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Wednesday 30 January 2013

Notice – CIC Consolidating Visa and Immigration Services


January 29, 2013 — Effective January 29, 2013, the Visa and Immigration Sections at the Canadian Embassy in Caracas and the Canadian Consulates General in Detroit and Seattle are closed. In addition, the Visa and Immigration Section at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. will have some services transferred to other offices. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is making changes to the way it operates in Canada and abroad. It is stepping up the pace of modernizing the way it works.
Closures to our operations network are not simply a matter of achieving savings; they are also a result of the transformative change that is taking place in program delivery. For example, online submission of applications for temporary resident lines of business is now available and makes it possible to move processing to where capacity exists. By centralizing some of this work, we can reduce our overseas network with a view to better focus programs and services, streamline internal operations, transform the way we do business and achieve better results for Canadians. The decision to close this visa office is tied to that strategy.
Persons who have already submitted applications do not need to do anything. Their files will continue to be processed. People who are submitting new Temporary Resident applications should do so online. Persons applying for Permanent Residence should continue to submit applications to the centralised offices in Canada, unless otherwise directed by CIC.

If you already submitted an application

Temporary resident applications that have already been submitted at visa offices in Caracas, Detroit or Seattle will continue to be processed to completion at those offices.
All permanent resident applications currently in process at the offices in Detroit, Seattle or Caracas will be transferred to the office now responsible, where processing will resume. Applications previously submitted to the visa office in Caracas will now be processed in Mexico City and those submitted to Seattle or Detroit will be processed by Los Angeles and New York.
Economic and Family Class applications that have already been submitted to the CIO-S or CPC-M and have received positive eligibility will be redirected to the appropriate visa office. Applicants are not required to contact the offices to ensure their application is redirected.

New temporary resident applications

Applicants can submit Temporary Resident applications online or at a visa application centre where available.
For applicants residing in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), Bermuda, St Pierre et Miquelon and the US Virgin Islands, unless otherwise instructed by CIC, all work permit applications will now be processed at the visa office in New York City and all study permit applications will now be processed at the visa office in Los Angeles. Applications for temporary resident visas will be processed at either New York or Los Angeles. Effective immediately the east-west division along the Mississippi in the U.S. will cease to be a determining factor in where U.S. based applications are processed.
U.S. citizens and green card holders can also continue to apply at ports of entry for work and study permits.
For residents of Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, all Temporary Resident applications previously processed by the visa office in Caracas will now be processed at the visa office in Mexico City.
For applicants residing in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), Bermuda, St Pierre et Miquelon and the US Virgin Islands, applications for Temporary Resident Permits (TRPs), Rehabilitation, Authority to Return to Canada (ARC) and Permanent Resident Travel Documents (PRTD) continue to be paper applications and should be submitted to either the visa office in Los Angeles or New York.

New permanent resident applications

All new Economic Class applications should continue to be sent first to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (CIO-S).
All new family class applications must first be mailed to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (CPC-M). Applications that have received positive eligibility will be transferred to the visa office now responsible for further processing.
For persons residing in the U.S., applications for Family Members of Protected Persons, Dependent of a Live-in Caregiver, Adoption (Citizenship and Permanent Residence) and One Year Window of Opportunity Provisions should be submitted to the visa office in Los Angeles for processing.

Notice – CIC Consolidating Visa and Immigration Services


January 28, 2013 —Effective January 28, 2013, the Visa and Immigration Section at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul is closed. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is making changes to the way it operates in Canada and abroad. It is stepping up the pace of modernizing the way it works.
Closures to our operations network are not simply a matter of achieving savings; they are also a result of the transformative change that is taking place in program delivery.  For example, online submission of applications for temporary resident lines of business is now available and makes it possible to move processing to where capacity exists.  By centralizing some of this work, we can reduce our overseas network with a view to better focus programs and services, streamline internal operations, transform the way we do business and achieve better results for CanadiansThe decision to close this visa office is tied to that strategy.
Persons who have already submitted applications do not need to do anything. Their files will continue to be processed. People who are submitting new Temporary Resident applications should do so online.  Persons applying for Permanent Residence should continue to submit applications to the centralised offices in Canada, unless otherwise directed by CIC.
If you already submitted an application
Temporary resident applications that have already been submitted at the visa office in Seoul will continue to be processed to completion at that office.
All permanent resident applications previously submitted to the visa office in Seoul will now be processed in Manila.
Economic and Family Class applications that have already been submitted to the CIO-S or CPC-M and have received positive eligibility will be redirected to the appropriate visa office. Applicants are not required to contact the offices to ensure their application is redirected.
New temporary resident applications
Applicants can submit Temporary Resident applications online or at a visa application centre where available.  
For residents of South Korea, all Temporary Resident applications previously processed by the visa office in Seoul will now be processed at the visa office in Manila.
New permanent resident applications
All new Economic Class applications should continue to be sent first to the Centralized Intake Office in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (CIO-S).
All new family class applications must first be mailed to the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (CPC-M). Applications that have received positive eligibility will be transferred to the visa office now responsible for further processing.

