Arrival Day Essentials

Time come that you already have your visa and on your way to canada. Here is some excerpt email to me by a client on what happened to him upon landing in canada. I hope this could ease some tension from you.



"On board, one is handed a landing card. As a prospective settler, fill in the card as if one is a tourist. There are separate categories for Canadians and tourists but none for new settlers.

At the immigration desk, submit the landing card together with passport and landing form IMM 5292 'Confirmation of Permanent Residence'.

Collect all your luggage first and proceed to the immigration office beside the luggage area. There are two sections - one for returning residents and one marked 'new arrivals'. Go to the latter.

One must leave all luggage outside the door to the office. Take all your valuables and documents with you.

Queue at the first counter to get your queue number and have your landing card checked. Bring additional copies of passport photos for each member of the family as sometimes the photos on the form are considered 'unacceptable' for any number of reasons. In the absence of your own photos, they do have an area where they can take additional passport photos for you in the office.

Wait for your number to be called. At the processing desk, submit your IMM 5292, passport and inventory of belongings B4(E) and B4 (A). One is just a continuation of the other so if you have more than one page, use the continuation form. Alternatively, use a spreadsheet print it out and attach a header B4 filled and signed.

It would be easier to batch them to a) luggage that you have with you on the flight b) any items you are shipping as unaccompanied luggage c) the rest which are being shipped by sea and which will arrive much later. Also submit form E667 which documents any money you bring into Canada either in cash, bank cheques etc. (Telegraphic Transfers appear not to be in this category).

Budget a good hour for this step especially if there happens to be a lot of new arrivals on that day. You will receive a copy of the IMM5292 stamped and processed clipped to your passport, This serves as your legal document in Canada pending the arrival of your PR card which will be posted to you in 4-6 weeks.

If you have unaccompanied luggage it may have to be picked up and declared at customs as a separate procedure. Get details from your shipping agent/airline where and how to do this. For Australians, I can recommend Jetta Express. It is half the price of excess luggage. Be prepared to pay for storage if your luggage arrives more than 2 days prior to your arrival."

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New: Assessment For Eligible Occupations

Do you think your Qualified?


Check our Assessment Page for your Eligibility


>>>FREE ONLINE ASSESSMENT<<<

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Actor Dennis Quaid Seek Refuge Status in Canada

VANCOUVER – Actor Randy Quaid and his wife told Canada’s immigration board Friday they are seeking refuge in Canada because they are being persecuted in the United States, after they were arrested on U.S. warrants related to vandalism charges.

The pair were arrested on Thursday afternoon in a shopping area of an affluent Vancouver neighborhood.

The Quaids are wanted in Santa Barbara, where they missed a court hearing Monday on felony vandalism charges.

Santa Barbara County Senior Deputy District Attorney Lee Carter said Friday that Quaid and his wife Evi’s bail increased to $500,000 apiece.

Their attorney, Robert Sanger, said he hoped the situation could be resolved but declined comment citing the pending case.

Evi Quaid begged a Canadian immigration adjudicator not to force them to return, saying on Friday that eight friends, such as actors David Carradine and Heath Ledger, have been “murdered” under mysterious circumstances and she’s worried something will happen to her husband next.

“We feel our lives are in danger,” she said.

Evi Quaid said she’s been told by a jail nurse that her blood pressure is dangerously high due to stress and that Randy Quaid’s mother has been hospitalized in the U.S. as a result of the stress from their legal troubles.

Friday’s hearing was a mandatory detention review and authorities have asked that they be kept in jail until their next hearing date Tuesday.

On Friday, the Quaids promised they would appear for their next hearing. Evi Quaid said she’d be willing to wear an ankle bracelet while staying at a posh Vancouver hotel.

Randy Quaid said they came to Canada because he was being given an award by a film critics group. He said the couple was considering moving to Vancouver where Randy planned to jump-start his career.

He said the pair believed the warrants were issued by mistake and had been withdrawn and the couple didn’t travel north in an effort to skip out on them.

“I love Canada,” Randy Quaid told the adjudicator.

“It’s been a very welcoming nation to me. I would not do anything to besmirch my reputation.”

They face no charges in Canada.

A U.S. judge issued arrest warrants Monday for the couple after they failed to show up at a California court hearing stemming from their arrests last month on suspicion of illegally squatting at a home.

Quaid and his wife face felony vandalism charges after more than $5,000 in damage was found in a guest house of a Montecito, California home they had previously owned.

The Quaids frequently missed court appearances in an earlier U.S. case involving charges they defrauded an innkeeper. That case was resolved in April with Evi Quaid pleading no contest to a misdemeanor. The charges against her husband were dropped.

Randy Quaid, 60, is best-known for supporting roles in films such as “Independence Day” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” He is the older brother of Dennis Quaid. - AP

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from GMA News TV

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My Monthly Visa Gazette

Visit at www.go2canada.tumblr.com

I just want a unique approach on discussing visa application. I want it to be funkier and more lively way of discussion. I want it to be interactive and more broader than before. I want that it will also serve as a newsletter for you. Thats why I created another blog that would cater my needs.

