Oh CANADA! Essential facts about Visiting, Studying, Working,

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Oh CANADA!Essential facts about Visiting,
Studying, Working, applying for Permanent
Residence.

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For More Information and Applications

• Visit www.buffalo.gc.ca

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Working in CanadaInternational Students and
Spouses
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Open Post-Graduation Work Permits

• International students may obtain an open work
  permit, with no restriction on the type of
  employment and no requirement for a job offer.
• In addition, the duration of the work permit has
  been extended to three years across the country.
• A minimum of one year work experience in
  managerial, professional or technical positions
  (i.e. at level O, A or B under the National
  Occupational Classification/NOC system) will be
  necessary to apply to stay permanently through
  the Canadian Experience Class.

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Open Post-Graduation Work Permits

• Requirements
• ?Must have studied full-time for the 8 months
  preceding the completion of their program of
  studies and have graduated from a degree-granting
  institution
• ?Must apply within 90 days of receiving written
  confirmation that they have met the requirements
  of the academic program
• ?Must have completed and passed the program of
  study received notification that they are
  eligible to obtain their degree, diploma or
  certificate
• ?Must have a valid study permit when they apply
  for the work permit.

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Open Post-Graduation Work Permits

• If the program of study is less than 2 years but
  at least 8 months, the validity of the work
  permit will not be longer than the period of
  study.
• Available only once
• For graduates of a 2-yr program (or longer),
  eligible for full 3-year Open Post-Grad Work
  Permit.

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Work Permits for Spouses
Spouses/Common-law (including same-sex)
Partners of persons on Study and Work Permits may
qualify to obtain OPEN Work Permits
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Work Permits for Spouses

• Spouses may obtain work permits for employment in
  the general labour market as long as
• The foreign student is the holder of a study
  permit attending a full-time post-secondary
  degree or diploma granting institution or
• After graduation, the foreign student has a valid
  work permit valid for at least 6 months for a
  qualifying job
• May work in general labour market. Positions in
  medical or childcare require medical examination.

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Application Categories

• Economic Class
• Skilled Workers
• Canada Experience Class (CEC Class)
• Investors
• Entrepreneurs
• Self-Employed

• Family Class
• Spouses
• Children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Others
• Humanitarian Class
• Refugees

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Canadian Experience Class(CEC)

• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) became
  effective September 17, 2008.
• This is a prescribed class of persons who may
  become permanent residents on the basis of their
  Canadian experience.
• They must intend to reside in a province or
  territory other than Quebec and must have
  maintained temporary resident status during their
  qualifying period of work experience as well as
  during any period of full-time study or training
  in Canada.

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Two Streams Available

• Temporary Foreign Worker Stream
• Post-Graduation Stream

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Temporary Foreign Worker Stream

• Must have 2 years of full-time equivalent work
  experience at the National Occupation Code (NOC)
  O, A or B level (managerial, professional or
  skilled and technical) acquired in Canada within
  the three years preceding the date application is
  made

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National Occupation Classification
(NOC)www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca

• The NOC is a classification system for jobs in
  the Canadian economy. It describes duties,
  skills, talents and work settings for
  occupations.

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Post-Graduation Stream

• Completed a required program of study in Canada
  and obtained a Canadian education credential
  (i.e. degree, diploma or certificate)
• Been enrolled full-time in the program of study
  or training for 2 yrs
• Acquired one full-time equivalent, work
  experience at the NOC O, A or B level in Canada,
  within the 2 yrs preceding the date the
  application is made

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How Applications are Assessed

• Status
• English or French language proficiency
• Work experience for Temporary Foreign Worker
  Stream or Post-Graduation Stream
• Education requirement, for Post-Graduation Stream
  only

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Status

• Must have had temporary resident status
  during the period of work which qualifies for
  CEC, as well as during any period of full-time
  studies or training

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Language Assessment

• Provide evidence that their proficiency in
  English or French has been assessed by a
  designated language testing agency for their
  abilities to speak, listen, read and write or
• Must submit evidence of their proficiency in
  English or French

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Language Test Results (IELTS)