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Speaking notes for The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism

At an event to announce a special Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education


It’s a great privilege to be with you here as we mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was recognized by the United Nations a few years ago. It took them long enough, but thankfully it is an international commemoration. And it’s a commemoration that falls on the anniversary of the liberation of the camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau.
As I mentioned at an event earlier today, at the Holocaust Remembrance Day annual lecture at the University of Toronto cosponsored by the UJA Centre for Holocaust Education, I was actually at Auschwitz-Birkenau on the first year of this annual global commemoration – four years ago, for the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the camps. It was a remarkably frigid day, about 35 below zero and I’ll never forget seeing survivors in their 80s bundled up against the frigid cold Polish winter – coming out, probably putting their health at risk in extreme circumstances, but of course coming back to the site of hell on Earth. And I will never forget the sight of these people, with their endless courage, willing to go back to this place to remember.
It deepened for me what is too often a cliché about our duty to remember. Canada’s history and relationship to the Holocaust is a somewhat remote one, but a real one nevertheless. We know, thanks to the research of Irving Abella and Harold Troper, that Canada had a policy of “None is Too Many” towards the European Jewish refugees before entering the war: A shameful history that was one of quasi-official anti-Semitism. If you read the archival material, any reasonable person would have to draw that inference. The deliberate rejection of the European Jewish refugees before and during the war was motivated in some measure by a reflection of a popular anti-Semitism that was under the surface.
As Canadians, we constantly celebrate our successful model of pluralism, what we call our multiculturalism. We regard ourselves as a paragon of human rights. We are, it’s true, a leader in refugee protection and resettlement. While all of those things are true, they were not always so. And it is terribly important that we hear the voices of the survivors, of their children, that we see the hard evidence. And we do it particularly at a time around the world and yes, here in Canada, when we do see signs of a resurgence of the old anti-Semitism, and perhaps more worryingly, a virulent and violent form of new anti-Semitism.
That is why our government has placed such an emphasis on Holocaust commemoration, education and research, beginning with our acknowledgement of the policy of exclusion of Jews before and during the war. We have established, partnering with Canadian Jewish Congress, a national memorial to the passengers of the MS St. Louis – some 843 passengers whose rejection by the Dominion government from entering the Port of Halifax in 1938 after having been refused in Cuba and Miami, in a very tangible way, symbolizes the rejectionist and implicit anti-Semitism of Canada’s immigration policy at that time.
So we’ve established a national monument to the passengers of the St. Louis at our new National Museum for Immigration in Halifax at Pier 21. We have made a huge investment, over $100-million, in the construction of the National Human Rights Museum in Winnipeg, whose core of course will be the commemoration of the Shoah. We’ve contributed to Holocaust education centres around the country. We have contributed to research in this area, as part of our redress for the exclusionary policy before and during the war. We invested several million dollars in research projects, including some led by B’nai B’rith at the University of Toronto, into the policy of exclusion.
Perhaps most importantly, we led the way to Canada’s membership in what was then known as the Task Force for International Co-operation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research, now newly named the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. Canada is now in its fourth year of membership in that organization and I’m pleased to tell you that Canada this year, beginning in March, will become the International Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, under the capable leadership of Dr. Mario Silva.
We have sought that chairmanship to reflect our growing leadership as a country that is willing to put our own interests at risk by speaking bluntly and frankly about the emergence of the new anti-Semitism around the world. We believe that Holocaust education is an essential antidote to the spread of this virulent form of anti-Semitism. And we believe the International Alliance is an important vehicle to deliver that antidote, through sharing best practices around the world, but also by expanding the number of countries that take Holocaust education commemoration and research seriously.
For example, I hope that in this spring, I’ll be visiting Ukraine with Dr. Silva to strongly encourage that country to join the International Alliance, because some of our friends in Eastern Europe, such as Ukraine, need a little bit of help and encouragement to come to terms with their own history in the Holocaust.
Similarly, there are countries where we see this new form of anti-Semitism that also desperately need to learn the lessons of theShoah. In fact, I was just in Turkey, where I met with the Jewish community in Istanbul, who were pleading with us to accelerate Turkey’s accession to the International Alliance. Because of the complicated relationship today between Turkey and the state of Israel, they desperately want to see Holocaust education curriculum material introduced into the school, so that young boys and girls going to school in Turkey today and in the future know that there was a Holocaust, and maybe then will understand why there’s an Israel.
These are efforts that we are making to lead both here at home and around the world. I want to thank and acknowledge the brilliant work of Yad Vashem and the Canadian Friends for really leading the way, for being the pillar of Holocaust education and commemoration here in Canada. The work that Fran and all of you have done is inestimable in terms of the commitment that you’ve made, the funds that you have raised to support Yad Vashem and its research and teacher-education programs, and all that it does, not only in Israel, but also to translate that back in a relevant way to Canada, to our schools, to our youth, to our civil society.
So on behalf of the Government of Canada, let me thank all of the directors, the volunteers, the donors, the staff and everyone at the Canadian Friends of Yad Vashem for the leadership that you have provided. It’s remarkable, and I think one of the reasons it’s happened is really what comes from the fact that while we had this terrible history of implicit anti-Semitism before and during the war, in some sense Canada redeemed itself following the war, opening up the doors of Canada as a land of refuge to tens of thousands of Holocaust survivors and their children, such that we became, after Israel and the United States, the largest recipient of Holocaust survivors.
And the plurality of them settled here in Toronto, and right in this part of Toronto. So here we are in the heart of one of the post-war communities of survivors around the world. And it is their presence, their dignified and quiet witness which impels us to do yet more. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that, as part of the many activities that we will be sponsoring throughout the year of Canada’s chairmanship of the International Alliance, and in conjunction with the Alliance, we’re launching an Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education.
With this one-time award, the Government of Canada seeks not only to recognize excellence in this important undertaking, but also to promote education, best practices and the sharing of innovative teaching ideas about the Holocaust. The winner of this award will receive $5,000, to be reinvested in Holocaust education at his or her school. And the top three finalists will have their educational materials published on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website as a resource for other teachers and educators.
Anyone interested in the Award for Excellence can get nomination and selection details at the website of my Ministry, and we’ll be accepting nominations until May 15. I encourage teachers to nominate themselves, or any other teacher they know who is committed to Holocaust education and whose teaching philosophy and approach has immeasurable impact on students. This is just one small project of many that we’ll be launching this year around the chairmanship of the Alliance, but we see all of these things as happening in collaboration with the Canadian Friends of Yad Vashem.
Again, on this sombre day of remembrance, as we turn our mind to the greatest crime in human history, let us always be inspired by the symbols of hope that the survivors are. Although many of their lives, in ways both quiet and not so quiet, were tortured and have been filled with grief and coming to terms with that unthinkable experience, they have represented for Canada, now going on six decades, the presence of people of enormous dignity and courage.
So today, we thank them for their witness, for their testimony, and we invite them to use this year of Canada’s chairmanship of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to renew Canada’s commitment to be a champion for human dignity and an enemy of the most ancient and pernicious form of hatred in human history, anti-Semitism. Thank you.

