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  • Study in Canada: IRCC continues to facilitate online learning for international students

    Study in Canada: IRCC continues to facilitate online learning for international students

    Opportunity to Study in Canada with numerous efforts from Canada Govt.

    Earlier the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has made several temporary policy changes to support and reassure international students and learning institutions.

    •  International students who had a valid study permit, or who were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020, are exempt from travel restrictions.
    •  Students in Canada who were forced to study online, reduce their studies to part-time, or take a break from their studies completely, as a result of restrictions on classroom learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are allowed to continue working on- or off-campus if their study permit allows it.
    •  No one is going to lose their eligibility for PGWP if they were forced to complete more than 50% of their program online.
    •  Until August 31, 2020, international students are permitted to work more than 20 hours per week off-campus during their academic sessions if they are employed in an essential service or function.
    •  Students beginning a new study program in the 2020 spring, summer, or fall semesters can begin their classes online from abroad  without affecting their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit, provided they can complete at least 50% of their program in Canada.

    According to IRCC International students make immense cultural and social contributions to Canada and generate more than $21 billion in economic activity.

    While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented several challenges worldwide, Canada’s whole-of-government approach is aimed at protecting the health of Canadians while minimizing the economic and social impact of restrictions. With these changes, it is expected that international students will continue contributing to the health and vitality of Canada and the local communities where they study from coast to coast to coast.

    “The pandemic has had a significant impact on international students and the Canadian institutions and communities that host them. This is why we have implemented a series of measures to support them. We value the contribution of young people seeking a high-quality education in Canada, and we’re making every effort to minimize how current challenges affect their plans and dreams for the future.”

    – The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship

    As the fall season is fast approaching, the Minister has announced additional measures to support international students beginning a new program online this fall with a Canadian learning institution, if their institution is offering the program online, so that they can pursue their education while ensuring everyone’s safety.

    The new measures include

    providing priority study-permit processing for students who have submitted a complete application online, to ensure that permits are processed as quickly as possible
    allowing students to count the time spent pursuing their studies online abroad toward their eligibility for a post-graduation work permit, if they have submitted a study permit application and if at least 50% of their program is completed in Canada
    providing reassurances to international students who cannot submit all of the documentation needed to complete processing of their applications, and who choose to pursue programs through distance learning, by implementing a temporary 2-stage approval process

    In 2019, Canada hosted over 650,000 international students at the post-secondary education level. More than 58,000 former international students have become Canadian permanent residents.

    If you are looking to study in Canada, GreenTech Resources is there to help you.

    Our services:

    1. Admission

    2. Airport receive

    3. All stay arrangement

    4. Post-graduate work permit

    5. Job assistance

    6. All visa works

    For more details visit our website at www.canadastudyvisas.com

    To discuss immigration-related queries join our forum: https://canadaimmigrationforum.ca/

    source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/07/minister-mendicino-announces-changes-to-facilitate-online-learning-for-international-students.html

  • How has Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) handled the Covid-19 situation? Do you want to immigrate to Saskatchewan?

    How has Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) handled the Covid-19 situation? Do you want to immigrate to Saskatchewan?

    TheSaskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)is a route which helps non-Canadians to immigrate to Canada. Candidates who fulfill these requirements are nominated by SINP to apply for permanent residency through federal Immigration.

    For years SINP has been one of the easiest pathways to Immigrate to Canada and has full-filled many people’s dreams to settle here.

    Post COVID-19:

    Covid-19 has hit the world hard in every possible way and immigration is also one of the affected industries. It has left many aspiring immigrants in a hard place because of various processing and logistical restraints.

    While some provinces like Alberta(AINP) are planning to tighten the immigration restrictions, Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program(SINP) is doing surprisingly well to support foreign workers and aspiring applicants. Alberta government is now asking the federal government to suspend big divisions of its temporary foreign worker program for the following 1 Year.

    On the other hand, SINP is doing many things to support foreign workers and aspiring immigrants:

    “SINP nominees can now request a six-month extension to their nomination. This provides nominees with an additional six months to apply for permanent residency to the federal government. Please send extension requests to immigration@gov.sk.ca.

    Applicants and nominees may be issued a conditional nomination if the terms of the employment offer associated with their original SINP application have been changed or their employment has been disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Nominees will have six months to obtain new, eligible employment if the job offer associated with their original SINP application no longer exists. Their nomination will become a conditional nomination until new full-time employment (30 hours/week) is obtained.

