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Striking foreign service officers are withdrawing all services at Canada's 15 biggest visa processing centres abroad starting Monday (June 29, 2013), following a failed attempt to go to arbitration to settle the bitter contract dispute with the government.

The Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers, the union representing the officers, said Friday that Treasury Board President Tony Clement had rejected its offer of binding arbitration because the union wouldn't accept the conditions Clement attached to the offer.

The union began staging rotating job actions in the spring at different embassies and visa processing centres at different times, which has slowed down work abroad but not completely stopped it. Now the union is stepping up its pressure on the government.

"Effective Monday, in order to persuade the government that binding arbitration remains the responsible way forward to resolve our dispute, PAFSO members will withdraw all services until further notice at Canada's fifteen largest visa processing centres abroad," PAFSO said in a statement.
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The centres are:
1. Abu Dhabi
2. Ankara
3. Beijing
4. Cairo
5. Delhi/Chandigarh
6. Hong Kong
7. London
8. Manila
9. Mexico City
10. Moscow
11. Paris
12. Riyadh
13. Sao Paulo
14. Shanghai
15. Not listed

"We take no pleasure whatsoever in these strike actions and their real, severe, and mounting effects on the Canadian economy. But it should now be evident to all Canadians that from this point forward the government of Canada bears sole and complete responsibility for these impacts," the union said.

The tourism sectors and education institutions and organizations have been vocal with their concerns about the foreign service strike because of its impact already on the processing of visas. PAFSO encouraged them and others Friday to urge the government to "bargain freely and flexibly."

After the last round of negotiation broke down with no resolution and weeks went by with no talks scheduled, the union proposed to the government that they go to binding arbitration. The government then responded that it would agree, only if the union accepted certain conditions. It wanted the conditions kept confidential.
But in its statement Friday PAFSO shared some of the conditions and said two of them were "so paralyzing that their acceptance would have predetermined the outcome of arbitration in the government's favour and negated the purpose and integrity of the process."
Union accepted some conditions

The government wanted to exclude any mention of other bureaucrats who perform similar work, according to the union, "which has been at the heart of our position since day one."
"Equal pay for equal work," has been the union's slogan throughout the strike and it's the main sticking point in the dispute.

Ending their work action during the arbitration process was another condition the government wanted to impose and is one the union accepted. It also accepted two other conditions, but without accepting all six, the government said no to arbitration.

The union is accusing Clement of "cherry-picking criteria" that would have favoured the government's position and of "negotiating in bad faith."
Clement rejects those accusations. In his own statement released Friday he said the government has put a fair contract offer on the table and it's "disappointed that PAFSO was so quick to reject our willingness to enter into a binding arbitration process that the union itself requested."

He said the Canadian public is concerned about PAFSO's willingness to disrupt international business and tourism during the busy summer season.
"However, we want to reassure Canadians and our international friends that, despite PAFSO's actions, Canada remains open for business, and that we continue to welcome visitors and international students to experience Canada," Clement said.
On Twitter Clement said he couldn't comment on future options but that new Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander "will be able to deal with the resources needed."

Prayer for all those applying and currently waiting on status!

According to Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney more than 20,000 Parent and Grandparent Super Visas have been issued to Canada since the start of the program in late December 2001.

This innovative way of giving parents and grandparents the ability to travel back and forth between their home country and Canada allows loved ones to stay connects without the trouble of going through visa applications upon every entry etc.

CIC reports that this has become the most popular program with an average 1,000 Super Visas being issued monthly with an approval rate as high as 85%!

The super visa allows for multiple entries for parents and grandparent of children and grandchildren living in Canada. The super visa is valid for a period of ten years while offering the holder the option of staying in Canada for two years at a time.

The process for the super visa is incredibly easy and requires the following:

- Applicant for the super visa must provide proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income level.
- Demonstrate that they have purchased comprehensive Canadian medical insurance.
- Undergo immigration medical examination

The Federal Minister also noted that to date some 99% of applicants who meet the above requirements have been approved.

PEOPLE! If you have applied and not heard anything it is either because they did not receive your application, it got lost or they began processing without letting you know.

The logical step is two choices....

1) WAIT.... be patient and let things take its natural course.

.

