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More Asylum Claims and More Illegal Crossings Along U.S.-Canada Border, Despite the Dangers
The number of people seeking asylum at the United States-Canada border or trying to cross into America has increased in the last year, which experts say is part of the larger global migration patterns they're seeing.
U.S. authorities have repeatedly warned of the perils of crossing the northern border, especially in the winter months when temperatures can drop below zero and storms can aggravate the conditions.
“It’s extremely dangerous with the cold weather, the cold water,” Brady Waikel, in charge of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Niagara Falls, told WIVB-TV of Buffalo.
Despite the dangers, more migrants, mostly Mexicans, decide to try and cross the northern border, the longest in the world at 5,525 miles. The border with Mexico measures 1,900 miles; then-President Donald Trump built 450 miles of border wall for about $1 billion.
The most up-to-date figures from CBP recorded 189,402 encounters at the northern border in fiscal year 2023. This includes people who arrive at legal points of entry and turn themselves in to request asylum, as well as those who are captured after illegally crossing into the U.S.
There were 10,021 arrests for illegal crossings in that period. According to an analysis by Noticias Telemundo, migrants from Mexico lead the number of illegal crossings from Canada, with 4,868 interceptions, up from 882 arrests in 2022. Other countries with the most migrant interceptions were India, at 1,630, compared to 237 arrests in 2022, and Venezuela, at 753, as opposed to five arrests the year before.
“We have exceeded 6,700 apprehensions in less than 1 year, exceeding the previous 11 years combined,” Robert García, head of the Border Patrol in the Swanton, Vermont sector, said in early September on X.
As of press time, CBP had not responded to Noticias Telemundo’s requests for an interview with García.
Although the figures on the northern border are modest compared to the 2,045,838 encounters that CBP recorded on the border with Mexico during 2023, experts told Noticias Telemundo the numbers are rising.
“Government immigration policies don't change the need or reasoning of people who decide to cross in one direction or another," said Shauna Labman, director of the Human Rights Program at the University of Winnipeg, Canada, who added that some people are fleeing and seeking protection and thus making "dangerous decisions."
Migration Policy Institute analyst Colleen Putzel-Kavanaugh said they're seeing high levels of migration around the world, the highest since World War II. "People are moving at a faster rate than in the past, and that is also seen in the north," she said.
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Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy published a series of TikTok videos in October where he walked along hiking trails in Canada near Pittsburg, New Hampshire and crossed a stream into the U.S., saying it was easier than crossing the Rio Grande.
“Don’t just build the wall. Build both walls,” he said during the Nov. 8 Republican primary debate.
Regarding Ramaswamy’s proposal to build two border walls in the U.S., experts said it would be an extremely expensive — and ineffective — solution.
“I think it would not be viable for several reasons. One of them is that the barriers on the border between the United States and Mexico have been shown to not slow migration but, in fact, push migration into certain corridors where people can cross," Putzel-Kavanaugh said. "The other point is that the northern border has a variety of geographies with rivers, lakes, forests and that would be a challenge because of the environmental impacts."
Crossings Turn Deadly
Sometimes, the risk that immigration agents warn about is illustrated tragically: José Leos Cervantes, 45, originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, collapsed after crossing the border into the U.S. from Quebec at the end of February and was pronounced dead at a hospital.
In March, eight people from two families, one from Romania and one from India, died while trying to cross the St. Lawrence River. Their bodies were found in Akwesasne Mohawk territory, which straddles the Canada-U.S. border.
“It also happens that many people cannot find work in Canada and try to go to the United States. But it is very dangerous, there are always very tragic cases of people who lose their fingers, their clothes stick to their skin, and some die from freezing or for other reasons,” Camelia Tigau, a visiting professor at the University of Toronto and a scholar at the Center for Research on North America at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told Noticias Telemundo.
Another aspect that complicates the situation along the northern border is that states have transferred migrants who entered through Mexico to areas near Canada, so they can request asylum in the neighboring country in search of better job opportunities, health benefits and a more nimble immigration system.
Source: NBC NEWS
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Australia Revised Financial Requirements for International Students
Australia, known for its high-quality education and diverse cultural experiences, is a sought-after destination for international students. However, to ensure that students can comfortably manage their expenses while pursuing their studies, the Australian government periodically updates its financial requirements. In this article, we will discuss the latest changes to the financial requirements for international students seeking to study in Australia, effective from October 1, 2023.
Financial Requirement for Student Visas
Students must have to student visa of Australia to study in Australia. One of the essential criteria for obtaining this visa is demonstrating that you have enough financial resources to cover your travel, tuition fees, and living expenses during your stay. These financial eligibility criteria ensure that students do not face financial hardship while pursuing their education in Australia.
The Need for Change
The financial eligibility criteria for student visas had remained unchanged since 2019. This was primarily due to the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which created uncertainties in international travel and financial planning. Before 2019, these criteria used to be adjusted annually to account for the changing economic landscape. However, recognizing the need to adapt to the evolving cost of living, the Australian government has decided to update these requirements.
New Financial Requirement
Starting from October 1, 2023, international students applying for a student visa in Australia must demonstrate that they have a minimum of AU$24,505 in savings. This money is intended to cover living expenses for a year. It's important to note that this amount represents the bare minimum required by the visa, and actual living costs in different parts of Australia may exceed this threshold.
Changes for Applicants with Family Members
If you plan to bring your spouse or other family members with you while studying in Australia, there are specific financial requirements applicable to them as well. If your student visa application is submitted on or after October 1, 2023, you will need to meet these new financial criteria for your family members. However, if you apply before this date, the new financial conditions will not apply to you.
Preparing for Your Studies
Before embarking on your educational journey to Australia, it's crucial to plan your living expenses carefully. Being well-informed about the average living costs in Australia is essential for effective preparation. To help with this, you can utilize the Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator, which is available on the official Study Australia website. This tool will assist you in estimating your day-to-day expenses in various regions of the country, ensuring that you are financially prepared for your time as an international student in Australia.
Conclusion
Australia's commitment to providing a world-class education to international students remains unwavering. To ensure that students can focus on their studies without financial worries, the government has updated the financial eligibility criteria for student visas, effective from October 1, 2023. By understanding and meeting these requirements, as well as accurately estimating living expenses, international students can enjoy a fulfilling and financially secure educational experience in Australia.
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Coalition Calls for Cuts to Student Numbers, Pandemic Visa to Slow Migration
Australia should immediately abolish a visa program that has swollen to include 128,000 workers since last year, according to new calls for measures to scale back net migration and ease pressure on housing.
The Coalition has named the COVID visa program and the foreign student intake as two urgent areas for cuts after AMP chief economist Shane Oliver forecast net migration would increase to almost 500,000 a year.