    Applicants or nominees working in the province that have had their full-time hours reduced will be allowed to continue working for their approved employer(s) at the reduced hours without supplementing their employment if the employer(s) commits to resuming full-time employment (30 hours/week) within 6 months of the full-time hours being reduced. If a nomination had been issued previously then it will become a conditional nomination while the nominee is working less than 30 hours per week for the approved employer(s). An applicant must be working 30 hours per week in one job or more and meet all of the applicable Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) criteria in order to be nominated to the program.
    Potential applicants that have been living and working in Saskatchewan for at least six months will be eligible to apply to the SINP with 780 hours of work experience (equivalent to 6 months at 30 hours per week), whether through full-time or part-time work

    If a worker does not have an open work permit, they will need to obtain a new work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The SINP will issue them a new work permit support letter where required. A worker cannot legally work for a new employer until a new work permit is obtained.
    Nominees or potential applicants must continue to economically support themselves except for short-term supports. If nominees or applicants access short-term income support during the pandemic, they will not be penalized.”

    Source: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/moving-to-saskatchewan/immigrating-to-saskatchewan/saskatchewan-immigrant-nominee-program/immigration-faqs#sinp-temporary-measures

    This displays that Saskatchewan yet again proved that they’re one of the most welcoming and supportive provinces in the country for foreign nationals. Be it the ease of the provincial nomination program(SINP) or the welcoming nature of the residents, Saskatchewan is here to upkeep your settlement.

    Need help in immigrating to Saskatchewan? Leave the entire process to us.

    Visit our forum to ask your doubts.

    www.canadaimmigrationforum.ca

  • Online Courses: Study permit approval no longer a hurdle towards PGWP!

    Online Courses: Study permit approval no longer a hurdle towards PGWP!

    International students who already enrolled or those likely to apply for the new online courses, this is really good news for them.

    So what is this about?

    Earlier we know Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that due to this pandemic travel restriction will be there for some time but they do not want to halt the study process in Canada. So far that they allowed online courses to take place for a certain period. Now that got complicated when the post-graduate work permit arises! To solve the issue IRCC said online courses will not be penalized when applying for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. But there was a condition where PGWP will be cunted only after the study permit gets approved.

    Now to give International Student more facility IRCC declared that they don’t need to wait for the study permits to be approved their count towards PGWP going to start the day they start their online courses. But they have to apply for the study permit before Sept’ 15 and they must complete half of their course within Canada.

    So far IRCC decided they won’t deduct the study time completed outside Canada from the length of the PGWP up to Dec’31, 2020.

    Those who haven’t applied for the study permit! We suggest you should go for it as Canada will accept incomplete applications for study permits. The new 2-step process is there to facilitate International Students to start studying without having a full study-permit. However, it will be needed once every document submitted.

  • Temporary visas and International Students are about get a good chance in Canada

    Temporary visas and International Students are about get a good chance in Canada

    “Come to Canada” message by Canada’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino that clearly clarifies Canada is ready for immigrants, temporary foreign workers and international students.

    In order to bring Canada’s economy in good track he said-

    “We have a plan in place that looks to leverage the best and the brightest from around the world. We’ve got pathways like the Express Entry program, and the Global Talent Stream, which will help to bring entrepreneurs, engineers, and innovators. We’ve also got pathways for manual laborers and skilled laborers.”

    Trump’s administration on Monday extended its ban on green cards issued outside the U.S. for the remainder of 2020, also freezing the issuance of H-1B, H-2B, J-1 and L-1 visas in the process.

    During this pandemic situation Canada continues to welcome candidates through Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and PR.

  • Immigration Nominee Program for Saskatoon, Regina- Saskatchewan

    Immigration Nominee Program for Saskatoon, Regina- Saskatchewan

    Saskatoon and Regina two major cities in Saskatchewan province.

    The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) is a way to immigrate to Canada. Through the SINP, the Province of Saskatchewan:

    Invites residency applications from non-Canadians who want to make Saskatchewan their home
    Nominates successful applicants to the federal government for permanent residency in Canada
    The SINP is only one of the steps toward becoming a permanent resident in Saskatchewan. All approved applicants must also apply for residency through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Canadian Immigration Commission.

    Three SINP program categories you can apply to:

    International Skilled Worker:
    Saskatchewan Experience:
    Entrepreneur and Farm:
    International Skilled Worker: 

    International Skilled Workers:
    Eligibility:

    Score a minimum of 60 points out of 100 on the SINP point assessment grid.
    Have a language test result that meets the federal Express Entry language requirements. Visit IRCC to convert IELTS, CELPIP, TEF and TCF scores to CLB 5 to 9+.
    Have completed post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship that’s comparable to the Canadian education system of at least one year in length.
    Have experience in an occupation that is high skilled and not on the Excluded Occupation List.
    Your above work experience must be in the field of your completed post-secondary education, training or apprenticeship.
    You may be required to provide proof of Professional Status or proof of eligibility for Licensure (for regulated occupations or those with professional certification standards in Canada and/or Saskatchewan) for your occupation.
    Have proof of settlement funds and a settlement plan.