Canadian Minister of Immigration Jason Kenny is requesting the Canadian peoples help in regards to feedback on the levels of Immigration to Canada. This public consultation will help the government guide its targets and policy for 2014 and onward.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

This process will consist of a series of cross country meetings with various stakeholders and special interest groups able to voice their concerns at an open forum hosted by Parliamentary Secretary Rick Dykstra. Participants in these consultations will be able to voice their views on the increasing role that economic immigration is playing in the prosperity of Canada and to the Governments move towards a faster and more flexible immigration process.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

This process is not only fraught with great challenge as a balance must be struck between the government’s ability to process proposed increases in applications and various government commitments to the provinces / territories and other economic conditions that still plague the 2008 recovery.

IMMIGRATION IS KEY TO OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH!

Minister Kenney stressed that “since 2006, the Government of Canada has welcomes the highest sustained levels of immigration in Canadian history and given the importance of immigration to our economic growth, we are especially keen to hear the views of Canadians as we prepare for the years ahead.”

WHAT ISSUES WILL CIC BE LOOKING AT?

These consultations are a fantastic opportunity for the government to raise awareness of the benefits that immigration brings to Canada including the multitude of options that are available via CIC for the economic and social benefits of Canada.
The consultations shall be exploring a number of issues related to three main questions:

• What is the appropriate level of immigration for Canada, this year and beyond?
• What is the best ratio – or mix – between the number of economic immigrants, family class immigrants and the refugee/humanitarian class?
• Economic immigration is a key immigration goal for Canada’s long-term economic growth. What role can immigration play to support Canada’s economy?

So you think you know Canada, eh?
In celebration of Canada’s Birthday we challenge you to answer the following questions about the best country in the world!
1. What is Canada’s highest mountain?
2. Which famous Canadian rap artist named his first mixtape Room for Improvement?
3. The first mosque in Canada was built in which province?
4. What was the 10th province to join the Canadian confederation in 1949?
5. Which famous general was killed in the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812, during the War of 1812?
6. Which Canadian province has the largest land size?
7. Which Canadian province is named after Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter?
8. Which Canadian city is known as the Paris of the Prairies?
9. Which French-Canadian prime minister famously proclaimed: “I think that we can claim that it is Canada that shall fill the 20th century.”
10. Which (Member of Parliament) MP from Montreal West was assassinated in Ottawa in 1868?
11. The face of which past Canadian prime minister is on the $100 bill?
12. Canada has two national sports. What are they?
13. When did “O Canada” officially become the national anthem?
14. Canada, a name derived from the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” meaning “village,” was adopted by which French explorer?
15. Which famous DC Comics superhero character was co-created by Canadian Joseph “Joe” Shuster?
16. Who was the first female doctor to practice medicine in Canada?
17. Which Canadian boxer won a gold medal at the 1988 Olympics?
18. What year did Canada eliminate the one-dollar bill and replace it with the loonie?
19. Who was prime minister of Canada during the Second World War?
20. Canada is part of the voluntary association of countries that (for the most part) used to belong to the British Empire. What is this association called?
21. Canada is comprised of how many time zones?
22. Which Canadian town has the longest freshwater beach in the world?
23. What Canadian province has the longest tunnel on the continent?
24. In what year did all Canadian women aged 21 and over become eligible to vote in federal elections?
25. Who was the former slave who petitioned for the creation of an all-black unit during the War of 1812?
26. Which French president fuelled separatist tensions in 1967 when he proclaimed “Vive le Québec libre!”during a speech in Montreal?
27. What was Canada’s worst epidemic, which killed 50,000 Canadians and was spread by troops returning from service overseas during the First World War?
28. In what year will Canada celebrate its sesquicentennial birthday?
29. Who was the first Canadian to walk in space?
30. Louis Riel, a Metis leader, is considered the father of which Canadian province?
————
ANSWERS
1. Mount Logan, Yukon
2. Drake
3. Alberta
4. Newfoundland
5. Isaac Brock
6. Quebec
7. Alberta
8. Saskatoon
9. Wilfrid Laurier
10. Thomas D’Arcy McGee
11. Robert Borden
12. Hockey and lacrosse
13. July 1, 1980
14. Jacques Cartier
15. Superman
16. Emily Howard Stowe
17. Lennox Lewis
18. 1987
19. William Lyon Mackenzie King
20. The Commonwealth
21. Six
22. Wasaga Beach, Ont.
23. British Columbia (Mount Macdonald Tunnel)
24. 1918
25. Richard Pierpoint
26. Charles de Gaulle
27. Influenza
28. 2017
29. Chris Hadfield
30. Manitoba

Excellent news! Keep us posted

A report that was issued in the Beijing news agency in 2011 reported that there were some 6,000 immigration visas to Canada, United States and Australia granted to Chinese nationals.