Monday 28 January 2013

Speaking notes for The Honourable Jason Kenney, P.C., M.P. Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism


At a news conference on a new Start-up Visa Program
Toronto, Ontario, January 24, 2013
As delivered
Thanks very much.  I hope I’m not slowing down productivity or interrupting creativity here.  Thanks so much for hosting us. I want to thank Bijean Vaez for that introduction and I’d also like to thank Peter Vandervelden, the President of Canada’s Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, Yuri Navarro, Executive Director of the National Angel Capital Organization and Michael Donohue, Vice President from the Canadian Association of Business Incubators for joining me for this announcement, as well as Dr. Boris Wertz, founder of Version One Ventures, and a lot of other folks from the industry of venture capital, angel investors, mezzanine investors and business incubators.
As you know, the Government of Canada’s number one priority is jobs, growth and long term prosperity. Our Economic Action Plan highlights Canada’s commitment to supporting economic entrepreneurs, innovators and world class research. The plan also unveiled the government’s intention to build a fast and flexible economic immigration system that works for Canada and that works for newcomers.
That’s why we’re here today at EventMobi, a start-up company that specializes in the creation of customized mobile apps for major events. Although the company launched just a few years ago, it’s already a successful Canadian enterprise, having grown from, I understand, 4 employees to 20 in the past year. It now has staff in three countries, with customers in over 25 countries around the world.
Of course, there are hundreds of successful start-ups like this that are creating wealth, that are on the cutting edge of innovation in every corner of Canada.  I want to take this opportunity to congratulate EventMobi for its success in becoming one of the world’s leading mobile platforms for the event industry, as demonstrated by their recent nomination in the event industry’s technology watch awards.
Now, as with most start-up companies, there is enormous potential for EventMobi to further expand and create more jobs for Canada and for Canadians.  I understand from Bijean that EventMobi was founded by immigrant entrepreneurs, as he said, one of whom left Silicon Valley and moved back here to Canada to start the business here.
Stories like this, stories of entrepreneurship, of wealth creation, are a driving force of our economy.  The federal government is committed to ensuring the open economic climate in which they can prosper.
The international community has recognized Canada’s economic success and stability.  In fact, not long ago Forbes magazine ranked Canada as the number one place in the world in which to start a new business. Both the IMF and the World Bank have also said that Canada will continue to have the strongest economy in the G7 in the next year.
This is good news for Canadians but, in a fragile global economy, we cannot take our success for granted.  That’s why we’re continuing to cut red tape and maintain a free and open economy, one that lets entrepreneurs do what they do best, and get on with the business of creating jobs, innovating and creating prosperity.
Canada was built by risk takers and the future strength of our economy depends            on the success of today’s entrepreneurs. Just as many of Canada’s original entrepreneurs were immigrants, recruiting bright and innovative entrepreneurs from around the world will help Canada retain our global competitive edge. 
We’re not the only country trying to do that. Other countries, like the US and Australia, are also looking to attract the world’s best and brightest to their immigration programs.
We don’t want to lose out on the competition for the world’s best foreign entrepreneurs. Our current immigration program for businesses, the so-called entrepreneur program, began in the 1970’s and is, frankly, a bit of a relic of the 1970’s. A huge amount has changed since then and we don’t believe that program is really adding much to Canada’s economy.
That’s why I announced last spring here in Toronto with Kevin O’Leary that we would create a start-up visa pilot program to test a new way to choose immigrant entrepreneurs and to do it before our competitors. I’m very pleased to be here today to present more details about this new immigration program and to announce that this historic and innovative new immigration program will officially open for business on April 1st of this year.
Our brand new start-up visa program is the first of its kind in the world and will help Canada recruit entrepreneurs from around the world to spur economic growth and create jobs.  It will link in-demand immigrant entrepreneurs with private sector organizations here that have experience working with start-ups and can provide essential resources.
To apply, foreign entrepreneurs will first need the support of a Canadian angel investor group or venture capital fund which will help them fulfill their potential and maximize their impact on the Canadian labour market.  By providing promising immigrant entrepreneurs with permanent residency and with immediate access to a wide range of business partners, Canada will position itself as a destination of choice for start-ups.
Indeed, this program differs from similar ones in other countries because we provide immediate permanent residency, not conditional temporary residency. That’s a risk that we are prepared to take, because not every start-up entrepreneur who we invite to come to Canada through this program will succeed on the first shot.
Some of their great business concepts just won’t make it across the line, but they will have demonstrated to the business organizations and to the government that they are the kind of people who have the human capital, the entrepreneurship, the smarts that it takes to succeed in the long run. We don’t want to penalize people if they don’t succeed on their first start-up venture. We want to encourage them to make Canada their new home, to contribute in the long term their human capital to Canada.
That’s why we will be the first and only country in the world to grant immediate permanent residency to those who are selected in this way. There are going to be some pretty basic criteria here for selecting these start-up newcomers. First of all, they’re going to have an intermediate language benchmark of five, which means they can basically function in the Canadian economy. It’s not perfect fluency, but it does ensure that they can get by in French or English.
Secondly, we’ll require that they have completed at least one year of post-secondary education. We thought that shows that they’ve got a bit of college, but we don’t want to penalize the future Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and company who were, of course, famous sophomore dropouts. The organizations with whom we’re partnering, the Canadian Venture Capital Association and the National Angel Capital Organization, will be the two designated organizations that we will begin working with.
We’re working on finalizing our agreement as well with the Canadian Association of Business Incubation. Essentially, if a company wants to sponsor someone in from abroad to begin a start-up here as a permanent resident, that company has to have been accepted into a designated incubator program or received a funding commitment of at least $75,000 from a designated angel investor network. This is for those who are coming in through NACO and then received a funding commitment of at least $200,000 from a designated venture capital fund.
For those who are being sponsored by a member or company in the Canadian Venture Capital Association, they will have to have been a full member in good standing as of last October. If they’re managing $40 million or more and they were a member last October, they’ll automatically be in a position to recommend participants in the program. If they’re managing less than $40 million in assets, then they’ll go through a process in front of a peer review panel, effectively of other companies to ensure that they are a credible company.
For the NACO organization, there will be a panel of NACO members who will review applications and recommend them for permanent residency based on certain criteria that we’ve agreed on with NACO. Basically, what I’m trying to convey here is that we worked out the details with these industry organizations to make sure these are high quality applicants, and that we don’t see anyone trying to cheat their way through this particular program.
As you know, we have a large immigration program of a quarter of a million new permanent residents a year and we think that this will be both facilitative of the legitimate start-up entrepreneurs, but will also prevent people from trying to come in through the back door through this kind of program. We will begin reviewing applications this spring and we will formally publish the full set of program criteria before that time.
We will formally publish the full set of program criteria before that time, but this announcement today and the work the industry is currently doing with CIC will allow Canada’s venture capital industry to  begin the process of recruiting the first class of start-up visa candidates now and be ready when the program officially opens.
The start-up visa will initially be a five year pilot program.  If it proves successful, we’ll extend it and make it permanent.  ’m confident that it will work and that it will help to make Canada the destination of choice for many of the world’s best and brightest to launch their companies and create new wealth here in Canada.
Thank you very much.

