Gateway to Canada

Kung Hei Fat Choi! | 3rd Year Anniversary of MOA Office (Coastal Mall Office Now Closed)

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:10:00 +0000

It was Chinese New Year celebration when Canadian Immigration Consultancy office in Mall of Asia was opened 3 years ago. Thus, we at CIC Mall of Asia celebrates our office anniversary during Chinese New Year. Allow us then to greet you: Kung Hei Fat Choi!

When we opened the Mall of Asia office 3 years ago, there was already a plan to close the Coastal Mall office. However, the decision to close Coastal Mall office was delayed due to several factors. But now, please be informed that our Coastal Mall office is already closed. Please visit us instead at our Mall of Asia office.

Mall of Asia Office is located at ground floor North Wing, just beside North Parking entrance along Sunset Avenue.

January 2012 Visa Bulletin is now out!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:41:00 +0000

May the year 2012 be the year all our dreams come true. Happy New Year!

January 2012 Visa Bulletin

Visa Bulletin is a monthly newsletter for Gateway to Canada clients. If you are planning to immigrate to Canada or with a pending application, you may learn a thing or two from it.

MI-3 Update: Cap reached for skilled worker NOC 2121 (Biologist and Related Scientist)

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

As of January 3, 2011 CIC online update, cap for skilled worker NOC 2121 (Biologist and Related Scientist) has been reached already.

Biologists and Related Scientists with Arranged Employment may still file an application under the Federal Skilled Workers program.

For the updated MI-3 updates, visit CIC website.

First Super Visa was issued at the Canadian Visa Office in Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:49:00 +0000

The first Super Visa was issued at the Canadian Visa Office in Manila! That's according to the statement of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism dated December 19, 2011.

The first Super Visa was issued at the Canadian mission in Manila on December 14, 2011, only two weeks after CIC began accepting applications.

"With the Super Visa, we have taken a common sense approach that allows parents and grandparents to spend extended periods of time with their loved ones in Canada, while at the same time, acting responsibly in protecting Canadian taxpayers," Minister Kenney added. “I’m pleased that the response to this program has been so positive.” [Source]

Do you need assistance for Parent and Grandparent Super Visas application? Email me at aapuntar@go2canada.com.

Merry Christmas to you all!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 00:49:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to you all!

SUN Mob No. 0932-8882058

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:03:00 +0000

This is just a quick post to let you know of my alternative mobile number. It's SUN Mob No. 0932-8882058.

Here's our updated contact page.

Please note that my SMART Mobile No. 0928-5008826 is currently not availble due to SIM Card error. Still waiting for SIM replacement.

Update (January 7, 2012): My Smart SIM Card problem is still not fixed. Looks like I will have to give up that SMART Number. Goodbye, SMART?

Help CDO | One for Iligan

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:48:00 +0000

While most of us are busy with our Christmas shoping, flood victims of tropical storm Sendong badly need help.

Here's how to help Sendong's victims as summarized by Interaksyon.Com.

More information on how to help here: One for Iligan: Help the Typhoon Sendong Victims.

Now is the best time to give love, not just on Christmas day.

Positive Assessment as LPN

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:51:00 +0000

Remember my blog post about Registered Nurse as Licensed Practial Nurse?

A couple of days ago, I received an SMS from one my blog readers informing me about his application as LPN.

"Hi Apol. I'm an avid reader of your blog. I read a couple of months back ur article abt the possibility of RN to be eligible for LPN. I applied on September and today, I received a positive assessment. I had the courage to apply for LPN because of your article. Thank you Apol. Merry Xmas." - Dave.

His application is still subject to evaluation of Canadian Visa Office but one thing is obvious here. The Centralized Intake Office accepted his application as LPN! If his documents are in order, he will moving to Canada pretty soon!

Thanks for the feedback, Dave!

Modified Fee Payment Form

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:28:00 +0000

In connection with the changes to Provincial Nomination Program application process, Citizenship and Immigration Canada modief the Fee Payment Form - Application for Permanent Residence.

It's basically the same Payment Fee Form (IMM 5620) except that they added the following information:

This form must accompany your application for Permanent Residence under one of the followng programs:

Federal Skilled Worker program (FSW)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW)

So what's the consequence if you used the old form?

The way things are going at Centralized Intake Office (CIO), it is not surprising if your application will be returned just because you used the old form. And I kid you not.

December 2011 Visa Bulletin is Now Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:57:00 +0000

Material possesions fade away in time. Flowers wither. Chocolates melt easily. Now, what kind of gift should you give your family this Christmas?

December 2011 Visa Bulletin is Now Out!