The calls come as the government prepares to release a migration strategy that will set out some cuts to the intake while promising a simpler system for skilled foreign workers who can help ease labour shortages.
Coalition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan outlined the two cuts after citing government figures that showed the COVID visa numbers had risen faster since the pandemic than during the worst of the health emergency.
In a forecast that raises new questions about the size of the intake, Oliver estimated that net migration would have to fall to about 200,000 people a year to line up with the capacity of the nation’s building industry and future housing supply.
“Current immigration levels are running well in excess of the ability of the housing industry to supply enough homes, exacerbating an acute housing shortage and poor housing affordability,” he wrote last Thursday.
While the government forecast recently that net migration would fall to 235,000 a year over time, policy expert Abul Rizvi, a former deputy secretary of the Department of Immigration, questioned how that could happen without major change to visa programs.
“Even if net migration is brought down to 235,000 per annum in 12 to 18 months, that will still leave a record number of long-term temporary entrants in Australia who do not want to leave but can’t find a pathway to permanent residence,” he said.
“The government has said it doesn’t want a large number of temporary entrants stuck long-term in Australia, yet that is precisely what it has delivered – a record number of temporary entrants, growing rapidly.”
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil is expected to deliver the migration strategy within a fortnight, after she signalled last week a tougher approach to selecting the best migrants for Australia, such as skilled workers.
“It’s important to note that the overall effect of these changes will not be to increase migration in Australia,” she said. “In fact, the effect of the changing will be to reduce the size of the system a bit.
“The point of this review and this policy change is not really about how many – it’s about who and making sure that we’re getting the best out of this system for the country.”
While O’Neil said Labor had inherited a “fundamentally broken” migration system when it came to power last year, Tehan said Labor could not keep blaming the Coalition for the increase in net migration.
The Treasury estimate for net migration in the year to June 2023 was 180,000 in the March 2022 budget, but the forecast rose to 400,000 in the May 2023 budget.
Oliver said the outcome was on track to reach 498,000, and Rizvi tipped it to be about 470,000.
While the government has said it will stop taking new applications for the COVID visa from next February, Tehan said the program – known as the sub-class 408 visa – should end immediately.
“The COVID visa should be abolished and abolished straightaway,” he said.
“Before the last election, there had been 26,810 of these visas issued – and now there are 128,796. Basically, they issued more pandemic-event visas after COVID than were issued during COVID.”
Rizvi cautioned against a sudden end to the visa, however, on the grounds that this would force people already in Australia to use alternatives to extend their stay, such as claiming asylum, which was not a good idea.
On student numbers, Tehan said universities should accept stronger integrity measures to cut the intake from the 369,979 visas issued in the year to June 30.
“They’ve basically let international student visas go to levels that we’ve never seen before,” he said.
“You can put greater integrity into the system, make sure that you’ve got proper controls around your processing, and you can restrict the issuing of the visas to genuine students.”
Asked why the Coalition did not impose the controls when it was in power, Tehan said it had not allowed student numbers to reach the levels Labor had allowed.
“When we were in government, the highest we did was 243,000 in financial year 2018-19. So we had much better controls over the integrity of the issuing of international student visas.”
Source: smh
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2 New Ontario-OINP Draws Invite 2,835 Express Entry Profiles
Today, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program announced that they conducted two new OINP draws between August 11 and 16, in which they directly invited 2,835 Express Entry profiles.
These draws were conducted under the Human Capital Priorities (HCP) stream, targeting Tech and healthcare-related occupations as listed below:
Selected Express Entry profiles have been receiving provincial nomination notifications in their IRCC system for the last 2-3 days.
These invited candidates will now have 45 days to claim Ontario’s provincial nomination and increase their CRS score by 600 points.
A Full List of Healthcare Occupations Invited
NOC 30010 – Managers in health care
NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
NOC 31103 – Veterinarians
NOC 31110 – Dentists
NOC 31111 – Optometrists
NOC 31112 – Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
NOC 31121 – Dietitians and nutritionists
NOC 31201 – Chiropractors
NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
NOC 31203 – Occupational therapists
NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
NOC 31209 – Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating
NOC 31300 – Nursing coordinators and supervisors
NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
NOC 32100 – Opticians
NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
NOC 32102 – Paramedical occupations
NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
NOC 32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians
NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
NOC 32110 – Denturists
NOC 32111 – Dental hygienists and dental therapists
NOC 32112 – Dental technologists and technicians
NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
NOC 32122 – Medical sonographers
NOC 32123 – Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists
NOC 32124 – Pharmacy technicians
NOC 32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians
NOC 32200 – Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists
NOC 32201 – Massage therapists
NOC 32209 – Other practitioners of natural healing
NOC 33100 – Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants
NOC 33101 – Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations
NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
A Full List of Tech Occupations Invited
NOC 20012 – Computer and information systems managers
NOC 21211 – Data scientists
NOC 21223 – Database analysts and data administrators
NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
NOC 21233 – Web designers
NOC 21234 – Web developers and programmers
NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Why Did OINP Draws Invite Express Entry Profiles Between 496 and 516?
On August 15, the IRCC already invited Express Entry profiles with a CRS cutoff score of 496 or above.
So invited profiles by OINP between 496 and 516 can choose to decline Ontario’s provincial nomination since there is no point in adding extra hassle.
Any profile waiting in the pool with less than 473 can also wait to see the cutoff score in the next Express Entry draws since STEM and Healthcare draws are expected in the coming weeks.
OINP usually takes the higher range of the CRS cutoff near the latest Express Entry draw cutoff score.
This is the reason that they invited, in the first OINP draw, the profiles below the 517 cutoff score of the Express Entry draw on August 1, 2023.
In similar fashion, they chose the higher range of cutoff scores at 495 based on the cutoff score in the latest Express Entry draw on August 15, 2023.
When Was the Latest Draw for the Ontario PNP?
Ontario PNP conducted 7 PNP draws between August 11 and 16, 2023, and invited a total of 5,435 candidates.
5 OINP draws were Expression of Interest draws which invited 2,600 applicants for permanent residency.
2 OINP draws directly invited 2,835 Express Entry profiles offering provincial nomination.
Source: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/new-oinp-draws-express-entry-invitations/
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Understanding Australian Immigration Policies and Updated Visa Fees
Introduction
Australia is a country known for its diverse landscapes, thriving economy, and high standard of living. As a result, it attracts thousands of immigrants each year seeking to live, work, study, or simply explore the beauty of this unique nation. However, to maintain control over immigration flows and ensure the country's prosperity, Australia has implemented a series of immigration policies and regulations. Additionally, visa fees are regularly updated to reflect changes in economic conditions and administrative costs. In this article, we will explore the key aspects of Australian immigration policies and the updated visa fees as of 2023.
