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Month: March 2024

Ontario Immigration Act 2015

The Ontario Immigration Act 2015, which gives a legislative framework for the new Ontario Immigration Nominee Program (OINP), came into effect on January 1, 2018. The Act and its regulations aim to improve the transparency, consistency and accountability of the OINP. They also aim to set up a framework for the application and administration of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

Ontario Immigration Act, 2015

The Act gives legislative sanction for:

>The creation of a Registry of Ontario employers and recruiters eligible to make job offers and provide recruitment services to foreign nationals

>Creation of settlement and integration programs

>Creation and regulation of selection programs including eligibility norms and other requirements related to temporary and permanent immigration into the province.

>Inspections, investigations, offences, and administrative and other penalties.

Ontario Immigration Act: Aims and Expectations

>With the Act, Ontario aims to turn itself into a more attractive destination for skilled foreign workers, entrepreneurs and other immigrants from all over the world.

> The Act is expected to give more control for the province in the selection of candidates.

>The Act will give a solid foundation for the expansion of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and help manage the various streams of OINP in a more efficient manner.

>The Act will elevate Ontario as a full partner with the federal government when it comes to immigration.

>With the Act, Ontario aims to boost the economy by supporting various sectors by creating jobs and promoting business growth.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) was launched in the year 2007. It allows the province of Ontario to nominate immigration applicants for permanent residence in Canada. The candidates are invited based on their talents and skills, and their ability to contribute to Ontario’s economy.

Immigration Streams under OINP:

>Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry)

>French-Speaking Skilled Worker (Express Entry)

>Skilled Trades (Express Entry)

>Employer Job Offer

>International Student (Masters Graduate)

>International Student (PhD Graduate)

>Investor Immigration (Corporate)

>Investor Immigration (Entrepreneur)

OINP and employers

OINP helps employers in Ontario retain talented foreign workers. Under the OINP, both the employer and the applicant must meet the eligibility criteria stipulated for each Stream. The foreign worker applicants must submit an Employer Form duly filled and signed by the employer.

There are also provisions for certain penalties for the employers for the contraventions of the OINP, including fines of up to $150,000 and ban from using OINP.

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Are you planning to immigrate to Canada? Our experienced immigration lawyers and consultants are here to help you! Please contact us.

Study MBA in Canada

Master’s in Business Administration or MBA is a course for students who aim to develop management skills within a business environment. This career field requires the aspirants to have exceptional communication, leadership and problem-solving skills. With thriving career opportunities, management studies have already become so popular among students.

Why study MBA in Canada?

Canada is thriving as the most sought-after destination for management studies among international students. There are many factors that attract students to MBA in Canada.

They include:

Affordable cost: Affordability is one of the most important attractions of studying MBA in Canada. The cost of studies and living is much lower in Canada compared to many other study destinations including the US.

Valuable degree: An MBA degree from Canada is highly recognized across the world. Most of the students get placed within six years after completing their studies.

Good stay-back option: International students can apply for permanent residence in Canada immediately after completing their course, even without leaving the country.

Standard education: The business management programs in Canada give equal stress to theory and practical education. While they give students a strong foundation in theory, the students also gain valuable hands-on experience during the course of their studies.

MBA in Canada: Requirements

Academic Transcripts: In order to get admission to MBA program in Canada, you need to show good academic track record. The minimum academic requirements are different for different business schools. The applicants must submit official transcripts from the colleges and universities he/she attended after completing secondary education. Some schools may require more than one copy of the transcript.

Some universities demand GMAT score with minimum requirements ranging from 500 to 600. MBA programs in Canada require minimum two to three years of work experience.

Resume: In order to study MBA in Canada, you will have to submit a detailed resume along with your application, including all information such as work experience and achievements.

Recommendation letter: Some business schools require the applicants to submit letters of recommendation from previous employers and colleagues.

Statement of purpose: International students required to submit a statement of purpose to study MBA in Canada. A statement of purpose must include the reasons for choosing the MBA program, your interests and career goals and suitability of education and experience. Many institutions have their own essay questions and format. Others may ask the candidate to explain the reasons for choosing that particular course.

Options

You have a variety of areas to specialize in when you join an MBA course. They include international business, human resources, healthcare, finance, marketing etc. An MBA also lets the holder choose a career in a variety of fields including international marketing, retail management, finance, public administration, accounting, consulting etc.

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To explore your study abroad options, get in touch with our team of qualified consultants today!

 

Australia immigration: Changes to occupation lists

The Department of Home Affairs (DIBP Earlier) of Australia has announced certain major changes to the occupation lists. The changes introduced to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) are explained below:

Occupations added

Three occupations that were previously not there in either of these occupation lists have been added to the STSOL.

