Sponsoring Parents
The problem of long waiting times for processing applications for sponsored parents is recognized as one of the most difficult for Canada's Citizenship and Immigration Ministry. Therefore, it is planned to do everything possible to reduce the waiting times for processing applications for family sponsorship of parents. Measures are being taken immediately - additional immigration officials will be temporarily sent to embassies with the largest number of accumulated unprocessed applications.
A threefold increase is expected in the number of parents accepted annually through family sponsorship - from 6.000 in 2005 to 18.000 people in 2006.
An intention was announced to speed up and facilitate the issuance of multiple-entry visas for temporary entry to parents who are in the process of family sponsorship, so that they can visit their children in Canada while their applications are being processed. At the same time, parents will still have to prove that they do not intend to remain in the country after the expiry of the issued visa.
It is planned to spend 72 million Canadian dollars over two years on processing applications for parent sponsorship.
International Students
The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is expanding two pilot programs to attract as many students as possible to study in Canada. Foreign students will be allowed to work while studying. Also, the duration of the work permit issued in Canada after graduation is increased from one year to two. However, work can only be sought outside three major cities - Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
These changes come into effect on May 16, 2005. It is planned to spend 10 million dollars per year for five years on implementing these pilot programs.
In addition, it will become easier for post-secondary students to change their study programs and educational institutions - now there is no need to apply for changes to their study visa. Students studying at a Canadian school are allowed to receive study visas for a longer period.
Acquisition of Canadian Citizenship
An intention was expressed to reduce the processing times for applications by permanent residents of Canada for Canadian citizenship. It is planned to spend 69 million dollars over the next two years for this, so that by 2007-2008 the waiting time for the issuance of Canadian citizenship is reduced to 12 months, and the time for confirmation of citizenship to four months.
The age is reduced from 60 to 55 for Canadian residents applying for citizenship, upon reaching which they are exempt from the mandatory exam on knowledge of one of the official languages (English/French) and the test on knowledge of Canada.
Consultant's Comments
Since his appointment (January 14, 2005), the new Minister of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada, Joe Volpe, has already shown a firm intention to improve the ministry's performance and solve its long-standing problems. After a series of successive previous ministers who unsuccessfully tried to cope with this task, Joe Volpe is the first minister who is finally doing something real. Let us recall that recently, on February 18, 2005, he announced the introduction of a significant relief for sponsored spouses, namely, allowing them to remain in Canada for the entire process of considering their application, regardless of their status in Canada (that is, even with expired temporary residence visas).
And now, on April 18, 2005, a new initiative has been announced - a whole series of measures to improve immigration conditions for three categories - sponsored parents, foreign students, and permanent residents of Canada applying for citizenship.
The number 18 is probably especially significant for the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration of Canada. Let us recall that on September 18, 2003, a significant change was introduced to the new immigration law - the pass mark was lowered from 75 to the current 67 - for the Skilled Workers category.
So, the measures announced on April 18, 2005 will undoubtedly make life easier for many. First of all, this concerns sponsored parents. Starting from 2003, due to the huge number of applications submitted, and also because the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration pursued a policy of lowest priority for this category of applicants, the number of unprocessed applications began to grow rapidly, and the waiting times just for the issuance of permission to sponsor parents increased from the usual three to four weeks to 22 months. And the total time for the entire process - from one year to three to four years.
The situation regarding this category has become so tense that angry Canadian residents sponsoring their parents began to hold protest demonstrations in front of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration building. So the measures being introduced now, even if some, are long overdue. Although they cannot be called radical - they are unlikely to change anything significantly. But nevertheless, one can expect a reduction of the waiting time for a decision on permission to sponsor parents, which has ballooned to 22 months, to 6-12 months, and then the time for processing documents at the Canadian embassy to 8-12 months.
Thus, it can be seen that the previously proposed restrictions on parent sponsorship did not receive support, and it was decided to abandon them. Canada once again showed itself as a supporter of humanitarianism.
As for the measures being introduced to attract foreign students, they are undoubtedly positive. Canada is already one of the most attractive places to study in an English-speaking country, due to the relative affordability of education (compared to other English-speaking countries, especially the US and England) and the high quality and prestige of its education. Now another serious reason is added: the possibility of further work in Canada and a quick and relatively easy acquisition of permanent resident status (if you decide to apply for that status). After all, a student who has completed studies in Canada and received a work permit gains such significant advantages for qualifying under the Skilled Worker category as fluent English, two years of study in Canada, and having a work permit. These factors make a positive decision on issuing an immigration visa almost guaranteed. So, future foreign students — Welcome to Canada!
We will not comment on the third group of those who received their "benefits" — permanent residents of Canada applying for citizenship — since it concerns only those already in the country, who have already gone through the immigration process and obtained permanent resident status. For them, the process of obtaining Canadian citizenship is now made easier, although it has never been difficult or overly lengthy.
It should be noted that what was not included in the measures proposed by the minister — nothing has yet been announced regarding the largest and most "long-suffering" category — Skilled Workers. Probably, the current state of affairs regarding this category still suits the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, or they are keeping planned initiatives regarding Skilled Workers in reserve and may bring them out for public view on another 18th day of an unknown month in an unknown year.
For now, from the very fact that this category was ignored, one can conclude that it will face a period of stability and preservation of the existing status quo. This once again confirms the forecasts we have repeatedly made that a favorable situation has developed for the next year or year and a half for applying under the Skilled Workers category. And everyone who has thought about immigrating to Canada should not miss the chance to take advantage of this favorable situation.
Elena RYABININA, "Russian Toronto".