Options if you face delays in Canada Immigration Application

Overseas nationals seeking to immigrate, study, or work in Canada have to file an application with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. Those who apply for the Permanent Resident Visa have to fulfill the Canada PR Visa eligibility. There are standards of service set by IRCC that define the normal processing times for applications.

Nevertheless, delays can be witnessed in these processing standards resulting in extending the processing time of the applications beyond the service standards of IRCC.

Backlogs are being experienced by the immigration system of Canada due to various factors. These include the pandemic, high demand, shortage of staff, and outdated technology. Individual factors for applications can include missing documents or procedures such as background verification that need additional time.

Options in case of delays

You have certain options if you are facing delays in your application.

Firstly, you can verify the status of your application online on the IRCC website. It offers a tool for processing time that precisely displays the likely wait time. You have to ensure that all documents are updated and complete for avoiding any redundant delays.

Later, you can submit a Web-form inquiry or make a call to IRCC Customer Care for exploring if you can get substantial grounds for delays in your application. If the inquiries are unsatisfactory or unanswered, you can try to ask the local Member of Parliament to submit a request for a status update.

The applications that have been filed from 2010 onwards also have the option of filing an Access to Information and Privacy Application or ATIP. It is a request for the GCMS - Global Case Management System notes of the applicant. Also, the CAIPS - Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System notes and FOSS - Field Operations Support System notes can also be requested.

The notes will let you know if something is wrong with your application or if doubts or concerns have been noted by the IRCC officer regarding your application. This also offers a chance to file extra proof for addressing these suspicions.

If necessary, you can also avail services of an Immigration Attorney to file a formal Letter of Request through the Web-form of IRCC. The letter will stress that the processing time has surpassed the standard processing times for the category of the application that you have applied for. Also, the follow-up efforts with IRCC will be highlighted, as well as the negative impact of the delay on you.

Order of Mandamus Application

The application for an Order of Mandamus is the last option if the average processing time has elapsed and the options discussed here are unfruitful. The requests for these orders are heard by the Federal Court which pressurizes IRCC to decide the application.

Preferably, you must hire an Immigration Attorney to assist with this. The Order of Mandamus has a high threshold. The success will be decided by the factor of whether the average processing timelines have been exceeded for the application and are subjected to unfair delays.

For warranting an order, the 8 conditions that have to be satisfied are:

• There has to be a public lawful duty to take action for processing the application
• The applicant must be entitled to the duty
• There exists an evident right for performing that duty, particularly that the applicant has fulfilled all the conditions resulting in the duty and presence of unfair delays
• Nil other satisfactory solution is accessible to the applicant
• The sought order will have some effect or value practically
• The Court identifies nil hindrance for the sought relief
• The Mandamus Order has to be offered on the balance of convenience

An instance of the balance of convenience favoring the applicant is when the applicant is not able to renew their Health Card or Driver’s License until they have an authentic Study Permit or Work Permit.

Waiting for the progress of your application can be demanding requiring money and time. It is crucial to remain informed regarding your application, be proactive in updating your profile and correct any mistakes and be tolerant.

13 Nationalities can travel to Canada without Visa

Passport holders of 13 Nations can now arrive by flight to Canada without the TRV - Temporary Residence Visa. It is applicable to travelers from the following nations who had a Canada Visa in the past ten years or have a lawful US Non-immigrant Visa:

• Thailand
• Seychelles
• Uruguay
• Costa Rica
• Argentina
• Trinidad and Tobago
• St Vincent and Grenadines
• St Lucia
• St Kitts and Nevis
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Panama
• Morocco
• Philippines

If you wish to confirm your options for immigration application or Canada PR Visa eligibility contact the Nationwide Visas Canada PR consultant in Hyderabad.

Canada keenly hiring Nurses & Other Healthcare Workers trained overseas

Overseas-trained Nurses, other Healthcare Workers, and Orderlies are increasingly being hired by employers in Canada for resolving the acute scarcity of workers. Immigration to Canada by these Healthcare professionals boomed in 2022 and the trend continues this year too.

If you are a Healthcare professional and wish to understand how I apply for job in Canada from India, you must know that have multiple options.