They are:

>Property Manager

>Psychotherapist

>Real Estate Representative

Caveats are applicable to Property Managers and Real Estate Representatives if the position:

-has a nominated base salary of less than $65,000

-is for a business with fewer than five employees

-is for business with an annual turnover of less than $1 million

-is not located in regional Australia

Occupations moved

Two occupations have been moved from the STSOL to the MTSSL. These occupations also come with certain eligibility caveats.

They are:

       >Horse Breeder

Exclusions will apply if:

-the position primarily involves low skilled tasks

-is not located in regional Australia

         >Management Consultant

Exclusions will apply for businesses that have:

-an annual turnover of less than $1Million

-fewer than five employees

-a nominated base salary of less than $90,000.

However, no occupations have been moved from MLTSSL to STSOL.

Occupations removed

Two occupations have been removed from the occupations lists. They are:

>Building Associate

>Hair and Beauty Salon Manager

Occupations with caveat-only changes

A few occupations have been retained on their respective lists but new/or amended caveats have been introduced for them.

>Accommodation and Hospitality Managers

Exclusions will apply if the position is not located in regional Australia

>Management Accountant

Exclusions will apply if the position:

-can be classified as a clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk role

-is for a business with an annual turnover of less than $1million

-is for a business with fewer than five employees

          >Massage Therapist

Exclusions will apply if:

-the position is not full-time

-the place of employment is not based in a therapeutic setting

-the position involves the provision of non-medical relaxation massage

-the job is in a retail setting

            >Recruitment Consultant

The caveats have been amended to exclude the positions:

-that have a nominated base salary of less than $90,000

-if the business has an annual turnover of less than $1million

-if the business has fewer than five employees

             >Supply and Distribution Manager

Exclusions will apply if:

-the position is based in a front-line retail setting

-it involves directing client transactional interactions on a regular basis

-it is with a business that has an annual turnover of less than $1 Mi, unless they involve an intra-corporate transfer to which international trade obligations apply

-the position has a nominated base salary of less than $65,000, unless they involve an intra-corporate transfer to which international trade obligations apply.

            >Taxation Accountant

Exclusions will apply for positions that:

-can be classified as a clerical, bookkeeping or accounting clerk role

-is for a business with an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M

-is for a business with fewer than five employees.

The changes, that have come into effect on January 17, 2018, are based on the review conducted by the Department of Jobs and Small Business (DJSB). The Australian Government introduced a half-yearly review cycle of the occupation lists with an aim to ensure that these lists reflect the needs of the Australian labour market and are aligned to the Government policy of giving priority to Australian workers.

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To explore your Australian immigration options, please contact us.

 

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (Canada PNP) in 2017: A look back

The year 2017 witnessed the number of Canada Provincial Nominee Program (Canada PNP) allocations fast growing and Canada PNP becoming increasingly popular as an easy path to Canada immigration. This is especially true for skilled workers. Canada PNP schemes allow various provinces and territories of the country to nominate immigrants for permanent residence and fast-track the immigration process. In 2017, the federal government aimed to receive 51000 nominations through Canada PNP.

Canada PNP schemes of a number of provinces and territories have at least one of their streams aligned to Express Entry. The PNP of each province or territory is designed in such a way to suit the exclusive nature and demands of their labour market.

Now let’s take a look at how the Canada PNP schemes of various provinces fared in the year 2017.

Ontario

The year 2017 was particularly an active period for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP). The Human Capital Priority stream, one of the three Express Entry-aligned streams of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) proved to be much popular. IT workers comprised majority of the OINP nominees in the year 2017. In June 2017, the OINP gave exceptions for candidates with experience in one of the 15 specific IT occupations. The condition that such candidates must score a minimum of 400 CRS points to be selected was taken away.

In May, Ontario introduced a new Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream for skilled trades workers.

British Columbia

The tech pilot program of British Columbia to fast track the immigration of IT/tech workers was launched in August. The program made it possible for candidates in any of the 32 listed eligible occupations to be nominated under British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). Besides IT/tech workers, BC also invited candidates from a number other categories including graduate workers and entrepreneurs.

Saskatchewan

The International Skilled Worker category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP), aligned to Express Entry, was opened five times last year. The Occupations In-Demand category of SINP was opened three times. The eligible occupations list was expanded by including occupations related to business, agriculture, engineering, IT, healthcare and more.