Sunday 27 January 2013

Launch of Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education


Toronto, January 27, 2013 — Teachers who demonstrate excellence in Holocaust education are now eligible to win a $5,000 award for their school, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.
The award was launched at the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem in Toronto, during an event marking the 8th annual UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
“The Holocaust stands alone in the annals of human evil,” said Minister Kenney. “It has important lessons to teach all of us—universal lessons that must not be forgotten.”
This award seeks to recognize excellence in Holocaust education, as well as to promote the application and sharing of best practices within Canada’s education community.
The winner will be awarded $5,000 to be reinvested in Holocaust education at his or her school. The top three finalist teachers will have their best practices and learning materials published on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website as a resource for Canada’s education community.
“I encourage teachers to support this award and nominate themselves or a teacher they know who is committed to Holocaust education and whose teaching philosophy and approach has a measurable impact on students,” said Minister Kenney.
This one-time award is being presented in conjunction with the upcoming Canadian Chair Year of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (the Alliance). The Alliance is an intergovernmental body comprised of 31 member states devoted to Holocaust education, remembrance and research. Dr. Mario Silva, former Member of Parliament, will Chair the Alliance between March 2013 and March 2014.
The award winner will be announced at the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Conference in Toronto, in October 2013.

Saturday 26 January 2013

Statement — Minister Kenney issues statement recognizing the Republic Day of India


ttawa, January 26, 2013 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement recognizing the celebration of India’s Republic Day:
On January 26, 1950, the world’s largest democracy became a fully independent republic. The Constitution of India was enacted 63 years ago today. This was not only a defining moment in Indian history, but also an important milestone in the progress of democracy throughout the world.
Republic Day is an annual occasion of widespread celebration for the people of India.  Citizens across the country come together for a day of parades and festivities that pay tribute to India’s great democracy.
“I was fortunate to spend several days in India earlier this month. During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with Indian citizens of many backgrounds, and to once again bear witness to the vibrancy and vigour of Indian society.
India remains one of the top source countries for newcomers to our country. The million-plus Indo-Canadian community has played a central role in shaping Canada’s pluralistic society and will continue to make important contributions to building a stronger Canada.
As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I am happy to join in the celebrations for India’s Republic Day. I send my best greetings to all who are celebrating the day in India and here in Canada.

