No More Sticker Visas for Some New Permanent Residents

Elimination of Counterfoils for Approved Permanent Residence Applicants from Visa-Exempt Countries

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will no longer issue a counterfoil to applicants approved for permanent residence from visa exempt countries. All approved applicants will continue to be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) document.
Currently, all applicants approved for permanent residence, even from countries exempt from the Temporary Resident Visa requirement, are issued a counterfoil and seal in the passport that they are using for their initial travel to Canada to become a permanent resident.a

As of December 1, 2011, missions will no longer issue a counterfoil to applicants approved for permanent residence, if the “CNTRY OF ISS. OF TRAVEL DOC:” field on the COPR identifies a regular passport issued by the United States of America or a country identified in theImmigration and Refugee Protection Regulations 190(1)(a) or (b) or 190(2)(b), (c), (d) or (e).

The Canada Border Services Agency’s Border Services Officers (BSOs) and Migration Integrity Officers in Canada and abroad will be advised of this change. BSOs will continue to evaluate individuals at the Primary Inspection Line and determine which persons are immigrating to Canada and refer those new immigrants to Immigration secondary for finalization of permanent residence status. In cases where the new immigrant is not finalized at the port of entry as required, staff should advise the individual to contact the CIC Call Centre for options to correct their status in Canada. The Call Centre will continue to follow their current procedures when contacted by immigrants who require finalization of permanent residence status.

CIC is Going Paperless

CIC is transforming the way it does business. With the increasing use of technology, we are moving away from paper application forms, and are encouraging applicants to use the electronic forms that can be submitted online, or downloaded and printed from our web site. Effective December 1, 2011, with a few exceptions, we will no longer be printing or mailing paper copies of our forms and related guides.
These changes will save CIC over $4 million over the next three years in costs related to printing and mailing. The changes also reflect the fact that technology is making the application process easier to access. Increasingly, improved online services are allowing people to apply wherever and whenever they want, with online tools to help navigate the immigration process. By 2015 the majority of CIC applications will be submitted and processed online.

Source: E-newsletter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Fall 2011

Parents and Grandparents: NOT WELCOME TO IMMIGRATE (For now)

Effective November 5, 2011, a temporary pause has been placed on new Family Class sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents (FC4). Instructions are provided on what to do with FC4 sponsorship applications received before and after this date.

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides guidance on FC4 sponsorship applications and the fourth set of Ministerial Instructions (MI-4) which come into force November 5, 2011.

Background

On June 18, 2008, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was amended to give the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration authority to issue instructions that would ensure the processing of applications and requests be conducted in a manner that, in the opinion of the Minister, will best support the attainment of immigration goals set by the Government of Canada.
The MI-4 comes into force on November 5, 2011 and includes changes to the following programs:

• Family Class Sponsorship Applications: A temporary pause on new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents.
• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Introduction of a new PhD eligibility stream (see OB 351 for more information).

The full text of these instructions can be found at:
www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2011/2011-11-05/html/notice-avis-eng.html#d108

Processing Instructions

Effective November 5, 2011, no new family class sponsorship applications for a sponsor’s parents (R117(1)(c)) or grandparents (R117(1)(d)) will be accepted for processing. This temporary pause is being implemented to allow for application backlog reduction in the FC4 category to begin in 2012. This measure is being implemented as part of a broader strategy to address the large backlog and wait times in the FC4 category, supporting the attainment of immigration goals set by the Government of Canada.
The temporary pause will remain in place for up to 24 months while a more responsive, sustainable, and long-term approach for the program is being considered.
It does not affect sponsorship applications for spouses, partners, dependent or adopted children and other eligible relatives.
Applications received on or after November 5, 2011
New FC4 Sponsorship applications for parents or grandparents received by Centralized Processing Centre- Mississauga (CPC-M) on or after November 5, 2011, will be returned to the sponsor with a letter (see Appendix A) advising them of the temporary pause. Applications which are postmarked before November 5, 2011, but are received at CPC-M on or after November 5, 2011 will also be returned to the sponsor. In both cases, processing fees shall be returned.
Applications received before November 5, 2011
Complete FC4 sponsorship applications received by CPC-M prior to close of business (5 p.m. EST) on November 4, 2011, should continue to be processed as usual. Cases where FC4 sponsorship applications have been submitted to CPC-M, but the applications for permanent residence have not yet been submitted to the visa office are not affected by the temporary pause.
Cost recovery fee payment made before November 5, 2011
In cases where an applicant has submitted their cost recovery fee payment but CPC-M has not received the FC4 sponsorship application before close of business (5 p.m. EST) on November 4, 2011, the applicant will receive a refund of the processing fees.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Requests
Requests made on the basis of Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds made from outside Canada that accompany any permanent resident application affected by Ministerial Instructions but not identified for processing under the Instructions will not be processed.
Updates to the IP 2 manual are forthcoming.
For further information outlined in this OB, please contact your supervisor or your Regional Program Advisor (RPA). RPAs may in turn contact Operational Management and Coordination Branch at OMC-GOC-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.