• For applicants with work experience in NOC skill
  level O or A must meet Benchmark (IELTS
  equivalent) skill level 7 or higher in all levels
• For applicants with work experience in NOC skill
  level B must meet Benchmark (IELTS equivalent)
  skill level 5 or higher in all levels

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Language Assessment

• One type of evidence
• Language Testing
• IELTS International English Language Testing
  System
• www.ielts.org
• TEF Test dEvaluation de Francais
• www.fda.ccip.fr/

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Other Evidence of Language Ability

• Written narrative explaining any language
  training and how English or French is used in day
  to day life
• Certificates or transcripts to prove training
• Letters from employers or instructors supporting
  language ability
• Any documentary evidence that will help in the
  assessment of English or French proficiency.

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Interactive Tool Am I Eligible?
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Application Kit

• Download the kit at www.buffalo.gc.ca

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Who is Eligible to Apply

• In order for your application to be eligible for
  processing, you must either
• Have an offer of arranged employment (AEO), OR
• Be a foreign national living legally in Canada
  for 1 year as a temporary foreign worker or an
  international student, OR
• Be a skilled worker who has at least 1 year of
  experience in one or more of the National
  Occupation Classification (NOC) categories

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What is the difference between Arranged
Employment Offer and Arranged Employment Opinion?

• Arranged Employment Offer currently working in
  Canada under a Work Permit, provide a photocopy
  of the permit and a letter from your employer
  confirming how much longer you will be employed.
• Arranged Employment Opinion have a permanent
  job offer confirmed by HRSDC, provide a photocopy
  of the HRSDC/Service Canada confirmation letter
  (Arranged Employment Opinion) which was sent to
  your employer.

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Where to Apply

• As of April 1, 2009, the Centralized Intake
  Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia is the intake
  point for ALL Federal Skilled Worker
  applications
• 1. Experience in one of the 38 NOCs
• 2. Arranged Employment Offer (AEO)
• 3. Temporary Foreign Worker / International
  Student in Canada.
• As of Sept 8, 2009, FSW applicants can use the
  following payment options
• Credit card or certified Canadian cheque.

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How Applications are Assessed

• Applications deemed eligible for processing
  must meet the minimum requirements and the
  passmark.

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Minimum RequirementsWork Experience

• For occupations on the NOC list
• Must have been
• Within 10 years before application
• 1 yr continuous fulltime (or equivalent
  part-time) paid work experience in one NOC
  occupation.
• Performed the actions described in the lead
  statement and
• Performed substantial number of main duties of
  the occupation (described in NOC)
• May have paid work experience in different NOC
  occupation(s) for possible additional points.
• Cannot make up 1-yr in a series of different
  occupations that total 1 year.

• For AEO and Temporary Workers/Students
• Must have been
• Within 10 years before application
• Continuous full-time or equivalent
• Paid
• At NOC skill level
• O Management
• A Professional
• B Technical/Skilled Trades

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Minimum Requirements

• If an applicant does not meet the Ministerial
  Instruction, there will be no further assessment
  of the application and will receive a full
  refund.
• If Ministerial Instructions are met, the
  application will be returned with a letter
  requesting the applicant to submit their
  application to Buffalo (or visa office servicing
  country).

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Skilled Worker Selection Factors
   
Factor Factor Points
1 Age 10
2 Education 25
3 Language proficiency 24
4 Work experience 21
5 Arranged employment 10
6 Adaptability 10
Potential maximum Potential maximum 100
Minimum pass mark Minimum pass mark 67
   
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Selection Factors Age
Age Points
21 to 49 10
20 or 50 8
19 or 51 6
18 or 52 4
17 or 53 2
16 or 54 0
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Selection Factors Education

• Points awarded are determined by
• Nature of the educational credential (diploma,
  trade certificate, apprenticeship, university
  degree)
• Length of program
• Number of credentials
• Total years of education

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Selection Factors Education
Credential Points
Secondary School 5
12 Years 1 Year Cred. 12
13 Years 1 Year Cred. 15
14 Years 2 Year Cred. 20
15 Years 3 Year Cred. 22
17 Years Grad. Cred. 25
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Selection Factors Language