Skilled Migration Visas
Australia's Skilled Migration program is designed to attract skilled workers who can contribute to the country's economy and fill critical labor shortages. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas are point-based visas that assess an applicant's age, qualifications, work experience, English language proficiency, and other factors.
As of 2023, the updated visa fees for some of the key GSM visas are as follows:
a) Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 189 visa is AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant. This visa allows skilled workers with occupations listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) to live and work permanently in Australia without requiring sponsorship from an employer or state/territory government.
b) Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 190 visa is AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant. This visa is similar to the Subclass 189 visa but requires nomination by a state or territory government agency.
c) Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 491 visa is AUD 4,045 for the primary applicant. This visa is a points-based visa that requires nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area.
To see the fully updated visa fee skilled migration program and other programs, click here.
Family Stream Visas
Australia also offers various visa options for individuals seeking to join their family members who are either Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens.
As of 2023, the updated visa fees for some of the Family Stream visas are as follows:
a) Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 300 visa is AUD 7,715. This visa allows the fiancé(e) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to enter Australia and marry their partner within the visa's nine-month validity period.
b) Subclass 820/801 Partner Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 820/801 visa is AUD 7,715. This visa allows the partner or spouse of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen to live and work in Australia while their permanent partner visa application is being processed.
c) Subclass 143 Contributory Parent Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 143 visa is AUD 47,755. This visa allows parents of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens to live permanently in Australia. The Contributory Parent Visa has a higher fee due to its shorter processing time compared to the non-contributory Parent Visa (Subclass 103).
Student Visas
Australia is a popular destination for international students seeking high-quality education and exposure to a multicultural environment. The Student visa program allows individuals to study full-time at an accredited Australian educational institution.
As of 2023, the updated visa fees for Student visas are as follows:
a) Subclass 500 Student Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 500 visa is AUD 620. The Student Visa allows international students to study full-time in registered courses for up to five years, depending on the length of their program.
Visitor Visas
Visitor visas are designed for individuals who wish to visit Australia for tourism, visiting family or friends, or engaging in short-term business activities.
As of 2023, the updated visa fees for Visitor visas are as follows:
a) Subclass 600 Visitor Visa
The application fee for the Subclass 600 visa starts at AUD 145 for a short-stay visa, which allows stays of up to three months within 12 months. Fees vary depending on the stream and length of stay.
Conclusion
Australia's immigration policies and visa fees are subject to change due to various factors, including economic conditions, labor market demands, and political decisions. As of 2023, the visa fees mentioned in this article reflect the latest updates. However, it is essential to check the official Australian Government website or consult with a registered migration agent for the most current information before making any visa applications. Whether you are a skilled worker, a student, or seeking to reunite with your family in Australia, understanding the immigration policies and visa fees will help you plan your journey to this beautiful country more effectively.
#Australian immigration#skilled migration#visas#subclasses#subclass189#subclass190#student visa#tourist visa
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Mass Immigration Experiment Gives Canada an Edge in Global Race for Labor
At a time industrialized countries around the world are confronting declining birth rates and aging workforces, Canada is at the forefront of betting on immigration to stave off economic decline.
A country about as populous as California has added more than all the residents in San Francisco in a year. Last week, Canada surpassed 40 million people for the first time ever — with growth only expected to continue at a rapid pace as it welcomes more immigrant workers, refugees and foreign students across its borders.
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration, the massive immigration experiment is a way to broaden the labor market as global competition for skilled workers intensifies. It also reflects a longer-term ambition for Canada to expand its international presence and emerge from the shadow of the neighboring US — similar in size by land, but home to about eight times the population and almost 12 times the gross domestic product.
“We have lots of space for people to come and occupy,” said Usha George, a professor in Canadian immigration policy at Toronto Metropolitan University. “In order to expand our agricultural, industrial and technological base, we need more people to come here.”
Now, as people flow into the country like never before, Canada has an immediate challenge: how to propel growth in rural regions in dire need of newcomers while minimizing the strains to urban centers already bulging with people.
The rewards are apparent. Population gains have boosted hiring and consumption, helping the economy withstand a rate-hike campaign by the Bank of Canada — so much so that the central bank this month had to resume tightening after a pause. Yet in a country that’s long been home to one of the world’s hottest housing markets, the government’s plan has drawn criticism that increasing immigration targets merely boosts economic output without raising living standards for individuals.
Source: FINANCILA POST
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Maintaining Australia’s Status As An Immigration Nation
Australia has been widely regarded internationally as an exemplary ‘nation of immigrants’, with migration policies that effectively serve the national interest. But since the mid-1990s, Australia’s migration system has shifted away from the long-term provision of skills for nation-building towards a guest worker model aimed at satisfying the short-term demands of business.
The current migration system inefficiently supplies skills, exposes temporary migrants to underpayment and mistreatment and poorly serves the national interest. It has disintegrated to a point where the recent Parkinson Review of the Migration System and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil declared it ‘broken’ and in need of an overhaul.
The Parkinson Review identified three general principles to return to a sound migration system: tripartite involvement of unions and employer associations with government in designing and implementing policy, universality of regulation for migrants and mobility for migrants to transfer between employers. The government announced it will now undertake a major reform of the migration system using input from the Parkinson Review.
The government’s single concrete immediate policy announcement in response to the review was increasing the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which was justified on grounds that it would help reduce exploitation of workers. This policy increases the effective minimum pay rate for some classes of migrant workers from AU$53,900, where it has languished since 2013, to AU$70,000. That means employers sponsoring temporary migrant workers under the Temporary Skill Shortage scheme from 1 July 2023 must pay a minimum annual salary of AU$70,000. This is a compromise between recommendations from business groups — AU$63,000 — and the Australian Council of Trade Unions — AU$90,000.
The government has stated that simplifying the migration system, delivering skills needed by business and reducing exploitation of migrant workers are its main priorities. Many of the Parkinson Review’s recommendations will help achieve these goals. Recommendations such as removing restrictions on temporary skilled migrants’ mobility between employers and independent assessment of skills demand are helpful. But other recommendations potentially undermine them, such as continued reliance on the TSMIT and creating three tiers of temporary labour migration. This may further complicate the system, reduce labour supply and maintain exploitation.
Historical and comparative research suggests that the government’s goals can be best achieved by strengthening ties between migration and employment regulations. Many problems with the migration system can be traced back to the expansion of temporary visas in 1996. Prior to this, the migration system was relatively simple. It supplied skills to business efficiently and migrant worker exploitation was lower. Complementary migration and employment regulations contributed to these outcomes.
Three changes would better align migration and employment regulations.
First, abandon the TSMIT pay threshold. Minister O’Neil’s headline policy announcement — raising the TSMIT — places excessive faith in salary level as a measure of skill and worker power. The Parkinson Review’s recommendation to build a three-tier system of employment regulation around salary levels does likewise on the basis that those workers paid above the TSMIT are likely to be at limited risk of exploitation. The policy focus should not be on the level of the threshold but its very existence.
