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IRCC approved nearly 600,000 applications under the CUAET on March 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the number of Ukrainian newcomers arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET).  According to the latest update, between January 1, 2022, and March 5, 2023, 24,382 Ukrainians arrived in Canada by land, and 153,576 Ukrainians reached by air. Between March 17, 2022, and March 2, 2023, IRCC received 903,439 applications under the CUAET. In total, IRCC has approved 592,405 applications from Ukrainian nationals. Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) measures has been created by IRCC in support of those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in order to help Ukrainians and their family members in immigrating to Canada as soon as possible and give them the opportunity to work and study while there. The CUAET measures also provide people already residing in Canada with the option to extend their visitor status, work visa, or study permit so they can continue their stay temporarily. Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET)  One of the many unique measures the Canadian government has taken to help the people of Ukraine is the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). It offers free, extended temporary status to Ukrainians and their families, enabling them to live, work, and study in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. They can enter Canada and stay there for up to three years with the CUAET. Who can apply for CUAET?  Ukrainian nationals, as well as their family members, such as their spouse, common-law partner, children, and children of their children, as well as children of a dependent child of a Ukrainian nation. Benefits and features of the CUAET  Ukrainians and their families coming to Canada from overseas:  can apply for a free visitor visa and may be granted permission to remain in Canada for 3 years as compared to the typical six-month permitted stay for visitors. have the opportunity to submit a free open work permit application along with their visa application, allowing them to find work as soon as possible. will have their electronic visa application processed in 14 days for typical, non-complex cases after submitting a complete application. Want to know more details about “Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates. Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs. For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

IRCC approved nearly 600,000 applications under the CUAET

IRCC approved nearly 600,000 applications under the CUAET on March 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the number of Ukrainian newcomers arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET).    According to the latest update, between January 1, 2022, and March 5, 2023, 24,382 Ukrainians arrived in Canada by land, and 153,576 Ukrainians reached by air. Between March 17, 2022, and March 2, 2023, IRCC received 903,439 applications under the CUAET. In total, IRCC has approved 592,405 applications from Ukrainian nationals.   Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) measures has been created by IRCC in support of those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in order to help Ukrainians and their family members in immigrating to Canada as soon as possible and give them the opportunity to work and study while there. The CUAET measures also provide people already residing in Canada with the option to extend their visitor status, work visa, or study permit so they can continue their stay temporarily.   Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET)  One of the many unique measures the Canadian government has taken to help the people of Ukraine is the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). It offers free, extended temporary status to Ukrainians and their families, enabling them to live, work, and study in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. They can enter Canada and stay there for up to three years with the CUAET.   Who can apply for CUAET?  Ukrainian nationals, as well as their family members, such as their spouse, common-law partner, children, and children of their children, as well as children of a dependent child of a Ukrainian nation.   Benefits and features of the CUAET  Ukrainians and their families coming to Canada from overseas:  can apply for a free visitor visa and may be granted permission to remain in Canada for 3 years as compared to the typical six-month permitted stay for visitors. have the opportunity to submit a free open work permit application along with their visa application, allowing them to find work as soon as possible. will have their electronic visa application processed in 14 days for typical, non-complex cases after submitting a complete application.   Want to know more details about “Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations  In February 2023, the Century Initiative released findings revealing that Canada has a distinct advantage regarding immigrant attraction due to its strong public acceptance of immigration policies. The national, non-partisan charity urges for the economic and societal benefits of increasing Canada's population to one hundred million by 2100.  The new report states that Canada has an advantage over other countries because its citizens embrace immigrants more than ever. Ever since the late 1990s, Canadian support for immigration has drastically increased alongside a surge in people feeling that multiculturalism is one of Canada's most defining features - 64% of Canadians agree. The Environics Institute, a research group that collects public opinion in Canada on the issues that influence the country, recently conducted a Focus Canada study, which is referenced in the Century Initiative report. The conclusion of the study, seven out of 10 Canadians supported the country's current immigration policies.  When the Environics Institute began keeping track 45 years ago, this was the highest level of support. According to the study, Canadians are conscious of how important immigration is to boost the country's economy and population. According to the report, one of the methods is that almost a quarter of all Canadians are immigrants. According to the 2021 census, 1.3 million new permanent residents arrived in Canada between 2016 and 2021, and according to Statistics Canada, this figure may reach 34% by 2041. One of the main factors in Canada’s ability to attract immigrants is, what the report describes as,  Canada’s “International Brand.” Canada is regarded as a nation that offers an excellent quality of life in terms of healthcare, education, housing, safety, and tolerance on a worldwide scale. This indicates that Canada is in a good position to attract and retain immigrants. The future of immigration in Canada Long-term success for Canada depends on immigration. Canada needs an efficient, user-friendly, and adaptable immigration system in order to fully realize the benefits of immigration and offer immigrants the best possible experience. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have consistently taken steps to limit application backlogs and develop a better immigration system as part of ongoing work to improve client service. To boost processing capacity and efficiency while protecting Canadians' safety and security, this includes digital applications, employing and training new people, and using automation technology. In Canada, immigration is the primary driver of population growth. More than a quarter (23%) of the population, or more than 8.3 million people, were or had ever been landed immigrants or permanent residents in Canada in 2021. The highest among the G7 economies, this proportion was the highest since Confederation. Want to know more details about “Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates. Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs. For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations

Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations  In February 2023, the Century Initiative released findings revealing that Canada has a distinct advantage regarding immigrant attraction due to its strong public acceptance of immigration policies. The national, non-partisan charity urges for the economic and societal benefits of increasing Canada’s population to one hundred million by 2100.    The new report states that Canada has an advantage over other countries because its citizens embrace immigrants more than ever. Ever since the late 1990s, Canadian support for immigration has drastically increased alongside a surge in people feeling that multiculturalism is one of Canada’s most defining features – 64% of Canadians agree.   The Environics Institute, a research group that collects public opinion in Canada on the issues that influence the country, recently conducted a Focus Canada study, which is referenced in the Century Initiative report. The conclusion of the study, seven out of 10 Canadians supported the country’s current immigration policies.  When the Environics Institute began keeping track 45 years ago, this was the highest level of support. According to the study, Canadians are conscious of how important immigration is to boost the country’s economy and population.   According to the report, one of the methods is that almost a quarter of all Canadians are immigrants. According to the 2021 census, 1.3 million new permanent residents arrived in Canada between 2016 and 2021, and according to Statistics Canada, this figure may reach 34% by 2041. One of the main factors in Canada’s ability to attract immigrants is, what the report describes as,  Canada’s “International Brand.” Canada is regarded as a nation that offers an excellent quality of life in terms of healthcare, education, housing, safety, and tolerance on a worldwide scale. This indicates that Canada is in a good position to attract and retain immigrants.   The future of immigration in Canada Long-term success for Canada depends on immigration. Canada needs an efficient, user-friendly, and adaptable immigration system in order to fully realize the benefits of immigration and offer immigrants the best possible experience. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have consistently taken steps to limit application backlogs and develop a better immigration system as part of ongoing work to improve client service. To boost processing capacity and efficiency while protecting Canadians’ safety and security, this includes digital applications, employing and training new people, and using automation technology. In Canada, immigration is the primary driver of population growth. More than a quarter (23%) of the population, or more than 8.3 million people, were or had ever been landed immigrants or permanent residents in Canada in 2021. The highest among the G7 economies, this proportion was the highest since Confederation.   Want to know more details about “Canada remains one of the top immigration destinations” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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On March 3, 2023, the Government of Canada opened a new application processing center in the Philippines to accelerate immigration application processing in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada is expanding its capacity to process visa applications worldwide with a newly established center and 37 additional employees.  This new initiative will improve client service and help Canada achieve increasing immigration levels. Canada invests strategically to attract more people from other countries to bolster its international presence. The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established visa offices in over 50 countries. Canada is strategically investing overseas in order to attract more people to the country, whether they are coming to visit, study, work, or immigrate permanently. In more than 50 locations around the world's Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates, IRCC offers visa services. The new application processing center is located in the Canadian Embassy in Manila. Growing cross-cultural ties between Canada and the Philippines contribute to the growth of both societies. 960,000 people of Philippine origin live in Canada, according to the census of 2021, and an increasing number of Filipino citizens migrate to the country to visit friends and family, study at Canadian colleges and universities, or immigrate. With diplomatic relations beginning in 1949, Canada and the Philippines will mark their 75th year of strong and friendly bilateral relations in 2024. The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship stated: "To assist our economic growth, Canada is expected to welcome a high number of immigrants in the years to come. This will give us a boost in the competition for talent around the world and support important sectors and industries. The official announcement today to open a new center in the Philippines with the help of 37 new employees is yet another example of Canada's efforts to speed up the immigration processing process as we continue to encourage greater diversity among those desiring to visit, study, work, or live in Canada.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs stated:  "Deep ties among people in Canada and the Indo-Pacific region, and these ties are not only vast but also expanding rapidly. This operations center will support travel, bring in highly skilled workers to Canada, and accommodate the demands of both our present and future economies.” What is the Indo-Pacific Strategy in regard to Canada Immigration? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada discussed the need to improve ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. In the upcoming years, Canada thinks it will contribute to increasing immigration. Canada has therefore declared the Indo-Pacific strategy in an effort to increase immigration. It seeks to increase the number of immigrants from the Indo-Pacific region. On November 27, 2022, Global Affairs Canada officially introduced the strategy. By 2027, it will attract investments and initiatives reaching approximately 2.3 billion Canadian dollars.  According to information from the Canada Census of 2021, four of the top seven birth countries are: India The Philippines China Pakistan Want to know more details about “Canada opened a new application processing center in the Philippines” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates. Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs. For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Canada opened a new application processing center in the Philippines