The number of fresh Permanent Residency Visa holders who arrived via the Express Entry System for filling job openings in Healthcare increased by 28.1% in 2022. It implies 2, 595 arrivals in comparison with 2021 which had 2,025 arrivals.

Healthcare professionals are included under the following occupational codes and job titles under the latest National Occupational Classification 2021 in Canada:

• Nurse Aide or Orderly – (NOC) 33102
• Medical Archivist – (NOC) 12111
• Medical Chemist – (NOC) 21101
• Medical Physicist – (NOC) 21100
• Medical Biochemist – (NOC) 21101
• Medical Examiner – (NOC) 41310
• Medical Secretary – (NOC) 13112
• Medical Laboratory Assistants and Linked Technical Occupations – (NOC) 33101
• Healthcare Assistant – (NOC) 33102
• Other Secondary Occupations sustaining Health Services – (NOC) 33109

Healthcare occupations included under FSWP

Canada has acknowledged the huge demand for highly skilled workers in Healthcare. In 2022 it included Nurses Aides and Orderlies amongst the workers who can move to Canada through Federal Skilled Worker Program. On 16 November 2022, 16 fresh occupations were included under the list of qualified occupations under FSWP by IRCC. It increased the number of eligible occupations under the FSWP to 359 on the same day when the latest NOC 2021 was implemented.

The complete list of eligible occupations now includes the following occupations under the FSWP:

• Administrators Payroll – (NOC) 13102
• Nurse Aides,  Associates Patient Service, and Orderlies – (NOC) 33102
• Laboratory Dental Subordinate and Dental Subordinate – (NOC) 33100
• Assistants Pharmacy and Technical Assistants Pharmacy – (NOC) 33103
• Secondary and Elementary School Teacher Assistants – (NOC) 43100
• Bailiffs and Sheriffs – (NOC) 43200
• Correctional Service Officers – (NOC) 43201
• Enforcement of By-law and Additional Regulatory Officers – (NOC) 43202
• Electrologists, Estheticians, and Connected Occupations – (NOC) 63211
• Business and Housing Installers and Servicers – (NOC) 73200
• Fumigators and Pest Controllers – (NOC) 73202
• Heavy Equipment Operators – (NOC) 73400
• Other Repairers and Servicers (NOC) 73209
• Subway Operators, Bus Drivers, and Other travel Operators – (NOC) 73301
• Transport Truck Drivers – (NOC) 73300
• Airplane Assembly Inspectors and Airplane Assemblers – (NOC) 93200

Provincial Nominee Programs

Canadian Territories and Provinces can as well present nominations to Professionals in the Healthcare sector for Canada PR Visa through the PNP - Provincial Nominee Programs. Candidates are required to fulfill the specific regional needs of the labor market and have the intention to settle in that Territory or Province. PNPs can select candidates from the pool of Express Entry or they can offer nominations through their paper-based non-Express Entry streams.

Nurse Aides and Orderlies are the lifelines of any Nursing Home or Hospital as they assist Physicians, Nurses, and other staff in the Hospital with the basic care of patients. They are offered a median yearly salary of $40,950 for a standard 37.5 hours of weekly work in Canada. It is according to the data provided by the federal job search and career strategy website Canada Job Bank.

Job Bank ranks the job potential for Orderlies and Nurses as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ across the nation till a minimum of 2031. It has projected 21,000 extra job vacancies than available workers in Canada for filling them.

During the period 2022 to 2031, the fresh job vacancies for Nurses, Patient Service Associates, Orderlies, and Other Assisting Occupations Supporting Healthcare Services are estimated at 191,000. This is resulting from an increase in demand replacement demand. Meanwhile, 170,100 fresh job applicants are likely to be available for filing inclusive of mobility, immigration, and school leavers.

Healthcare workers must be prioritized: CNA

The CNA - Canadian Nurses Association has called on the Federal Government to offer priority to Healthcare Sector workers and assist in addressing shortages of Nursing across Canada.

CNA President Sylvain Brousseau said that patients in Canada are confronting increasing and increasing wait times for surgical and medical procedures. They are also facing surging challenges in accessing the required care, added Brousseau.

Only in the last few weeks, we have witnessed several stories of the closing of emergency departments or diminishing hours of work in several parts of the nation. The reason for this crisis is quite evident and the nation is facing an acute crisis of healthcare workforce and shortages in Nursing, said CNA President.  CNA added that the sustainability of the healthcare system in Canada cannot be maintained without extra funds.