For many years, Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs has had the power to set the TSMIT, resulting in pay rates being determined by political considerations rather than labour market assessments. This contrasts with the methodical and transparent way the Fair Work Commission’s Expert Panels set minimum wages.
Maintaining the TSMIT risks reinforcing separate labour markets for migrants and citizens, undermining the government’s objectives. An increased TSMIT could also price out some skilled jobs in sectors with pronounced labour demand, such as health, social care and hospitality. This would likely generate political pressure for new job-specific visas to address Australia’s skill needs, further complicating the migration system.
Second, independently assess skills needs. The Parkinson Review recommended using Jobs and Skills Australia, a new Commonwealth agency, to better align migration and labour market regulations. This agency will help to ensure migration better complements the education and training system. For decades these policy areas have been at cross-purposes, despite their mutual objectives of supplying necessary skills.
Using Jobs and Skills Australia to strengthen coordination between migration, on one hand, and education and training, on the other, will help ensure skills and workforce needs are assessed and addressed more reliably. This approach will give employers more confidence to invest in developing their workforces.
Third, enforce employment regulations more effectively. Without this, unscrupulous employers will continue to underpay and mistreat vulnerable temporary migrants, gaining a competitive advantage over honest operators. Without effective enforcement, businesses are discouraged from seeking to succeed through quality, innovation and productivity improvements, which are essential for Australia’s international competitiveness. The assumption that a certain level of pay in the TSMIT and a proposed higher-paid visa tier equates to individual worker power to resist underpayment is misplaced.
In implementing the Parkinson Review’s recommendations, the government must ensure migration regulations are better integrated with wider employment regulations. This will help achieve the government’s triple goals of simplifying the system, supplying skills more effectively and reducing worker exploitation. This will ensure the migration system continues to support Australia’s international standing as a successful ‘nation of immigrants’.
Source: EASTASIAFORUM
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Moving To Canada: Top 10 Pre-arrival Checklist (Part 1)
Moving to a new country is a big step and being well-prepared can make all the difference. If you’re planning a move to Canada, there are a lot of things to consider before you arrive, from gathering the necessary documents to finding a place to live and preparing for employment.
To help you make a smooth transition, we’ve put together a two-part series on the top 10 things you should do before moving to Canada. In this first installment, we’ll cover the first five items on the checklist.
1) Gather All Your Documents
Before you leave for Canada, make sure you have all the necessary documents ready. This includes customs declaration forms and passports for each family member traveling with you. Remember not to pack these documents in your luggage. Keep them with you at all times.
2) Get Your Work Credentials Assessed
If you plan on working in Canada, you will need to have your credentials assessed. This will help determine what kind of jobs you are qualified for and what additional training you may need. More information on credential assessment for newcomers to Canada can be found on this Government of Canada webpage. You can also find more information at the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC). They provide information and services to help newcomers integrate into the Canadian workforce.
Learn more about TD’s New to Canada Banking Package
3) Prepare for Employment
One of the most important things to consider when moving to Canada is finding employment. The Government of Canada’s Job Bank offers a variety of resources for newcomers, including job listings, information on the job market, and tips on writing resumes and cover letters.
4) Prepare Yourself Financially
Moving to a new country can be expensive, so it is important to prepare yourself for the economic impact. Be sure to familiarize yourself with financial information on the cost of living in Canada, including housing, transportation, and healthcare. TD offers a range of financial services for newcomers to help you plan and manage your finances before and after your arrival in Canada.
5) Enhance Your Language Skills
Canada is a bilingual country, with both English and French being official languages. If you are not fluent in one or both languages, it is important to improve your language skills before you arrive. Explore the Canadian government’s resources for language training and learning, including language classes and language assessment tests that are available.
Why Choose TD?
150 years helping Canadians:
TD has a proud history of delivering financial solutions to Canadians for more than 150 years. TD also brings a century of experience helping newcomers navigate the unique challenges of the Canadian banking system.
With over a thousand branches and a reputation for excellence in financial services, TD has become one of the largest and most trusted banks in Canada, now serving 16 million Canadians.
TD offers online support and resources of interest to newcomers on topics such as banking basics, moving to Canada, credit score essentials, and more. TD has more than 1,100 branches and can also serve you in more than 50 languages . TD is open longer hours for your convenience. TD has thousands of ATMs across Canada to help you take care of your everyday banking quickly and easily.
Source: CIC NEWS
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Temporary Workers With Good Canada Jobs Out-Earn Others After Immigrating
Landing a good-paying job in Canada as a temporary foreign worker before immigrating to the country often means a higher income for immigrants once they get their permanent residency, reveals a paper published in the Journal of International Migration and Integration.
Researchers Garnett Picot and Feng Hou noted this connection and discussed it in their paper, The Effect of Pre‑immigration Canadian Work Experience on the Returns to Human Capital Among Immigrants, which was published March 10.
“This study finds that among economic principal applicants who were admitted to Canada from 2000 to 2015, the economic returns to both education and foreign work experience were significantly higher for economic immigrants with high pre-immigration Canadian earnings than for those with low pre-immigration Canadian earnings – and, in particular, those with no pre-immigration Canadian work experience.
Growth Of Two-Step Immigration Process Has Upped Immigrants’ Incomes
“This result was observed after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, and held in the short, medium and long run after landing. The result also held among economic immigrants from both developed Western countries and developing countries.”
Canada provides a two-step immigrant selection process which has become increasingly important in the last two decades.
“In the first step, Canadian employers play a major role in recruiting and evaluating foreign residents employed in the Canadian labour market on a temporary basis, which can include work permit holders in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), work permit holders in the International Mobility Program (IMP), international students with employment and other employed temporary residents,” note the researchers.
n the second step, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) decide how many and which temporary foreign workers will be eligible for admission as permanent residents.
With Canada’s increasing use of this two-step process, the share of new immigrants having pre-immigration Canadian work experience has soared in the past few decades.
“In 2000, eight per cent of economic immigrants had pre-immigration Canadian earnings, increasing to 46 per cent in 2018. Among economic principal applicants, the share with pre-immigration Canadian earnings increased from 12 to 59 per cent,” note the researchers.
They attribute this growth in pre-immigration Canadian work experience to a shift towards Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) programs which target temporary foreign workers and the increasing share of permanent residents who had previous Canadian earnings within different admission programs.
That two-step immigration system has been a boon for immigrants, allowing them to earn more money once they immigrate to Canada.
Immigrants’ Earnings Rose By 32% From 2000 To 2016
“Average first full-year earnings among economic immigrant men rose by 23 per cent between the 2000 and 2016 landing cohorts, and rose by 32 per cent among economic immigrant women,” note the researchers.