On March 3, 2023, the Government of Canada opened a new application processing center in the Philippines to accelerate immigration application processing in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada is expanding its capacity to process visa applications worldwide with a newly established center and 37 additional employees.  This new initiative will improve client service and help Canada achieve increasing immigration levels. Canada invests strategically to attract more people from other countries to bolster its international presence. The Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has established visa offices in over 50 countries.   Canada is strategically investing overseas in order to attract more people to the country, whether they are coming to visit, study, work, or immigrate permanently. In more than 50 locations around the world’s Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates, IRCC offers visa services. The new application processing center is located in the Canadian Embassy in Manila. Growing cross-cultural ties between Canada and the Philippines contribute to the growth of both societies. 960,000 people of Philippine origin live in Canada, according to the census of 2021, and an increasing number of Filipino citizens migrate to the country to visit friends and family, study at Canadian colleges and universities, or immigrate. With diplomatic relations beginning in 1949, Canada and the Philippines will mark their 75th year of strong and friendly bilateral relations in 2024.   The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship stated: “To assist our economic growth, Canada is expected to welcome a high number of immigrants in the years to come. This will give us a boost in the competition for talent around the world and support important sectors and industries. The official announcement today to open a new center in the Philippines with the help of 37 new employees is yet another example of Canada’s efforts to speed up the immigration processing process as we continue to encourage greater diversity among those desiring to visit, study, work, or live in Canada.”   The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs stated:  “Deep ties among people in Canada and the Indo-Pacific region, and these ties are not only vast but also expanding rapidly. This operations center will support travel, bring in highly skilled workers to Canada, and accommodate the demands of both our present and future economies.”   What is the Indo-Pacific Strategy in regard to Canada Immigration? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada discussed the need to improve ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. In the upcoming years, Canada thinks it will contribute to increasing immigration. Canada has therefore declared the Indo-Pacific strategy in an effort to increase immigration. It seeks to increase the number of immigrants from the Indo-Pacific region. On November 27, 2022, Global Affairs Canada officially introduced the strategy. By 2027, it will attract investments and initiatives reaching approximately 2.3 billion Canadian dollars.  According to information from the Canada Census of 2021, four of the top seven birth countries are: India The Philippines China Pakistan   Want to know more details about “Canada opened a new application processing center in the Philippines” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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Canada to introduce one-click citizenship oath to fast-track applications Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have proposed a new solution to expedite the naturalization process, allowing new citizens to affirm their citizenship oath electronically on a secure webpage instead of in person at a traditional ceremony. This amendment will be open for public consultation for 30 days, ending on March 27, 2023.  After completing this process, it may come into effect by June 2023. Experts argue that making becoming a citizen more accessible by removing the oath requirement will devalue citizenship and render it meaningless.  This has been essential to acquiring Canadian citizenship since 1947; thus, any alterations should be considered cautiously. According to the policy analysis statement published in the Canada Gazette, thousands of people apply for citizenship in Canada each year. Rising citizenship application inventories as a result of increased demand, in-person and paper-based processing, and other factors, including COVID-19 restrictions, have led to processing durations that are far longer than the 12-month standard for published service. Applications for citizenship increased by more than double in the five years between 2016–2017 and 2021–2022, from 113 000 to 243 000. With a target of 500 000 permanent residents by 2025, immigration levels are expected to continue to increase, which will result in rising citizenship application percentages. Benefits of one-click citizenship oath applications As it can help with challenges like long processing times and application inventories, technology has the potential to significantly improve customer service. In modernizing the Citizenship Program and reducing inventories and wait times for better customer service, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (the Department) has introduced digital and online initiatives.  Among the initiatives to modernize the citizenship process are the possibility and processing of electronic citizenship applications (e-applications), the administration of online citizenship tests, the maintenance of an online application tracker, the holding of virtual citizenship ceremonies, and the use of electronic citizenship certificates (e-certificates). Results are beginning to show up: processing times and citizenship application inventories have decreased over the last 12 months. Due to these innovations, temporary funding, and extra hiring, the Department is on track to process a record 300 000 new citizenship applications in the fiscal year 2022–2023, an increase of approximately 34% from the fiscal year 2021–2022. The update of the Citizenship Program still needs to be advanced, though. As of October 2022, there was a backlog of about 358 000 citizenship applications, and applicants had to wait 24 months before taking the oath of Citizenship.  The Oath of Citizenship can now be taken as flexible, including without or in the presence of an authorized person, due to changes made to the Regulations. With more freedom, the Department would be able to implement measures that improve client satisfaction and speed up the processing of citizenship applications while still allowing applicants to meet the Oath of Citizenship requirement. Want to know more details about “Canada to introduce one-click citizenship oath to fast-track applications” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates. Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs. For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Canada to introduce one-click citizenship oath to fast-track applications

