capital in settlement costs and will benefit the province greatly - by either taxes, CPP contributions, whatever.

3. The Federal Government is still involved: While each Province/Territory can nominate immigrants - the Federal Government still has its say. Each application is a 2 part process where you are nominated by the province/territory first and you then have to apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). WHY?! Because... No really, think of it as shopping for fruit. You go down to the fruit department and theres some really nice apples, as a province or territory you are going to find the nices, shiniest, most delicious looking apple (the immigrant - with good skills, great experience and ties to the province). But you cannot just start eating the apple right then and there - you have to go to the Check Out. (Yes, sad, CIC is the proveriabl Check Out). They will check things like criminal history, medicals and may even do a final check to make sure that everything you submitted was bona fide. If CIC agrees with you, they will allow you to have the apple.

Would you like the receipt in the bag?

Next Week... Provincial Nominee Program - British Columbia

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Asian (and South East Asian) Heritage Month

May marks the official month of recognition of the arrival in Canada and contributions to Canada made by Asians (and South East Asians). According to statistics Canada Asians are the largest growing group of visible minorities in Canada, numbering near 2 million.

The events and festivities last all month long, below is a run down of events taking place in Winnipeg, all month long. There still time to catch some very interesting events:

Best of Reel Asian Film Festival: Sense of Wonder
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Cinematheque
100 Arthur Street
Admission Free

Inspiring our imaginations in the darkest of moments, this year's selection of the best Asian Canadian shorts invokes a playful outlook on tragedy. This selection includes three of Reel Asian's most recent award winners including Rex vs. Singh by award-winning Toronto-based filmmakers Richard Fung, John Greyson, and Ali Kazimi (2009 Vancouver/
Toronto), Fish in Barrel by Randall Okita (2009 Vancouver), and Found by Paramita Nath (Toronto 2009) as well as gems like Winnipeg artist Leslie Supnet's A Small Misunderstanding and more. Reel Asian is a cultural organization dedicated to strengthening the Asian Canadian and International film, video and media arts community.


Under the Banyan Tree
Asian Hatters Party/ Story Telling
Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 5 pm
Indo-Canadian Arts and Cultural Centre
479 St. Mary's Road


Asian Writers Showcase
Fiona Lam and Sally Ito
Tuesday, May 18 at 7:30 pm
Aqua Bookstore
274 Garry Street
Admission Free

Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba presents
Poets Fiona Lam and Sally Ito. Fiona Tinwei Lam is a Scottish-born Vancouver writer. Her first book of poetry, Intimate Distances, was a finalist for the City of Vancouver Book Award. Enter the Chrysanthemum is her latest book of poetry, dealing with themes of family, love and loss. Twice short-listed for the Event literary non-fiction prize, she was a co-editor of and contributor to Double Lives: Writing and Motherhood, a critically acclaimed anthology of essays about juggling the passions to write and to parents published by McGill-Queen's University Press.

Sally Ito's two books of poetry are Frogs in the Rain Barrel (Nightwood, 1995) and A Season of Mercy (Nightwood, 1999). She is also the author of an accomplished book of short fiction, Floating Shore, which came out from Mercury in 1998. Sally teaches English and creative writing at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.


Asian Canadian Festival at The Forks
Sunday, May 23, 1 pm - 5 pm
Monday, May 24, 1 pm - 5 pm
Under the Canopy at The Forks

A variety of Asian and Classical and Contemporary dance, music and martial arts


Asian Drumming Festival
Sunday, May 23 at The Forks
7 pm - 10 pm

This is the first time in Winnipeg that percussion groups will come together to play in a symphonic concert. This will be an educational and exhilarating experience for those people interested in traditional drumming.

As part of their ARTS FOR ALL program, the Winnipeg Cultural Capital of Canada 2010 provided funding to the Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba to host and support the Asian Drumming Festival at The Forks during Asian Heritage Month in May. Showcasing drummers from different Asian cultures will be the highlight of this year’s Asian Canadian Festival, an annual event held at The Forks during the Victoria Day weekend.

Drums, used by many cultures, can be traced back to 6000 BC and have played an integral part in their daily lives. In ancient times drums were used as a battle call, for offering prayers to the Gods, for communication purposes, for religious ceremonies, and for harvest celebrations and festivals. Today, these traditional drums have become a popular and lively form of entertainment especially during concerts and festivals.

Drumming performances will be provided by Flying Lion Dance Troupe, Music department from the India School of Dance, Music and Theatre Korean Drummers from Korean Society of Manitoba, haLf man half eLf, a New Wave Filipino band, Hinode Taiko and Fubuki Daiko. Guest drummers include the Summer Bear Dance Troupe from the Aboriginal community and the Hi-Life Steel Orchestra from the Caribbean.

