Immigration Canada

Foreign Nationals in the US Make a Smooth Transition to Canada

--- October 2007 --- (Photo credit: Live And Basic)

OCTOBER, 2012

The United States and Canada share a long geographical, political, and cultural history. An important part of this history is the exchange of peoples across the two countries’ long border. Every year, foreign nationals in the US come to Canada on both temporary and permanent bases. Upon arrival in Canada, many find that their prior experience in the US has prepared them well for the work and lifestyle that awaits them in their new home.

Why Do Foreign Nationals in the US Immigrate to Canada?

Canada has the highest immigration levels of any G8 country. Hundreds of thousands of temporary and permanent residents come to the country each year to take advantage of the thriving labour market, safe communities, world class education systems, public healthcare, and unparalleled natural beauty. These and other factors have helped the country achieve one of the highest standards of living in the world today.

There are a number of reasons why US visa holders choose to work, study, or live permanently in Canada. Oftentimes individuals will be residing in the US on a temporary visa such as the H1-B (temporary work), J1 (management trainee), and F1 (student) visas. When these individuals are for some reason unable to achieve Permanent Residency in the US, pursuing Permanent Residency in Canada presents an option to remain in North America. Often, the transition from temporary status to permanent resident status is easier in Canada than in the US.

When an immigrant becomes a Canadian citizen, they have the option of pursuing temporary employment in the United States under the auspices of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since a NAFTA-based work permit can be renewed indefinitely, Canadians have an array of work and living options available to them.

Immigration Options for US Visa Holders

Canadian immigration programs have, in general, looked favorably upon holders of US visas. In the past, the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program had a specific stream for US H1-B (temporary worker) visa holders.

This program is no longer available. However, experience in North America continues to provide a strong advantage for those looking to immigrate. There are a number of temporary and permanent residency options that residents of the US are well-placed to pursue.

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) class of immigration is being revised in such a way that US residents are likely to benefit. Legislation that will come into force in January 2013 will place a higher emphasis on language skills. US residents typically possess a high level of English and as such may do well under the revised system. In addition, the new program will require that applicants have their foreign educational credentials assessed for their Canadian equivalency. Individuals who completed studies in the US will find that their degrees are often equivalent to a similar degree in Canada.

No intake quota has yet been announced for the FSW class. However, it appears likely that a cap will be placed on application intake. Some proactive individuals are already preparing their applications in advance, so that they may submit before potential quotas are filled.

In addition to the FSW class, applicants without a job offer in Canada can also pursue Permanent Residency through the popular Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. The QSW program is currently open and receiving applications from eligible applicants with expertise in one of 110 areas of training/fields of study.

Temporary work permits allow foreign workers to come to Canada for up to four years at a time. A temporary work permit in Canada usually requires a job offer from a Canadian employer. Temporary work in Canada can often be used as a stepping stone to an application for Canadian Permanent Residency.

US Residents Adapt Well to the Canadian Lifestyle

Individuals who have worked in the US are in a good position to quickly find work and adjust toCanadian culture. They are already accustomed to the North American work style. Similarly, they are likely to be proficient in English, which Citizenship and Immigration Canada has stated is “a key factor in the success of new residents in Canada.”

US visa holders also benefit from being within an easy drive or flight away from most major Canadian cities. This relative proximity can be of great advantage to those wishing to search for jobs, interview, or visit their future homes before moving to Canada. Visiting Canada can be advantageous for some immigration applications. For instance, the QSW program awards points for having visited the Province of Quebec.

“Regardless of the program they apply to, US residents often have the skills and cultural know-how to succeed in Canada,” says Attorney David Cohen. “Not only does this help them build a strong application for Canadian immigration, but it will help them to hit the ground running upon arrival in Canada.”

Source: http://www.cicnews.com/2012/10/foreign-nationals-smooth-transition-canada-101983.html

Some Aging Nations Look to Immigration to Avert Economic Squeeze

Annual population percent change in the world. Source: CIA World Factbook (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By: Albert Bozzo

If you’ve ever wondered how the U.S. population could increase by almost 60 percent — to more than 300 million people — between the 1965 and 2010 national censuses, look no further than the Hart-Cellar Act, which ended a century-old policy of discriminating against non-northern European immigrants.

