Immigration to Canada

SERVICE CANADA GRADUALLY RESUMES IN-PERSON SERVICES - BIOMETRICS If you’re a permanent residence applicant in Canada waiting to give your biometrics, you’ll receive a call from Service Canada over the next few months to book a biometrics appointment. If you’re in a region where more people are waiting to give their biometrics, such as the Greater Toronto Area, it may take longer for Service Canada to call you. This is a limited service. You should not go to a Service Canada Centre unless a Service Canada officer has called you and booked a biometrics appointment for you.

TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISAS COVID-19 UPDATE As of July 1, 2020, processing, to the extent possible, has resumed for temporary resident visa (TRV) applications. Intake has been limited, until further notice, to applications submitted online, with the exception of applicants who, because of a disability, are unable to submit an application using electronic means. Applications will be prioritized for those who are eligible to travel based on the current travel restrictions; this ...includes both new applications and applications that are currently in progress. TRV application fees still apply. Applications submitted prior to the travel restrictions will not be prioritized unless the applicant contacts IRCC at IRCC.COVID-TravelExemptions-Exemptionsdevoyage-COVID.IRCC@cic.gc.ca to indicate how they meet the exemption criteria, why they are travelling for a non-discretionary/non-optional purpose, and provide acceptable documentation. While the priority is to continue processing applications where the client meets a travel restriction exemption and has established that they are travelling for a non-discretionary purpose, non-priority TRV applications can continue to be processed, and approved or refused, pursuant to regular TRV processing. English and French push notification emails will be sent to approved TRV applicants advising them that despite their approval, travel restrictions remain in place, and that for most, now is not the time to travel to Canada. For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

I AM WORKING IN CANADA ON A VALID WORK PERMIT. DOES THIS COUNT AS A JOB OFFER IN EXPRESS ENTRY? No, a work permit is not a job offer. A job offer is valid if your current or future employer: - has made a written offer to give you a full-time, non-seasonal job for one year or more if you are accepted as a permanent resident and - has a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (or the job is LMIA-exempt)... This is true whether you are working in Canada or not. There are only two reasons that an employer making you a job offer does not need to get a new LMIA: - if you are already working for them with a work permit based on that LMIA - if you work in a job that does not need an LMIA.

WHEN TRYING TO LINK MY APPLICATION TO MY ONLINE ACCOUNT, IT SAYS THERE ARE NO MATCHES. WHAT’S GOING ON? There could be a few reasons why you can’t link your application. 1. Your application is not in IRCC system yet.... If you applied by mail or in person, it may take some time before they enter your information in their system. Once they enter, you’ll be able to link your application. 2. You selected the wrong application category. For some programs, there are different categories you can be invited to apply under. If you were invited to apply under a specific category, make sure you select the right one. - For the Canadian experience class, select Canadian Experience Class as the sub-category, not Express Entry. Similarly, for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Federal Skilled Trades Program, choose the matching sub-category. - For any work permit through International Experience Canada (including open work permits), select the sub-category International Experience Canada. 3. The information provided does not match what is in their system The system will only link an application if the information you enter matches the application exactly. Make sure you don’t have any extra spaces before or after what you type into each field. If you contacted IRCC after you applied and updated any information, including passport information, provide the most recent information. These are the most common issues experienced when trying to link an application. - Enter your name as it appears on your passport if you applied on paper. This is what they enter into our system. - If you’re applying for family sponsorship, in the last question, Number of family members, including the primary applicant, that are part of this application, also include the sponsor and the co-signer (if applicable). The number entered will be at least 2. - If you selected the option Place of Birth under Applicant’s personal information, enter the City/town of birth as it appears on your passport (if applicable) or the IMM 0008 form, if no passport information was provided.

3 new measures on post-graduation work permit eligibility for students beginning programs online: - Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future post-graduation work permit, provided 50% of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada. - Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their e...ntire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit. - Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit in the future, as long as 50% of their total studies are completed in Canada. To be eligible for these measures, students must have submitted a study permit application before starting a program of study in the spring, summer, or fall 2020 semester, or the January 2021 semester. All students must eventually be approved for a study permit.

