Immigrate to Canada. Nick Noorani

      “ … what keeps the earth turning are the thousands of immigrants walking to new destinations every day, pushing the planet around and around with their millions of footsteps.”

      — Anonymous

      I still remember my first day in Canada like it was yesterday. It was a chilly day in April of 1998. My family and I were moving from Dubai so we didn’t have warm jackets, but my brother who had migrated two years earlier had the car heater on so we didn’t feel cold. My first view of the North Vancouver mountains made me fall in love with the place I was to live.

      It took a lot of research and planning before I finally settled. In this book I want to share the basics of what I learned with you.

      For starters, the organization handling all the applications and issues regarding immigration and citizenship is called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). This federal department determines immigration policy in Canada, works to ensure all applicants (i.e., temporary workers, international students, and permanent residents) get competent and fair decisions, and also strives to make immigrants first steps toward integration easier. It also offers assistance and protection to refugees and other persons in need.

      On the CIC website you can download all the application forms you need to apply for coming either temporarily or permanently to Canada as well as information on how to complete and submit them and payment of the applicable fees.

      You can also contact the closest visa office to your city for information on applying for immigration. Visa officers work in Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates around the world to process applications for immigration, refugee resettlement, temporary resident visas, study, and temporary work permits. See the CIC website for visa office locations (www.cic.gc.ca/).

      Tip: Be sure that you follow the specific instructions for the visa office serving your country.

      Completing an application form is one thing; getting it approved is entirely different. The number of applicants far exceeds the number of people approved for immigration. Applying to immigrate can be riddled with an endless stream of complicated forms and confusing requirements. Together with Vancouver, British Columbia-based immigration lawyer Catherine Sas, QC, we have streamlined all the information on the immigration process to Canada.

      Note that immigration policies are always changing! It’s important to keep on top of new policies and rules, so Catherine and I will keep you informed with regular updates and new editions to this book found at www.canadacountdown.ca.

      When you arrive, I’ll keep guiding your journey with my bestselling guide to your first year in Canada, Arrival Survival Canada (www.arrivalsurvival.com). You may also want to read 365 Tips for Newcomers: Your First Year in Canada, published by Self-Counsel Press.

      1. The Changing Canadian Immigration Environment

      For someone who immigrated five years ago, Canada’s immigration landscape has been completely transformed. Catherine has people coming into her office and asking to do things which no longer exist and fighting with her about why they can’t be done the way they want! Our readers need to be prepared for changes to the system.

      Here are some of the changes:

      • Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) wants to make assessing applications fast and transparent so it is requiring objective third-party services to evaluate language skills and educational qualifications. Applicants will need to have the results of these evaluations before submitting an application. This will enable applicants to see whether they qualify from the outset of the process.

      • CIC is going electronic. More and more applications are being made online. This trend will continue but it may have potential challenges. You have to be sure you understand the entire online application process. Make sure that you have a complete copy of your application and supporting documents before you submit them. Once you hit “send” your application is gone to CIC cyberspace.

      • CIC wants to be able to process applications quickly and manage its workload, which could mean the end of wait-lists. Expect to see annual caps on the number of applicants eligible in all program categories.

      The Minister has also introduced two new immigration programs and announced a third:

      • The Federal Skilled Trades Program: In order to address Canada’s shortage of tradespeople, this new program allows certain skilled tradespeople to come to Canada under their own unique program

      • The Start-up Visa Program: This new business program is the first of its kind “in the world,” as described on the CIC website, by granting immediate permanent residence to promising entrepreneurs who are selected by and matched with approved industry partners.

      • Express Entry Program: This program will commence in early 2015. Express Entry will transform Canada’s immigration program from a passive/responsive system, to a new active recruitment model that will prioritize processing for people with the skills to succeed in Canada.

      On May 1, 2014, federal Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Chris Alexander, introduced the latest changes to the Federal Skilled Worker category. The Minister increased the total number of applications in this category to 25,000 through to April 30, 2015, in 50 different occupational categories with a 1,000 sub-cap for each occupation.

      You should also be aware of the following changes:

      • Language proficiency is now the single most important factor to qualify under the skilled worker category. A principal applicant can earn up to 24 points for his or her first official language and a further four points for his or her second language for a total of 28 points out of a required 67. Points are now allocated for a spouse’s language proficiency rather than education. The message is clear; Canada needs immigrants who can communicate effectively in one of the two official languages — English or French. This overall emphasis on language proficiency can also be seen in the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Live-in Caregiver, Skilled Trades, and Citizenship programs. Expect this to continue.

      • There is a new focus on younger immigrants. The old system gave ten points to anyone between 21 to 49 years of age and continued awarding points until age 53! The revised selection grid will favour younger immigrants by awarding a maximum of 12 points for applicants aged between 18 to 35; one point will be deducted per year after age 35.

      • The number of points allocated for past (foreign) work experience will be reduced to 15