New PhD Eligibility Stream under the Federal Skilled Worker Program

Effective November 5, 2011, the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program will have a new eligibility stream for international students pursuing doctoral (PhD) studies at Canadian institutions. Instructions are provided on how to proceed with applications received both before and after this date.

Issue

This Operational Bulletin (OB) provides guidance on FSW applications and the fourth set of Ministerial Instructions (MI-4) which come into force on November 5, 2011.

Background

On June 18, 2008, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was amended to give the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration authority to issue instructions that would ensure the processing of applications and requests be conducted in a manner that, in the opinion of the Minister, will best support the attainment of immigration goals set by the Government of Canada.
The MI-4 comes into force on November 5, 2011 and includes changes to the following programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: Introduction of the new PhD eligibility stream.
• Family Class Sponsorship Applications: A temporary pause on new sponsorship applications for parents and grandparents. (see OB 350 for more information).

The full text of these instructions can be found at:
www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2011/2011-11-05/html/notice-avis-eng.html#d108

Processing Instructions

Effective November 5, 2011, the FSW program will have a new eligibility stream for international students pursuing doctoral (PhD) studies at Canadian institutions.
In order to be eligible to apply under this stream, the FSW applications [Note 1] must be received by the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia on or after November 5, 2011, and must meet either of the following two sets of criteria in order to be placed into processing:

1. Applications from international students who are currently enrolled in a doctoral (PhD) program, delivered by a provincially or territorially recognized private or public post-secondary educational institution located in Canada, and who have completed at least two years towards the completion of their PhD and who are in good academic standing and who are not recipients of a Government of Canada award requiring them to return to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills. [Note 2] OR
   
2. Applications from foreign nationals who have completed a doctoral (PhD) program from a provincially or territorially recognized private or public post-secondary educational institution located in Canada no more than 12 months prior to the date their application is received by the CIO in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Applicants must not have received a Government of Canada award that required them to return to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills; or if they were a recipient of such an award, that they have satisfied the terms of the award. [Note 3]

Applicants who are eligible for processing are still assessed under the other requirements of the FSW Program. Applicants must still meet minimal requirements and obtain the minimum pass mark in order to continue in processing.

Limit on the number of applications to be processed per year

A maximum of 1,000 new FSW applications from international students pursuing PhD studies or recently who obtained a PhD at a Canadian institution will be considered for processing each year. This cap will be calculated over and above any other FSW caps on application intake identified in previous Instructions.
In calculating the cap, applications will be considered in order of the date they are received. Applications received on the same date will be considered for processing having regard to routine office procedures.
For the unique purpose of calculating the cap, this cap year will begin on November 5, 2011 and end on October 31, 2012. Subsequent cap years will begin on November 1^st and end on October 31^st, unless otherwise indicated in a future Ministerial Instruction.
FSW applications received at the CIO before November 5, 2011
MI-4 does not apply to complete applications received prior to November 5, 2011. All FSW applications received by the CIO prior to this date shall continue to be considered for processing having regard to the requirements in effect at that time.
FSW applications received at the CIO on or after November 5, 2011
The MI-4 applies to applications received at the CIO on or after November 5, 2011. The CIO will assess complete applications received on or after this date against the MIs to determine whether applicants are eligible for processing. The CIO will make a final eligibility determination and those determined to be eligible will be placed into processing. Applications that receive a negative eligibility determination will not be processed and will receive a full refund of the processing fee. The application and documentation submitted will not be returned.
Submitting the application
All FSW applications, including those under the PhD stream, will continue to be sent to the CIO. Applicants are required to submit their complete application, together with all supporting documents, to the CIO as listed on the CIO document checklist.
The CIO will review applications for completeness and if the application is incomplete, the entire application package will be returned to the applicant.
Final eligibility determination at the CIO
The CIO will assess the applicant’s submission based on the documentation submitted and make a final determination of eligibility. To be eligible for processing, the applicant must meet all the criteria described in the MIs. If the applicant’s submission is determined to be ineligible for processing, the applicant will be informed and will receive a refund. The application and documentation submitted will not be returned. If the CIO makes a positive eligibility determination, the application will be placed into processing and the applicant will no longer be eligible for a refund.
Humanitarian and Compassionate requests
Requests made on the basis of Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds made from outside Canada that accompany any permanent resident application affected by MIs but not identified for processing under the Instructions will not be processed.
Updates to the OP 6 manual are forthcoming.
For further information outlined in this OB, please contact your supervisor or your Regional Program Advisor (RPA). RPAs may in turn contact Operational Management and Coordination Branch at OMC-GOC-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.