Visitors who are currently in Canada and have a valid job offer will be able to apply for an employer-specific work permit and, if approved, receive the permit without having to leave the country. This temporary policy change takes effect immediately and will benefit employers in Canada who continue to face difficulties finding the workers they need, as well as temporary residents who would like to contribute their labour and skills to Canada’s recovery from the COVID-19 pand...emic. To be eligible, an applicant looking to benefit from this temporary public policy must - have valid status in Canada as a visitor on August 24, 2020 and remain in Canada - have a job offer - submit an application for an employer-specific work permit that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment, no later than March 31, 2021 - meet all other standard admissibility criteria See more

Update: Language test and educational credential assessment (ECA) results The instructions for the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program, the Provincial Nominee Program, the Agri-Food Pilot Program, the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program and the Start-up Visa Program have been updated to indicate that an applicant can submit copies of language test results and copies of their education credential assessment (ECA) with their application. Originals are not required.

EXTENSION FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENTS APPLYING TO RESTORE THEIR STATUS A new public policy has been implemented that provides an extension to apply for restoration beyond the current 90-day timeframe for foreign nationals in Canada. Former workers, students and visitors whose status expired after January 30, 2020, and who remained in Canada will now have until December 31, 2020, to apply to restore their status, provided they meet the requirements for the type of status and autho...rization they are applying to restore. The public policy also allows former work-permit holders applying for an employer-specific work permit to work while a decision on their restoration application is pending. To do so, they need to: - have a job offer - submit a work permit application that is supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an LMIA-exempt offer of employment - notify IRCC through the process set up for eligible foreign nationals

WHO CAN’T SPONSOR THEIR SPOUSE, PARTNER you’re less than 18 years old you won’t live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents you’re not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, or a person registered in Canada as an... you’re a temporary resident, that is you’re visiting, studying or working in Canada on a visa or permit you don’t have enough money to support the persons you want to sponsor (if applicable) were sponsored by a spouse or partner and you became a permanent resident less than 5 years ago are still financially responsible for a previous spouse or partner that you sponsored. This means you’re still bound by the 3 year undertaking to take care of this person. are in jail, prison, or a penitentiary didn’t pay back: o an immigration loan o a performance bond o court-ordered family support payments such as alimony or child support (not applicable if you live in Quebec) didn’t give the financial support you agreed to when you signed a sponsorship agreement to sponsor someone else in the past (not applicable if you live in Quebec) declared bankruptcy and are not discharged (not applicable if you live in Quebec) receive social assistance for a reason other than a disability you were convicted of attempting, threatening to commit or committing a violent criminal offence, any offence against a relative or any sexual offence inside or outside Canada See more

HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO SHOW TO SPONSOR MY SPOUSE? In most cases, there isn’t an income requirement to sponsor your spouse or partner or dependent child. However, if either a spouse or partner you’re sponsoring has as dependent child who has dependent children of their own, or a dependent child you are sponsoring has a dependent child of their own, you must meet a minimum low-income-cut-off (LICO) score, which is determined by the Canadian government each year. While the spons...or may be approved as a sponsor despite relying on social assistance by reason of a disability, the Applicant must nevertheless satisfy the Immigration Officer that she is not inadmissible for any of the myriad grounds of inadmissibility including financial reasons. This means that the Applicant has to prove that they are or will be able or willing to support themself or any other person who is dependent on them, and have satisfied an officer that adequate arrangements for care and support, other than those that involve social assistance, have been made. Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who is legally authorized to be your representative, commits to maximize your chance of success in your immigration to Canada. www.vinmax-immigration.com

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO SPONSOR THEIR SPOUSE, PARTNER OR CHILD You can sponsor your spouse, partner or dependent child if: You’re at least 18 years old You’re a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada... If you’re a Canadian citizen living outside Canada, you must show that you plan to live in Canada when the persons you want to sponsor become permanent residents. You can’t sponsor someone if you’re a permanent resident living outside Canada. You’re able to prove that you’re not receiving social assistance for reasons other than a disability you can provide for the basic needs of any persons you want to sponsor Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who is legally authorized to be your representative, commits to maximize your chance of success in your immigration to Canada. www.vinmax-immigration.com

BC PNP EXTENDS THE TECH PILOT TO 2021 The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Tech Pilot has been extended for another year, until June 2021, to provide B.C. tech employers with the continued ability to recruit and retain international talent when local skilled workers are unavailable. The Pilot will continue with the existing criteria that allows tech workers with eligible job offers in one of 29 tech occupations to continue to apply to the BC PNP to become ...permanent residents. For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