Update: Provincial Nominee Program Application Process

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:30:00 +0000

Effective Dec. 1, 2011, all provincial nominees must submit their permanent resident applications to CIC's new centralized intake unit in Sydney, N.S. This is after receiving the nomination certificate from the province.

Prior to this, provincial nominees submit permanent resident visa applications to the Canadian Visa Office. With the new Provincial Nominee Program Application Process, it may mean further delay in the application process.

Provincial Nominee Program now have 3 application stages:

1. Application for Nomination Certificate

2. Assessment from CIO

3. Verification by the Canadian Visa Office.

More information about the changes here.

Vancouver Airport Video

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:16:00 +0000

Moving to Vancouver? Check out the the First Time Immigrant Fare for 2012 Departure and get discounts. You may also want to watch this Vancouver Airport Video to be more prepared upon landing in Vancouver.

Moving to Canada? Book Now for 2012 Departure | First Time Immigrant Fare

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:47:00 +0000

Moving to Canada? Get a discounted rate from CIC Travel. Book now for 2012 Departure via Cathay Pacific.

Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:17:00 +0000

Have you seen the Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project Youtube video yet? If you are an overseas contract worker you will surely be touched by this Coca-Cola project for OFW's.

I have just watched it and I can't help but cry. And then I realized, there is a better alternative in working as an overseas contract worker - Immigrating to Canada!

By immigrating to Canada, you can bring your family with you. You don't need to be separated with your loved ones just to earn in dollars.

Aside from your spouse and kids, you can also get your parents and grandparents through Parent and Grandparent Super Visas.

One of the OFW's featured in this Coca-Cola Where Will Happiness Strike Next: The OFW Project is an X-Ray Technologist. His occupation is included in the 29 in-demand occupations. Within 6-12 months, he can live and work in Canada with his family.

Make the right choice. Go for a long-term solution. Immigrate to Canada.

CLICK HERE for FREE Online Assessment.

Kudos to Coca-Cola for this wonderful project. This is not a paid post. ;-)

Cap Reached for Pharmacists | CIO MI-3 Update as of November 23, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 04:29:00 +0000

As of November 23, 2011, the cap for Pharmacists has been reached already. This means Centralized Intake Office (CIO) will only accept applications under this job classification for those with Arranged Employment.

But of course, the cap could have been reached much earlier than November 23. The online tally is not a real-time report.

For Registered Nurses for example, Citizenship and Immigration Canada reported that the cap for nurses was reached on September 20, 2011 with a little disclaimer that 'he number of complete Federal Skilled Worker applications received is approximate". It appears however that in reality cap has been reached as early as July 15, 2011. Read November 2011 Visa Bulletin for more details.

If you are a Pharmacist who want to live and work in Canada, get your documents ready as early as now. Be ready to file in an instant once your occupation is open again.

FREE Online IELTS Simulation Test

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:06:00 +0000

For clients of Canadian Immigration Consultancy who can't visit our office for the FREE IELTS Simulation Test, you can now do the IELTS simulation test online!

Simply visit http://clients.go2canada.com and log on using your username and password.

November 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:24:00 +0000

November 2011 Visa Bulletin is now out!

As of November 10, 2011, Centralized Intake Office already received a total of 3,809 applications from the 29 in-demand occupations under Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3). Only a maximum of 10,000 applications will be received with a cap of 500 for each occupation. The cap for Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management and Registered Nurses have been reached few months ago.

November 2011 Visa Bulletin

Seminar Schedule - Makati City | Mang Inasal - Evangelista

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Interested to live and work in Canada? We have a seminar schedule on November 26, 2011 at Mang Inasal - Evengalista Branch in Brgy. Bangkal Makati City.

It is now easier and faster to immigrate to Canada. Find out how!

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Parent and Grandparent Super Visas

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:29:00 +0000

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently published the Ministerial Instruction 4 (MI-4) in Canada Gazette. It contains details on the temporary pause on Family Class Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents for 24 months effective November 5, 2011. This is to address the application backlogs and to speed up the process for Family Class Sponsorship for Parents and Grandparents. And as part of this action is the introduction of Parent and Grandparent Super Visas.

What is Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

Parent and Grandparent Super Visas is a multiple-entry visa that will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status. The Parent and Grandparent Super Visa will come into effect on December 1, 2011.

What is the processing period for Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

Citizenship ang Immigration Canada will be able to issue the visas, on average, within eight weeks of the application. This means that instead of waiting for eight years, a parent or a grandparent can come to Canada within eight weeks. Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applicants will be required to obtain private Canadian health-care insurance for their stay in Canada.

How to qualify for Parent and Grandparent Super Visas?