    Saskatchewan Experience:
    Eligibility:

    Those having existing work permit as in working in Saskatchewan for at least six month.
    Individual who worked as Health professional.
    Those who working in hospitality sector in Saskatchewan as food and beverage servers, food counter attendants, kitchen helpers, or housekeeping and cleaning staff for at least six months.
    Individual working for an approved trucking firm in Saskatchewan.
    For students who have graduated from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada.

    Entrepreneur and Farm:
    Eligibility:

    If you are an international student graduating from a Saskatchewan institution who wants to become an entrepreneur can fit into the International Graduate Entrepreneur Category.
    If you are an entrepreneur and plan to start a business in Saskatchewan.
    The Entrepreneur Expression of Interest (EOI_Pool_Selections_Table_Mar-5-2020)
    if you are an experienced farmer and plan to buy and operate a farm in Saskatchewan.

    If you are interested in this program, GTR Immigration will provide with all the resource and support during the process to help you choose the right place to settle in Canada and support you with launching or purchasing your business. Not only that, we will ensure to make a process of your immigration documents are properly filed with quality and professional manners.

  • Caregiver Pilot Program 2019-2024

    Caregiver Pilot Program 2019-2024

    Immigration Canada has announced 2 new Caregiver immigration pilots. The Home Child Care Provider (NOC4411) and Home Support Worker (NOC4412) pilots are the new Caregiver immigration pathway to Canada. It will open for applications on June 18, 2019.

    This new program will replace the expiring Caring for Children and Caring for People with High Medical Needs pilots.

    Caregivers will now have to meet the standard criteria for economic immigration before you are granted a work permit.

    Requirements:

    1. IETLS/CELPIP/TEF/TCF for Canada = CLB/NCLC 5
    2. Post-secondary diploma/certificate/advanced diploma of at least 1 year in Canada or ECA
    3. 24-months of work experience within 36-months prior the submission of the application of the following jobs:
      1. Home Child Provider (NOC 4411)
      2. Home Support Worker (NOC 4412)
    4. If you do not have work experience, you need a genuine job offer (LMIA is not required)

    Since the work permit is granted base on occupation-specific rather than employer-specific, candidate have flexibility in changing their employer if necessary. Also, the immediate member of the principal applicant can accompany them to Canada. This pilot will give the principal applicant a lot of advantages when apply for permanent residency.

    The processing time of this program is 12-18 months.

  • IRCC again to facilitate International Students with PGWP!

    Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) again to facilitate International students with the post-graduate work permit (PGWP)

    Earlier we have seen numerous measures have been taken by IRCC. They allowed educational institutes to use online platforms just to continue their process. A post-graduate work permit is one of the key facilities that students from abroad looking forward to, considering that point they even assure colleges and universities that online classes won’t hamper the PGWP of these students.

    Now regarding the online classes or the students who enrolled for the online classes for the Sept’2020 intake, IRCC introduced some new measures.

    Three major changes which we’re about to tell you:

    1. Students may now study online from abroad until April 30, 2021, with no time deducted from the length of a future post-graduate work permit, provided 50% of their program of study is eventually completed in Canada.
    2. Students who have enrolled in a program that is between 8 and 12 months in length, with a start date from May to September 2020, will be able to complete their entire program online from abroad and still be eligible for a post-graduation work permit.
    3. Students who have enrolled in a program with a start date from May to September 2020 and study online up to April 30, 2021, and who graduate from more than one eligible program of study, may be able to combine the length of their programs of study when they apply for a post-graduation work permit in the future, as long as 50% of their total studies are completed in Canada.

  • The Canadian Government provides emergency fund for students

    The Canadian Government provides emergency fund for students

    Breaking News – The Canadian Government provides emergency fund for students in Canada

    The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced to issue a Candian Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) of 9 billion dollars to postsecondary students across Canada. This is a great movement from the government to help students who is financially struggle due to Covid-19. In addition, if a student is taking care of someone else or have a disability, that amount increases to $1,750 monthly. College and university students currently in school, planning to start in September 2020, or who graduated in December 2019 are eligible. As well, working students earning less than $1,000 per month can apply.

    However, the benefit will require additional legislation and the Government will soon announce how to enroll in this program very soon.

    Along with this announcement, the Canadian Government also proved to invest $291.6 million to extend scholarships, fellowships, and grants for three or four months to keep research projects and placements going, including postdoctoral fellowships. They will also launch a new Canada Student Service Grant of between $1,000 and $5,000 for students volunteering in the COVID-19 fight to go towards their fall tuition. Furthermore, Canada Student Grants will double all eligible full-time students up to $6,000 and up to $3,600 for part-time students in 2020-21. The Canada Student Grants for Students with Permanent Disabilities and Students with Dependents are also being doubled.

    International Students are going to be allowed to work more that the current maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods. They will also receive free healthcare if they are infected by Corona Virus.