If you wish to immigrate to Canada as a Healthcare Worker from India, contact Nationwide Visas the Top ICCRC Registered consultants in Hyderabad.

Application Process for USA Tourist Visa from India

Thousands of Indians file applications for USA Tourist Visas every year to travel to the USA. The USA Visitor Visa is also known as B-1 or B-2 Tourist Visa. It is approved for travelers arriving in the US for short-term leisure, medical treatment, or business. Generally, B-2 and B-1 Visas are approved jointly and are known as B-1/B-2 Visas.

So if you wish to know how to apply for USA Tourist Visa from India, here are the important details:

Steps to apply for USA Tourist Visa

• You have to first choose your location as India and begin the Visa Application Process on the website of the Electronic Application Centre of the US Consulate
• Then you have to fill out the Visa Application DS-160 Form and compulsorily provide answers to all the queries specified on the application form
• You have to provide your signature on the form electronically and submit it after attaching a photo of your passport size with it
• You are required to make payment of the fee for processing the Visa within 2 days of submission of the application form and payment can be made through Internet banking
• After submitting the form you have to take a printout of the DS-160 confirmation page that contains the barcode. It must be safely kept until you reach the US.

After submitting the application form, you will have to appear for 2 interviews. You must book the appointment slot immediately after filing the Visa application.

The first interview will be conducted for collecting your photograph and fingerprints. It is a brief process and will not require beyond ten minutes. You are advised to be present for the interview a few minutes prior to the allocated time.

The second interview is very important and is conducted for collating more details regarding the applicant. In this interview, electronic gadgets, phones, and any type of bag are not permitted in the room for the interview. Applicants are allowed to enter the interview room only along with the documents and forms.

The US Immigration Officer will ask about various details regarding the visit to the applicant during the second interview. It includes the person finding the trip, the duration of the visit, and its purpose. The officer will declare the results of the interview immediately on the spot.

Read More:- Stepwise Guide to Apply for USA Tourist Visa from India

The Documents Needed For USA Tourist Visa

If you are seeking to apply for a Tourist Visa to the US you will require the below documents for the second interview:

• Valid Passport – You will require all expired and old passports for the interview. Moreover, the present passport must also possess validity of a minimum of 6 months after the likely date of arrival in the US.
• Hard and soft copies of the photograph of passport size  according to the specification
• Authentic DS-160 Visa Application having a stamp from the VAC - Visa Application Centre on the page confirmation
• Evidence of visa fee payment in the form of a valid receipt
• The interviewer intends to verify that an applicant is a lawful person who fulfills all the criteria for the Tourist Visa. So the applicant has to carry authentic proof of identity and possesses a genuine reason for arriving in the US.
• The applicants have to offer documents demonstrating that they possess adequate funds to pay for the trip to the US
• The applicants have to demonstrate that they possess strong relations in India that will show that they possess a strong motive for returning to India once the trip is completed
• Evidence that states the trip’s purpose and intention to exit the US once the trip gets completed
• A complete and detailed itinerary with dates and plans
• Evidence of adequate funds (copy of bank statement and passbook)
• Copy of previous year’s payment of tax, Tax ID, Aadhaar Card, and PAN Card
• Business card if you have any
• Invitation cards or letters from relatives inviting you to the US
• Employment letter from the employer if you are employed
• You will have to submit a NOC if you are employed by the Government
• You will have to offer evidence of business ownership if you are a businessman

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants from India

• The applicant must have citizenship in India
• The applicant must possess an authentic passport
• They must have authentic and accurate IDs like Voter ID cards, Aadhaar cards, and PAN card
• Applicants who do not possess any criminal history are offered priority over those who have any kind of criminal history

Do you wish to visit the USA as a Tourist from India? Contact Nationwide Visas the Best Immigration Consultants in Hyderabad to file your application.

Criteria and process to Immigrate to Canada as Mechanical Engineers

Almost all provinces in Canada have good demand for competent Mechanical Engineers and several thousands of candidates immigrate to Canada as Mechanical Engineers every year. Overseas applicants seeking to migrate to Canada as Mechanical Engineers have multiple immigration pathways including the Express Entry Program. They have abundant lucrative prospects for moving to Canada as Permanent Residents.

