Immigration Canada

Welcome to Canada! (Photo credit: Cria-cow)

Ottawa, March 4, 2013 —Canada issued a record number of visas for Chinese nationals in 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.

“We plan to grow the economy and create more jobs by attracting an increasing number of visitors and the world’s best and brightest talent to Canada,” said Minister Kenney. “For this reason, we strive to issue visas and permits as quickly as possible to facilitate travel for immigrants, visitors and students.”

China was the number one source country for immigration to Canada in 2012, with 32,990 permanent residents admitted. Canada also issued a record 235,000 visitor visas to Chinese applicants in 2012, an increase of 158 percent compared to 2004. And the record 25,245 study permits approved represents an increase of 235 percent since 2004. This significant increase in each of these categories reaffirms Canada as a top destination of choice for visitors and students from China.

The Government continues to move toward a fast and flexible immigration system that avoids backlogs and processes applications faster.

For example, in 2008, the government introduced the Canadian Experience Class, a path to permanent residency for international student graduate whose Canadian education and work experience helps ensure they are set for success in Canada’s economy. In 2012, China was the top source country for successful Canadian Experience Class applicants.

In addition, in July 2011, the duration of multiple-entry visas was extended from 5 years to 10 years. This allows visitors to enter and exit Canada for up to six months at a time over 10 years. Furthermore, parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for the new Parent and Grandparent Super Visa, which is also valid for up to 10 years and allows parents and grandparents to come to Canada for up to 24 months at a time.

“For over a century, Canada has benefited from the talent and hard work of newcomers from China,” Minister Kenney said. “Almost 1.5 million Canadians can trace their ancestry to China, and now a growing number of Chinese citizens are able to visit family and friends in Canada, study at Canadian colleges and universities, or immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.”

2009 OECD Employment and Labour Ministerial Meeting (Photo credit: OECD)

March 8, 2013 — On December 19, 2012, the Government of Canada published regulations that will change the way Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) processes offers of arranged employment for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

Currently, employers seek an Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO) from HRSDC when they wish to hire a foreign national on a permanent, full-time basis and support their employee’s application for permanent residence through the FSWP.

Starting on May 4, 2013, most^Footnote1 offers of arranged employment will require a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) from HRSDC in support of an FSWP application, instead of an AEO.

LMOs are currently used in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, as employers often must apply for authorization from HRSDC before hiring temporary foreign workers.

LMOs assess whether there are Canadians or permanent residents available to do the job. This will not change.

Employers will be able to use a single application for an LMO, whether it is being used to support the issuance of a temporary work permit or a permanent resident visa.

AEO letters provided by HRSDC to employers under existing regulations will no longer be accepted by CIC if the FSWP application is received on or after May 4, 2013.

Transitional processing of Arranged Employment Offers

To ensure efficient service delivery in advance of the program changes on May 4, 2013, HRSDC and CIC have collaboratively set up transitional measures.

Applications received by HRSDC before or on March 8, 2013

Employers whose AEO application was received by HRSDC on or before March 8, 2013, and who have not yet received an opinion will be able to submit an LMO application should they choose.
Employers with pending AEO applications who choose not to avail themselves of this opportunity will remain in the processing queue. However their application may not be processed in time for it to be used in support of an FSWP application (i.e. before May 4, 2013).
HRSDC will soon mail employers with pending AEO applications the revised LMO application form so they have the opportunity to update their application. Those who choose to update will not lose their place in the processing queue.
AEOs will only be valid until May 3, 2013. CIC must receive any FSWP application that is supported by an AEO on or before May 3, 2013 or it will not be accepted.

Applications for AEOs submitted to HRSDC/Service Canada after March 8 and before May 4, 2013

Current processing times are about 8 weeks, so any applications for an AEO received after March 8, 2013, are not likely to be processed by May 3, 2013.
For this reason, if you submit a new AEO application after March 8, 2013, it will be returned to you with instructions on how to apply for an LMO.

Footnote

Footnote 1

There is one exception. An LMO will not be required if the offer of arranged employment is made to an individual who:

is already working in Canada with a valid work permit issued under a federal-provincial agreement or an international agreement (other than an agreement regarding seasonal agricultural workers), and
has received a permanent job offer from the same employer listed on their work permit.