Canada to introduce one-click citizenship oath to fast-track applications Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have proposed a new solution to expedite the naturalization process, allowing new citizens to affirm their citizenship oath electronically on a secure webpage instead of in person at a traditional ceremony. This amendment will be open for public consultation for 30 days, ending on March 27, 2023.    After completing this process, it may come into effect by June 2023. Experts argue that making becoming a citizen more accessible by removing the oath requirement will devalue citizenship and render it meaningless.  This has been essential to acquiring Canadian citizenship since 1947; thus, any alterations should be considered cautiously.   According to the policy analysis statement published in the Canada Gazette, thousands of people apply for citizenship in Canada each year. Rising citizenship application inventories as a result of increased demand, in-person and paper-based processing, and other factors, including COVID-19 restrictions, have led to processing durations that are far longer than the 12-month standard for published service.   Applications for citizenship increased by more than double in the five years between 2016–2017 and 2021–2022, from 113 000 to 243 000. With a target of 500 000 permanent residents by 2025, immigration levels are expected to continue to increase, which will result in rising citizenship application percentages.   Benefits of one-click citizenship oath applications As it can help with challenges like long processing times and application inventories, technology has the potential to significantly improve customer service. In modernizing the Citizenship Program and reducing inventories and wait times for better customer service, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (the Department) has introduced digital and online initiatives.    Among the initiatives to modernize the citizenship process are the possibility and processing of electronic citizenship applications (e-applications), the administration of online citizenship tests, the maintenance of an online application tracker, the holding of virtual citizenship ceremonies, and the use of electronic citizenship certificates (e-certificates). Results are beginning to show up: processing times and citizenship application inventories have decreased over the last 12 months. Due to these innovations, temporary funding, and extra hiring, the Department is on track to process a record 300 000 new citizenship applications in the fiscal year 2022–2023, an increase of approximately 34% from the fiscal year 2021–2022.   The update of the Citizenship Program still needs to be advanced, though. As of October 2022, there was a backlog of about 358 000 citizenship applications, and applicants had to wait 24 months before taking the oath of Citizenship.    The Oath of Citizenship can now be taken as flexible, including without or in the presence of an authorized person, due to changes made to the Regulations. With more freedom, the Department would be able to implement measures that improve client satisfaction and speed up the processing of citizenship applications while still allowing applicants to meet the Oath of Citizenship requirement.   Want to know more details about “Canada to introduce one-click citizenship oath to fast-track applications” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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Ottawa transports asylum seekers from Quebec to other provinces Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Christine Frechette, announced that the Government of Canada had transported nearly all asylum seekers arriving in Canada through the Roxham Road to other provinces.  As a result, the majority of 380 migrants who arrived in Quebec by that route - 373 - have been relocated, mainly to Ontario. Since last summer, the Federal Government has continuously transferred migrants from Roxham Road due to capacity issues in Quebec.  Thus, over 5300 people have been moved from Quebec since June 2022, including 500 to Windsor and nearly 2700 individuals to Niagara Falls in Ontario. It's an indication, according to Quebec's Minister of Immigration, Christine Frechette, that Ottawa is now paying attention to Quebec's concerns about the influx of asylum seekers entering the province through the irregular border crossing. “We're happy about this. We hope that this will continue and that this will be the new strategy for managing asylum seekers and the borders.” The minister stated that she was unable to go into more in detail regarding how the asylum seekers are being transported to other parts of Canada. Later, CBC News was informed by her spokesman that the federal government had allocated hundreds of hotel rooms. About 40,000 asylum seekers entered Canada via Roxham Road in the prior year. That number corresponds to around 42% of applicants in 2022. Want to know more details about “Ottawa transports asylum seekers from Quebec to other provinces” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates. Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs. For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