Engineering is a well-paid occupation in Canada. Average salaries are variable based on seniority, area of expertise, and province. Mechanical Engineers are paid an average hourly $42.

Canada has regulated the occupation of Engineering. You must have a license from the regulator in your Territory or Province for working as a P.Eng - Professional Engineer. But you can begin to work under the direction of a Licensed Engineer after commencing the licensing process even if you are not instantly qualified for the license. Software Engineers are the only exception not requiring a license for practicing.

The Engineering License Process in Canada

The majority of the Canadian Provinces will permit you to begin the process of licensure prior to arrival in Canada. The process for engineering licensure varies based on the Territory or Province. So you must get acquainted with the license types in the Provinces including restrictions and requirements before commencing the application process.

Usually, a complete license offers you a Professional Engineer credential permitting you to practice your profession without supervision. The majority of the provinces specify that applicants have a minimum of 4 to 5 years of experience as an Engineer. This also includes experience in Canada normally for 1 year prior to qualifying for a complete license.

New immigrants will usually not be eligible for an upfront full license except if they have earlier worked in Canada as Engineers. Some provincial regulators can offer Provisional License to applicants who fulfill all conditions for the license only excluding work experience in Canada.

As a newly arrived immigrant Engineer, you can qualify for a Provisional License if you possess a minimum of 3 years of engineering experience overseas. But you will have to be employed under the supervision of a P.Eng with a License who will be responsible for your work till you receive a P.Eng License.

Immigrants who are fresh Engineering graduates or who do not possess the required overseas /Canadian experience to become eligible for a Provisional or complete license can apply for:

• Engineer-in-Training
• Member-in-Training
• Engineering Intern Program 

The name differs based on the Province and the application has to be submitted to the territorial or provincial regulator. You can begin to work as an EIT being supervised by a P.Eng with a license and accumulate the required work experience for your license.

Fast-track process for eligible Mechanical Engineers

Overseas citizens having appropriate training and experience as Mechanical Engineer and who seek to reside and work in Canada quickly can access fast-track programs. They can begin to work immediately on a full-time basis in Canada in this occupation.

The fast-track programs offer eligible applicants and their family members instant Provisional Work Visa for arriving in Canada. They must have a full-time job offer approved by the Government corresponding to their qualifications. Later they can apply for a Canada PR Visa inclusive of their family members.

Prospective candidates have to fulfill the following basic criteria to qualify:

• Possess a Mechanical Engineering or linked Engineering stream Bachelor’s degree
• Possess at least 2 plus years of appropriate experience
• Have good proficiency in the language in English or French
• Must be attested of being free of drug
• Must possess a clean record with Police in the last 5 years that excludes speeding offenses

If you fulfill the above specified basic criteria, you must possess the experience of having carried out most of the below duties:

• Hold research into the performance, operation, design, and feasibility of systems, components, and mechanisms
• Manage and plan projects and arrange timing, cost, and material estimates, design and reports specifications for systems and machinery
• Design equipment, fixtures, tools, components, machines, and power plants
• Analyze vibrations and dynamics of mechanical structures and systems
• Inspect and supervise the commissioning, modification, and installation of mechanical systems in industrial facilities or at construction sites
• Develop maintenance programs, schedules, and standards and offer supervision to industrial maintenance crews
• Investigate mechanical breakdown or unpredicted maintenance problems
• Arrange documents for contract and assess tenders for industrial maintenance or construction
• Supervise technologists, technicians, and other Engineers and evaluate and provide approvals for cost estimates, calculations, and designs

Candidates who fulfill the 5 essential criteria and perform most of the descriptions specified above can qualify for Fast Track Work Programs for Mechanical Engineers.

Qualified candidates seeking to immigrate to Canada as Mechanical Engineers can contact ICCRC-accredited Immigration Experts at Nationwide Visas for professional support and guidance.

The top Canadian jobs for Canada Study Visa holders

 Overseas students having a valid Canada Study Visa as of 15th November 2022 are now permitted to work for indefinite hours during academic semesters till December 31, 2023.