Friday 25 January 2013

Historic New Immigration Program to Attract Job Creators to Canada


Minister Kenney Announces New Start-Up Visa, First of its Kind in the World

Toronto, January 24, 2013 — Canada will launch a brand new program on April 1 to recruit innovative immigrant entrepreneurs who will create new jobs and spur economic growth, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.
Our new Start-Up Visa will help make Canada the destination of choice for the world’s best and brightest to launch their companies,” said Minister Kenney. “Recruiting dynamic entrepreneurs from around the world will help Canada remain competitive in the global economy.
The Start-Up Visa Program will link immigrant entrepreneurs with private sector organizations in Canada that have experience working with start-ups and who can provide essential resources. The Program is part of a series of transformational changes to Canada’s immigration system that will make it faster, more flexible and focused on Canada’s economic needs.
As a way to help these in-demand entrepreneurs fulfil their potential and maximize their impact on the Canadian labour market, they will require the support of a Canadian angel investor group or venture capital fund before they can apply to the Start-Up Visa Program. Initially, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will collaborate with two umbrella groups: Canada’s Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA) and the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO). These groups will identify which members of their associations will be eligible to participate in the Program. CIC is also working with the Canadian Association of Business Incubation to include business incubators in the list of eligible organizations as soon as feasible.
CVCA is honoured to partner with the Government of Canada in the launch of the Start-Up Visa Program,” said Peter van der Velden, President of the CVCA and Managing General Partner of Lumira Capital. “Through this Program, we want to attract high-quality entrepreneurs from around the globe and help build best-in-class companies in Canada.
We’re excited to be a part of the Start-Up Visa Program,” said Michelle Scarborough, Board Chair of NACO. “Working with CIC and angel groups across the country, this initiative will create Canadian jobs and position Canada as a leader in innovation.
The Start-Up Visa is the first of its kind and will be a powerful incentive to attract individuals with great potential who will have a real impact on the Canadian economy. By providing sought-after immigrant entrepreneurs with permanent residency and immediate access to a wide range of business partners, Canada will position itself as a destination of choice for start-ups. Linking forward-thinking immigrant entrepreneurs with established private sector organizations is essential to the success of both investors and entrepreneurs in building companies that will compete globally and create Canadian jobs.
Jobs, growth and long-term prosperity remain priorities for the Government of Canada, and this new Start-Up Visa Program underscores our commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Canadian labour market,” Minister Kenney concluded.

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Determine your eligibility – Citizenship in Canada


To be eligible to become a Canadian citizen, you must meet the requirements in all of the following areas:

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for Canadian citizenship.
To apply for citizenship for a child under 18, the following conditions must be met:
  • the person applying is the child’s parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian
  • the child is a permanent resident, but does not need to have resided in Canada for three years; and
  • one parent is already a Canadian citizen or is applying to become a citizen at the same time. This also applies to adoptive parents.

Permanent resident status

To become a Canadian citizen, you must have permanent resident status in Canada, and that status must not be in doubt. This means you must not be the subject of an immigration investigation, an immigration inquiry or a removal order (an order from Canadian officials to leave Canada).

Residence in Canada

To become Canadian citizens, adults must have resided in Canada for at least three years (1,095 days) in the past four years before applying. Children under the age of 18 do not need to meet this requirement.
You may be able to count time you spent in Canada before you became a permanent resident if that time falls within the four-year period.
Use the citizenship calculator to find out if you have lived in Canada long enough to apply for citizenship.

Language abilities

Canada has two official languages—English and French. To become a citizen, you must show that you have adequate knowledge of one of these languages.
If you are between 18 and 54, you will have to send proof of your ability to speak and listen in English or French with your citizenship application.
Some examples of this proof can be:
Please see the full list of documents we will accept as proof of the language requirement for citizenship.
CIC staff will also look at how well you:
  • understand basic spoken statements and questions, and
  • express basic information or answer questions.
When you talk to CIC staff or a citizenship judge interviews you, you will have to:
  • take part in short, everyday conversations about common topics;
  • understand simple instructions and directions;
  • speak using basic grammar, including simple structures and tenses; and
  • show that you know enough common words and phrases to express yourself.
A citizenship judge makes the final decision on all cases.

Criminal history (prohibitions)

You cannot become a citizen if you:
  • have been convicted of an indictable (criminal) offence or an offence under the Citizenship Act in the three years before you applied;
  • are currently charged with an indictable offence or an offence under the Citizenship Act;
  • are in prison, on parole or on probation;
  • are under a removal order (have been ordered by Canadian officials to leave Canada);
  • are under investigation for, are charged with, or have been convicted of a war crime or a crime against humanity; or
  • you have had your Canadian citizenship taken away in the past five years.
If you are on probation or are charged with an offence and are awaiting trial, you should wait until after the probation has ended or the trial is over to apply for citizenship.
If you have spent time on probation, on parole or in prison in the last four years, you may not meet the residence requirement for citizenship.
Time in prison or on parole does not count as residence in Canada. Time on probation also does not count as residence in Canada if you were convicted of an offence. If you have spent time on probation from a conditional discharge, it may be counted toward residence. For details, contact the Call Centre.

Knowledge of Canada

To become a citizen, you must understand the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, such as the right and responsibility to vote in elections. You must also demonstrate an understanding of Canada’s history, values, institutions and symbols.
The information you need to know is in our free study guide Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. We will send you a copy of it once we have received your application. The questions in the citizenship test are based on the information in this guide.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Hire a live-in caregiver


Hiring someone from a foreign country takes time. You may want to consider another solution for your caregiving needs during that time. Find out how long it might take to complete the process.

Before you look abroad

You should familiarize yourself with the Live-in Caregiver Program requirements, in particular your responsibilities as an employer under the Program, before spending time or money hiring employees from abroad. You should verify the following:
  • Is there a Canadian or a permanent resident available to do this work?
  • Do you need your employee to live in the home of the person receiving the care? If not, a live-in caregiver may not be the best option for you.
Some countries may have additional requirements for their citizens that do not exist in Canada. For example, some countries have exit requirements whereby their citizens must apply and meet certain requirements to get approval to leave their country. You should ask your prospective caregiver about their country’s requirements to determine if there are additional requirements that may affect you. You can also contact the embassy for that country in Canada.

Determine your eligibility

Apply

Follow the steps to apply to hire a live-in caregiver.

After you apply: get next steps

Find out what you should do after you hire a live-in caregiver. There are a number of conditions you need to meet.

Sunday 20 January 2013

Extend your study permit in Canada


Renewing your study permit

If you want to extend your stay in Canada as a student, you must complete the Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada. Check the expiry date on your study permit, and make sure you apply before that date. You should apply for renewal at least 30 days before your current permit expires.
Note: Children who are less than 17 years of age and studying in Canada without a parent or legal guardian must complete and include the Custodianship declaration (IMM 5646) with their study permit application. See the Instructions Guide (IMM 5552) for more information.

