Gateway to Canada

Live and Work in Canada Information Seminar | June 16, 2012, Bayview Park Hotel - Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:56:00 +0000

Interested to live and work in Canada? Come and join us in awarding visas to clients who recently received their passports to better quality of life in Canada. Hear their stories, learn your options and get your qualifications evaluated!

Seminar details:

Venue: Bayview Park Hotel - Manila Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila
Date: June 16, 2012 | Saturday 2pm
Registration Fee: P500 (single)|P1,000(married)
Click Here for reservation

On or before July 1, 2012, there will be a new window of opportunity for those interested to live and work in Canada. You should be ready at all times!

Ala Eh, Canada!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:43:00 +0000

Here's another client whose application was filed under Ministerial Instruction 1. There was a slight delay in the processing but just the same, they will be moving to Canada really soon!

Mr Nick Manzo and family

Mr. Nick Manzo is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the province of Batangas, the home of Ale Eh!

Interested to live and work in Canada, too? Click here for Free Online Assessment!

Maribel Naron No Longer Connected with Gateway to Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 12 May 2012 14:03:00 +0000

Please be informed that Maribel Naron-Briagas is no longer connected with Proactive Immigration Advisers (Authorized Agent of Canadian Immigration Consultancy).

For clients who already signed up with us through Ms. Maribel Naron, you may coordinate with Ms. Riza Lomocso/Irene Delara/Jean Montano.

New accounts/contracts and payments made through Ms. Maribel Naron will not be honored by the company.

May 2012 Visa Bulletin - GET READY!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:31:00 +0000

There's only less than 2 months left before a new Ministerial Instruction will be issued by the Immigration Minister. The Minesterial Instruction will identify the new priority occupations, the number of application to be accepted and quite possibly, the changes to Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) program points system.

Get Ready!

Because there is a limit on the number of applications be received, it would be best if the following are now ready. To really have a good chance, the following documents must be ready on or before July 1, 2012:

1. IELTS Examination results. Visit www.ielts.org to check and schedule your test, if you haven't done yet. Ideally, the results must be available before July 1, 2012.

2. Settlement Funds. The amount required depends on the number of family members. Back Certificate is required.

3. Employment Certificate and other supporting documents. Get in touch with your Assiged Agent and Documentation Specialist.

4. Application forms. Log on to http://clients.go2canada.com to fill out and complete the forms.

5. Visa Processing fee

Please be informed that there is of course no guarantee that your occupation will be included in the priority list or if the new points system will be favorable to you. In getting your documents ready, you will incur some costs. Consider it as your investment. And just like any other investment, there is an accompanying risk. It's your choice.

What's New?

SINP Family Category New Requirements
Applicants under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Family Category are now required to have a job offer before they could apply. Concurrent nominations are no longer allowed. These changes took effect on May 1, 2012.

Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently launched a consulation on whether to create a new and specialized program to attract immigrant entrepreneurs - the Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs.

FSWP Skilled Trades program
The proposed Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) Skilled Trades program would create a means for skilled tradespersons to be assessed based on criteria geared towards their reality, putting more emphasis on practical training and work experience rather than formal education.

Manila Visa Office FSW Processing Updates

Pre-Feb 27, 2008 FSW Applications
Applications filed before February 27, 2008 are those filed mostly using the Simplified Application Process. Current proceesing period for this batch is 82 months. Canadian Visa Office in Manila is currently processing applications filed November 25, 2004. Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposed a legislation to wipe out this backlog and refund the processing fees of FSW applications filed before February 27, 2008 which do not have a decision as March 29, 2012.
Read: Refund up to $130 million FSW Processng Fees, Proposed.

Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1)
MI-1 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from Feb 28, 2008 to June 25, 2010. Applicants under this batch are those with at least one year experience in of the 38 high demand occupations. For the last two weeks, we received several notices (Medical Instructions, Passport Requests and Visas) from the Visa Office for this batch. Medical Instructions were issued to cases filed on March 25, 2011 (documents submitted to Visa Office after CIO assessment).

Ministerial Instruction 2 (MI-2)
MI-2 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from June 26, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Applicants under this batch are those with at least one year experience in any of the 29 in-demand occupations and were promised 6-12 months processing period. All MI-2 applications now have assessment result. The latest who received Medical Examination requests under this group are those filed to CIO dated June 17, 2011.

Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3)
MI-3 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from July 1, 2011 until the 10,000 cap was reached few days ago. CIO is no longer accepting new applications under Federal Skilled Workers program, except those with AEO or currently in Canada under a PhD program.
Read: MI-3 Is Now Closed | 10,000 Cap Has Been Reached

For this batchm the latest assessment notice we have received so far are for those filed March 30, 2012. The latest application which received Medical Instruction was application filed December 15, 2011.

May 2012 Visa Bulletin

SINP Family Members Category New Requirements

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Effective May 1, 2012, Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) will implement changes in the SINP Family Members Category:

1. SINP will limit the number of concurrent nominations/applications that can be supported to one per household until the principal applicant successfully settles in Saskatchewan.
2. The principal applicant will also be required to have an offer of employment in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code A or B or designated trade.

Do you have relatives in Saskatchewan? Click Here for FREE online assessment.

To be considered for the SINP Family Members Category, you must:

1. Be between 18 - 49 years old.
2. Have a signed affidavit of support (SINP-500-22) from your supporting family household in Saskatchewan.
3. Have completed post-secondary education, training, or apprenticeship of at least one year in length that has resulted in a diploma, a certificate, or a degree.
4. Have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in your intended occupation (your employment offer in Saskatchewan).
5. Have an offer of full-time, permanent employment in Saskatchewan either in an occupation or trade in the NOC Matrix level "A" or "B", or in a designated trade in Saskatchewan.
6. Have sufficient language proficiency in one or both of the official languages in Canada.

More information here.

MI-3 Is Now Closed | 10,000 Cap Has Been Reached

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 09 May 2012 03:52:00 +0000

When I checked Citizenship and Immigration Canada's website this morning for update on the number of applications received for Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3), this is what saw:

The cap fro MI-3 has been reached. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has received 10,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications for processing since July 1, 2011. This means, they will no longer accept new applications until June 30, 2012.

I'm not when was this posted. I believe it was posted just few hours ago since it wasn't like this yesterday night. I was looking for date references and noticed a discrepancy:

This page was supposedly updated May 7, 2012 but information posted in that page pertains to report dated May 8, 2012. I don't know how to explain that.

If new Ministerial Instructions are not issued before July 1, 2012, the current cap of 10,000 new applications will re-set on that date.

Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:40:00 +0000

Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently launched a consulation on whether to create a new and specialized program to attract immigrant entrepreneurs - the Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs.

“Our Government’s top priority remains jobs, growth and long-term prosperity. Canada cannot afford to lose out in the competition for foreign entrepreneurs among immigrant-receiving countries,” said Minister Jason Kenney. “We need to proactively target a new type of immigrant entrepreneur who has the potential to build innovative companies that can compete on a global scale and create jobs for Canadians.”

Source: CIC News Release

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, announces the Government’s intention to introduce a program to attract innovative entrepreneurs, with Kevin O’Leary, founder of O’Leary Ventures – Toronto, ON

FSWP Skilled Trade Program | Modernized Federal Skilled Worker Program

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:13:00 +0000

If approved, it will now be easier for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada. In Citizenship and Immigration Canada's news release dated April 10, 2012, it announced its intention to create a new Skilled Trades Program, as part of the plan to modernized Federal Skill Worker Program (FSWP).

The proposed FSWP Skilled Trades program would create a means for skilled tradespersons to be assessed based on criteria geared towards their reality, putting more emphasis on practical training and work experience rather than formal education. The new skilled trades stream would avoid some of the complexities of the traditional points grid. Skilled trades applicants will, however, need to meet minimum language requirements, given the importance of language as a determinant of immigrant success. [Source]

This new program may be implemented later this year. My guess is it will be implemented this coming July 2012 in time for the Ministerial Instruction 5.

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, accompanied by Michelle Rempel, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and M.P. for Calgary Centre-North, speaks to workers at the Bow II construction site, announcing the intention to create a new Federal Skilled Trades Program as part of the government’s economic program focused on jobs, growth, and prosperity. – Calgary, AB / Image Credit: http://cic.gc.ca

Read more about the proposed changes to FSW Points System.

Happy Easter!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 11:54:00 +0000

I found this really interesting Easter egg from Facebook. How about you, how's your Easter Egg Hunting?

Image Credit: Facebook.