Here are the top jobs for overseas students in Canada based on data from reputed sources like CTV, IDP, Apply Board, etc. It is based on factors such as fair pay, flexible work hours, easy-going work, and immersion in a field.

Top Canadian jobs: Part-time

Teaching Assistants - Standard Pay: Hourly $23 CAD

Given that most TA jobs are set aside for students, it is among the simplest roles to get. These roles are beneficial as they permit students to have an immersive experience in their study field. Students can obtain teaching experience which is highly valuable for those aiming to pursue a career in Academics.

The top Canadian jobs for Canada Study Visa holders

TA roles are amazing opportunities for working closely with a specific faculty or professor and also earning and supporting one. Usually occurring on College/University campuses, these jobs save students time and costs for travel.

Server /Mixologist/Bartender — Standard Pay: Hourly $16 CAD + tips

For young overseas students bartending/serving offers high flexibility in work hours choice and good earnings through tips. It is based on the number of work hours and workplace popularity.

Standard rates for pre-tax tipping in Canada are in the range of 18 to 15%. It implies that students working for more hours weekly can get even $ 400 to $ 200 extra only in tips and many get even more.

Driver Ride-share — Standard Pay: Hourly $19 CAD

Ride-sharing apps such as Lyft and Uber are highly popular in student hotspots such as Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, etc. Students have to be aged a minimum of 21 years, possess an authentic Driver’s License Smartphone, and a reliable car for qualifying.

The job offers full freedom to students for choosing the number of work hours. Earnings are highly variable based on the time and distance of the rides driven and the number of rides cleared weekly.

Tutor— Standard Pay: Hourly $30 CAD

Tutoring similar to TA jobs is an excellent option for students for earning income while studying. This job permits students to decide their own duties, hours of work, and prices. These roles also permit students to have an immersive experience in their study field focused on teaching. Administrative work is not a part of their duties.

Freelancer— Standard Pay: Hourly $23 CAD

Freelancing can offer abundant opportunities for students as it is an extensive job stream covering a comprehensive occupation range. They are free to select hours of work and rates of pay. It is also an amazing opportunity for establishing oneself and working in a chosen industry/profession.

Working as a Freelancer can be tough while students are establishing themselves initially and attracting more clients. However, this role offers multiple avenues professionally for those who are adequately motivated for pursuing their career while studying.

Resources to assist with the job search

The following resources are helpful for overseas students to search for suitable job roles. It is irrespective of if they wish to pursue any of the roles specified above or wish to keep exploring their job options.

• LinkedIn — This platform for networking blends job postings across the web which makes it an easy place for beginning a job search
• Indeed— A global website for a job posting that consists of millions of posting
• Canada Job Bank—The authorized job bank updated and maintained by the Government of Canada
• Workopolis— A site for a job posting that offers job services in both French and English
• TalentEgg—A digital job portal specifically made for recent graduates and students
• Magnet—A non-profit platform connecting workers in Canada with opportunities
• LeapGrad—A comparatively latest platform created for connecting recent graduates and students with employers who are seeking to hire

Points to remember

Canada Study Visa holders seeking to work while studying have to keep in mind certain factors very importantly. On 1 April 2022, Canada passed a law that implemented a new federal policy for minimum wages. The minimum wage across Canada was increased to hourly $ 15 CAD inclusive of provisions for inflation-based adjustments.

Overseas students have to make sure that their wages are corresponding at least with this minimum figure. (Excludes explicit work arrangements such as Co-op roles)

Furthermore, overseas students must know that they are included under the category TFW – Temporary Foreign Workers while working. This entitles them to the rights of workers on par with citizens and permanent residents in Canada. If they find that their employers are violating any of their rights as workers, they are entitled by law to report to the suitable authorities.

Nationwide Visas is the Best Immigration Consultants in India. To know more about working as an overseas student in Canada, connect with our Study Overseas Counselors.

Canada approved a record 608,420 Work Permits in 2022

 In the year 2022, Canada approved an all-time high of 608,420 Work Permits. Most of the approvals were for candidates whose occupation was included in the Canada Occupation In Demand List.

The number of approvals for 2022 is almost 200,000 higher than in the year 2021 wherein Canada approved 414,000 Work Permits. The approvals were through two major Work Permit programs in Canada:

• The IMP- International Mobility Program 
• The TFWP Temporary Foreign Worker Program 

The majority of the Work Permit approvals in 2022 were through IMP with 77% of the total or 472,070 Work Permits. The rest of the permits i.e. 136,350 Work Permits were approved through TFWP.