Visit Canada Visa gazette @ go2canada.tumblr.com

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My Newsletter Blog for Canada

I you want a fresh approach with regards to your Immigration Application for Canada. I created a new Blog that also tackles this topic. This will serve as a Newsletter for you. Immigration Topic discussed in a light manner.

visit: go2canada

Thanks. I would still update this from time to time :)

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Canada Immigrant Visa New Processing System

Like what I have always been saying, Immigration Regulations are subject to changes and that the longer you delay your decision to apply, the more you are risking your eligibility. There is a new Ministerial Instruction affecting Federal Skilled Worker program applications

Effective June 26, 2010, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will process applications under Federal Skilled Worker program only for applicants with:

a valid offer of arranged employment, OR

one year of continuous full-time or equivalent part-time paid work experience in at least one of the 29 in-demand occupations

Temporary foreign workers and international students will no longer be part of the Federal Skilled Worker program. They may now apply under Canadian Experienced Class

The new Ministerial Instruction also covered changes in the application procedures. Simplified Application Process is now totally wiped out.

In sending your application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO), you now need to submit results of an independent language test (IELTS or TEF: Test d’évaluation de français) even if your first language is English or French. You also need to submit copies of documents required specifically by the Canadian Visa Office responsible in processing your application.

What's in it for you?

1. Filed to CIO before June 26, 2010, Waiting for Assessment Notice

If your application was received by Centralized Intake Office (CIO) before June 26, 2010 even if and your occupation is no longer included in the new in-demand list, the changes will not affect your application at all.

The Ministerial Instruction stated that if your application was received before June 26, 2010, it will be processed according to the rules that were in effect at that time. However, some say it wasn't clear if the basis is the receipt by Centralized Intake Office or Canadian Visa Office.

To clarify, here's what was stated in Canada Gazette.

All Federal Skilled Worker applications received by the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on a date prior to the Canada Gazette publication date shall continue to be considered for processing having regard to the first set of Ministerial Instructions. [Source]

It was published June 26, 2010. It is clear that if your application was received by CIO before that date and that your occupation is no longer included in the new in-demand occupations, your application would still be processed.

2. Interested to immigrate to Canada, Occupation not included in the new in-demand list

If you are interested to live and work in Canada but your occupation is not included in the new list of priority occupations, you still have the chance to immigrate to Canada if:

You have an arranged employment in Canada, or

You have somebody to sponsor you under Provincial Nominee Program

This could be of help: How to find jobs in Canada.

While at that, you should start preparing yourself for the IELTS Examination. You should also start preparing your documents. The objective is to be able to file your application immediately when the list changed and included your occupation.

If you will prepare your documents only when your occupation is included, then it may be too late for you. Remember that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be imposing a cap on the number of applications it will process per occupation each year.

Be ready!

3. Filed before February 27, 2008, Occupation included in the new priority list

If you have a pending PR Visa application, whether it's under FSW or PNP, and that your occupation is included in the new priority list, you may want to submit a new application to CIO in order to expedite the process. The Visa Office in Manila is yet to finish applications filed in 2004. It may take a while before applications filed in 2007 and 2006 will be processed.

If you submit a new application, you will get the result within 6-12 months. The only disadvantage of doing this is that you may not be able to refund the processing fee you paid to the Visa Office before. You will need to pay another visa processing fee.

4. Included in the list, Not yet filed to CIO

If your occupation is included in the new list of in-demand occupations and that you are seriously considering the opportunity to live and work in Canada, YOU MUST FILE YOUR APPLICATION NOW!

For the next twelve months, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only consider a maximum of 20,000 complete applications under the occupation list. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 federal skilled worker applications per occupation will be considered for processing each year.

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The New 29 Indemand Occupations

st a quick post to let you know of the new Ministerial Instruction identifying the new high demand list of occupations eligible for processing under Federal Skilled Worker program.

Here's the 29 in-demand occupations:

0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers

0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)

1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management

1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners

2121 Biologists and Related Scientists

2151 Architects

3111 Specialist Physicians

3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians

3113 Dentists

3131 Pharmacists

3142 Physiotherapists

3152 Registered Nurses

3215 Medical Radiation Technologists

3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists

3233 Licensed Practical Nurses

4151 Psychologists

4152 Social Workers

6241 Chefs

6242 Cooks

7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades

7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)

7242 Industrial Electricians

7251 Plumbers

7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators

7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics

7371 Crane Operators

7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction

8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

These new Ministerial Instruction will affect you only if you applied on or after June 26, 2010. If your application was received before June 26, 2010, it will be processed according to the rules that were in effect at that time.

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Cracking Down On Fake Immigration Consultants

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney introduced today in the House of Commons a legislation to crack down on crooked immigration consultants who exploit prospective immigrants. It's called Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act.

The Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act would strengthen the rules governing those who charge a fee for immigration advice, close immigration system loopholes currently exploited by crooked consultants, and improve the way in which immigration consultants are regulated.

“While most immigration consultants working in Canada are legitimate and ethical, it is clear that immigration fraud remains a widespread threat to the integrity of Canada’s immigration system,” said Minister Kenney. “The Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act will better protect prospective immigrants from crooked consultants and help safeguard our immigration system against fraud and abuse.” [Source]

If passed, the law will give the Minister the authority to designate a body to govern immigration consultants and establish measures to enhance the government’s oversight of this body. Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants is the body currently governing immigration consultants. Since the Minister himself recognizes the lack of public confidence in the regulation of immigration consultants, it is expected that a change in the governing body may be implemented.

In the Philippines, there are only few immigration consulting firms prior to the Ministerial Instructions introduced on November 2008. That is because immigration process takes about 5 years and thus, applying for immigration to Canada is not that popular. But after the changes, wherein the processing was only about 6-12 months, several immigration consulting firms suddenly sprouted like mushrooms. Most of which are crooked consultants described in the Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act.

Beware of these crooked immigration consulting firms. Deal only with legitimate consulting firms like Canadian Immigration Consultancy. We have been in the industry for 2 decades now and have already sent thousands of Filipino workers to Canada.