From classical to contemporary, from ancient to new music, come and feel your heart pound to the rhythms of the beat of every country. Celebrate and know Winnipeg as the Cultural Capital with all its diversity on a musical tour of a lifetime.

For more information contact
Rod Cantiveros: rod.cantiveros@gmail.com
Art Miki: artmiki@mts.net
Muni Mysore: muni.mysore@gmail.com


Orientik/ Portrait
Co. Esarga/Alvin EsargaTolentino
Contemporary Dance, Taiko Percussion and Piano
Sunday, May 30 at 7pm
West End Cultural Centre
586 Ellice Avenue
Tickets: $10

ORIENTIK/PORTRAIT returns to life in celebration and partnership with Asian Heritage Month of May in 2010 with presentation starting in Vancouver and a national tour to Montreal, Fredericton, Toronto, Winnipeg and Calgary. A signature piece for Co.ERASGA, OrienTik/Portrait combines the diverse fusion of contemporary dance, piano and taiko-percussion, with acclaimed featured Toronto dancer Andrea Nann.

Tickets available from the West End Cultural Centre and
Muni Mysore: 895-7242
Rod Cantiversos: 489-8894
Art Miki: 488-8059


Asian Heritage Month Displays
Through the month of May
Millenium Library
Through the month of May
251 Donald Street

For more information please visit the official Asian Heritage Manitoba Website

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

From Bad to Worse .. the PR Card Backlog

If you or anyone you know immigrated to Canada and has not yet acquired citizenship - then you are probably familiar with the term - PR Card. The PR Card, which stands for Permanent Resident card is an Immigration Identity Document, without which, Permanent Resident's of Canada cannot re-enter Canada. And so, the importance of having a valid (not expired) card is heightened, as you cannot re-enter Canada without.

So, 2 questions come to mind, followed by exclamations of absurdity. When should I renew my card, and how long does it take?

The first question - is pretty general. If your card is going to expire, renew it now. Today, in fact, give me a call and I will help you with the application myself. If your card has expired and you have travel plans within the next 6 months - you should renew the card immediately.

The problem, herein lies with the processing times. Currently, it takes 109 days- thats 3 and a half months, for those of you like me that need to count all your fingers and toes, (you can verify my information by visiting this link: PR CARD PROCESSING TIMES ) . This is where you are supposedt to exclaim, "Oh My!"

The reason for such huge backlogs, CIC claims they have implemented new computer - automated - really fancy software that should assist in quick processing, but because everything needed to be reloaded - the processing times have increased insigificantly.

This is where the worse comes in - back in December, processing times were 87 days, just under 3 months. With all this fancy equipment, instead of decreasing, the times have increased. Most of us familiar with immigration, know lengthy processing times are the norm. But adding 20 days to processing after investing in equipment set to minimize delays, is a bit - how do you say absurd.

So my dear friends, if your PR Card is expiring and you need a renewal - get those renewals in early, so you can plan your next winter vacation.

:)

Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Usual Introduction

Most blogs begin with an Introduction - the usual, "Hello, my name is and I am here because" ... And let me tell you, this is no different. So, without further ado: My name is Chaman Dhaliwal. I am sure you gathered that much from the title of the description of this blog. I graduated law school in 2007 and am now a Member in Good Standing with the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (yes, the rules say we have to write this out), or some of you may have heard it referred to as C.S.I.C. I will explain more about what C.S.I.C is and why it is important, but until then - I am pretty qualified.

I do have immigration experience. I come from a family of immigrants, and anyone that has immigrated to Canada or knows of someone who has, knows that this enough makes me an expert :). All humour aside - I pride myself in my comprehensive knowledge of immigration and like matters.

I work with Wilder Wilder & Langtry - a full service law firm in Winnipeg. You can visit their homepage from my sidebar. If you have any legal issues or concerns, please give our firm a call. BUT -- if you have any immigration issues or concerns, please give me a call and I would be more than happy to help you.

In closing, I know this introduction sounds a bit - informal, but keep in mind we have a peopl first approach. We want people to be comfortable and to be able to relate to us - as people.

So again, if you have any immigration questions or concerns, or would like to know if you qualify for immigration - please do not hesitate to contact me. And, if you have any legal questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our firm. Contact details have been provided in the side bar.

LASTLY -- I am hoping to run this blog in a very informal question and answer format, so if you think of any blogging ideas, please let me know.