More specifically the Business Visa to Canada allows foreign nationals such as the Chinese to invest in Canada. The report went on to show that 27% of rich Chinese holding investible assets of 100 million Yuan have been granted visas and with a growing number Chinese nationals (47%) considering to immigrate.

When asked as to why Chinese nationals wish to come to Canada the most popular response is a better future for one’s children.

GO CANADA

@alexito - it could be a problem as the mistake of leaving various boxes blank and it has delayed their application. On the other hand processing centre or VISA post pay not pick up on this and or look past it. It is always a dice role with them

Canada is still the best place to go for schooling hands down!

Cover letters are key when applications are rejected! Great job BTW. I can not tell you how many times I have written cover letter and included this lovely little case called Mittel vs. Canada to get the CBSA is cooperate.

Wrong....the Visa officer does not care as long as the money is there to meet the required threshold. Moving money around in small little increments is a waste of time and just plain silly.

So many questions and so little time. Just read the CIC website people.

NEW SAFE COUNTRIES FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

Citizenship and Immigrations Canada (CIC) continued vow to streamline its overall system has announced a new formal list of countries designated as safe for persons to claim asylum in. As of May 31st 2013 the list will be comprised of a total 37 countries.

HOW IS THIS DETERMINED?

Designated Countries of Origin (DCOs) are determined by the Canadian government whom produce low amounts of refugee claimants.

MINISTER OF IMMIGRATION SAYS THIS IS KEY

Minister of Immigration Jason Kenney has states that “the ability to designate countries is a key part of the new system”. This has proven to be true as there has been a 91 percent decrease in asylum seekers coming to Canada compared to the same period some six years ago.

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE LISTED?

The total list comprises of the following countries:
Australia Hungary New Zealand
Austria Iceland Norway
Belgium Ireland Poland
Croatia Israel Portugal
Cyprus Italy Slovak Republic
Czech Republic Japan Slovenia
Denmark Latvia Spain
Estonia Lithuania Sweden
Finland Luxembourg Switzerland
France Malta United Kingdom
Germany Mexico United States
Greece Netherlands

Yes they can! But it is tied to the principle visa holder in terms of length of time

@honey86 it all depends really...one has a better idea when the CAIPS are requested.

Married, common law or conjugal partners

First you need to pick an application class. There are three of them: married, common-law and conjugal. For all of them, you need to prove the genuineity of your relationship. For common-law, you need to prove that you have lived together for 12 months or longer. For conjugal, you need to prove that you have combined your affairs as much as possible but there are real immigration barriers or other barriers preventing you from living together or getting married. Conjugal is the hardest to prove. For example, if your partner could get a visit visa to come to Canada for 6 months and then apply for an extension to get the full year, even though they will not be allowed to work, that is not considered an immigration barrier. An immigration barrier is if your partner tries to get a visit visa to come to Canada and is repeatedly refused. Some people have had luck with the conjugal class but try to avoid it if possible.

Outland or inland?

Now you need to decide if to apply outland or inland. If your spouse is not in Canada and can not get a visa to go to Canada, you must apply outland. That means that you will send your application to Mississauga and they will approve you as a sponsor. The time that takes is usually 1-2 months to but current processing times can be seen here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/process-in.asp#sponsorship After that, the application is forwarded to your local visa office. If your spouse is residing in a country other than the country of their nationality, you can pick which of the two visa offices you want. Otherwise it will be processed in their country of nationality. You can see the processing times here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/international/05-fc-spouses.asp

If your spouse is staying in Canada as a visitor or on some other visa, you can pick whether you want to apply outland or inland. Outland is generally faster and has appeal rights but a downside to outland is that if an interview is required, your spouse will have to travel to the visa office in the country where it's being processed. Inland has the downside that it's generally not advised that your spouse travels while you are waiting for your processing because it is a requirement of inland that they reside in Canada and if they are denied entry at the border for some reason, your application is gone. If an interview is required for inland, you may also have to wait a long time for it. The inland application would be sent to Vegreville and if all goes well, you would get a first stage approval, usually in 6 to 8 months. The current processing times can be seen here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/canada/process-in.asp#perm_res Then the file is forwarded to your local CIC office where you live and they will contact you for a landing appointment. Getting the PR with inland usually takes 12-18 months. If an interview is required for inland, Vegreville will not give first stage approval but instead will forward the application to the local CIC office without it and you will have to wait for them to have time for your interview. In some cases that can take a year or two. If you do get the first stage approval, your spouse will usually be eligible for health care and an open work permit. It is actually a good idea when applying inland to send an application form for a visit visa extension as well as the open work permit to be given at first stage approval all in one package so it's tied together.