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A Single's Journey, The Canadian Visa Application

Consider the case of my one client for example.

It is not by any accident that she finished her Bachelors Degree in Accountancy, became a Certified Public Accountant, became certified by CIAT - Canada as a Certified Accounting Technician, was able to find employment in companies like Unilever Philippines, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Group, and get a Permanent Residents Visa for Canada at age 26.

How this client got her Permanent Residents Visa, is due to the following:


- Wanting to Immigrate in Canada, she went to us to find out about her options
- Knowing that her Education and Work Experience made her eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Workers program, she made a decision to apply.

- Acknowledging the challenges that she had to overcome she set out a concrete plan - to start with her Permanent Residents Visa application while the Immigration Regulation was still in her favor; determine the obstacles that lay ahead of her goal and find ways to overcome them.

That is why on...

April 6, 2009 we filed the application to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada

As a result we received the Positive Assessment - May 15, 2009 which also prompted us to ready the necessary documentations for the Full application Package that we will eventually submit at the Canadian Embassy within the 120 days allowance that was given to us.

The plan was simple, since single, we had to make good use of the 120 days allowance that was given to us, because we have to be certain that it gets the 67 points passmark to get the PR Visa for Canada, under Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Selection Grid.

The key to most single applicants who does not have double degrees in college and first degree relatives in Canada, is to get the full 16 points for the English Proficiency in the Language Criteria of the points system.

Which meant that if the client could get the full points, he will get his PR Visa for Canada.

To achieve this, she would have to get the following scores, per area, for her International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

Reading - 6.5
Writting - 6.5
Listening - 7.5
Speaking - 6.5

That is why right after filing the clients application to the CIO, we encouraged her to take the English examination (IELTS) to prove her Language Proficiency right away.

So that she would still have the time to retake it, if ever she would not get the prescribed results to make her application successful.

As it turns out, our plan proved to be effective, because she did not get the points she needed the first time she took the exam.

So she re-took the examination, but was unsuccessful yet again.

Sad and confused, she called me up and asked what she had to do, she already wanted to give up at this point of her application.

That was why I encouraged her to retake the IELTS exam for the third time, you see I knew Jacqueline could get the points she needed.

I did not believe that she did not have what it took to get the full 16 points for the English Proficiency criteria, for the following reasons:

1. She was able to finish her College degree
2. Was able to pass her CPA exam
3. Worked in Companies who used English as the medium of communication, regularly.
4. Had clients, colleagues and superiors who has no choice but to use English to communicate their needs and requirements.

I knew for certain, that with enough practice, the right conditions and correct mindset she, will get the scores that she needs.

With a little push, she agreed to retake the IELTS for the third time.

While waiting for her English Examination results we submitted her Full Visa Package - August 15, 2009 to the Canadian Embassy in Manila.

On December 8, 2009, we submitted, the clients IELTS Results:

Listening - 7.5
Reading - 6.5
Writing - 6.5
Speaking - 7.5

As it turns out, my faith in my clients abilities were right, after all...

On January 26, 2010 she got her Medical Notice

On April 6, 2010, at CIC office we gave her, her Permanent Residents Visa for Canada.

Her application experience may not have been easy, but with a good plan, determination and persistence she got what she wanted.

At present, my client, now belongs to a minority, an Elite group of people who knows a simple yet important truth.

Only you can make your dreams come true.

And because she worked hard for her Permanent Residents Visa for Canada, getting it may have been a hundred times more fulfilling for her.

She had a choice, to give up at the first sign of difficulty, but if you know her like I do, you too would say that she is meant to get the Visa.

That considering her credentials, education and work experience, she not only deserves getting a Permanent Residents Visa, it is part of her inherent rights.

If you want to be like that client, you too should already start preparing your plans to achieve your goals.

If you want to be successful in your application you have to act TODAY!

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Looking for A Job In Canada?

After recieving your Immigrant Visa for Canada. The expiry of that visa is actually 6 months, meaning you need to be in Canada before the 6 month term expires. One common dilemma of clients having their visa's granted, is how to find job in Canada. Actually there are many options for you to find a job in Canada even you are still here in the Philippines. I found this very interesting website that caters different jobs with respect to provinces and cities in Canada.

As the website says "Jobrapido enables you to search through over 200.000 jobs posted on job boards, recruitment agencies, career and company websites." If you are looking, securing or finding a job in Canada, this website could help you.

www.job-rapido.ca

So start job hunting now! Maybe your Canadian Dream will start here!

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Canadian Embassy Manila Processing Time Delay?

Recently, a number of our clients has been wondering why they do not receive notice from the Canadian Visa Office-Manila even after the 45 days processing time indicated on their acknowledgment letter. This of course makes most of them worried about their application.

Are you in similar situation?

You shouldn't worry if there's a delay, it has nothing to do with your documents. Give it 2 weeks alloweance before you make a follow up. There seems to be delay in processing due to volume of applications the visa office is reviewing.

The new acknowledgement letter we received recently indicates a different processing time.

Processing Time:

Applications for permanent residence in Canada in the category in which you have applied are finalized in an average of 6 to 12 months in our office. If you have not received any instructions from this office within 90 days from the date of this letter, please contact us directly and inform us of this.

That used to be 45 days.

The same thing is true with those who have submitted their original passports, waiting for their visa. It used to be returned with 2-3 weeks. But now, it takes longer.

“We will make our best efforts to have your passport(s) returned to you with your visa(s) within 90 days from their receipt at the Embassy. You should not make any plans to travel to Canada until you are in possession of your passports and the required visas.”