The boom in earning capacity, though, was not evenly distributed among all immigrants to Canada. In their paper, Picot and Hou reveal that 94 per cent of the higher incomes among immigrants went to those who had already commanded higher salaries in Canada prior to becoming permanent residents.
“The expanding number of immigrants who were previously temporary foreign workers with high earnings was more important than any other single factor in accounting for the improvement in immigrants’ initial earnings,” they note.
Those immigrants were also more likely to land jobs upon becoming permanent residents in Canada.
Foreign nationals who out-earn others by first landing higher-paying jobs as temporary foreign workers in Canada and then immigrating to the country and getting higher-paying jobs then might simply be those working in high-skilled jobs, the researchers suggest.
“An earlier study that examined the annual earnings of temporary foreign workers in different occupations concluded that higher annual earnings are highly correlated with being in a high-skilled occupation,” they note.
“The demand in the Canadian labour market is typically higher for higher-skilled than for lower-skilled workers (eg they have a much lower unemployment rate). As a result, among economic immigrants with pre-immigration Canadian work experience, employers may be more willing to recognize and compensate foreign work experience and education among higher-skilled workers than lower-skilled workers.”
Source: https://www.immigration.ca/temporary-workers-with-good-canada-jobs-out-earn-others-after-immigrating/
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Understanding America’s Labor Shortage
We hear every day from our member companies—of every size and industry, across nearly every state—they’re facing unprecedented challenges trying to find enough workers to fill open jobs. Right now, the latest data shows that we have over 10 million job openings in the U.S.—but only 5.7 million unemployed workers.
How Did We Get Here? Rail Labor Dispute Threatens the National Economy
We have a lot of jobs, but not enough workers to fill them. If every unemployed person in the country found a job, we would still have 4 million open jobs.
The U.S. Chamber is capturing the trends on job openings, labor force participation, quit rates, and more, for a quick understanding of the state of the workforce in ourAmerica Works Data Center.
Read on for an analysis of the state of the workforce on the national level. An interactive map tracking the worker shortage across the state is here. An in-depth look at how the worker shortage is impacting different industries is here.
How Did This Happen?
At the height of the pandemic, more than 120,000 businesses temporarily closed, and more than 30 million U.S. workers were unemployed. Since then, job openings have steadily increased since January 2020, while unemployment has slowly declined.
Overall, in 2022, employers ended up adding an unprecedented 4.5 million jobs. But at the same time, millions of Americans have been leaving the labor force since before the pandemic. In fact, we have nearly three million fewer Americans participating in the labor force today compared to February of 2020.
Understanding The Gap
Right now, the labor force participation rate is 62.6%, down from 63.3% in February 2020. It’s clear that able workers are being overlooked or sitting on the sidelines. But there’s not just one reason that workers are sitting out, but several factors have come together to cause the ongoing shortage.
The U.S. Chamber surveyed unemployed workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic on what is keeping them from returning to work. Twenty-seven percent indicated that the need to be home and care for children or other family members has made the return to work difficult or impossible. More than a quarter (28%) indicated that they have been ill and their health has taken priority over looking for work.
In addition to the factors outlined below, the survey also revealed some are still concerned about COVID-19 at work, indicate that pay is too low, or are more focused on acquiring new skills and education before re-entering the job market.
Factors Contributing To The Labor Shortage
An increase in savings
Enhanced unemployment benefits, stimulus checks, and not being able to go out and spend money during the Lockdown all contributed to Americans collectively adding $4 trillion to their savings accounts since early 2020. The extra few hundred dollars a week from enhanced unemployment benefits (which ended in Sept. 2021), specifically, led to 68% of claimants earning more on unemployment than they did while working.
In the Chamber's Nov. 2022 survey, 23% of women cited others in the family making enough money that working full-time is not as critical as the reason they have not re-entered the workforce. Higher income and savings bolstered people’s economic stability—allowing them to continue sitting out of the labor force.
Early retirements
As of October 2021, the pandemic drove more than 3 million adults into early retirement. In all, the number of adults 55 and older being detached from the labor force due to retirement grew from 48.1% in Q3 of 2019 to 50.3% in Q3 2021.
Lack of access to childcare
Even before the pandemic, a lack of access to high quality, affordable childcare was an issue. Research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation found that due to breakdowns in the childcare system, the states surveyed (Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Missouri, and Texas) missed an estimated average of $2.7 billion annually for their economies.
A recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and The Education Trust shows that the pandemic created a vicious cycle for the industry; to return to work, workers need reliable childcare, but providers are facing immense challenges themselves. The pandemic forced many childcare providers to close or scale down: between February and April 2020, the industry lost 370,600 jobs — 95% of which were held by women. Unfortunately, the recovery has not been swift; as late as September 2021, childcare industry employment remained 10 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels.
Additionally, women are participating in the labor force the lowest rates since the 1970s. In the spring of 2020, 3.5 million mothers left their job, driving the labor force participation rate for working moms from around 70% to 55%. This number is improving – but it has not fully rebounded.
New business starts
In the spirit of entrepreneurship, some employees either left work or stayed unemployed to open their own businesses. Over the last two years, nearly 10 million new business applications were filed and in 2020 alone more than 4 million new business were started.
The Great Reshuffle
Meanwhile, there has been a "Great Reshuffle" among workers. ‘The Great Resignation’ worked its way into our vocabulary as the shift of our labor force started to become apparent—and the hashtag #quittok even went viral as social media users posted about quitting their jobs in search for more free time or better opportunities.
A full 4.2 million people quit their jobs in November 2022, but hiring has outpaced quits since November 2020 (hovering around 4%).
Source: https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/understanding-americas-labor-shortage
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A Guide to Manitoba, Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows the province of Manitoba to nominate foreign workers and graduates who have the skills and experience needed by Manitoba employers to become permanent residents of Canada. In this guide, we will provide a complete overview of the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, including its eligibility requirements, application process, and other important details.
Streams
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) has several streams that allow skilled foreign workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs to apply for permanent residency in Manitoba. Here is a detailed guide to each stream:
1. Skilled Worker in Manitoba:
This stream is for skilled workers who have a full-time job offer from a Manitoba employer and meet other eligibility requirements, such as work experience, education, and language proficiency. The eligibility requirements for this stream are:
A full-time, permanent job offer from a Manitoba employer in a high-demand occupation
At least two years of work experience in the occupation
Minimum language proficiency score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 in English or French
Completed post-secondary education or training related to the occupation or a regulated occupation in Manitoba
A valid Express Entry ID and job seeker validation code (if applicable)
The application process for this stream involves two steps. First, you need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the MPNP online system. The MPNP will review your EOI and rank it based on factors such as language proficiency, work experience, and education. If you meet the minimum score requirement, you may be invited to submit a formal application.