Which method to pick depends on your situation. If your spouses country of nationality has a long processing time or your spouse does not want to have to travel there for a possible interview, then inland is the way to go. For faster processing and freedom of travel during the processing time, outland would be better. You can find the application forms for inland at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/spouse.asp and the application forms for outland at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/fc.asp

Avoiding potential problems with your application

The most common reason for people to be called for an interview is that the visa officer has doubts about the relationship being genuine. It is up to you to send immigration some quality data, emails, chat logs, phone records, photos, letters and other material to prove to them that your relationship is the real thing. Other reasons you might have problems with is eligibility of the sponsor. The sponsor can not be on social assistance, can not be bankrupt and can not have a record of violent crimes or crimes against family members. If that is the case, better talk to a lawyer and get that cleared up before attempting to apply.

Dependent children

If your spouse has dependent children, they must be included in the PR application, even if they are not coming to Canada. They will need to have medicals as well to keep the option open to sponsor them later. The only way that immigration will accept the application without those medicals is if the children are no longer minors and refuse to have it or if the children are in the full custody of their other parent who refuses to make them available for medicals. In that case, your spouse needs to sign a statement stating that they know that they will never be able to sponsor these children to Canada in the future.

Dependent children are classified as single and either under 22 years of age or if they are older, they must have been full time students since before age 22 or dependent on their parent due to a disability or medical problem.

Refusals due to income and medicals

You will be asked to provide information about your income but you will not be denied to sponsor your spouse and dependent children because you do not make enough money. It is possible though that if you make absolutely no money at all that immigration may ask you how you plan to support yourselves.

Spouses and dependent children are also exempt from the clause about excessive demand on health care so you do not have to worry about them being refused for that reason.

Sponsoring your spouse while living in another country

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can sponsor your spouse without being in Canada but you do then have to prove that you are planning on moving to Canada when your spouse gets approved for permanent residency. Such proof can include having arranged jobs, being accepted to college, having arranged housing or letters from friends & relatives stating that they know of your plans and that you can stay with them while you look for housing etc.

If you are a PR, you must reside in Canada in order to sponsor your spouse. You can chance short vacations (remember that a Canadian vacation is generally no longer than 2 weeks) but if immigration finds out that you are not in Canada, you risk getting your application refused.

Depends? Every jurisdiction is different.

With Gods good grace all will be yours!

Hello tstonch,

Tuition fees in Canada for international students are very high some as high as 25k per year. I doubt you will find anything under 10k a year unless it is some sort of college. If I come across anything I shall let you know.

Amen!

Hello Pwunmi.....dealing with CIC and any over seas mission requires the patience of Gods good grace! Tons of back log right now as I have some clients that are dealing with their applications. As you may or may not know Canada accepts 250,000 immigrants a year into Canada with another 1 million persons in queue waiting to be assessed. This does not include student visas and other non core immigration classes. If you need any more info let me know. Long story short just be patient.

AOR - Acknowledgement of Receipt

CAIPS - Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System. This is the computer system used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for storing all overseas visa application information. This system records every bit of information you provide. It is like an electronic identity; existence of the applicant. This is very helpful when anything abnormal happens (e.g. delay in reply, lack of updation, long processing time). It is also helpful when you are selected for the interview. You can know the probable cause of interview requirement by obtaining the CAIPS notes.
CANN - Community Airport Newcomers' Network
CELPIP - Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. This is one of only two English language testing organizations approved by CIC (IELTS is the other). CELPIP testing is only available in Canada (Vancouver and Toronto) and China.
CPP - Canada Pension Plan
CIC - Citizenship and Immigration Canada
CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
CIDA - Canadian International Development Agency
COPR - Confirmation of Permanent Resident Form
CSQ - Certificate du Selection du Quebec (Quebec Certificate of Selection)