Ottawa transports asylum seekers from Quebec to other provinces

Ottawa transports asylum seekers from Quebec to other provinces Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Christine Frechette, announced that the Government of Canada had transported nearly all asylum seekers arriving in Canada through the Roxham Road to other provinces.  As a result, the majority of 380 migrants who arrived in Quebec by that route – 373 – have been relocated, mainly to Ontario. Since last summer, the Federal Government has continuously transferred migrants from Roxham Road due to capacity issues in Quebec.    Thus, over 5300 people have been moved from Quebec since June 2022, including 500 to Windsor and nearly 2700 individuals to Niagara Falls in Ontario. It’s an indication, according to Quebec’s Minister of Immigration, Christine Frechette, that Ottawa is now paying attention to Quebec’s concerns about the influx of asylum seekers entering the province through the irregular border crossing. “We’re happy about this. We hope that this will continue and that this will be the new strategy for managing asylum seekers and the borders.” The minister stated that she was unable to go into more in detail regarding how the asylum seekers are being transported to other parts of Canada. Later, CBC News was informed by her spokesman that the federal government had allocated hundreds of hotel rooms.   About 40,000 asylum seekers entered Canada via Roxham Road in the prior year. That number corresponds to around 42% of applicants in 2022.   Want to know more details about “Ottawa transports asylum seekers from Quebec to other provinces” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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The TFWP is transitioning to online LMIA applications