Manitoba

On November 15, Manitoba announced the restructuring of its Provincial Nominee Program (Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program). The major changes include:

  • Creation of an in-demand occupations list
  • Creation of a new Express Entry-aligned pathway
  • Restructuring of the MPNP-B business immigration stream, Skilled Worker in Manitoba Stream and Skilled Worker Overseas Stream of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
  • Introduction of International Education Stream

The year 2018 is expected to witness a slight increase in Canada PNP allocations, as per the Multi-Year Immigration Plan of the Canada government. The allocation target for this year is 55000 compared to 51000, which was last year’s target.

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Are you planning to immigrate to Canada? Our experienced immigration lawyers and consultants are here to help you! Please contact us.

Study in Germany

Get a Master’s in Engineering from Germany for FREE!

If you aspire to pursue a postgraduate program in Engineering abroad, Germany is one of the best choices you can make. Many German public universities offer postgraduate courses in Engineering with no tuition fees and English as a medium of instruction.

1. International Master of Landscape Architecture (IMLA)

The International Master of Landscape Architecture (IMLA) at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences is the best option if the applicant is a graduate in landscape architecture, landscape planning, landscape construction, landscape management, architecture, town planning or physical planning. In order to apply, the applicant must have above average marks to apply and be proficient in the English language at level B2 of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages (CEFR) or equivalent. Though the students do not need to pay any tuition fees, they will have to pay enrolment fees, approximately EUR150. The living cost is approximately EUR 800-900 per month.

2. Automation & IT

The Master’s degree in Automation and IT offered by TH Köln is a fully accredited program covering the areas of both industrial automation and computer science. Though students do not need to pay any tuition fees, they will have to pay an administrative fee for student services and student union fee, approximately EUR 85. The monthly living cost is around EUR 700-850. The applicant must have certified proficiency in English: TOEFL (550 points), Computer TOEFL (213 points), Internet (80 points), IELTS (band 6.0), Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English, Level C1 or equivalent certificate. The minimum qualification required to apply is a Bachelor’s in the field of engineering science, computer science, computer engineering, or informatics.

3. Renewable Energy Systems – Environmental and Process Engineering

The Renewable Energy Systems – Environmental and Process Engineering program at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences trains students to develop, plan, design, execute, operate and service renewable energy systems, particularly solar thermal systems, photovoltaic systems, biogas, biomass to liquid and wind energy systems. The courses and exams are in English, though optional courses are offered in German. The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, process engineering or a similar field, with the academic grade equivalent to the German grade 2.5. Enrolment fee is approximately EUR 321 per semester and living costs are approximately EUR 700 to 900.

Canada’s Pre-Departure Guide

You just received your visa and are preparing for your exciting new journey abroad. Questions start popping up in your mind: Who? What? Why? Where? How? Studying abroad or moving abroad is an opportunity that should not be missed. However, preparing for the big adventure can be overwhelming. Before you head off, we thought it important to provide you with a pre-departure guide and advice on how to prepare for your journey.

Everyone’s situation is different, so the information below provides an indication of what you may need to do at various stages – not every item may be relevant to you, but it is best to be as prepared as possible.

DOCUMENTS

Collect and bring original forms of official documents that belong to you and/or the family members who are immigrating with you. Ensure all your documents are in order and make photocopies to pack in your baggage, to leave at home, and send scanned copies to your email address. Carry photocopies of documents of family members who plan on joining you later.

The documents you need to bring include:

  • Passport (Make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date)
  • Airline tickets
  • Letter of acceptance from your Canadian educational institution
  • Key addresses and phone numbers
  • A bank statement showing proof of funds
  • Letter of invitation from Canadian immigration
  • Prescriptions for any medication you are carrying
  • Medical and immunization records
  • Academic history and university transcripts
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage or divorce certificates
  • Death certificate for a deceased spouse
  • Adoption records for adopted children
  • Driver’s license and or International Driving Permit

If the documents are not in the English or French language, you will need to obtain a certified translation for those documents. It is advised to translate documents into the English language. The translation should be done through a reputable agency in your country of origin. If required, documents in English or in French can be translated to French and English, respectively, from within Canada.

Although some of these documents may not be required immediately, it is advised that you carry all your official documents to avoid delays in providing the required documents when needed.

ACCOMODATION

You should know where you will stay when you arrive in Canada and how you will get there from the airport. You should carry local currency for any transit destinations and have enough Canadian currency in cash or traveler’s checks.

