Archive for June, 2009

Reasons to study in Canada

Canada has been ranked as one of the world’s premium destinations for study and work. Based upon education, national income quality of life statistics, as well as the country’s comfortable population density, quality healthcare system and low levels of crime, studying in Canada has becoming a highly attractive option for numerous international students looking to study abroad.

As well as being able to boast one of the most highly-regarded education systems in the world, Canada also offers highly competitive tuition fees, significantly lower than the vast majority of other English speaking countries. Canada’s educational institutions warmly welcome students from abroad, and the education system already boasts a thoroughly multi-cultural student body.

Degrees from Canadian colleges and universities are internationally recognised, and offer a vast array of academic degrees and practical diplomas. Moreover, after completing a course at a Canadian university or college, graduates are automatically afforded the opportunity to live and work in Canada without a work permit for a further year.

Work visa holders to fill the gap in skills shortages

The Canadian immigration department prepared a skills shortage list of 38 occupations in a move to encourage immigrants to fill the void.

It is claimed that, in spite of the economic downturn, the government has not forgotten about industries suffering from skills shortage and is encouraging people possessing relevant skills to apply for a visa.

Canadian immigration
took steps to ensure Canadians will have a fair chance to apply for jobs, but as the number of qualified Canadians in some industries is simply not sufficient, it is essential to maintain skilled immigrant worker intake.

One of the most problematic issues affecting firms who have skills shortages is that the Canada visa application system is very slow. “Our clients identify their accountancy needs and once they’re identified, they’re probably in desperate need for them, and they can’t really wait 12 months,” says Jonathan Leebosh, a business immigration lawyer.

Around 25% of Ernst & Young Canada employees are skilled visa holders who helped the company to develop and prosper.

Fiona McFarlane, Ernst & Young employee, said that employing immigrants encouraged cross-cultural understanding and improved the work environment and the productivity of the workers.

Canada to collect biometric data on every visitor

Canada’s Immigration Department wants to introduce collection of biometric data as photos and fingerprints on everyone coming to the country by 2013 and regardless of visitor’s nationality.

At the meeting with the Parliamentary Immigration Commitee, Deputy Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Richard Fadden stated that the plan will be phased between 2011 and 2013.

“The intention is to capture everybody,” Fadden said. “The idea is to increase our capacity to know who is in Canada at a particular point of time.”

The program in its early stage was tested in 2006/2007 in two overseas visa offices and proved to reliable and effective tool that can be used against fraud.