Important Changes Announced To The Parent And Grandparent Program Application Process For The Year 2017

The parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents are welcome to reside in Canada through the Parent(s) and Grandparent(s) Program (PGP) as family reunification is one of the main Immigration commitments made by the Canadian Government. It is well known that through these programs, thousands of families are able to reunite and live together every year. Recently, some significant changes have been announced in the application process for the PGP for the upcoming application cycle for the year 2017, which have been highlighted below. Prior to these changes, a quota was set, limiting the number of parents and grandparents applications by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

 The purpose of this quota was to manage the intake and interest in this program. After the implementation of the recent changes announced to the PGP, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who want to sponsor their parent(s) and grandparent(s) will now be given a time frame of 30 days to fill out an online application form to indicate their interest as sponsors on the IRCC website. This online application form will be made available for 30 days, starting from January 3, 2017, at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), to February 2, 2017, at 12 p.m. EST. This means that they will now be able to avoid the January rush to submit applications by courier or mail. The online form will ask for the following information from the applicant: – First name – Family name – Date of birth – Country of birth – Main home address – Postal code – Email address

 The applicants will receive a confirmation number once the information is successfully submitted through the online form. They should keep this number for their records. Only one form has to be submitted as duplicate entries will be eliminated automatically. Completing the form does not mean a person has applied to sponsor under the program as the main application and documents will be submitted after the candidates are chosen by IRCC.

 After this 30 day period ends, 10,000 applicants will be randomly chosen by the IRCC to complete and file an application for the PGP. An online notification informing about their selection or rejection will be sent out to all those individuals who submitted their applications via this online form. Those candidates who are not selected in the 2017 application cycle may indicate their interest to apply again in the year 2018. They will be allotted 90 days within which to submit a complete application along with all supporting documents. About the Parent(s) and Grandparent(s) Program (PGP) The Family Class Sponsorship Program includes a stream for parent(s) and grandparent(s) of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Successful parent(s) and grandparent(s) under this program will receive Canadian permanent residence and may be able to apply for Canadian Citizenship after four years. To be eligible for Family Class sponsorship, the sponsor in Canada must meet the following requirements:

 • The sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident;
• The sponsor must be 18 years of age or older;
• The sponsor must exceed the minimum necessary income level for this program (if married or in a common-law relationship, the income of both can be included);
• The sponsor must sign an undertaking to repay any provincial social assistance benefits paid to the sponsor and accompanying family member(s), if any, for a period of 20 years, if necessary; and o If the sponsor resides in Quebec, an additional “undertaking” must be signed. Sponsors will have to prove that they meet the minimum income requirements by submitting notices of assessment issued by the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) in support of their sponsorship and they must also demonstrate they have met the minimum necessary income level for three consecutive years. For more information about Immigration To Canada From Pakistan, please visit our website Lalani & Associates.

Moody brings slight boost in Hungary’s credit rating to Baa3 investment grade

There has been a slight upgradation by Moody’s, (Moody’s Investors Service) in Hungary’s long term issuer and senior unsecured bond ratings chart from Ba1 to Baa3 investment grade. The credit rating has significantly improved and the agency has acknowledged the efforts made in changing the dynamics of the policy so that foreign investment may pour in easily.
However, the risk of sovereign debt may not vary and will likely to stay constant for medium to long run.
Other extraneous variables are notably lessened which results in an improved credit profile of the country and coherence for any future economic instability.
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The GDP growth in the upcoming years favors to remain steady and balanced, which will ensure that government bonds are secured.
Also, business investors having a portfolio of  Hungarian sovereign debts will have reduced default risk and stable returns.

A Cut Down In Processing Times – Immigration To Canada To Become Faster Through The Family Class Immigration Programs

