May 22, 2018

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Notifications of Interest

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will be issuing Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates in the Express Entry pool who qualify for one of Ontario’s Express Entry streams on a regular basis. After each round of the NOIs, the OINP will post the details and methodology used for each search below.

Total number of NOIs issued in 2018 to date

  • Human Capital Priorities Stream (HCP) : 2587
  • French Speaking Skilled Worker Stream (FSSW): 468
  • Skilled Trades Stream (ST) : 697

For more information please visit http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPNOI.html

May 17, 2018

Start a Business in the Northwest Territories

The NWT Immigration Nominee Program Business Stream

The Northwest Territories (NWT) Nominee Program Business Stream offers a path to Canadian Permanent Residency for those interested in establishing, purchasing, or investing in a business in the NWT.

There are a number of benefits to starting a business in the NWT and choosing the NWT Nominee Program. Applicants can expect:

  • No wait-list for applications;
  • Faster processing times;
  • Personalized attention for your application; and
  • Program staff that are there to support you throughout the entire application process.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria for the Business Stream:

There is a set of minimum eligibility criteria in order to qualify for the NWT Nominee Program Business Stream. A prospective applicant must be able to commit to one of the following investments:

  • a minimum of $300,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • a minimum of $150,000 CDN equity to start or buy a business outside of the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT.

The prospective applicant must provide proof of a personal net worth of:

  • At least $500,000 CDN to start or buy a business within the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • At least $250,000 CDN to start or buy a business outside the corporate boundaries of Yellowknife, NWT;
  • Provide to the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment a good faith deposit of $75,000 CDN once formally accepted into the Program.

The prospective applicant must also:

  • Demonstrate that they own at least one-third (33.3%) of the business;
  • Where your personal equity investment is at least $1,000,000 you may own less than one-third (33.3%) of the business pursuant to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations section 87(6)(b)(ii); and
  • Demonstrate that they have achieved a proficiency of level 4 against the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 4) in English or the equivalent language level against the Niveaux de competence linquistique Canadiens (NCLC) in French.

In addition to financial means, an applicant also needs to demonstrate the following knowledge and abilities:

  • knowledge and understanding of the NWT and its economy and which businesses will bring significant economic benefit to the Territory.
  • the ability to make at least one (1) in-person business trip to the NWT to gain knowledge about the territory’s business environment;
  • the necessary experience and education to successfully implement the proposed business plan; and
  • A willingness to settle full-time in the NWT.

*Please refer to the full NWT Nominee Program Business Stream Application Guidelines for the complete list of eligibility criteria.

http://www.immigratenwt.ca/start-a-business/business-immigration-program-business-stream

May 11, 2018

Visitor Visa : CAN+

Visitor Visa / CAN+
Have you previously travelled to Canada in the last 10 years? Do you hold a currently valid US visa? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, you may qualify for facilitative processing of your Temporary Resident Visitor application. Want to qualify for even faster processing? Apply Online. This VISA FRIDAY we share information on the popular CAN+ program.
Question 1: What is CAN+?
Answer: CAN+ is a program that offers expedited processing for applicants of a Canadian temporary resident visitor visa. This expedited processing is available to those who have previously travelled to Canada in the last 10 years or who hold a valid US visa at the time of their Canadian visa application.
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Question 2: What are the benefits to applying under CAN+?
Answer: Applicants who meet the criteria of CAN+ do not need to provide financial documents with their application submission, and will also qualify for expedited processing.
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Question 3: Is there any special application form for this program?
Answer: No. The application form is the same as for any Temporary Resident Visitor Visa.
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Question 4: If I do not fill any separate application for CAN+, how will IRCC know I am eligible for this program?
Answer: When you complete your visa application online on our application questionnaire, based on the answers you provide, the system will identify your application as CAN+ or not. Remember, if you decide to apply online, we make every effort to process your application even faster.
For those who apply at the VAC, you must tell the VAC staff you wish to apply under CAN+ and provide with your application, proof of your travel history or valid US visa. If you do not identify yourself as CAN+ at the VAC we cannot guarantee expedited processing of your application.
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Question 5: What are the requirements for CAN+?
Answer: To be eligible for this program, clients must provide evidence that they have travelled to Canada in the last 10 years, or have a valid US visa, such as entry stamps in passport, or proof of the valid visa.
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Question 6: If my application for a US visa is currently pending do I meet the criteria for CAN+?
Answer: No, in order to qualify, you will need to show proof that you have a valid US visa in your passport.
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Question 7: I have a valid US visa but I haven’t travelled to the US yet. Will I be eligible for CAN+?
Answer: Yes. Since your US visa is valid and your passport will show proof of that when you submit it as part of your Canadian visa application, you will be eligible for faster processing under the CAN+ program.
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Question 8: My US visa is valid, but it is in my old passport, do I still qualify for CAN+?
Answer: Yes.
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Question 9: If I provide a written statement that I have a valid US visa, or travel to Canada will I qualify for CAN+?
Answer: No, you will need to provide proof of your entry stamps in your passport, or proof of your valid US visa. A self-declaration is not sufficient to show that you have travel history or hold a valid visa.
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Question 10: Do I have to pay any additional fee to apply under the CAN+ program?
Answer: No. There is no additional cost to be part of this program. You will only need to pay associated visa application fee. Check out our website for more information about paying your application fees http://bit.ly/2E4l9RH
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Question 11: Is the CAN+ program available at all Visa Application Centres (VACs)?
Answer: Yes, you can visit any VAC and indicate you wish to apply under the CAN+ program with evidence to support your previous travel to Canada or valid US visa. CAN+ is a global program available worldwide for all applicants for Canadian Temporary Resident visitor visas.
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Question 12: My US visa expired last month. However my passport does show proof of my travel to US while my visa was valid. Will I still be eligible for Can+?
Answer: No, in order to qualify for CAN+ you will need to show you currently hold a valid US visa.