---

Footnotes

[1] In order to be considered, applications must be completed according to the application kit requirements in place at the time the application is received by the designated office. [back to note 1]

[2] Applicants will be required to include, in their application package, a letter of attestation from the recognized provincial or territorial post-secondary education institution where they are pursuing their PhD. The letter shall contain the following attestations:

• that the applicant is currently enrolled in a PhD program and has completed at least two years towards its completion; and
• that the applicant is deemed in good academic standing to the satisfaction of the institution.

The letter of attestation should be an official letter, on university letterhead, signed by a recognized institutional authority such as the registrar or dean of Graduate Studies that clearly addresses the above-noted two components.
Applicants will also be required to declare that they are not a recipient of a Government of Canada award requiring them to return to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills, by completing the appropriate section in schedule 3. [back to note 2]

[3] Applicants will be required to include, in their application package, official transcripts supplied by the recognized provincial or territorial post-secondary education institution where they completed their PhD, showing the awarding of a PhD.

Applicants will also be required to declare that they were not a recipient of a Government of Canada award requiring them to return to their home country to apply their knowledge and skills; or if they were a recipient of such an award, that they have satisfied the terms of the award, by completing the appropriate section in schedule 3. [back to note 3]

CIC Intake Statistics: Big Time Decline in Intake

Business Line - Applications Received for Permanent Residents (in Persons)
	CALENDAR YEAR					YEAR TO DATE
	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	(Jan-Jun)	(Jan-Jun)	% Change
Federal Skilled Workers	208,701	213,745	189,636	148,073	142,067	122,072	23,913	-80%
Quebec Selected Skilled Workers	30,654	33,460	34,612	38,463	37,495	18,021	12,505	-31%
Federal Business Immigrants	12,720	15,096	23,256	32,367	40,675	37,833	3,156	-92%
Quebec Business Immigrants	4,739	6,029	5,987	5,951	9,067	4,907	2,469	-50%
Provincial/Territorial Nominees	18,695	24,688	38,104	38,533	52,163	29,379	10,233	-65%
Live-in Caregivers	9,030	13,036	18,167	20,652	12,418	6,947	678	-90%
Canadian Experience Class	0	0	1,077	7,320	7,750	4,034	201	-95%
Economic Class	284,539	306,054	310,839	291,359	301,635	223,193	53,155	-76%
Spouses, Partners, Children and Others	69,567	72,431	67,982	64,204	57,835	30,571	25,530	-16%
Parents and Grandparents	18,990	32,606	29,777	16,121	17,202	10,138	3,665	-64%
Family Class	88,557	105,037	97,759	80,325	75,037	40,709	29,195	-28%
Government Assisted Refugees	11,305	11,788	10,735	11,095	8,021	4,392	3,752	-15%
Privately Sponsored Refugees	8,425	9,108	10,820	10,258	11,714	6,379	1,935	-70%
Protected Persons in Canada	11,144	6,751	7,387	11,844	13,284	6,748	2,742	-59%
Dependants Abroad	4,985	5,497	3,124	4,502	4,173	2,217	1,840	-17%
H&C and Public Policy	15,174	13,764	11,976	11,879	10,134	5,815	667	-89%
Permit Holders	114	137	206	160	118	53	11	-79%
Humanitarian Class	51,147	47,045	44,248	49,738	47,444	25,604	10,947	-57%
Other*	22	39	28	20	166	55	25	-55%
Total	424,265	458,175	452,874	421,442	424,282	289,561	93,322	-68%
Source: CIC Operational Databases, 2nd Quarter 2011
* Other includes: deferred removal orders, post-determination refugee claimants, missing and/or invalid data

Changes to the BC PNP Business Programs

The provincial government is taking steps to further encourage business immigrants to invest in communities in regional B.C. through the BC Provincial Nominee Program.

This is one of a series of steps as part of a commitment in ‘Canada Starts Here - The BC Jobs Plan’ to attract more entrepreneurs from other countries to help create jobs regionally.

The BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) provides accelerated permanent resident status to entrepreneurs and qualified workers based on labour market and economic development priorities.

Among the changes, a new online investment matching service will link potential business immigrants to business opportunities in regions, with a focus on small business succession, an area of concern identified by the small business sector. In some cases, small business owners in smaller rural communities are facing challenges in finding people to buy their companies when they are ready to retire. The service is scheduled to launch in November.