Immigration To Canada has now become faster for all those individuals seeking to apply through the Family Class Immigration Programs. The processing time frames for the spousal/common-law partner categories of Family Class Immigration Programs are to be cut short from 24 months to 12 months, followed by a further reduction in  time to as low as 6 months.
This announcement was made by John McCallum, federal Immigration Minister of Canada, on December 7^th in Brampton, Ontario.
These new processing time targets will apply on all those who have yet to submit their applications, as well as all those individuals who have already filed their applications. Files will continue to get processed based on the first-in, first-out principle, whereby applicants who have already submitted their applications will get preference over those who are yet to submit their files.
The average processing time for spouses/common-law partners of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents In Canada was 26 months when the Liberal government took office last year. However, the processing time was 18 months for spouses/common-law partners residing outside Canada. This new target will be applicable on all those individuals residing both, inside and outsides, of Canada.
Mr. McCallum stated, “The proposition I guarantee is that the time is now 12 months, down from 24. The changes we’re announcing will last, will be permanent. Politicians come and go, governments come and go, but departments are always there. And we have enlisted their enthusiasm, their involvement in creating this new system and so I think Canadians can be confident that these positive changes are here to stay.”
He further mentioned, “This will be of benefit to the 64,000 spouses we plan to admit to Canada in the coming year, but it will be of benefit to all Canadians because I think that people are more productive citizens, they do better overall when they are with their families than when they are isolated from their families,” said McCallum.
According to the Immigration Plan 2017, the Government of Canada plans on welcoming 64,000 new permanent residents as the spouses, common-law partners, or dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Thus, this new target will be welcomed by the thousands of applicants in Canada and around the world who have already submitted their applications or are planning to submit them in the near future. Furthermore, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has also confirmed that an extension will be granted to a popular Pilot program till December 21,  2017, which allows spouses and common-law partners of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents In Canada to work while waiting to receive their permanent resident status.
For latest updates related to Immigration to Canada from Pakistan, please visit our website lalani & Associates.

The Express Entry System To Now Give More Importance To Human Capital, Skills And Experience

Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented significant changes to the Express Entry Selection System which is a very famous program for applying for Immigration To Canada. They have shared important information related to it by going over the past trends and predicting the future of the program after the new changes have been made.

After reviewing the first year of Express Entry being in operation, IRCC revealed that 16 percent of all invited candidates belonged from occupations such as cooks or food service supervisors. This was mainly because during that time a job offer was weighted heavily under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The latest amendments made to job offers under the CRS, however, are targeted towards allowing a more fair spread of occupations among candidates invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.

These new amendments were announced during the 24^th Annual Immigration Law Summit and have been outlined below. Among the information shared at the Summit, it was revealed that in the year 2016, approximately one quarter of all the candidates received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This was followed by some more good news for all the potential candidates thinking of Applying for Canadian immigration in 2017, as IRCC plans to issue even more ITA’s as compared to the year 2016. They will do so by giving more weight to human capital, skills and experience.

Amendments made to Job Offers

A job offer isn’t one of the primary requirements in order to enter the Express Entry Pool or to receive an ITA.

Until November 19, 2016, 600 CRS points were allotted to candidates with a qualifying job offer which was supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LIMIA). However, ever since the new improvements were revealed on November 19th, many changes have been enforced to the qualifying job offer factors, which have been listed below:

• A qualifying job offer will now be worth 200 points if the offer is in an occupation contained in a Major Group 00 of the National Occupational Classification.
• 50 points will be awarded for a job offer in any other skilled position.
• Some non-LIMIA-based job offers, such as workers in Canada on a NAFTA work permit or as an Intra –Company transferee, will now be awarded points for the first time. This is only applicable for those workers who have worked in Canada for one year at least and had received the job offer by the same employer named on the work permit.
• The job offer duration has also been changed from ‘indeterminate’ to at least one year in duration.

During the presentation at the Immigration Law Summit, a ‘snapshot’ from the pool as of October 3, 2016 was shared by an IRCC representative. According to this snapshot, around two-thirds (66 percent) of candidates with qualifying job offers had claimed core CRS points of 300 or less. As a result, a larger number of job offer candidates had core CRS scores that placed them among the bottom 7 percent of candidates in the distribution, even though these candidates were well positioned to receive an ITA.

Consequently, IRCC plans to, “balance the Comprehensive Ranking System to put greater weight on human capital, skills and experience.” The CRS has been changed to ‘better reflect the empirical value of arranged employment,’ with the expected result that:

• Candidates with high levels of human capital will now be granted a greater share in ITA’s which will enhance immigrant economic outcomes and enable employers to fill high-skilled job openings.
• Fewer candidates will now be invited with offers of arranged employment in low wage occupations.
• Even though a job offer will no longer guarantee an ITA, it will significantly increase the chances of being invited to apply.