If you receive an invitation, you will need to submit a complete application, including supporting documents such as a job offer letter, language test results, and educational credentials. The MPNP will review your application and make a decision on whether to nominate you for permanent residency.
2. Skilled Worker Overseas:
This stream is for skilled workers who have a connection to Manitoba, such as a friend or family member living in the province, or previous work or study experience in Manitoba. The eligibility requirements for this stream are:
At least two years of work experience in a high-demand occupation
Minimum language proficiency score of CLB 4 in English or French
Completed post-secondary education or training related to the occupation or a regulated occupation in Manitoba
A connection to Manitoba, such as a close relative in Manitoba, previous work or study experience in the province, or an invitation to attend a MPNP recruitment mission or exploratory visit
The application process for this stream is similar to the Skilled Worker in Manitoba stream. You will need to submit an EOI and, if invited, a complete application with supporting documents. The MPNP will review your application and make a decision on whether to nominate you for permanent residency.
3. International Education Stream:
This stream is for international students who have graduated from a Manitoba post-secondary institution and meet other eligibility requirements, such as work experience and language proficiency. The eligibility requirements for this stream are:
Graduation from a full-time academic program of at least one year at a Manitoba post-secondary institution
At least six months of work experience in Manitoba in a high-demand occupation
Minimum language proficiency score of CLB 7 in English or French
Demonstration of settlement funds and a settlement plan
The application process for this stream is different from the other streams. You will need to submit a complete application directly to the MPNP, without an EOI. The application will include supporting documents such as a letter of support from your Manitoba educational institution, work experience letters, and language test results. The MPNP will review your application and make a decision on whether to nominate you for permanent residency.
4. Business Investor Stream:
This stream is for entrepreneurs who want to establish or purchase a business in Manitoba and meet other eligibility requirements, such as net worth, investment, and business experience. The eligibility requirements for this stream are:
A minimum net worth of $500,000 CAD
A minimum investment of $250,000 CAD in a Manitoba business
At least three years of successful business ownership or senior management experience minimum
Each stream has its own eligibility requirements and application process. It is important to carefully review the requirements and consult with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer before applying.
Application Process:
The application process for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program consists of the following steps:
Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): Applicants must submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Manitoba government, which is an initial application indicating their interest in immigrating to Manitoba.
Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to submit a formal application for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Submit a Formal Application: Applicants must submit a formal application, including all required documents, to the Manitoba government.
Receive a Nomination: If the application is approved, the applicant will receive a nomination from the Manitoba government.
Apply for Permanent Residency: With the nomination, the applicant can apply for permanent residency through the federal government's Express Entry system.
Important Details:
Language Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French through a language test approved by the MPNP.
Settlement Funds: Applicants must provide proof of sufficient settlement funds, which vary depending on the size of the applicant's family.
Processing Times: The processing time for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program varies depending on the complexity of the case and the volume of applications.
Job Offer: While a job offer is not required for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, applicants with a job offer from a Manitoba employer may be given priority.
Application Fee: There is a non-refundable application fee of CAD 500 for the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.
Conclusion:
The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is an excellent option for skilled foreign workers and graduates who want to become permanent residents of Canada. With its straightforward eligibility requirements, easy-to-follow application process, and other benefits, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program is an excellent option for those looking to immigrate to Canada.
#Canada#Manitoba#immigration#permanent residency#express entry#streams#skilled worker#international students stream#application process
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Canada Extends Post-graduation Work Permits To Retain High-skilled Talent
Canada is extending expired or expiring post-graduation work permits of foreign nationals, the Government of Canada announced on March 17.
Starting April 6, through an 18-month measure, Canada will allow post-graduation work permit holders to extend their stay in the country.
“We need to use every tool in our toolbox to support employers who continue to face challenges in hiring the workers they need to grow,” said Sean Fraser, the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship. “At the same time, we’re providing international graduates whose work permit is expiring or has expired with some additional time to stay in Canada to gain valuable work experience and potentially qualify to become a permanent resident.”
According to the minister, foreign nationals whose post-graduation work permits have expired in 2023 and those who were eligible for the 2022 facilitative measure will also have the opportunity to apply for an additional 18-month work permit. In addition, those with expired work permits will be able to restore their status — even if they are beyond the 90-day restoration period — and will receive an interim work authorization while awaiting the processing of their new work permit application.
Before the announcement, post-graduation work permits were not extendable; holders who want to extend their stay in Canada were usually expected to apply for another type of work permit as their PGWPs expired. Public policies previously adopted in 2021 and 2022 provided the opportunity for an additional work permit for those with expiring PGWPs.
At the end of 2022, more than 286,000 international graduates were in Canada with valid post-graduation work permits. About 127,000 PGWPs expire in 2023, while about 67,000 holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not need to extend their work permit through the current initiative.
Source: https://www2.staffingindustry.com/Editorial/Daily-News/Canada-extends-post-graduation-work-permits-to-retain-high-skilled-talent-64942?cookies=disabled
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Canada Extends Post-Graduation Work Permits To Retain High-Skilled Talent
Canada is extending expired or expiring post-graduation work permits of foreign nationals, the Government of Canada announced on March 17.
Starting April 6, through an 18-month measure, Canada will allow post-graduation work permit holders to extend their stay in the country.
“We need to use every tool in our toolbox to support employers who continue to face challenges in hiring the workers they need to grow,” said Sean Fraser, the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship. “At the same time, we’re providing international graduates whose work permit is expiring or has expired with some additional time to stay in Canada to gain valuable work experience and potentially qualify to become a permanent resident.”
According to the minister, foreign nationals whose post-graduation work permits have expired in 2023 and those who were eligible for the 2022 facilitative measure will also have the opportunity to apply for an additional 18-month work permit. In addition, those with expired work permits will be able to restore their status — even if they are beyond the 90-day restoration period — and will receive an interim work authorization while awaiting the processing of their new work permit application.
Before the announcement, post-graduation work permits were not extendable; holders who want to extend their stay in Canada were usually expected to apply for another type of work permit as their PGWPs expired. Public policies previously adopted in 2021 and 2022 provided the opportunity for an additional work permit for those with expiring PGWPs.
At the end of 2022, more than 286,000 international graduates were in Canada with valid post-graduation work permits. About 127,000 PGWPs expire in 2023, while about 67,000 holders have already applied for permanent residence and will not need to extend their work permit through the current initiative.
Source: SIA
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Immigration 'Reviewing' POSIE Parker's Entry To New Zealand NZ
Over the weekend, a demonstration involving the controversial anti-trans rights speaker in Melbourne was attended by neo-Nazis.
Today, officials told 1News that they were now looking into whether Keen-Minshull would be allowed into the country "in light of the events at the weekend".
Keen-Minshull is the holder of a United Kingdom passport, meaning she's able to travel to New Zealand without needing to apply for a visa in advance.