Processing period remains to be 6-12 months from the time the Visa Office received your application with supporting documents, after assessment from Centralized Intake Office.

So there. That explains why there is a delay. Avoid unncessary stress. It's not you, it's the embassy. ;-)

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Immigrant's Visa Party April 17 Aristocrat Malate Manila

Did you miss last Saturday's Immigrants Visa Party? We will have another immigrants visa party this coming April 17, 2010 at Aristocrat Restaurant in Manila. During the visa party, we'll be conducting our in-house pre-departure orientation seminar to prepare our clients on their settlement in Canada.

Simultaneously, we will be conducting an information seminar for those who are interested to live and work in Canada! If you want to learn how to immigrate to Canada in just 6-12 months, you may attend this immigrants visa party.

Interested? email me @ rgomez@go2canada.com

Venue will be at Aristocrat Restaurant in Malate Manila. Registration Fee is P500/head inclusive of dinner. Mark your calendar - it's April 17, 2010, Saturday, 4pm.

Registration starts at 3:30pm.

See you there!

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New High Demand Occupation for Canadian Immigration

As consultations are currently on its way to review the present process for the Immigration programs in Canada. It is possible that the list of High Demand occupations - Jobs, eligible for processing in the Federal Skilled Workers program will change.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister has announced in the Media Released portion of the Canadian Government Website, that due to the emerging changes in the Economy in Canada, it is high time for the process to also change.

These changes may mean a lot of things. It may mean that we will soon see a new set of High Demand Jobs in Canada. It may also mean that the current list may be retained with new occupations to be included.

What occupations will be included in the New list of high demand occupations we do not know, but speculating on it, you have check the current list of Occupations under pressure in the Human Resource and Skills Development Canada Website - http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca.

what you should do is to look for common occupations needed in all regions, the may be a good basis for the occupations that we should expect in the new list of high demand occupations.

When the new list will be published, again we do not know, but if we base it on the last time the regulation changed, we have a maximum of about 6 months to date, before it changes. This is the same timeframe, that they used up when they changed the old process last February 2008.

What you should do?

If your occupation is currently in the high demand list, it is to your advantage to start your application right now.

If your occupation is not yet in the high demand list, you should ready all your documents so that when the occupation list changes you will be ready to apply.

The safest way to take advantage of the current program is to start your application right now, before the new high demand occupation in Canada changes.

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Its A Love Story

Here is a transcript of one of CIC's Consultant's testimony that was shared during our Immigrants Party last month

Never once did I expect, that I will be writing a love story when I started narrating the Canadian Immigrants Visa - application experience of my clients.

But when I became the Immigration adviser of Mr. Ray Anthony Sator, his love story and that of his girl friend Rowena Faustino (Ms. Weng), begone to take shape.

What makes their story special, and why it is worth telling, is simple.

It a true to life, its for real.

I am not passing this down to you, based on what I heard, rather, as an observer, the events I am going to tell you unfolded before my very eyes.

Let me tell it to you by following the lead of the great story tellers before me, by starting Ray's story with these famous lines:

"A long long time ago (January 15, 2008 -two years is a long time), in the land Makati City"...




I met a man, named Ray Anthony Sator, who's last name was spelled with an "o" not with a "u", he came to me to help him pursue his plans to move to a far away country, Canada.

It was at our first meeting that I have noticed Ray's inherent good qualities, he was quite reserved, a man of few words. Maybe, there is something to the saying, "Silent Water runs deep".

As I discussed his options, he asked very good questions such as, what made him qualified, what will make his application stronger, how long will the application be processed, etc...

Since during that time the processing period was still tagged at 6 years, and the mere fact that he signed the contract with our company to help him with his application at the same day, I would say that he is also very decisive.

He knows what he wants, the long wait did not put him off, as the Immigration rules constantly changes, he knew that he had to act while the conditions was still in his favor, he wanted to be filed while he was still qualified.

From that day onwards, I saw how he struggled to juggle his time, working as a Senior Telecommunications Engineer at a young age, in a very prestigious Telecommunications company in the Philippines, and completing what was needed to file his application for Permanent Residents application was not an easy task.

Still, on April 10, 2008 Ray's application was filed under the then, Simplified Immigration Process of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

It was not until October 2008 that I learned that his girlfriend, had an application for Manitoba Provincial Nomination Program (MPNP), this was when Ray asked me to help her comply with the second stage requirements of the MPNP program.

Extending my services to Ray's Girl friend at no additional cost, I helped them by giving them needed advice to finish Ms. Weng's requirements to get her Visa.

The problem with this scenario was that, if Ray's application will not be approved, he will not be able to go to Canada, whereas if Ms. Weng's application is approved she will move to Canada without Ray.

At this point I told them that they have the option to get married at that time, so that they can move to Canada together, I even went as far as talking to the parents of Ms. Weng and attempted to convince them that this is a good option for the couple to take, but due to the parents own apprehensions, they did not agree to the plan.

Left with no choice, Ray and Ms. Weng, processed their respective applications.

Nevertheless, I witnessed how Ray continued to help Ms. Weng process her application to the best of his abilities.

It was a day of filled with mixed emotions, when Ms. Weng's Visa came out last March of 2008, and when she finally flew to Canada May 2008.

At this time, Ray's hope of reuniting with Ms. Weng was dependent on the results of his own Resident Visa application for Canada, before the current change of visa processing procedure, we expected this to happen after 6 years from the date he filed his application to the Canadian Embassy...
------------

Despite all odds, Ray continued to process his application, and with a stroke of luck, the changes in the Ministerial Instructions was published November 2008, favoring the application he has filled.

