From Far & Wide Immigration Inc.

Canada has long been recognized for its inclusive and robust immigration policies, attracting individuals from around the world seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life. To further enhance the efficiency and transparency of its immigration system, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented significant updates, including improvements to online processing time tools. These changes aim to provide applicants with clearer expectations and timelines throughout their immigration journey. Understanding Forward-Looking Processing Times One of the key enhancements introduced by IRCC is the implementation of forward-looking processing times for various immigration applications. This new approach offers applicants applying today a more accurate estimate of how long they can expect to wait before a final decision is made on their application. Specifically, forward-looking processing times are now available for the following pathways to permanent residence : Ca...

Background To finance its programs, the Government of Canada follows an approach where most of the costs are the responsibility of those who receive the services and benefit directly from them. To account for inflation, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced in 2017 that fees would be adjusted by the cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI) annually. In accordance with the Service Fees Act (SFA), the application fees for foreign nationals applying to regain their status or return to Canada after being inadmissible will be adjusted for inflation on December 1, 2023.  This ensures that fees remain current and reflect the costs of delivering services, while the SFA improves the transparency, accountability and predictability of government service fees. These fees have been adjusted to account for the yearly rate of inflation since April 2018. Following the regular schedule, the next annual increase of inadmissibility fees is expected on December 1, 2024. What's the...

Canada has long been recognized as a welcoming destination for international students, offering world-class education and diverse cultural experiences. If you're considering studying in the True North, you'll need to obtain a study permit, a crucial document that allows you to pursue your educational dreams in Canada.  Applying for a Study Permit A study permit is a legal document issued by the Canadian government that authorizes foreign nationals to study at designated learning institutions (DLIs) in Canada. It's essential to note that not all foreign students need a study permit. Some exceptions apply, such as short-term courses or family members of foreign representatives to Canada.  The general steps of applying for a study permit are as follows: Obtain a letter of acceptance from a  DLI  in Canada. Create an account on the  Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website . Complete the study permit application and pay the required fee. Submit y...

Family sponsorship programs are designed to reunite Canadian citizens and permanent residents with their loved ones from around the world. In contrast to economic programs such as Express Entry or Provincial Nominee Programs , family sponsorship is solely based on the foreigner's relationship to a Canadian citizen or  permanent resident . These programs enable eligible sponsors to bring spouses and children, parents and grandparents, and other close relatives to Canada, fostering family unity and community diversity. To qualify as a sponsor, you must commit to providing financial support for the individuals you are sponsoring for a specified duration, known as the "length of undertaking." Keep reading for an overview of these family sponsorship programs, highlighting their key features and requirements. Spouses and Children So-called Spousal Sponsorship refers to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wish to sponsor their legally married spouse, common-law partn...

Citizenship is the culmination of an immigration journey and a major highlight for those who made it to the finish line. Did you know that Canada's passport ranked 8th most powerful in the world? As of 2022, Canadian passport holders can visit 185 countries visa-free. Eligibility In order to apply for Canadian citizenship, you need to become a permanent resident (PR) first. After living in Canada for at least 3 years (1,095 days to be exact) within the past 5 years, you can submit your citizenship application. Typically, you will also need to have filed your taxes, pass a citizenship and prove your language skills in English or French. Canada allows multiple citizenship but it will depend on your home country's policies if you're able to keep your citizenship and become a dual citizen. Application Process As Canada is modernizing its immigration system, applications for adults can now be submitted online. If you want to apply with a minor, you can only apply on paper at the...

NOC 2021 With the implementation of the new NOC 2021, the federal and provincial governments are updating the requirements for their immigration programs. British Columbia (BC) used this opportunity to revise their Provincial Nominee Program's (PNP) Skills Immigration in order to strengthen the integrity of the program while protecting the safety of British Columbians. Applications received before November 16, 2022 will continue to be processed using NOC 2016. All registrations and applications submitted on or after November 16, 2022 will now use NOC 2021. The general eligibility criteria were updated to reflect the new Training, Experience, Education and Responsibilities (TEER) categories of the NOC 2021 rather than the Skill levels of the previous NOC 2016. If those eligibility criteria are met, a candidate can register for the BC PNP Skills Immigration and receive a score based on human capital factors. A registration is considered an expression of interest to be considered for ...

Transition to online applications for most PR pathways Over the coming weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will gradually move most permanent immigration programs to a completely digital application process in an effort to improve client service and modernize the Canadian immigration system. The new Permanent Residence Portal  has been online since March 2021, allowing some clients to apply online for certain immigration programs and confirming their permanent resident (PR) status through virtual landings once their application has been approved. IRCC has been expanding the portal over the past months and it is currently open to most PR applicants. Following the schedule below, IRCC will begin the transition to 100% online applications on September 23, 2022 . While there will be an alternative submission process for applicants who are unable to apply online and require accommodations, such as for a disability, all other applications received after the stated...

What is maintained status? Foreign nationals that entered Canada legally  have temporary resident status. Temporary residents  must leave Canada at the end of their authorized period of stay . However, a temporary resident may apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to extend their period of authorized stay before it ends. In this case, they are considered to have legal status as a temporary resident d uring the processing period  and may still be able to study and/or work in Canada  until a decision is made on their application . This is known as maintained status (previously called implied status ). When do I need to apply? The date and time the application was received are important for determining if status is maintained. You can only benefit if the new application was submitted before the current status expired. For online applications, IRCC uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) around the world to ensure that time is equal for al...

British Columbia Canada's westernmost province is world-famous for its beautiful scenery and cosmopolitan flair. The metropolitan area of Vancouver and the capital city of Victoria account for almost half of BC's five million residents. Many others are drawn to the province's scenic mountains, coastline and lakes, and settle in more rural areas.  How can I immigrate to BC? There are 6 steps to immigrating under the Provincial Nominee Program of British Columbia (BC PNP): Step 1: Choose the stream that is right for you, and register with BC's Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS). SIRS is similar to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used for Express Entry but considers other factors such as annual salary and intended region within British Columbia. Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The BC PNP will periodically invite people who are in the registration pool to submit an application to the program. The information provided in registrations will b...

Rounds of invitations resume for all Express Entry programs The month of July saw the first two all-program draws under Express Entry since the beginning of the pandemic. For 18 months, no candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs were invited, and since September 2021, Express Entry rounds of invitations were exclusively held for provincial nominees. On July 6, a total of 1,500 Express Entry candidates with a minimum CRS score of 557 were invited to apply for permanent residence (PR). This was the highest score since 2015 when the Express Entry system was implemented. The second draw on July 20 saw a slight increase in invitations for a total of 1,750 invitations which dropped the required score to 542.  Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has since confirmed that both rounds of invitations included candidates under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Worker (F...