In the year 2019, 303, 545 Work Visas were approved through IMP. The numbers declined slightly in 2020 during the pandemic. In 2021, the numbers rebounded to 310, 660. The IMP has thus witnessed a hike of 55% in Work Permits after 2019.

Canada approved a record 608,420 Work Permits in 2022

In the year 2019, 98,030 Work Visas were approved through TFWP. The numbers declined slightly in 2020 during the pandemic. In 2021, the numbers rebounded to 103,340. The TFWP has thus witnessed a hike of 39% in Work Permits after 2019.

The TFWP and the IMP

The IMP and TFWP both offer Work Permits to eligible TFWs - Temporary Foreign Workers residing and working in Canada. Nevertheless, there are major variations between these two programs that must be kept in mind.

Employers in Canada can offer Work Visas to TFWs through the TFWP in order to respond to the authentic scarcity of labor in the nation. The most prominent difference between the IMP and TFWP is the requirement of the LMIA - Labor Market Impact Assessment. It is a document offered by the Government of Canada applied to assessing the impact of recruiting an overseas citizen on the labor market in the country.

LMIAs are required for offering Work Visas through TFWP. The Work Permits issued after an LMIA are normally specific to an employer. It is in contrast with the IMP which offers Open Work Permits to eligible overseas nationals.

The IMP seeks to advance the broad cultural, social, and economic policy objectives of Canada. It offers Work Permits normally according to the reciprocity between Canada and the applicant’s nationality. The approval is also for a major economic or social advantage resulting from recruiting the TFW.

As a result, the IMP has pathways like the GTS - Global Talent Stream, IEC - International Experience Canada, and Significant Benefit Work Visa Programs and others.

As specified already, IMP has extensive scope in comparison with TFWP. The Government of Canada does not specify an LMIA while approving Work Visas through IMP. The applicants are normally offered Open Work Permits.

IMP Categories with a maximum allocation of Work Permits

Below are the streams under IMP that were pathways for maximum approvals of Work Visas in 2022:

• Medical Fellows and Residents and applicants of Post-graduate Employment: 36% of overall Permits
• Religious or Charitable Workers: 29%
• Other participants under IMP: 8%
• Skilled Workers’ Spouses – 5%
• Post-doctoral Ph.D. award recipients and fellows – 4%
• Intra-company transfers – ICTs – 2%
• International Experience Canada -2%

A few of the major policy alterations have to be noted here. IRCC has declared diminished requirements for Overseas Physicians seeking to immigrate to Canada. It has also enhanced the measures for the accreditation of medical professionals trained overseas. The initiative is for responding to the acute scarcity of workers in social assistance and healthcare all across the nation.

TFWP Categories with a maximum allocation of Work Permits

Below are the streams under TFWP that were pathways for maximum approvals of Work Visas in 2022:

• Workers in Agriculture – 51% of overall Permits
• Other TFWs having LMIA – 46%
• Caregivers Live-in —2%;
• Caregivers—0.2%

Canada has notably implemented several changes in policies for retaining and settling Caregivers. This is under the initiatives for addressing the scarcity of workers in social assistance and healthcare. It includes decreasing the work experience criteria by 50% for eligibility for PR Visa applications for these workers.

Provinces with a maximum allocation of Work Permits

The following is the allocation of share of Work Permits in 2022 amongst the 13 Canadian provinces and territories through both TFWP and IMP:

1. Ontario—221,280 Work permits
2. British Columbia—102,845 Work permits
3. Quebec—89,765 Work permits
4. Alberta—43,550 Work permits
5. Manitoba—19,765 Work permits
6. Nova Scotia—12,645 Work permits
7. Saskatchewan—10,550 Work permits
8. New Brunswick—9,640 Work permits
9. Newfoundland and Labrador—4,210 Work permits
10. Prince Edward Island—3,840 Work permits
11. Northwest Territories—260 Work permits
12. Nunavut—60 Work permits

For the latest updates on Canada Express Entry Latest draw or CRS Calculator, contact Immigration Experts at Nationwide Visas.