Determine how you will apply

There are two ways you can apply:

Apply online

To apply online you must have access to a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents for uploading and have a valid credit card for payment. Apply online.

Apply on paper

The package includes the application guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download the application package.
If you apply for a renewal of your study permit, and the permit expires before you receive an answer, you can continue to study in Canada under the same conditions until you receive a decision.
You should apply to renew your study permit if you intend to travel outside Canada and your permit will expire while you are travelling.
You cannot extend your study permit beyond the expiry date on your passport.
If your study permit has expired, and you have not applied for an extension, you must leave Canada.

Restoring your status

In some cases, you may apply to restore your status as a student within 90 days of losing it. You may only apply if you have continued to meet the requirements under which you were allowed to enter and stay in Canada and you have met all the conditions imposed on your permit.
After you apply to restore your status, you may stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application but you are not allowed to study until your status has been restored.
There is no guarantee that your application to restore your status will be accepted. On your application, you must provide full details of all the facts and circumstances that caused you to lose your status.
In addition to a fee for renewing your study permit, there is also a fee for restoring your status. The fee is required for each family member who has lost status. To find out about application fees, go to Pay my application fees.
An officer will evaluate your request for restoration of status and will process an application for a study permit. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will advise you of any further action to be taken.

Canada Permanent Resident Card


The permanent resident card (PR card) is the official proof of your status as a permanent resident of Canada. If you are a new permanent resident, you will automatically receive your new card by mail, once you first arrive in Canada, as part of the immigration process.
This wallet-sized plastic card is used by permanent residents of Canada seeking to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier (airplane, boat, train or bus). If you leave the country, you are expected to have this card when returning to Canada. Check the expiry date of your PR card before you plan to travel outside of Canada to ensure that it will not expire before you return. If you do not plan to leave the country, you do not need the card.
Permanent residents may apply for a PR card if they:
  • are physically present in Canada; and
  • received permanent resident status before June 28, 2002;
  • became a permanent resident on or after June 28, 2002, but did not receive a PR card at that time; or
  • need to replace an expired, lost or stolen PR card.

Determine your eligibility

Make sure you are eligible to apply for a PR card.

Apply

Find out what you need to do to apply for a PR card. There are certain documents you will need to include with your application.
If you are outside of Canada without a PR card you must apply for a travel document at a Canadian Visa Office if you plan to re-enter Canada on a commercial carrier.
You can also apply urgently for a PR card if you need to travel on short notice.

Check processing times

Find out how long it will take CIC to process your application for a PR card.
You can also view the service standard for an initial PR card. This standard provides details on the specific level of service you can expect to receive under normal circumstances.

After you apply: get next steps

Learn what you should do after you apply for your PR card.

Check application status

Find the status of your application online.

Saturday 19 January 2013

Canada Issues Record Number of Visitor Visas from Chandigarh


Number of visitor visas issued from Chandigarh mission has tripled since 2005

Amritsar, India — Canada’s Chandigarh office has issued a record number of visitor visas in 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.
In 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officials issued a record number of visitor visas in India’s Punjab region – approximately 17,608, almost three times more than were issued in 2005. As well, approximately 80% of visitor cases processed at missions in India in this year were finalized in five days or less, a major improvement over the 12-day processing time over the same period last year.
I am pleased to announce that a record number of Indians from the Punjab region visited Canada last year and that the percentage of applicants approved for a visitor visa has increased significantly,” Minister Kenney said. “As the cultural and commercial ties between our countries grow, it is good news that more Indians are visiting Canada under our faster, fairer immigration system.”
Minister Kenney also highlighted that, with a 54% approval rate, Canada continues to maintain record high levels of student permits issued to the Punjab region. In 2012, Canada issued approximately 5,200 student permits from Chandigarh, up from 173 in 2004 when the mission first opened.
The Minister also lauded the success of the new Super Visa for parents and grandparents. Launched one year ago, the Super Visa is allows parents and grandparents to visit their loved ones in Canada for as long as two years at a time. There were over 3,700 Super Visas issued from CIC’s Chandigarh mission in 2012, with an approval rate of 80% and average processing times of less than eight weeks.
In addition to benefiting from recent changes to Canada’s immigration system, the record numbers are also due in part to good work by law enforcement agencies in both Canada and India to detect and deter fraud. For example, in December, Punjab updated thePrevention of Human Smuggling Act, which would provide for a minimum three-year prison sentence for consultants who operate without a licence or engage in other fraudulent activities. Less fraud means higher approval rates and faster decisions.
In addition to supporting anti-fraud efforts overseas, CIC has also strengthened the rules governing immigration consultants in Canada. CIC now has the authority to pass on any information regarding the misconduct of an immigration consultant, a lawyer, a paralegal or a notary to the responsible bodies that regulate them.
In 2012, CIC introduced new regulations to prevent fraudsters using marriages of convenience to gain entry to Canada. Newlywed sponsored spousesare now required to live in a legitimate relationship with their sponsors for two years from the day they receive their permanent resident status in Canada or risk having their status revoked and being removed from Canada. And, even if their marriage ends after two years, sponsored spouses must now wait five years from the day they were granted permanent resident status before they can apply to sponsor a new spouse of their own.
India continues to remain one of Canada’s top source countries for immigrants and visitors,” Minister Kenney said. “These increased figures show that our recent changes make it possible for a growing number of travelers to visit Canada.”