BAGGAGE

You should check how much baggage you can take with you and be mindful of weight restrictions and never agree to carry another person’s bags or their items in your luggage. When packing, find out which items are restricted or prohibited for travel to Canada. Canada has restrictions on certain alcoholic beverages, tobacco, firearms, food, animal and plant products, drugs and prescription drugs. Some seemingly harmless goods can be dangerous on board an aircraft and should not be packed in either checked or carry-on baggage. Liquids in carry-on baggage must be in containers less than 100 ml and should be kept in a separate plastic bag, which will be verified during security screening. Remember to clearly tag all your baggage, noting your name and the complete address of your destination in Canada. Also, pack a card inside your luggage with your Canadian contact details. Lastly, remember to keep all important documents, medications and high-value items such as cameras, jewelry, laptops, phones, credit cards and cash in your carry-on luggage.

EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION

Try to improve your English or French. Communication skills may be the most valuable tool you can possess to settle successfully in Canada and find a good job. The language you focus on improving will depend on which one is most commonly spoken in the area where you have chosen to settle.

Find out the requirements of the study abroad program and University you are interested in applying to and take a note of the deadlines of registering and applying. Ensure that you have all your educational documents, obtain reference letters from your past employers and professors and make sure that your educational certificates and professional qualifications are verified and accepted in Canada.

Find out if your profession is regulated or unregulated in Canada. If you are thinking about living and working in Canada, you need to know about credential recognition. Understanding how your education and work credentials are recognized will help you adapt to life and work in Canada. Foreign credential recognition is the process of verifying that the education, training and job experience you obtained in another country are equivalent to the standards established for Canadian workers.

Qualifying to immigrate to Canada does not mean that your education, work experience and professional credentials are automatically recognized in Canada. Working in some jobs in Canada, including certain trades, may require a license. To get a license, you will need to have your credentials recognized. You can start the credential assessment and recognition process before you arrive in Canada. Getting your credentials recognized takes time and costs money. To facilitate the process of foreign credential recognition, the federal government has a Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO). The FCRO provides information on how you can get your credentials recognized in Canada.

HEALTH CARE

Apply for a government health insurance card. A government health insurance card allows you to receive taxpayer-funded medical care in Canada. You should apply as soon as possible after arriving in Canada.

CIC strongly recommends purchasing private health insurance to pay for your health-care needs until the date when you receive a government issued Health Insurance Card. So, purchase private health insurance to pay for medical costs in case of an emergency, until you obtain government health insurance in Canada.

Ontario’s Masters and PhD Graduate Streams

The Canadian province of Ontario started accepting Canada Immigration/Permanent Residency applications from interested international post-graduates from the Masters and PhD Graduate Streams on October 12th, 2017.

These two streams are extremely popular and whenever they start accepting applications, they reach their intake limits within a few days. While Ontario did not disclose how many applications will be accepted for the current application intake period, the Masters Graduate Stream reached its intake limit the day they announced the opening of both the streams. Therefore, Ontario is no longer accepting registrations for the Masters Graduate Stream. However, registration is still open for the OINP PhD Graduate Stream.

Through the Masters Graduate Stream and the PhD Graduate Stream, both streams linked with the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), Ontario enables skilled international students who want to live and work in Ontario obtain a Nomination Certificate which expedites their Canadian Immigration process.

International Students Category is designed for international students with a Master’s degree or a PhD obtained in Canada who want to live and work permanently in Ontario.

OINP Masters Graduate Stream applicants must:

  • Intend to live and work in Ontario.
  • Be a graduate of a Master’s program from a publicly funded University in Ontario.
  • Have completed one academic year on a full-time basis.
  • Submit the application no later than two years from the date of completion of the Master’s degree. Or submit the application during his/her last semester of study in the program.
  • Be currently residing in Ontario with legal status.
  • Be proficient in English and/or French.
  • Demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents.
  • Have lived in Ontario for at least one complete year during the past two years.

OINP PhD Graduate Stream applicants must:

  • Have graduated from an existing PhD program at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario. Or successfully completed the degree requirements for such a program (and are awaiting their degree). Or, have at least two years of completed PhD studies at an eligible publicly funded university in Ontario.
  • Application must be submitted no later than two years from the date the PhD was received.
  • Be currently residing in Ontario with legal status.
  • Be proficient in English and/or French.
  • Demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their dependents.

Study in Quebec: Designated Learning Institutions

Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)

According to a new law that came into effect on June 30, 2017, foreign students who want to study in Quebec and pursue a training program with a duration of more than six months must have an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI).

A DLI is a school approved to host international students by a province or territorial government in Canada. In order to obtain a study permit to study in Quebec and to receive a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ), the institution where you plan to study must be recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in Quebec or any other Quebec government ministry. So, the applicant should make sure that the selected institute is on the list of designated educational institutions because once the processing fee is paid, it is non-refundable.