The TFWP is transitioning to online LMIA applications

The TFWP is transitioning to online LMIA applications according to an update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is moving to online Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications starting April 3, 2023.  The LMIA Online Portal, a dependable and secure digital platform, offers Canadian employers and their representatives the opportunity to submit an LMIA application directly to Service Canada. To access the LMIA Online Portal, employers and third-party representatives (if applicable) must possess a valid Job Bank Account.   Types of online LMIA applications There are the types of Online Applications that can be submitted online: Global Talent Stream Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program Agricultural stream Express Entry (Permanent Residency) Academics, specialist doctors, registered nurses Facilitated LMIA process for Quebec employers High and Low Wage streams In-home caregivers   What is an Online LMIA Portal?  The LMIA Online Portal is a reliable and safe great technology. It enables employers in Canada and third-party agents to submit an LMIA application to Service Canada on its behalf.    How to use LMIA Online Portal?  You can do the following in the LMIA Online Portal after having a Job Bank account: submit an LMIA application 24 hours a day and 7 days a week complete or return to an LMIA application before submitting it to Service Canada upload supporting documents securely pay LMIA fees, if applicable get real-time updates on the status of your application view correspondence and decision letters issued by Service Canada review previously submitted applications access and follow the status of your application when a third-party representative is submitting an LMIA application on your behalf You can check the status of your application at any time by logging into your LMIA Online account if you filed it through the LMIA Online Portal.   Processing times for LMIA on average in January 2023 can be found here   What is Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?  Before hiring a foreign worker, a Canadian employer may be required to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A positive LMIA will show that a foreign worker is required to fill the position. Additionally, it will show that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is suitable for the position. A confirmation letter is yet another term for a positive LMIA.   Want to know more details about “The TFWP is transitioning to online LMIA applications” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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IRCC processing times

IRCC processing times for citizenship and family sponsorship applications

IRCC processing times for citizenship and family sponsorship applications were updated on February 7, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) updated the application processing times to help applicants know how long their application processing may take until a decision is made.  According to the update, IRCC processes citizenship applications within 23 months. Application processing times for spousal sponsorship applications were around 14-16 months, while PR applications for parents and grandparents took 39 months.  The latest IRCC data reveals that the Canadian immigration backlog was at a staggering 918,300, and 1.055 million applications were processed within IRCC service standards. These processing times are designed to provide updated weekly processing times based on information collected over the past six months. Furthermore, the application processing period begins when it is received by the IRCC and ends when the immigration officer decides whether to move forward with the application.   IRCC processing times for Citizenship applications  Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Citizenship grant 23 months No Change Citizenship certificate (proof of citizenship) 14 months No Change Resumption of citizenship 24 months No Change Renunciation of Citizenship 15 months No Change The search for citizenship records 16 months No Change   IRCC processing times for family sponsorship applications Application Type Current Processing Time Change From Last Week Spouse or common-law partner living outside Canada 16 months No Change Spouse or common-law partner living in Canada 14 months No Change Parents or Grandparents PR 39 months No Change   Want to know more details about “IRCC processing times for citizenship and family sponsorship application updates” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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open work permit

Ottawa open work permit program extended for Hong Kong nationals

On February 6, 2023, the Government of Canada extended the Ottawa open work permit program for eligible Hong Kong nationals. According to the expanded eligibility requirements, Hong Kong residents who have graduated within the past ten years from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad can obtain a work permit for up to 3 years.    Before, only those who had graduated within the last five years were eligible for application. Moreover, Canada has created two pathways to permanent residency for qualified Hong Kong nationals and their families. Immigration Minister Honourable Sean Fraser, “expanding the open work permit public policy also means that spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of Hong Kong residents can apply for a study or work permit in Canada, resulting in even more workers for employers to hire and more people coming to our communities.” “We need to continue to bring in more immigrants to ensure that Canadian business owners can hire the workers they need to support our economy.” In November 2020, Ottawa committed to creating a program for immigrants from Hong Kong to immigrate to Canada. The federal government announced two additional routes to permanent residency for Hong Kong residents in June 2021, shortly after the work-permit plan went into effect.   The two routes are typically referred to as Stream A and Stream B.  For Stream A, candidates must have completed their post-secondary education in Canada within the previous three years.  For Stream B, applicants must have at least one year of work experience in Canada and a recent post-secondary degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution or its foreign equivalent.   Those who applied for an open work permit are advised to proceed through Stream B, and because applicants had to have graduated within the previous five years, by the time they applied for that permanent residency option, those on the open work permit might have outgrown that criterion.   Want to know more details about the “Ottawa open work permit program extended for Hong Kong nationals” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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ESDC processing times