• Points awarded for level of proficiency (high,
  moderate, basic, or none)
• Canadas two official languages English and
  French
• Assessed against the Canadian Language Benchmarks
  for Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
• Acceptable Language Testing
• IELTS - International English Language Testing
  System
• www.ielts.org
• CELPIP - Canadian English Language Proficiency
  Index Program www.ares.ubc.ca/CELPIP
• TEF Test dEvaluation de Francais
• www.fda.ccip.fr

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Selection Factors Language
1st Official Read Write Listen Speak
High 4 4 4 4
Moderate 2 2 2 2
Basic 1 1 1 1
2nd Official Read Write Listen Speak
High 2 2 2 2
Moderate 2 2 2 2
Basic 1 1 1 1
Maximum 2 points
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Selection Factors Experiencefor AEO and
Temporary Worker/Student

• Proof of the AEO (if applicable)
• Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B in NOC matrix
• Must have performed the actions in the lead
  statement of the occupation as set out in the NOC
• Must have performed all the essential duties and
  at least a substantial number of the main duties
• Proof of status, letter of employment, or
  enrollment letter

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Selection Factors Experiencefor 38 NOC
Occupations

• One years work experience in one of the 38
  occupations
• (continuous, full-time, paid within last 10
  years)
• Must have performed the actions in the lead
  statement of the occupation as set out in the NOC
• Must have performed all the essential duties and
  at least a substantial number of the main duties

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Selection Factors Experience

• Points only awarded for paid experience
• Must be continuous work
• Can be in more than one occupation

Years Points
1 15
2 17
3 19
4 21
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Selection Factors Arranged Employment

• ?10 points
• ?Full time, indeterminate Job Offer confirmed
  by Service Canada
• OR
• ?Currently working in Canada on work permit valid
  for at least next 12 months (includes Postgrad
  Intracompany NAFTA)

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Selection Factors Adaptability

• MAXIMUM 10 Points
• Education of accompanying spouse / partner
• 3, 4 or 5 points depending upon spouses
  post-secondary educational attainment
• Previous study in Canada
• 5 points if applicant or spouse/partner completed
  at least 2 year post-secondary program in Canada

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Selection Factors Adaptability

• Previous work in Canada
• 5 points if Applicant or spouse/partner have at
  least one year full time experience in Canada on
  work permit
• Arranged employment
• 5 points if applicant received points under the
  Arranged Employment factor
• Relatives in Canada
• 5 points if applicant or spouse/partner has a
  Canadian citizen or permanent resident relative
  (living in Canada)

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Inadmissibility

• Criminal
• Medical
• Misrepresentation

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Fees

• Application Fee (Canadian/US dollars)
• Principal applicant 550 / 465
• Spouse/Partner 550 / 465
• Child 150 / 130
• Right of Permanent Residence Fee
• Principal Applicant 490 / 415
• Spouse/Partner 490 / 415

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How Long Does it Take?

• AEO and Temporary Worker/Student applications are
  submitted to CPC-Sydney
• Once deemed eligible must submit fully
  completed application to appropriate visa office
  within 120 days
• Processing begins once completed application is
  received in Visa Office

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How Long Does it Take?

• Processing begins once visa office determines R11
  is met
• Routine application may take up to 24 months
• Supporting documents must be submitted
• Submission of complete application up front will
  reduce processing time!
• Medical examinations are required
• An interview may be required
• Police clearance certificates from all places of
  residence in the last ten years or since age 18
  are required

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How Can I Get Canadian Immigration Information?

• www.cic.gc.ca
• General information
• Application Kits
• Fee Schedules
• CIC Publications
• Links to Related Sites
• Updates on Immigration Act
• www.canadainternational.gc.ca
• General information
• Links to other resources

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Other Useful Websites

• Service Canada
• www.servicecanada.gc.ca
• NOC
• www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca
• Buffalo Consulate
• www.buffalo.gc.ca
• Government of Canada
• www.canada.gc.ca

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Questions?

• Canadian Consulate General
• Buffalo, New York
• www.buffalo.gc.ca