Changes to happen to the CRS threshold

Despite a steep reduction in the number of CRS points to be awarded for a job offer, there has been an increase in the number of candidates who may be in a position to claim these points. This is due to the fact that there have been relaxations in the requirements for job offers, such as the inclusion of candidates holding an employer specific work permit in Canada.

Thus, we may see a temporary rise in the CRS cut-off points in the first few draws to take place after the implementation of these changes, as more candidates with job offers will claim additional points. However, IRCC expects a fall in the CRS cut-off point after this group of candidates has left the pool. The    prediction is that candidates without a job offer are likely to have a better chance of receiving an ITA and it should be seriously noted by the Stakeholders.   From January to September, 2016, 35 percent of ITAs were issued to candidates without a job offer or provincial nomination; IRCC expects this figure to increase over time.

Additional points to be allotted to students and graduates

There is good news for all the students who have completed their education from a Canadian Institution as the IRCC has decided to increase the number of international students to receive an ITA and also to provide an additional incentive for foreign nationals to study in Canada. In the past, these students could not avail any additional points for being a graduate from a Canadian University. However, after these latest developments, they will now be awarded up to 30 additional points.

Canada’s Minister of Immigration, John McCallum, said that “International students have been shortchanged by the Express Entry system. They are the cream of the crop, in terms of potential future Canadians.” As a result of these changes, IRCC expects that former international students will make up closer to 40 percent of all invited candidates in future draws from the pool.

Changes implemented to the Provincial Nominee Programs

According to the 2015 year-end report on the Express Entry Program released by IRCC, around 13 percent of the candidates issued ITA’s last year had obtained a provincial nomination certificate through one of the many Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that contain a category in alignment with Express Entry.

However, in the first nine months of 2016, there was an increase in the percentage of candidates invited to apply having obtained a provincial nominee certificate to 23%. This was an indication of the significance of these programs.

According to the Immigration Plan for the year 2017 released by the IRCC, the government of Canada plans to welcome approximately 51,000 new immigrants through the various different Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), aiming for a 7% increase compared to the target set for 2016.

To read more about the additional points to be granted to graduates of Canadian universities and changes implemented to the PNP programs, read our previously publish article.

For more information on Immigration to Canada from Pakistan, please visit our website Lalani & Associates.

Rumen Radev Appointed As The New President Of Bulgaria

Mr. Rumen Radev was chosen as the new President of Bulgaria by the citizens of the country. The official results came in on 13th November 2016 and showed an obvious success in favor of the new president.
Mr Radev is a general and a former commander of the Bulgarian Air Force. Being a new comer to politics, he is backed by the opposition social party of Bulgaria.
The new President won 59.4 percent of the votes. While on the other hand, Mrs. Tsetska Tsacheva, the 58-year-old, ruling party’s candidate nominated by the now former Prime Minister, Mr. Boyko Borisov, only managed to attain 36.16% of the votes, leaving her far behind in the Presidential race.
Many Bulgarian citizens showed their frustration with Mr. Borisov’s way of handling corruption and are also disappointed in the European Union. Whereas, others want to develop close ties with Russia in the hopes to improve Bulgaria’s economy.
The former Prime Minister gave in his resignation on Monday, the 14th of November, as he no longer felt that the sitting Parliament and the respective cabinet had national support. The resignation was accepted by the National Assembly, giving the indication that the premature parliamentary elections will be conducted somewhere around March or April 2017. An interim government will be appointed in the meantime.
Mr Radev’s victory is seen as a boost for Russian as he is known to be Russian-friendly. However, it might also be a let down to the Western allies. He has announced an end to the EU sanctions against Russia. Furthermore, the new president has also shown interest in balancing Bulgaria’s commitments to the European Union and Nato, while maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship with Russia.
These new political developments will prove to be a positive sign for the Bulgarian business and Investment environment, as it is predicted to create a more stable and predictable business environment. Mr Radev and the Vice President have declared foreign investment as their main focus, which should lead to a more enhanced business climate and solid investment opportunities. Thus, the Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Program for Citizenship and Residency is expected to become even more attractive and competitive compared to other similar immigrant investor programs across the world.
Despite the early few turbulent months to be faced by the administration, the financial and economic outlook of the country will become better in the long run.
For more information about the Bulgarian Immigrant Investor Program, please visit our website Lalani & Associates.