Even though his current occupation as a Telco Engineer is not on the 38 high demand occupations, his previous work experience as a College Instructor in Don Bosco Mandaluyong, is part of the eligible applications for processing.

With a happy heart and renewed energy, Ray religiously completed all the requirements that was required of him, which included taking the IELTS, securing all work related documentations from his past and present employers, getting his graduate and post graduate studies documentations, etc...

Call me a hopeless romantic, but I truly believe that Ray Sator and Weng Faustino are meant to be together.

Fate has smiled upon this couple; on March 25, 2010 Ray Anthony Sator's Visa was finally issued to him.

We can all learn from Ray's story.

If you want something, you have to work hard to get it.

If you want a better life for yourself and for your loved ones, do what is necessary to make that dream into a reality.

Act while the conditions are in your favor.

Do not live to regret the day, that you will wonder "what might it have been" if you acted on an opportunity of a lifetime, knowing that you are one of the few - of the lucky ones who qualify for said opportunity.

Do not be put off, by the thought that you may not qualify if you apply rather, act on an opportunity and hope that you will get what you want.

All applicants risk being disapproved when they apply for the Federal Skilled Workers application for Permanent Residents Visa application.

But.

There are always two sides of a coin, while it is true that you risk being disapproved when you apply, it is also true that your application may also be approved.

On the other hand, if you do not submit any application, it is for certain, that you will not get a Permanent Residents Visa for Canada.

In life, there are no assurances but people still risks their hard earned money for certain investments.

Most of the time, people will be willing to put their money at risk, depending on the value of the promised reward.

- Some individuals, continue to buy lottery tickets despite the impossible odds.

- Parents, spend millions to send their kids to college even if they are not assured that their children will have a better quality of life when they graduate.

At the Canadian Immigration Consultancy we continue to motivate everybody who qualify for the program, because we know from past experiences that getting a Permanent Residents Visa will give your family and your loved ones a better quality of life.

The basic benefits of a Permanent Resident alone, will give your family - better Financial Stability (please read - Canada Benefits for your family)

Considering the returns we know that this is probably the most worthwhile investment that you will make for yourself and your your family.

Ray Anthony Sator, signed for the program because he also wants to have a better quality of life...

But most especially, because he wants to be with the person who owns his heart, priceless...

If you have been told that you are qualified for the program, act now before its too late.

Give us a call and tell us your concerns, we may have a solution to your problems.

Avail of special promotional programs on our consultancy fees!

For any questions and clarifications, email them to rgomez@go2canada.com

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Canada Child Tax Benefit

As a new Immigrant it would be to your interest to know that if you have children under 18, the Government of Canada may help you with the cost of raising them. This monthly, tax-free payment is called the Canada Child Tax Benefit, or CCTB.

The amount of this benefit is based on several factors, such as your family income, the number of children you have and their ages, and the province or territory you live in. When you apply, you must provide proof of your Canadian immigration status and proof of birth for any of your children born outside of Canada.

Requirements in Applying


1. file an Income Tax and Benefit Return each year.

2. For new Immigrants with stay not long enough to file a return; complete a separate form to declare your world income

You can get these forms and more information on the Canada Child Tax Benefit by calling the Canada Revenue Agency’s toll-free enquiry service at 1-800-387-1193 or by visiting the agency’s website.

The Canada Child tax Benifit or CCTB is just one of the many ways the government of Canada tries to help its subjects to have a better quality of life.

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Canada's World Renown Health Program

One of the most impressive benefits of becoming a Permanent Resident is receiving Health Insurance in Canada. All Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible for health insurance in Canada. Canada’s public health care system is funded through taxes that you pay and administered by the provinces and territories that you will decide to live in.



Public health insurance

Each province or Territory has a different coverage for your Health insurance. The medical care your province or territory offers might not be covered in other provinces and territories. That is why, When you travel, you should check the coverage of the Health insurance in your possession as well as the requirements of the place you are destined to go; you may require private health insurance.

As a Newly landed Permanent Resident in Canada you should apply for public health insurance as soon as possible

The application for Public health insurance card should be coursed through the provincial or territorial government of the place you decided to immigrate to.

You can get your application forms at a doctor’s office, a hospital, a pharmacy or an immigrant-serving organization. You can also get forms online from your province or territory’s ministry responsible for health.

What are your required documents to apply for Health Insurance?

When you apply for your health insurance card you will need to show some identification,like your birth certificate or passport, or your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR - IMM 5292). You can also show your Permanent Resident Card.

What you will be receiving after you apply

In most provinces and territories, each individual or family member receives their very own Health card with a personal health identification number. In Manitoba, however, only adults receive health insurance cards. The adult card lists each family member’s name and personal identification number.

Your health insurance card will show your name, address, gender and birth date. It is very important that you must carry the card with you and present it at a hospital or clinic when you or someone in your family needs health services.

Health Card application processing Time

Depending on which province or territory you decided to make as your new home, it may be necessary for you to get a temporary Private Health Insurance, since the processing of your Public Health Insurance make take some time.

Private insurance companies are listed in the yellow pages of a telephone Directory, usually under Insurance. You must buy this private insurance within five days of arriving in your province or territory or insurance companies may not provide coverage for you.

Note: Refugee claimants who cannot afford private health insurance and refugee claimants living in provinces that have a three-month waiting period can receive emergency and essential health services at no cost. The cost for these services is covered by the Interim Federal Health Program.