TEMPORAY RESIDENT VISA EXTENSION To be eligible for extending temporary resident status, applicant must: - Apply before their status expires and have complied with all the conditions that were imposed on entry - Also meet the requirements for an officer to issue a temporary resident visa... Application needs to address the following concerns: - Reason why you apply for the extension - Duration you request for the extension - Means of support while you stay in Canada - Means and plan to leave Canada - Ties with your country of residence Note: When a temporary resident extension document is issued in Canada for a period resulting in a stay in Canada in excess of six months for an individual from a designated country, an Immigration Medical Examination (IME) is normally required. For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

AGRI-FOOD IMMIGRATION PILOT The pilot is designed to help address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector, particularly in year-round mushroom and greenhouse crop production, meat processing and livestock raising industries, and attract experienced, non-seasonal workers who can settle in Canada. To apply for permanent residence through the Agri-Food Immigration Pilot, you need:... - Have Canadian work experience of full time, one year with LMIA in an eligible occupation within an eligible industry - Have an offer of full time and permanent job from a Canadian employer in one of the industries and occupations listed as eligible for the pilot - Having at least high school diploma and language CLB 4 - Prove you have enough money to settle in the community For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

HOME CHILD CARE PROVIDER PILOT AND HOME SUPPORT WORKER PILOT The programs let qualified caregivers and their family members come to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents. The beauty of this program is that you don’t need to have Canadian work experience. You just need to find an employer who offers you the job of providing care for children or adults with medical needs, and your English or French is equivalent to CLB 5. This is a five year pilot program so take advantage of this opportunity to immigrate to Canada! For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

IMMIGRATION TO CANADA FOR SELF-EMPLOYED PERSON This program is for those candidates such as music teachers, painters, illustrators, film makers, freelance journalists. Beyond that, the category is intended to capture those people who work behind the scenes, for example, choreographers, set designers, coaches and trainers. Management experience in the world of arts and culture may also be a viable measure of self-employment; for example, theatrical or musical directors and imp...resarios To immigrate as a self-employed person, you must: - have relevant experience: at least 2 years of experience for cultural activities or for athletics - be willing and able to be self-employed in Canada - score at least 35/100 points from age, education, languages, experience and adaptability - meet medical, security and other conditions For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

IMMIGRATION TO BRITISH COLOMBIA FOR ENTREPRENEURS 1) Entrepreneur Immigration Base Category: intended for experienced entrepreneurs who intend to establish new businesses or take over and grow existing businesses in B.C. You must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$600,000 and language equivalent to CLB 4 or higher. You are required to make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$200,000 in the business and create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian ...citizen or permanent resident in the business 2) Entrepreneur Immigration Regional Pilot: working with regional communities, this pilot is intended to attract entrepreneurs to participating regional communities to establish new businesses that align with the communities’ economic development priorities. You must have a personal net worth of at least CAD$300,000 and language equivalent to CLB 4 or higher. You are required to make an eligible personal investment of at least CAD$100,000 in the business and create at least one new full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the business 3) Strategic Projects: for foreign corporations that intend to establish a subsidiary or branch office in B.C. that strategically aligns with their core business. You can also send your key staff members to Canada. You must make a minimum equity investment of at least $500,000 directed toward the corporation’s operations in B.C. and create at least three new full-time equivalent jobs for Canadian citizens or permanent residents for each foreign key staff member proposed (to a maximum of five key staff). For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

OPPORTUNITIES OF GETTING A JOB OFFER AND IMMIGRATING TO CANADA It’s designed to spread the benefits of economic immigration to smaller communities by creating a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign workers who want to work and live in one of the participating communities. The participating communities are posting opening jobs in their links below, get a job offer from one of these post, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Make sure you h...ave work experience of at least one full-time year (outside Canada) or have completed a post-secondary program in these communities. Sault Ste. Marie, ON - www.welcometossm.com Thunder Bay, ON - www.gotothunderbay.com Brandon, MB - www.economicdevelopmentbrandon.com Altona/Rhineland, MB - www.seedrgpa.com Claresholm, AB - www.claresholm.ca Vernon, BC - https://rnip-vernon.ca/ Other communities Coming soon For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com

IMMIGRATION PATHWAY FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN CANADA If you’ve lived and studied in one of the Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island), you may be eligible to apply for the Atlantic International Graduate Program. - No work experience’s required - Have completed at least 2 year full time study program in an Atlantic province.... - Apply for permanent resident within 2 years from graduation - Have English IELTS (R3.5, W4, L4.5, S4) or French TEF (R121, W181, L145, S181) - Have full time job offer For further details, please contact us at www.vinmax-immigration.com