Significant Changes Implemented To The Comprehensive Ranking System For The Express Entry Program

The Express Entry Program has become quite famous over the years among individuals applying for Immigration To Canada. On November 19^th 2016, some important charges were made to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for the Express Entry immigration selection system by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The new factors for the Express Entry Program had been expected for quite some time now and were published by the Government of Canada in the Official Gazette. The major changes are as follows:
1.Education from a Canadian University is now an additional factor:
The points to be allotted for Canadian Credentials are outlined below:

0 points	If the candidate has a secondary school educational credential
15 points	If the candidate has an eligible credential from a one-year or two-year post-secondary program
30 points	If the foreign national has either: –          an eligible credential from a post-secondary program of three years or more, –          an eligible credential from a university-level program at the master’s level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required, or –          an eligible credential from a university-level program at the doctoral level

These points are only allotted for Canadian Education if the candidate:

• Studied from a Canadian Educational Institution located in Canada.
• Was admitted for at least eight months in full-time study or training
• Had physically resided in Canada for a period of eight months at least.

This change comes as an added advantage for many potential individuals, especially those who have done their Masters or Bachelors from a Canadian University and are seeking to apply for Immigration To Canada From Pakistan.

2.Invitation to Apply:

Candidates who have received Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence will now be allocated additional time to submit a complete application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada. They will now be given 90 days to submit an application after receiving an ITA, as compared to having 60 days previously.
3.Provincial Nominee Programs:
According to the Immigration Plan for the year 2017 released by the IRCC, the government of Canada plans to welcome approximately 51,000 new immigrants through the various different Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), aiming for a 7% increase compared to the target set for 2016. With more enhanced PNP categories opening and changing over time, it is crucial for candidates to stay up to date on these immigration programs.
These changes emulate the Canadian Government’s aim to make the process of Immigrating To Canada easier and show a welcoming approach towards accepting Immigrants into Canada, which will come as a very welcoming thought for all those individuals seeking to migrate following the results of the US Elections 2016.
For latest updates on the Express Entry Program, please feel free to visit our website Lalani & Associates.

Canadian Government To Grant Visa-Free Travel To Bulgarian & Romanian Citizens

On 1st November, the Canadian Immigration Minister, John McCallum, made an announcement regarding Canada’s intention to lift the visa requirements for Bulgarian and Romanian Citizens. The new regulation of visa-free travel for Bulgarians and Romanians is applicable on all those individuals who hold a valid U.S visa, as well those who have Travelled To Canada in the past, or individuals who have traveled for business related purposes.
This new regulation is set to be implemented in May 2017. However, by the start of December 2017, Canada intends to partially extend visa-free travel for all Bulgarian & Romanian citizens, ultimately terminating the requirement for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to visit Canada. Instead, they will now only need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to be able to fly or Transit Through Canada.
This move has resulted from a controversial European Union free trade deal currently being settled with Canada, and aspires to abate the tension involving Bulgarian Citizens. Bulgarian and Romania will continue to give reluctant support to this trade deal, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) if Canada fails to execute a visa-waiver entry system for Bulgarian and Romanian people.
Private discussions were held regarding lifting the visa regulation between the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Boyoko Brissov. This discussion was later extended to recent EU-Canada Summit Joint Declaration negotiations. The Canadian officials promised to lift visa requirements in return for obtaining Bulgarian and Romanian approval in favor of the CETA agreement. In reference to this, the government press stated, “[the] Canadian government will make efforts that all other Bulgarians can travel without visas by the end of 2017.”
However, the visa-free travel will only be acquired through certain necessary phases. The first phase will eliminate all those individuals who have previously obtained a TRV over the past decade from having to re-apply to enter Canada. Contrarily, they will now be required to acquire an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which has become Canada’s latest method of pre-screening foreign travelers from visa-exempt countries.
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Canada’s decision in regards to Bulgarian and Romanian citizens aims to “further facilitate the strong cultural, educational, family and business relations that exist between Canada and Europe.” as described by the EU-Canada Summit Joint Declaration.
Despite the needs of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to see a faster process for obtaining visa-free travel, the Canadian Government has made it that this will be a  Step-By-Step Process, commencing with only a limited number of individuals meeting the eligibility criteria previously outlined.