Here's a statement from Ministers Kenney and Baird regarding the celebration of Easter.

Happy Easter!

April 2012 Visa Bulletin Is Now Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 02:34:00 +0000

The proposed legislation to wipe out FSW backlog is not easy to accept if you are one of those who have waited for almost 8 years already only to be told that your application will not be processed. The process may be more difficult for you, but all is not lost. For something as valuable as an immigrant visa to Canada, it is still worth it.

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

April 2012 Visa Bulletin - All Is Not Lost

Mr. and Mrs. Accountant

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:52:00 +0000

Mr. and Mrs Castelo with Mr. Apol Apuntar

Ms. Juvilyn Abando and Mr. Paulo Castelo were still single when they first visited our office. They are both Certified Public Accountant, more than four years of experience and with immediate relative in Canada. They are both eligible under the Federal Skilled Workers program in their own right.

However, they decided to get married first before filing their application instead of filing individually. Such decision did not make any difference in the amount they would have paid for the visa processing fee, but definitely, they were able save on the consultancy fee. ~~They were just being what they are - Accountants!~~

Accountants are not included in the current list of priority occupations. It's a good thing that they made a timely decision 2 years ago. When they learned that Accountants are included in the priority list, they immediately grabbed the opportunity.

Their application was filed under MI-1 and was submitted to the visa office in Manila around October 2010. Their visa was delivered to our office last Friday, March 30, 2012. There was a delay in processing for applications filed under MI-1 and they are one of those who were affected. Their waiting is over, they will be moving to Canada soon!

Do you want to live and work in Canada, too? Click here for FREE online assessment.

Options for Pre-February 27, 2008 FSW Applicants

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:46:00 +0000

The proposed legislation aiming to close the files of FSW applicants who applied before February 27, 2008, and for whom an immigration officer has not made a decision based on selection criteria by March 29, 2012 will most likely be passed in the Parliament.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada thinks it has the power to put these changes in place. Whether this is legal or not, one thing is certain: It is a sad news for those affected by the changes.

The question now is, what happens next? What are the options or remedy for those who will be affected?

On the question of how will this change may affect one's application, please refer to the Questions and answers: Changes that affect Federal Skilled Worker applications provided by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Q. Would I be affected if CIC removes the FSW backlog?

A. Under the proposed changes, CIC would close Federal Skilled Worker applicants’ files if they:

* applied before February 27, 2008, and
* have not had a decision made by an immigration officer based on selection criteria by March 29, 2012. (information on selection criteria is below)

We expect this would affect around 280,000 people including dependents.

If the proposed law is passed, CIC would begin to return the full amount of fees paid by affected FSW applicants.

[Source: http://cic.gc.ca]

We of course understand that it's not easy accepting this development specially if you have waited for almost 8 years already only to be told that your application will not be processed.

But all is not lost. For Canadian Immigration Consultancy clients, we will come up with a program how they can continue to avail of our services even though their file has been returned.

I'm still interested to live and work in Canada, what should I do?

The process has gotten more difficult. But for something as valuable as an immigrant visa to Canada, it is still worth it. For those with the skills, education and English ability there is no investment that is going to yield a higher return on investment than an immigrant visa to Canada. The investment is small, the risk is low, compared to the benefits an immigrant visa will bring to those so fortunate enough to get an immigrant visa to Canada. Take charge and pursue your goals, “Get Ready”.

Option No. 1: Submit a new application under the new Federal Skilled Workers program

The Canadian government is taking a bold step in clearing their backlog of immigration cases. The Canadian government feels they must be able to change more quickly to the needs of employers. It means anyone interested in immigrating to Canada in the future must be “Ready at All Times” to file their application when their occupation opens or when they get selected by a Canadian employer for a job.

Another Ministerial Instruction is expected to issued this coming July 2012. If your occupation will be included in the new priority list, you may have a very short window of opportunity. Preparation starts now. Take the IELTS Exam; get your documents ready; get your credentials assessed if your occupation is regulated in Canada. In other words, be ready to enter the door when it opens this July 2012!