Private health insurance

It is also important to know that private health insurance may have additional service coverage that may not be present under your province or territory’s health insurance plan. Such as dental costs, private hospital rooms, the cost of prescription drugs, dental care, ambulance services and prescription eyeglasses. Some employers may offer you the option to pay for extra health insurance from your pay cheque.

That is why you should make it a point to find a list of private health insurance companies.

Warning: Do not lose or share your card

Please do not share your health insurance card with anyone else. Your card is for your use only, if you do not heed this warning, you could lose the benefits it provides by letting other people use it. You could also face criminal charges and be removed from Canada. If you lose the card, you might have to pay a fee to replace it.

You may Visit a the website of your provincial or Territorial ministries of health care, to learn more about Health Care in Canada.

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Quebec
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland and Labrador
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Nunavut

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Foreign Credential Referral Office

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada which was created to help foreign-trained workers succeed in Canada.

For the purpose of helping foreign-trained workers succeed in Canada, the FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services so the the integration of this workers will not be difficult.

Remember that the approval of your permanent resident visa application and eventual entry in Canada does not guarantee you employment in your preferred profession or any other profession.

If you are planning to live and work in Canada, gathering information about living and working in Canada will help you prepare for employment in your chosen profession. The Foreign Credential Referral Office created a workbook specifically for this purpose.

Planning to work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers was created by FCRO for internationally trained individuals who are considering moving to Canada. It will help you learn how to put your skills, education and experience to work. The workbook is composed of 5 sections:

1. Living in Canada

The more you learn about Canada, the faster you will be able to adapt to the Canadian work environment. Taking the time to ask questions, to read and research, to watch videos on the Web or elsewhere, can all greatly help your transition from new immigrant to an established and comfortable member of Canadian society. This section is designed to help you learn more about life in Canada, and to guide you in taking a few essential steps as an immigrant.

2. Canada's Official Languages

Language skills are extremely important to your professional future in Canada. This section will help you learn more about Canada’s two official languages – English and French – as well as assess your language skills and identify opportunities for language training.

3. Finding a job in Canada

This section is designed to help you understand all you need to do to obtain work in Canada. It provides you with a series of essential steps that will help you learn how to find and get a job in your preferred profession. This process will take time, but completing each task below as thoroughly as possible will give you and your family members the best possible chance to succeed professionally in Canada.

4. Work Related Documents

This section of the workbook is designed to help you identify and locate documents that may be of importance to you in Canada before you come to Canada. It will also help you to assess the value, in Canada, of documents in your chosen field.

5. Education Academic Credentials

Education is an asset when searching for work in Canada, but your education may not automatically be recognized in Canada. Demonstrating your education and academic credentials is, therefore, important. Understanding educational equivalencies between your country of origin and Canada will also help you to understand the kinds of jobs you will be likely to obtain in Canada.

For more information about Foreign Credentials Referral Office, visit the official website at http://www.credentials.gc.ca.

For individuals who are working in regulated professions(Occupations that needs a license to be able to practice). You can have your credentials assessed even before you leave Canada, so that you may determine if your credentials is already sufficient to allow you to take the licensure examination in Canada.

The assessment may cost you money.

To find out which Canadian Government Agency is responsible in assessing your credentials you may visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada.

Alliance Members:

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
http://www.employment.alberta.ca/cps/rde/xchg/hre/hs.xsl/4512.html

British Columbia
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
http://www.bcit.ca/ices/

Manitoba
Academic Credentials Assessment Service (ACAS)
http://www2.immigratemanitoba.com/browse/work_in_manitoba/work-recognition-acas.html

Ontario
World Education Services-Canada (WES)
http://www.wes.org/ca/

Quebec
Centre d'expertise sur les formations acquises hors du Québec (CEFAHQ)
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/education/comparative-evaluation/

Other provinces and territories
For credential evaluation services in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut or Yukon, you can contact any of the services listed above.

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What Is Show Money

The Show Money or the Proof of funds or the Settlement Funds is usually the biggest problem of an interested applicant for FSW Class.

Although the Show Money is not part of the applicants cost for his or her application for Permanent Residents Visa for Canada.



It is just that since the Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new skilled worker immigrants it is necessary for an applicant to provide proof th he has enough money to support himself and his dependents after he arrives in Canada.

An applicant must provide proof of his funds during the second stage of his application, or the time that he will need to send the full application package to the Visa office of his home country or currently legally residing. As proof the Canadian Embassy will require him that he provides a Bank Certificate showing the amount that was required of him.

Settlement funds is not just a show money. You must be able to satisfy the Visa Officer that the funds you will declare is unencumbered and that it is available for use on your initial settlement in Canada.

The amount of money you need to support your family is determined by the size of your family. These amounts are updated every year.

Settlement Fund Requirement Table

Number of Family Members	Funds Required (in Canadian dollars)
1	$10,833
2	$13,486
3	$16,580
4	$20,130
5	$22,831
6	$25,749
7 or more	$28,668

To establish that you have enough settlement funds, you need to provide the original bank certificate illustrating your deposit which shows the amount you need based on your family size. Since the objective is to convince the Visa Officer that the funds you declare is available for use, unencumbered and not just borrowed, it will help if will also submit bank statements, copy of bank passbooks and or Certificate of Time Deposits if these are available.

Although if you do not do not have a long banking transaction history showing the accumulation of your funds, this is not a cause for worry. What is important is that you be able to explain, if asked, where did your money came from.

Question: What if, for example, you sold one of your properties to come up with the required funds, then deposited the proceeds in a new bank account you have opened. Since it will appear that the account was just newly opened and you have made a one-time deposit of, say, P500,000.00. will this be a problem?