ESDC processing times updated for LMIA applications

ESDC processing times updated for LMIA applications Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) has updated the processing times for the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications under various streams.  Based on statistics from all processing centers, the current average LMIA processing times reduced for all streams except for Global Talent and the two agricultural streams:  Application Time Average Processing Time Global Talent Stream 10 business days (+ 1 day) Agricultural stream 18 business days Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program 11 business days (+3 days) Permanent residence stream 17 business days (-6 days) In-home caregivers 25 business days (-11 days) High-wage stream 34 business days (-4 days) Low-wage stream 36 business days (-3 days)   Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) The Canadian government’s ESDC department is in charge of the federal labor market and social programs. The department manages a number of federal government programs and services, including, among others, Employment Insurance, Service Canada sites, the federal Labor Program, the Canada Pension Plan, and the Canada Student Loan Program.   What is Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?  Before hiring a foreign worker, a Canadian employer may be required to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A positive LMIA will show that a foreign worker is required to fill the position. Additionally, it will show that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident is suitable for the position. A confirmation letter is yet another term for a positive LMIA. Want to know more details about “ESDC processing times updated for LMIA applications” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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Newfoundland and Labrador 

Newfoundland and Labrador to recruit physicians and nurses from Ireland

On January 9, 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that the provincial government was preparing to recruit physicians and nurses from Ireland to fill vacancies in the province. Ireland has been selected due to its physician training standards being comparable to those in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with the vast opportunity for recruiting nurses who are eligible for licensure.    The province’s Ministry of Health and Community Services will send a team to Ireland to raise awareness of Newfoundland and Labrador as an ideal immigration destination.    The team headed for Ireland this week will be headed by the Honorable Tom Osborne, the minister of health and community services. In order to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as attractive immigration destinations, the team will visit a number of cities. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador, the College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Health Authorities will all have representatives on the team.   The team will look for hiring options for nurses who fulfill equivalent license requirements because Ireland’s training standards for doctors are equivalent to those in Newfoundland and Labrador. Additionally, a large number of excellent medical and nursing schools were picked for the region. The provincial government has made a substantial investment of $30 million to attract and retain healthcare professionals.   An overview of the Newfoundland and Labrador  Canada’s easternmost province, Newfoundland and Labrador, is located in the Atlantic area. The province, with a land area of 405,212 square kilometers, is made up of the island of Newfoundland and the continent of Labrador. 521,758 people were predicted to live in the province in 2021. 94% of the people in the province reside on the island of Newfoundland, with the Avalon Peninsula hosting the majority of people. The French overseas territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is located about 20 km west of the Burin Peninsula and is surrounded by the Canadian province of Labrador.   The most linguistically homogeneous province in Canada is Newfoundland and Labrador, where 97.0% of people reported English as their first language in the 2016 census. With a high portion of English and Irish settlers as ancestors, Newfoundland has earned the reputation of “the most Irish place outside of Ireland.”   To find out more details about “Newfoundland and Labrador to recruit physicians and nurses from Ireland” you can contact one of our immigration specialists at  Gunness & Associates.   Tel: (416) 604-2669  Email: info@immigrationmatters.info   Gunness & Associates has helped thousands of people successfully immigrate to Canada with their families. Our skilled and experienced immigration experts have the expertise to accurately examine your case and advise you on the best method of proceeding to best serve your needs.   For honest and straightforward advice, contact the experts at Gunness & Associates. Get a free Assessment  Join our newsletter and get up-to-date immigration news Click here All rights reserved ©2022 Gunness & Associate

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