However she'll still need to apply for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), which requires the applicant to declare any previous convictions or removals/exclusions from other countries.
Immigration New Zealand told 1News that Keen-Minshull is the holder of a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
"INZ is now reviewing whether in the light of the events at the weekend Ms Keen-Minshull is still able to travel to New Zealand on the basis of the NZeTA that she holds without obtaining a visa first."
Victoria Looks To Ban Nazi Salute In Public
Victoria's Attorney-General Jacyln Symes has confirmed the Daniel Andrews government will legislate a ban on the public display of the Nazi salute, after a neo-Nazi protest on the steps of state parliament on Saturday.
According to SBS, About 30 people from the National Socialist Movement arrived in support of Keen-Minshull on Spring Street in Melbourne's CBD.
The group reportedly held signs calling transgender people offensive names, and repeatedly performed the Nazi salute.
According to the Age, Symes said “the behaviour we saw on the weekend was disgraceful and cowardly”.
“It’s clear this symbol is being used to incite hatred not just towards Jewish people but our LGBTIQ+ community and other minority groups.
“Victorians have zero tolerance of this behaviour and so do we. That’s why we’ll expand our nation-leading legislation banning the Nazi Hakenkreuz to include the Nazi salute – because everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome and included in Victoria.”
Over the weekend, Premier Daniel Andrews tweeted his disgust at the protest.
"Nazis aren't welcome," he wrote
"Not on Parliament's steps. Not anywhere."
Victoria's Opposition Leader's also expressed support for a ban in the last 24 hours.
Source: https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/03/20/immigration-reviewing-posie-parkers-entry-to-nz/
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Canada Parents and Grandparents Visa Program (PGP): A Brief Guide
The Parents and Grandparents (PGP) program is a Canadian immigration program that allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residency. The program is designed to reunite families by allowing Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada.
The PGP program operates through a lottery system, with interested sponsors submitting an expression of interest to sponsor their parents and grandparents during a specified period each year. From this pool of expressions of interest, a certain number of applicants are selected through a random lottery process and invited to submit a complete sponsorship application.
To be eligible to sponsor their parents or grandparents, the sponsor must meet certain requirements, including being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, meeting minimum income requirements, and agreeing to financially support the sponsored family member for a certain period of time. Additionally, the sponsored parent or grandparent must meet certain eligibility criteria, including passing medical and criminal background checks.
The PGP program is a popular immigration option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to bring their parents and grandparents to Canada. However, due to the high demand and limited number of spots available, the program can be competitive and may require multiple attempts before being selected.
Summary of Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) Since 2020
The Parents and Grandparents (PGP) program in Canada has undergone some changes and updates since 2020. Here is a summary:
Increased annual intake: In 2020, the government increased the annual intake of PGP applications from 20,000 to 30,000, which allowed more families to sponsor their parents and grandparents for Canadian permanent residency.
COVID-19 pandemic impact: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily suspended the PGP program in 2020. However, it reopened in January 2021 with some adjustments to the application process to address pandemic-related challenges.
Expression of Interest (EOI) process: In 2021, the government introduced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the PGP program. This process involves interested sponsors submitting an EOI to the government to indicate their interest in sponsoring their parents or grandparents. From this pool of EOIs, the government randomly selects potential sponsors to submit a complete application.
New income requirement: Starting in 2020, the government increased the income requirement for sponsors to be able to participate in the PGP program. Sponsors must now meet a minimum income threshold for each of the three taxation years preceding their application.
Overall, the PGP program remains a popular immigration option for Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to reunite with their parents and grandparents. However, the program can be competitive, and interested sponsors should carefully review the eligibility requirements and application process.
Possible PGP Revelations in 2023
It is possible that the government may make changes to the program in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or based on feedback from stakeholders and applicants. Some potential areas for updates or changes could include:
Annual intake: The government may choose to increase or decrease the annual intake of PGP applications, depending on the demand for the program and the availability of resources to process applications.
Income requirement: The government may adjust the income requirement for sponsors, either by increasing or decreasing the minimum income threshold or by considering alternative methods of assessing financial eligibility.
Application process: The government may make changes to the application process to address issues related to processing times, program transparency, and fairness in the selection process.
Program eligibility: The government may consider expanding or limiting the eligibility criteria for the PGP program, such as by introducing new criteria for sponsor or applicant eligibility.
It's important to note that any changes to the PGP program would be subject to government approval and implementation, and interested sponsors should stay up to date on any updates to the program requirements and application process.
Alternative to PGP
If you are not eligible for the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) program in Canada or if you are seeking an alternative way to reunite with your family members, there are other immigration programs you may consider, including:
Spousal sponsorship: If you are married or in a common-law relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to sponsor your spouse or partner for Canadian permanent residency.
Dependent child sponsorship: If you have dependent children who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, you may be eligible to sponsor them for Canadian permanent residency.
Super visa: If you are a parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for a super visa, which allows you to visit your family in Canada for up to two years at a time over a 10-year period.
Provincial nominee programs: Each Canadian province and territory has its own immigration program designed to meet specific economic and demographic needs. Some of these programs may offer options for family reunification.
Humanitarian and compassionate grounds: In exceptional cases, individuals may be eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds if they can demonstrate that they are facing significant hardship or risk if they are not allowed to stay in Canada
It's important to note that each of these programs has its own eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process. You should carefully review your options and seek the advice of a qualified immigration professional to determine the best path for you and your family.
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Australia Fast-tracks Visa Applications For Skilled Migrants, But Many Still Live In Limbo
The Australian government has fast-tracked visa processing for temporary skilled migrants in critical occupations, but many others have fallen through the cracks of the system, denying them the stability and certainty to build their lives.
The Melbourne-based motor mechanic tells SBS Punjabi that he filed his application for a skilled nominated visa (Subclass 190) back in 2019 and received a state nomination within a month of lodgement.
But more than four years later, his application still hasn’t been processed.
“In these years, they opened my file twice, asked for documents to verify my job experience, and since then, there has been no intimation,” he says.
Skilled Nominated Visa
The Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent residency visa that requires applicants to be invited by the state or territory government.
According to the Department of Home Affairs website, 90 per cent of applications for the 190 visa category are currently being processed in 36 months, up from 25 months in early February.
The delay means Mr Bajaj cannot buy a home or start up a business in Australia.
“My application has already surpassed the maximum time they are taking to process 190 visas. We are living a temporary life, where I can’t open up a business or buy a better home for my family because of visa constraints,” he rues.
Data by Department of Home Affairs About 190 visa
According to the data supplied by the Department of Home Affairs, at least 14,822 applicants were waiting for their 190 visa grants as at 17 February 2023, of which 5,854 were Indian citizens.
In a statement to SBS Punjabi, a Department spokesperson said reducing the number of on-hand visa applications is a priority for the Australian Government.