No. That is because you can simply explain where the money came from supported by the deed of sale of the property you sold.

Now, if you have real properties under your name, it is best that you also declare them in your Personal Net Worth Statement as well but for as long as you have enough funds, it is not necessary for you to have real properties.

So there's no need to ask your parents to transfer those land titles under your name.

Settlement fund requirement or show money is no longer required if you have an Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO). It is not easy to find an employer who is willing to process an AEO for but not impossible, I have clients who were able to get AEO's.

But you would have to exert a lot of effort to do this, the more applications you send, the better are the chances that you will find that 1 employer who will be willing to help you process your Arranged Employment.

A lot of applicants, think that they can not apply for the FSW Program because they think that they do not have this amount but, they are usually wrong, they come to us and with proper explanation, they would realize that they have this requirement after all.

So, how much money should you bring in Canada?

Find out how much it costs to live where you are planning to settle in Canada.

Bring as much money as possible to make moving and finding a home in Canada easier.

Important Note: Disclosure of funds

If you are carrying more than C$10,000, you must tell the Canadian official you will talk to when you arrive in Canada that you have this amount. If you do not tell an official, you may be fined or put in prison.

These funds could be in the form of:

* cash
* securities in bearer form (for example, stocks, bonds, debentures, treasury bills) or
* negotiable instruments in bearer form (for example, bankers’ drafts, cheques, travellers’ cheques or money orders).

If you have more questions about the show money, please give us a call.

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Show Money Or Settlement Funds for Canada

What is commonly known as Show Money for Canada is technically called Canada Settlement Fund.

I am writing another entry about this subject because I get a lot of inquiry about it from my last post Show Money in Canada.

As the regulation dictates, an applicant must be able to show proof that he or she will be able to provide for his personal needs (Food, Clothing, Shelter) for the first 6 months of his stay in Canada.

The proof of his Show Money of Settlement Fund should be in an amount of "Unencumbered Transferable and Available Funds".

Merrian Webster's online Dictionary defines Unencumbered as:

Main Entry: un·en·cum·bered

- free of encumbrance

Main Entry: en·cum·brance

1 : something that encumbers : impediment, burden
2 : a claim (as a mortgage) against property


Which means that Real properties is not included in the proof of Funds; Show Money or Settlement funds. You can present Real Properties as part of your Personal Net Worth Statement but the Visa officer assessing your application will not include it as part of your documentary proof.

The following are samples of documents that you can use for this requirement (you can use either one of or a combination of:


1. Cash - a Bank Certificate showing your required proof based on the Settlement Fund Requirement Table.

2. Cash - Bank Statement showing the amount you have in your account; the transaction details or a combination of several Bank Accounts

3. Termination Value of your current Insurance - If you have acquired Insurance like (Pension, Life, Flexi - Insurance and others), you should check the policy. In it you will find that, normally, after three years of continuous payments the Insurance company will pay back a portion of the money you have been paying them, if ever you decide to return the policy to them and no longer continue with the Insurance program. This is called your Insurance Termination Value. You can ask your Insurance agent for a Certification of the amount that you will get if ever you will return your plan. You can use this Certificate as part of your proof of Funds.

4. Retirement Plan - If you work in a Company that offers its employees a retirement Plan, and you are already eligible to receive the benefits of the program (early retirement plan for example)you can ask your Human Resource Department to issue a Certification, in your companies security papers (Official Letter head) that you are already eligible to receive the amount allotted to you (net of obligations-loans, cash advances and the like), at any time that you choose to retire. But since the Visa office of Canada is aware that not all companies offers this program to its employees, I would say it is safe to use this if your Company belongs to the Top 5000 corporation of your country.

5. Stocks and Bonds - You may also use Stocks and Bonds as part of your Show Money requirement, the amount that you can use for the value should be based on the published current Market Value of your Investment.

6. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)Contributions - As a Gov't Employee, you are entitled to Retirement Plan, you can use a Certificate coming from your HR on the allotted retirement benefit and use this as part of your Show Money.

7. Pag - Ibig Fund - If you regularly contribute to the Gov't Pag - Ibig Fund. You can go to the Pag - Ibig Fund office and ask for the Certification of Total contributions made. This too can be used as your Illustration.

There are other ways to prove this, to learn more about the Show Money of Settlement Fund for Canada requirement you can also read my previous blog post - Show Money or you can visit the website of the Citizenship and Immigration Canada - cic.gc.ca.

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Registered Nurse=VIsa for Canada

We first met Mr. George Hansen Reyes, when he came to the office to inquire about getting a work permit for Canada as a Nurse. Since our Company is an Immigration Consultancy Firm for Canada, his inquiry was directed to our Sister Company International Jobs Recruitment Company (I-Jobs).

At that time I-Jobs still had an Employer who was asking for a database of Filipino Nurses bound for Alberta.

Due to his busy schedule, he was not able to attend the Orientation seminar for Alberta, until the time came when the Work Visa applications become scarce due to the current recession in North America.

On the early part of 2008 Mr. Reyes learned about the revised Permanent Visa application for Canada that processed 38 High Demand Occupations. Where if qualified an applicant may get his Canadian Permanent Residents Visa within 6 months to a year.

We filed his application for Permanent Residents Visa for Canada last March 31, 2009 to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Canada.

A month and a half after, May 15, 2009 we received his CIO positive Assessment for Canada, making him Eligible to proceed with the final assessment of his application, the submission of original documentation to the Canadian Embassy.

We filed his original documents to the Canadian Embassy last July 28, 2009.