Option No. 2: Provincial Nominee Program

Use your network of relatives and friends to help you find employers in Canada or to provide Provincial Nominee support. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

Option No. 3: Student Visa

This option is for those who no longer have the ideal age to submit a new application. If you have children in university or newly graduated, another path is for them to take advanced educational courses in Canada. Your children may take the opportunity of working in Canada and then converting their visas to an immigrant visa. Even though the Canadian government is slowing down the reunion of parents, they are offering the super visa that will allow parents to go to Canada and live with their children.

This is unfair, I want justice! I want my voice to be heard!

In the past, there's always a Grandfather clause every time there are changes in Canada's immigration regulations. But this time, the Immigration Minister seems to be capitalizing on Bill C-50 which gave him the power to decide which application shall be process quickly, put on hold, or worst, to be returned unprocessed.

However, there are those who argue that the power given to the Immigration Minister was limited only to applications filed after Feb 27, 2008 and that returning the applications filed before the said that is unconstitutional.

A class-action suit may soon be initiated if they wipe out the backlog this way. Subscribe here via Email to get updates.

Refund up to $130 million FSW Processng Fees, Proposed.

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:05:00 +0000

I'm sorry to be the bearer of this bad news for FSW applicants filed before February 27, 2008. It looks like Citizenship and Immigration Canada is serious is wiping out the FSW backlog.

The Government of Canada is proposing to return applications and refund up to $130 million in fees paid by certain federal skilled worker applicants who applied under previous criteria established prior to February 27, 2008.

Source: Department of Finance Canada

Can they really do this? I'm smelling a lawsuit left and right.

Discrimination?: Canada Miss Universe Disqualifies Transgender Contestant

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:22:00 +0000

Canada may be liberal in recognizing same sex marriagaes and same sex common-law partnerships, but it looks like a transgender is not welcome in Canada's Miss Universe.

Transgender model cut from Canada Miss Universe

With blond locks, long legs and delicate features, Jenna Talackova would have been a strong competitor in Canada's Miss Universe pageant but was disqualified, she says, because she used to be male.

The 23-year-old transgender model from the western Canadian city of Vancouver has accused the pageant of discrimination, and more than 28,000 supporters have signed an online petition demanding her reinstatement. [Source: Yahoo! News]

Read full story here. Image credit- http://news.yahoo.com

For purposes of permanent residence visa applications, common-law partnership, including that of same-sex partners is recognzed by Citizenship ang Immigration Canada.

SINP - FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:30:00 +0000

If you received an invitation from Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa to apply under the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot - Saskatchewan, you only have until July 31, 2012 to submit your application to Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) office.

Required documents for SINP - FSW Pilot may be found here.

You need to submit the following forms:

1. A copy of the letter you received from CIC alerting you of the opportunity to apply for consideration under the SINP

2. The signed consent to be considered for precessing under the SINP (included in the invitation letter).

3. The Skilled Workers Category Application Form (SINP-100-1)

4. Net Worth Statement (SINP-200-1)

You may download the forms here.

BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 06:34:00 +0000

As promised, here's the additional information about BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot Project as mentioned in my Update on FSW Backlog Pilot blog post last week. This is a new stream under British Columbia - Provincial Nominee Program.

The criteria to be eligible under the BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot Project are:

1. You have intention to reside in British Columbia

2. You are not more than 50 years old on the date their application is received by the BC PNP.

3. You must demonstrate that he or she meets the minimum English language requirement by submitting a test report from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (General Training test only), or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) (General test only).

The minimum English language requirement is benchmark 6 or higher under the Canadian Language Benchmarks 2000 (CLB) for each of the four skill areas (listening, reading, writing and speaking).

The CLB 6 equivalency scores for IELTS are:

Listening 5.5
Reading 5.0
Writing 5.5
Speaking 5.5

4. Intention to work in the following eligible occupations:

2131 - Civil Engineers
2132 - Mechanical Engineers
2133 - Electrical & Electronics Engineers
2231 - Civil Engineering Technologist and Technicians
2232 - Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
2234 - Construction Estimators
2241 - Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
2281 - Computer Equipment Operators, Network Operators & Web Technicians

5. Work Experience. Applicant must have a minimum of three years of full-time equivalent work experience obtained within the last five years that is directly related to employment in a qualifying occupation.

6. Education. Applicant must have completed at least 12 years of full-time equivalent formal education and must have the educational background required for employment in BC in the qualifying occupation.

7. Ability to Become Economically Established - Settlement Plan and Funds.

More information about BC FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot here. You must receive an invitation from Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa before you may apply under this pilot project.