Thursday 17 January 2013

Minister Kenney issues statement on Raoul Wallenberg Day


The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement to commemorate Raoul Wallenberg Day:
“Each year on this day, Canadians pay tribute to one of the greatest heroes in history. At great personal risk, and with remarkable ingenuity and courage, Raoul Wallenberg helped rescue over 100,000 Hungarian Jews from certain death at the hands of the Nazis and their allies. During the Holocaust, Raoul Wallenberg saved more Jews than any other single organization or government.
“Raoul Wallenberg was a prominent non-Jewish Swedish businessman who was posted as a diplomat to Budapest, Hungary, during the Second World War. On January 17, 1945, Soviet forces captured Raoul Wallenberg as the Red Army marched through Hungary. To this day, his fate remains unknown.
“In recognition of his heroic achievements, Raoul Wallenberg became Canada’s first honorary citizen in 1985. In 2001, Parliament declared January 17 Raoul Wallenberg Day.
“This past autumn, I had the honour to meet members of Mr. Wallenberg’s family at Canada’s embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, for the official naming of the ‘Raoul Wallenberg Room.’ That same month, I paid respects to Mr. Wallenberg and his heroic actions at the official memorials in Sweden and Hungary.
“Today, Canada Post will issue a commemorative stamp to recognize Mr. Wallenberg’s exceptional courage. Also, this year Ottawa and Toronto are hosting the exhibit “To Me there’s no Other Choice,” which presents Raoul Wallenberg’s role in saving Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust.
“As we pay tribute to this brave hero, we remember the unique horror of the Holocaust and rededicate ourselves to combating anti-Semitism, racism and all other forms of discrimination.
“The Government of Canada is committed to preserving Raoul Wallenberg’s legacy of self-sacrifice and to continuing our proactive role in the international fight against anti-Semitism.
“This year, beginning in March, Canada will chair the Swedish-founded International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance under the leadership of Dr. Mario Silva, a former Member of Parliament.
“As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I encourage all Canadians to help combat anti-Semitism, learn more about Raoul Wallenberg, and be inspired by his heroism and selfless spirit.”

Minister Kenney concludes successful visit to India


Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has completed a productive visit to India, part of a three-country trip that also includes Sri Lanka and Turkey.  Minister Kenney’s six-day visit to India saw him travel through five of the country’s regions.
This official visit to India was a great opportunity to promote Canada internationally,” Minister Kenney stated. “Our two Commonwealth democracies share a deep and growing bond as many Indians come to visit friends and relatives or study in Canada, while others come to Canada to start new lives, through our new fast and flexible immigration programs.
Minister Kenney first traveled to Cochin, Kerala, to attend the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBDs), a large gathering of India’s overseas diaspora at which he spoke on Canada’s model of pluralism, and the success of the more than one million Canadians of Indian origin. He was joined by Member of Parliament Joe Daniel and Senator Asha Seth.
During his time in Cochin, Minister Kenney met with Shri Vayalar Ravi, India’s Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, who he encouraged to move forward with legislation to regulate the conduct of immigration agents and recruiters to better protect from exploitation Indians seeking to visit or immigrate to Canada.
He also met with External Affairs Minister Shri Salman Khurshid and Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur, to discuss matters of mutual interest as Canada and India continue to strengthen human and commercial ties. He spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy about the contribution of Canada’s growing Malayali community, and commercial opportunities between Canada and the state. Minister Kenney also met with His Eminence George Cardinal Alencherry, together with some 40 Bishops of the Syro-Malabar Church on historic Mount St. Thomas to discuss the state of minority communities in India’s diverse society.
Photo described below
Minister Kenney meeting with some schoolchildren in Cochin – Kerala, India – January 8, 2013
Minister Kenney then became the first Canadian Minister ever to make an official visit to the State of Goa, when he met with Chief Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar regarding the success of Canada’s large Goan community, and commercial opportunities such as Canadian energy exports. He also met with Archbishop Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman.
The Minister continued on to Delhi, where he met with Indian Home Affairs Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Sambhajirao Shinde to discuss joint efforts to combat immigration fraud. He also met with leading Indian business and political leaders at a reception to discuss growing opportunities for bilateral trade and investment.
Minister Kenney met with officials at Canada’s High Commission in New Delhi, Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) largest overseas office, to review operations and thank staff for processing record numbers of visas for Indian nationals visiting Canada.
While in New Delhi, the Minister presented flowers at the historic Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple in memory of a victim of a recent brutal gang rape.
Minister Kenney then traveled to Amritsar, Punjab, where he announced that in 2012, CIC’s Chandigarh office issued a record number of Temporary Resident Visas to Punjabi visitors to Canada in 2012, 17,608, nearly three times the number issued in 2005. This is thanks in part to greater cooperation with Punjab State officials in combating illicit activities by unethical immigration agents. He also met with Punjab State Minister Bikram Majithia to discuss efforts to combat immigration fraud, and implementation of Punjab's new Anti-Human Smuggling Act.
While in Amritsar, Minister Kenney visited the Harmandir Sahib, Sikhism’s Golden Temple, where he was accompanied by Minister of State Tim Uppal and Member of Parliament Parm Gill. “I was deeply honoured to visit the Golden Temple for a second time, and to witness the quiet beauty of this place of prayer and devotion that is the spiritual home of hundreds of thousands of Canadian Sikhs,” Minister Kenney said.
Other holy sites the Minister visited while in India included the Paradesi Synagogue in Cochin, the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth; the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa, which holds the relics of St. Francis Xavier; and the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Mahdhir Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. “All of these sacred places reminded me of the stunning diversity of India, and that it is a land of great faith.”
The Minister completed his visit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat to attend the Vibrant Gujarat 2013 Summit, where he was joined by Members of Parliament Patrick Brown and Devinder Shory. Minister Kenney gave the keynote address at the inaugural Canada-Gujarat Business and Trade Opportunities seminar, promoting investment in Canada, and spoke at the closing plenary of the conference attended by more than 50,000 delegates from 120 countries saying that “just as Gujarat has the strongest economy in India, Canada has the strongest economy in the G-7. Working together, the potential to support each other’s prosperity is boundless.”
Minister Kenney met with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who expressed appreciation for Canada having the largest overseas delegation at Vibrant Gujarat, and expressed keen interest in the prospect of importing Canadian energy products and other commodities.
Prime Minister Harper’s historic six-day visit to India last November underscored the enormous progress that we have made in Canada-India relations. The finalization of the Canada-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and Social Security Agreement, the progress being made on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement, Canada's expanded diplomatic and trade promotion presence all help to explain 23% growth in bilateral trade in just one year,” said Minister Kenney. “I was pleased to contribute to this momentum, particularly through the human and cultural bridge between Canada and India made possible through CIC's visitor and immigration programs.