"The Department of Home Affairs is drawing flexibly on its global network of visa officers to process applications in line with the Government’s commitment to supporting economic recovery and addressing skills shortages," the spokesperson said.
The Migration System Needs Urgent Reform
Speaking to an audience at Australian Financial Review Workforce Summit in Sydney last week, Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neil said the migration system needs urgent reform as it’s not delivering for businesses or migrants.
“Our migration system has been on continental drift for a decade. We have a broken system that is unstrategic, complex, expensive, and slow,” she said.
While the number of people on temporary visas has exploded, Australia’s share of the global pool of skilled migrants has almost halved over the past three decades.
There are currently 1.9 million temporary visa holders in Australia, of which only 6 per cent are skilled migrants.
Ms O’Neil said Australia is losing skilled migrants to other global destinations like Canada, which are giving a red-carpet treatment to such applicants.
“If your skills are in demand across the world, you’ve got a choice between Canada, where the visa application is fast, or here – a 6 months to 12 months visa approval wait,” Ms O’Neil said.
The minister said the backlog of visa applicants has been cut from one million applications to 580,000 waiting to be processed.
More Needs To Be Done To Clear The Backlog
Jaskaran Singh Nahar, another migrant from India who has been waiting for an 887 skilled regional visa for over two years, says the processing times for skilled visas are improving, but there remains a big catch-up in overall numbers given the backlog created by the COVID years.
“I applied for the skilled regional visa back in October 2020 and haven’t received any communication from the department so far. While I am aware of many people getting grants in recent months, I’d like to urge the government to clear the applications that were received first,” the 33-year-old says.
The mechanical engineer who is currently working as a forklift driver in Bowral, a town in New South Wales, says the “unjustifiable delay” is taking a toll on his mental health.
“It seems like the waiting game would never end. While other people who lodged their applications way after I did are receiving grants, my file remains untouched,” he says.
Mr Nahar says he is facing difficulties with employment since he is currently on a Bridging visa.
“I was left with no choice but to take what I was getting, instead of working in my own field as a mechanical engineer because everywhere I applied, they rejected me because of my provisional visa status, which is grossly unfair,” he laments.
As of 28 February 2023, 90 per cent of migrants seeking 887 visas are facing processing times of up to 27 months, a jump from 11 months as per 2018-19 figures.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has urged the government to urgently address the significant delays in processing visa applications.
Mr Rockliff has written to the Prime Minister to explain how the ongoing delays in the processing of permanent and provisional visas are creating uncertainty and frustration for both employers and their employees in Tasmania.
“We know how important a flexible and responsive migration system is and the role that plays in supporting the Tasmanian economy," Mr Rockliff said.
Taking up the issue, Greens senator Nick McKim recently raised their plight during a hearing of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee.
Mr McKim said this is causing “real pain”, especially in regional communities across Australia.
In response to Mr McKim's query, Michael Willard, the first assistant secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, said the Department has granted over 18,000 regional visas (Subclasses 187, 487, 489, 491, 494, 887, 191) this year compared to 8,642 grants same time last year.
“What you are seeing with processing times, it is a consequence of clearing the backlog, and as we get through that, you will start to see a much more stable picture in terms of processing times for those sorts of visas.
“We do have 195,000 places in the permanent program, so there’s a lot of space to get through a large number of visas, and we are well on track to do that,” he told the committee earlier this month.
Source: SBSPunjabi
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International perspective: an Indian student in Canada
International student Aditi Singhal shares the reasons why she chose to study in Canada and how she moved there from her home in India
I was born and brought up in New Delhi, India, where I spent the first 17 years of my life as the single child of a working father and homemaker mother. I grew up in a good family and had great friends, so I wouldn’t say I grew up with the dream of leaving my country.
My journey toward an international education began when I was 15 years old, when my parents asked whether I might be interested in studying abroad.
Eventually, I developed the desire to pursue my undergraduate studies outside India. I started the process of attending countless education fairs and talking to representatives of anglophone universities in the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
The last two years of my high school required a lot of preparation such as taking the IELTS exams and SAT and filling out applications for my preferred universities. At the same time, I had my board exams in India, which are mandatory national-level exams that high school students have to pass to gain admission into colleges and universities.
In 2019, I started receiving admission offers from many universities. Keeping a lot of factors in mind, such as finances, the reputation of the institution, immigration regulations and opportunities for growth and employment, I accepted the offer from McGill University in Canada.
Soon enough, the results from my Indian board exams also arrived and I was shocked to find out that I scored an All India Rank 4 for the year 2018/19 among the millions of high school students who took the exam. Everyone in my family was elated and it was time to celebrate.
However, there were still many moving parts to finalise before I started my studies at McGill. First, we had to make the necessary financial arrangements.
McGill was kind enough to provide me with an entrance bursary along with the opportunity of future in-course financial aid and on-campus employment opportunities. My family arranged for the necessary funds for my first year of tuition and living costs and with that, I began the process of applying for my visa.
Studying at McGill required two levels of immigration approval – one at the provincial level (Québec Acceptance Certificate – CAQ) and one at the federal level (study permit). Once my CAQ was approved, I applied for my study permit with all the necessary documentation.
It felt as though the ship had been sailing smoothly until then. But then my study permit application was denied. I remember feeling like this was a major setback, especially when everything else seemed to be in place. I contacted the International Student Services (ISS) office at McGill to help me with my study permit application and I reapplied, waiting for the decision with bated breath.
Fortunately, this time the application was approved and I was now getting closer to my destination, with the final formalities of biometrics, medical check-ups, and visa stamping under way.
I finally arrived in Canada on 25 August 2019 when I was 17 years old. The first few days were packed with orientation activities, saying goodbye to my parents who had come to help me settle in, opening bank accounts, getting my social insurance number, exploring the area and making new friends.
Very soon, the semester began, and the pressure of my studies skyrocketed. I remember being overwhelmed and feeling like I didn’t have enough time for everything.
There were new challenges every day; challenges such as studying, living independently, managing finances, avoiding job or accommodation scams, the harsh Canadian winter, new social norms, and the inability to make friends in the beginning. Every step felt, and sometimes still feels, like a learning curve. My first year flew by in the blink of an eye, and only recently have I started to feel like life is slowing down.
I remember writing in my university applications that I wanted to be a “global citizen”. It didn’t mean a lot then but now I’m gradually grasping the gravity of this idea. Having experienced life in two different hemispheres of the world, I can say with certainty that there’s a lot more to come and to learn.
I’m about to graduate soon. I’ve held part-time employment at McGill student services for almost three years, I work at a research lab, I have friends and I’m doing well. So, if you are concerned about studying abroad or feel similar to how I did in the beginning, just remember that things will improve and there is always hope.
Source: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/blogs/international-perspective-indian-student-canada
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