Update on FSW Backlog Pilot | Invitation from Saskatchewan and British Columbia

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 04:51:00 +0000

Just a quick update on FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot.

We recently received a total of 118 invitation letters from Provincial Case Processing Pilot Office this time from the Province of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

The job classification of 5 applicants who received invitation from Saskatchewan are:

Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

Construction Estimators / Civil Eng. Technologists and Technicians

Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers/School Principals and Administrators of Elementary and Secondary Education

Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists

Audio & Video Recording Technicians/Other Technical & Coordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting & the Performing Arts/Medical Secretaries/Support Occupation in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting & the Performing Arts

For British Columbia, here are some of the job classifications of applicants selected for the program:

Civil Engineering Technologist and Technicians

Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

Computer Network Operators and Web Technicians

Construction Estimators

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Information Systems Analysts and Consultant / Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers

Supervisors, Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing

Will be posting an update later for more detailed information about Saskatchewan and British Columbia FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot.

UPDATE:

BC FSW Reduction Pilot Project

SINP - FSW BAcklog Reduction Pilot

FRAUD: Recognize It. Report It. Stop It.

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:37:00 +0000

Avoid Becoming a Victim of Immigration Fraud, Warn Citizenship and Immigration Canada and Competition Bureau. Read news release here.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Competition Bureau are joining together during Fraud Prevention Month to warn potential immigrants to be wary of websites claiming to be, or to be affiliated with, official Government of Canada websites.

Gateway to Canada supports CIC's campaign against immigration fraud.

The following are pieces of advice from CIC and the Competition Bureau on how to avoid becoming a victim of immigration fraud:

Be wary of websites advertised in unsolicited emails from strangers and do not give out personal information unless you know who you are dealing with.

Before hiring an immigration representative, do your homework: ask for a referral from someone you trust, check their credentials, and discuss the services they will offer. For information on how to choose an immigration representative, you may visit CIC’s website at www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/representative/index.asp.

There is no “immigration consultant” website that is part of, or affiliated with, the Government of Canada. If you are suspicious about a website, do a Web search to see if anyone has reported any problems with that site.

Do not pay for offers of guaranteed entry into Canada or faster processing of your application. These claims are false.

We at Gateway to Canada are helping in exposing fruads and online scams. With nore than two decades now in the industry, we have already sent thousands of clients to Canada.

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 12:17:00 +0000

Mr. and Mrs. Agliam with PIA Corp's Senior Documentation Specialist, Irene Delara

Ms. Eva Agliam and husband, Elbert Agliam, received their permanent resident visa sometime last October 2011. Initially they submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers program back in 2006. But when the AINP Family Stream was introduced in 2008, they decided to file under that program.

AINP Family Stream was put on hold in less than 2 years after it was introduced.

Immigrating to Canada requires planning and preparation. To succeed, you need to make a timely decision and must be determined to achieve your goal - to live and work in Canada. Thus, only serious-minded applicants succeed.

Mr and Mrs Agliam made that timely decision and they are now living their dream in Canada.

Do you also want to live and work in Canada? Make a decision now! CLICK HERE for free online assessment.

Noynoying in Canada

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 02:04:00 +0000

Planking is out, Noynoying is in. That's according to youthgroup Anakbayan. Noynoying is also in for Filipino youth in Canada!

Anakbayan Toronto Chapter Noynoying in front of City Hall.
What is Noynoying?

Read this: Noynoying 101

Expect More Ministerial Instructions

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:32:00 +0000

According to this news release from Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, Evaluation Shows Ministerial Instructions are Relevant and Necessary. Thus, expect more Ministerial Instructions.

"“The evaluation confirms that it was right and necessary to take measures to manage the sheer volume of applications we receive,”" said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

In 2008, the Government of Canada introduced changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act through Bill C-50 (the Budget Implementation Act) to tackle the backlog of federal skilled worker (FSW) applications. At the time, more than 640,000 people were waiting to be processed in the FSW category. In order to increase labour market responsiveness and overall efficiency, the Minister was authorized under Bill C-50 to issue special instructions to immigration officers to limit the number of applications processed, accelerate some applications or groups of applications, and return some applications without processing them to a final decision.

When Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1) was issued back in November 2008, it was implemented retroactively to February 2008. As a result, many applications were returned unprocessed. They may be doing the same thing for FSW applications filed before February 27, 2008. This is Citizenship and Immigration Canada's solution to FSW backlog.

Returned and Unprocessed Application by CIO, Got a Positive Assessment After an Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:05:00 +0000

Here's an interesting development involving an application for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers program by a Filipino Dentist. Her application was returned unprocessed by the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) because her application was deemed incomplete.

Some facts of the case:

October 18, 2011 - Application was sent to CIO

February 1, 2012 - Received a letter dated December 28, 2011 from CIO. Application was returned unprocessed, application forms, supporting documents and bank draft were returned.

The cap for dentist was already reached when the letter was received. Refiling an application is not an option.

The missing/lacking document identified were birth certificates of the principal applicant and her family members. However, included in the returned application package were the allegedly lacking documents!

We sent an appeal letter to CIO requesting for reconsideration to accept and process her application. Together with the letter we sent were her application forms, supporting documents and new bank draft.

Image Credit:http://www.motoringoffencelawyers.com

Without a doubt, they made a mistake. We told them that it would be unfortunate and unfair if a simple oversight from their end will ruin this applicant's dream to live and work in Canada.

Today, we received a letter from CIO confirming that her application was positively assessed and that her application will be forwarded to a visa office for further processing.

If you have similar or related experience with CIO, you should write them a letter and address it to their program manager.

We're Going to Maogmang Naga City!

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:23:00 +0000

We're going to Maogmang Naga City!

Naga’s charm as a pilgrimage city and its interesting tourist destinations make it one of the most visited cities in the Philippines. From old churches built during the Spanish colonial era to pristine Mt. Isarog Natural Park, Naga never fails to amaze its visitors. A world-class wakeboard resort nearby also beckons sports buffs and the more adventurous at heart.For the modern adventurer, Naga offers everything from challenging mountain treks to world-class wakeboard resort which promises to leave hearts pounding and the adrenaline rushing.

These are good reasons why you should visit Naga City.

But the purpose of our visit to Naga City is not for those beautiful tourist destinations. We will be there to conduct an information seminar for those who are interested to live and work in Canada.

Interested?

Attending this live and work in Canada seminar will equip you with information about Canada Visa application. At the end of the seminar, there will be a one-on-one consultation to assess your qualification and identify which immigration program may be suitable for you.

ANZ Bicol Consulting Inc.
2nd Floor, Manubay Bldg.,
Elias Angeles Street, Naga City
Date: April 14, 2012 | Saturday 2pm
Reg Fee: P500 (single) | P700 (married)
Click Here to Reserve Seat

Hopefully, we would still have time to have a short Naga City Tour. :-)

IELTS Examination Is No Hindrance

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 03:54:00 +0000

Ms. Marigold Rocero, a Registered Nurse, is one of those who opted for the Acedemic Module when they took the IELTS examination. General Training Module is the required module but there was a period in the past that Academic Module is being accepted. Thus, those with IELTS exam result ready, even if it's Academic Module, were submitted just the same in filing their application. But Citizenship and Immigration Canada eventually implemented strictly the rule on IELTS module requirement.

Taking another IELTS examination did not become a hindrance to achieve her dream of living and working in Canada. As they say, if there's a will, there's a way.

She went to Canada last November 2011 and is now based in British Columbia, where a Nurses Union is demanding additional 2,000 more staff nurses rather than pushing for any wage hikes. If it doesn't sound a great opportunity for her, I don't know what is.

With Ms. Rocero in the picture is PIA Corp's Senior Documentation Specialist, Ms. Irene Delara.

Interested to live and work in Canada, too? Click Here for Free Online Assessment.

British Columbia Nurses Union Demand 2,000 More Staff Nurses

noreply@blogger.com (Apol) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:11:00 +0000

Instead of demanding any wage hike, British Columbia Nurses Union is demanding demanding 2,000 additional nurses in the latest round of contract negotiations.

The union representing British Columbia's 30,000 nurses is throwing a spotlight on what it argues is declining patient care as it appeals for public support to hire thousands of additional workers in the latest round of contract negotiations.

Read full story from CTVNews.

For Registered Nurses planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada via FSW who are asking if there's a chance that their occupation will be included again in the priority list or in-demand occupations, there's the answer to your question.