Other steps being taken to promote investment and meet labour market demand include:

•  More aggressively marketing the BC PNP and regional business opportunities to prospective business immigrants internationally with a strong focus on Latin America, Eastern Europe, Russia and India.
•  Amending program requirements to allow BC PNP business immigrants, who locate in regional communities and invest in existing businesses, to meet their employment commitments by maintaining existing jobs. This change is effective Oct. 14.
•  Making the Entry Level and Semi-Skilled pilot category of the BC PNP a permanent program category to help meet the needs of employers in key sectors such as tourism. This change is effective immediately
•  Reducing the minimum size for eligible employers located outside of the GVRD from five employees to three. This change is effective Oct. 14.

For 2011, B.C. was given a maximum of 3,500 nominations by the federal government. The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation is negotiating with the federal government to increase B.C. nominations for 2012.

Since the inception of the program in 2001, more than 14,000 entrepreneurs, and skilled and semi-skilled workers have been attracted to the province through the BC PNP.

A recent, independent study shows that the 203 business nominees who immigrated to B.C. from 2005 to mid-2010 under the BC PNP invested over $423 million into the provincial economy and created over 1,100 jobs.

Larlee Rosenberg Sponsors VBOT/Minister Kenney Event

Speaker(s)

The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Tue Jul 19, 2011 11:45 AM -
Add to Outlook Calendar

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The Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

Canada is one of the most ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse countries in the world and is thus a desirable place for immigrants, especially business immigrants, from all around the world.
One million more people are expected to come to Vancouver by 2030. How does the Government of Canada anticipate this regional growth will affect housing and the ability for newcomers and established Canadian workers to find jobs?
Join The Vancouver Board of Trade to hear The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, speak to Canada’s immigration policy, his objectives and how immigration contributes to a strong country.
REGISTER NOW >>

Time:	Registration: 11:45 a.m. Lunch & Program: 12:15 – 2 p.m.
Location:	Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle - Pinnacle Ballroom 1128 Hastings Street West
Tickets:	Members:
	Individuals:	$79 + HST
	Table of 8	$758 + HST
	Future Members:
	Individuals:	$110 + HST
	Table of 8	$1056 + HST

Sponsored by:

Acciona Infrastructures Canada Inc.

Supporting Sponsor:

Larlee Rosenberg, Barristers & Solicitors, http://www.larlee.com/

Death of A Regulator: The Collapse of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants

News Release from CIC: Commentary to Follow....




New regulator proposed for immigration consultants announced


Vancouver, March 18, 2011 — In order to improve the integrity of the immigration system, Dr. Alice Wong, Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, on behalf of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney, today announced that a new regulatory body is being proposed to oversee immigration consultants.

“The Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council – or ICCRC – has committed to enhancing the protection of the Canadian public and those who use the services of immigration consultants,” said Dr. Wong. “I am confident that, with the ICCRC’s strong regulation of immigration consultants, people using our immigration processes will be offered quality consultation, representation and advice.”

A notice has been published on the website of the Canada Gazette, Part I, proposing to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations so that the ICCRC becomes the regulator of immigration consultants. The official Gazette publication will be available on March 19, 2011.

The proposed amendments are open for public comment for a 30-day period. The current intention is that the final regulations would be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and would come into effect.

This proposed regulatory amendment is the culmination of a process that began in June 2010 when Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) announced its intention to launch a transparent public selection process to identify a body that could be recognized as the regulator of immigration consultants.

Immigration consultants are currently regulated by the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC). Reports by the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration in 2008 and 2009 pointed to governance issues and a lack of public confidence in CSIC. Based on the Standing Committee’s reports, CIC decided to launch this public process.

“I anticipate that the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council will not only help ensure public confidence in the integrity of the immigration program, but also that immigration consultants provide their services in a professional and ethical manner,” said Minister Kenney.

A selection committee was established to examine all submissions received following a public process requesting submissions from parties interested in being the regulator of immigration consultants. The committee reported its conclusions to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. Based on these conclusions, the ICCRC is being proposed as the regulator best placed to govern immigration consultants.

In its submission, the ICCRC committed to a variety of activities to foster a culture of transparency and openness and to protect the Canadian public and those using the services of an immigration consultant, while building a strong relationship with its members. It has also proposed innovative strategies to ensure accountability and transparency to its membership, including a hotline for members of Parliament for complaints and questions and a public awareness campaign.

Transitional measures would be put in place to ensure continuity of service for both existing members in good standing of CSIC and their clients during the transition to the ICCRC. This process could take a few months to complete and it is anticipated that the ICCRC could become the regulatory body this summer.

This process is part of a broader strategy to protect from immigration fraud people wanting to immigrate to or stay in Canada. Included in this strategy is Bill C-35, which aims to crack down on crooked consultants. As well, a multilingual domestic advertising campaign warning prospective immigrants, permanent residents and Canadian citizens not to be taken in by crooked immigration consultants was launched in February and an overseas advertising campaign, with the support of Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States—members of the Five Country Conference—was launched earlier this week. They can be viewed on YouTube.