From Far and Wide Immigration Consultancy

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...

In a world increasingly challenged by natural disasters, Canada's robust disaster relief measures not only cater to its citizens but also extend crucial assistance to immigrants impacted by such crises. The recent initiatives launched by the Canadian government underline their commitment to assisting those in need. Tailored Relief for Immigrants Canada has a long-standing history of battling wildfires, a force of nature that can leave behind devastation and displacement. In response to the escalating situation, the government announced a series of specialized measures to support people affected by severe wildfires, including those navigating the immigration process. Recognizing the challenges faced by citizens and immigrants in the wake of disasters, Canada has designed targeted measures offering assistance to those affected by wildfires. Those directly affected by the wildfires can apply for free to replace citizenship , immigration or travel documents (including passports) that h...

Provincial Nominee Programs for Immigrating to Canada Canada has always been a land of opportunities and a sought-after destination for immigrants worldwide. With its diverse culture, strong economy, and welcoming atmosphere, it's no surprise that many individuals dream of starting a new life in the Great White North. For skilled workers and entrepreneurs, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) offers a pathway to Canadian permanent residency .  What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)? The Provincial Nominee Program is a partnership between the Canadian federal government and provincial or territorial governments. Through the PNP, provinces and territories can nominate individuals who possess the skills and qualifications needed to address specific regional labor market demands. Each province or territory in Canada has its own set of PNP streams, tailored to meet its unique economic and demographic needs. Benefits of the Provincial Nominee Program: Express Entry Pathway: Many P...

Canada's Express Entry system is undergoing a significant update with the introduction of category-based selection. This new approach aims to enhance the immigration process by providing more tailored pathways for skilled workers to become permanent residents. Express Entry is Canada's flagship program for managing the intake of skilled workers who wish to immigrate and become permanent residents. It operates through a comprehensive ranking system, where eligible candidates are awarded points based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience. These points are used to determine an individual's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which ultimately influences their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Under the new category-based selection system, candidates in the Express Entry pool will be grouped into different categories based on their skills and attributes. These categories are designed to align...

Starting April 1, 2025, the federal government along with three Canadian provinces and territories are raising the minimum wage per hour. The Federal government along with other provinces and territories increased the minimum wage earlier this year. Time to have a look at the minimum wage across Canada! The following table shows the current minimum wage across Canada and its respective effective date: Province / Territory Current Minimum Wage Effective Date Federal $ 17.75 April 1, 2025 Alberta $ 15.00 October 1, 2018 British Columbia $ 17.85 June 1, 2025 Manitoba $ 15.80 October 1, 2024 New Brunswick $ 15.65 April 1, 2025 Newfoundland and Labrador $ 16.00 April 1, 2025 Northwest Territories $ 16.95 September 1, 2025 Nova Scotia $ 15.70 April 1, 2025 Nunavut $ 19.75 September 1, 2025 Ontario $ 17.20 October 1, 2024 Prince Edward Island $ 16.00 October 1, 2024 Quebec $ 16.10 May 1, 2025 Saskatchewan $ 15.00 October 1, 2024 Yukon $ 17.94 April 1...

A permanent resident is someone who has been given permanent resident status by immigrating to Canada. This includes refugees who are resettled from overseas through the Government-Assisted Refugee Program or the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program. A permanent resident is not a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents are citizens of other countries. A person in Canada temporarily, like a student or foreign worker, is not a permanent resident. Permanent resident (PR) status does not expire. Even if you haven’t lived in Canada for many years, you could still be a PR!  What permanent residents can do As a permanent resident, you have the right to: get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage, live, work or study anywhere in Canada, apply for Canadian citizenship, protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Permanent residents must pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and muni...

International Experience Canada (IEC) is a reciprocal program that gives youth the opportunity to travel and work in Canada for up to 3 years. Young adults aged 18 to 35 can participate in the program under the following categories: Working Holiday ( open work permit ) Young Professional (employer-specific "closed" work permit for jobs contributing to professional development) International co-op (employer-specific work permit for student internship terms) Who Can Apply Citizens of partner countries may be able to apply to one or more of these three categories. Citizens of other countries may still be able to apply to the IEC program through a Recognized Organization  (RO).  The number of participations and length of work permit depend on the applicant's country of citizenship. While some countries allow repeat participations in the same or a different category, others are limited to one participation. The length of work permit under the IEC program can vary from 6 mont...