Tuesday 15 January 2013

News Release — Canada to Welcome 5,000 Refugees Now in Turkey


Ankara, Turkey, January 15, 2013 — Canada will resettle up to 5,000 refugees now in Turkey by 2018, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today during his visit to Turkey.
“With escalating violence in the region, more people are seeking protection in Turkey, and our commitment to resettle 5,000 mostly Iraqi and Iranian refugees in Canada will help Turkey deal with this growing pressure,” said Minister Kenney. “We recognize that sheltering such an immense refugee population creates pressures on domestic resources and we commend the Government of Turkey for keeping her borders open to those fleeing the ongoing conflict in the region.”
Canada’s acceptance of Iranian and Iraqi refugees will help ease the overall burden on Turkey, freeing up resources for the current influx of Syrian persons seeking protection in the country. Canada will continue to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help the UNHCR address the needs of refugees and other vulnerable persons in Turkey.
Canada is one of only a few countries to operate a resettlement program out of Turkey, and only the United States takes more refugees. The majority of these refugees will be referred by the UNHCR for resettlement to Canada.
“Canada has long been a place of refuge for those fleeing persecution, and we are proud to continue this tradition today,” said Minister Kenney. “To date, some 12,000 Iraqi refugees have been resettled in Canada, mostly out of Syria. Canada remains committed to its 2009 and 2010 pledges to resettle up to 20,000 Iraqi refugees in need of protection. Today’s commitment will help bring us closer to that goal and will also mark the first time we make a specific multi-year commitment to resettling refugees out of Turkey.”
Canada already has one of the most generous resettlement programs in the world and welcomes one in 10 refugees resettled worldwide through its programs. In addition, the government is working to increase the total number of refugees and other individuals in vulnerable circumstances that this country resettles each year by 20 percent, as part of its commitment to Canada’s humanitarian tradition.
After three years of increases, as of this year Canada aims to resettle up to 14,500 refugees and other individuals in vulnerable circumstances.

Minister Kenney visits displaced Syrians in Turkish camps


Ankara, Turkey, January 14, 2013 — Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney today visited the Islahiye and Öncupinar camps in Turkey for displaced Syrians who have fled violence in their homeland.
During his time in Turkey, Minister Kenney is meeting with state and humanitarian organizations representatives, including those from the Turkish Red Crescent and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), with whom he will be discussing the plight of displaced Syrians, and Canada’s role in providing humanitarian assistance.
“I was deeply moved to hear from displaced Syrians about the unthinkable violence that they have experienced,” said Minister Kenney. “We commend the Government of Turkey for its extraordinary efforts in providing refuge to those displaced by the ongoing conflict. Canada recognises that Turkey is facing significant pressures on domestic resources following the influx of Syrians seeking protection from the civil war.”
Minister Kenney announced, on behalf of International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino, that Canada is providing additional humanitarian assistance in response to the ongoing crisis in Syria. He announced that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is contributing an additional $1.5 million to the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement to help address the needs of those who have fled. The funding will help provide food, water and shelter, and items such as hygiene kits, blankets, heaters, and winter clothing for up to 170,000 displaced Syrians over the coming months.
As the conflict in Syria escalates, civilians continue to live in a state of crisis with immense and urgent needs,” said Minister Fantino. “Canada continues to help to ensure that the basic needs of the Syrian people caught in the middle of this conflict are met quickly and effectively.
Ongoing violence has caused mass displacement within Syria, with thousands fleeing into neighbouring countries. The number of Syrians currently hosted in the countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq now exceeds half a million, the majority women and children.
With this announcement, Canada has contributed $23.5 million in humanitarian assistance for Syrians to date. The $1.5 million will help to ensure that essential emergency relief items are provided to vulnerable people at the Turkish-Syrian border, as well as maintain contingency stocks.
Canada’s overall humanitarian assistance to displaced Syrians includes contributions to the UNHCR, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme to address the needs of displaced Syrians in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq.
I have spoken to High Commissioner Antonio Guterres about the crisis,” said Minister Kenney. “He thanked Canada for our contribution to the UNHCR's relief efforts, and emphasized that the preferred long-term solution is for a political process that ends the civil war, rather than seeking to resettle permanently hundreds of thousands of displaced Syrians.
In 2012, in part through Canada's humanitarian assistance, 1.1 million persons inside Syria were provided with clean water and 400,000 persons received essential items such as hygiene kits, blankets, mattresses and kitchen sets. Up to 1.5 million persons inside Syria also receive food assistance every month from the World Food Programme, to which Canada contributes. Moreover, Canada and other donors are helping meet the basic needs of the more than 500,000 Syrians who have fled to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.
For more information on Canada’s humanitarian assistance to the crisis in Syria, please visit the CIDA website.
Canada, through its International Humanitarian Assistance Program, aims to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain the dignity of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters by providing appropriate, timely, and effective responses.
Photo described below
Minister Kenney with children displaced by the ongoing conflict in Syria at the İslahiye Camp – Gazientep Governorship, Turkey