    However, the eligibility of International Students has not been announced yet. We will wait have to wait for more update from the Canadian Government. In case if international students cannot receive this fund, they are still eligible to enroll for CERB if they can meet all the conditions.

  • Update for International Students and Workers during COVID-19

    Update for International Students and Workers during COVID-19

    If you are interested in applying for a study permit to Canada during this time, we have the following update to you:

    • Application for Study Permit and Temporary Visa still open for all the applicants, but due to the travel restriction, you will be able to enter Canada for Fall term 2020 (September 2020) and Winter term 2020 (January 2021)
    • Please note that the success rate at this moment for a study permit is very high as there are fewer competitors
    • Many Colleges/Universities and Institutions have offered DuoLingo test results instead of IELTS/TOEFL due to the closure of the test center. This language test can be done online, and the result will be available within 2
      working business days.

    1) Seneca:
    Certificate Programs: 105 – 110
    Diploma and AD: 105 – 110
    Degree: 115 – 120
    Graduate Certificate: 125 – 130

    2) Centennial:
    Fast track Postgraduate certificate: 125+
    Post-secondary programs: 105 -124
    Foundation programs: 95-104

    3) Humber:
    Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma: 105 -110
    Degrees: 115-120
    Bachelor or Nursing Degree: 135-140
    Graduate Certificate: 125-130

    Canadian Government has been doing their best to protect its citizen as well as students and workers in Canada, by offering the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. An individual will earn up to $2000/month during this pandemic by simply creating their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) account online and start applying for it. You must ensure that you have lost your job due to Covid-19, have an income of at least $5000 during 2019 or within 12 months, and are 15 years of age of older.

    Please refer to this link
    https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
    and https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/e-services/e-services-individuals/account-individuals.html for more information.

    Parents with children who are currently in Canada can be rest assured since Canada has been doing their best in preventing the spread of the virus, and that in case if they have infected by the virus, the Government will provide the treatment for free of charge. But please note that you must have health insurance to protect yourself from other incidents.

    For International Students and Workers who held their valid permit before March 15, 2020, you are eligible to return to Canada. But please take precautions to protect when travel by always wearing a mask in public area. Also, please do not forget to wash your hand thoroughly before touching your face.

    However, with Visitor Visa holders, Canada Government has not lifted the restrictions so you cannot return/enter Canada at this moment. GTR Immigration will keep the information up to date for who is interested.

    GTR Immigration Inc are here to provide immigration services for Students, Workers, and Visitors during this time of difficulty. Please send your request to our RCIC so we can assist you with your situations, whether you want to apply for study permit, change your school, restore your status, work permits, permanent residency, etc.

  • Saskatchewan Graduate Entrepreneur Category, Saskatchewan Launches for International Students

    Saskatchewan Graduate Entrepreneur Category, Saskatchewan Launches for International Students

    Saskatchewan has launched a new Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) immigration stream for international students entrepreneurs who graduate from a designated post-secondary institute in Saskatchewan. 

    The new stream allows the opportunity for international graduates to start a business and obtain permanent residency. If you are a graduate from a designated learning institute who has 2 years of post-graduate work permit then this may be your pathway to Canadian immigration. 

    Eligibility:

    To be eligible for the international graduate entrepreneur category, students must meet the following conditions:

    • Under 21 years of age
    • Should have completed at least 2 years of full-time studies in Saskatchewan from a designated learning institute
    • Graduates must have a valid post-graduate work permit of at least 2 years
    • Have lived in Saskatchewan for the duration of education
    • Meet the Canadian CLB of 7

    Students who have completed a program distant learning program or accelerated learning programs are not eligible to apply under the program.

    Process:

    Those wishing to apply under this program should meet the minimum eligibility criteria. If they are eligible, the graduates should follow the process laid out by the Government of Saskatchewan for provincial nomination. 

     

    • Expression of Interest: Those eligible are required to submit an expression of interest based on which they will be assigned a score. Once they are assigned an EOI score they will be entered into a pool of candidates. 
    • Invitation to Apply: Candidates with top scores will be invited to apply and submit their documents. They will also be asked to sign a Business Performance Agreement based on its Business Establishment Plan. 
    • Establish your Business: After the approval of their applications, the graduates will be required to start and operate their business in accordance with the BPA. The applicants are required to operate the business for at least 1 year.
    • Apply for Provincial Nominee: Once the minimum 1 year of business operations as per the BPA is met, applicants are eligible to apply for the provincial nominee program. Those who receive the nomination will still have to continue operating the business as per the agreement until they receive their permanent residence.

     

    To learn more about the program and apply under the Saskatchewan Graduate Entrepreneur Category, contact Greentech Resources. We are leaders in Canada immigration, student visa, recruitment, LMIA, newcomer job search, work permits, and business class immigration.