About half of the U.S. population growth over the last 45 years can be attributed to immigrants and their descendants, a demographic flood that has forever changed the nation. Today, one in five Americans is either first- or second-generation U.S. residents, according to the Census Bureau.

During roughly the same period, the population of Japan increased about 30 percent, to almost 128 million. Only about 2.1 million were immigrants, according toJapan’s National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Japan also happens to be the oldest nation in the world and has one of the lowest fertility rates, according to the CIA Fact Book. After years of marginal growth, according to national census data, the population is now actually shrinking, experts say.

As striking as that is, Japan is not alone. Italy, Monaco, Greece and Germany have similar demographic profiles, according to a variety of statistics, and South Korea is likely to resemble Japan in a generation if dramatic changes are not undertaken.

The difference between these countries and the U.S.? Immigration policies.

“Countries that have traditionally been destinations for large immigration tend to have younger populations,” said Jacob Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “There is another link, which is probably more important for the preparation of the aging, and that’s if you have a relatively liberal immigration policy you tend to have relatively higher fertility rates. Also, having a fairly liberal economy, open labor markets, easy access and an economy that is relatively flexible is often reflected in immigration policy.”

This human dynamic may seem merely like demography’s ultimate case study, but it also has enormous implications for the economic health of nations and the quality of life of their citizens.

“An aging population means a decline in the labor force,” Kirkegaard added, reflecting a widely held opinion among experts. “It lowers potential [economic] growth rates. Where it becomes very problematic is the impact it has on social spending.”

Countries from North America to Europe to Asia-Pacific are grappling with this demographic time bomb, which threatens the sustainability of national pension and health-care systems, and is prompting fundamental changes to retirement law and labor markets. For some developed nations, the problem will get much worse before it gets even a little better.

For instance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the European Union will experience a 14 percent decrease in its workforce and a 7 percent increase in its consumer populations by 2030.

A European Commission study shows that countries are not only raising the retirement age, but are also introducing a contingency clause that changes the size of the pension benefit based on expected demographic changes such at the time of retirement.

At the same time, countries such as Italy and Germany have liberalized immigration policy on top of the changes that came with the launch of the European Union’s single currency a dozen years ago, which opened borders to workers across a wide swath of member states.

Others, such as Japan and South Korea, however, have barely budged. (Read more: China's Aging Problem)

“Immigrants come in at the prime of their youth,” said Madeleine Sumption, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, MPI, who specializes in labor markets “These people have a whole working life ahead of them. They earn an income and pay taxes, which helps the shortfall in public finances.”

Statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development illustrate the disparity among its member countries.

Over the 2000-2010 period, the percentage of immigrant workers, known as foreign worker inflows, in Japan and South Korea was relatively flat at 0.3 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. (Read more: Investing in Aging Asia.)

In contrast, inflows to Italy, Spain and the U.K. rose between 200 percent and 400 percent.

Italy recently overtook the U.S. in the pace of net migration, ranking among the top 25 in the world, according to the CIA Fact Book. Japan and South Korea ranked in the low 90s with no statistical growth in net migration.

“The European countries realize they need more workers,” said Nicholas Eberstadt, a political economist and demographer at the American Enterprise Institute, AEI. “Immigration augments the labor pool and changes the ratio between workers and retirees.”

These structural changes, which experts said are often unpopular, combined with immigration, can make a demographic difference. Such policies, however, must remain in place for long periods of time because second-generation immigrants usually adapt to local custom, which means smaller family sizes. Thus, new waves of immigrants are needed. The U.S., Australia and Canada are good examples of this dynamic.

Kirkegaard of the Peterson Institute added that most countries still need a “more strategic immigration policy,” such as one that brings in scientists and engineers, and also keeps track of “changing trends in the labor markets.”

Source: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49571697