Got his File Number August 18, 2009

Received Medical Notice Oct. 19, 2009

At this stage the Embassy asked Mr. George Reyes to submit additional documentations to fix a problem with his Personal History as well as asked to undergo additional Medical Procedures.

After the problems were finally solved, we got his Visa Notice December 8, 2009 where he was requested to submit his passport, the Passport of his wife and that of their Dependent child.

Last December 24, 2009 the Canadian Embassy sent us his Permanent Resident Visa.
_________________

If you ask Mr. George if he found his application for Permanent Residents Visa Easy, the answer may be a definite, "No".

But despite the problems that he encountered in his application, he still persisted, went on with his application and now bear fruits to his Efforts by receiving the best Christmas Gift for his Family, a Permanent Residents Visa.

They plan to go to Canada on February 2010. His first order of business, taking the Licensure Examination to allow him to practice his profession as a Nurse, you see Mr. Reyes on top of getting his Permanent Residents Visa was already positively assessed by the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC). To know how to practice your profession right away, you may read Foreign Credential Referal Office
__________________

This can be your story too, if you have the Education, 4 years Work Experience in the list of 38 High Demand Occupations within the last ten years, then you have a strong Case.

But you have to act Fast the list of Occupations currently in process may change soon. If it does and your occupation was omitted in the list then you can no longer apply. If you are interested, you should take advantage of this great opportunity or else this gift for yourself and your Family will disappear.

Read more...

Pampanga Seminar Again

Please be informed that the Angeles City seminar schedule (originally scheduled on jan 17, 2010) will be postponed to Feb 21, 2010. We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused you.

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Canada Dream- PLAN AHEAD!

It was early December last year when Mr. Benjamin Jamorabo brought us S & R New York Style Pizza received the Canadian Permanent Residence Visa for his whole family. If that isn't a wonderful Christmas gift for his family, I don't know what is.

The Jamorabo family with one of our Senior Consultant at CIC Mall of Asia Office

Mr. Jamorabo is a retired bank examiner and will be moving to Canada together with his family early this year. His elder daughter is a graduating nursing student while the younger daughter will be finishing college, too, few years from now. Do you know what that means?

Since great income opportunities await for his daughters, specially his elder daughter, who most likely will be working as a nurse, it only means Mr. Jamorabo will no longer need to work once they landed in Canada!

Kidding.

It means better quality of life for Mr. Jamorabo and his family. It means a better future for his kids.

It was December 2006 when I first Mr. Jamorabo. He was already 50 years old at that time but still met the pass mark using the points system. Considering his age and the 3-5 years processing during that time, it takes a lot of courage and determination to come up with such a decision.

Using the Simplified Application Process, his application was filed February 2007.

When AINP Family Stream was introduced June 2008, we immediately prepared his application for the program with the end in view of a faster processing.

Imagine their delight when the Ministerial Instruction was issued on November 2008 which identified the 38 High Demand Occupations that eligible for a faster visa processing - 6-12 months only!

After withdrawing his application filed at the Canadian Visa Office in Manila, a new application was filed to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) on Feb 2009 and received the positive assessment a month after. He was classified under Financial Auditors and Accountants.

It was May 2009 when he was able to complete the required documents and submit the same to the Canadian Visa Office in Manila. June 2009, he was required to pay the Right of Permanent Resident Fee (RPRF) and all family members where instructed to undergo medical examination.

After some delays due to some medical concerns in one the family members, their visas were finally issued December 2009!

That's Mr. Jamorabo's plan. A dream come true.

But what about you? Do you also have the courage and determination to make a big decision?

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A Treat From A Succesfull CLient

It's not required, but how could you say NO if a client sent you a round trip ticket to Bohol and requested you to personally deliver their visa instead of them going to Manila? And that the client insists saying that he will be celebrating his birthday and he wants you to be there?

Ms. Pinky Cardillo, one of my colleagues, have just arrived. She was treated by the client to a Bohol country side tour. She went to Panglao Island, to the famous Chocolate Hills and other tourist destinations in Bohol!



Engr. Ene Viba applied as a University Professor. His wife is also an engineer by profession. They will be moving to Canada this April 2010.

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Company Trainors are Eligible Too!

You may not know it but if you are working as a Company Trainer for at least one year within the last 10 years, you may be eligible too under the new Federal Skilled Worker program. Your occupation is actually included in the list of 38 High Demand Occupations classified under College and Other Vocational Instructor. And it does not matter if this is your present job!

Here's a proof.

Ms. Febe Bayona is currenly working as a Sales Officer, which is not included in the list of high demand occupations. But because of her previous experience as a Company Tariner, she was able to get a positive assessment and after submission of supporting documents to the Canadian Visa Office in Manila on Sept 2009, their PR Visas were issued 3 months after!

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Important News on Canadian Representatives

Here's an important announcement from Citizenship and Immigration Canada concerning Canada Immigration Lawyers and Immigration Consultants related to the Special immigration measures in response to the earthquake in Haiti.

Important information for Haitian-Canadians about using immigration consultants

The Government of Canada is concerned that members of the Haitian-Canadian community are being misled that a paid immigration consultant can speed up the arrival of their loved ones from Haiti.

CIC is expediting immigration applications for Haitians with close family members in this country. No immigration consultant can speed up this process.

If you choose to hire a consultant, your application will not be given special attention or processed faster.[Source]

The only representatives who may charge a fee to represent or advise you on immigration and refugee matters with the Government of Canada are:

lawyers who are members in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society

Immigration consultants who are members in good standing of the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants (CSIC), and

notaries who are members in good standing of the Chambre des notaires du Québec

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