To qualify, parents and grandparents must:

1. Undergo the Immigration Medical Examination (unless exempted);

2. Demonstrate that they have purchased private Canadian medical insurance; and

3. Provide a written commitment of financial support from a child or grandchild in Canada who meets a minimum income threshold.

Parent and Grandparent Super Visas is ideal for parents and grandparents who do not really want to immigrate to Canada but want to visit their families in Canada whenever they want.

Ministerial Instruction 4 (MI-4): Temporary Pause on Family Class Sponsorship Applications for Parents and Grandparents

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:54:00 +0000

Starting November 5, 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will temporarily stop accepting new applications for Family Classs Sponsrship for Parents and Grandparents. This new policy is contained in the Ministerial Instruction 4 (MI-4) published at Canada Gazette.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act which was amended on June 18, 2008, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration authority was given 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 temporary pause will be implement only for 24 months while a better program is being considered. Cutting down the backlogs and faster family reunification are the main objectives of this new action plan. And to give chance for parents and grandparents to be with their families in Canada, Citizenship and Immigration introduced Parent and Grandparent Super Visa which will be available starting December 1, 2011. Simply put, this Parent and Grandparent Super Visas is a multiple-entry visa (valid up to 10 years) will allow an applicant to remain in Canada for up to 24 months at a time without the need for renewal of their status.

For the full text of the MI-4 instruction, click here.

French language evaluation test did the trick!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:43:00 +0000

Ms. Romina Santos with her parents

Ms. Romina Santos is a Registered Social Worker, single, without Master's Degree and with only one year related work experience. Even if she has a relative in Canada and gets a perfect score in IELTS, she wouldn't have met the 67 points pass mark if not for the additional points from French Language.

I first met her parents when they attended the visa party last year. Her parents' occupation were not included in the 38 prioroty occupations under the Ministerial Instruction 1. Her mom also submitted her resume for assessment but at that time, Social Workers were not included in the list as well. They were quite sad, as they really wanted to live and work in Canada.

When the Ministerial Instruction 2 was issued, I immediately inform them about the opportunity for the Social Workers. But there's a problem. She wouldn't meet the pass mark unless she got additional points from French Language.

I told them that if they really wanted to live and work in Canada, she has to take the French language evaluattion test (TEF) to get additional points.

It wasn't a problem for her at all because she's currently working as a French Call Center Agent.

Ms. Maria Angeles Escasa - Training Officer

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:11:00 +0000

Ms. Maria Angeles Escasa's application was filed under Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1) as Training Officer. She is now working as Care Manager for a nursing home.

See more of Ms. Irene Delara's clients with visa.

Ms. Charina Lukban | Registered Nurse

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 15:14:00 +0000

Ms. Charina Lukban went to our office yesterday to get her long awaited visa. She filed her application under Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1) so there's a slight delay. Ms. Charina learned about our office through her friend, Ms. Ruby Calasag. They both applied as Registered Nurses. She will soon be joining Ms. Ruby in Canada!

Dependent Child of a Depenent Child or Spouse | Qualified Dependent

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:19:00 +0000

QUESTION: My wife has a son from her previous marriage. Can I include her son as my dependent for our permanent residence visa application?

ANSWER: You may include all your family members in your application. Family members include a spouse, a common-law partner, dependent children, and the dependent child of a dependent child.

Dependent child of a dependent child refers to children of dependent children of the principal applicant or those of his or her spouse or common-law partner.

Yes, you may include your wife's son as a dependent or family member.

Reference: Guide 7000

MI-3 Update | Total Number of Applications Received as of October 18, 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:45:00 +0000

As of October 18, 2011, the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) already receive a total number of 2,983 applications to be processed under the Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3). These are from applicants with at least one year experience in any of the 29 in-demand occupations.

Applications received per eligible occupation:

Eligible Occupation	Number of Complete Applications Received
0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers	288
0811 Primary Production Managers (except Agriculture)	24
1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management	(Cap reached)
1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners	49
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists	178
2151 Architects	89
3111 Specialist Physicians	143
3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians	149
3113 Dentists	185
3131 Pharmacists	320
3142 Physiotherapists	40
3152 Registered Nurses	(Cap reached)
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists	16
3222 Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists	12
3233 Licensed Practical Nurses	69
4151 Psychologists	19
4152 Social Workers	102
6241 Chefs	23
6242 Cooks	56
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades	30
7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades	55
7241 Electricians (except Industrial and Power System)	32
7242 Industrial Electricians	24
7251 Plumbers	5
7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators	13
7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics	11
7371 Crane Operators	2
7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction	2
8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service	30

Between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, a maximum of 10,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing. Within the 10,000 cap, a maximum of 500 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same time frame.