DMP - Designated Medical Practitioner. Under the Skilled Worker Program application all family members must undergo a medical exam, performed by a doctor that has been approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
IRPA - Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
IRPR - Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
EAL - English as an Additional Language
e-CAS - e-Client Application Status. This on-line service allows CIC clients to view securely the status of immigration and/or citizenship application(s) on-line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may use this service if you have sponsored a member of the family class, applied for permanent residence from within or outside Canada, applied for a permanent resident card (initial, replacement or renewal), applied for a grant of Canadian citizenship, or applied for a proof of Canadian citizenship.
EFL - English as a Foreign Language
EI - Employment Insurance (also sometimes referred to as unemployment insurance)
ELT - English Language Training/Teaching
ESL - English as a Second Language
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESP - English for Specific Purposes
GIC - Guaranteed Investment Certificate
GST - Goods and Services Tax
H&C grounds - Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. In the case of Canadian immigration, refers to section A25(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Any person who does not comply with the three categories of immigration to Canada (family, economic and refugee) may ask to be considered for immigration selection on H&C grounds.
HRDC (see HRSDC) - former Human Resources Development Canada
HRSDC - Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The government agency responsible for performing both Arranged Employment Opinions and Labour Market Opinions for the purposes of obtaining employment confirmation letters. Such letters may be required by Skilled Worker applicants when attempting to qualify for the additional ten points under the Arranged Employment Factor.
ICCS - International Council for Canadian Studies
ID - Identification
IELTS - International English Language Testing System. One of only two English language testing organizations approved by CIC (CELPIP is the other). Note that Skilled Worker applicants will want to complete the IELTS 'General Training' exams, not the 'Academic Training' exams.
IRPA - Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
MSP - Medical Services Plan
NOC - National Occupational Classification
NGO - Non-Governmental Organization
OLA - Open Learning Agency
PST - Provincial Sales Tax
RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RRPF - Right of Permanent Residence Fee
RRSP - Registered Retirement Savings Plan
SIN -Social Insurance Number
SWP - Skilled Worker Program
TEF - Test d'Evaluation de Français. The only French language testing organization approved by CIC. Note that Skilled Workers are to complete the following tests: Comprehension Ocrite / Comprehension Orale / Expression Ecrite / Expression Orale.
VSO - Voluntary Services Overseas
WCB - Workers' Compensation Board
YMCA - Young Men's Christian Association
YWCA - Young Women's Christian Association
IA-Intial Assessment
PPR-Passport Request

If anyone has any interest or requires further assistance feel free to ask

CIC Immigration Changes to Foreign Skilled Worker Class Point System

CIC Immigration has proposed a new plan where skilled workers could apply to Canada under one of three federal classes. One of which is called the Foreign Skilled Worker Class. This class existed previously, however changes have been made to the score system.

CIC Immigration Points System for the FSWC Program

The FSWC program will continue to use points to assess eligibility and the pass mark will remain 67 points. There will be changes to how points are awarded and to the requirements:

(1) Language proficiency (up to 24 points for first language and up to 4 points for the second official language): CIC proposes “(1) requiring minimum language abilities in order to qualify for the program; and (2) significantly increasing the maximum points awarded for fluency in one official language from 16 points to 24 points.”

(2) Arranged Employment (Up to 15 points): Eliminating the arranged employment opinion (AEO) and replacing it with the LMO is intended to reduce the burden on employers in the event the worker seeks to apply for permanent residence concurrently with a temporary work permit application. ”FSWC applicants with a positive or neutral LMO from HRSDC could be awarded up to 15 points on the selection grid.”

(3) “The number of points for the second official language would be reduced from 8 points to 4 points”

(4) Age (Up to 12 points) ”The revised selection grid would favour younger immigrants by awarding a maximum of 12 points for applicants aged 18 to 35, compared to applicants aged 21 to 49 who receive maximum points for age under the current grid, with diminishing points awarded until age 46. With the proposed changes, no age points would be awarded after age 46; however, workers aged 47 or older would continue to be eligible for the program.”

(5) Work experience “CIC Immigration is proposing to reduce the total number of points for work experience from 21 to 15, and increase the years of experience required to achieve full points, from four years to six.”

(6) Education (UP TO 15 POINTS) The new FSWC program would require a foreign educational credential assessment. Designated organizations would work on a case-by-case basis to authenticate credentials obtained in foreign jurisdictions and determine their equivalent value in Canada. This measure would allow CIC to benefit from a better assessment of the quality of a foreign educational credential.

(7) *Adaptability [up to 10 points] Up to 10 adaptability points would continue to be awarded, with changes to how they are accrued:

- “The maximum number of points (10) would be awarded if the principal applicant (PA) has qualifying previous work experience in Canada.

Find out why you were denied in the first place.

Provided that the funds are not proceeds from crime and that the funds available meet the required minimum thresh hold....the boarder services, consular officer and all other parties concerned for intensive purposes will not be concerned if the money was deposited in one large total.

The burden of proof is are there enough funds and are the funds from crime? YES / NO.... any other scrutiny is beyond the scope of their job.

If the CSO told you should send a scan copy of your I-20 then perhaps it would be advisable to do such.