There are around 420 educational institutions in Quebec which are Designated Learning Institutions. Being issued a certificate acceptation du Québec (CAQ) to study in a post-secondary institution means your institution is designated. In the case where the institution you are studying in loses its DIL status while you are still enrolled, you can continue studying in that institute until your study permit expires. However, if you wish to renew your study permit, you will have to enrol into an educational institute in the list of Designated Learning Institutions.

The DLI Process

The process of looking for the Institute of your choice in the designated learning institutes database is to:

  • First, choose the province or territory your educational institute is located in.
  • Type in the name of the educational institute and the city in which it is located.
  • The name of your DLI and DLI number will appear. You can write the DLI number under the section ‘Details of intended study in Canada on the application for your study permit.

Canadian Universities Ranked Top 5 In Maclean’s Survey

MACLEAN’S SURVEY

Maclean’s, a popular news magazine based in Canada, recently published a list of the most reputed Canadian universities and their rankings. The rankings for this year have post-secondary institutions from all regions of Canada. As part of the survey, Maclean’s approached university faculty, senior administrators, high school guidance counsellors and business people to know their views on Canadian universities. All universities from undergraduate, comprehensive and medical doctoral categories were ranked in the survey as one group.

THE TOP FIVE CANADIAN UNIVERSITIES
1. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto ranks in first place in the Maclean’s rankings. The university has around 90,000 students, both domestic and international and offers more than 700 undergraduate and 300 graduate programs. The University has three campuses in the Greater Toronto area. The signature programs at the University are science, medicine and artificial intelligence.

2. University of Waterloo

In the 2018 rankings of Maclean’s, University of Waterloo is among the top comprehensive Canadian universities. The university has the largest free start-up incubator in the world, which is named Velocity. The University also provides talented students free access to resources. Another attraction of the university is that it has the world’s largest co-op program, with more than 19000 students and 6700 employers. The employment rates are up to 99.9 percent. The signature programs of the University include Actuarial Science, Nanotechnology, Commerce and Architecture.

3. University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia has two campuses, one located in Vancouver and the other in Okanagan. Around 60,000 students are studying in this university among whom, around 14000 are international students from 162 countries. The university offers more than 200 undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs. The university’s English Language Institute, located in Vancouver, offers world-class English language education to international students. The university campuses, located in the most scenic places, also have the largest research libraries in the country.

4. McGill University

McGill University, located in Montreal, has been ranked first among the medical/doctoral universities in the country. Around 26 percent of its students are international. The university offers world-class medical, engineering and law programs. The university is also the alma mater of the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. The signature programs of the university include medicine, chemistry, law, music, engineering, management, continuing studies, and dentistry.

5. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta is located in Edmonton, the prairie province of Alberta. It offers more than 200 undergraduate programs and 170 graduate programs. In addition to law and education, the university has a reputation for offering renowned engineering, science, and medicine programs. The university has more than 32,000 students including 7700 international students. It has signed 400 teaching and research agreements in around 51 countries. The signature programs of the university include engineering, law, education, and pharmacy.

Study in Ireland: What You Need to Know

Your Guide to Studying in Ireland

Ireland, with one of the best education systems in the world, offers students a wide range of opportunities to lay the foundation for their bright future. The only English-speaking country in the Eurozone, Ireland has 34 higher education institutions offering more than 5000 internationally recognised study programs.

Study in Ireland: Step by Step

Step 1: In order to get an admission for a degree program in Ireland, the student must prove his/her proficiency in English with test results from language tests. The certificates must have been issued within two years before the start of the course in Ireland. In the case of IELTS, the student must have a composite score of 6.0- 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in individual components.

Step 2: Choose a study program in an Irish educational institution that will enable you to meet your future goals. In order to do so, you have to check whether your academic and English language standards meet the requirements of the institution. Once you have applied and gotten admission, you have to pay the admission fee. After you have paid for your course, you can apply for a long-stay or D Study Visa.

Step 3: Find a suitable accommodation. In Ireland, you have various options for accommodation including rented apartments, student accommodations and home stays. Many colleges and universities have accommodation officers who can help the students in finding accommodation. Before applying, you have to make sure that your passport is valid for more than 12 months from the date of your application.

Study in Ireland: Costs

How much it will cost to study in Ireland depends on various factors, including the course you choose, the institution where you get admission and if you are a European student or not.

Approximate course fees:

Courses Undergraduate Postgraduate
Medicine & Health Sciences €45,000 – €52,000 €4,000 – €31,000+
Engineering €9,750 – €23,000 €9,250 – €24,000
Science and Technology €9,750 – €22,000 €9,250 – €45,000
Arts and Humanities €9,750 – €20,000 €9,250 – €22,000
Business €9,750 – €18,000 €9,250 – €34,500